Why Swiss Engineering Still Leads Global Textile Machinery: Precision and Innovation

Recent export data shows a notable decline in 2023 textile machinery shipments. Do you view this as a short-term dip driven by cyclical demand and geopolitics, or a symptom of deeper structural issues in global demand for capital goods?
Davide Maccabruni: It’s primarily cyclical. 2023 and 2024 reflected macroeconomic uncertainty, investment hesitations in key textile hubs, and global inventory corrections post-COVID. Moreover, some of the installed overcapacity needs to be reasorbed. While structural shifts like energy costs and regional production diversification play a role, we don’t see a long-term decline in demand for high-end machinery overall. On the contrary, modernisation and automation needs are rising. The dip is real, but it’s not terminal—it's a reset.

Given the strong emphasis on sustainability across the value chain, machinery suppliers are expected to enable more circular and resource-efficient manufacturing. So, what specific sustainability metrics or benchmarks are your members actively engineering into new machines, and how are these being audited or certified?
Davide Maccabruni: Sustainability is now integral to machine design. Our members are engineering for lower energy use, water savings, reduced waste, and modular upgrades. Metrics such as energy consumption per unit of output and recyclability of machine components are being tracked. Certifications and audits—whether internal or third party—are increasingly tied to ESG strategies. Some companies now develop entire lines around closed-loop manufacturing or biodegradable inputs.

There’s been talk about Swiss firms moving toward more customisable, application-specific machinery. Is this a deliberate pivot away from volume-centric models, and what sectors—technical textiles, nonwovens, smart fabrics—are driving this shift?
Davide Maccabruni: Yes, this is a deliberate move. Rather than chasing scale alone, Swiss firms are focusing on smarter, more adaptable machinery tailored to niche segments—technical textiles, nonwovens, protective gear, smart fabrics. These areas demand flexibility, precision, and the most modern technologies, which Swiss technology delivers. It’s not abandoning volume but redefining it through specialisation.

Coming to the global scene. The global textile machinery market is forecast to reach USD 83.5 billion by 2032. As an industry expert, how do you interpret this growth—are we looking at genuine expansion in manufacturing capacity, or is this largely driven by replacement and automation cycles in existing hubs?
Davide Maccabruni: The growth is a mix of expansion and replacement. In regions like Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, we see new capacity coming online. In more mature hubs, demand is driven by modernisation, automation, and compliance with environmental standards. So yes, there’s real growth - but the drivers vary widely. The industry needs to serve both: the greenfield and the upgrade.

With Asia being the dominant buyer of textile machinery, is there a growing imbalance in the global textile value chain, where manufacturing is heavily consolidated but innovation is still Eurocentric? How should the machinery sector respond to this dichotomy?
Davide Maccabruni: It’s a valid point. Manufacturing is increasingly consolidated in Asia, while much of the innovation remains Eurocentric. This imbalance creates a strategic challenge but also an opportunity. Swiss machinery makers are deepening their local engagement through R&D partnerships, tech centres, and training initiatives in Asia. If innovation doesn’t follow production, it risks losing relevance.

Trade dynamics—such as the EU’s CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism), US-China tariff tensions, and supply chain reshoring—are reshaping manufacturing strategies globally. How do these trends affect long-term demand for Swiss textile machinery, and how are your members repositioning their commercial strategies accordingly?
Davide Maccabruni: Global trade is fragmenting. The EU’s CBAM, reshoring in the US, and tariff tensions are pushing manufacturers to rethink supply chains. For Swiss machinery, this creates demand in newer geographies and in sectors closer to end-markets. Our members are responding by localising after-sales, adapting machines for regional standards, and tightening delivery times. Strategic flexibility is key.

What role do you see for digital twins, predictive maintenance, and integrated data systems in shaping the next wave of machinery design? Are machinery makers ready to become platform providers, not just hardware manufacturers?
Davide Maccabruni: These are no longer future concepts: they are embedded realities. Predictive maintenance reduces downtime, digital twins optimise design and commissioning, and integrated data systems unlock continuous improvement. Swiss firms are ready to evolve into platform providers—offering ecosystems around machines, not just the machines themselves. It’s a shift from products to solutions, offering new value dimensions to the textile producers.

Many textile machinery shows and expos are now shifting towards hybrid or regional formats. What’s your position on how international engagement—traditionally a strength for Swiss companies—should evolve in a post-pandemic, decentralised world?
Davide Maccabruni: Physical trade shows remain important - but they’re no longer the only channel. We’re seeing value in regional formats, hybrid expos, and targeted B2B platforms. Swiss firms, known for global engagement, are investing in smarter, more focused international outreach. It’s less about being everywhere, more about being relevant and accessible—both physically and digitally.