Global Textile Machinery Shipments Robust, Asia Tops List
Global shipments of textile machinery in 2003 remain strong, especially for Asian markets,
according to a survey by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF). The report,
which includes data from about 120 textile machinery manufacturers, covers spinning, texturing,
weaving and knitting machinery.Spinning2003 shipments of short-staple ring-spinning machines
totaled 8.2 million, representing a 133-percent surge from 2002 levels. Of all spindles shipped, 88
percent went to Asia, with China topping the list. Shipments to India, Pakistan and Turkey were
also substantially higher than in the previous year.Because of weakened Chinese and Turkish
investment, shipments of long-staple ring-spinning equipment, at 240,000 spindles, saw an overall
decline of 32 percent in 2003. The top buyers in this sector were China,Turkey and Iran.Shipments
of open-end rotors declined by 5 percent from 2002 levels, totaling 346,000 in 2003. Shipments were
concentrated in China and Turkey, which together accounted for 81 percent of global
shipments.TexturingShipments of single heater drawtexturing spindles totaled 14,500 in 2003, a 300
percent increase from 2002. Double heater spindle shipments improved strongly as well — totaling
216,000 units and representing a 49 percent increase. Asia’s share of the total double heater
spindle market was 92 percent, with China and India as the main buyers.
WeavingIn 2003, the weaving machinery market contracted slightly. Global shuttle-less loom
shipments fell by 11 percent to 62,600. Key markets in Asia were China, Pakistan and Turkey. Of the
total number of machines shipped, 44 percent was rapier/projectile looms, 33 percent was air-jet
looms and 23 percent was water-jet looms.KnittingMore than 10,000 large circular knitting machines
were shipped in 2003, representing a 10 percent increase over 2002 levels. Among the deliveries, 66
percent went to Asia and 24 percent to Europe. Machines equipped with electronic needle selection
made up 5 percent of all deliveries.A total of 9,300 electronic flat knitting machines were
shipped, providing an annual gain of 4 percent for the sector. Asia absorbed 58 percent of the
total shipments while Europe accounted for 40 percent.
Fall 2004