When an organization reaches its 80th anniversary, there is a strong chance that it has survived several crises over those years. In the case of Swiss Textile Machinery, the association was actually born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history today inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success. Past experience provides hope for the future…
In 1940, a year after the start of World War II, events far away from the battlefields began
to impact on the local machinery industry in Switzerland. One problem was a lack of
skilled workers – through military service call-ups – and another was a shortage of raw
material, much of which was diverted to weapons production.
Solidarity grown out of a need for steel
Leaders of the textile machinery industry were increasingly concerned about their
operations, especially the need for non-ferrous metals and high-quality steel. The situation
became serious and some companies in the industry wanted to request the Swiss
Government to secure the required raw material needed to maintain production. The
established principle of ‘united we are strong’ led representatives from 22 companies to
join forces in forming the first textile machinery group. This was the origin of what today
has grown into the Swiss Textile Machinery Association.
The members of the new Swiss Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers –
including well-known brands such as Rüti, Sulzer, Rieter and Saurer – were not actually
manufacturing machines from the start – but that was just another crisis to be overcome.
Machinery manufacturing as a self-help solution
Making textiles was good business for many companies in Switzerland, including the ones
mentioned, before 1806. That was the year when the continental blockade imposed by
Napoleon created major problems. Machines from Great Britain – the highly industrialized
home of machinery development pioneers – were in high demand by Swiss textile
manufacturing companies. But suddenly they were no longer available – and nor were the
vital spare parts.
Many Swiss textile companies responded by starting to produce the urgently needed
machines and components for themselves. And soon it became apparent that the
production and export of machines was far more lucrative than their previous textile
manufacturing activities. The Swiss textile machinery industry was born.
1940: Steelworks bending department in the year of the association’s foundation.
Over the years, there were numerous periods of great difficulty for the industry: world
wars, global economic slumps and other crises of varying degrees of seriousness followed
one after another. The profile of the world textile industry also changed. Mass production
has long since migrated to the East and South-East. Despite this, or perhaps precisely
because of this, Swiss textile machinery today holds a leading position in the high-quality
segment of special machines and top-quality materials.
Emerging stronger from another crisis
Who would have guessed that the year of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association’s 80th
anniversary would see a pandemic crisis resulting in the biggest challenge of recent
industrial history? “This crisis has hit the textile industry hard, and in my opinion the full
impact will only become apparent towards the end of this year,” says Ernesto Maurer,
President of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association.
The required skills for the present situation are the same as previously: adaptability and
flexibility. Experience through history provides grounds for some optimism for Swiss
producers today. “On one hand, I rely on innovative solutions and the confidence that
Swiss Textile Machinery members will emerge from the crisis stronger than ever. On the
other hand, I am convinced that we will also pass this crisis in a Darwinian manner – just
as we did when our association was founded,” says Maurer.
“Some of our members might choose to relocate abroad, while others could join larger
groups. Maybe some companies or activities will not stay in the market. Still, I am sure
that Swiss Textile Machinery will be successful and maintain its leading position in post-corona times, demonstrating that ‘united we are strong’ applies as truly today as ever.”1945: Hardening processes at steel plant in the early days of the association.
About Swissmem and the Swiss Textile Machinery Association
Swissmem is the leading association for SMEs and large companies in Switzerland’s mechanical and electrical engineering (MEM) industries and related technology-oriented sectors. Swissmem enhances the competitiveness of its 1100 or so member companies both at home and abroad by providing needs-based services. These services include professional advice on employment, commercial, contract and environmental law, energy efficiency and technology transfer. Swissmem operates a number of strong networks, including 27 specialist groups. The Swiss Textile Machinery Association is the oldest division, founded in 1940. It represents the interests of the Swiss textile machinery manufacturers. Swissmem and the Swiss Textile Machinery Association are headquartered in Zurich.
The Swiss Textile Machinery Association has been crisis-proof for 80 years
1945: Hardening processes at steel plant in the early days of the association.
