#Making-Up

2020-05-07

Prime Minister Mrs Malu Dreyer visits PFAFF

On 16 April, Prime Minister (State of Rhineland-Palatinate) Mrs Malu Dreyer visited PFAFF Industriesysteme und Maschinen GmbH in Kaiserslautern. Welcomed by the three PFAFF managing directors Michael Kilian, Guido Jaeger and Yongwu Chen, Malu Dreyer was there to find out about PFAFF's activities regarding the provision of production solutions for the manufacture of face masks.

In the PFAFF showroom, the PFAFF management showed some solutions to the Prime Minister and explained which measures and adjustments have been implemented at PFAFF to meet the worldwide demand for sewing and welding solutions for the production of masks and protective clothing. Michael Kilian (PFAFF management spokesman) provided the information that, for example, in order to meet the high demand for welding machines, a second welding machine production line has been installed.

Michael Kilian also said that PFAFF will install two fully automatic production lines for mask manufacturing at its locations in Kaiserslautern and Bensheim in the next few weeks and bring them into production. At full capacity, up to 3 million masks can be produced per month on the two production units (of a sister company within the group). Malu Dreyer was very impressed with this; further activities and procedures were discussed in intensive talks with PFAFF management. The basic tenor of the head of the federal state, “In the future, we cannot allow a situation where we are completely dependent on mask supplies from abroad. Regional manufacturing must be developed to ensure the necessary independence and flexibility".

A project of ITSMgroup GmbH (Mainz) and PFAFF, with the aim of establishing production of washable and reusable face masks in Germany within a few weeks, also follows the same line. This approach of "sustainable production and use" is fully supported by the Prime Minister. The state government is proud that the skills for the establishment of such sustainable mask production are available in the federal state and are being implemented concretely and at short notice in this difficult time.

“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.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Precision at the Forefront: Groz-Beckert at ITMA Asia 2024

As ITMA Asia 2024 approaches, Groz-Beckert is set to unveil a range of cutting-edge innovations in textile machinery components. From October 14-18, 2024, visitors can expect a showcase of the company’s latest developments in knitting, weaving, nonwovens, tufting, sewing, and spinning at Hall 4, Booth C04. With a focus on precision and performance, Groz-Beckert’s offerings align with the growing demand for enhanced efficiency and sustainability in textile production.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.