#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2020-08-13

Change at the top of the adidas Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board of adidas AG has appointed Thomas Rabe (55), Chief Executive Officer of Bertelsmann, as Chairman of the company’s Supervisory Board. He will succeed Igor Landau (76) whose Supervisory Board mandate expired after 16 successful years at the end of the Annual General Meeting on August 11, 2020.

Thomas Rabe has been a member of the adidas AG Supervisory Board since May 9, 2019, and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board since this same point in time. He was appointed to the Executive Board of Bertelsmann, a global media, services and education company, as Chief Financial Officer in 2006. He has been CEO of Bertelsmann since 2012.

Thomas Rabe said: “I am very much looking forward to the task of accompanying adidas as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. I am aware that this office entails a high degree of responsibility, which I will gladly take on in the interests of shareholders, customers, consumers, employees and partners. I would like to thank Igor Landau, also on behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, for his extremely successful work. He has rendered great service to the company.”

In addition, Bodo Uebber will take over as Chairman of the Audit Committee from Herbert Kauffmann. Herbert Kauffmann will remain on the Supervisory Board until the 2021 Annual General Meeting. Ian Gallienne has been appointed as the new additional Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

The shareholders elected Christian Klein (40), CEO of SAP SE, to the Supervisory Board. He was appointed to the SAP Executive Board as Chief Operating Officer in 2018. Christian Klein had been Co-CEO of SAP SE since October 2019, and has been sole CEO of SAP SE since April 2020.

In addition, the Supervisory Board members announced that they would waive 30% of their remuneration for the current financial year due to the coronavirus crisis. Instead, the money will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages, among others.

The virtual Annual General Meeting of adidas AG took place on August 11, 2020. Further information on the Annual General Meeting is available on the company’s website: www.adidas-group.com/agm.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

STFI highlights textile circular economy and alternative fibres at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May 2026, INDEX will invite visitors to Lake Geneva for the world's leading nonwovens trade fair. The Centre of Excellence in Nonwovens at the Sächsisches Textilforschung- sinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be in attendance to present the latest developments in nonwovens research. In the field of the textile circular economy, the STFI will present acoustically effective nonwovens made from chemical recycling residues. The range also includes innovations aimed at replacing conventional raw materials, such as the biobased and biodegradable polymer polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Kendyr as an alternative to cotton.

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.