#Spinning

2022-10-27

Rieter reports good figures for the third quarter

Rieter recorded a significant increase in sales in the third quarter of 2022, reaching a level of CHF 366.8 million (2021: CHF 257.3 million). The measures introduced to increase sales and profitability in the second half of 2022 are taking effect and will continue to be implemented in a systematic manner. These include a close cooperation with key suppliers, the development of alternative solutions to eliminate material shortages, the enforcement of price increases, and the improvement of the margin quality of the order backlog.

• Sales of CHF 366.8 million in the third quarter, CHF 987.4 million after nine months

• Order intake of CHF 226.4 million in the third quarter, CHF 1 095.8 million after nine months

• Order backlog of around CHF 2 000 million as of September 30, 2022

• Precautionary measures taken against potential energy crisis in Europe

• Financing of a Professorship for Artificial Intelligence

• Rieter site sales process on schedule

• Outlook 2022

The order intake of CHF 226.4 million in the third quarter of 2022 reflects the expected normalization of demand for new equipment compared to the record year of 2021, which was characterized by catch-up effects and the regional shift in demand. In addition, the well-known uncertainties and risks and the continuing extremely long delivery times at key manufacturers had a dampening effect on demand. Due to the slowdown in capacity utilization in the spinning mills, demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts also declined in the third quarter of 2022. Major orders continued to be recorded from Turkey, Uzbekistan, and China.

Rieter has an exceptionally high order backlog of around CHF 2 000 million as of September 30, 2022 (September 30, 2021: CHF 1 562 million), which will guarantee capacity utilization in all three business groups until well into 2023 or rather 2024. The cancellation rate in the reporting period was around 5% of the order backlog.

The Business Group Machines & Systems achieved total sales of CHF 634.3 million in the first nine months of 2022 (+66%). The Business Group Components recorded an increase of 37% to CHF 232.6 million in the first nine months of 2022, while the Business Group After Sales posted sales of CHF 120.5 million, 14% higher compared to the prior-year period. In all three business groups, the measures introduced to eliminate material bottlenecks and safeguard supplies are having a positive impact.

Following the record year of 2021, the Rieter Group received an order intake totaling CHF 1 095.8 million in the first nine months of 2022 (-35%).

In the Business Group Machines & Systems, compared to the record year in 2021, the expected normalization of demand was clearly reflected in an order intake of CHF 696.2 million.

Order intake in the Business Group Components rose to CHF 248.1 million, an increase of 9% compared to the first nine months of the previous year, mainly as a result of the acquisition of the Accotex and Temco components businesses. In the Business Group After Sales, order intake decreased to CHF 151.5 million, a fall of 8% compared to the first nine months of the previous year. The evolution of order intake in both business groups is attributable to the drop in demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts.

Precautionary Measures Taken Against Potential Energy Crisis in Europe

Rieter has largely completed preparations in connection with a potential energy crisis in Europe. All European locations have drawn up and already implemented suitable plans.

Financing of a Professorship for Artificial Intelligence

With the aim of further expanding its technology leadership, Rieter is financing together with the Johann Jakob Rieter Foundation a Professorship for Artificial Intelligence at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Winterthur (Switzerland). Rieter will use this technology in the context of the further development of ESSENTIAL, the platform for the digitalization of Rieter spinning systems.

Rieter Site Sales Process on Schedule

The process for the sale of the remaining Rieter site in Winterthur (Switzerland) is proceeding according to plan. In total, around 75 000 m2 of land will be sold. The Rieter CAMPUS is not part of this transaction.

Outlook 2022

Rieter anticipates weakened demand for new systems in the coming months. The demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts will depend on the capacity utilization of spinning mills in the months ahead.

For the full year 2022, Rieter expects sales of around CHF 1 400 million. The realization of sales revenue from the order backlog continues to be associated with risks in relation to the well-known uncertainties.

Despite significantly higher sales compared to the prior-year period, Rieter expects EBIT and net result for 2022 to be below the previous year’s level. This is due to the considerable increases in the cost of materials and logistics, additional costs for compensation of material shortages as well as expenses in connection with the acquisition in the years 2021/2022.

As market and technology leader, Rieter will benefit from the continuing exceptionally high order backlog of around CHF 2 000 million, the significantly improved market position, and the continuation of the regional shift in demand.

Rieter appoints Daniel Lippuner as new CEO as Thomas Oetterli steps down

Thomas Oetterli has decided to step down from his function as CEO, effective October 31, 2026, and hand over the Chairmanship of the Board of Directors. “After the successful implementation of the Next Level performance program, the structural measures initiated to consolidate the sites and the acquisition of Barmag, the time has come to hand over responsibility to new hands,” explains Thomas Oetterli.

Rieter and partners launch Recycling Powerhouse for industrial-scale textile recycling

Recycling Powerhouse Ltd. was established in July 2026 to industrialize, standardize and scale textile recycling. Based in Switzerland, the venture will operate a franchise-driven business model that enables the production of high-quality, certified recycled yarns. The project is supported by the following partners: Rieter Group, the world’s leading system supplier for natural and man-made fibers, Säntis Textiles, a Swiss textile engineering company, and Valvan, a Belgian sorting technology company. The first blueprint franchise operation is scheduled to launch early 2027 in partnership with Suhail Industrial Holding Group in Qatar.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

Trützschler to showcase innovations in spinning preparation and nonwovens at ITMA Asia 2026

From November 20 to 24, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its latest fiber processing technologies at ITMA Asia in Shanghai, China. At Hall 5.1, Booth D20, the company will showcase solutions designed to increase productivity, simplify operations and improve efficiency across spinning preparation and nonwoven production. Key highlights include the automated can transport system T-CAN, the next-generation card TC 30, innovative card clothing solutions such as STEELTOP and SUPERFLOW, as well as advanced nonwoven technologies for hygiene, wipes and filtration applications.

FET highlights advances in fibre spinning technology at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) presented its latest developments in fibre spinning technology at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. In a presentation entitled “Spinning a good yarn”, Dr Jonny Hunter examined recent technological developments and challenges facing the fibre industry, highlighting the company's expanding range of specialised fibre extrusion and spinning systems.