Stäubli is a global leader in industrial and mechatronic solutions, driven by a passion for innovation. With four dedicated divisions—Textile, Electrical Connectors, Fluid Connectors, and Robotics—Stäubli serves customers across various industrial sectors, helping them enhance productivity. Operating in 28 countries and represented in 50 countries across four continents, Stäubli’s 6,000-strong workforce is committed to providing comprehensive solutions and long-term support. Founded in 1892 as a small workshop in Horgen/Zurich, Switzerland, Stäubli is now headquartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland.Team Textile Focus had a conversation with Mr. Fritz Legler – Marketing Officer Stäubli Textile, in ITMA Asia 2024. Key discussion points are mentioned below for our readers-
Textile Focus: What is the response of ITMA Asia 2024?
Fritz Legler: The response at ITMA Asia 2024 of existing and prospective customers at our inviting Stäubli booth was more than satisfactory, bearing in mind the current state of affairs in our industry is challenging to everyone. During times of industrial despair, it is all the more important that a company like Stäubli is showing its presence in the market being close to its customers. With this in mind, we definitely had a good response from our customers, also from customers coming from Bangladesh.
Textile Focus: Has any new technology been introduced at ITMA Asia 2024?
Fritz Legler: During ITMA Asia 2024, three main focuses proposing to our customers: SAFIR PRO S47 automatic drawing-in system, S3018 rotary dobby for rapier application and large format LX PRO Jacquard machine.
Stäubli’s advanced automation and digitalization systems enhance efficiency, reduce downtime, simplify handling, and lower operational costs. The newly launched SAFIR PRO S47, operable by a single person, integrates AWC 2.0 technology for for optical, non-contact recognition and measurement of yarn properties, providing impeccably prepared weaving harnesses. Its sophisticated algorithms and smart sensors enable fast, error-free feeds, allowing mills to produce unique and impressive designs.
The Rotary Dobby S3018 is a sustainable and versatile weaving solution. It seamlessly integrates with air-jet, water-jet, and rapier weaving techniques, ensuring high-speed, efficient production. By prioritizing energy efficiency and minimizing oil and grease consumption, the S3018 helps weavers meet environmental regulations. Its robust design and reduced maintenance requirements contribute to increased productivity and lower operational costs, making it a valuable asset for modern textile manufacturing.
To tackle the rising cost of energy and raw materials, and support sustainability goals, Stäubli’s LX PRO Jacquard machine provides an excellent example of energy efficiency and longevity. Reliable and robust, its long lifetime ensures that weavers can produce high-quality textiles with a reduced environmental footprint. For Stäubli, sustainable investment means ensuring that its machinery is reliable enough to allow continued production over many years, even under the harshest and most demanding conditions. Customers can rely on Stäubli’s equipment, services and support for an impressively long life-cycle.
Textile Focus: How do you see Bangladesh textile market for your company?
Fritz Legler: Bangladesh is one of the biggest RMG markets in garmenting, step-by-step building up more local fabric weaving units. Stäubli is growing together with the market. Over the years sizeable weaving units with our shed-forming technologies dobbies & cam motions were built up – even some Jacquard weaving is being established. Our warp preparation technology of automatic drawing-in machines SAFIR and warp tying machines TOPMATIC and TIEPRO are used in big numbers.
Bangladesh is undergoing some changes as many other textile producing countries throughout the world. This transition is very important to the country and Stäubli is keen to be close to its customers giving them our full assistance if it come to local service & spare parts topics. Keeping a high productivity is key for our customers and this is the strength of Stäubli`s dedication and customer-centric support structure.
Textile Focus: How is Staubli delivering services globally, particularly in the area of technical support?
Fritz Legler: The Stäubli brand has been built over a very long time – our closeness to our end-users in all textiles producing countries through our own units with our own Stäubli personnel or specialized and dedicated local agents – like, for instance, in Bangladesh through Spintex Technology Ltd. – is giving us fast and reliable information about the status and running performance of our machinery equipment in markets. Dedicated local service teams, swift availability of spare parts or upgrades help achieve highest performance and utilization levels of our machines. Real-time information through e.g. IoT solutions of machines being connected to our Stäubli Cloud or Services offered through our convenient MyStäubli customer portal further support speedy interchanges with our global customer base.
Textile Focus: How do you perceive the business environment in the current economic climate?
Fritz Legler: Challenging times and severe economic situations are affecting us all – whether that is a yarn, spinning, weaving or any other textile company – including textile machinery manufacturers. We are all used to economic cycles (although this current downturn phase is longer than what we had seen in past cycles) and we know that there will be better times ahead of us. Companies who have their house in order will come out strong and be well positioned for any future upturns. This is what we are focusing on at Stäubli. Customer proximity becomes even more important.
Textile Focus: What message would you like to convey to the Bangladesh denim industry and our readers?
Fritz Legler: Starting off with a message to our Bangladeshi customers and interested parties, we would like to stress that Stäubli is with you in challenging times. We are in constant contact with our local team of Spintex Technology Ltd who keep our Stäubli flag flying daily.
As concerns the Denim industry, there are interesting new solutions we had introduced during the recent ITMA Asia covering a wide range of new SAFIR PRO S47/67 drawing-in machines with AWC – Active Warp Control technology for Denim weaving, TIEPRO warp tying or shed forming technologies of our Dobbies (S3000 series), Cam motions (S1600/S1700 series). Furthermore, for any other fabric applications we offer our latest Jacquard solutions of our PRO-series including latest module and harness technology.
Many thanks for your interview – always a pleasure to speak to you.
