Q. Sustainability is the buzzword of today. How would you define it?
Regina: Sustainability describes a system of action in which the lasting satisfaction of needs is ensured only by safeguarding the natural regenerative capacity of systems. Serious sustainability obliges each of us to use only as many resources as the earth can provide us with in the long term. Climate change, as well as the current raging war in Europe, has clearly shown us how dependent we are on many resources and how important it is to conserve them and use them carefully. Every single person can contribute in his private as well as professional environment by e.g. using electricity and water more carefully and consuming and investing much more consciously.
We see ourselves at BRÜCKNER absolutely in the duty to develop products which are extremely durable and which are produced as sustainable as possible. In this way, we also support our customers so that they can produce sustainably. After all, it is about saving resources: water, chemicals, energy, metals and other raw materials. Process optimization alone could reduce resource consumption in textile finishing by up to 40 or 50 %. This is currently and has always been the focus of our research and development work.
Q. How do you see the future of the global textile industry and what are some of the challenges that you foresee?
Regina: The challenges lie first of all in being able to plan for the long term again. Currently, there is no demand problem in the world, but a supply problem: many resources are scarce and significantly more expensive than before. The aim of all companies must therefore be to make more optimal use of the equipment available and to plan the right investments in more efficient production for the future. During the pandemic, the way we work has changed in many areas, but we all need to continue to invest in digitalization, training and process optimization. Intensive networking between machine manufacturers, chemical suppliers and customers must also be pushed even harder in the future in order to continue to be successful.
Q. As past Chairperson of the German textile machinery manufacturers Association VDMA, what is the importance of the “Made in Germany” label today?
Regina: Made in Germany” stands for the highest standard in efficiency, safety and quality, as well as for durability and innovation. German universities are leaders in many areas, the multi-level German education system is the basis for quality in all areas of manufacturing, planning, developing and commissioning of our machines and lines. In addition, many companies in the VDMA are medium-sized, the employees identify with the products and the company much more intensively and thus make a great contribution at all levels for the products of the VDMA members.
Q. What makes Brückner well suited to serve the present and future needs of the industry?
Regina: At BRÜCKNER, we identify strongly with the motto “Made in Germany”. We do not strive for short-term profit maximization, but for long-term success and healthy growth. This is exactly what customers also benefit from when they buy our products. They may have to invest a little more initially, but in the long term the costs for energy, maintenance and production are significantly lower and the quality of the goods produced is better. To achieve this goal, we have invested heavily in training and development in recent years, as well as in building up new areas of expertise, e.g. in technological consulting, development or teleservice. With our broad product portfolio, we have a solution for almost every application and always work out individual concepts with customers. To this end, we have also further expanded our Technology Center in Leonberg, which is available at any time for trials and product developments together with our technologists.
Q. Brückner has a long-term relationship with Pakistan. What are the strengths of this market and what areas need to be improved?
Regina: Pakistan has been an important market for us for a very long time and has become even more important in recent years. Many of our Pakistani customers have recognized that energy-efficient machines with intelligent assistance systems help them to work more productively and successfully. Added to this is the excellent support from our local representative Nazer & Co. with whom we have been working successfully for many years. Nazer also has well-trained technical service personnel who are continuously supported by a BRÜCKNER technician. These are the most important reasons why we have been able to place so many machines in Pakistan in recent years, i.e. stenters, sanfor ranges but also continuous dyeing lines.
Bashir Ali Mohammad, Chairman Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Ltd.
Aamir Maqbool, Managing Director, Indigo Textile (Pvt) Ltd.
One of the biggest challenges in Pakistan at the moment is the gas shortage. We have reacted to this and introduced a stenter with double heating system, which can be heated either with gas or with oil, depending on which medium is currently available to our customers. This means that machine downtimes and production limitations can be avoided as far as possible.