By Arun rao
2024 was a challenging year for several industrial verticals across the globe, including the textile and garment industry. However, for Switzerland-based Staubli, a manufacturer of leading textile machines such as shed-forming devices (dobbies, cam motions and jacquard machines), warp preparation (automatic drawing-in machines, tying machines) or complete weaving systems for carpet weaving or technical weaving, the company witnessed India performing better than other economies, positioning it as a bright spot in Staubli’s global footprint across various countries.
“When concerning the Indian textile industry, Indian companies seem to be benefitting from the China+1 policy. So our customers in India are receiving more orders from their various export markets. India has a growing footprint for Staubli and is a very relevant market for our company. Secondly, India is among the top five global markets for Staubli,” Marketing Officer, Mr. Fritz Legler said.
Staubli’s Performance in 2024: A Global Overview
“As we provide very high-quality textile machinery technologies and the fact that we have a long-standing relationship with our customers across the globe, including India, 2024 was certainly a challenging year, but we are happy with the results of 2024,” he added, when speaking about Staubli’s performance worldwide in 2024.
Challenges for various companies, including Staubli, in 2024, included higher energy costs, inflation, lack of demand, and geopolitical tensions in various regions across the globe—factors that were not conducive to new investments in the textile industry
Surat Textile Industry: A Hub of Innovation and Investment
“We have noticed that the Surat textile industry is investing in advanced weaving preparatory or shed-forming technologies and are able to compete with any competitors offering cheaper technologies in Surat. We have a very good installation base in Surat, so it is a very important market for us. We have set up an office, a spare parts warehouse, and also have a technical and after-sales service team stationed in Surat. This helps us to stay close to our customers,” Mr. Legler remarked.
The Surat textile industry is investing in high-end and high-speed weaving machines, which has led to a surge in demand for Staubli’s Dobbies, Jacquard machines, and Cam Motions. Additionally, the growing trend in automation has boosted demand for Staubli’s automatic drawing-in systems in the region.
Optimism for 2025: Confidence in Surat’s Textile Industry
“We can see the textile industry of Surat buzzing with enthusiasm, and we see more confidence in 2025 than what we saw in 2023 and 2024. India, by itself, is a very big market with a vast young population, and so although there are ups and downs in the textile industry, the Surat textile industry will perform remarkably well,” he observed while expressing optimism about the region.
According to Mr. Fritz Legler, Surat is also recognized as a global manufacturing hub for diamonds, and since the diamond industry has been in a lean phase for the past few years, entrepreneurs from the diamond industry are increasingly looking to the Surat textile industry as a potential investment destination. This is expected to bring new investments into the industry.
Regulatory Challenges: Opportunities for Growth
“The weaving companies are the real entrepreneurs of the Surat textile industry. But they are facing a slew of regulations from the government which is hindering investments. If these regulations are optimized, it will help the weaving companies grow their business, resulting in increased investments. This, in turn, will create more job opportunities and also help the country grow,” he explained.
