German textile machinery industry, the export world champion for over 50 years, has shipped textile machinery and accessories worth 1.9 billion Euro abroad from January to June in 2007, showing a rise of 15.5% over that of the previous year. The industry leaders are upbeat about the future and the fact that the present ITMA was in Munich boosted their morale. Led by VDMA textile machinery association, over 330 German exhibitors (232 at ITMA 2003) showed their might, covering the entire gamut of textile machinery industry. With an export share of 95%, the textile machinery branch is the biggest exporter of all machinery builders.

With a market share of 25 per cent, China is still the number one destination for German textile technology. In the first half of 2007 exports to the People's Republic reached a value of 477 million Euro. The top five is completed by Turkey with exports worth 172 million Euro which is an increase of 63 per cent, India (154 million), Italy (97 million) and the United States (91 million).

Mr Nicolai Strauch of VDMA textile machinery association, spoke to Samuel Joseph, Editor of The Indian Textile Journal in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

ITJ Editor: What is the present status of the German textile machinery industry? How have they performed in the last 5 years?
NS: The German textile machinery industry has been doing extremely well in the recent times. In the first six months of 2007 itself it has turned out excellent results. The figure is Euro 1.9 billion, which shows an increase of 16% over that of the previous year. The year 2006 was also a very good year. In fact, the bad years were 2004 & 2005. We are extremely optimistic of reaching about Euro 3.9 billion. Most important thing for the German textile machinery industry is that we export 95% of our production. This perhaps is one of the highest percentages for any European country.

ITJ Editor: Which are the strongest segments for German textile machinery industry?
NS: The textile machinery leads all other industry in exports. Printing paper comes next. Of the segments, spinning takes the lead. Here exports rose by 39% to about Euro 800 million. The second biggest plus was realised in exports of weaving machinery that increased by 19.3 per cent to 191 million Euro. Exports of knitting, hosiery and similar machinery reached a value of 639 million Euro while finishing machinery inclusive washing and bleaching and dyeing technologies worth 292 million Euro were exported.

ITJ Editor: How is the German industry doing in India?
NS: We have been doing extremely well in the Indian market. Till last year, USA was the second biggest market after China. And now, India has moved to that place with China still leading at the front. This is for the first time India has leaped from somewhere in the 5th place to No 2 position. In the first 6 months, Germany has exported textile machinery & accessories worth Euro 154 million. At present Turkey is in the 2nd place with a figure of Euro 172 million, but by December, India may overtake that figure. India is a very reliable partner and the country has always been on the top of our agenda.