The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is an organisation with over 80 years’ experience in promoting trade and representing the needs, interests, and aspirations of the UK textile machinery sector, particularly SMEs.
As a representative body, the BTMA promotes the UK as the centre of choice for best industry practice and high standards in international customer relations and service delivery. Textile Focus conversed with Jason Kent, Chief Executive Officer British Textile Machinery Association. Read the full conversations-
Textile Focus: Could you plz share with us the current scenario of Global Textile Machinery business?
Jason Kent: I think it very much reflects the geopolitical state of the world at the moment, uncertain but with some successful niche markets.
Spinning and chemical fibre machine producers remain optimistic which is encouraging for the rest of the textile machinery industry which is downstream from these processes. China remains a strong export country with activity in India becoming a significant country of focus. Reciprocal tariffs and trade tensions such as the China-USA decoupling, are creating challenges but also opportunities in the realignment of supply chains and market diversification. Particularly in Bangladesh, there is a huge drive on machinery suppliers to focus on delivering productivity increases and lean manufacturing. Globally the trend is increasing where the industry skills gap is widening, and less people are prepared to work as machinery operatives necessitating in accelerated machinery development centred around automation and AI as well as significant reductions in energy consumption costs. Unsurprisingly the industry is seeing a shift away from high-volume, low-cost production models to markets where there is rising demand driven by value-added sustainability. High value industries such as the composites sector and technical textiles industry in the UK are prospering despite the economic challenges and keeping many of our BTMA member companies busy in the lead up to ITMA Asia+CITME Singapore.
Textile Focus: How does BTMA help textile manufacturers boost production?
Jason Kent: We are completely member-led in this respect, it’s about bringing our members together face-to-face at regular thematic events which incorporate networking, problem solving and roadmapping at the textile machinery industry level. Last year, we also introduced a wider level of membership to bring in associates and academic institutions in order to enrich the knowledge base and expertise within the association. We provide support and collaboration via access to funding, showcasing opportunities, global representation, training, and initiatives. We’re here to join the dots and not spend time and resources trying to try and reinvent the wheel. We are facing the same challenges across the entire industry, globally in fact, and the BTMA strives to bring together the “best in class” in terms of growth opportunities for its members. Industry representation is why the BTMA existed in the first place and remains our primary function. Recently, we have widened our approach to media coverage through collaborating with media partners such as Textile Focus and are taking full advantage of the opportunities provided by social media channels. Assistance to the UK textile machinery industry in all aspects of representation at the major exhibitions is also a significant part of our work of course.
Textile Focus: On behalf of ITMA Asia, what are the latest innovations you will be showcasing?
Jason Kent: The BTMA and its member companies will debut cutting-edge innovations in textile testing and machine control at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore. These developments highlight the UK’s leadership in advanced fabric evaluation tools.
One standout innovation is Roaches International’s Sentire fabric handle tester, created in collaboration with the University of Leeds. Tackling the age-old challenge of objectively describing how a fabric feels, Sentire measures tactile properties like softness, drape, and stiffness using a haptic spatial system. Much like colour charts quantify visual aspects, Sentire produces a “tactile fingerprint” for fabrics, enabling consistent digital communication across global supply chains. The system has already drawn interest from online retailers looking to better represent fabric qualities visually for consumers.
Meanwhile, Shelton Vision has advanced automated inspection with the latest version of its WebSpector system. Originally known for plain fabric inspection, the new system now detects flaws in patterned textiles, including camouflage and distorted materials using sophisticated image processing. Designed to operate in real-time on high-speed production lines, WebSpector’s adaptive software ensures high accuracy, with installations already serving industries from high-end fashion and denim to automotive interiors and composites.
In the field of durability testing, James Heal has reimagined its classic Martindale abrasion and pilling tester. The new Martindale Motion features nine independently operable test stations, allowing simultaneous and unattended multi-sample testing. With features like automatic lifting heads, hinged drive pin access, and the ability to run tests overnight, this upgrade significantly improves lab efficiency. The company’s long-standing Martindale range, along with innovations like the AquAbrasion tester, has already cemented its leadership in fabric performance testing.
Fibre Extrusion Technologies (FET) works closely in collaboration with its customers on the development of specific multifilament, monofilament and nonwoven polymers and fibres for niche applications, over 70 to date, and designs the bespoke fibre extrusion and spunbond and meltblown nonwoven systems to successfully produce them. Although details are not been released yet. FET are currently working on an exciting new parallel development that we believe will be game-changing for the medical devices industry, and they will be announcing full details prior to the exhibition in October.
Textile Focus: How do you see the Bangladesh market for BTMA?
Jason Kent: I think the forthcoming ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore edition of the exhibition is perfectly placed both geographically and timing-wise for our BTMA member companies to forge a greater collaboration together with the Bangladesh markets. I think there is an increased drive to target diversity in the export market and value-add to the products Bangladesh has been synonymously associated with. With globalisation in flux and protracted uncertainty for many textile producing countries, it is a perfect time for Bangladesh to reimagine its textile industry back into growth. This can only be achieved however, with innovative solutions and our BTMA member companies are eager to help Bangladesh become a part of that competitive transformation.
The BTMA, and our 20 member companies who will be exhibiting in Singapore in October, look forward to meeting with you!
