Joachim Maier, Head of Marketing at Rieter Machines & Systems says the textile machinery market is not as stagnant as it might appear. This is because demand continues to be steady due to the need for increasing competitiveness through equipment upgrading, especially in growing Asian textile producing countries. Compared to a few years ago, the number of new machines delivered to the market is going down, he said.

Maier was speaking on the sidelines of the ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 where he shared his understanding of the current Chinese market. Coming to know that China is the largest air-jet spinning market worldwide, Rieter presented its J 26 automated air-jet spinning machine for the first time in China.

Designed for processing viscose, combed cotton and blends, this machine is said to have been further enhanced and enables a wide range of yarn to be produced economically. Maier added that it is believed that the Chinese market will still grow though not as fast as it did in recent years. Due to high labour costs and labour shortage, many Chinese customers have started moving to Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, and to the province of Xinjiang in Western China on the other.

In order to gain sufficient experience with the various types of polyester, Rieter works closely with customers. The company not only focuses on a practical and market-oriented machine development, but also on a close and sustained partnership with its customers, Maier added.