New executive board will serve the European textile machinery sector until 2030.
VDMA Textile Machinery has re-elected Dr Janpeter Horn, Managing Director of A Herzog Maschinenfabrik, as Chairman of the trade association at its general meeting held recently in Hanover.
Regina Brückner, Managing Partner of Brückner Trockentechnik, and Verena Thies, Managing Partner of Thies Textilmaschinen, were also re-elected as deputy chairs for the 2026-2030 term.
The general meeting was held one year ahead of ITMA 2027 under the theme, “The world is moving forward – where is Europe?” Discussions focused on increasing competition from Asia and challenging business conditions in Europe, which have contributed to declines in order intake and turnover in recent years.
VDMA Textile Machinery revised its 2026 turnover forecast downwards to a nominal decline of 14 per cent, although order intake is showing signs of stabilisation.
Horn said, “The discussions and workshops at our General Assembly clearly demonstrated that our industry is in the midst of profound change. The challenges are considerable, yet we possess the innovative strength, the expertise and the technological leadership to actively shape these changes. Together, we will work to support our customers even more effectively throughout the entire lifecycle of their machinery and equipment, to capitalise on the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, and to strengthen the competitiveness of the European textile machinery industry in the long term. ITMA 2027 in Hanover will be an important milestone in showcasing our industry’s capabilities to the world.”
Dr Harald Weber, Managing Director of VDMA Textile Machinery, added, “I look forward to working with the newly elected Executive Board. The board’s wealth of experience, high level of technical expertise and broad positioning reflect the diversity and innovative strength of our sector. Together, we will actively drive forward the key future issues facing the European textile machinery manufacturing sector and provide important impetus for the competitiveness of our industry.”
The executive board also includes Riccarda Dilo of Oskar Dilo Maschinenfabrik, Peter D. Dornier of Lindauer DORNIER, Volker Gingter of A. Monforts Textilmaschinen, Andreas Lukas of ANDRITZ Küsters, Dr Jörg Morgner of Temafa Maschinenfabrik, Benjamin Reiners of Reiners + Fürst, Markus Settegast of Groz-Beckert, Alexander Stampfer of Trützschler Group and Georg Stausberg of Barmag.