#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2021-10-13

Merging for a brighter future – ALUMO to become wholly-owned subsidiary of AG Cilander

Two long-established companies are joining forces: as of October 2021, textile finishing specialist AG Cilander from Herisau, Switzerland, will acquire 100 percent of ALUMO AG, an Appenzell-based manufacturer known for producing ultra-fine cotton fabrics to exacting Swiss quality standards.

The textile finishing industry is an environment in which quality, new technologies and a keen interest in innovative textile solutions play a crucial role. In this business, strong, reliable alliances with customers and partners are vital pillars to allow growth while still satisfying the high expectations set for the materials used. By acquiring ALUMO AG, the world leader in ultra-fine cotton fabrics, AG Cilander expands into a new market segment, setting the course for successfully broadening its product portfolio and tapping into new sales markets.

“Uncontested at the top of its industry, ALUMO AG stands for both the heritage and the future of premium quality shirt and blouse fabrics. We have long since come to appreciate the cotton fabrics made by this manufacturer,” says Dr. Burghard Schneider, CEO AG Cilander. He sees the acquisition of this company as a visionary step towards the future. “Now is the time to pool our resources in order to satisfy the needs of a demanding market. Our answer to the customers’ demand for outstanding quality, transparency and sustainability is Swiss precision. The ALUMO AG acquisition follows consistent strategic interests. We are rolling up our shirtsleeves, leveraging the power of Swiss heritage to embark on a shared journey towards a successful future,” Schneider continues.

The team at ALUMO AG is excited about the acquisition, too, as it integrates the company even more firmly into the strong Cilander group. Both companies can look back on a long tradition of expertise in the textile industry, and their partnership has been a very successful one for years. “I believe in the new, redoubled collaboration with Cilander. Firmly integrated into a strong, sustainable textile group, we will forge a successful shared future,” Sandra Geiger, CEO ALUMO, is excited to add.

ALUMO AG will continue to operate as an independent company based in Appenzell, keeping the same strategic direction in the fabrics offered and the same standards for excellence in service and quality.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

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Circulose resumes recycling of discarded cotton textiles and appoints interim CEO

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Itema brings textile versatility to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026

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DITF develops bio-based binding fibers for wood-fiber insulation materials

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