#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.

Monitor, adjust, perfect

FiberGuard BCF is the name of the new system for real-time monitoring of yarn tension in all Neumag BCF production processes. Barmag, the innovation and technology leader for filament spinning systems, presented this innovation of its Neumag product line at ITMA Asia + CITME in Singapore last November. The new BCF yarn tension sensor is compatible with all current Neumag BCF machines and can be easily retrofitted to existing Neumag BCF S8 machines.

“Action helps us change what we do!”

DAY 0 takes place deliberately before PERFORMANCE DAYS begins. It is conceived as a space for reflection, dialogue and active engagement — a moment to pause before the fair, rethink established systems and address sustainability not as a trend, but as a fundamental transformation challenge. Under the guiding metaphor “Turn the Tap Off”, DAY 0 focuses on root causes rather than symptoms, systemic change rather than isolated solutions, and collective responsibility rather than individual silos.

Pets in fashion: functional and sustainable textiles find new market at Intertextile Apparel

China’s pet economy is booming, especially amongst younger generations, and pet apparel – from designer outfits to functional garments – was a RMB 3.5 billion (over USD 500 million) market in 2024, growing more than 20% annually¹. To help exhibitors harness this trend, Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Spring Edition 2026 will launch the Pet Boutique, presenting a range of innovative, sustainable materials that prioritise both functionality and comfort for pets.

VAUDE eliminates PFAS from all products

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are now detectable worldwide – in drinking water, soil and the human body. These so-called “forever chemicals” are considered hazardous to health and potentially carcinogenic, as they do not break down and remain in the environment permanently. Despite these risks, PFAS are still used in a wide range of products. More than 15 years ago, VAUDE made a strategic decision to gradually eliminate PFAS from all product categories.

Lenzing AG to become majority owner of TreeToTextile AB and accelerates industrialization of new fibers

The Lenzing Group is taking another strategic milestone by acquiring a controlling majority in the Swedish innovation company TreeToTextile AB. This step strengthens Lenzing’s position as a leading provider of sustainable, wood‑based specialty fibers and expands its innovation pipeline with a highly scalable, patent‑protected technology platform. The transaction is executed through the issuance of new shares.