The Swiss textiles and garments industry is able to report a small improvement in sales (+1.9%) on the previous year.
This pleasing news was announced by Association Chairman Thomas Isler, Managing Director of Gessner AG, at the Annual Balance Sheet Media Conference of the Swiss Textiles Association (Swiss Textiles).
In addition to the presentation of the general economic figures and a report on successful textile companies last year, outcomes in economic and social policy areas were also announced because they have a considerable influence on the Swiss textiles industry.
For example, an inter-cantonal branch solution for legacy pollution has been achieved, the extension of freedom of movement of persons to the ten new EU member states was advocated and a contact bureau opened in Shanghai.
In the year 2004, sales of the textiles and garments branch were worth CHF 3.7 billion, 1.9% higher than in the previous year. Foreign trade figures were positive on both sides: exports rose by 1.4% to CHF 3.7 billion francs and imports by 1.1% to CHF 7.6 billion. The number of employees was down 6.6% at 16,900 persons. Sales by the textiles industry were worth CHF 2.2 billion. Exports remained flat at CHF 2.1 billion. In the garments sector, sales reached CHF 1.5 billion.
Successful companies confirm the upward trend
Association Chairman Thomas Isler went on to report on successful companies at the different levels of the textile industry. These companies have proved particularly innovative with their products or management styles and successfully occupy particular market niches:
- Swisstulle AG of M?chwillen is a world leader with its wig
bases
- Kuny AG of K?tigen has been making ribbons successfully since 1914 and is now an acknowledged world leader in velvet ribbons;
- Camenzind + Co AG of Gersau spins an exceptionally fine silk yarn (a 200 meter length weighs just 1 gram) of unrivalled quality;
- Mammutec AG of Seon has made history in the field of narrow band textile technology with its new rope;
- Cilander AG of Herisau is constantly expanding its activities as a textile finisher in cooperation with the abrasives maker Sia Abrasives;
- Schoeller Textil AG of Sevelen has made a successful breakthrough to China and India with its high-tech and functional textiles;
- Traxler AG of Bichelsee is now the leading pullover maker on the Swiss market and has successfully expanded its seamless production.
Positive results in the representation of interests
In the economic policy sector, the organisation is a strong advocate of extension of the freedom of movement of persons to the ten new EU Member States.
Thomas Isler points out that this would bring greater flexibility to the Swiss labour market and enhance the competitiveness of Swiss companies. Swiss Textiles was also able to achieve positive results in the area of environmental protection by arriving at a solution with the cantons in which textile business is the most densely established for the assessment of legacy pollution sites.
Protection of economic interests by opening an office in China
