The two textile machine manufacturers Xetma Vollenweider AG (CH) and Xetma Gematex GmbH (DE), which merged under the roof of the Xetma Group in 2000, have recently made another step designed to enhance even further their flexibility and efficiency in the market. In the first quarter 2005, production operations for shearing, cloth cleaning and singeing equipment have been relocated from Horgen in Switzerland to the parent establishment in Aue, Germany, which hitherto has been involved in the production of raising, emerizing and brush-sueding machines and where the Group has a modern production and office complex. Swiss know-how and more than 120 years experience in the development and manufacture of shearing machines combined with the innovative spirit of a German textile machine builder with a tradition of more than 155 years will yield distinct synergy effects and, thus, considerable benefits for customers.

A major factor in the decision to join forces at a single location was the role played by the transfer of know-how required in the manufacture of individual components, the overall objective being to optimise existing processes. At the same time, steps were taken to also concentrate activities for the technical and process related development of the entire product range at the joint Technology and Development Centre in Aue. There, among other things, a modern technology section, which is always furnished with the latest machine generations, offers outstanding conditions for trying out textile processes.

Now as before, Xetma is committed to meet in every respect the very high requirements set by international customers in the areas of quality, costs, innovations and growth.

The Xetma Group will continue to operate a sales and service office at its location in Horgen (Switzerland). In addition, Xetma will make increased efforts to extend its presence in major key markets.

In conjunction with the structural measures taken, both companies of the Xetma Group will from now on be active in the market under just one single name - Xetma Vollenweider. From among the shareholders, Dietmar Böhm was appointed as new CEO of the Xetma Group. Further members of the management of the Group include Peter Baumann, who will be in charge of Customer Service & Technology, as well as Olaf Neumann, who will be in charge of Engineering.