Textile machinery manufacturers in France have historically contributed to the development of the textile industry through supplying machines for the long fibre spinning industry, twisting and texturing of yarns, jacquard machines and dobbies, heat setting and also machines that improve dyeing consistency.

 

With an annual turnover of US$ 1.3 billion, the French textile machine industry ranks sixth in the world in terms of exports that include supplying machinery for new sectors in the textile industry, like the nonwoven processes and recycling of textile materials.

 

Historically, the French textile machinery industry has been catering to a great extent to the French and European markets. However, in the post-economic crisis period, emerging nations like China, India and Turkey have become major markets for French machines.

 

"For quite a while, our national market for apparel and home textiles has collapsed. More recently, it has been the case also for many of our historical European markets. These markets have shifted to such countries as China and India and to specific places like Turkey,” Bruno Ameline, president of French Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (UCMTF) told fibre2fashion.com.

 

"China has been less buoyant recently but seems to come back; India is very active with the governmental and local investments incentives,” says Bruno.

 

With sales back to pre-crisis levels, the French textile machinery industry seems optimistic about future.