ITMF: Serving The Global Textile Industry
International Textile Manufacturers Federation Director General Dr. Christian P. Schindler discusses ITMF and its activities.
Jürg Rupp, Executive Editor
F
or more than 100 years, the Zürich, Switzerland-based International Textile Manufacturers
Federation (ITMF) has served the entire textile industry around the world. ITMF organizes an annual
conference and publishes much-appreciated statistics on shipments and stocks from the entire
textile production chain. The conference is considered to be the most important gathering of the
global textile industry. In an exclusive interview with
Textile World Asia
, ITMF Director General Dr. Christian P. Schindler explained ITMF's activities and the
reasons Shanghai was chosen as the host city for this year's conference.
ITMF - one of the oldest non-governmental organizations and probably the most important and highest-ranking textile association around the world - was founded in 1904 at a meeting convened in Zürich at the initiative of the British cotton spinning industry. Initially, it established its headquarters in Manchester, England, and for many years, ITMF represented and promoted the interests of the cotton spinning and manufacturing industries around the world. The rapid development of man-made fibers broadened the range of membership. At the same time, vertical integration in textile enterprises changed the structure of the industry, and the federation enlarged its scope and became a multi-fiber and multi-process industry association.
Dr. Christian P. Schindler started his work with ITMF as an economist and was elected director general effective Jan. 1, 2007.
Move To Switzerland
ITMF was directed for many years by Dr. Herwig Strolz, who appointed Schindler as ITMF's economist on Oct. 1, 2004. Schindler was promoted to the position of director in 2006, and at the federation's annual conference in Dubai in September 2006, he was elected director general effective Jan. 1, 2007.
TW Asia : Dr. Schindler, in 1963, the federation's headquarters were moved from Manchester, England, to Zürich, Switzerland. Why was that done?
Schindler: Well, this was for the purpose of facilitating international contacts and improving administrative services and communications. On top of that, Switzerland was and is a neutral country and therefore an ideal place for an international association.
Since 1960, ITMF's membership has expanded significantly and today embraces most of the world's textile production. The location of global textile industry capacities has undergone far-reaching changes, and the readjustment process has also affected the structure of industry trade associations.
Membership
Like every association, the body of ITMF is composed of its members - associations and other constituted organizations of textile manufacturers. There can be only one member association from each country. The members have access to all annual statistics as well other important data and committee papers. It is also possible to become an associate member. In recent years, corporate memberships have been made available to manufacturers of textiles or of products allied to the textile industry, such as textile machinery.
TW Asia : Is it easy to become a corporate member of ITMF? What are the costs of the membership?
Schindler: The main purpose of offering corporate membership is to offer companies that are not represented already by a national textile association access to our international platform. An interested company applies in writing for corporate membership. Afterwards, the existing membership is informed and asked to approve the application. The cost for corporate membership is between 5,000 and 10,000 Swiss francs, depending on the turnover.
Main Objectives
TW Asia: What are the main objectives of ITMF?
Schindler: First of all, we provide a neutral forum and platform for discussions of matters appropriately within the common interest and concern of textile companies. The ITMF conferences offer an ideal forum to discuss and exchange views and opinions in a relaxed atmosphere outside the day-to-day business. Furthermore, we act as a central agency of the textile industries for the collection of information, statistical and otherwise, on textile manufacturing developments in all countries of the world. Another important point is the role as a voice for the world textile industry in issues relating to raw materials. Different committees serve as a forum for the industry and its partners as a platform like the Spinners Committee, the Joint Cotton Committee and others.
TW Asia : How do you organize the annual conference, and who is responsible for the program?
Schindler: As you know, the conference moves around the world every year. Members of the federation are usually hosting the conference and are therefore assisting in organizing the event. It really is a joint effort. The special feature of an ITMF Annual Conference is its truly international character with regard to speakers and attendees combined with the possibility for the national host association to direct broad attention to its textile industry.
On April 17, 2008, the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) officially joined ITMF as a new member association in an official ceremony at ITMA Asia + CITME 2008. Former ITMF President Walter Simeoni (6th from left) and CNTAC President Du Yuzhou (7th from left) were at the center of attention.
China, 2009 ITMF
Annual Conference Host Country
On April 17, 2008, the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) officially joined ITMF as a member association. This membership is considered to be very important for both organizations. CNTAC represents the largest textile-producing, -consuming and -exporting country in the world and strengthens ITMF's international representation. On the other hand, ITMF offers an ideal international platform for the Chinese textile industry.
TW Asia : This year's conference is something special for ITMF. For the first time in its long history, the ITMF Annual Conference takes place in Shanghai, Oct. 23-25, 2009. What does it mean for ITMF to hold its annual conference in China?
Schindler: It is indeed special to hold this year's ITMF Annual Conference in Shanghai, one of the most booming cities in the world, with a huge textile cluster in and around the city. As the world's biggest producer of textiles with the largest domestic market and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, China is and will be of great importance as a production site and increasingly also as an export market. The conference is therefore an ideal opportunity for everybody who is interested to learn more about China and its future role in the global textile arena.
Committees
TW Asia : How do you cover the different areas within ITMF?
Schindler: We offer these groups different committees in which they can meet and work.
The Spinners Committee's main objectives are to support the development of quality cotton fiber based on modern spinning requirements; to provide advice relating to the harvesting, handling and ginning of cotton; and to promote the mechanical testing of raw cotton.
The Joint Cotton Committee is composed of delegates who represent sellers and buyers of raw cotton. It is concerned with any matters pertaining to raw cotton production and marketing, including international cotton marketing policies.
ITMF deals with governments, international organizations and trade associations interested in raw cotton production, trading and marketing through the Joint Cotton and the Spinners Committee.
The task of the Statistical Committee is to supervise, improve and extend ITMF's statistical services; and to keep member associations and associate members informed of relevant statistics that are compiled by other international organizations.
The International Committee on Cotton Testing Methods is mainly concerned with matters related to cotton fiber testing and standardization.
The Man-Made Fibres Committee deals with specific matters in the production, distribution and processing of man-made fibers on an ad-hoc basis.
The Future Of ITMF
TW Asia : The ITMF statistics are very much appreciated among the members and recipients for their high value. Are you pleased with the content, or is there a way to further enhance the results?
Schindler: Well, among our various publications, ITMF's International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics is certainly the most renowned. It is unique in the world and serves the entire industry as basic information on ongoing structural changes in the scale and scope of textile production capacities around the world. The statistics have been collected for 30 years, and its coverage was expanded constantly. We now cover the different segments of spinning, texturing, weaving, and circular and flat knitting as well as finishing machinery. In the future, we also intend to include the segment of printing machinery.
TW Asia : Are you happy so far with how ITMF is presenting itself today?
Schindler: The global textile industry has been undergoing tremendous structural changes in the past 10 to 15 years and is now affected by the most severe global economic crisis the industry has seen since the Great Depression in the last century. These structural changes ask for continuous adaptations of the federation's activities and services.
TW Asia : And what are the next targets of the federation?
Schindler: Our target is always to provide our members an attractive international and neutral platform where they can meet, learn and exchange their views. The value of our conference lies in the opportunity to get a feeling for the international development and changes as well as an outlook of the global textile industry, and to build an international network with partners from the entire textile value chain including scientists and other experts from the industry.
July/August/September 2009
ITMF - one of the oldest non-governmental organizations and probably the most important and highest-ranking textile association around the world - was founded in 1904 at a meeting convened in Zürich at the initiative of the British cotton spinning industry. Initially, it established its headquarters in Manchester, England, and for many years, ITMF represented and promoted the interests of the cotton spinning and manufacturing industries around the world. The rapid development of man-made fibers broadened the range of membership. At the same time, vertical integration in textile enterprises changed the structure of the industry, and the federation enlarged its scope and became a multi-fiber and multi-process industry association.
Dr. Christian P. Schindler started his work with ITMF as an economist and was elected director general effective Jan. 1, 2007.
Move To Switzerland
ITMF was directed for many years by Dr. Herwig Strolz, who appointed Schindler as ITMF's economist on Oct. 1, 2004. Schindler was promoted to the position of director in 2006, and at the federation's annual conference in Dubai in September 2006, he was elected director general effective Jan. 1, 2007.
TW Asia : Dr. Schindler, in 1963, the federation's headquarters were moved from Manchester, England, to Zürich, Switzerland. Why was that done?
Schindler: Well, this was for the purpose of facilitating international contacts and improving administrative services and communications. On top of that, Switzerland was and is a neutral country and therefore an ideal place for an international association.
Since 1960, ITMF's membership has expanded significantly and today embraces most of the world's textile production. The location of global textile industry capacities has undergone far-reaching changes, and the readjustment process has also affected the structure of industry trade associations.
Membership
Like every association, the body of ITMF is composed of its members - associations and other constituted organizations of textile manufacturers. There can be only one member association from each country. The members have access to all annual statistics as well other important data and committee papers. It is also possible to become an associate member. In recent years, corporate memberships have been made available to manufacturers of textiles or of products allied to the textile industry, such as textile machinery.
TW Asia : Is it easy to become a corporate member of ITMF? What are the costs of the membership?
Schindler: The main purpose of offering corporate membership is to offer companies that are not represented already by a national textile association access to our international platform. An interested company applies in writing for corporate membership. Afterwards, the existing membership is informed and asked to approve the application. The cost for corporate membership is between 5,000 and 10,000 Swiss francs, depending on the turnover.
Main Objectives
TW Asia: What are the main objectives of ITMF?
Schindler: First of all, we provide a neutral forum and platform for discussions of matters appropriately within the common interest and concern of textile companies. The ITMF conferences offer an ideal forum to discuss and exchange views and opinions in a relaxed atmosphere outside the day-to-day business. Furthermore, we act as a central agency of the textile industries for the collection of information, statistical and otherwise, on textile manufacturing developments in all countries of the world. Another important point is the role as a voice for the world textile industry in issues relating to raw materials. Different committees serve as a forum for the industry and its partners as a platform like the Spinners Committee, the Joint Cotton Committee and others.
TW Asia : How do you organize the annual conference, and who is responsible for the program?
Schindler: As you know, the conference moves around the world every year. Members of the federation are usually hosting the conference and are therefore assisting in organizing the event. It really is a joint effort. The special feature of an ITMF Annual Conference is its truly international character with regard to speakers and attendees combined with the possibility for the national host association to direct broad attention to its textile industry.
On April 17, 2008, the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) officially joined ITMF as a new member association in an official ceremony at ITMA Asia + CITME 2008. Former ITMF President Walter Simeoni (6th from left) and CNTAC President Du Yuzhou (7th from left) were at the center of attention.
China, 2009 ITMF
Annual Conference Host Country
On April 17, 2008, the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC) officially joined ITMF as a member association. This membership is considered to be very important for both organizations. CNTAC represents the largest textile-producing, -consuming and -exporting country in the world and strengthens ITMF's international representation. On the other hand, ITMF offers an ideal international platform for the Chinese textile industry.
TW Asia : This year's conference is something special for ITMF. For the first time in its long history, the ITMF Annual Conference takes place in Shanghai, Oct. 23-25, 2009. What does it mean for ITMF to hold its annual conference in China?
Schindler: It is indeed special to hold this year's ITMF Annual Conference in Shanghai, one of the most booming cities in the world, with a huge textile cluster in and around the city. As the world's biggest producer of textiles with the largest domestic market and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, China is and will be of great importance as a production site and increasingly also as an export market. The conference is therefore an ideal opportunity for everybody who is interested to learn more about China and its future role in the global textile arena.
Committees
TW Asia : How do you cover the different areas within ITMF?
Schindler: We offer these groups different committees in which they can meet and work.
The Spinners Committee's main objectives are to support the development of quality cotton fiber based on modern spinning requirements; to provide advice relating to the harvesting, handling and ginning of cotton; and to promote the mechanical testing of raw cotton.
The Joint Cotton Committee is composed of delegates who represent sellers and buyers of raw cotton. It is concerned with any matters pertaining to raw cotton production and marketing, including international cotton marketing policies.
ITMF deals with governments, international organizations and trade associations interested in raw cotton production, trading and marketing through the Joint Cotton and the Spinners Committee.
The task of the Statistical Committee is to supervise, improve and extend ITMF's statistical services; and to keep member associations and associate members informed of relevant statistics that are compiled by other international organizations.
The International Committee on Cotton Testing Methods is mainly concerned with matters related to cotton fiber testing and standardization.
The Man-Made Fibres Committee deals with specific matters in the production, distribution and processing of man-made fibers on an ad-hoc basis.
The Future Of ITMF
TW Asia : The ITMF statistics are very much appreciated among the members and recipients for their high value. Are you pleased with the content, or is there a way to further enhance the results?
Schindler: Well, among our various publications, ITMF's International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics is certainly the most renowned. It is unique in the world and serves the entire industry as basic information on ongoing structural changes in the scale and scope of textile production capacities around the world. The statistics have been collected for 30 years, and its coverage was expanded constantly. We now cover the different segments of spinning, texturing, weaving, and circular and flat knitting as well as finishing machinery. In the future, we also intend to include the segment of printing machinery.
TW Asia : Are you happy so far with how ITMF is presenting itself today?
Schindler: The global textile industry has been undergoing tremendous structural changes in the past 10 to 15 years and is now affected by the most severe global economic crisis the industry has seen since the Great Depression in the last century. These structural changes ask for continuous adaptations of the federation's activities and services.
TW Asia : And what are the next targets of the federation?
Schindler: Our target is always to provide our members an attractive international and neutral platform where they can meet, learn and exchange their views. The value of our conference lies in the opportunity to get a feeling for the international development and changes as well as an outlook of the global textile industry, and to build an international network with partners from the entire textile value chain including scientists and other experts from the industry.
July/August/September 2009
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ITMF： 服务全球纺织业
逾100年以来，位于瑞士苏黎世的国际纺织商协会(ITMF)一直为全球的纺织业提供服务。
ITMF举办年度研讨会，并出版备受业界重视的纺织业生产链整体运输及仓存数据。ITMF的
研讨会，一向被业界视为全球纺织业者最重要的聚会。在《亚洲纺织世界》的独家专访
上，ITMF总理Christian P. Schindler博士简介协会的会务，同时说明选择上海为今年研
讨会主办城市的原因。
ITMF -- 历史相当悠久的非官方组织，大概是全球最重要、最高层的纺织业商会。1904
年，英国棉纺业于苏黎世发起会议，继而成立ITMF。协会最初设总部于英国曼彻斯特，一直
代表全球的棉纺业及制造业，为行业争取福利。后来，人造纤维急速发展，带动协会成员的
数量大幅增加。与此同时，纺织企业垂直综合的发展，亦改变了整个行业的结构，而协会亦
相应扩大服务范围，蜕变为广及多种纤维、多种生产程序的行业组织。
Christian P. Schindler 博士加入ITMF之初，为协会的经济师；于2007年1月1日正式获推 举为协会总理。
迁址瑞士
ITMF 多年来一直由Herwig Strolz博士主管，他于2004年10月1日委任Christian
Schindler 博士为协会的经济师。后来Schindler 博士于2006年被提升为协会会长，并
在2006年于杜拜举行的年会上，获选为协会总理，任期由2007年1月1日开始。
《亚洲纺织世界》: Schindler 博士，为什么协会于1963 年将总部由英国曼彻斯特迁址
瑞士苏黎世?
Schindler: 主要是为了促进国际联系，以及改进协会的行政服务与通信。此外，瑞士一向
是个中立国，有利于设立国际组织。
ITMF的会员数目自1960年起急速增长，时至今日，几近涵盖全球纺织业生产的各个环节。
国际纺织业生产力的地点与以前相比起了极大的变化，这个重新整合的过程，对各个业内
贸易组织起了根本的影响。
会员制度
与其它组织无异，ITMF的主体由会员 ─ 即各商会及其它纺织业制造商组织组成。每个国
家只有一个会员机构名额，而会员可以享有所有年度统计、重要数据及委员会文件的知情
权。其它的业内组织亦可以申请为协会的附属会员，包括在其国家已具有代表的行业组
织，以及附属纺织业的各种机构。
《亚洲纺织世界》: 成为ITMF企业会员的手续简便吗? 费用如何?
Schindler: 我们提供企业会员制的目的，是方便那些未被国家会员代表的企业，让他们可
以进入我们的国际平台。成为企业会员的手续相当简单，有兴趣的企业可透过书面作出申
请。企业会员的会费为5000至10000瑞士法郎，视乎会员的营业额而定。
中国纺织工业协会(CNTAC)于2008年4月17日ITMA Asia + CINTE 2008开幕式上，正式加 入ITMF为会员机构。ITMF前会长Walter Simeoni (左起第6位) 及中国纺织工业协会会 长杜钰洲 (左起第7位) 成为大会焦点。
主要目标
《亚洲纺织世界》: ITMF的主要目标是什么?
Schindler: 我们的目标多样。首先，我们致力为纺织企业提供中立的讨论平台，让业者可
以在共同的利益及专注事项下，适当地进行讨论。 ITMF研讨会是业者在处理日常业务以
外，轻松地进行讨论及交流的理想园地。此外，协会亦是业内的中介者，可以中立地收集各
项信息、数据，以及全球各地纺织制造业的发展概况。协会的另一重要角色，是在与原材
料有关的事宜上，反映全球纺织业的意见。协会下的各个委员会，例如纺纱商委员会、棉
花联席委员会等，为各界别提供了交流意见的平台。
《亚洲纺织世界》: 协会如何统筹年度研讨会? 谁负责有关项目?
Schindler: 众所周知，研讨会每年均会于全球各地择地举行。 研讨会通常由会员主持，
因而选址地点的会员将协助筹办活动。研讨会是集众力的成果，ITMF年度研讨会的特色，
在于无论讲者及出席者，均具有真正的国际氛围；另一方面，却又因举办国会员的主持，而
能将大会的焦点引领至举办国的纺织业上。
中国--2009 ITMF 年度研讨会主办国
中国纺织工业协会(CNTAC) 于2008年4月17日正式成为ITMF会员。中国的加入对双方组织
来说均极为重要。中国纺织工业协会代表着全球最大规模的纺织-生产-消费-外销国家，
有助加强ITMF的国际地位。另一方面，ITMF亦为中国纺织业提供了最理想的国际平台。
《亚洲纺织世界》: 今届年度研讨会对历史悠久的ITMF来说相当特别：首度在上海举行
(2009年10月23日至25日)。于中国举办年度研讨会，对ITMF而言有什么意义？
Schindler: 今届ITMF年度研讨会选址上海，实在意义深远。上海是全球发展快速的城市
之一，市内外群集着甚具规模的纺织团体。此外，中国是全球最大的纺织品生产商，拥有最
大的国内市场，亦是高速增长的经济体系之一。中国除了蔚为重要的生产基地外，在外销
市场上地位亦日益重要�＝窠煅刑只嵴©好为业者提供上佳机会，让他们可以加深对中国的
认识，同时探讨中国未来在全球纺织业竞技场上将担当的角色。
委员会
《亚洲纺织世界》: 你如何管理ITMF辖下各个范畴?
Schindler: 我们按不同的业务范畴成立专责委员会，方便业界接触及合作。
纺纱商委员会的工作目标包括：支持优质棉花在现代纺纱规格下的发展；为棉花的收成、
处理及轧棉等有关事宜提供顾问服务；以及促进原棉的机械化测试程序。
至于棉花联席委员会则由原棉的销售者及买家代表组成。委员会负责所有与生产及销售
原棉有关的事宜，包括对国际棉花市场政策的关注。
ITMF 透过棉花联席委员会及纺纱商委员会，与关注原棉生产、贸易及市场推广的政府、
国际机构及贸易组织联系及磋商。
统计委员会的工作是监管、改进及推广ITMF的统计服务；以及为会员及附属会员提供由其
它国际组织编制的行业数据。
国际棉花测试模式委员会主要负责与棉花纤维测试及统一标准有关的事项。
人造纤维委员会就人造纤维的生产、分销及处理程序方面发生的特殊情况，提供紧急服务。
ITMF的未来发展
《亚洲纺织世界》: 协会的会员及业界均认为ITMF编制的行业数据极有价值。你对有关
数据的内容是否满意? 其中是否仍有可改善之处?
Schindler: 于我们出版的各种刊物中，ITMF的国际纺机装运统计 (International
Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics) 无疑最具名气。有关的统计数据在国际上仅
此一家，为整体纺织业提供全球纺织品在产量及范围方面的基本数据，让业者可以掌握业
内的结构性变化。我们收集数据已达30年，涵盖的范畴不断扩大，现时统计的层面已广及
纺纱、织物、织造、圆形织机与横机、后整理设备等各个界别。我们计划未来将再增加
印花机械一项。
《亚洲纺织世界》: 你对ITMF 现时的表现满意吗?
Schindler: 过去10至15年间，全球纺织业在结构上出现了巨大的变化；而现时业内又正面
对着自上世纪大萧条以来最严峻的全球经济危机。行业结构的改变，要求协会在项目及服
务方面不断作出配合。尽管处于金融风暴之中，我们仍将继续致力为业界提供增值及崭新
的服务。
《亚洲纺织世界》: 协会的下一个目标如何?
Schindler: 我们一贯的宗旨是为会员提供理想的国际及中立台平，方便业者聚首、学习
及交流意见。年度研讨会的价值，在于为业者提供上佳机会，让他们一方面可以感受全球
纺织业的国际发展及变革步伐，掌握行业大势；另一方面又能借此与整个纺织业价值链内
的合作伙伴，包括科学家及业内其它专业人士等建立国际网络。