#Spinning

2021-11-18

Management succession planning at Uster Technologies AG

Thomas Nasiou and David Maccabruni © 2021 Uster

Uster Technologies is to have a new Chief Executive, in a planned and phased handover by April 2022. At his own request, current CEO Thomas Nasiou decided to step-down, and will be succeeded by Davide Maccabruni, former CEO of SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG and General Manager of Savio Group Components.

Succession plan ensures ‘seamless transition’ for company and customers

Thomas Nasiou, who has been CEO for the past 6 years and in Uster Technologies for the last 16 years, has decided to step-down as CEO: “Since I joined Uster and also during my tenure as CEO, I only felt privileged and honored to meet and work with so many colleagues and friends. We have been through some exciting and challenging times, innovating, developing and growing together, keeping in mind creating value for ourselves, for our organization and for our customers and partners,” he says. “We maintained our focus on the needs of our customers and our commitment to providing the best solutions to help them with the many challenges they face in todays but mainly tomorrow’s demanding market environment. The work has been enjoyable and fulfilling. It is time for me to change my priorities in life and focus more on other personal interests, which require time and energy. I am glad that we have found the ideal successor, so we can work towards a seamless transition for the future.”

The successor of Thomas Nasiou will join Uster on January 1, 2022 and will take over as CEO on April 1, 2022.

New CEO: a colleague with textile industry background

Davide Maccabruni has extensive experience of the textile industry, with customers and the markets. His experience has been gained working in both innovation and management roles at Sultex (ITEMA weaving), at SSM and at Savio. He has a detailed understanding of the needs of modern textile manufacturers.

“This background makes him uniquely qualified to take the next step as CEO” says Thomas Nasiou: “Davide’s deep and broad textile expertise, knowledge and innovation spirit will ensure continuity and stability of the Uster business. His experiences as well as his personal values fit ideally to the Uster culture.”

Davide studied Management and Production Engineering at Politecnico di Milano and got his Ph.D. in Management, Technology and Economics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.

From 1998 until 2004 he worked as assistant and research associate in the Institute for Textile Machinery and Textile Industry / Institute of Manufacturing Automation at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. From 2004 until 2006 he was a project manager at SSM and from 2006 until 2009 he has been the CTO in Sultex and ITEMA Weaving. In 2009 he joined SSM as CTO and in 2016 he became its CEO, until 2020 when he joined Savio as the General Manager of the Savio Group Components.

“I am glad and honored to join Uster, an organization that offered so much to our textile industry “, he says. “I commit to serve with my knowledge and experience to the efforts of all Uster colleagues to stay focused on ‘Think Quality’ and remain successful developing solutions that create value for the entire textile chain. But more importantly, to work together and make sure that the Uster spirit of a great organization remains and thrives.”

Davide Maccabruni was born in 1974 and holds both the Italian and Swiss nationality. He is married and has two children.

The Board of Directors and Toyota Industries Corporation are pleased that the successor for the CEO has been found early, providing the time for continuity and a successful takeover.

Uster presents novelties at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025

There’s news from Uster Technologies to be announced for the industry’s upcoming event in Singapore. The Uster 360Q universe is growing with new products, solutions and services. Innovation developments can also be recorded in the fields of man-made fiber testing and fabric inspection. Uster innovations address the industry’s trending topics as mill management and process control, optimization of delivered fabric quality and yield.

Challenges of making yarn from recycled fibers

What does it take to spin quality yarn from recycled fibers? Uster Technologies brought textile industry leaders together to discuss the role of technology, data and automation – as well as the current challenges in using recycled raw material. Experts from Rieter, Säntis Textiles, Otto Yarns, and TVU commented on the current situation and looked into the future of spinning in a panel discussion organized at Uster headquarters.

Uster Technologies wins another infringement lawsuit

In a ‘victory for innovation in China’ Uster Technologies has secured a decisive judgment in a patent infringement lawsuit against a competitor. The final ruling by the Supreme People’s Court of PR China confirms that the competitor’s actions in copying the patented yarn feeder of the Uster Tester 6 constitute unlawful infringement.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.

The hub of smart and sustainable transformation in yarn technologies: ITM 2026

With global fiber production projected to reach 169 million tons by 2030, yarn manufacturing is becoming one of the most strategic fields within the textile machinery industry. Located in Halls 6, 7, and 10, the Yarn Hall at ITM 2026 is set to bring together industry professionals with innovative solutions developed around automation, energy efficiency, digitalization, and circular production.

Perfect quality through collaboration: Machinery from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata at Zirve Tekstil

In today’s textile industry, excellence is not achieved by chance – it’s the result of deliberate decisions, technical expertise, and the courage to go beyond conventional paths. The Turkish company Zirve Tekstil has done just that: by combining the best technologies from Trützschler, Toyota and Murata, they’ve created a production setup that delivers outstanding yarn quality – recognized worldwide.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Stäubli demonstrates how innovation translates into real benefits for weaving mills at SITEX 2026

One of India’s most prominent textile industry events, SITEX 2026, is held from February 21 to 23 in Surat. Committed to empowering Indian weaving mills with state‑of‑the‑art solutions tailored to regional needs, Stäubli will present a selection of solutions designed for performance, reliability, and power efficiency. Through its weaving preparation, cam and dobby shedding solutions and Jacquard technologies, Stäubli highlights its global expertise tailored to the specific needs of the local market.