ITMA ASIA + CITME, the leading textile machinery trade fair in Asia, is underway in Shanghai with a significant showing of VDMA member companies. With around 40 exhibitors, representing almost all machinery sectors, including spinning, weaving, and finishing, the VDMA members contribute to a strong German presence at the event, which includes a total of 60 German exhibitors.
The VDMA Textile Machinery Association and VDMA China have set up their booths in Hall 8 zone B, reflecting the importance of the industry hub. Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, the VDMA team in Shanghai comprises staff members from both Germany and China, ready to engage with customers and partners.
During the press conference on the opening day, Dr. Janpeter Horn, Chairman of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing the opportunity it presents to reconnect with customers and partners face-to-face. Dr. Horn also shared the latest figures on the German textile machinery industry’s exports, revealing a slight decline in overall exports for the period between January and August 2023 compared to the same period last year.
The declining trend is noticeable in several major markets, including China, Turkey, the USA, and India. Despite this, numerous VDMA member companies operate production sites in China and India, enabling them to serve their customers effectively.
A recent business climate survey conducted by VDMA in China indicated that 75% of participating textile machinery companies assessed their current business situation as good or satisfactory. However, the outlook for the coming quarter appears uncertain, with half of the companies anticipating a decline in the market. Looking ahead, 44% of the companies expect the market to remain stable over the next six months, while 56% predict a worsening situation. These expectations also influence workforce planning, with 63% of companies expecting the number of employees to remain unchanged.
ITMA ASIA + CITME continues to be a valuable platform for deepening existing relationships and forging new partnerships, despite the challenges faced by the industry in recent years.
