Over the centuries， the sheer innovative spirit of the Swiss has been demonstrated many times through inventions spanning various fields of human experience. Their impact on the global textile industry has been among the most notable， with continuous and significant developments. Swiss textile machinery companies have been at the core of this naturallyevolving tradition of inventiveness. Today， the producers of machines and components and service providers in Swiss Textlile Machinery sustain that heritage by a commitment to ongoing innovation that will influence the textile industry worldwide in future.

These are just two examples among many – proving that the innovative spirit is in the DNA of the Swiss people. Some such developments have impacted on our individual lives， others on a particular business or industry. Looking back in history， Swiss inventions have repeatedly energized the global textile industry. The list includes： Caspar Honeggers weaving loom （1842）， Georges Audemarss rayon artificial silk（1855）， Isaak Groeblis shuttle embroidery machine （1863）， Karl Friedrich Gegaufs hemstitch sewing machine and later inventions such as Othmar Winterhalters zip （1923） and George de Mestrals Velcro fastener （1951）. From the more recent past， theres no need to elaborate on the successful advances of Swiss Textile Machinery members， which will surely be wellknown to most readers.

The inventing tradition

Years ago， most enterprises were family businesses， often built on the founders invention of a technology or machine which was then further developed and improved over generations. Many Swiss textile machinery companies have a history dating back more than a century – and some are still family-owned. The tradition of innovation evolved naturally over decades for the Swiss textile machinery manufacturers， component producers and service providers. Inventing is still a way of life today， and the fruits of this philosophy will again be demonstrated at ITMA Asia + CITME 2018， where 30 members will be exhibiting.

The sheer power of Swiss innovation in textile technology is founded on a combined total of 3968 years of experience by these companies. Its a continuous commitment to in-depth R&D; over those years， equating to the time-span between the worlds first multicolored fabrics in Ancient Egypt around 2000 BC and the modern age of advanced technical textiles. From pyramids to high-tech fabrics integrated in walls， ceilings and flooring...

Building customer trust

Across the generations of Swiss textile machinery firms， expertise has been handed down – along with the “inventor gene”. Driving it all， however， has been a recognition that customer requirements are the priority. Meeting those needs through innovative solutions is the real goal. “The years of experience and heritage of innovation definitely bring added value for our customers， who trust Swiss Textile Machinery members to help them build their own business success，” said Cornelia Buchwalder， Secretary General of the association.

Some of the standards set by the Swiss textile machinery companies have been established for decades– as readers might know from textbooks during their studies. As “Industry 4.0” progresses， even more new technologies and standards can be expected. “I am confident that Swiss Textile Machinery members will continue to introduce innovations which will influence the worldwide textile industry in future – and I look forward with great anticipation to ITMA 2019 in Barcelona，” said Buchwalder.