German textile machinery
manufacturers saw their machinery and accessory exports increase by 15.5 percent in the first half
of 2007 compared with the same period in 2006, to total 1.9 billion euros (US$2.703 billion) and
comprise 95 percent of all German machinery exports, according to a recent report from the German
Engineering Federation (VDMA) Textile Machinery Association.
“Being the export world champion for over 50 years, the German textile machinery business
performed extremely well in the first half of the ITMA year 2007,” said Thomas Waldmann, managing
director, VDMA Textile Machinery Association.
Spinning machinery topped the list of textile machinery export increases for the period,
with a rise of 39 percent to 776 million euros ($1.104 billion); followed by weaving machinery, up
19.3 percent to 191 million euros ($272 million). Knitting, hosiery and like machinery exports rose
to 639 million euros ($909 million); and finishing machinery including washing, bleaching and
dyeing totaled 292 million euros ($416 million).
China was the top customer for German textile machinery, representing 25 percent of the
export market and 477 million euros ($679 million) in value; followed by Turkey, 172 million euros
($245 million) — a 63-percent increase from the year-earlier period; India, 154 million euros ($219
million); Italy, 97 million euros ($138 million): and the United States, 91 million euros ($130
million).
VDMA also reported that more than 330 German companies exhibited in 30,000 square meters of
space at ITMA 2007 in Munich, Germany, last month. This was a significant increase over the German
presence at ITMA 2003 in Birmingham, England, where 232 companies exhibited their products and
services.
October 9, 2007
