2007-6-25
Dr Carsten Voigtländer tells us the reasons why Oerlikon Textile will consolidate its market leadership
Lucerne, 10 June 2007 The head of Oerlikon Textile, Dr Carsten Voigtländer,
reflects on the successful launch of the group’s new segment and looks forward
to a promising future. Continued growth is expected - especially in Asia.
Dr Voigtländer, the first quarterly figures from Oerlikon Textile are pretty impressive.
What development do you find particularly pleasing against this background?
With our Oerlikon Schlafhorst business unit we have precisely the right products to be
able to participate to a considerable extent in the continuing boom in the natural fibre
markets of China and India. Another significant source of profits is the Textile
Components unit following the successful restructuring of entities such as Temco or
Heberlein, which have been newly acquired in the last two years.
What objectives have you set for 2007 and beyond?
First we intend to carry on with the successful growth strategy we have implemented in
the last couple of years, and to improve our operating income further. To do this, it’s
important to extend our local presence in order to gain further market share, especially in
India, China and Russia. Another key aspect is the marketing of complete installations
on green field sites. One of this year’s major projects is surely the complete integration of
the former Saurer AG into the Oerlikon Group.
Won’t integration tie up resources that are needed for the operating business?
The main burden of this falls on the support functions. Our customer relations are not
affected by it. We’re already making good progress and aim to have essentially
completed the integration process by the end of the year.
What additional trump cards does Oerlikon Textile gain with integration into the Oerlikon
Group?
The total solutions strategy of Oerlikon Textile means that we can offer our customers
complete “one-stop” solutions covering everything from machinery manufacture via
process know-how to turnkey installations and financing. And we benefit from the
advantages of a global network. For example, the Renova Group, a major shareholder in
Oerlikon, plays a key role for us in opening the doors to the textile market of the future in
Russia. We were scarcely represented there hitherto. Conversely we also offer Oerlikon
opportunities to gain a foothold in the powerful markets of China, India and Turkey.
What market trends are currently discernible and how do you intend to profit from these?
The nonwovens market will grow and become further consolidated, and we will
participate in this. This is happening in the places where our main customers are
currently located, thus in the USA, Europe and Japan. However, this and other textile
industries are also blossoming in Asia and above all in China. In this region and in India
we want to be active in the natural fibre market at the same time, complete the textile
chain in fibre preparation and gain the market leadership with targeted product offers.
Upgrading and equipping our sites in China and India are further measures with which
we aim to meet the growing demand in the medium-price segment.
What major projects are currently in the pipeline?
ITMA, the world’s biggest textile machinery fair in Munich, is looming on the horizon. We
intend to exhibit innovative highlights at this. We are also in talks regarding several large
projects in Russia, China, Turkey and India. These are good reasons to look forward to a
successful second half of the year.
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