2025
Itema at SITEX 2025: on show the complete weaving machines range to producing Saree Fabrics
2024
Itema completes the acquisition of Schoch & Co Srl
Itema exhibits at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 and reaffirms its commitment to provide Chinese and [...]
Tofflon Itema opens the doors of its new headquarters for a grand opening event
Itema to showcase its latest weaving innovations and the customer portal HelloItema at ITM 2024
Itema showcases the Itematech weaving solutions at Techtextil 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany [...]
Itema exhibits at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2024 from January 6th to 8th in booth 231
2023
ITEMA GROUP exhibits at ITMA Asia + CITME for the first time together in China the new rapier [...]
Tofflonit, open innovation at the service of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry
Itema Group at ITMA 2023: the new EVO range and a complete offering for the weaving industry
Itema participates at SZTIE 2023 (May 24th – May 26th): on show the new Itema rapier weaving [...]
Itema participates at DTG 2023: on show an Itema rapier weaving machine from the Itema [...]
Itema exhibits at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2023 January 7th – 9th in booth 226
2022
Itema exhibits its latest innovations and a complete range of weaving solutions at India ITME 2022
Less waste, less environmental impact, more and more sustainability at the heart of the textile [...]
Itema acquires the real estate area of the former Cotonificio Cantoni in Ponte Nossa
Sharabati Denim confirms the trust in the Itema rapier technology and places an additional [...]
Itema exhibits the Itematech weaving solutions at Techtextil in Frankfurt, June 21st – 24th
ISKO™ purchased new state-of-the-art weaving machines.
Itema exhibits cutting-edge innovations and a complete range of weaving solutions at ITM 2022
Itema opens a new company in Turkey further strengthening the presence in the Turkish market
Itema is exhibiting at Techtextil North America in Atlanta, North America – May 17th – 19th
ITEMA WEAVING MACHINES BECOME EVEN “SMARTER” WITH THE HMI AND SAAS SOLUTIONS DEVELOPED WITH SECO
EVENTS
The creative luxury of Lanificio Cerruti selects the pioneering weaving technology of Itema
Itema exhibited weaving innovations at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2022 January 8th [...]
2021
Itema completes the acquisition of Lamiflex. Eng. Massimo Zocche is the new General Manager
Sustainable Denim: Itema brings at Denim Première Vision iSAVER®
ITEMA GROUP exhibiting innovative weaving solutions at ITMA Asia 2021 (Hall 3 – Stand D32)
Vanelli Textile – part of the Türkün Holding – is a real flagship of the Turkish textile [...]
Itemalab evolves: the excellence of textile machinery innovation now available to all the [...]
EVENTS
Itema contributes to the growth of the Uzbekistani textile industry
2020
Itematech exhibits at Cinte TechTextil 2020 in Shanghai, China (Hall E01 – Booth E1) from [...]
Itema Group announces the closing of the acquisition of PTMT (ex Panter)
Itema Group donates 25,000 face masks to Bergamo hospitals and local institutions to concretely [...]
Itema Group announces appointment of Ugo Ghilardi as new CEO and moves towards a new stage of [...]
2019
Itema exhibiting futuristic innovations at Italian Design Icons in Shanghai
Itema S.p.A. announces the agreement for significant stakes in Schoch
ITEMA Group Innovation on stage at ITMA 2019
Itema Denim Day 2019
Itema exhibits at Techtextil North America 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina – February 26th – [...]
Itema exhibits best-in-class weaving innovations at IGATEX Pakistan 12th International [...]
EVENTS
2018
EVENTS
ITEMA Group wins two awards at “The Procurement Awards 2018”
ITEMA Group Announces First Quarter 2018 Results: Weaving Machines Sales Exceeding [...]
ITEMA S.P.A. RITIRA L’OFFERTA DI VENDITA E SOTTOSCRIZIONE DELLE PROPRIE AZIONI
IPO: ITEMA S.p.A.: Consob Authorizes the Publication of the Prospectus and Releasess the Nulla [...]
IPO: ITEMA S.P.A. ADMITTED TO LISTING ON THE MERCATO TELEMATICO AZIONARIO
IPO: INDICATIVE VALUATION RANGE OF THE SHARES OF ITEMA S.p.A.
IPO: ITEMA FILES THE APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO LISTING OF ITS SHARES ON THE MERCATO [...]
ITEMA will launch breakthrough developments for denim weaving at ITM 2018 in Istanbul (Hall 2, [...]
IPO: Itema Files Request for Eligibility to List on MTA, Italian Stock Exchange
EVENTS
ITEMA – “important patron for transformation of the Bangladesh weaving industry”
Itema Innovation Roadshow Technical Fabrics – South Korea
2017
Itema at ITMACH India 2017
EVENTS
D’Decor’s Mr Ajay Arora: “Trust in ITEMA Weaving Machines for Quality and [...]
EVENTS
Itema Group Launches Diversification Strategy; Acquires Majority Stake in Lamiflex and [...]
Events
Itema exhibits its latest innovations in weaving at EGE TMF in Denizli and KTM in Kahramanmaraş
ETHIOPIA: a growing textile hub ideal for the excellence of Made in Italy textile machinery
Itema exhibits the brand-new rapier weaving machine R9500denim at DTG Dhaka Int’l Textile [...]
2016
Itema exhibits latest innovations at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016 (Hall 3 Booth E01)
Itema hosts Innovation Roadshow in Guangdong, South China
Itema wins prestigious Italian Mechatronics Award 2016
ITEMA exhibits at ITM 2016 in Istanbul (1-4 June), in the biggest booth of the weaving hall
ITEMA Group Announces Full Year 2015 Results, Third Year in a Row Beating Expectations
Nimbark scaling great heights using ITEMA’s A9500p
Itema exhibits at TEMTECH 2016
Itema stays in Zuchwil and invests millions


Itema at SITEX 2025: on show the complete weaving machines range to producing Saree Fabrics
NEWS – 08/01/2025
Colzate (Italy) and Mumbai (India) – Itema, for the fourth year in a row, is exhibiting at SITEX (Booth 258) from January 10th to 12th at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC).
Sameer Kulkarni, Itema Weaving India Managing Director commented: “Exhibiting at Sitex, in the cradle of the Indian Saree production, is for Itema the perfect occasion to showcase our technological solutions tailored to weaving these traditional and sophisticated fabrics. For many years, Itema has been the leading provider of high-end rapier machines to Surat weavers mainly due to the superior textile versatility of our weaving technology and to the timely, accurate and customer-oriented service which is the trademark of Itema India.”
Itema exhibits two weaving machines at Sitex 2025 equipped with different rapier weft transfers with the target to demonstrate how Itema weaving technology is capable to answer to any textile and production need of this specific fabric segment:
- The Itema Rapier R9500EVO on display at Stäubli Booth (Booth 230)
In our partner booth, the Itema Rapier R9500EVO in 3800mm weaving width is equipped with the Stäubli Jacquard LX PRO with 12.000 hooks. The machine is configured to reach the highest textile performances thanks to the Itema FPA EVO Free Positive Approach Weft Transfer featuring a race board with no guiding elements in the shed and to the Itema MiCUT Motorized Weft Cutter.
The FPA EVO Rapiers ensure to perfectly handle the widest range of weft yarns allowing weavers to weave with endless creative possibilities even the most sophisticated and complex fabrics and combines the versatility of a positive rapier system with higher performances and efficiency.
With the FPA EVO Weft Transfer System, thanks also to the combination with the MiCut Motorized Weft Cutter, it is possible to weave the widest range of fancy, multifilament, metallic, and monofilament yarns, including lurex and fancy yarns widely used in Saree fabrics production.
Moreover, the FPA EVO Weft Transfer System ensures a gentle treatment even of the most delicate warp yarns, leading to the renowned Itema fabric quality.
The Itema MiCUT Motorized Weft Cutter allows to set an independent cutting time for each weft directly from the machine console and represents the ideal solution when weaving complex styles and multiple weft configurations, providing unbeatable versatility and textile efficiency.
- The Itema Rapier Galileo-RX on display at Itema Booth (Booth 258)
On show in the booth is the Itema Rapier Galileo-RX in 3800mm weaving width and equipped with the Qihui Jacquard QH5376 GT. The Itema Rapier Galileo-RX represents an undisputed market success that over the last two years conquered Surat weavers trust thanks to its reliability and to the best price-quality ratio. The machine is configured with the new Itema EVOConsole with touch, full glass, capacitive display, offering wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity and ready for data analysis and IoT functionalities. Equipped with the Itema SK Weft Transfer System with guided hooks in combination with the MiCUT Motorized Weft Cutter, the Galileo-RX will weave a Saree fabric with nylon warp yarns and polyester and lurex weft yarns.
To find out more about Itema weaving solutions, our references in the market, and our case histories, make sure to visit the Itema booth 258 at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2025.
Download the press release here


Itema completes the acquisition of Schoch & Co Srl
NEWS – 28/10/2024
Colzate, October 28 – Itema, leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, has completed the acquisition of Schoch, historic company active in the production and supply of accessories for textile machines, such as reeds, drop wires and other components. The operation completes the integration process already started in 2019 with the acquisition of 80% of the company’s shares and, following the agreement reached with the heirs of the founding family, Itema acquires the remaining 20% and becomes the sole shareholder of the Italian subsidiary Schoch & Co Srl.
Schoch has been founded by Alfredo Schoch in 1907 in Ranica, Bergamo Province, and since then manufactures high quality accessories for the textile industry. Son of a Swiss reeds manufacturer, Alfredo Schoch sets up his business in Italy and carries on the family’s entrepreneurial vocation.
Over the years, Schoch installs in its plants the most advanced manufacturing technologies to constantly ensure its products renowned superior performances.
In 2019, with the entry into Itema Group, Schoch moved the Italian site from Ranica to Colzate, at the Itema headquarters and could count on a solid and well-structured organization, dedicated to satisfying even the most demanding customers’ requests. In addition to the Italian plant, Schoch also has a production site in India with 100 employees.
Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema Group, commented: “With this transaction, we completed the acquisition process of Schoch & Co. As done in 2021 with Lamiflex, Itema aims to integrate the human and industrial capital of the Group’s companies with the ultimate goal of maximizing collaboration and results, both in terms of product development and new markets.”
Press release here


Itema exhibits at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 and reaffirms its commitment to provide Chinese and Asian markets with high-performances weaving solutions
PRESS RELEASE – 02/10/2024
Itema, leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions including weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, announces its participation in ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024, taking place from October 14-18, 2024 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai. At this prestigious event, Itema will exhibit in Hall 3 – Booth C11 its cutting-edge weaving technologies, including the GalileoRX rapier weaving machine and the high-performance P7300HP V8 projectile weaving machine.
The past, present and future of weaving on display
Born from the legacy of the most successful high-end rapier weaving machine assembled in China, the Itema R9000 and R9000-2, the GalileoRX features technological and design advancements to fully meet the needs of the market, reaching unbeatable levels in terms of performances, textile mastery and eco-efficiency. Launched in 2022 to address the specific needs of the Chinese and Asian textile markets, the Itema GalileoRX has rapidly gained recognition for its ability to weave a wide range of fabrics with superior quality and precision.
The GalileoRX on show at the Itema booth – in 2300 mm weaving width – will weave an Apparel style and will be equipped with two of the latest Itema innovations: the New Generatione Machine Console, with a 15.6” wide touch, full glass, capacitive display, and the iSAVER®fancy. Based on the mechatronic technology of iSAVER®eco, iSAVER®fancy is available up to 6 weft colors and allows to eliminate the waste selvedge on the left-hand side of the rapier machine thus providing substantial costs saving and significant contribution to sustainable weaving by reducing raw materials and resources waste.
Moreover, in the year of its 70th anniversary, the legendary projectile weaving machine makes its grand return to an international trade fair.
The Itema projectile P7300HP V8, in 3900 mm weaving width, will weave a Denim style. Renowned for its unbeatable reliability and high productivity, the P7300HP V8 ensures excellent fabric quality even for heavy-duty textiles such as denim and technical fabrics. Itema is the only weaving machine manufacturer that offers projectile weaving technology – and continues to push the boundaries of projectile weft insertion technology, which still remains the best weaving machine for specific applications.
This year also marks a milestone for projectile weaving technology as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the official unveiling of the TW11, the first projectile weaving machine, which was presented at the Mustermesse in Basel in 1954. The TW11 revolutionized the weaving industry with its unique weft insertion system and ability to efficiently produce extra-wide and heavy fabrics, laying the groundwork for subsequent generations of projectile looms like today’s P7300HP V8.
Additional Machines Displayed at Partner Booths
Guests will also have the opportunity to see eight additional Itema rapier weaving machines showcased at our partner booths, including Huzhou Hyundai (Julibao) at Hall 3 – C08, Lilai (Hall 3 – Booth A38), Tongxiang (Hall 3 – Booth E07), Changfang (Hall 3 – B35), Huling and Song&Song (Hall 3 – A67).
Itema Group’s Complete Offer of Weaving Solutions
During their visit to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024, visitors will be able to learn more about the full range of weaving solutions offered by Itema Group:
- HelloItema, the Itema customer portal – offering a comprehensive set of digital functionalities and smart solutions and designed to make customers’ working lives easier and add value to their investment. Accessible via browser or app from any device – and directly from the machine console on new generation Itema machines – users can order original spare parts, check order status in real-time, open service tickets, and access relevant machine documentation.
- The full range of OEM spare parts and the latest solutions for upgrading existing Itema looms, as well as previous brands such as Sulzer, Somet, and Vamatex.
- Lamiflex, part of the Itema Group, will showcase advanced weaving accessories, including rapier tapes and sprocket wheels.
Visitors to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 will have the chance to experience firsthand how Itema continues to provide state-of-the-art solutions tailored to the evolving needs of worldwide textile industries. To learn more, visit the Itema Group Booth in Hall 3 – Booth C11.
Download the full Press Release


Tofflon Itema opens the doors of its new headquarters for a grand opening event
PRESS RELEASE – 16/05/2024
Nibbia, San Pietro Mosezzo (NO), Italy – Itema, leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, and Tofflon Science and Technology Group Co. Ltd., Asiatic giant company in the pharmaceutical industry, organized a Grand Opening Ceremony on May 16th, 2024, to inaugurate Tofflonit, the new company dedicated to the production of industrial lyophilizers for the biopharmaceutic sector that operates with the name of Tofflon Itema Srl.
In the new premises of Nibbia, in the municipality of San Pietro Mosezzo in the province of Novara, the manufacturing plant has been working since October and features high levels of quality and innovation and, on May 16th, the Opening Ceremony took place here with the participation of more than 100 representatives of biopharmaceutical companies from all over Europe.
The inauguration ceremony was in fact welcomed with interest and great participation by companies in the sector from 13 different countries, namely Italy, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Latvia, Morocco, Holland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and Hungary, who attended an event where the usual presentations were followed by a detailed technical tour of a complete freeze-drying system. The Ceremony started with the usual message of the authorities, here represented by the Mayor of San Pietro Mosezzo, Giuseppe Brognoli, who underlined the importance of new industrial undertakings for the growth of the territory, from the point of view both of technology and employment.
The mayor was then followed by Anthony Zheng, CEO of Tofflon Group, who thanked Itema for its valuable contribution in the development of the new headquarters of the Group in Italy and, during the year of the 31st anniversary of Tofflon he stated “As one of the founders, I am proud of our journey, full of numerous challenges and many achievements. Now, during the year of our 31st anniversary, we have reached a new milestone establishing the first Tofflon manufacturing plant in Europe, which testifies our commitment to offer even more efficient and convenient services to our customers in Europe and America. On the journey ahead, we look forward to collaborating closely with companies, universities and research institutes in Novara, Italy and across Europe.”
Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema Group, then took the stage and reviewed the last three years of collaboration between Itema and Tofflon which brought to life the new production site which was designed and industrialized according to the most modern principles of lean manufacturing by Itemalab, Itema’s engineering company. Ghilardi then underlined how “quality is the hallmark of this new company. Tofflon Itema was created to guarantee its customers quality in products, quality in innovations, quality in service and quality in relationships. Ours is a promise of quality to the market.
During the event, a key testimony has come from a special guest, Margherita Verga, Owner of Sacco System Group, a company of Cadorago, in the province of Como, that since 1934 has been offering a wide range of innovative products, including starter cultures for food fermentation (in particular dairy products) and nutritional supplements (probiotic cultures), as well as food improvement tools. Margherita Verga has talked about her company’s experience with Tofflon, which has been supplying machinery to the Sacco Group for more than 10 years, underlying the quality and the timeliness of the services offered.
In closing, the history of the company’s foundation and its objectives were summarized by Ted Dai, General Manager of Tofflon Itema.
The technical tour dedicated to discovering a complete freeze-drying line was preceded by an accurate technical presentation.
The event concluded with the signing of a sale contract between Tofflon Itema and the Slovakian company HelgeHeim.
What a better closing for an Opening Ceremony.
Download the full press release.


Itema to showcase its latest weaving innovations and the customer portal HelloItema at ITM 2024
PRESS RELEASE – 02/05/2024
Itema, the leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions including weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, will exhibit at ITM 2024 at the Istanbul TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center on June 4-8 in Hall 8, Booth 806 its latest weaving innovations and the full set of digital functionalities and smart solutions offered by the HelloItema Customer Portal.
Itema established in 2022 its own company in Türkiye, with the aim of maximizing benefits for Turkish customers. With offices in Istanbul and in Bursa, Itema Türkiye provides Itema customers with timely, accurate and beneficial services.
In the words of Pamir Özaltan, Itema Türkiye Managing Director “Türkiye is, since ever, one of the three main markets for Itema. We hold leadership in numerous market segments and in different textile areas of the country. At ITM 2024 we will bring on show some interesting innovations for important textile productions, such as terry, curtains, and apparel fabrics.”
Itema, in fact, will take advantage of the ITM stage to exhibits some of the latest weaving innovations introduced at ITMA in June 2023 in Milan and that, almost one year after market launch, received appreciation and warm welcome by worldwide weavers. Particularly, ITM visitors will have the chance to see running live at the Itema booth:
- the new R9500EVOterry. The Itema terry machines, thanks to their excellent textile versatility and machine reliability, are preferred by worldwide terry weavers, with an impressive number of machines installed in more than 35 countries, and the absolute market leaders in the weaving of terry fabrics in the Denizli district in Türkiye. In the EVO version, the Itema R9500EVOterry further improves textile mastery, performances, and ease of use;
- the new R9500EVO, on show both in wide and narrow width to highlight the superior textile mastery achieved thanks to the EVO improvements;
- the new iSAVERfancy that, based on the technology of iSAVEReco, is available up to 6 weft colors and allows to eliminate the waste selvedge on the left-hand side of the rapier machine thus providing substantial costs saving and significant contribution to sustainable weaving by reducing raw materials and resources waste
Moreover, the customer portal HelloItema will take central stage during the show to demonstrate the full set of digital functionalities and smart solutions that are now available for the Itema customers to make their working life easier and to add value to their investment. HelloItema is an online platform, accessible by browser or app through any digital device – and on EVO generation Itema machines also from the machine console directly from the mill floor – where the weaver can, with a simple click, purchase original spare parts in a renewed and optimized e-commerce and check order status in real-time, open service tickets and access relevant machines documents.
The Itema Group Chief Sales and Service, Matteo Mutti commented on the Itema participation at ITM “We look forward to ITM as the stage to showcase our latest innovations to the whole Middle Eastern textile industry. We worked on our product line-up to show effective, tangible, smart solutions to weavers since our primary mission is to support our customers in improving their competitiveness and their results.”
On show in the Itema booth visitors will find also the latest solutions to upgrade the existing Itema – and previous brands Sulzer, Somet and Vamatex – looms and the full range of OEM spare parts.
The Itema Group company Lamiflex will be present at ITM in Itema booth with their advanced weaving accessories offering, including rapier tapes and sprocket wheels.
To learn more about Itema Group technological innovations and weaving solutions, make sure to visit us at ITM 2024 in Hall 8, Booth 806.


Itema showcases the Itematech weaving solutions at Techtextil 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany from April, 23rd to April, 26th
PRESS RELEASE – 28/03/2024
Itema showcases
the Itematech weaving solutions
at Techtextil 2024
in Frankfurt, Germany from April, 23rd to April, 26th
Colzate, Italy – Itema, leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, including weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, exhibits the most complete product portfolio to weave technical fabrics at Techtextil Frankfurt (Hall 12 – Booth D24) from April, 23rd to April, 26th .
Recognizing the specificity of the technical textile industry, Itematech was established in 2019 with the aim to provide a comprehensive range of weaving solutions tailored to manage this complex fabrics in an easy yet efficient way. Today, Itematech stands as the optimal choice for weavers seeking for a unique partner able to offering the most diverse weaving machine portfolio available on the market for producing technical fabrics, including Single Positive Rapier, Negative and Positive Rapier, Airjet and Projectile weaving machines.
At Techtextil 2024 the Itematech representatives will introduce to visitors the whole Itematech weaving range and the latest advancements to weave technical fabrics, in details:
- UniRap: The Itematech Single Positive Rapier Weaving Machine
The absence of the weft exchange, thanks to the positive single rapier weft transfer, enables the Itematech UniRap to weave the widest range of high tenacity yarns, from carbon tape and fibers, to fiberglass, aramid fibers, steel and lead-coated yarns, and many others. Designed as an open platform, the Itematech UniRap comes to the market in a double version specifically developed for technical textiles weaving: the UniRap | P Weft Insertion System enables the effective insertion of carbon tapes and tape shaped yarns with no torsion up to 30mm, while the UniRap | G Weft Insertion System is ideal to weave the widest range of technical yarns. What makes the two versions even more interesting is the possibility to switch the two weft transfers easily and quickly, thus providing weavers with two weft insertion technologies in one.
- Hercules: The Itematech Negative and Positive Rapier Weaving Machine
The Hercules reinforced machine structure coupled with its textile flexibility offers weavers the ideal weaving technology to produce the most demanding technical textiles, from extremely high density to finest fabrics. One of a kind on the market, Hercules provides unbeatable textile flexibility thanks to its unique weft transfer system that enables the valuable possibility to switch easily and quickly from positive to negative rapiers, thus leading to superior textile efficiency when handling the widest range of weft yarns counts, from 20 up to 48,000 dtex, in single or multiple weft insertions configurations. Hercules is available in weaving width up to 6200mm and features a modular structure, customizable according to weavers’ textiles needs. In fact, the basic machine structure is reinforced and can be equipped with different devices capable to reach a beating force up to 5.5 tons (depending on the reed width). Hercules textile range includes but is not limited to agrotextiles, medium and heavy coating fabrics, medium and heavy conveyor belts, medium and heavy filter fabrics, fiberglass, geotextile, heavy canvas, geogrid, plain carpet.
- P7300HP V8: The Itematech Projectile Weaving Machine
Technical fabrics are the specialty of the legendary P7300HP due to its reliable and versatile weft insertion system, based on the single insertion driven by the projectile which catches the weft and carries it directly with no exchanges, providing unmatched efficiency. The P7300HP continues to represent an unbeaten and unbeatable benchmark for those looking to weave the very widest fabrics (over 6 meters) and high-specialty materials, such as agrotextile, geotextile and primary carpet backing fabrics.
- R9500EVO : The Itematech Rapier Weaving Machine
The Itema R9500EVO is the latest version of the Itema best-seller R9500. The continuous roll-out of customized special versions tailored for technical applications, including coating, para-aramid, fiberglass, bolting cloth, fabrics for automotive, light filter fabrics, among others, as well as dedicated devices for each application make the R9500EVO the perfect machine for the manufacturing of the full range of technical textiles, including the ones with the finest monofilament yarns, multifilament yarns with high tenacity, and multiple pick insertion fabrics.
R9500EVO is equippable with the Itema iSAVER®tech. The Itema breakthrough device eliminates the waste selvedge on the fabric’s left-hand side, thus significantly reducing the wastage of raw materials and resources leading to cost reduction and contributing to sustainable weaving. iSAVER®tech is available to weave a wide range of technical yarns and it is even retrofittable as upgrade kit on all R9500 series machine models.
- A9500EVO: the Itematech Airjet Weaving Machine
When it comes to weaving very high-density fabrics, the airjet A9500EVO is customizable with dedicated devices to ensure excellent results while answering to the most demanding weaving needs. In particular, the Itema Airjet A9500 iLENO for Seconday Carpet Backing has recently been launched on the market and rapidly gained popularity among technical weavers. This special airjet machine, indeed, has been designed by Itema to successfully and effectively weaving Secondary Carpet Backing fabrics with the goal to maximize weavers productivity and return on investment.
Techtextil 2024 represents an unmissable opportunity to discover all the Itematech weaving solutions and to discuss with our experts any weaving need.Visit us in Hall 12 – Booth D24.


Itema exhibits at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2024 from January 6th to 8th in booth 231
NEWS – 03/01/2024
Colzate (Italy) and Mumbai (India) – Itema, the global leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, including weaving machines, OEM spare parts and integrated services, is exhibiting at SITEX (Booth 231) from January 6th to 8th at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC).
Itema is by far the leading supplier of rapier weaving technology in the South Gujarat Region, thanks to the excellent versatility and the superior textile mastery of its rapier machines which guarantee to Surat weavers to produce at best their fancy, sophisticated and fashionable Saree and women dress fabrics. The impressive number of Itema rapier R9500 and R9000 family models installed in Surat mills testifies how the Itema weaving technology is preferred by weavers to produce fabrics made with different yarns and weaving patterns.
In fact, as Sameer Kulkarni – Itema Weaving India General Manager Sales explains “It is with pride that we can confirm Itema as the preferred high-end weaving machines supplier in the Surat Region. In 2023, Surat weavers placed a significant number of orders for our adavanced rapier weaving machines, thus confirming Itema’s presence in the market and also the modernization of the textile industry of the Region. Sitex is the perfect occasion to meet our customers, discussing new projects and future developments.”
Itema will showcase at SITEX a rapier R9500-2 weaving machine, in weaving width 3800mm and equipped with a Stäubli LX PRO with 6144 hooks Jacquard shedding machine. The machine on display in Stäubli booth (booth 256) will weave a fabric traditionally produced in the mills of the Region and is configured to meet the local weavers production needs.
Moreover, the Itema staff will be on place to illustrate all the weaving innovations and the latest company updates to visitors. The Itema (and previous brands – Somet, Vamatex and Sulzer) spare parts and after-sales advanced solutions will have a dedicated focus with the possibility to discover all the opportunities to give new life to looms, such as customized upgrade kits to optimize machine performance and retrofit latest Itema innovations on existing looms and electric, electronic and mechanic repairs.
To find out more about Itema weaving solutions to weave the widest range of fabrics, our references in the market, and our case histories, make sure to visit the Itema booth 231 at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2024.


ITEMA GROUP exhibits at ITMA Asia + CITME for the first time together in China the new rapier weaving machines R9500EVO and GalileoRX
PRESS RELEASE – 07/11/2023
Colzate (Italy) – Itema, the global leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, participates at ITMA Asia + CITME (Hall 3 – D08) in Shanghai presenting for the first time together in China the two newest ranges in its rapier weaving machines portfolio, the Itema R9500EVO and the Itema GalileoRX.
China is without doubt the main market for the whole textile machinery industry, and Itema makes no exception. For this reason, Itema has been present in China since 2002 with its local branch Itema Weaving Machinery China – today a top-notch organization counting more than 160 employees making up an extensive team of experts from different fields, including sales, after-sales, and spare parts services, along with a local team for operations, product and quality engineers. Skills, experience, and passion for textiles are the common denominators of Itema employees all over the world and the key factor to ensure precise production processes and textile expertise.
Thanks to this Customer-oriented approach, Itema is today the European weaving machinery manufacturer with the highest market share for rapier weaving machines produced and sold locally. Itema participates at ITMA Asia + CITME to present its technological offer, able to provide Asian weavers with the technology they need to weave any kind of fabric.
13 Itema Weaving Machines on show at ITMA Asia + CITME
Visitors to ITMA Asia + CITME will have multiple chances to learn more about the Itema weaving portfolio, with a total of 13 Itema weaving machines on display, of which 3 in the Itema booth (Hall 3 Booth D08) and the rest in Partner booths across Hall 3.
Itema booth will feature the following machines line-up:
– The new Itema rapier weaving machine R9500EVO: the latest Itema weaving machine range gained a lot of interest from all over the world after the market launch at ITMA 2023 in Milan thanks to its significant innovations designed to raise the bar in terms of textile mastery, eco-efficiency, performance, and easy weaving. The R9500EVO on show (2200mm) will be weaving Wool fabric and will feature the iSAVER®fancy – one of the new versions of the iSAVER® range, now available in up to 6 colors and for many more applications, including luxurious fabrics such as wool, cashmere and wool blends, thus significantly increasing the contribution to sustainable weaving.
– The first Itema GalileoRX rapier weaving machines on display at the Itema Group booth will be weaving Denim Double Stretch (2300mm). The machine will be equipped with iSAVER®eco, the iSAVER® model fine-tuned to weave denim
– and the second Itema GalileoRX on show, in 2300mm weaving width, will be running an Apparel style. On its first appearance at ITMA Asia, the Itema rapier weaving machine GalileoRX has been launched in December 2022 and was specifically designed to combine the most innovative weaving technology with the unique advantages of accurate manufacturing in China. Born on the heritage of the most successful high-end rapier weaving machine assembled in China, the Itema R9000 and later R90002, GalileoRX features further technological and design advancements to fully meet the needs of the Chinese and Asian markets – a totally open platform configurable to meet exactly the weaver’s requirements.
Itema® Weaving Machines on show in partners’ booths
Itema weaving technology is traditionally recognized to be the preferred choice of textile machinery producers due to its superior versatility and textile mastery. Here lies the reason why a number of 10 Itema weaving machines will be exhibited in partner booths, encompassing Jacquard shedding machines manufacturers and label looms providers. In detail:
– Itema R90002, 1900 mm and 2300 mm for Label, and Itema GalileoRX, 1900mm for Shoes, will be on display at Huzhou Hyundai (Julibao) booth (Hall 3 – C02)
– Itema R90002, 1900mm, for Shoe fabrics will be present in the Tongxiang stand (Hall 3 – E04)
– Saree fabrics will be on show in four different partner booths, including the Itema GalileoRX, 3800mm at the Song&Song booth (Hall 3 – A23), the Itema GalileoRX, 3800 mm, at the Qihui stand (Hall 3 – C23), the Itema GalileoRX, 3800 mm at Huiling booth, the Itema R90002, 3800 mm, at Jiabao stand (Hall 3 – D22)*
– Itema GalileoRX, 3400 mm, weaving Apparel fabric in WuMu booth (H3 – D28)
– The Itema GalileoRX, 2400 mm featured at the Lilai booth will produce Label
*Final style may vary according to partner choice
Itema Group: a complete offer for Asian markets
In addition to Itema’s weaving machines line-up, visitors can take advantage of the Group presence to discover the additional and valuable offerings that only Itema guarantees, including the new Itema Customer Portal HelloItema, OEM Spare Parts and After-Sales Support.
The company spare parts and after-sales teams will be on site to present fast and reliable service when it comes to offering Customers peace of mind through high-quality replacement parts, customized upgrade kits to optimize machine performance and retrofit latest Itema innovations on existing looms, electric, electronic and mechanic repairs to give new life to looms, as well as training to ensure Itema weavers get the most out of their weaving machines thanks to the ItemaCampus trainings available in 7 worldwide locations.
Lamiflex®, the leading supplier of technical composite products which entered Itema Group in 2017 – will be present at ITMA Asia in the Itema Group Booth (Hall 3 – D08) with its ample catalogue of key rapier weft transfer components such as flexible rapier tapes and sprocket wheels available for any weaving machines brand, with the guarantee of the best European quality and sector know-how and the advantage of a competitive offering.
Itema Group and its companies will welcome visitors in Hall 3 – Booth D08 with a product line-up designed to confirm and demonstrate its dedication to innovation and the Made in Italy excellence in the weaving sector and with many chances to deepen the Itema Group world and news.
Itema Technical Fabrics Open House in Itema Weaving Machinery China premises
Itema will take advantage of ITMA Asia to open the doors of its premises in Shanghai to host an Open House entirely dedicated to the world of technical textiles. The event will take place every day from November, 20th till November 22nd – and represents an unmissable occasion to deepen industry trends and discover more about the most complete weaving machine portfolio on the market to weave technical fabrics, ranging from Negative and Positive Rapier, to Monorapier for carbon fiber and fancy styles, Airjet and the legendary Projectile.
On show during the open house:
– the Itematech monorapier Unirap weaving carbon tape fabric
– the Itematech rapier Hercules weaving heavy filter fabric
– the Itema rapier GalileoRX weaving fiberglass
The Itema Technical Fabrics open house in Itema Weaving Machinery China is an invitation-only event, but visitors of ITMA Asia exhibition can ask at the main Itema booth reception and profit of the daily shuttle bus to visit the event.
Download the full press release here.


Tofflonit, open innovation at the service of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry
PRESS RELEASE – 24/10/2023
Thanks to the industrial skills of Itema, the new company will produce in Italy lyophilization systems for the Tofflon Group
Colzate – Itema, leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, and Tofflon Science and Technology Group Co. Ltd., Asiatic giant company in the pharmaceutical industry, have presented Tofflonit, the new joint venture dedicated to the production of industrial lyophilizers for the biopharmaceutical sector that operates under the name Tofflon Itema Srl. With an initial investment of 10 million euros, the company will have its regional headquarters in Nibbia, in the province of Novara, where a manufacturing plant with high quality and innovation levels has been operating since October. The agreement was illustrated in Bergamo on October 24th during BioTopics 2023, the event dedicated to biotechnologies and open innovation.
Founded in Shanghai in 1993, Tofflon is a comprehensive pharmaceutical equipment supplier to provide process support, core equipment, integrated system and pharma engineering for the pharma and biotech industry, with more than 5,800 employees worldwide and a 2022 turnover of about 800 million US dollars. In order to pursue its strategy of internationalization and expansion, the group chose Itema as the partner for the planning and engineering of its new branch in Europe, where the group will produce lyophilization systems for the production of antibiotics, vaccines, diagnostic drugs, products containing proteins and biotechnological products.
“Throughout our thirty-year activity, we have developed solid skills for the production of machinery and equipment for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Our aim is to further grow in the European and American markets, approaching clients to whom we want to ensure the excellence of our solutions with efficient services and ideal shipping times. We are sure that the collaboration with Itema will enable us to reach excellent results”, said Michael Chang, senior vice president of Tofflon Science and Technology Group Co. Ltd.
Known in the world for its weaving machines and integrated solutions, Itema has transferred its experience in mechanical, electronic, and mechatronic technologies to Itemalab, founding a multidisciplinary hub that in the last few years has become a privileged partner for companies in any industrial sector that need advice and support in innovation and sustainability, from digitalization to system engineering.
“We are proud that Tofflon selected Itemalab to fine-tune the industrial plan that will bring to the market its advanced lyophilization systems. The factory of Tofflonit in Nibbia is a clear demonstration of the skills of Itemalab in the fields of lean manufacturing and open innovation, and it represents another significant step of our Group diversification strategy after the takeover of Lamiflex, leading supplier of composite products”, added Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema.
Download the full press release.


Itema Group at ITMA 2023: the new EVO range and a complete offering for the weaving industry
PRESS RELEASE – 26/05/2023
Itema Group at ITMA 2023: the new EVO range
and a complete offering for the weaving industry
Colzate (Italy) – Itema Group, the Italian global leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, participates at ITMA 2023 in Hall 6 – B105 with tangible and significant innovations for the weaving industry.
With a total of 12 Itema EVO weaving machines on show (7 in the Itema booth and 5 in the partners’ booth – Staübli, Van De Wiele, MEI, and Julibao), Itema confirms its attitude in exhibiting weaving machines running innovative, complex, and challenging fabrics to demonstrate its superior textile mastery. At ITMA 2023, Itema brings on stage sophisticated, diversified styles, designed in cooperation with leading textile companies – all Itema customers – such as ISKO, Mantero Seta, Drago Lanificio in Biella, Tessitura Marinoni, Frau Pérez Textiles, and Finsa Textil.
ITMA 2023 comes back in Milan, and Itema takes advantage of this prestigious stage to introduce its new EVO Weaving Range for the first time.
The new EVO weaving range features significant innovations designed to raise the bar in terms of textile mastery, eco-efficiency, performance, and easy weaving.
Ugo Ghilardi, Itema Group CEO comments: “The new Itema EVO Weaving Range answers to concrete weavers’ needs. Our vision is to offer to our worldwide customers tangible innovations that, based on the most advanced engineering principles, can improve their productivity, competitiveness on the market, and user experience.”
In fact, the new Itema EVO Weaving Range includes:
- advanced solutions for the weft transfer to enhance versatility and machine performance
- the new iSAVER® range which, following its undisputed market success in denim weaving, is now available in up to 6 colors and for many more fabrics, thus significantly increasing the applications of sustainable weaving
- innovative digital software to enhance user experience and optimize textile production, such as iKNOW™ – the innovative tool that contains all the Itema textile experts’ know-how collected on the field over the years – and MyWeave™ the new, advanced mill monitoring system
- optimization of key machine components to further improve machine performance, ensure the best possible machine accessibility, and reach unbeatable reliability while preserving the renowned compactness of the Itema weaving machines, which provides weavers with valuable additional space in the weaving floor to install more looms
New digital solutions, such as the brand-new Itema Customer Portal HelloItema, further enriches the visitors’ experience.
Moreover, besides the unmissable weaving innovations on stage, the Itema Group booth hosts all the Group companies and solutions.
In fact, the Itema Group companies Lamiflex® and Schoch® with their advanced accessories for weaving machinery have dedicated corners in the Itema Group booth, and Itema and previous brands’ OEM spare parts are exhibited, including upgrade kits to optimize machine performance and retrofit latest Itema innovations on existing looms. Itemalab®, the Itema advanced innovation hub, has a special environment inside the booth to boost the innovation mission of Itema.
In addition, the booth hosts the range of nylon and polyester yarns from RadiciGroup, a leading group in the production of textile solutions for numerous markets such as apparel, furnishings, and automotive. In particular, RadiciGroup presents products with a reduced environmental impact, both from recycling and made with raw materials of bio origin.
Itema Group will welcome visitors with a product line-up designed to confirm and demonstrate its dedication to innovation and the Made in Italy excellence in the weaving sector.
Make sure to visit the Itema Group booth at ITMA 2023, in Hall 6 – B105.
Download the full press release
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Itema participates at SZTIE 2023 (May 24th – May 26th): on show the new Itema rapier weaving machine Galileo-RX
NEWS – 24/05/2023
Itema participates at SZTIE 2023 (May 24th – May 26th):
on show the new Itema rapier weaving machine
GalileoRX
Colzate (Italy) and Shengze (China) – Itema, the global leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, including weaving machines, OEM spare parts, and integrated services, is exhibiting at SZTIE 2023 (Hall W – Booth S18) from May 24th till May, 26th in Shengze, Wujiang.
At SZTIE, Itema will showcase GalileoRX, the latest model of rapier weaving machine manufactured in the Itema China plant in weaving width 2300mm with FPA – Free Flight weft transfer system and producing apparel.
Specifically designed to combine the most innovative weaving technology with the unique advantages of accurate manufacturing in China, GalileoRX was launched in December 2022 and will be running live for the first time on an exhibition ground at SZTIE.
Born on the heritage of the most successful high-end rapier weaving machine assembled in China, the Itema R9000 and later R90002, GalileoRX features further technological and design advancements to fully meet the needs of the market, reaching unbeatable levels in terms of performance, textile mastery and eco-efficiency.
From the technological point of view, GalileoRX offers weavers the possibility to adopt the most advanced weaving technology to put them apart from the competition due to tangible and substantial benefits. GalileoRX, indeed, successfully weaves the widest range of fabrics – a totally open platform configurable to meet exactly the weaver’s requirements.
The optimized mechanical components provide substantial energy savings and enhanced performances while guaranteeing superior fabric quality. The new machine’s ergonomy guarantees outstanding user-friendliness by facilitating machine accessibility for the weaver when carrying out daily textile operations, thanks to the new front cover with incorporated pushbuttons panels, to easily operate the machine from different operator positions. The Itema Electronic NCP—New Common Platform—comes here loaded on a high-performance, super-sensitive touch-screen console, that facilitates the communication between the weaver and the machine thus simplifying the daily textile operations.
To find out more about Itema weaving solutions to weave the widest range of fabrics, our references in the market, and our case histories, make sure to visit the Itema booth (Hall W – Booth S18) at SZTIE 2023.


Itema participates at DTG 2023: on show an Itema rapier weaving machine from the Itema customer Universal Denims Limited (Bangladesh)
PRESS RELEASE – 10/02/2023
Itema participates at DTG 2023:
on show an Itema rapier weaving machine
from the Itema customer Universal Denims Limited (Bangladesh)
Colzate (Italy) and Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Itema, the global leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, including weaving machines, OEM spare parts and integrated services, is exhibiting at DTG 2023 (Hall 7/296) from February 15th – 18th at International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka.
On show, Itema will bring its denim-dedicated rapier weaving machine, the R9500-2denim. The weaving machine is courtesy of Universal Denims Limited, Bangladesh, which selected Itema as its trusted technological partner for the production of premium denim fabrics. The machine displayed at the event comes from the bulk order of 99 Itema rapier R9500-2denim that Universal Denims recently installed in its mill.
Universal Denims is one of the first largest vertical state-of-the-art multi-storey integrated textile operations in Bangladesh, a LEED Platinum standard built company with modern facilities on 160 Bigha land at Bhaluka, Mymensingh. Universal Denims Limited supplies over 36 million yards of world-class denim to leading fashion brands and retailers worldwide.
The R9500-2denim on show is equipped with iSAVER®, the one-of-a-kind mechatronic device capable to completely eliminate the waste selvedge on the left-hand side of the fabric thus leading to significant costs savings and to reduced waste, contributing to a sustainable denim weaving. iSAVER® is already successfully installed in many leading denim mills worldwide and represents a real interesting added value for Bangladeshi weavers that deal everyday with Western brands which are more and more looking at a green and sustainable production chain for the fabrics they purchase.
DTG is for Itema the perfect stage to allow the Bangladeshi weavers to experience first-hand the weaving solutions provided by the company, which are worldwide renowned for their superior textile mastery, eco-efficiency, and ease of use.
Itema positions itself as a reliable partner – and not only a simple supplier – for textile companies, providing advanced weaving machines along with a real-time after-sales service, highly professional training for the weavers, and integrated textile consultancy.
Itema is uniquely positioned in the market to offer textile manufacturers the top three weft insertion technologies – rapier, airjet and projectile -, OEM spare parts, upgrade kits, and a dedicated online shop for the historic brands now part of Itema – Somet, Sulzer, and Vamatex – in addition to highly professional training in 6 worldwide locations.
Atiqul Alam Chowdhury, Managing Director of Universal Denims Limited commented: “Universal Denims Limited works on sustainable manufacturing processes, innovation, carbon-footprint reduction, and utility efficiency. The yarns and chemicals used in our plants come from organic sustainable sources, we adopt an ozone finishing process that reduces environmental impact, and fabric stretching is realized with an aero finish to increase durability. Moreover, our state-of-the-art effluent treatment plant saves 172 million liters of natural water annually, equipped with e-labs that make our factory extremely eco-friendly. Itema’s technology further helps us in reducing the footprint of our activities, while not having to compromise in terms of weaving efficiency and fabric quality – we are therefore delighted to further enhance our partnership by having one of our Itema R9500-2denim rapier weaving machines on display at DTG”.
To learn more about Itema latest weaving innovations, visit the Itema booth 296 in Hall 7 at DTG 2023.
Download the press release.


Itema exhibits at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2023 January 7th – 9th in booth 226
NEWS – 06/01/2023
Colzate (Italy) and Mumbai (India) – Itema, the global leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, including weaving machines, OEM spare parts and integrated services, is exhibiting at SITEX (Booth 226) from January 7th – 9th at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC).
Itema confirms its trust and esteem towards the Surat textile entrepreneurs and, for the second year in a row showcases its unique weaving portfolio at Sitex.
2022 has been for Itema a remarkable year in terms of growth and part of this success is specifically linked to the Surat Region. In fact, as Sameer Kulkarni – Itema Weaving India General Manager Sales explains “Itema registered in Surat an unprecedented growth over the last year. We installed an amazing number of Itema weaving machines in the textile mills of the Region. We are proud to cooperate to the creation of some of the most beautiful fabrics in India and to support the talent of the Surat weavers with our advanced weaving technology.”
Itema is by far the leading supplier of rapier weaving technology in the Region, thanks to the excellent versatility and to the superior textile mastery of its rapier machines which guarantee to Surat weavers to produce at best their fancy, sophisticated and fashionable Saree and women dress fabrics. The impressive number of Itema rapier R9500 and R9000 family models installed in Surat mills testifies how the Itema weaving technology is preferred by weavers to produce fabrics made with different yarns and weaving patterns.
Itema will showcase at SITEX a rapier R9500-2 weaving machine, in weaving width 3800mm and equipped with a Stäubli LXM 5376 hooks Jacquard shedding machine. The machine on display in Stäubli booth (booth 243) will weave a fabric traditionally produced in the mills of the Region and is configured to meet the local weavers production needs.
Moreover, the Itema staff will be on place to illustrate all the weaving innovations and the latest company updates to visitors. The Itema (and previous brands – Somet, Vamatex and Sulzer) spare parts and after-sales advanced solutions will have a dedicated focus with the possibility to discover all the opportunities to give new life to looms, such as customized upgrade kits to optimize machine performance and retrofit latest Itema innovations on existing looms and electric, electronic and mechanic repairs.
Itema, with the Itematech division, also features the widest portfolio in the market to weave technical fabrics, and Sitex is the occasion to discover more about the company technological solutions to producing carbon tape and fibre, fiberglass, coatings fabrics, filter fabrics, just to name a few.
Schoch, the Itema Group company producing weaving accessories such as weaving reeds, reed dents and drop wires, is present in the Itema booth to complete the weaving offering for visitors.
To find out more about Itema weaving solutions to weave the widest range of fabrics, our references in the market, and our case histories, make sure to visit the Itema booth 226 at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2023.


Itema exhibits its latest innovations and a complete range of weaving solutions at India ITME 2022
PRESS RELEASE – 02/12/2022
Itema, the leading provider of advanced weaving solutions including weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services will exhibit at India ITME 2022, which is held for the first time in Northern India at the India Exposition Mart IEML in Greater Noida (Delhi) from 8th to 13th of December in Hall 15 – Booth C6D5.
Itema comes from an outstanding year in terms of sales of weaving machines in India. The company closed in fact an impressive number of deals providing the Indian textile industry with its advanced weaving technology to weave a wide range of fabrics.
As stated by Sameer Kulkarni, Itema Weaving India General Manager Sales, “2022 represents a landmark year for Itema in India. We are proud to see how our weaving technology is nowadays recognized as the most versatile and the most reliable in terms of textile mastery and performances. In 2022,” continued Kulkarni “we established a new record: Itema is by far the best selling supplier of high-end rapier weaving machines in India.”
This success is largely due to the Itema leadership of the Surat Region, where weavers selected the Itema rapier weaving machines R9500-2 and R9000-2 as their preferred option when it comes to weaving sophisticated fashion apparel and sarees fabrics. Both with dobby and Jacquard shedding, the Itema rapier technology demonstrated in fact its superior performances in terms of fabric quality and insertion of fancy yarns.
At India ITME 2022, Itema will showcase a racehorse in its rapier technology portfolio, the R9500-2denim. The weaving machine on show will be equipped with the one-of-a-kind iSAVER®, the device developed by Itemalab® that by eliminating the waste selvedge on the left-hand side of the fabric allows never-before-seen raw materials and economic savings. iSAVER® established a new benchmark in the weaving industry and today it represents the only device effectively running in real weaving conditions capable to contribute to a sustainable weaving process.
Moreover, an Itema rapier R9500-2 in Jacquard version and weaving furnishing fabrics will be exhibited in partner booth Bonas, Hall 14A – Booth 2B1.
In the words of Ugo Ghilardi, Itema Group CEO “we are excited to be finally back at India ITME 2022. India is a key market for Itema and we really value our Indian customers. Our target is much more than selling our weaving machines, we aim at creating long-lasting partnerships built on mutual success.”
Itema is present in India with a fully-operational branch since 2003, counting more than 50 employees, with sales and after-sales teams, technical support and advanced repair centers to ensure the highest possible standard of weaving solutions, with a complete offering and range of services to its valuable Customers in the Indian market.
Itema is a trusted partner of many Indian weaving mills, from large textile conglomerates to smaller textile manufacturers, providing the most advanced and user-friendly weaving technology and real-time assistance, from the initial negotiation stage and throughout the whole machine life cycle.
The Itema staff will be present at India ITME 2022 to welcome customers and partners to illustrate the latest innovations and the full range of weaving solutions supplied by Itema, including OEM spare parts of Itema and previous brands and Schoch reeds and other accessories range.
Visit us at India ITME 2022 in Hall 15, Booth C6D5.
Download the full press release here


Less waste, less environmental impact, more and more sustainability at the heart of the textile supply chain: Itema returns to Denim Première Vision with iSAVER® technology
PRESS RELEASE – 23/11/2022
Less waste, less environmental impact, more and more sustainability
at the heart of the textile supply chain:
Itema returns to Denim Première Vision with iSAVER® technology.
Colzate – Leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, Itema is once again the only loom manufacturer to participate in Denim Première Vision (Milan, Superstudio Più, 23 and 24 November 2022, booth C12) due to the uniqueness in the sector of its mechatronic device iSAVER®, an innovative technology that reduces the waste and the environmental impact of production processes.
Developed by Itemalab®, the Itema Group independent company dedicated to product and process innovation for the whole industrial sector, iSAVER® eliminates the waste selvedge on the fabric left-hand side by inserting the weft without the need of additional yarns, thus significantly reducing raw materials and water wastage.
Thanks to the iSAVER® devices installed in worldwide denim mills to date, an average annual savings of 600 tons of cotton and 12 billion liters of water can be achieved, while, from an economic perspective, an average of €2,000 per loom per year can be saved.
In the denim sector in particular, Itema offers iSAVER® on the R9500-2denim rapier machine, already present in the weaving rooms of major denim manufacturers worldwide.
Prominent among them in terms of production volumes are ISKO, Sharabati Denim, and Prosperity Textiles: giants that weave hundreds of millions of square meters of denim each year, confirming the long-term reliability of Itema’s technologies.
“We are proud to collaborate with the industry’s most important leaders, meaning that the scope of our innovations grows in concert with their high manufacturing capabilities,” stated Ugo Ghilardi, CEO Itema Group. “Through these partnerships we can truly influence the market by bringing sustainability to the heart of the supply chain, a goal shared by all those who choose to invest in our technologies to make a difference, optimizing the production and preserving the resources and the planet.” A difference that industry professionals will be able to experience firsthand at Denim Première Vision, delving into the concrete benefits of iSAVER® to elevate the quality and sustainability of their performance.
Read the full press release here.


Itema acquires the real estate area of the former Cotonificio Cantoni in Ponte Nossa
NEWS – 03/08/2022
Eighteen years after the end of the productive activity on the site, the area will be subject to a major redevelopment project by the company of Colzate
18 July, Colzate (Bg) – Itema, leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions including weaving machines, spare parts, and integrated services, announced the closure of the operations that led to the acquisition of the area that hosted the Cotonificio Cantoni in Ponte Nossa, Bergamo province.
The area in question, located on the left orographic bank of the river Serio, includes civil and industrial buildings, and a wooded area.
The investment objectives are to counter the abandonment of mountain areas and to recover a district that for many years has been the flagship of the Seriana Valley industrial sector.
The Itema Group CEO Ugo Ghilardi commented: “With this operation, Itema demonstrates its proximity to the territory and its willingness to contribute to maintaining those identities that made it a protagonist in the past. We intend to redevelop and give new life to the area, through the implementation of new cutting-edge facilities aimed at enhancing the activities of the Colzate, Ponte Nossa and other Group sites”.
The acquisition is aimed at creating new innovative spaces in terms of sustainability and circularity to accommodate expansions of the Itema Group companies’ production and engineering activities.
“The Itema Board of Directors – 60% of the shares are held by the heirs of Gianni Radici and the remainder by the Arizzi and Torri families – expresses satisfaction with the conclusion of the transaction” continues Ghilardi, “for Itema this is a great opportunity to develop its operations in respect of the environment and of the highest standards of green efficiency and circularity. The territory is an inestimable value for us, and this investment testifies how important it is for our Group to contribute to the construction of opportunities and spaces for future generations.”
Full press release available here


Sharabati Denim confirms the trust in the Itema rapier technology and places an additional bulk order to the Italian company
NEWS – 07/07/2022
Sharabati Denim is today among the most renowned denim mills in the world, featuring a customer portfolio that includes globally famous fashion brands and mass retailers, and exporting its fabrics to 27 countries worldwide. With production sites in Egypt and in Turkey, Sharabati Denim weaves more than 80 million meters of denim, corduroy, and grey fabrics every year.
Ever since committed to respecting environmental sustainability, Sharabati Denim introduced process optimizations to decrease water and energy waste and to promote responsible employment of chemicals. Fundamental driver of the mission of the Company is, in fact, the eco-centric approach which consists in a tireless pursuit of solutions for sustainable production with the aim of reducing the environmental impact to provide final consumers with sustainable fabrics.
Precisely because of this vision, after the market launch in 2018 of the Itema rapier weaving machine exclusively dedicated to weave denim – the R9500-2denim, Sharabati Denim was among the pioneers to install a first group of this machine model, equipped with the one of a kind iSAVER®, the device that completely eliminates weft and warp waste on the left side of the fabric leading to significant cotton and water savings.
The R9500-2denim and iSAVER® performances were very satisfying– the best in their category – and led in 2021 to a repeat order both for the Egyptian and the Turkish plant for a total of more than 180 machines. Just consider that – as reported by the company – the iSAVER® equipped on the weaving machines in production ensures to Sharabati Denim a yarn saving that ranges from 650 Kg to 900 Kg per machine per year.
In 2022, Sharabati Denim implemented an expansion project aimed at significantly increase its production capacity. The weaving partner selected to provide 200 weaving machines for the Egyptian mill is Itema and, once again, its rapier R9500-2denim with iSAVER®.
With this last order, Sharabati Denim owns a fleet of more than 400 Itema rapier R9500-2denim, thus achieving outstanding levels of performances, sustainability and technological prowess.
Sustainability and textile mastery are the added values that led Sharabati Denim to confirm the trust in the Itema weaving technology, also considering the significant enhancements introduced on iSAVER® also thanks to the fruitful cooperation between the two companies.
Read the full press release here


Itema exhibits the Itematech weaving solutions at Techtextil in Frankfurt, June 21st – 24th
NEWS – 21/06/2022
June 20th, 2022 (Colzate, Bergamo, Italy) – Itema, the leading Italian manufacturer of advanced weaving solutions, including weaving machines, spare parts, and integrated services, exhibits the most comprehensive weaving portfolio on the market to weave technical fabrics at Techtextil, from June 21st to 24th (Hall 12 – Booth A50) in Frankfurt, Germany.
In fact, always attentive to its Customers’ needs and to market trends, in 2019 Itema set up Itematech with the aim to provide to technical fabrics producers a partner capable of satisfying their specific requirements by offering to its Customers cutting-edge technological innovations and customized solutions for technical fabrics and special applications.
Thanks to this forward-looking choice, Itematech offers nowadays the most complete weaving machines portfolio to weave technical fabrics, ranging from Negative and Positive rapier, to Monorapier for carbon fiber and fancy styles, Airjet and the legendary Projectile.
Itematech representatives will be on site to present in detail all the Itematech weaving solutions and the widest range of fabrics that it is possible to successfully weaving thanks to the Itematech technology.
Particularly, Techtextil is the perfect occasion to discover more about the new entries in the portfolio, that along with the rapier R9500-2, the airjet A9500-2 and the projectile P7300HP make up the range of Itematech weaving machines:
- Unirap, the Itematech Monorapier Weaving Machines, combines the advantages of a positive rapier weft insertion with the gentle yarns’ treatment ensured by the free flight transfer, enabling complex and creative fabrics weaving with practically no limitations and maximum textile efficiency. UniRap is declined in two main machine versions, both reciprocally and easily upgradeable: UniRap P—designed to weave complex technical fabrics such as flat yarns up to 30mm—and UniRap G—mostly employed to weave specific technical textiles such as metallic or non-metallic (from carbon fiber to aramid and fiberglass) single threads up to 2mm in diameter. Ranging from refined lamè to high tenacity monofilament yarns, passing through bouclé yarns up to carbon, polyester and polypropylene tape, UniRap provides the possibility to weave sophisticated technical fabrics as well as innovative fashion styles.
- Hercules Negative and Positive Rapier Weaving Machine has been designed to excel in the weaving of technical textiles. One of a kind on the market, Hercules provides unbeatable textile flexibility thanks to its unique weft transfer system that enables the valuable possibility to easily and quickly switch from positive to negative rapiers, thus leading to unparalleled textile efficiency when handling the widest range of weft yarns counts, from 10 up to 48,000 dtex, in single or multiple weft insertions configurations.
- Maxiplus Negative and Positive Rapier Weaving Machine effective and flexible, it is the ideal technology to combine excellent machine performances with rapid return on investment. Capable to handle a wide range of yarns, the Maxiplus is an effective technology guaranteeing ease of use and weaving efficiency.
Trustable, skilled, and uniquely positioned in the market, Itematech is the ideal partner to identify the best weaving solution to weave the broadest range of technical textiles for applications such as Carpet Backing, Carbon Fibre, Heavy and Standard Coating Fabrics, Conveyor Belts and Filter Fabrics – including Bolting Cloth, Medical, Fiberglass, Agrotextile, Geotextile, Mesh Fabrics and many others.
Discover more about Itematech range of services and its unique technological offering to weave technical textiles by visiting Hall 12, Booth A50.
Download the press release here


ISKO™ purchased new state-of-the-art weaving machines.
NEWS – 13/06/2022
Source: ISKO official press release.
ISKO™ purchased new state-of-the-art weaving machines.
With the purchase of the latest state-of-the-art technology in weaving machines, ISKO pushes the envelope of technological performance and sustainability, making further progress in product and process efficiency.
June, 2022 – ISKO, a reference point for the industry in the production of premium sustainable denim, found in Itema the best fit for its strategy in weaving technology.
By choosing Itema’s latest rapier machine, a groundbreaking innovation enhanced by the iSAVER® technology, ISKO is well underway in terms of an even more sustainable denim future. The rapier machine ensures the highest efficiency by reducing waste production and energy use, while optimizing the fabrics’ hand-feel, aesthetic, and performance.
This decision is an additional, important asset in ISKO’s journey towards a genuine Responsible Innovation™. It is part of other crucial investments made by the company, aimed at further reducing its environmental impact, among which stand out R-TWO™50+ – a new denim generation made with a minimum of 50% pre- and post-consumer recycled blend – and the Green Machine – a pioneering technology providing a 100% post-consumer recycling solution that fully separates and recycles cotton and polyester blends at scale.
After an intensive process, a selection was made where ISKO focuses on the development of technical solutions that enable greater resource savings and more sustainable production methods, always with the protection of workers at heart.
As a result, ISKO’s Headquarters extend the company’s long-term relationship with Itema, strengthening the company’s position as the mill with the world’s largest denim capacity. The new rapier machines are enhanced by the iSAVER® technology, a breakthrough mechatronic innovation that eliminates the waste selvedge on the left side of the fabric, allowing for saving in energy and raw materials, cutting in half the cotton waste that typically results from the weft yarn. All types of ISKO’s innovative fabrics, with a multitude of different constructions and fiber mixtures, can now be produced using these advanced weaving technologies, with a special focus given to the R-TWO™ technology in terms of its sustainable credentials.
“In these innovations, we saw a great potential to advance our sustainable strategy even more, and in Itema the ideal partner with which to share a determined, long-term approach”, explains Fatih Konukoğlu, ISKO CEO. “Both our companies are leaders in their respective fields, fabric innovation and weaving technology, and this collaboration creates a common ground of excellence that will certainly benefit the whole denim world.”


Itema exhibits cutting-edge innovations and a complete range of weaving solutions at ITM 2022
PRESS RELEASE – 01/06/2022
Itema exhibits cutting-edge innovations and a complete range of weaving solutions at ITM 2022
May 31, 2022 – Colzate, Italy and Istanbul, Turkey – Itema, the leading provider of advanced weaving solutions including weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, that recently announced the establishment of a new company in Turkey, will exhibit at ITM 2022 at the Istanbul TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center on June 14-18 in Hall 2, Booth 218A.
Turkey represents for Itema one of the most strategically important markets in the world and the Itema technology is very well represented and loved by Turkish weavers as confirmed by the excellent 2021 sales results. The set-up of the new company in Turkey reaffirms the Itema commitment of being closer than ever to its valuable customers in the country.
For ITM 2022, Itema prepared a product line-up specifically designed to meet and exceed its visitors needs and desires, including an absolute new market launch and interesting new applications of key innovations.
Weaving Machines on Show
- The brand-new Itema Rapier R9500-2terry
The most reliable, popular and guaranteed technology on the market to boost the production of terry fabrics comes at ITM 2022 in its Second Generation. The rapier terry machine preferred by worldwide terry weavers, with an impressive number of machines installed in more than 35 countries, and the absolute protagonist of terry fabrics production in Turkey, is now back in a new version that further increases textile mastery, eco-efficiency and performances.
Textile mastery is a core competitive advantage of the R9500-2terry. The unique Itema Pile Formation Unit has been completely redesigned to ensure increased productivity, maximum ease of use and excellent terry quality. The system provides an optimal pile warp tension guaranteeing – unique in the market – both positive and negative control, hence ensuring excellent terry fabric quality.
Key improvements – such as the main motor with oil cooling and the optimization of the machine lubrication system – ensure reduced energy consumption and improved heat management, achieving peerless eco-efficiency standards. Moreover, the optimized Pile Formation Unit features a reduced number of cylinders compared to the previous machine version thus leading to increased operational weaving space and user-friendliness and reduced style change time.
Performance is achieved through tangible advancements. Monitoring the machines efficiency and performances has never been so easy: thanks to the Itema plant management software iMANAGER, it is possible to effortlessly control and access machines data and statistics. In addition, the Itema in-depth knowledge of terry segment allowed the development of dedicated solutions to further improve fabric quality and weaving efficiency.
The R9500-2terry on show at ITM 2022 is a courtesy of the Itema Customer Ceylan Havlu based in Denizli. In weaving width 3800mm, the machine will weave fashion hand towels.
- The best-seller Itema Rapier R9500-2 with iSAVER® for new applications
The most versatile rapier machine in the market, the Itema R9500-2, comes at ITM 2022 loaded with an absolute innovation: iSAVER® for apparel applications. iSAVER®, the device that revolutionized the denim weaving providing tangible benefits in terms of sustainability and money saving thanks to the left side waste selvedge elimination, has been further developed to successfully weave a wider range of yarns. The device is now available also for the benefit of apparel weavers and it can successfully process cotton, Lycra, Tencel and Poliester yarns.
Another innovative feature on display on the R9500-2 is iCARE™, a future oriented system – based on an advanced sensors mechanism able to monitor real-time the state of health of the Itema tapes and sprocket wheels, suggesting possible adjustments or interventions through the machine latest generation console. iCARE™ brings significant benefits to weavers, including the possibility to run the machine at the highest speeds without compromising components reliability, thanks to its breakthrough preventive maintenance function.
Courtesy of the Itema customer Erka, based in Bursa, the R9500-2 on show in weaving width 2200mm will weave a stretch apparel style.
- The effective Itema Airjet A9500-2
The A9500-2 is designed for high productivity, whilst ensuring reduced levels of energy and air consumption as well as top machine reliability.
The A9500-2 on display features the Itema heald frames SKYFRAME®, combining the highest machine speeds with maximum reliability. In addition, the machine textile mastery will be demonstrated by the weaving of double pick insertion.
Courtesy of the Itema customer Erka, the A9500-2 in weaving width 2200mm will run a typical Turkish apparel style.
- The most versatile Itema Rapier R9500-2 Wide Version for Curtain Fabrics
The last machine on show at ITM is the wide version of the most successful rapier machine in recent history, the Itema R9500-2. Traditionally renowned as the preferred supplier for furnishing and upholstery fabrics weaving machines, Itema does not miss the opportunity to demonstrate the superior versatility of the R9500-2 by weaving sophisticated curtain fabrics. The R9500-2 in weaving width 3600mm and fully loaded with best-in-class Itema devices comes directly from Berteks Tekstil, leading producer of high-quality curtain fabrics.
The Full Range of Weaving Solutions on Show
- Itema OEM Spare Parts
At Itema, our mission is to be close to our customers providing them not only advanced weaving machines but a complete range of services to guarantee a comprehensive and attentive support for the entire lifetime of the Itema weaving machines, including upgrade and conversion kits, and replacement of damaged or broken parts with original spare parts.
Choosing original spare parts represents the best way to protect the investment long-term, in fact rectifying problems due to non-original parts and non-original service can have dire and expensive consequences.
Designed by professionals with a longstanding experience in the textile machinery sector, Itema original spare parts ensure maximum performances and increased durability, while maximizing the return on investment and the value retention.
At ITM 2022 the latest solutions to upgrade the existing Itema – and previous brands Sulzer, Somet and Vamatex – looms will be exhibited.
- Advanced Weaving Accessories: Lamiflex and Schoch
The Itema Group companies Lamiflex and Schoch will be present at ITM in Itema booth with their advanced weaving accessories offering.
The Lamiflex branded portfolio of rapier tapes and sprocket wheels and the Schoch wide range of weaving reeds for airjet and rapier weaving machines and drop-wires will be on display.
To learn more about Itema Group technological innovations and weaving solutions, make sure to visit Itema Stand at ITM 2022 in Hall 2, Booth 218A.
Download the full press relase here.


Itema opens a new company in Turkey further strengthening the presence in the Turkish market
PRESS RELEASE – 19/05/2022
May 19, 2022 – Colzate, Italy and Istanbul, Turkey – Itema, the leading provider of advanced weaving solutions including weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, announces the establishment of a new company in Turkey. The Turkish subsidiary, that operates under the name İtema Tekstil Makineleri Servis Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi, began its operations in Istanbul – company headquarters – and Bursa – company branch office – as early as April 13.
The operation, aimed at enhancing the local presence and increase efficiency when serving the company’s significantly growing Turkish customer base that represents a sizeable part of Itema’s global turnover, is in line with the Company’s strategy to build up a stronger presence in major weaving markets.
“By leveraging the existing close partnerships of the strong Itema agent networks in Turkey and our dedicated resources on the ground, now we can even better serve the exact needs of our Turkish customers,” said Ugo Ghilardi, Itema Group CEO. “Customer satisfaction is the main priority and driving force behind everything we do at Itema. Our proximity to our valued customer base reaffirms our customer focus and commitment to their success.”
The new organization in Turkey relies on the know-how and experience of Bilol Tekstil, historic Itema partner in the country, and will count on the cooperation with A. Modiano, with whom Itema carries on a long-standing partnership in the market. “The decentralized structure of Itema Turkey ensures to the Itema Turkish customers the well-known benefits of the Itema central organization with the advantage of a local power of action” commented Pamir Özaltan, Itema Turkey General Manager. “We have always felt part of Itema, and now we are proud to be part of the Itema staff in all respects.”
“There will be no change, except for the better” stated Vedat Anjel and Mehmet Öz, Partners of A. Modiano, “we are glad to be part of this strategic move, that demonstrates the importance of our market for Itema.”
With production sites in Italy, China and Switzerland, Itema adds the new branch in Turkey to the existing commercial and service subsidiaries in India, USA, Japan, Dubai and Hong Kong.
Download the press release here, also available in Turkish here


Itema is exhibiting at Techtextil North America in Atlanta, North America – May 17th – 19th
PRESS RELEASE – 16/05/2022
Itema is exhibiting at Techtextil North America
in Atlanta, North America – May 17th – 19th
showcasing the most comprehensive weaving solutions on the market
to weave technical fabrics
May 16th, 2022 (Colzate, Bergamo, Italy) – Itema, the leading Italian manufacturer of advanced weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, is exhibiting at Techtextil North America from May 17th to 19th (Booth N. 2802) in Atlanta, North America.
Itema established a solid reputation in the American market as a trustworthy partner thanks to its local team of skilled weaving technicians and textile experts.
Since 2000, Itema America’s team is on call to ensure a quick and personalized after-sales support to the wide base of Itema Customers in the region, offering electronic and mechanical services and repairs, timely spare parts deliveries and upgrade kits, as well as extensive training courses at its premises or at Customer mills.
As a historic partner and weaving machinery supplier of American technical textile manufacturers, Itema knows well that a highly specialized sector like that of technical textiles deserves specific focus and resources. Always attentive to its Customers’ needs, Itema set up Itematech with the aim to provide to technical fabrics producers a partner capable of satisfying their specific requirements by offering to its Customers cutting-edge technological innovations and customized solutions for technical fabrics and special applications.
Thanks to this forward-looking choice, Itematech offers nowadays the most comprehensive weaving machines portfolio to weave technical fabrics, ranging from Negative and Positive rapier, to Monorapier for carbon fiber and fancy styles, Airjet and the legendary Projectile.
Itematech representatives will be on site to present in detail two of the stars of the Itematech weaving machines portfolio:
- Unirap, the Itematech Monorapier Weaving Machines, combines the advantages of a positive rapier weft insertion with the gentle yarns’ treatment ensured by the free flight transfer, enabling complex and creative fabrics weaving with practically no limitations and maximum textile efficiency. UniRap is declined in two main machine versions, both reciprocally and easily upgradeable: UniRap P—designed to weave complex technical fabrics such as flat yarns up to 30mm—and UniRap G—mostly employed to weave specific technical textiles such as metallic or non-metallic (from carbon fiber to aramid and fiberglass) single threads up to 2mm in diameter. Ranging from refined lamè to high tenacity monofilament yarns, passing through bouclé yarns up to carbon, polyester and polypropylene tape, UniRap provides the possibility to weave sophisticated technical fabrics as well as innovative fashion styles.
- Hercules Negative and Positive Rapier Weaving Machine has been designed to excel in the weaving of technical textiles. One of a kind on the market, Hercules provides unbeatable textile flexibility thanks to its unique weft transfer system that enables the valuable possibility to easily and quickly switch from positive to negative rapiers, thus leading to unparalleled textile efficiency when handling the widest range of weft yarns counts, from 10 up to 48,000 dtex, in single or multiple weft insertions configurations.
Trustable, skilled and uniquely positioned in the market, Itematech is the ideal partner to identify the best weaving solution to weave the broadest range of technical textiles for applications such as Carpet Backing, Carbon Fibre, Heavy and Standard Coating Fabrics, Conveyor Belts and Filter Fabrics, Medical, Fiberglass, Agrotextile, Geotextile, Mesh Fabrics and many others.
Discover more about Itema America’s range of service and its unique technological offering to weave technical textiles by visiting Booth N. 2802.
Download the full press release here


ITEMA WEAVING MACHINES BECOME EVEN “SMARTER” WITH THE HMI AND SAAS SOLUTIONS DEVELOPED WITH SECO
NEWS – 02/05/2022
ITEMA WEAVING MACHINES BECOME EVEN “SMARTER” WITH THE HMI AND SAAS SOLUTIONS DEVELOPED WITH SECO
- A custom solution based on HMI touch and the CLEA Smart HMI platform will be by Itema starting from 2023
- At full speed, SECO solutions will find application on the new Itema weaving machines
Arezzo/Colzate, May 2 2022 – Itema, global leading provider of high performances weaving machines, has chosen the edge computing and software solutions for the Industrial world offered by SECO.
Itema will install customized edge computing solutions based on HMI and developed with SECO. Also, starting from 2023 Itema machines will be connected to CLEA Smart HMI, the new IIoT platform developed by SECO for the industrial equipment manufacturers.
In this way, users of Itema machines will benefit from innovative apps and functionalities able to enhance the operability of machines, prevent malfunctioning and downtimes, monitor the main production, efficiency, and process quality indicators on a real-time basis. Such functionalities can be also made available by Itema on a SaaS basis, allowing them to maximise the value of their data.
“We are very enthusiast to collaborate with an excellence like Itema, to which we make immediately available the assets and the specific domain competences coming from Camozzi Digital. Process efficiency, control of the data and time-to-market represent increasingly important factors for the competitiveness and the survival of any business: thanks to CLEA Smart HMI, we are able to support our customers in bringing these benefits to all industrial companies that have understood the enormous potential of digitalization”, said Massimo Mauri, CEO of SECO.
“The collaboration with SECO will allow us to further combine weaving machines, planning and textile technologies into a unique digital platform that we will integrate into the Itema customer portal”, said Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema.
Full press release available here


EVENTS
NEWS – 09/03/2022
Mark your calendars with the dates and locations of where Itema is waiting to meet you next from a list of specialized trade fairs*:
TECHTEXTIL NA
Atlanta, USA
May, 17-19
ITM
Istanbul, Turkey
June, 14-18
TECHTEXTIL
Frankfurt, Germany
June, 21-24
ITMA ASIA + CITME
Shanghai, China
November, 20-24
India ITME
Noida, India
December, 8-13
*Calendar subject to modifications due to COVID-19 related measures


The creative luxury of Lanificio Cerruti selects the pioneering weaving technology of Itema
NEWS – 27/01/2022
The creative luxury of Lanificio Cerruti
selects the pioneering weaving technology of Itema
Collaboration agreement between the two excellences of Made in Italy
in the name of sustainable innovation
Biella and Colzate (Bergamo) January 27, 2022 – Lanificio F.lli Cerruti, a historical excellence of Made in Italy as well as one of the most prestigious Italian woolen mills, has selected Itema, leading manufacturer of advanced weaving solutions, as weaving supplier for thirty new weaving machines that will be installed in the Biella manufacturing plant.

The new weaving machines are set to increase the production capacity and the overall manufacturing efficiency, but in the first place they will contribute to further enhancing fabric quality and processes sustainability.
After a strategic study based on a careful market and competitors’ assessment, Lanificio Cerruti identified the Itema rapier weaving machine as the best technology to meet its demanding needs and Itema as the ideal candidate to forge a partnership grounded on shared values. The Itema rapier R9500² ensures to Lanificio Cerruti the highest sustainability levels in three different fields:
– environmental, as it is designed to reduce energy consumption and waste of raw materials;
– social, thanks to the ergonomic features that simplify and protect weavers;
– economic, due to the delicate treatment of the yarns which leads to raw materials saving and quality improvement; furthermore, the remote monitoring allows to minimize interruptions and failures.
With this agreement Lanificio Cerruti and Itema, excellences of Made in Italy respectively in the fashion and in the weaving machinery industries, start a cooperation based on the common orientation towards an increasingly sustainable innovation, meant to generate value while respecting the environment and people.

“Lanificio F.lli Cerruti joins with great satisfaction a partner of excellence as Itema to undertake a path that will help us to further enhance the concept of creative luxury, so inherent in the DNA of our company” – commented Filippo Vadda, President and CEO of Lanificio Cerruti – “This partnership is the evidence of our strong commitment to an increasingly positive impact on the planet and on future generations – since at Lanificio Cerruti sustainability means looking ahead using the best available technology”.

“We are proud to work with Lanificio Cerruti. It is not just a technological partnership, but the beginning of a co-development journey that will allow us to design and implement solutions of great value”, added Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of the Itema Group. “We firmly believe that together we will give prestige to the Made in Italy creativity and innovation, which are admired all over the world”.
The new Itema weaving machines will be installed in the Biella plant of Lanificio Cerruti starting from March 2022.


Itema exhibited weaving innovations at SITEX Surat International Textile Expo 2022 January 8th – 10th, 2022 Booth 243
NEWS – 08/01/2022
Colzate (Italy) and Mumbai (India) – Itema, the global leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, including weaving machines, OEM spare parts and integrated services, exhibited at SITEX (Booth 243) from January 8th – 10th at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC).
Itema in Surat
Surat produces daily 25 million meters of fabrics and is recognized as the hub for the production of synthetic textiles.
Surat Region is an important market for Itema which has grown multifold in recent years. Itema is today the leading supplier of rapier weaving technology in the Region, thanks to the excellent versatility and the superior textile mastery of its rapier machines which guarantee to Surat weavers to produce at best their fancy, sophisticated and fashionable Saree and women dress fabrics. The impressive number of Itema rapier R9500 and R9000 family models installed in Surat mills testifies how the Itema weaving technology is the preferred by weavers to produce fabrics made with different yarns and weaving patterns.
Itema is present in India with a fully-operational branch since 2002, counting more than 50 employees, with sales and after-sales teams, technical support and advanced repair centers to ensure the highest possible standard of weaving solutions, with a complete offering and range of services to its valuable Customers in the Indian market.
Itema is a trusted partner of many Indian weaving mills, from large textile conglomerates to smaller textile manufacturers, providing the most advanced and user-friendly weaving technology and real-time assistance, from the initial negotiation stage and throughout the whole machine life cycle.
Itema at SITEX
Itema showcased at SITEX a rapier R9500-2 weaving machine, in weaving width 3800mm and equipped with a Stäubli LXM 5376 hooks Jacquard shedding machine. The machine on display in Stäubli booth wove a fabric traditionally produced in the mills of the Region and was configured to meet the local weavers production needs.
Moreover, the Itema staff was on place to illustrate all the weaving innovations and the latest company updates to visitors. The Itema (and previous brands – Somet, Vamatex and Sulzer) spare parts and after-sales advanced solutions had a dedicated focus with the possibility to discover all the opportunities to give new life to looms, such as customized upgrade kits to optimize machine performance and retrofit latest Itema innovations on existing looms and electric, electronic and mechanic repairs.
SITEX was also the official launch of the partnership between Itema and the leading Italian circular knitting machines manufacturer Cesare Colosio for the marketing and distribution of the company highly innovative machines in India. With this partnership Itema expands its portfolio of textile products, thus creating a significant benefit for all the Indian textile companies that need both the Itema and the Colosio machinery, that share the same attention to innovation and excellence that Itema guarantees to its Customers.


Itema completes the acquisition of Lamiflex. Eng. Massimo Zocche is the new General Manager
PRESS RELEASE – 09/12/2021
Itema completes the acquisition of Lamiflex
The goal is to accelerate growth in composites in high potential markets. Eng. Massimo Zocche is the new General Manager
Colzate – Itema, leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, has completed the acquisition of Lamiflex, an Italian excellence in the production of composite material components. The operation completes the integration process already started in 2017 and, following the agreement reached with the heirs of the founding family, Itema becomes the sole shareholder of Lamiflex S.p.A.
Founded in 1976 by Luigina Bernini and Luigi Castelli, Lamiflex has offices in Ponte Nossa (Bergamo) and Hong Kong and this year celebrates the forty-fifth anniversary of its foundation. Thanks to its in-depth knowledge of the composite materials sector and a broad portfolio of in-house technologies, Lamiflex develops and manufactures customized solutions for its customers around the world.
Lamiflex represents a strategic asset fo Itema Group, as its main supplier of composite material components for rapier weaving machines. Furthermore, the objective of the acquisition is to further boost Lamiflex’s potential in the Aerospace, Medical and Industrial sectors to establish new growth targets and different levels of development. Through an even closer synergy, it will also be possible to accelerate the development of innovative products for these high-potential markets thanks to the sharing of resources, skills and know-how deriving from the strength of the various companies that make up Itema Group.
Angelo Radici, Chairman of Lamiflex Board of Directors, commented on the news of the acquisition as follows: “I believe that in an increasingly dynamic and constantly evolving market, we must know how to work as a team to design innovative applications and find new solutions: the Lamiflex technologies in the world of composites are combined with Itema’s many years of know-how in the textile machinery sector and open the way to countless further opportunities for growth ».
“The entry of Massimo Zocche as new General Manager of Lamiflex will make a strong contribution to the development of the company and of the entire Itema Group thanks to the strategic vision deriving from his in-depth knowledge of the industrial world and digital evolution processes”, declared the Chief Executive Officer of the Itema Group, Ugo Ghilardi. “A new chapter opens in the history of Lamiflex, in which we will grow together to build a more solid and prosperous future. By 2026, we aim to double the current annual turnover of 20 million euros and to grow in terms of people. The number of Lamiflex employees has in fact increased from 102 in 2017 to 130 in 2021 and we will continue on this trend with new hires in 2022. ”
Graduated in Aeronautical Engineering, Eng. Zocche has a long experience in managing business development projects in various industrial fields. His professional career includes leading positions in consulting firms such as Galgano & Associati and PwC Italy, and over 15 years of experience in IBM with a specific focus on enterprise asset management and smart manufacturing. Before joining Lamiflex he also directed the Manufacturing 4.0 center of excellence of Bip-Business Integration Partners, the first Italian multinational specialized in strategic consulting and business integration.
“I undertake this path in Lamiflex with enthusiasm. The company stands out for its innovative spirit and a deep attention to the needs of its customers “, said Massimo Zocche. “In a challenging moment like this, we want to focus on the fundamentals that have always made Lamiflex strong and competitive, seizing incremental opportunities, from digital to exclusive development projects, always in close collaboration with industry partners”.




Sustainable Denim: Itema brings at Denim Première Vision iSAVER®
NEWS – 12/10/2021
Colzate – Itema, worldwide leading manufacturer of advanced weaving solutions, exhibits at Denim Première Vision (Milan, Superstudio Più, 13 and 14 October 2021, booth F6) the mechatronic device iSAVER® that, unique in the sector, allows to denim weavers to save up tp 1.000 Kg of cotton per loom per year thus avoiding to waste circa 20 million of liters of water. An innovation 100% made-in-Italy, iSAVER® is already present in the biggest denim weaving mills in China, Vietnam, Turkey, Egipt, Italy and South America.
Denim is one of the most popular fabrics in the world, with 3.5 billion garments produced every year. The denim manufacturing process, which absorbs about 35% of world cotton production and moves a global market that reached 21.8 billion dollars in 2020, has a strong environmental impact. In fact, it is estimated that 3,800 liters of water and 18.3 kWh of electricity are needed to make a single pair of jeans, generating emissions of 33.4 kg of CO2 during the entire life cycle of the product [1].
“The entire textile supply chain is constantly looking for ideas and solutions, to improve the sustainability of production processes, by innovating technologies and processing systems to reduce waste, water and electricity consumption “, stated Ugo Ghilardi, CEO Itema Group. “With iSAVER® we have brought an excellent solution to the market, which makes the difference because it allows denim weavers and fashion brands to offer a finished product with a much lower ecological footprint. We are the only textile machinery manufacturer to participate as an exhibitor at Denim Première Vision precisely by virtue of the uniqueness of our technology and the contribution it makes to the production of sustainable denim”.
iSAVER® eliminates the waste selvedge on the fabric left-hand side by inserting the weft without the need of additional yarns, thus significantly reducing raw materials and water wastage. The device has been designed and developed by Itemalab®, the Itema Group company dedicated to product and process innovation for the whole industrial sector. Located inside the Kilometro Rosso Innovation District in Bergamo, the company employs around 70 engineers and specialists.
[1]Data Source Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Download the full press release here


ITEMA GROUP exhibiting innovative weaving solutions at ITMA Asia 2021 (Hall 3 – Stand D32)
NEWS – 28/05/2021
Colzate (Italy) – Itema, the global leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, participates at ITMA Asia 2021 (Hall 3 – D32) in Shanghai showcasing dedicated weaving machines for denim and technical fabrics and, for the first time, in a unique booth for all the Group’s companies.
Visitors to the Group’s booth will have in fact the opportunity to find in one single place all the most innovative solutions for weaving proposed by the companies of the Group: Itema®, Itematech®, Lamiflex® and Schoch®.
Featuring a top-notch organization in China – that counts 145 employees, Itema assembles the latest generation machinery in the world-class manufacturing sites both in Europe, as well as in China, with the same attention to detail and quality, reliability and performance guarantee that Itema Customers look for when they purchase Itema machines. Based in Shanghai, Itema Weaving Machinery China offers to the Chinese market a full package of services, encompassing European manufacturing quality standards, timely and accurate commercial, administration and after-sales, a fully equipped show room, an OEM spare parts warehouse and logistics hub and the ItemaCampus training center
With the goal to establish and reaffirm once again its technological leadership in the industry,
Itema Group brings on stage a wide range of solutions, spanning from advanced weaving machines – a total of ten in Hall 3 – to spare parts and key components for textile industry which will amaze weavers and industry experts.
10 Itema Weaving Machines on show at ITMA Asia 2021
Visitors to ITMA Asia will have multiple chances to appreciate and study the Itema weaving technology, with a total of 10 Itema weaving machines on display, of which 2 in Itema booth (Hall 3 Booth D32) and the rest in Partner booths across Hall 3.
Itema Group booth: on display weaving machines specifically selected for the Chinese market
- R9500-2denim in a new weaving width at ITMA Asia 2021
The loom who recently revolutionized denim weaving can’t be missing on show. The Itema denim dedicated rapier machine R9500-2denim comes to ITMA Asia featuring a brand-new exclusive weaving width –2400mm– that reflects the most recent trends and the evolution of the denim market worldwide, more and more characterized by super stretch and comfortable fabrics.
The Itema denim dedicated rapier machine, figures in hand, in real weaving conditions is the most efficient on the market and can be equipped with the one-of-a-kind iSAVER® that represents nowadays the unique real sustainable weaving tool available for weavers capable to withstand the demanding denim production conditions. Moreover, the machines can be also equipped with innovative IOT solutions. The iBOOSTER package featuring iCARE, indeed, implements the most modern principles to provide unparalleled performances and predictive maintenance.
- Itematech® Hercules, on show the superhero of technical fabrics
ITMA Asia is the official stage for the Itematech Hercules, on display in wide weaving width 3400mm and fine-tuned to weave heavy filter fabrics. Offering both negative and positive rapier transfer systems, Hercules represents the perfect combination of mechanical sturdiness and textile efficiency ensuring the greater profitability in the market. Another key advantage of Hercules lies in the perfect warp yarns control. In fact, the back-rest roller perfectly couples sturdiness with responsiveness ensuring the perfect warp yarns compensation. Hercules is the ideal weaving machine to easily produce any kind of technical fabric thanks to its superior ease of use and flexibility.
Itema® Weaving Machines on show in partners booths
Itema weaving technology is traditional recognized to be the preferred choice of textile machinery producers due to its superior versatility and textile mastery. Here lies the reason why a number of 8 Itema weaving machines will be exhibited in partners booths, encompassing Jacquard shedding machines manufacturers and label looms providers. Particularly:
- Itema R9500terry, 2800 mm, Jacquard Bonas Ji which since years leads the high-end terry production is showcased in the Bonas booth (Hall 3 – D01)
- Itema R9500-2, 1900mm, for Satin Label and two Itema R9000, 1900mm for Taffeta Label and Sport Shoes will be present at Huzhou Hyundai (Julibao) booth (Hall 3 – C11)
- Itema R9000, 1900mm, to produce Label fabrics will be featured at Shanghai TongXiang booth (Hall 3 – C22)
- Itema R9000-2, 3400mm and 3800mm for Window Screening and Blind Curtains fabrics are on display in Song&Song booth (Hall 3 – Stand D05)
- Last but not least, Itema R9000-2, 3400mm, fine-tuned to weave Window Screening will be running at Changfang booth (Hall 3 – D09)
Itema Group: other companies on show
In addition to Itema’s weaving machines line-up, visitors can take advantage of the Group presentation to discover the additional and valuable offering that only Itema guarantees.
OEM Spare Parts and After-Sales Support
The company spare parts and after-sales support advanced solutions can’t be missed on show.
- fast and reliable service when it comes to offering Customers peace of mind through high-quality replacement parts
- customized upgrade kits to optimize machine performance and retrofit latest Itema innovations on existing looms
- electric, electronic and mechanic repairs to give new life to looms
- training to ensure Itema weavers get the most out of their weaving machines thanks to the ItemaCampus offering available in 7 worldwide locations
Lamiflex®
The leading supplier of technical composite products which entered Itema Group in 2017 – will be present at ITMA Asia with its ample catalogue of key rapier weft transfer components such as flexible rapier tapes and sprocket wheels, with the guarantee of the best European quality and sector know-how and the advantage of a competitive offering
Schoch®
Schoch Reeds will present for the very first time in China its product portfolio made up by high-quality reeds and accessories for textile looms with all the unique technological highlights that make since 1800 Schoch a worldwide recognized reliable partner.
Itema Group and its companies will welcome visitors in Hall 3 – Booth D32 with a product line-up designed to confirm and demonstrate its dedication to innovation and the Made in Italy excellence in the weaving sector and with many chance to deepen the Itema Group world and news.
In order to overcome the pandemic limitations to travel from outside China, real-time updates will be daily provided to weavers and textile experts through the Itema Group social media channels and website, thus enabling virtual presence at the event. Stay tuned and follow us!
Download the Press Release here
Download the pictures of the machines on show here


Vanelli Textile – part of the Türkün Holding – is a real flagship of the Turkish textile know-how. After a careful assessment, the company selected the Itema rapier R9500-2 as the ideal weaving machine to meet their demanding weaving requirements.
NEWS – 11/05/2021
Vanelli Textile – part of the Türkün Holding – is a real flagship of the Turkish textile know-how. After a careful assessment, the company selected the Itema rapier R9500-2 as the ideal weaving machine to meet their demanding weaving requirements.
Vanelli Textile is a real flagship of the Turkish textile know-how. The company, founded in 1929 by the Türkün Family, features 11 premises and exports worldwide its premium furnishing fabrics. Mr. Erol Türkün, today at the helm of the company, created in 1976 the Vanelli brand that is worldwide distributed and sought-after for its premium quality fabrics distinguished by exclusive yarns and designs. Vanelli brand focuses on continuous innovation as explains Mr. Erol Türkün: “we combine creative technology and innovation with the highest level of performance. The quality of our products, service and people are the heart of the success of our company.” The weaving machine plays a central role in case of companies like Vanelli Textile, where first-quality fabrics, versatility in handling the widest range of yarns and ability in weaving the most exclusive designs are not an option. For this reason, the company decided to execute a careful assessment of the opportunities offered by the market for its Bursa plant new weaving machinery, testing a variety of fabric styles at the same conditions. The Itema rapier R9500-2 demonstrated once again its superior versatility and textile mastery, enabling excellent fabric quality and the perfect handling of a variety of yarns. Mr. Türkün stated “the loom is an essential tool for our weaving staff. Our sophisticated fabrics are woven with the widest range of yarns and based on complex designs, hence the weaving machine is vitally important to guarantee the high standards that make our success on the market. We chose to rely on Itema and its R9500-2 due to the amazing versatility and fabric quality demonstrated on the field”. The successful trial executed on the R9500-2 led to the order placed for a first bunch of 20 R9500-2.




Itemalab evolves: the excellence of textile machinery innovation now available to all the industrial sectors
NEWS – 07/05/2021
Colzate – Itema, the leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, announced the new structure of Itemalab®, the innovation incubator opened in 2014 at Kilometro Rosso innovation district in Bergamo.
Born with the goal to design the platform for the “loom of the future” and breakthrough solutions for the textile industry, Itemalab® becomes now an independent company and widens its field of action, providing customers and partners with system engineering and business process re-engineering skills.
With a team made up by 70 engineers and specialized professionals, the Textile division of Itemalab® will continue to respond to the innovation needs of Itema Group and the textile industry. The new Industrial division will, instead, become the reference point for all the industrial companies looking for a partner of excellence to study advanced solutions to digitalize and reshape industrial products and processes.
“The textile machinery sector is one of the most complex in the industrial scenario, due to the confluence of high precision mechanical, electronic and mechatronic technologies which, in this industry, face very severe challenges in terms of conditions of use, applications and productivity. Multidisciplinarity is one of the strong points of Itemalab®: it makes possible to offer transversal solutions and a significant added value in terms of innovation, sustainability, digitalization and system engineering, by transferring the know-how gained in the textile machinery world to other sectors”, said Lorenzo Minelli, General Manager of Itemalab®.
“Innovation is essential to compete in increasingly complex and competitive markets. With the strengthening and evolution of Itemalab®, we set the conditions for endless innovation opportunities in the most diverse application fields”, added Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema Group. “In recent years we teamed up with various companies and we explored new horizons and perspectives in the areas of materials and mechatronic principles. I am sure that Itemalab® will play a crucial role for the development of Itema Group and will become a key partner for many companies in their transformation and innovation paths”.
The evolution of Itemalab® confirms the traditional innovation drive of Itema Group, as underlined by Angelo Radici, on behalf of the Board: “the board of directors supports the strategic move of Itema and we share the same vision. As an entrepreneur, I firmly believe that today the way forward is that of teamwork, where collaboration and synergy of skills are the fundamental ingredients for growing in your sector and seizing possible opportunities in many others. As RadiciGroup, a few months ago we launched Radici InNova, a consortium company that aims at combining research and innovation activities across the Group’s business areas by comparing and opening up to firms, universities and external public and private research centers. Itemalab® heads in this direction too, tackling complex projects and addressing cross-cutting initiatives that alone would be difficult even to imagine”.
Download here the press release.
Find out more at www.itemalab.com



EVENTS
NEWS – 12/02/2021
We share with you the list of exhibitions that we are going to attend in 2021 if the global sanitary emergency will allow us to travel around the world to meet you.
ITMA ASIA
Shanghai, CHINA
12–16 June 2021
FEBRATEX
Blumenau, BRAZIL
10–13 August 2021
TECHTEXTIL NA
Raleigh, USA
23-25 August 2021
INDIA ITME
Noida, INDIA
08-13 December 2021


Itema contributes to the growth of the Uzbekistani textile industry
NEWS – 21/01/2021
On January 21st, 2021 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited several facilities in the Bukhara Region, including Bukhara Cotton Textile. Itema is proud to be featured in this video as the weaving partner of Bukhara Cotton Textile, one of the biggest denim mills in Uzbekistan. A fully integrated textile company, Bukhara Cotton Textile, part of Petromaruz Group, chose to rely on Itema R9500²denim, the only loom in the market specifically designed and developed to weave denim fabrics.
We take this occasion to thank Mr. Coskun Renklioglu, BCT Production Director, and his staff for the win-win relationship we built together.


Itematech exhibits at Cinte TechTextil 2020 in Shanghai, China (Hall E01 – Booth E1) from September 2nd – 4th
PRESS RELEASE – 27/08/2020
Itematech exhibits at Cinte TechTextil 2020 in Shanghai, China (Hall E01 – Booth E1) from September 2nd – 4th showcasing the most comprehensive weaving solutions on the market to weave technical fabrics.
Shanghai (China) – Itematech, the leading manufacturer of best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services born from the merging of Itema and Panter (ex PTMT) technologies, is exhibiting at Cinte TechTextil China (Hall E01 – Booth E1) from September 2nd – 4th at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, Shanghai.
Itematech is the brand-new Technical Division exclusively dedicated to producing weaving machines for the benefit of technical fabrics weavers launched in 2019 by Itema, the Italian leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services. The strategic alliance between Itema and PTMT (formerly Panter) leads to a complete and never-before-seen product portfolio, which ranges from negative and positive rapier, to air-jet and projectile weaving machines. Thanks to the strong know-how resulting from the merger of the two historic weaving manufacturers expertise and competences, technical fabrics manufacturers will now on find in Itematech a unique partner and technological reference point to meet and exceed all their needs when it comes to weaving the full range of technical applications.
Mr. Paolo Pezzoli, Itematech Sales Director, comments: “As a partner and weaving machinery supplier to textile manufacturers worldwide, at Itema we strongly believe in the endless opportunities and the growth potential of technical applications, that represent a consistent and growing portion of our annual overall turnover. China is a strategic area, along with Asia in general, where the adoption of our technology for technical textiles is on the rise. A significant number of weaving machines by Itematech are used for technical textiles, like geotextile, coating, filter fabrics to list just a few applications”.
During Cinte Techtextil, Itematech team will concentrate in showcasing the company strong offering for technical fabrics weavers. Itema is uniquely positioned to offer technical textile manufacturers the top three weft insertion technologies – Positive and Negative Rapier, Airjet and Projectile, in what is the most comprehensive portfolio on the market today for technical applications.
Unirap Single Positive Rapier Weaving Machine
UniRap, Itematech Single Positive Rapier Machine, embodies versatility and provides endless weaving possibilities. Combining the advantages of a positive rapier weft insertion with the gentle yarns treatment ensured by the free fight transfer system, UniRap enables complex and creative fabrics weaving with practically no limitations and maximum textile efficiency. Ranging from refined lamè to high tenacity monofilament yarns, passing through bouclé yarns up to carbon, polyester and polypropylene tape, UniRap provides the possibility to weave sophisticated technical fabrics and innovative fashion styles.
Hercules Positive and Negative Rapier Weaving Machine
Hercules is a Positive and Negative Rapier Weaving Machine designed to excel in technical textiles weaving. Offering both negative and positive rapier transfer systems, Hercules represents the perfect combination of mechanical sturdiness and textile efficiency ensuring the greater profitability in the market for applications such as Agrotextile, Heavy and Standard Coating Fabrics, Conveyor Belts and Filter Fabrics, Fiberglass, Geotextile, Mesh Fabrics and many others.
R95002 Rapier Weaving Machine
R95002 Rapier Weaving Machine is known to be the most positive negative rapier machine in the market, due to the uniqueness of its weft transfer system which provides unparalleled versatility of yarns and patterns. The continuous roll-out of customized special versions tailored for technical applications, including OPW Airbag, Fiber Glass, Bolting Cloth, among others, the wide weaving width up to 540 cm, as well as new and advanced devices make the R95002 by Itema the perfect machine to weave the full range of technical textiles, including ones with the finest monofilament, multifilament high tenacity yarns, and multiple pick insertion fabrics.
P7300HP Projectile Weaving Machine
Technical fabrics are the specialty of the legendary and unique P7300HP Projectile Weaving Machine due to the unparalleled versatility and reliability of its weft insertion system. The unmatchable uniqueness of the positive weft transfer consists in the single insertion driven by the projectile, which catches the weft and carries it directly with no exchanges, providing unmatched efficiency.
The P7300HP continues to harness great interest from projectile weaving aficionados and represents an unbeaten and unbeatable benchmark for those looking to weave the widest fabrics – up to 655cm weaving width – and high-specialty materials, such as agrotextile, geotextile and carpet backing. When it comes to weaving tape yarns, the Itema projectile weaving machine provides the highest performance compared to all the other insertion technologies currently available on the market.
A95002 Airjet Weaving Machine
When it comes to weaving very high-density fabrics A95002 Airjet Weaving Machine is customized with dedicated devices to ensure best-in-class results. Key components are reinforced to ensure optimized machine control and reliability whilst reducing consumption and assuring superior textile efficiency.
To discover the Itematech innovations for technical fabrics and the utmost Customers’ dedication, make sure to visit the Company stand at Cinte Techtextil (Hall E01 – Stand E1).
Download the Press Release Here: Itematech_TechtextilChina_PressRelease.


Itema Group announces the closing of the acquisition of PTMT (ex Panter)
PRESS RELEASE – 27/07/2020
Itema Group announces the closing of the acquisition of PTMT (ex Panter)
July 2020, (Colzate, Bergamo) – Itema, the leading provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, announces the finalization of the agreement for the acquisition of the PTMT, formerly Panter, in business lease since April 2019.
Despite the difficult moment that the world economy is going through due to the consequences of the pandemic generated by the COVID-19 virus, Itema’s Board of Directors chooses not to stop investments, convinced that the only way to overcome this critical period is to believe in a future made prosperous by long-term strategic choices.
The acquisition by its subsidiary Itema Tech s.r.l. allows Itema to expand its product portfolio by adding PTMT technology, with the aim of consolidating and establishing a new leadership in the field of technical fabrics.
The launch of Itematech, the new division dedicated to technical textiles,in the first quarter of 2019, gathered growing interest from weavers all over the world. Itematech, indeed, offers today the most complete technological portfolio available on the market to weave these special fabrics.
The operation confirms Itema’s Board Directors intention to invest in the textile machinery sector, as witnessed by the words of Mr. Gianfranco Ceruti, President of the Board of Directors of Itema: “the acquisition of PTMT enriches Itema’s technological offer for weaving machinery, adding even more value to our Company’s proposal to the market”.
Mr. Angelo Radici – on behalf of the family heirs of Gianni Radici, who hold 60% of the Itema shares, and in agreement with the Arizzi and Torri families to whom the remaining share belongs – commented: “This strategic choice brings further impetus to the Group. Our constant commitment to global expansion goes hand in hand with attention to local realities: we strongly believe in the excellence of our territory companies, in their prestigious historical tradition and in their continuous growth potential. We are therefore confident that the merger of PTMT’s deep technological know-how and the structural and organizational solidity of our Group will give rise to new opportunities for development and affirmation on international markets”.
Mr. Ugo Ghilardi, CEO of Itema Group, commented as follows: “Technical fabrics represent an extremely valuable and complex market in the global textile scenario, constanlty evolving and growing. With Itematech we are ready to respond to the needs of this specific sector, through the widest range of technological solutions offered by a single partner. Itematech will be able to count on Itema Group’s production capacity and ist commercial and service network, along with the technological solutions that have always been the flagship of the Panter brand, such as the loom dedicated to weaving carbon fiber, in what is a unique synergy on the market “.
The Itema plant in Colzate, at the forefront in the field of lean manufacturing, was quickly equipped by the Itema engineering team for the production of the ex-Panter models thus guaranteeing the high quality standards of Itema weaving machines. Thanks to the union of the two technological realities, Itematech guarantees the weaving of the widest range of technical fabrics – from carbon fiber to the coarsest and finest filter fabrics, to name just a few – and the widest know-how in the sector.
Download the Complete Press Release: Press Release


Itema Group donates 25,000 face masks to Bergamo hospitals and local institutions to concretely support professionals at the forefront of the COVID-19 emergency
NEWS – 03/04/2020
Colzate (Bergamo, March 31, 2020) – Itema Group, multinational group part of the Radici world of companies manufacturing advanced weaving solutions headquartered in Colzate in the Seriana Valley of Bergamo province, announced the donation of KN95 and surgical masks to Papa Giovanni XXIII and Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospitals in Bergamo, to the Municipality of Vertova and to the nursing home Casa San Giuseppe of Gazzaniga.
Itema immediately rushed in the search for face masks for the protection, in the first place, of its employees from the COVID-19 spreading and, with the support of its headquarters in China, it has been possible to find the necessary equipment to cover its internal needs. But how not to think of the territory that hosts the Company and that has been so severely affected by this health emergency?
In the words of its CEO, Ugo Ghilardi: “As Itema, we are facing this moment with the utmost seriousness and awareness. Pending the resumption of activities, we are working to create a safe working environment to protect our employees’ health. We are also analyzing all possible recovery scenarios, to ensure to those who work with us the support of a healthy company, even financially and economically wise. This focus on the world around us could not fail to make us notice the need of those who are committed to the front line in the struggle of this fearful invisible enemy and, hence, the choice to make our contribution with the donation of 25,000 masks. We are grateful to our territory and we could not forget it right now “.
Itema donated masks type surgical and KN95, a code that describes the Chinese protection standard equivalent to the American N95 which, in turn, reflects the main characteristics of the FPP2 masks. The KN95 masks refer to the EN 149: 2001 A1: 2009 standards, a mandatory certification to import them in Italy and which guarantees the highest quality standards.
Matteo Facchetti, Itema Group Purchasing Director, explained: “When, at the end of January, the Coronavirus emergency broke out in China, our Chinese branch turned to us to find face masks and infrared thermometers, which where impossible to be found in China. We immediately took action to send the necessary protections to the 200 employees of Itema China in Shanghai and, at that juncture, we realized that these items supplies were already worldwide scarce. After just over a month, it was our turn to ask for support to our Chinese colleagues and, I must recognize, that the generosity and helpfulness they showed us have been clearly higher than expectations. In fact, we found in our Shanghai branch and in its general manager Eng. Lorenzo Maffioli a solid help. Part of the face masks received from China are intended to cover our internal needs while the rest will be donated. In fact, we will donate 10,000 masks to the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, 10,000 masks to Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital, another 3,000 to the Municipality of Vertova and 2,000 to the nursing home Casa San Giuseppe of Gazzaniga. It is only thanks to our colleagues and friends in China if Itema has the opportunity to protect its staff and to give a little help to the Bergamo area.”
Key testimony to understand the importance of these contributions comes from Humanitas Gavazzeni hospital: “In this context of general uncertainty – says Giuseppe Fraizzoli, CEO of Humanitas Gavazzeni -, there are two certainties that we have: the first is that personal protective equipment is the main weapon for those who must treat Covid-19 patients; the second is that we are not alone in this battle. Despite the difficulties of the period, which has seen our multi-specialist hospital devoted to innovation transformed into a center totally dedicated to Covid patients, we know that there are many companies and people who support us. Thank you for this valuable gift that will allow our doctors and nurses to continue doing their job safely.”
Orlando Gualdi, Mayor of Vertova (a village close to Colzate in the Seriana Valley of Bergamo, ndr), explained how the 3,000 masks received by Itema will be used by his Municipality: “We will donate 500 masks to the IPS Cardinal Gusmini Onlus Foundation, which manages numerous institutions dedicated to the care of the elderly and the sick and, the remaining masks, will be distributed by volunteers door to door to the elderly and people at risk in our village. I thank Itema for the contribution that I do not call important, but fundamental. The fact that a company like Itema has remembered us, makes us understand how solidarity in this Valley is strong and present in the spirit of all its activities.”
Itema Group expresses the wish that these masks can effectively help health professionals, doctors, nurses, patients and citizens to protect themselves, and that they may symbolize the gratitude and solidarity that the Itema wants to demonstrate to those who, most of all, are doing the impossible for the fight against COVID-19.


Itema Group announces appointment of Ugo Ghilardi as new CEO and moves towards a new stage of development and consolidation
PRESS RELEASE – 06/03/2020
March 2, Colzate (Bergamo, Italy) – Itema Group, multinational group part of the Radici world of companies manufacturing advanced weaving solutions including weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services and with majority interests in companies active in complementary businesses, announced that its Board of Directors has named Ugo Ghilardi, effective March 2, 2020, as Chief Executive Officer.
Ugo Ghilardi, who is taking over from Carlo Rogora at the helm of the Colzate-based company, during his remarkable professional experience held positions of increasing responsibility in leading companies in the mechanical and automation industries. Mr. Ghilardi, in fact, boasts a long career in DMG Mori – German-Japanese multinational company world leader in the production and marketing of machine tools – where he held a variety of senior management positions, including Divisional Board Member Sales & Service EMEA, Chief Operating Officer EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) with direct responsibility of Sales & Service for all European markets and DMG Mori Europe CEO.
Gianfranco Ceruti, President of the Itema Board of Directors – commented on the choice of Ghilardi as the new CEO of Itema Group: “Ugo Ghilardi brings to the position a wealth of knowledge in international markets and an array of experiences in the mechanical industry, thus allowing us to count on fundamental skills to drive a company like Itema. We are convinced that Ghilardi will guide our Group with foresight and vision, reinforcing our position on the market and our structural solidity also due to his extraordinary mastery of operations activities and to his customer-oriented attitude”.
Key factors that led the Itema Board of Directors to name Ghilardi as new CEO are his deep-rooted closeness to the company and his strategic vision – as stated by Mr. Angelo Radici – on behalf of Gianni Radici’s family heirs who hold the 60% of Itema shares and in agreement with Arizzi and Torri families to which the remaining shares belong – “Ghilardi, in addition to the excellent understanding of global business scenarios, comes from our own territory and knows very well its traditional and historical vocation in the textile industry: I strongly believe that crucial aspect for us is to entrust the leadership of our Group to a man of great managerial capacity to maintain our traditional excellent level of quality in the solutions provided to our existing customers as well as guiding the company towards new business expansions. All this in line with the sustainability mission that has always distinguished us and that, I am sure, Ghilardi will translate into concrete actions”.
Mr. Ghilardi extensive global leadership experience and proven track record in the industry will be dedicated to consolidating the Group’s current position and conquering new market shares, as well as developing the Itema industrial capacity and prowess, that always played a role of primary importance for the company and its shareholders.
A goal which is not easy and certainly not self-evident since, even though markets still offer great opportunities to be seized, the international situation reveals uncertainty due to a series of fluctuations on a global basis and a macro-economic dynamic that generates instability and insecurity.
Itema new CEO’s dedication and motivation are, however, the highest possible and, according to Mr. Ghilardi, Itema’s history and particularly the way the company was founded, its brands creation and the traditional quality level guaranteed to the market in recent years, represent the basic philosophy to rely on to confidently deal with the challenges the company must confront to further grow.
In the first declaration since his appointment, Mr. Ghilardi stated “I strongly believe in Itema, in its employees and in its products. Innovation remains the core added value for the continued growth of this company and we will pursue it in all our choices, from product development to operations management. Our mission is, now more than ever, to deliver to our Customers not only advanced and innovative products, but an all-inclusive assistance as integral part of the process. As I am used to say, our customer is not outside the company, he is exactly beside us, deserving to be considered as a real partner. I will focus on reinforcing Itema’s strong positions in many important markets for the future and on serving Itema’s customers to deliver long-term growth and value creation.”
With Ugo Ghilardi at the head of Itema, the company is ready to face with renewed enthusiasm new challenges and targets, with the confidence that results from the awareness of being able to count on an experienced, solid leader attentive to customers’ needs and focused on leading the group towards new heights of success.
Download here the press release file in PDF format Itema_CEOAnnouncement_PressRelease_ENG


Itema exhibiting futuristic innovations at Italian Design Icons in Shanghai
NEWS – 17/11/2019
Itema, the leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, has received the honor to participate at Italian Design Icons 2019, held from November 15th to 17th in Shanghai.
An idea of DP Group, together with ideaPod The Bund, the exhibition celebrated the universal excellence of modern urban life by deepening the most modern concepts linked with Innovative Design and the City of the Future. Top brands coming from various industrial sectors – from furnituring to luxury automotive showcased their iconic Italian products. A series of lectures with designers, architects and art directors from all over the world along with events with local authorities made this three-day exhibition an incomparable occasion to share and spread Italian excellence and uniqueness.
Headquartered in Italy, Itema has a global presence with world-class production sites in Italy, in Switzerland and in China, along with commercial, after-sales and training centers in India, Japan, USA, Hong Kong China and Dubai. Itema is uniquely positioned by offering to textile manufacturers what is today considered the most complete product portfolio available on the market, providing the top three weft insertion technologies: rapier, airjet and projectile. Present in China since 2003, Itema branch in Shanghai features world-class production and assembly facilities, commercial, after-sales, administration and order desk teams, spare parts warehouse and logistics hub and a show room with all the latest Itema machines models.
Itema assembles the latest generation machinery in the world-class manufacturing sites both in Europe, as well as in China, with the same attention to detail and quality, reliability and performance guarantee that Itema Customers look for when they purchase Itema machines.
The only manufacturer in the weaving industry to adopt this future-oriented strategy, Itema firmly believes that Chinese and worldwide weavers always deserve the latest and most advanced technology available in the market.
Itema participated at IDI exhibiting two iconic products that perfectly portray the Company’s future-oriented and innovation driven approach: the iSAVER® and the R9500-2 Weft Transfer System.
Since ever rapier weaving technology implicates warp and weft waste formation at both fabric sides. But with iSAVER®, Itema changed the rules of the game. Unique in the industry, iSAVER® completely eliminates the waste selvedge on the left-hand side of the fabric, by allowing to insert the weft yarns into the fabric without the need of additional yarns avoiding the creation of the so called “waste selvedge”, a waste of fabric of at least 40mm per side. iSAVER® leads to substantially reducing the waste of raw materials, with tangible benefits in terms of loom efficiency, cost reduction and energy saving. Based on the latest and most advanced mechatronic principles, iSAVER® provides weavers with a highly innovative, yet intuitive and simple-to-operate device. Working with a motor that perfectly coordinates the clamps movement and programmable directly from the machine console, iSAVER® retains the fascination of discoveries that have made the history.
The R9500-2 New Generation Weft Transfer System, instead, is an historic key component of the Itema rapier loom that has been totally internally designed and developed at the very beginning of our history as rapier weaving machine manufacturer.
It is a patented invention and a distinguishing feature of our looms. The current version, is the final result of a continuous process of improvement and it clearly embodies our commitment not to be satisfied by our past achievements and our willing to do always better. In fact, the R9500-2 New Generation Weft Transfer System provides to our Customers a significant energy saving compared to its previous version.
As stated by Mr Lorenzo Maffioli, Itema China Managing Director, “At Itema, innovation is a state of mind. We tirelessly work to provide our Customers with the most advanced, futuristic weaving technology on the market to meet and exceed their expectations. Our future-oriented approach to Customers’ and to the market is even more on point this year, with the advertising campaign launched in 2019, with the title “Feel The Future”. IDI represents for Itema a high level stage to showcase the Itema best-in-class innovations and we are proud to be featured along with some of the most famous names of the Italian industry”.


Itema S.p.A. announces the agreement for significant stakes in Schoch
NEWS – 20/09/2019
Itema S.p.A. announces the agreement for significant stakes in Schoch
September 19th (Colzate, BG): Itema, multinational company part of Radici world of companies manufacturing advanced weaving solutions including weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, announced that the company has signed the agreement for the taking over of Schoch group.
Schoch, headquartered in Italy (Ranica, Bergamo Province) and in India, is a leading producer of weaving accessories, including reeds and other components.
The operation is part of the Galaxy project, the wider strategy of Itema launched in 2017 with the target to integrate, through strategic diversifications across the whole textile supply chain, key expertise and resources for the development of weaving machines components.
Following to the acquisition of majority stakes in Lamiflex completed in 2017 and the recent agreement reached with PTMT (ex Panter), the agreement signed with Schoch group represents a further significant step for the synergic development of key weaving machine’s accessories as well as a remarkable reinforcement of Schoch commercial network.
The operation formalities will be completed by the end of September.
Download the press release here Itema&Schoch_PressRelease


ITEMA Group Innovation on stage at ITMA 2019
PRESS RELEASE – 03/06/2019
Colzate (Italy) – Itema, the Italian global leading provider of best-in-class weaving solutions, participates at ITMA with the goal to establish and confirm once again its technological leadership in the industry.
Itema, that recently launched Itematech – the new division dedicated to technical textiles born as a result of the agreement signed with PTMT (ex Panter) – will feature 3 stands and 11 weaving machines, plus more in partner’s booths. Itema will showcase on the ITMA global stage new innovations set to amaze worldwide weavers and experts.
Itema – Hall 4, C101
Seven are the machines displayed – along with special products highlights – in the Itema booth including two absolute new market launches, a never-before-seen weaving insertion concept and a series of weaving novelties:
- Itema unveils the Loom of the Future. The Itema Discovery, at ITMA as a concept, features breakthrough mechatronic platform and completely new weft insertion system to demonstrate Itema dedication to innovating the weaving industry.
- The Second Generation of the Itema Airjet machine, the A9500-2, will be on show providing further increased speed, reliability and textile efficiency, including a machine version exclusively dedicated to bed sheeting weavers, the A9500-2bedsheeting, featuring one of the latest Itema in-house developments the SKYFRAME heald frames.
- The Itema denim dedicated rapier machine R9500-2denim comes to ITMA equipped with the one-of-a-kind iSAVER™ that represents the unique real sustainable weaving tool in the weaving industry and with a further enhanced weft transfer system and innovative IOT solutions. The brand-new iBOOSTER package and iCARE system implement the most modern principles to provide unparalleled performances and predictive maintenance.
- ITMA is the official stage for the R9500-2, the Second Generation of the Itema rapier, now providing significant energy consumption reduction and new valuable features to make weavers life even more easy.
- Last but not least, the high-end terry market leader – the R9500terry is exhibited with all the unique technological highlights that make since longtime this machine the most reliable and versatile rapier terry machine on the market.
Let’s go through the main innovations on stage.
A9500-2bedsheeting
Developed to provide even the most demanding bed sheeting weavers with an airjet weaving machine capable to reach the highest performances and to guarantee unparalleled fabric quality and design versatility, the Itema airjet A9500-2bedsheeting makes its debut at ITMA 2019. Coming within the framework of the Itema unique market positioning to develop weaving machines fine-tuned to weave a specific fabric, the A9500-2bedsheeting has been tailored on bed sheeting weavers desires.
Key machine components – such as main and tandem nozzles – have been redesigned along with the whole pneumatic platform to ensure superior performances in terms of speed coupled with superior fabric quality and textile efficiency.
Absolute new launch and core advancement featured on the A9500-2bedsheeting are the brand-new heald frames SKYFRAME – Itema exclusive proprietary technology – made of aluminium and carbon and designed by Itemalab in cooperation with Lamiflex. Itema invested on the development of its own airjet heald frames to answer its Customers specific needs. In fact, heald frames represent key components on airjet technology and the Itema SKYFRAME, thanks to its superior lightness and sturdiness, allows to run at the highest speeds without compromising reliability and resistance.
A9500-2
The second airjet weaving machine on display is the A9500-2, the Second Generation of the Itema airjet A9500 and A9500p. Summing up all the best features of its predecessors, the A9500-2 further enhance speed and machine performances.
Thanks to a new and optimized pneumatic platform, the weft insertion cycle is significantly improved leading to a quicker system response when handling air load and pressure guaranteeing minimized vibrations and higher structural reliability.
The whole machine structure has been revised to increase the air tank capacity ensuring superior textile performances even at the highest speeds.
The A9500-2 features the brand-new Bi-Power stretch nozzle which ensures perfect weft catching pick by pick. Compact, powerful and cordless, the Bi-Power stretch nozzle allows air consumption reduction and increased fabric quality by keeping the weft perfectly straight in the fabric.
The user-experience has been further optimized thanks to a new machine ergonomy with a lowered front frame to improve machine accessibility. Moreover, the new layout of the fabric formation area reduces style change downtime and enables easier maintenance operations.
The brand-new Itema SKYFRAME will be exhibited also on the A9500-2, ensuring the highest machine speeds whilst guaranteeing maximum reliability.
R9500-2denim
Certainly, the loom who recently revolutionized denim weaving can’t be missing on show.
The denim dedicated rapier R9500-2denim that, since market launch at ITM 2018 in Istanbul has become a real market success, will be equipped with iSAVER™ – the Itemalab™ latest mechatronic marvel which completely eliminates the weft and warp waste on the left-hand side of the fabric. iSAVER™ represents the unique real and tangible innovation introduced in weaving since longtime. Establishing a new benchmark in sustainable weaving and guaranteeing a significant money saving, iSAVER™ is gathering an exceptional interest from worldwide denim weavers.
New innovative and cutting-edge solutions have been developed to further boost the R9500-2denim as the racehorse in its category and will be showcased during ITMA:
The Itema denim dedicated rapier machine, figures in hand, in real weaving conditions is the fastest on the market. At ITMA, the R9500-2denim comes with a further optimized weft transfer system that reflects what weavers always dreamed of: maximum speed and maximum reliability, together. The iBOOSTER package literally boosts machine’s performances, without compromising reliability. When running extremely fast, key rapier insertion system components are subject to considerable stress. Thanks to a deep materials study made by Itemalab, in close cooperation with Lamiflex, Itema succeeded in developing new reinforced tapes, sprocket wheels and micro smart coolers to ensure extended lifetime. Moreover, a revolutionary detection system through sensors and digital intelligence allows a real-time control of the components health status.
iCARE, part of the iBOOSTER package, is a future oriented system which – thanks to an advanced sensors mechanism – monitors in real-time the state of health of the Itema tapes and sprocket wheels suggesting possible adjustments or interventions through the machine latest generation console.
iCARE brings significant benefits to the weavers, including the possibility to run the machine at the highest speeds without compromising components reliability and to adopt a future-oriented preventive maintenance solution.
R9500-2
The most successful rapier machine in recent history comes at ITMA in its Second Generation. The R9500-2 is ready to establish a new technological benchmark in rapier weaving by further improving key machine’s functionalities.
Always working on improving Itema Customers’ benefits and to make weavers’ life easier, Itema focused in implementing on the Itema R95002 key advancements that now make this machine the most energy efficient rapier weaving machine on the market while ensuring best-in-class textile performances and fabric quality. Moreover, the R95002 – already renowned for its user-friendliness – has been further optimized to ensure the best user-experience ever.
The machine lubrication system and main mechanical components have been optimized to guarantee a considerable energy consumption reduction.
Moreover, the Itema R95002 is equipped in its standard configuration with a direct drive motor with oil cooling which ensures a double valuable advantage: reduced maintenance and energy saving.
The Itema best-in-class shed geometry is worldwide renowned for its uniqueness. Featuring the smallest shed in its category, the Itema shed geometry guarantees zero stop marks thus leading to superior fabric quality and top fabric hand-feel even when running at the highest speeds.
The R95002 features a lowered front frame to facilitate machine accessibility for the weaver when carrying out daily textile operations.
The weaver has a complete machine control through the brand-new latest generation, high-performance, super sensitive console which guarantees the highest reactivity and maximum reliability.
Monitoring the Itema weaving machines efficiency and performances has never been so easy. Thanks to the brand-new Itema plant management software iMANAGER, the plant manager can easily control and access machines data and statistics from computer or portable devices. iMANAGER is available for all the Itema machine models.
Two R9500-2 will be exhibited, the first equipped with top fancy beam and weaving a high-end shirting fabric and a wide Jacquard loom weaving a complex fancy furnishing style, field where Itema is traditionally recognized as best-in-class.
Three more R9500-2 machines will be on show at ITMA in Stäubli, Bonas and MEI booths.
R9500terry
Unmissable in the Itema booth is the R9500terry. The champion of the worldwide high-end terry weaving market comes to ITMA fully loaded with its famous and unique technological highlights to show its unparalleled textile versatility and superior fabric quality.
Itema DISCOVERY
Last but not least, ITMA 2019 will be the absolute world-premiere of what Itema named a while back “The Loom of the Future”. The brand-new Itema Discovery, developed by Itemalab™, comes to the world to demonstrate Itema’s mission to tirelessly work to innovate the weaving industry. Introduced at ITMA as a concept, Discovery completely redefines weaving foundations by basing its operations on mechatronic principles and not anymore, as it happens on current weaving machines, on mechanical drives. The machine – that will run only a couple of times during the exhibition daily demo hours – is set to amaze worldwide weaving aficionados.
OEM Spare Parts
In addition to Itema’s line-up of the latest and most innovative new weaving machines in the market, Itema will also feature its spare parts and after-sales support: fast and reliable service when it comes to offering Customers peace of mind through high-quality replacement parts, customized upgrade kits to optimize machine performance and retrofit latest Itema innovations on existing looms, electric, electronic and mechanic repairs to give new life to looms, as well as training to ensure Itema weavers get the most out of their weaving machines.
Itematech – Hall 4, A101
In the Itematech stand (Hall 4 – A101), the focus will be on technical textiles with 4 weaving machines on display to demonstrate the most comprehensive product portfolio in the market to weave the widest range of technical fabrics.
Thanks to the strong know-how resulting from the merger of Itema and PTMT (formerly Panter) expertise and competences, Itematech will offer the most comprehensive weaving portfolio available in the market to weave technical fabrics and the most skilled and experienced technical textiles team in the industry.
Technical fabrics manufacturers will now on find in Itematech a unique partner and technological reference point to meet and exceed all their needs when it comes to weaving the full range of technical applications.
At ITMA, Itematech will exhibit 4 machines:
- the famous UniRap, capable to weave the widest range of carbon fiber and composite yarns, on show weaving a linen tape fabric (due to exhibition’s carbon fiber restrictions)
- the Hercules rapier machine – 380 cm – weaving a heavy filter fabric style
- the Hercules in extra-wide width – 550cm – running geotextile
- the R9500-2 – 280 cm – with FPA-Free Positive Appoach weft transfer weaving a complex filter fabric style
The line-up has been prepared to show the widest range of weaving solutions that Itematech offers to the market, by covering every single and specific textile requirement.
Lamiflex – Hall 4, C106
Last but not least, Lamiflex – the leading supplier of technical composite products of which Itema acquired majority stakes in 2017 – will be present at ITMA (Hall 4 – C106) with its ample catalogue of key rapier weft transfer components available for a wide range of rapier machines on the market, such as tapes and sprocket wheels, with an offering that allows the weavers to find in a unique partner the best European quality and sector know-how with the advantage of a competitive offering.
Itema Group will welcome visitors in its three stands with a product line-up designed to confirm and demonstrate its dedication to innovation and the Made in Italy excellence in the weaving sector.


Itema Denim Day 2019
PRESS RELEASE – 15/04/2019
Sustainability as driver for growth in the world of denim.
Itema celebrated the first Denim Day by bringing together key players and stakeholders in the industry: towards new business models to shape a ground-breaking value chain.
Colzate, Friday 12 April 2019 – Itema held the first Itema Denim Day on the 12th of April, a full day dedicated to deepen trends and challenges throughout the denim sector, with a special focus on how to meet sustainable perspectives by presenting and introducing new business models and innovations.
The event, which took place at the headquarters of Itema Group in Colzate, Bergamo province, provided the unique opportunity to share ideas, experiences and best practices. The Company, a worldwide leading manufacturer of best-in-class weaving solutions, succeeded in organising an event that represented an exclusive and rare occasion for the industry to enter into a fertile and sparkling debate involving all the actors of the denim supply chain.
Thanks to the support of in-house Itema professionals’ skills, assisted by an exclusive panel of speakers consisting of international experts and pioneers in the world of denim, this one-day event shed light on the most recent green innovations through a market and Customer-oriented approach.
The whole supply chain was the centre of a lively debate which highlighted the connections between ethics and business, the most recent product and process innovations, key technologies, as well as a survey of the digitalisation in the value chain for the textile sector.
The agenda
Many elements have contributed to making the 1st ITEMA DENIM DAY a unique event.
- An in-depth overview of Itema and a detailed introduction of the top innovations in terms of cutting-edge machinery and technologies introduced by Carlo Rogora – CEO Itema Group.
- An exclusive panel to discuss the topic “Evolving sustainability in the denim chain. Towards a new business model, generating profit while creating value”. International standing speakers took part in the debate, including Kutay Saritosun – Director of Fashion Brands, bluesign technologies AG | Marco Lucietti – Senior Adviser, Copenhagen Fashion Summit | François Girbaud – Founder and Owner, Marithé + François Girbaud, considered a “guru” of indigo fabrics | Federico Corneli – Founder and CEO, haikure / CEO, CS Jeans | Alessandro Bondavalli – Merchandising Director Apparel, Guess Europe | Christian Straubhaar – Sales and Marketing Director, Itema Group.
- A lecture entirely devoted to the topic of “Digitalization within the textile added value chain” with Giuseppe Gherzi – Gherzi Textile Organization.
The event also highlighted the most recent rapier, air-jet and projectile weaving innovations designed and developed by Itema exclusively for denim fabrics.
Itema is actually the only manufacturer in the world to produce all the top three weft insertion technologies. The innovations presented by Itema, tailored and customized for denim production, attracted great interest from denim mills delegates attending the event, impressed by the considerable costs saving, user-friendliness and unparalleled innovative content of the Itema looms.
Among the several technical developments in the spotlight, it is worth mentioning one of the most interesting – and absolutely unique in the industry – technologies developed by Itema: iSAVER™, a device installed on the Itema rapier R95002denim.
iSAVER™: the ideal “green” instrument for denim weaving
This new technology, designed by ItemaLab™, the Itema advanced innovation department with headquarters at Kilometro Rosso, is the only one in the sector able to completely eliminate the waste selvedge on the left side of the fabric, thus allowing to insert the weft yarns into the fabric without the need of additional yarns. iSAVER™ leads to substantially reducing the waste of raw materials, with tangible benefits in terms of loom efficiency, cost reduction and energy saving.
Suffice it to think that the weaver will save about €2.000 a year on each loom, and our planet will gain even more. Indeed, for the first time in the history of weaving industry, a sustainable approach when choosing the machinery to be installed is possible.
Thanks to iSAVER™, on average one thousand kilos of cotton per loom a year will be saved – i.e. 3% of total raw materials – which will prevent wasting of million litres of water.
As underlined during the panel discussion by Christian Straubhaar, Sales and Marketing Director/ Itema Group – “In terms of technologies applied to rapier looms, iSAVER™ is a real watershed and one of the major innovations implemented on iSAVER™: the ideal “green” instrument for denim weaving , the second generation of the Itema rapier machine designed exclusive for denim weaving. It is a concrete example of how to translate the concept of sustainability into tangible and concrete benefits, not only in terms of saving energy and resources, but also reducing costs and improving efficiency. This constitutes a major step for textile machinery manufacturers in order to generate all-round value throughout the denim supply chain”.
Technology and education as drivers for a better future, in all senses
During the panel discussion the main emerging focus appeared to be the need to precisely pinpoint new topics for innovation which should aim at becoming truly sustainable and widespread.
This means planning and constructing some restyling processes at strategic level, in order to create development models which are not just ethical, but also economical and profitable.
Sustainability is thus seen as a driver for business in the future, integrated within a company’s corporate vision, with raising education and awareness playing a key role. This should lead to a process able to translate sustainable change into performing outputs and technologies, allowing for improvement of the end product on the one hand, and of working conditions on the other side for many employees in this sector, especially in developing countries.
A real journey to be started with coordinated actions in terms of innovation, research and business, to generate added value as never seen before all along the supply chain.
Itema Denim Day featured top executives from more than 50 denim mills in as many as 13 countries, resulting in a profitable opportunity for exchange and a unique chance for discussion. Itema not only introduced its weaving solutions exclusively designed and developed for denim manufacturing, thus achieving an unparalleled technological leadership in the sector, but also helped connect the various players along the supply chain, making available for denim manufacturers participating in the event its resources and spaces to provide them all-round consulting services, testifying to the company mission which involves the delivery of cutting-edge technological solutions as well as being a partner fully committed and dedicated to meeting and exceeding its Customers’ needs.
Watch here the event video reportage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d_B_yoLmss
Watch here the event show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xt-yvzb1vI&t=96s


Itema exhibits at Techtextil North America 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina – February 26th – 28th showcasing the most comprehensive weaving solutions on the market to weave technical fabrics
PRESS RELEASE – 21/02/2019
Itema exhibits at Techtextil North America 2019
in Raleigh, North Carolina – February 26th – 28th
showcasing the most comprehensive weaving solutions on the market
to weave technical fabrics
Spartanburg (South Carolina, USA) – Itema, the leading manufacturer of best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, is exhibiting at Techtextil North America (Stand 1335) from February 26th – 28th at the Raleigh Convention Center, North Carolina.
Itema America, Inc., with headquarters in Spartanburg, SC, is the result of the successful merger in the early 2000 of two renowned weaving machines manufacturers, Sulzer (founded in 1834 in Switzerland that opened the US subsidiary in 1964) and Somet (founded in 1967 in Italy that opened the affiliate – Somet of America – in 1982).
During its long-standing presence in the US market, Itema has established a solid reputation as a highly reliable and trustworthy partner with a strong track record of outstanding technology provider and Customer support.
In fact, Customer support is well recognized and it is the pride of Itema America Inc., where highly skilled and experienced weaving technicians and textile experts are on call to ensure a quick and personalized after-sales support to the wide base of Itema Customers.
The Itema America team works relentlessly side by side with its American Customers, offering expert advice and service, unwavering support, and unmatched dedication.
Itema America provides extensive training courses at its premises and/or on-site at Customer mills and, additionally, the Company offers electronic and mechanical services and repairs, as well as timely and reliable spare parts deliveries and upgrade kits.
In recent years Itema further reinforced its traditional leadership in the American market, where the company advanced weaving technology is increasingly appreciated for a wide range of applications, from technical fabrics to furnishing and passing through apparel and home textile fabrics.
The latest Itema machine models – the rapier R9500 (today available in its second generation offering superior energy savings and higher performances than ever before) and the airjet A9500p with its real time filling insertion and best in class air-consumption– have quickly become the machines of choice for many US weavers.
Both Customers’ satisfaction and Itema machines installed base are increasingly growing leading to extremely positive results for Itema in the American market. As a matter of fact, in 2018 Itema America sold more airjet weaving machines in the US market than anybody else.
During Techtextil North America, Itema America team will concentrate in showcasing the company strong offering for technical fabrics weavers. Itema is uniquely positioned to offer technical textile manufacturers the top three weft insertion technologies – Rapier, Airjet and Projectile, in what is the most comprehensive portfolio on the market today for technical applications.
The rapier R9500-2 is by far the most successful rapier loom in recent history. The continuous roll-out of customized special versions tailored for technical applications, including OPW Airbag, Fiber Glass, Bolting Cloth, among others, the wide weaving width up to 540 cm, as well as new and advanced devices make the R9500-2 by Itema the perfect machine to weave the full range of technical textiles, including ones with the finest monofilament, multifilament high tenacity yarns, and multiple pick insertion fabrics.
Looking at specific technical applications the airjet A9500p – the most innovative airjet weaving machine in the market – provides undeniable benefits, matching unparalleled performances and the highest productivity with superior textile efficiency and has already amassed important references, especially in medical applications and automotive fabrics.
The Itema A9500p is pre-set for independent motorized Jacquard with no cardan shaft, allowing to weave specific technical textiles (such as Airbag OPW) with no speed limitations.
When it comes to weaving very high density fabrics, the A9500p is customized with dedicated devices to ensure best possible results. Key components are reinforced to ensure optimized machine control and reliability whilst Itema patented devices guarantee reduced air and energy consumption and superior textile efficiency.
Technical fabrics are the specialty of the legendary and unique projectile P7300HP due to the unparalleled versatility and reliability of its weft insertion system. The unmatchable uniqueness of the positive weft transfer consists in the single insertion driven by the projectile, which catches the weft and carries it directly with no exchanges, providing unmatched efficiency.
The P7300HP continues to harness great interest from projectile weaving aficionados and represents an unbeaten and unbeatable benchmark for those looking to weave the widest fabrics – up to 655cm weaving width – and high-specialty materials, such as agrotextile, geotextile and carpet backing. When it comes to weaving tape yarns, the Itema projectile weaving machine provides the highest performance compared to all the other insertion technologies currently available on the market.
To discover the Itema innovations for technical fabrics and the utmost Customers’ dedication, make sure to visit the Company stand at Techtextil North America (Stand 1335).
Download the full press relaease here: Itema_TechtextilNA_2019.pdf


Itema exhibits best-in-class weaving innovations at IGATEX Pakistan 12th International Exhibition for Garment, Textile Machinery and Accessories February 26th – 28th, 2019 Hall 5 – A5/17
PRESS RELEASE – 18/02/2019
Colzate (Italy) and Karachi (Pakistan) – Itema, the leading Italian manufacturer of best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, is exhibiting at IGATEX Pakistan (Hall 5 – A5/17) from February 26th – 28th at Karachi Expo Centre in a joint booth with its sole agent in the country, Noon International.
Itema is uniquely positioned by offering to textile manufacturers what is today considered the most complete product portfolio available on the market, providing all the top three weft insertion technologies: rapier, airjet and projectile. Moreover, the company provides OEM spare parts and upgrade kits for Itema, Somet, Vamatex and Sulzer machines models giving to Customers the chance to revitalize and extend the life cycle of their existing weaving machines.
Itema is strongly committed to investing in the Pakistani market, providing highly innovative and technological products to fully satisfy the growing potential and the requirements of the advanced weaving mills of the country. In order to further demonstrate this commitment, in 2016 Itema opened a Dubai-based affiliate, Itema Middle East, which provides business development and continued support in Pakistan, Africa and Middle East basin countries.
Furthermore, in October 2017 – in collaboration with Noon International, Itema opened the doors of its ItemaCampus in Lahore, a state-of-the-art training center equipped with the latest generation rapier and air-jet looms. No matter how easy to use and intuitive the latest-generation weaving equipment from Itema is, on-the-ground training remains a key element when it comes to getting the most out of your looms. In the ItemaCampus every week a team of skilled technicians with a long-standing experience on the field share their knowledge and passion with Pakistani weavers, providing them with a significant added value and active support, which will undoubtedly further bolster and facilitate the country’s renowned creativity and responsiveness to the ever-changing fast-paced demands of today’s textile market.
The physical presence of Itema in Pakistan has been very well received and this customer-oriented approach has contributed to the creation of partnerships with some of the most prominent textile corporations of Pakistan, including denim specialists such as Azgard 9 and Artistic Fabric Mills that installed the Itema denim dedicated rapier R9500denim. Another high-profile partnership which is worth to mention is the one with the vertically integrated textile company Gul Ahmed, that chose the Itema absolute best-seller – the R9500 rapier weaving machine – to refurbish one of its plant to weave a widest range of fabrics in different weaving width such as bed sheeting, apparel and linen applications.
Moreover, Itema confirms its leadership as preferred provider of weaving technology for high-end terry fabrics production in Pakistan, with a significant number of new installations for the rapier R9500terry in a diversified group of Customers from Faisalabad to Karachi.
As Itema’s Global Marketing and Sales Director, Mr. Christian Straubhaar, stated: “This is just a starting point. I am sure that Pakistan will play an even more major role in the worldwide textile industry of the future and Itema is here to support and facilitate this growth.”
During IGATEX, Itema’s team will introduce to visitors and weavers all the latest breakthrough innovations implemented by the Italian company, including what is already recognized as the game-changer in the denim weaving world: the second generation of the Itema denim dedicated rapier machine, the R9500-2denim. Unparalleled cost savings, superior fabric quality and outstanding user-experience are the key words of the R9500-2denim which features breakthrough devices and delivers tangible benefits to weavers.
Saving is the crucial point of the R9500-2denim. Not only the optimization of the main mechanical components allows a considerable energy consumption reduction but the machine is equipped with the iSAVERTM, a unique and revolutionary device that eliminates the waste selvedge on the left-hand side of the fabric thus leading to unparalleled savings.
Furthermore, for the first time in the weaving industry, a sustainable approach to fabric production is possible thanks to a significant reduction in resources use and wastage.
Mr. Franco Brambilla, Itema Middle East Executive Director commented: “Our intention is to constantly increase our physical presence in Pakistani weaving mills with the newest and most advanced weaving machinery range and to support the entire textile industry from small, family-run operations all the way to the most sophisticated, vertically integrated conglomerates. This is our mission and this is what we will do in a systematic, gradual and sustainable way”.
Itema staff, along with its agent Noon International, will be present at the exhibition to meet Pakistani textile entrepreneurs and to personally introduce them the Company’s latest technological advancements to weave the widest range of fabrics, while ensuring top quality, outstanding reliability and the highest performances.
To learn more about Itema’s technological innovations, visit the Joint ITEMA & NOON INTERNATIONAL booth in Hall 5 Stand A5/17.
Click here to download the full press release: Itema at IGATEX_2019


EVENTS
NEWS – 23/01/2019
Do you want to know more about Itema and meet our Itema Dream Teams all over the world? Check the list here below and come to visit us at one of these events!
DTG
Dhaka, BANGLADESH
09–12 January 2019
COLOMBIATEX
Medellin, COLOMBIA
22–24 January 2019
ACITF
Addis Abeba, ETHIOPIA
21–27 February 2019
IGATEX
Karachi, PAKISTAN
26–28 February 2019
TECHTEXTIL N.A.
Raleigh, USA
26–28 February 2019
EGY Stitch & Tex
Cairo, EGYPT
28 February – 3 March 2019
SAIGONTEX
Ho Chi Minh, VIETNAM
10–13 April 2019
TECHTEXTIL
Frankfurt, GERMANY
14–17 May 2019
ITMA
H4 – C101 Barcelona, SPAIN
20–26 June 2019
KTM
Kahramanmaraş, TURKEY
26–28 September 2019
EXPOTEXTIL
Lima, PERÙ
24-27 October 2019
ITMACH
Ahmedabad, INDIA
05-08 December 2019


EVENTS
NEWS – 28/06/2018
Below the highlights of the trade fairs and events at which Itema has participated so far in 2018 and a quick overview of what is yet to come…
TEXPOSURE
Ichalkaranji, INDIA
11–14 January 2018
PACIFIC SHOWCASE
Dhaka, BANGLADESH
20 January 2018
COLOMBIATEX
Medellin, COLOMBIA
23–25 January 2018
GTEX
Karachi, PAKISTAN
26–28 January 2018
DTG
Dhaka, BANGLADESH
08–11 February 2018 · Video
JEC*
Hall5—D15 Paris, FRANCE
06–08 March 2018
*Lamiflex, an Itema Group Company—leading composites producer—participating
EGYSTITCH & TEX
Cairo, EGYPT
15–18 March 2018
INLEGMASH
Moscow, RUSSIA
20–22 March 2018
INDOINTERTEX
Jakarta, INDONESIA
04–07 April 2018
SAIGONTEX
Ho Chi Minh, VIETNAM
11–14 April 2018
SIMATEX
Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA
10–13 April 2018
ITM
Istanbul, TURKEY
14–17 April 2018
IGATEX
Lahore, PAKISTAN
26–29 April 2018
FIA
Algiers, ALGERIA
08–13 May 2018
TECHTEXTIL North America
Atlanta, GA, USA
22–24 May 2018
CUBAINDUSTRIA
La Havana, CUBA
18–22 June 2018
And coming up: we hope to see you at one of these events!
FEBRATEX
Blumenau, BRAZIL
21–24 August 2018
TECHTEXTIL CHINA
Shanghai, CHINA
04–06 September 2018
CAITME
Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN
11–13 September 2018
KTM
Kahramanmaraş, TURKEY
27–29 September 2018
EXINTEX
Puebla, MEXICO
02–05 October 2018
ITMA ASIA
Hall 3 – C25 Shanghai, CHINA
15–19 October 2018
EXPOTEXTIL
Lima, PERÙ
06–09 November 2018
IRANTEX
Tehran, IRAN
06–09 December 2018


ITEMA Group wins two awards at “The Procurement Awards 2018”
NEWS – 11/06/2018
Following to the awards won in 2016 by the Itema PD&I and Legal Departments (The Italian Mechatronics Award and The Top Legal Corporate Counsel Award as Best Emerging Legal Dept) another important recognition has been assigned to Itema.
The Itema Purchasing Department was in fact awarded during the third edition of “The Procurement Awards 2018”, the Italian competition created to recognize large and medium-size companies‘ purchasing teams able to distinguish themselves by carrying on added-value projects in terms of cooperation, innovation, sustainability.
During the awards ceremony, held the 10th of May at Palazzo Litta in Milan, the Itema Purchasing team was awarded in the «Best Negotiating Practice» category and received the «Purchasing People» special award assigned during the event by the audience to the best project among the contest’s finalists.
The Itema project «Top Suppliers: Partnership for Success» was awarded due to the negotiating strategy able to fully enhance the collaboration between suppliers and customers, with the ultimate target of commercial synergy for a mutual success.


ITEMA Group Announces First Quarter 2018 Results: Weaving Machines Sales Exceeding Expectations and Turnover Registering Growth Across All Business Units
PRESS RELEASE – 04/06/2018
Colzate (Bergamo), 4 June 2018 – Itema Group, the leading global provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, announced its results for the first quarter of 2018, once again confirming the Group constant growth over the past few years.
The turnover amounted to €80.5 million in the first quarter of 2018, increasing by +15% compared to same period last year. A special mention goes to the Company’s core business, manufacturing and marketing of best-in-class weaving machines, which registered unprecedented sales results over the same period of 2017. An exceptional leap for Itema weaving machines which increasingly represent the preferred choice and continue to gather the appreciation of weavers in the main textile markets such as China, Turkey and India.
The turnover shows the Group’s strong international presence with the 92% of the total resulting from foreign markets. The Italian market achieved good results as well, with the positive trend registered in weaving machines sales demonstrating the good market performances of the “Made in Italy” premium quality fabrics producers.
But weaving machines were not alone in providing satisfaction for Itema. In 2017 the Group launched a diversification strategy – “Project Galaxy” – that led as its first successful operation to the acquisition of a majority interest (61%) in Lamiflex, leading supplier of technical composite products for the textile, aeronautical and medical industries whose turnover increased by 6% YOY in the first quarter of 2018.
Itema, although conscious to operate in a highly volatile market subject to sudden slowdowns due to the fragile macroeconomic and political conditions of certain textile markets, will face the rest of the year relying on the momentum and confidence ensured by a well-filled order book for the upcoming months.
Carlo Rogora, Itema Group CEO, commented: “The excellent results achieved in this first part of 2018 are the result of two crucial strategic decisions taken by the Group: our positioning as technological leader in the sector and our dedication to international growth. Since 2012 Itema succeeded in more than doubling the sales of its weaving machines collecting constantly increasing profits thanks to our tireless and steady commitment to continuous innovation which led us to develop breakthrough and smart weaving solutions, enabling our Group to become the industry technological benchmark. Research and innovation (in which the Group invests 3% of its turnover every year) will continue to be our driver.”
As a real proof of the Itema focus on innovation, the Company recently launched on the market (during ITM 2018 exhibition held in Istanbul in April) the new R9500-2denim rapier weaving machine, the Second Generation of the weaving machine specifically designed and developed to excel in denim weaving which features numerous advancements and a breakthrough innovation. With iSAVER™, developed by the advanced innovation department ItemaLab™, Itema pushes the boundaries of innovation in the weaving industry. For the first time since the launch of the industrial weaving machine Itema introduced a breakthrough innovation able to completely eliminate the waste selvedge on the fabric left side and leading to substantial, real and measurable savings for denim weavers. Economic saving is not the unique outstanding benefit, since iSAVER™ sets a new benchmark in sustainable weaving, significantly reducing raw materials waste.
The Group confirms its firm determination in strengthening its leadership and growing not only organically but also through targeted acquisitions (“Project Galaxy”) thus creating significant synergies along the respective supply chains to grow not only in the textile machinery sector, but also to expand into new, highly innovative industries. In this scenario finds its place the acquisition of majority stakes in Lamiflex, the first in a series of important operations meant to ultimately accelerate the continued expansion and secure the long-term profitability of Itema by diversifying into complementary, high-growth markets through stakes in innovation-driven companies.
“With this precise objective in mind Itema also recently considered a listing on the stock market, with an IPO which passed all the tests for obtaining the admission to the Italian Stock Exchange but did not arrive at completion solely due to the – sudden – changes in the equity market conditions that held back investor momentum. Our decision is an objective assessment of what we see as best for Itema in this specific moment, particularly taking into account that our positive net financial position and our excellent market results enable us to continue autonomously along our growth path”, Mr. Rogora added.
“With our shareholders’ full-fledged support we will therefore proceed in building an even more solid and competitive Group at a global level and in concentrating our extensive R&D efforts on offering better, smarter, faster solutions, increased performances, reduced consumption and enhanced user-friendliness,” Rogora concluded.
-ends-
Download the Press Release from this link: ItemaPressRelease_Q12018Results_ENG


ITEMA S.P.A. RITIRA L’OFFERTA DI VENDITA E SOTTOSCRIZIONE DELLE PROPRIE AZIONI
PRESS RELEASE – 03/05/2018
Colzate (BG), 3 maggio 2018 – Itema S.p.A. (“Itema” o la “Società”), Società Elettrica Radici S.p.A.
e TAM S.r.l. (“Azionisti Venditori”) comunicano che il Consiglio di Amministrazione della Società,
valutate le condizioni di mercato, ha deciso di non proseguire con l’operazione di quotazione delle
proprie azioni sul Mercato Telematico Azionario organizzato e gestito da Borsa Italiana S.p.A. e, per
l’effetto, di ritirare l’offerta di vendita e sottoscrizione delle azioni.


IPO: ITEMA S.p.A.: Consob Authorizes the Publication of the Prospectus and Releasess the Nulla Osta to the Listing on the MTA
PRESS RELEASE – 24/04/2018
Colzate (BG), 24 April 2018 – Itema S.p.A., Società Elettrica Radici S.p.A. and TAM S.r.l. announce that today the National Commission for Companies and the Stock Exchange (“Consob”) has approved the registration document, the securities note and the summary note (jointly, the “Prospectus”) concerning the offer and the admission to listing on the Mercato Telematico Azionario organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. (“MTA”) of ordinary shares of Itema.
Consob’s approval follows the decision issued by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. on April 23, 2018 by means of which it approved the admission to listing of the Shares on the MTA.
Download the full PDF press release here (in EN)


IPO: ITEMA S.P.A. ADMITTED TO LISTING ON THE MERCATO TELEMATICO AZIONARIO
PRESS RELEASE – 23/04/2018
Colzate (BG), April 23 2018 – Itema S.p.A. (“Itema” or the “Company”), Società Elettrica Radici S.p.A. and TAM S.r.l. (“Selling Shareholders”) announce that today Borsa Italiana S.p.A. has issued the decision (n. 8452) for the admission to listing of the Company’s
shares on the Mercato Telematico Azionario (“MTA”), organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. the effectiveness of which, pursuant to the Regulations for Markets organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. (“Borsa Regulations”), is subject to the filing of the prospectus with Consob.
The start of trading of the shares on the MTA is subject to the verification of the sufficient distribution of the Company’s shares and will be subject to following announcement of the trading in which, subject to verification of the occurrence of the requirements of capitalization and distribution among the public required by the Borsa Regulation and the relative instructions, the STAR qualification will be recognized to the Company.
The firm Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati assists the Company in relation to legal aspects of Italian law and Italian tax law, the firm Latham & Watkins in relation to legal aspects of international law, Studio Associato – Consulenza legale e tributaria (KPMG) in relation to tax activities under international law and Pirola Corporate Finance S.p.A. is the financial advisor of the Company. Banca IMI SpA (Intesa Sanpaolo Group), Credit Suisse and Banca Akros S.p.A., assisted by the firm Baker McKenzie, act as Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners within the Operation. Banca IMI also plays the role of sponsor and specialist in the Operation. UBI Banca S.p.A. plays the role of co-lead manager.


IPO: INDICATIVE VALUATION RANGE OF THE SHARES OF ITEMA S.p.A.
PRESS RELEASE – 20/04/2018
IPO: ITEMA S.p.A.: INDICATIVE VALUATION RANGE OF THE SHARES
Download the PDF press release (in EN) here


IPO: ITEMA FILES THE APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO LISTING OF ITS SHARES ON THE MERCATO TELEMATICO AZIONARIO (“MTA”) ORGANIZED AND MANAGED BY BORSA ITALIANA S.P.A.
PRESS RELEASE – 09/04/2018
Download Itema Press Release Here
ITEMA FILES THE APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO LISTING OF ITS SHARES ON THE MERCATO TELEMATICO AZIONARIO (“MTA”) ORGANIZED AND MANAGED BY BORSA ITALIANA S.P.A.
The Operation provides for a portion of the shares offered for underwriting by the Company and a part offered for sale by shareholders
The shares will be offered to institutional investors in Italy and abroad
Colzate (BG), 9 April 2018 – Itema S.p.A. (“Itema” or the “Company“) files today to Borsa Italiana S.p.A. the application for admission to listing of its ordinary shares on the Mercato Telematico Azionario organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A., satisfying the conditions, STAR segment, in the context of its listing process (the “Operation“).
Within the Operation, the Company has also drafted the share securities note schedule concerning the Operation and the summary of prospectus, which are filed today to Consob for the purpose of their publication, upon the outcome of the related investigation.
The share securities note schedule and the summary of prospectus, together with the registration document already filed to Consob on March 7, 2018, constitute the prospectus for listing (the “Prospectus“).
In order to satisfy the requirement of sufficient spread of the Company’s shares, it is provided that the Company’s ordinary shares will be placed exclusively to institutional investors in Italy and abroad, outside the United States, in compliance with the provisions of Regulation S pursuant to the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act“), and to Canada, Australia and Japan, subject to any exemptions under applicable laws (the “Offer“).
The ordinary shares of the Offer will be, in part, offered for underwriting by the Company (through a capital increase of maximum of 20,000,000 ordinary shares, equal to 23.8% of the company’s share capital after the increase) and, in part, equal to total maximum of n. 7,250,000, offered for sale by Società Elettrica Radici S.p.A. (“SER“) – held by Gianni Radici’s family heir, current majority shareholder of the Company, holding a stake of 60% of the company’s share capital – and TAM S.r.l. (“TAM“) – held by the families Arizzi and Torri (which, directly and indirectly, own approximately 33% of the share capital), owner as of today of a stake of 7.1% in the Company’s share capital (SER and TAM, collectively, the “Selling Shareholders”). Within the Offer, SER and TAM granted the so-called Greenshoe option up to total maximum n. 3,815,000 shares of the Company. The ordinary shares falling within in the Offer, including the Greenshoe option, will represent a percentage of at least 35% of the Company’s share capital after the capital increase.
The total number of ordinary shares subject to the Offer, as well as the so-called Greenshoe option, in addition to other relevant conditions of the same, will be determined near the start of the Offer itself.
The Selling Shareholders, SER and TAM will undertake lock-up commitments, in line with the market practice for this type of transaction, for a period of 180 days starting from the date of the start of trading.
The Operation is expected to be completed within the second quarter of 2018, subject to market conditions and subject to the issuance of the authorization of the admission to listing by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. and to the approval of the Prospectus by Consob.
Within the listing process, the Company is assisted by Pirola Corporate Finance S.p.A., as financial advisor, by the firm Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati, for the legal aspects of Italian law and Italian tax law, by the firm Latham & Watkins for the legal aspects of international law and by the Studio Associato – Consulenza legale e tributaria (KPMG) for tax activities under international law.
Banca IMI S.p.A., Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited and Banca Akros S.p.A., assisted by the firm Baker McKenzie, act as Joint Global Coordinator, Joint Bookrunner within the Opertaion. Banca IMI also plays the role of sponsor and specialist in the Operation.
Information on Itema
Itema, is a global leader in the field of production and marketing of weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, with a market share of about 20% in rapier machines segment. More precisely, the business of the Itema Group is divided into two segments, the Weaving segment, relating to the design, production and marketing of weaving machines and spare parts, as well as the supply of the related integrated services and after-sales services related to the main business and, the Industrial segment, related to the production and marketing of semi-finished or finished products for industrial use destined to the mechanical-textile sector and other production sectors.
As part of the Weaving segment, Itema offers three weaving technologies without shuttles, namely the rapier, airjet and projectile technology, offering specific solutions for every type of fabric, including fabrics for high fashion, industrial and technical fabrics.
As of today, the Itema Group has a capillary presence on a global scale with twelve subsidiaries for production, marketing and after sale assistance of which (i) nine relating to the Weaving segment, located in Italy, China, Switzerland, India, Japan, USA, Hong Kong (China) and Dubai (UAE), and (ii) three relating to the Industrial segment, belonging to Lamiflex S.p.A., two of which are located in Italy and one in Hong Kong (China).
With reference to the financial year ended December 31, 2017, Itema resolved not to distribute dividends, while it distributed dividends for Euro 15.040 thousand with reference to 2016 and 2015.
As of the date of this press release, Itema has not made any commitments and has not adopted any plans for the distribution of dividends in future years, which will be, therefore, left from time to time to the decisions of the Shareholders’ Meeting, in compliance with legal and statutory limitations.
Itema’s chance to distribute dividends depends on its ability to accumulate distributable profits and reserves, which in turn depends on a number of factors that are not foreseeable at the date of this press release and partly beyond Itema’s control, such as the Itema’s future economic trend, the occurrence of currently unpredictable negative contingencies and the general trend of the economy and of the market sectors in which Itema operates. In the future, therefore, Itema may not be able to make distributable profits or, even in the occurrence of distributable earnings, decide not to make distributions to shareholders or to proceed to different distributions compared to the past.
Selected financial data
The following table shows the main data and economic indicators of the Itema Group relating to the periods ended as at proforma December 31st 2017, December 31st 2016 and December 31st 2015:
Year ended December 31st | |||||
Thousands Euro | 2017 proforma | 2016 | 2015 | ||
Revenues | 305.768 | 265.850 | 271.659 | ||
EBITDA | 25.638 | 22.055 | 21.513 | ||
EBITDA % | 8,4% | 8,3% | 7,9% | ||
EBITDA adjusted (1) | 27.662 | 20.280 | 24.594 | ||
EBITDA adjusted % | 9,0% | 7,6% | 9,1% | ||
EBIT | 18.463 | 16.249 | 16.114 | ||
EBIT % | 6,0% | 6,1% | 5,9% | ||
Net profit | 18.067 | 18.610 | 17.723 | ||
Net profit (%) | 5,9% | 7,0% | 6,5% |
(1) Adjusted EBITDA is not identified as an accounting measure under IFRS and, therefore, the indicator should not be considered an alternative measure for assessing the performance of the Company’s operating result. Since the composition of the aforementioned indicator is not regulated by the reference accounting principles, the criterion of determination applied by the Company may not be homogeneous either with that adopted by other companies or with that which could be adopted in the future by the Company, or implemented by it, and therefore not comparable.
The following table shows the breakdown of revenues by business segment of the Company for the years ended as at proforma December 31st 2017, December 31st 2016 and December 31st 2015:
Year ended December 31st | ||||||
Ricavi | 2017 proforma | % | 2016 | % | 2015 | % |
Thousands Euro | ||||||
Weaving | 286.903 | 93,8 | 265.850 | 100 | 271.659 | 100 |
Industrial | 18.865 | 6,2 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
Totale Ricavi | 305.768 | 100 | 265.850 | 100 | 271.659 | 100 |


ITEMA will launch breakthrough developments for denim weaving at ITM 2018 in Istanbul (Hall 2, Booth 214)
PRESS RELEASE – 29/03/2018
Colzate, Bergamo, Italy – Itema, the world’s largest privately held provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, will exhibit at ITM 2018 at the Istanbul TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center on April 14-17.
Turkey and the surrounding area represents for Itema one of the most strategically important regions in the world. Present in these markets for more than 30 years, Itema technology is very well represented and loved by Customers as confirmed by the excellent 2017 sales results.
In the largest booth in the weaving hall (Hall 2, Booth 214), Itema will display four weaving machines: one airjet and three rapier looms, including an absolute new launch in the market featuring innovative and breakthrough devices. Furthermore, the Company will highlight benefits and latest developments in its OEM spare parts in a dedicated corner. Visitors will also have the chance to learn more about Itema successful case histories through the interviews made with 8 among the top Turkish weaving mills active in multiple fabric segments (Berteks Tekstil, Ipeker Tekstil, Koton Tekstil, Osman Canlı Tekstil, Ozanteks Tekstil, RB Karesi, Sürü Tekstil, Yedeks Tekstil).
Weaving machines on display in the Itema booth will no doubt captivate the attention of visitors by weaving the most common fabrics woven in the region. Let’s take a detailed look at the Company line-up:
R9500_2denim
Itema chose ITM as the official stage to introduce in the market the second generation of the Company’s denim-dedicated rapier weaving machine, the R9500_2denim.
The R9500_2denim is set to define a new benchmark in denim weaving delivering extraordinary, yet tangible benefits to denim weavers guaranteeing unparalleled cost savings, superior fabric quality and outstanding user-experience. Featuring breakthrough devices and enhanced skills, the R9500_2denim puts Itema – once again – one step ahead in the field of denim, guaranteeing an unrivalled competitive advantage in the market to denim mills.
The weft insertion system achieves here the highest performance levels in terms of fabric quality and components wear resistance, both key targets when it comes to denim weaving. The new SK UltraLight Rapiers, specially designed to meet specific indigo fabric needs, feature a revolutionary design which ensure their reduced dimensions and maximum lightness. Streamlined and lightweight, the SK UltraLight rapiers further enhance the Itema Shed Geometry – widely recognized in the industry as the best-in-class -allowing an even smaller shed opening leading to unsurpassed fabric quality.
Redesigned and optimized, the tape-hook system provides the remarkable benefit of significantly extending components’ lifetime. The new Itema tapes developed by Lamiflex, an Itema Group company specializing in composite materials, feature an innovative configuration wi th a triple layer of carbon fiber leading to maximum reliability and represent the first result of the research and development cooperation between the two companies after the acquisition of Lamiflex by Itema. Great strides have also been made to guarantee an outstanding user-experience, such as the optimized machine ergonomy with a lowered front frame to facilitate loom accessibility, the new ergonomic rapier opener and, last but not least, the new Itema Textile Help dedicated to denim fabrics, a troubleshooting software that – loaded directly on the machine console – provides real-time support to the weaver to quickly overcome the most common textile difficulties that may occur during the weaving cycle. Saving is the crucial point of the R9500_2denim. Not only the optimization of the main mechanical components allows a considerable energy consumption reduction but the machine is equipped – in world premiere – with a revolutionary, never-before-seen in the industry device that eliminates the waste selvedge on the left-hand side of the fabric thus leading to unparalleled savings. Designed and developed by ItemaLab™ – the Itema advanced innovation department, the iSAVER™ combines the most innovative mechatronic principles and provides the saving that the weaver never expected that would have been possible to get. Working up to 4 weft colors and ensuring maximum user-friendliness, the device can be admired during ITM.
R9500terry
The champion of the worldwide high-end terry weaving market comes to ITM fully loaded with its famous and unique advantages. The R9500terry – at ITM in dobby version – represents an absolute best-seller carrying on the rich heritage and reputation in terry weaving of historic Sulzer, Vamatex and now Itema brands. The Itema positive pile back rest roller, unique in the market, guarantees a significant optimization of the pile warp tension, drastically reducing the friction during cloth displacement. Driven by a single motor, the new pile formation unit ensures an easy pile height setting directly from the user interface, guaranteeing superior fabric quality due to the pick-per-pick loop adjustment and cloth displacement up to 28mm (the most advanced in the market), leading to endless creative possibilities. The new ground back-rest roller, equipped with light weight cylinders and a load cell to control the tension, perfectly drives the yarn movement facilitating the shed formation. This innovative winning trio of advanced devices featured on the R9500terry provides unparalleled textile quality and utmost versatility. Furthermore, the R9500terry on show features a 380cm weaving width which is an undeniable unique proposition of Itema being the only weaving machine supplier to provide this version in the market.
A9500
The A9500 on display at ITM is enjoying a worldwide boom in demand due to growing number of enlightened Customers who understand and appreciate the unique winning characteristics of the Itema airjet machines. When developing new technological devices for its weaving machines, Itema focuses on most innovative tools with the highest added value for the Customer, to assure reliability, user-friendliness and reduced maintenance and operational costs. The A9500 is designed for high productivity, whilst ensuring reduced levels of energy consumption and guaranteeing air savings, as well as top machine reliability.
A popular recent trend to weave stretch and super stretch fabrics with dedicated weft yarns inspired Itema to create and patent the innovative BLC – Brush Lycra Clamp® – nozzle to weave elastic weft yarns. Thanks to the BLC nozzle, the weft is held without movable parts to ensure superior fabric quality and reliability. Another Itema patented feature – the ELD Electronic Leno Device – with its innovative design, self-cleaning and no need to wind the leno spools, provides a perfect leno binding even at highest speeds, whilst reducing significantly operational costs.
Thanks to the electronic NCP New Common Platform, the new benchmark for reliability and easy control of all the technical parameters, the A9500 provides immediate, easy and perfect control of the weft insertion parameters.
Courtesy of the Itema customer OZ-Eli, the A9500 will run a typical Turkish apparel style demonstrating real production speed and performance just as experienced in Customer’s mill.
R9500 Wide Version for Curtain Fabrics
The last machine on show at ITM is the wide version of the most successful rapier machine in recent history, the Itema R9500. Traditionally renowned as the preferred supplier for furnishing and upholstery fabrics weaving machines, Itema does not miss the opportunity to demonstrate the superior versatility of the R9500 by weaving sophisticated curtain fabrics. The R9500 fully loaded with best-in-class Itema devices comes directly from Berteks Tekstil, leading producer of high-quality curtain fabrics.
The Motorized Weft Cutter, an Itema innovation designed more than 15 years ago ahead of any other textile machinery supplier, ensures superior textile efficiency due to the possibility to set independent cutting times for each weft, leading to utmost versatility and reduced fabric waste. The Itema SK Rapiers coupled with the Motorized Weft Cutter make the R9500 by far the most versatile and flexible rapier machine on the market.
To learn more about Itema’s technological innovations, make sure to visit ITEMA Stand @ ITM: Hall 2, Booth 214.
ITEMA WEAVING MACHINES AT ITM 2018 (Hall 2, Booth 214):
• Rapier R9500_2denim – 220cm – Stretch Denim
• Rapier R9500terry – 380cm – Terry
• Airjet A9500 – 220cm – Apparel
• Rapier R9500 – 340cm – Curtain
Download here the Itema@ITM Press Release in PDF format: ItemaPressRelease_ITM2018


IPO: Itema Files Request for Eligibility to List on MTA, Italian Stock Exchange
PRESS RELEASE – 08/03/2018
Colzate (BG), 8 March 2018 – Itema S.p.A., assisted by its financial advisor Pirola Corporate Finance S.p.A., has filed today with Borsa Italiana S.p.A. a request for eligibility to list on the Mercato Telematico Azionario (“MTA”) according to the rules of the Markets organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A. and, at the same time, has filed with CONSOB the Registration Document for the relevant approval.
Itema S.p.A. is the parent company of a Group having a long-standing tradition in the design, production and marketing of weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services with production plants in Italy (Val Seriana), Switzerland and China. Itema Group can rely on a direct and indirect commercial presence in more than 50 countries on a global scale (Weaving operating sector). From 2017 the Group has started a development plan and production diversification to be carried out by means of a strategy of targeted assembling of highly qualified businesses operating in the production of spare parts, applications and sub-assemblies within the production chain of the textile machinery
as well as in other industrial sectors (Industrial operating sector).
The listing was approved by the shareholders’ meeting on February 14th, 2018, when a share capital increase to the benefit of the abovementioned listing was resolved as well. Within the listing procedure, the company is assisted by Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati, with
reference to the Italian legal and tax aspects, by Latham & Watkins with reference to the international legal aspects and by Studio Associato – Consulenza legale e tributaria (KPMG) with reference to the international tax activities. Banca IMI S.p.A., Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited and Banca Akros S.p.A., assisted by Baker & McKenzie, act as joint Global coordinators. Banca IMI acts within the procedure also as
sponsor and specialist.
Itema S.p.A. is currently held by the family successor of Gianni Radici for 60% of the share capital and for the remaining 40% by the Arizzi and Torri families.
In 2017 registered consolidated revenues amounting to approximately Euro 300 million with approximately 900 employees on a global scale.


EVENTS
NEWS – 22/02/2018
Below the highlights of the trade fairs and events at which Itema has participated so far or plans to participate in 2018. We hope to see you at one of these events!
TEXPOSURE
Ichalkaranji, INDIA
11–14 January 2018
PACIFIC SHOWCASE
Dhaka, BANGLADESH
20 January 2018
COLOMBIATEX
Medellin, COLOMBIA
23–25 January 2018
GTEX
Karachi, PAKISTAN
26–28 January 2018
DTG
Dhaka, BANGLADESH
08–11 February 2018 · Video
JEC*
Hall5—D15 Paris, FRANCE
06–08 March 2018
*Lamiflex, an Itema Group Company—leading composites producer—participating
EGYSTITCH & TEX
Cairo, EGYPT
15–18 March 2018
INLEGMASH
Moscow, RUSSIA
20–22 March 2018
INDOINTERTEX
Jakarta, INDONESIA
04–07 April 2018
SAIGONTEX
Ho Chi Minh, VIETNAM
11–14 April 2018
SIMATEX
Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA
10–13 April 2018
ITM
Hall 2—214 Istanbul, TURKEY
14–17 April 2018
IGATEX
Lahore, PAKISTAN
26–29 April 2018
FIA
Algiers, ALGERIA
08–13 May 2018
TECHTEXTIL North America
Atlanta, GA, USA
22–24 May 2018
MTEX
Chemnitz, GERMANY
29–30 May 2018
FEBRATEX
Blumenau, BRAZIL
21–24 August 2018
TECHTEXTIL CHINA
Shanghai, CHINA
04–06 September 2018
IRANTEX
Tehran, IRAN
06–09 September 2018
CAITME
Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN
11–13 September 2018
KTM
Kahramanmaraş, TURKEY
27–29 September 2018
EXINTEX
Puebla, MEXICO
02–05 October 2018
IFAI
Dallas, TX, USA
16–18 October 2018
ITMA ASIA
Shanghai, CHINA
15–19 October 2018


ITEMA – “important patron for transformation of the Bangladesh weaving industry”
NEWS – 31/01/2018
Interview with Itema’s Sales & Marketing Director, Christian Straubhaar, and Valentina Brignoli by Textile Today, leading textile magazine in Bangladesh – partially reproduced below. Read full article here
“In the financial year 2016-17 Bangladesh has exported woven garment equivalent to 14.39 billion USD. But most of the fabric required for this export is being imported. Bangladesh till now is lagging behind in weaving and woven processing infrastructure. The country requires building more weaving facilities to cater local export oriented garment industries. This will help in reducing apparel export lead time from Bangladesh. It will also save huge amount of foreign currency.
Itema is a ‘ISO 9001’ and ‘Green Label’ certified global provider of advanced and best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services. Itema and its Bangladeshi representative Pacific Associates Ltd. organized a seminar at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel titled “Itema Innovation Roadshow in Dhaka” recently. The event took great attention of Bangladeshi weaving companies and personnels. In the technical session Itema introduced and presented Airjet Machine A9500 & A9500p and Rapier Machines R9500 & R9500terry with their technical superiorities.
Right before the seminar there was a discussion session between Christian Straubhaar, Sales & Marketing Director, Itema Group and Tareq Amin, Editor & Publisher of Textile Today. The Itema and Textile Today teams led by them discussed about many sharp topics like Bangladesh’s position in global textile industry including innovation, invention and developments of Itema Group.


Itema Innovation Roadshow Technical Fabrics – South Korea
NEWS – 27/01/2018
Itema, in close collaboration with TechTrade, our trusted agent in South Korea, held a successful Innovation Roadshow dedicated to Technical Fabrics in Daegu on January 27th, 2018. Prominently displayed and the start of the event was the Itema Rapier R9500 loom weaving a heavy coating fabric with double pick insertion. See for yourself the capabilities and performance of our loom.


Itema at ITMACH India 2017
NEWS – 01/12/2017
Itema exhibits best-in-class weaving innovations
at ITMACH INDIA
December 7 th – 10th, 2017
Hall 6 / Stand A33-34 & B1-2
Colzate (Italy) and Ahmedabad (India) – Itema, the largest privately-owned manufacturer of best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and services, is exhibiting at ITMACH India (Hall 6 / A33-34 & B1-2) from December 7 th – 10th at The Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The Italian based Company is participating for the second time in a row at ITMACH, considering this event as the best opportunity to showcase its technological prowess and worldwide organization to the renowned Gujarat textile industry.
Gujarat is in fact one of the largest textile Regions in India and, more widely, in all Asia, with numerous textile manufacturing companies and with the biggest cotton production in the country.
Itema is present in India since 2002, counting more than 50 employees, with sales and after-sales teams, technical support and advanced repair centers in Mumbai, Coimbatore, New Dehli and Ichalkaranji to ensure the highest possible standard of weaving solutions, with a complete offering and service to its valuable Customers in the Indian market.
Itema is uniquely positioned to offer textile manufacturers the top three weft insertion technologies: Rapier, Airjet and Projectile, in what is the most comprehensive portfolio on the market today to weave the widest range of fabrics.
During the 2017 edition of ITMACH, Itema will exhibit its best-in-class airjet weaving machine A9500p, in an execution tailored to weave the most popular fabric in the basin, denim.

Airjet weft insertion technology is the most diffused to weave denim, due to the highest possible production speed achievable. Especially when it comes to weaving simple denim fabric constructions, airjet machines ensure the best ratio between productivity and fabric quality.
Itema developed and implemented advanced technical innovations on its airjet machines to easily overcome this limit and to meet the growing trend of weaving stretch denim. Moreover, Itema patented and highly innovative solutions allow denim mills to benefit from a significant reduction in energy consumption.
The Itema airjet A9500p launched in the market in 2014, still inspires the curiosity and sparks the interest from real technology buffs and has already amassed important references in many segments, ranging from denim to medical fabrics.
What makes the Itema A9500p the most innovative airjet weaving machine in the market is a winning duo of crucial advantages: the highest production speed and the lowest power consumption in the market.
The popular recent trend to weave stretch and super stretch denim fabrics with dedicated weft yarns inspired Itema to create and patent the innovative BLC – Brush Lycra Clamp – nozzle to weave elastic weft yarns. Thanks to the BLC nozzle, the weft is held without movable parts to ensure superior fabric quality and reliability. The device is simple and yet ingenious: the BLC is fixed into the main nozzle performing the valuable task of keeping the elastic weft yarn avoiding defects due to the continuous air flow.
The Itema iREED® – already a benchmark for the industry – significantly reduces the air consumption and guarantees a higher efficient weft insertion. The new reed tunnel shape and new position of the relay nozzle which optimize the air flow in the reed channel for a higher efficiency weft insertion. The saving is also due to a reduced air pressure and to the single hole relay nozzle, which, at the same time, greatly reduces the need for maintenance of your Itema airjet weaving machine.
Cost saving and superior fabric quality are the keywords of another important innovation available on the Itema A9500p: the double tandem nozzles. The double tandem nozzles guarantee a perfect distribution of the pushing force on the weft using lower air pressure, thus leading to multiple benefits: reduced stress on the yarn allowing top fabric quality and the possibility to weave with lower pressure ensuring energy saving.
The Itema A9500p, featuring these advanced and denim-dedicated devices, ensures the weaver the possibility to weave faster, producing better fabrics and with a smarter usage of resources and will be running live during the exhibition days for your direct experience.
To discover for yourself the Itema innovations and Customer dedication, make sure to visit the Company booth at ITMACH India, Hall 6 / A33-34 & B1-2.
Press Release: http://www.itemagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ITMACH_2017.pdf


EVENTS
NEWS – 22/11/2017
Customers and Special Guests had the possibility to learn about, see and experience directly the latest-generation weaving machines running live during special events. Here below a glimpse of select events in the last quarter, as well as highlights of what is yet to come before the end of the year.
TechTextil India
13–15 September 2017 · Media coverage
Itema Switzerland Open House, Zuchwil
16 September 2017
ItemaCampus Lahore Grand Opening
4 October 2017 · Technology: A9500p and R9500p
Itema Golden Jubilee Party—Somet 50 Year Anniversary, Colzate HQ
14 October 2017 · Press release and video
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Itema Innovation Roadshow & University Day, Vietnam
26–28 October 2017
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Itema Innovation Roadshow, South Korea
21 and 28 October 2017
Itema Innovation Roadshow—AITEX, Spain
24 October 2017 · Technology: R9500
Itema Innovation Roadshow, Dhaka
11 November 2017
Itema Innovation Roadshow, Cairo
21 November 2017
Itema Open House and Golden Jubilee, Shanghai
28–29 November 2017
ITMACH—Ahmedabad, India
7–10 December 2017
Itema Innovation Roadshow, Iran
13 December 2017


D’Decor’s Mr Ajay Arora: “Trust in ITEMA Weaving Machines for Quality and Performance”
NEWS – 12/07/2017
Meet our Brand Ambassador Mr Ajay Arora – Managing Director of D’Decor – and discover how Itema best-in-class weaving technology can contribute to a Company’s success.
Sometimes, business is more than a mere commercial exchange, but a real win-win relationship. This is the case with Itema and our loyal Customer – D’Decor – renowned worldwide for its sophisticated furnishing fabrics woven, since the company’s inception, on Itema rapier weaving machines.
Listening to Mr Ajay Arora, D’Decor Managing Director, you immediately feel what’s behind D’Decor success: the determination to offer its Customers only the best. And therein lies the profound link between D’Decor and Itema. The cooperation between the two Companies dates back to 1999, when D’Decor was founded in Tarapur, Maharashtra, India, starting its production of furnishing fabrics on the Itema rapier Super Excel. Since then D’Decor has grown to become the world’s largest producer of soft furnishing fabrics and has repeatedly shown its confidence in Itema by installing every year new weaving machines. In 2013, D’Decor was one of the first companies in India to install Itema’s latest rapier model R9500, testing its superior textile performances and higher machine efficiency and confirming – through several repeat orders – the choice.
With an installed base of more than 400 Itema rapier machines in 5 state-of-the-art plants, D’Decor produces everyday over 120,000 sqm of top quality fabrics for homes all around the world. The Itema R9500 best-in-class rapier machine – in both SK Weft Transfer with guided hooks and FPA Weft Transfer with no guiding hooks in the shed – allows D’Decor to weave a wide range of furnishing and curtain fabrics, with no limitation of patterns and yarns, including coarse and delicate weft yarns such as lurex, chenille and linen, just to name a few.
Watch the video and hear the story directly from the protagonist, Mr Ajay Arora.
Meet our Brand Ambassador
D’Decor
Read the full story here


EVENTS
NEWS – 07/07/2017
Customers and Special Guests had the possibility to see and experience directly the latest-generation weaving machines running live during special events in Turkey and in China.
BURSA/TURKEY
March 8–9 · Host Mill: Itema Customer R.E ÖZ-ELİ · Technology: R9500 & A9500
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DENIZLI/TURKEY
March 22 · Technology: R9500terry & A9500
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PINGDI/CHINA
March 22–25 · Technology: R9500denim & R9500p
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Itema Group Launches Diversification Strategy; Acquires Majority Stake in Lamiflex and Minority Stake in NoeCha
PRESS RELEASE – 08/05/2017
May 2017 (Colzate, Bergamo, Italy): Itema, the world’s largest privately held provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, finalized the agreements to acquire 61% of shares in Lamiflex, leading supplier of technical composite products, and a minority stake in NoeCha, provider of high-tech, wide-format printing solutions. The acquisitions are part of a wider strategy of Itema and its shareholders, namely the Radici family with 60% of shares and the Arizzi e Torri families with the remaining 40%, to ultimately accelerate the continued expansion and secure the long-term profitability of Itema by diversifying into complementary, high-growth markets through stakes in innovation-driven companies which offer significant economies of scale to fuel the joint development of each others’ core businesses.
“Following a remarkable five-year period in which Itema Group has doubled the sales of its weaving machines with consecutive, double-digit growth per annum, the Company is now ready to strengthen its leadership, to quicken the pace of its expansion and to accelerate its global reach through targeted acquisitions,” said Carlo Rogora, CEO of Itema Group. “We chose Lamiflex and NoeCha due to their forward-thinking missions and innovative approaches, which perfectly match our dedication to supply top-performing, advanced machinery. Combining our strengths, we will no doubt reach new heights of success in the development and manufacturing of innovative, highly technological products. Itema will guarantee to Lamiflex and NoeCha Customers worldwide a structured organization, based on lean manufacturing concepts in its world-class production sites and on a global network of agents and distributors,” continued Rogora. “We are confident that this first round of acquisitions will act as an important launch-pad for our diversification strategy and will bring positive results in the nearest future, creating significant synergies and adding value for our Customers and Shareholders.”
Headquartered in Ponte Nossa, Bergamo province, Lamiflex specializes in composites materials, such as carbon, glass and Kevlar and offers a portfolio of innovative solutions and patented new products with exceptional versatility and adaptability for industrial applications, catering to industries as wide-ranging as weaving machinery, medical and aerospace, among others.
NoeCha, also Bergamo-based, is a quickly-scaling-up young company which offers high-tech printing solutions, such as the revolutionary wide-format industrial UV-LED flatbed digital press, the NoeCha ONE, for photo-realistic, high impact graphics. NoeCha ensures excellent printability on different type and size of material up to 3.2x2meters at production speeds with a native 600dpi x 600dpi image resolution.
Itema Group’s move is set to create and stimulate significant synergies along the respective supply chains in which Itema, Lamiflex and NoeCha, as well as RadiciGroup companies operate and to grow not only in the textile machinery sector, but also to expand into new, highly innovative sectors, such as composites, and thus, together, be much more competitive than otherwise possible individually. These acquisitions will lead to optimizing processes and improving product performances, as well as providing advantages derived from a shorter, more sustainable supply chain, lessening the environmental impact of the joint operations, in line with the principles of a circular, greener economy.


Events
NEWS – 29/03/2017
Calendar of 2017 Itema trade shows/events:
Mark your calendars with the dates and locations of where Itema is waiting to meet you next from a list of specialized trade fairs and more customized events:
Sep 13-15 | CAITME, Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
Sep 26-29 | IFAI, New Orleans, LA, USA |
Review of 2017 Events To Date:
Since the start of 2017, Itema has staged a number of events so far, including repeat Itema Innovation Roadshows in Bursa, Turkey and in Guangdong, China. More on this to follow in the future edition of the Red Dot News.
Jan 24-26 | COLOMBIATEX, Medellin, Colombia |
Feb 23-26 | DTG, Dhaka, Bangladesh (Itema_DTG_Dhaka_PressRelease) |
Feb 23-26 | EgyTex, Cairo, Egypt |
Feb 23-Mar 1 | ACITF, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia |
Mar 8-9 | Itema Innovation Roadshow, Bursa, Turkey |
Mar 22-25 | Itema Innovation Roadshow, Pingdi, China |
Mar 22-25 | EGE TMF, Denizli, Turkey (Itema_EGE+KTM_TurkeyExhibitions) |
Apr 4 | Seminar ABTT (Brazilian Association of Textile Technicians), Sao Paolo, Brazil (by invitation only) |
Apr 5-8 | SaigonTex, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Hall A1 – 1D12 |
Apr 6-8 | KTM, Kahramanmaras, Turkey (Itema_EGE+KTM_TurkeyExhibitions) |
Apr 19-21 | IndoInterTex, Jakarta, Indonesia; Hall A2 – 126 |
Apr 26-29 | IGATEX, Karachi Pakistan; Hall 2 – C211 |
May 9 | Seminar ABTT, Brusque, Brazil (by invitation only) |
May 9-12 | TechTextil, Frankfurt, Germany; Hall 3.0 – D05 |
May 30 | Seminar ABTT, Belo Horizonte, Brazil (by invitation only) |
Review of 2016 Big Events:
Following the success of ITMA, the year 2016 brought us ever closer to our Customers with the three big appointments of ITM in Istanbul in June, ITMA ASIA/CITME in Shanghai in October and ITME in Mumbai in December. Moreover, in 2016 Itema rolled out a series of open houses and technology seminars under the banner “Itema Innovation Roadshow” with appointments with Customers and stakeholders around the globe from Bursa in Turkey to Kolhapur in India and from Xiqiao in China to Dhaka in Bangladesh.
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ITEMA at ITM in Istanbul | ITEMA at ITMA ASIA in Shanghai 2016 | ITEMA at ITME Mumbai |
Review of 2015 Big Events:
Every four years, the textile machinery industry comes together in the unmissable ITMA days. The year 2015 has seen the return of the ITMA show to Milan and it was a real success, overall and for us in Itema. In Milan, Itema Group showcased innovative weaving machines, the new MyItema spare parts portal and the latest developments in the real-time loom management system. With 13 looms at the trade fair grounds, of which 6 in the avant-garde Company stand and 7 in Partner stands, Itema was the most well represented brand and our looms – real stars of the show, demonstrating to technology buffs from all corners of the world the technical advantages and superiority of Itema-branded weaving machines.
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ITEMA at ITMA 2015 in Milan |


Itema exhibits its latest innovations in weaving at EGE TMF in Denizli and KTM in Kahramanmaraş
PRESS RELEASE – 22/03/2017
Colzate (Italy) and Istanbul (Turkey) – Itema, the world’s largest privately held provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, is exhibiting at EGE TMF in Denizli (Booth C2) and KTM in Kahramanmaraş (Booth B1).
Turkey is undoubtedly one of the major textile markets, producing a large amount of the worldwide fabric and its leadership position perfectly reflects in the Itema turnover. In fact, Turkey is historically one of the top three main markets for Itema.
Born from the successful mergers and acquisitions over the years of legendary textile machinery brands, such as Somet, Sulzer and Vamatex, Itema is headquartered in Northern Italy’s Bergamo area – historic cradle of the Italian textile industry – and is uniquely positioned as the only manufacturer in the world to provide all three top weft insertion technologies: rapier, airjet and projectile.
With an impressive number of Sulzer, Somet and Vamatex weaving machines still successfully operating in Turkey and an every-day growing installed base of the new generation Itema weaving machines, Itema is no doubt a reliable and renowned partner of Turkish weavers for the supply of weaving machines.
The decision to participate in both EGE TMF and KTM comes from the Italian Company attitude to be close to its Customers, to listen in person to their requirements and to demonstrate on the field the innovations featured on its weaving machines.
During EGE TMF in Denizli, Itema will showcase a rapier R9500terry and an airjet A9500 weaving a bed sheeting style.
The Itema R9500terry on show is nowadays the undisputed leader in weaving terry cloth. After marlket launch in 2015, Itema produced an impressive number of R9500terry machines which have been installed in more than 20 Countries demonstrating that, when it comes to weaving high quality, superior softness and hand-feel terry towels, the Itema rapier technology machine is the favourite choice of the weavers.
The A9500 featuring a bed sheeting style, will run with the latest improvements designed to excel in this market, meeting weavers’ requirements of utmost versatility and substantial cost savings.
Among the best-in-class devices to weave sheeting fabrics, a special mention goes to the brand-new Full Width Reed Tuckers, which guarantee to the weavers the possibility to reduce reed stock and increase machine’s flexibility.
After a couple of weeks, from 6 to 8 of April, Itema will exhibit again in Kahamanmaraş at KTM.
Both the Itema rapier R9500 and airjet A9500 will run the most commonly woven styles in the Region. The rapier R9500, the absolute Itema best-seller and the most successful rapier machine in recent history will be exhibited weaving a cotton apparel style. The Itema best-in-class shed geometry and the unique Turboprop system, coupled with the brand-new main motor with oil cooling, will demonstrate the superior machine’s speed and textile performances. Moreover, the airjet A9500 will show live its extraordinary skills in weaving denim, guaranteeing mass production whilst ensuring optimized running costs.
To learn more about Itema’s technological innovations, visit the EGE TMF in Denizli from the 22nd to the 25th of March (Booth C2) and KTM in Kahramanmaraş from the 6th to the 8th of April (Booth B1).
Download here our Press Release: Itema_EGE+KTM_TurkeyExhibitions


ETHIOPIA: a growing textile hub ideal for the excellence of Made in Italy textile machinery
NEWS – 24/02/2017
Source: Africa e Affari
There is also a considerable representation of the Italian textile machinery industry at the multi-sector trade fair Addis Chamber International Trade Fair (Acitf), which began yesterday in Addis Ababa and which will continue until March 1, 2017.
Ethiopia is one of the emerging manufacturing hubs for the textile and garment world. Cheap labor, free trade agreements with major Western markets, an economy in constant development, all these factors have made the sub-Saharan Africa country a preferred destination for the production of clothing by major retailers in the sector.
Given the necessary technological improvements required, the demand for textile machinery is growing accordingly, supported by incentive programs to attract foreign capital put in place by government authorities.
For this reason, at the 21st edition of the multi-sector Acitf fair, in the Italian pavilion organized by ICE-agency, there are many Italian textile machinery manufacturers convened by Acimit, the Association of textile machinery manufacturers, including Carù, Corino, Fadis, Ferraro, Itema, Marzoli, Mei, Reggiani, Roj, Salvadè, Savio, Sicam, Simet.
The large representation of Acimit members shows better than any other fact the interest and confidence that companies are placing in the sector and in Ethiopia’s ability to develop its own industry in the near future. “Our exports have grown significantly over the last five years, although their value is still modest (4.4 million euro in 2015),” said, confirming the interest in the Ethiopian market, the President of Acimit, Mrs. Raffaella Carabelli.
In the first nine months of 2016 Italy is third, behind China and Turkey, for sales of textile machinery in the Ethiopian market. Mrs. Carabelli continued: “The quality of our machines is most certainly much higher than that of competitors currently operating in this market. We aim to raise awareness of the quality of our technology through occasions such as Acitf, but also through institutional missions carried out in the past years thanks to the support of Mise and ICE-Agency (nb: Italian trade agency and Ministry of Economic Development.”
To further strengthen the Italian presence in Ethiopia, in 2015 Acimit and the Ethiopian Textile Industry Development Institute jointly signed a memorandum for the establishment of a textile machinery technology training center in order to help train future local textile operators. Acimit represents an industrial sector comprising roughly 300 companies (employing about 12,000 people), which produces machinery for an overall value of about 2.6 billion euro, of which 86% is exported. Creativity, sustainable technology, reliability and quality are the characteristics that have made Italian machinery products renowned as world-class leaders.


Itema exhibits the brand-new rapier weaving machine R9500denim at DTG Dhaka Int’l Textile & Garment Machinery Exhibition (Hall 6 Booth 609)
PRESS RELEASE – 16/02/2017
Colzate (Italy) and Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Itema, the world’s largest privately held provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, is exhibiting at DTG – the 14th Dhaka Int’l Textile & Garment Machinery Exhibition.
Born from the successful mergers and acquisitions over the years of legendary textile machinery brands, such as Somet, Sulzer and Vamatex, Itema is headquartered in Northern Italy’s Bergamo area – historic cradle of the Italian textile industry – and is uniquely positioned as the only manufacturer in the world to provide all three top weft insertion technologies: rapier, airjet and projectile.
Bangladesh has always been a key market for the Company, with an impressive installed base of Sulzer and Somet weaving machines going back to the early ’60s and still running today in the Country’s mills.
During DTG, Itema will showcase for the first time in Bangladesh the rapier weaving machine R9500denim, the brand-new product concept launched in October 2016 during ITMA Asia dedicated exclusively and especially to denim mills in search of customized solutions to respond faster, more effectively and efficiently to changing denim trends with versatile, high-performance, ad-hoc machinery.
“Bangladesh is where a large part of the denim apparel we wear becomes ready-made clothing. If you consider that the Country’s weaving mills weave today around 45 million meters of denim fabrics, which covers only around 15% of the annual demand of garmenting companies, and spend almost USD 4 Bln to import fabric, you can imagine what a huge opportunity producing indigo fabric locally could be for the Bangladeshi industry” stated Itema Group Sales & Marketing Director, Mr Christian Straubhaar. “We, at Itema, are ready to actively support denim mills with our rapier R9500denim designed especially for markets like Bangladesh, to provide weavers with the perfect machine engineered for the highest performance, superior fabric quality, lower running costs and maximum versatility of patterns needed to excel in denim production” continued Mr Straubhaar.
The Itema R9500denim comes fully accessorized and equipped with dedicated devices, including the new main motor with oil cooling to ensure unparalleled machine performances. Unrivalled textile versatility is guaranteed by the unique Itema shed geometry, widely recognized in the industry as best-in-class, and the SK weft transfer system featuring reinforced rapier heads and tapes optimized to weave denim weft yarns.
The R9500denim at DTG will weave a heavy denim (14 oz.), thus highlighting Itema machines’ unique-in-the-market ability to produce even the most demanding and heavy denim styles, due to the sturdy machine structure and to the renowned Itema shed geometry. Even though the width of the machine – 2200 mm – may not seem usual for the Bangladeshi denim weavers, the aim of Itema is to introduce the latest trend in the global denim market related to weaving machines width necessary to weave stretch and super stretch denim.
Mr Updeep Singh, Itema India Managing Director, added: “We are excited to take DTG as the opportunity to demonstrate to the Bangladeshi weavers visiting DTG our most innovative, latest-generation weaving technology, as well as our full and value-added service capabilities. Our Company is structured and organized to answer in real time to every Customer’s request, providing a fast and efficient after-sales service, accurate hands-on training courses and active textile consultancy also through our Indian branch.”
The 14th edition of DTG – is open to visitors from February 23rd until February 26th.
To learn more about Itema’s technological innovations, visit the Joint ITEMA & PACIFIC ASSOCIATES booth in Hall 6 Stand 609.
Download here our official Press Release: Itema_DTG_Dhaka_PressRelease


Itema exhibits latest innovations at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2016 (Hall 3 Booth E01)
PRESS RELEASE – 30/09/2016
Colzate (Italy) and Shanghai (China) – Itema, the world’s largest privately held provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, has prepared an impressive product line-up for ITMA ASIA+CITME 2016 in Shanghai on October 21-25, 2016. Itema will leverage the biggest textile engineering expo in Asia to showcase exciting, brand-new evolutions in both rapier and airjet product portfolios and officially present to the dynamic Asian markets the highly acclaimed ITMA novelties. Importantly, Itema will also demonstrate the technological and geographical proximity in the stronger-than-ever commitment to go above and beyond when it comes to Customer satisfaction.
Visitors to ITMA ASIA will have a total of 15 Itema weaving machines on display, of which 6 in Itema booth (Hall 3 Booth E01) and the rest in Partner booths across Hall 3.
In Shanghai, Itema will unveil the R9500denim – the brand-new product concept dedicated exclusively and especially to denim mills in search of customized solutions to enable them to respond faster, more effectively and efficiently to changing denim trends with versatile, high-performance, ad-hoc machinery. The R9500terry, already a big favourite of sophisticated premium terry weavers worldwide after its debut in Milan in 2015, will be officially presented for the first time in Asia. In airjet, a much-expected, all-new Jacquard application for the already successful Itema A9500p, weaving African Damask on show will, no doubt, be highly appreciated by devoted Itema airjet Customers worldwide.
In an unprecedented move, Itema releases a manifesto to match even better than before the exact weaving requirements of Customers with latest and most advanced technology, designed with Customer needs in mind and delivered in faster-than-ever delivery times. This commitment is supported by the Company’s move to assemble the latest generation machinery in the world-class manufacturing sites both in Europe, as well as in China, with the same attention to detail and quality, reliability and performance guarantee that Itema Customers look for when they purchase Itema machines.
“We want to completely redefine how the loom manufacturing industry currently responds to the needs of the diverse and constantly evolving fabric mills with tailor-made, latest-generation equipment assembled closer to where the Customers are located,” declared Itema CEO, Carlo Rogora. “We want Itema Customers to be sure that no matter where they are in the world, no matter what fabric they weave, when choosing an Itema loom, they get the guarantee of the absolute best in the market, better and faster than they would expect. Once again, we are challenging ourselves and the status quo with special looms, produced exactly how and where Customers want. Less rigidity, faster delivery, better machinery. Everything to increase the value for the Customer.”
Itema’s ITMA ASIA booth offers the best highlights of the Company’s latest technological advancements, spare parts and after-sales service.
The Italian-headquartered Itema Group closed the first semester 2016 with increased revenues and well-filled order book, consolidating a four-year growth trend since the change in the Company management in 2012.
Itema Group is present in China since 2003 with extensive sales and after-sales teams, world-class production and assembly facilities with a mission to ensure the highest possible standard of weaving solutions and a complete product and service offering available for all Itema Customers. In fact, the Italian technology major has invested in the optimization, process improvement and overhaul of all the manufacturing sites across the world (N.B. the Company produces in Italy, Switzerland and China) with a clear strategy in mind to offer the very latest, most advanced, and highest guarantee weaving technology close to where Itema Customers are.


Itema hosts Innovation Roadshow in Guangdong, South China
NEWS – 14/07/2016


Itema wins prestigious Italian Mechatronics Award 2016
NEWS – 23/06/2016
- The Industrial Association “Unindustria Reggio Emilia” assigns to Itema for the 10th Annual Italian Mechatronics Award
- Itema is chosen – among 5 other finalists – for its role as a leader in the global textile machinery industry and for the continuous investments in Research, Development and Innovation, of which the creation of ItemaLab, center for advanced reseach based at the Science and Technology Park Kilometro Rosso
Colzate, Bergamo, Italy – Itema, the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and services, is proud to announce that it has received the 2016 Italian Meccatronics Award. Itema was selected among only five finalists in the contest organized by the Industrial Association Unindustria Reggio Emilia in collaboration with the Meccatronics Club and was bestowed the 10th edition of the prestigious nomination during an formal award ceremony held on June 23rd, 2016.
The Scientific Committee chose Itema for its visionary implementation of meccatronic solutions which are enabling disruptive advancements through the development of high-tech innovative weaving machinery solutions. The following is an extract from the official declaration of the Jury providing further justification for the award: “for its global leadership in the textile machinery industry – a highly competitive market in which Italy continues to be an important player. For having known how to develop, uniquely among its competitors, a complete portfolio of highly innovative mechatronic weaving machines for virtually every type of fabric and spanning all three top shuttleless weft insertion technologies (rapier, airjet and projectile) thanks to continuous investments in research and technological innovation. For having breathed life into ItemaLab, the advanced research and innovation center of Itema located in the Science and Technology Park KilometroRosso, and for having made its life mission to develop the “loom of the future” in order to revolutionize the weaving industry, a loom powered by artificial intelligence, able to self-adjust its operating and perfomance parameters.”
Carlo Rogora, Itema’s CEO commented: “This marvellous recognition is akin to handing a well-deserved medal to each and every one of our researchers, engineers and associates. Just the fact that Itema was selected among many other forward-thinking companies as one of the very best and most worthy Italian companies in the field of meccatronic innovations was already a huge honor for us. However, winning this prestigious award makes us extremely proud, especially if we consider the caliber of previous holders of the award, like Brembo.”
Mr Rogora continued: “Our main strategy in facing the increasingly competitive, ever changing landscape, has been and will continue to be driven by innovation. Itema invests every year a substantial and constant portion of our profits in R&D. Two years ago we made the decision to open ItemaLab and to make it the disruptive innovation hub of our company. The ItemaLab taskforce of engineers focus solely and entirely on breakthrough, never-seen-before, game-changing innovations. Mechatronics is one of the key elements of our strategy which helps us design and create intelligent weaving solutions, capable of simplifying and facilitating the daily work of weaving operators. The ‘loom of the future” is taking shape as we speak thanks in part also to our mechatronics efforts. Stay tuned for more Itema-branded innovations coming your way.”


ITEMA exhibits at ITM 2016 in Istanbul (1-4 June), in the biggest booth of the weaving hall
NEWS – 16/05/2016
Colzate, Bergamo, Italy – Itema, the world’s largest privately held provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, will exhibit at ITM 2016 at the Istanbul TÜYAP Fair Convention and Congress Center on June 1 – 4.
The only manufacturer in the world to offer the top three shuttleless weft insertion systems: rapier, airjet and projectile, the Italian-headquartered weaving machine major is present at ITM with the largest booth in the weaving hall (Hall 2, Booth 213). Itema will display four weaving machines, more than any other textile machinery exhibitor: one airjet and three rapier looms. A must-see display of innovations and technological prowess, Itema’s booth is the same avant-garde, modern and stylish design as at ITMA last November.
Mr Carlo Rogora, Itema Group CEO commented: “Turkey and the surrounding area represents for Itema one of the most strategically important regions in the world. We have been in these markets for more than 30 years and our technology is very well represented and loved by our Customers. ITM follows closely in the footsteps of our Itema Innovation Roadshow in Bursa last April, where we presented first-hand the very latest developments to our Customers, and not only. We look forward to get another occasion to demonstrate to the widest audience possible why Itema technology is deservedly enjoying such a boom.”
Rapier R9500 and R9500p
On display at ITM are the R9500 – the most successful rapier machine in recent years – and the R9500p – the latest evolution launched at ITMA 2015, engineered for high speed and maximum performances. Both R9500 and R9500p are born out of half-a-century of expertise, know-how and excellence in rapier weaving technology of historic Somet, Sulzer and Vamatex brands.
R9500
The market demands improved versatility to produce increasingly innovative, cutting-edge fabrics using brand-new yarns. Itema Rapier 2.0, available in both SK (with guided hooks) and FPA (free positive approach), is designed to enhance flexibility and to simultaneously guarantee unparalleled versatility, as well as greater ability to weave the widest range of weft yarns.
The Motorized Weft Cutter, an Itema innovation designed more than 15 years ago ahead of any other textile machinery supplier, ensures superior textile efficiency due to the possibility to set independent cutting times for each weft, leading to utmost versatility and reduced fabric waste. The Itema Rapiers 2.0 coupled with the Motorized Weft Cutter make the R9500 the most versatile and flexible rapier machine on the market.
The R9500 can weave the widest range of applications and, since 2015, is available in weaving widths from 170cm to 540cm, with the wider versions specifically developed to match demanding technical fabric market requirements.
The R9500 on show at ITM, sporting all the newest rapier developments by Itema, including the Rapier Weft Transfer 2.0, will weave one of the most popular applications in Turkey – shirting fabric with an exclusive design.
R9500p
ITM will be the official debut in Turkey and Central Asia of the R9500p, the premium rapier machine by Itema first seen at ITMA in Milan. Running at real production speeds of 750 rpm, the R9500p offers the ultimate and unmatched solution in terms of machine speed, performance, efficiency and fabric quality. The R9500p is equipped with SK Rapiers 2.0 for improved flexibility at the highest speeds and with the patented Itema Quick Frame Connection for a quicker and easier style change. A new main motor with oil cooling enables heat recovery thanks to the reduction of the motor temperature, making the R9500p more efficient. Last, but not least, the R9500p, like its sibling R9500, is the most compact rapier loom on the market, saving from 12% up to 27% floor space compared to competition – a significant advantage enabling textile companies to maximize the weaving space by installing more Itema machines.
Itema R9500terry: Weaving Terry Like Never Before
The third Itema rapier loom showing at ITM, and one destined to be a real star of the show, is Itema’s new R9500terry, an instant best-seller carrying on the rich heritage and reputation in terry weaving of historic Sulzer, Vamatex and now Itema brands. The Itema positive pile back rest roller, unique in the market, guarantees a significant optimization of the pile warp tension, drastically reducing the friction during cloth displacement. Driven by a single motor, the new pile formation unit ensures an easy pile height setting directly from the user interface, guaranteeing superior fabric quality due to the pick-per-pick loop adjustment and cloth displacement up to 28mm (the most advanced in the market), leading to endless creative possibilities. The new ground back-rest roller, equipped with light weight cylinders and a load cell to control the tension, perfectly drives the yarn movement facilitating the shed formation. This innovative winning trio of advanced devices featured on the R9500terry provides unparalleled textile quality and utmost versatility.
The airjet A9500: a rising star
The A9500 on display at ITM is enjoying a worldwide boom in demand due to growing number of enlightened Customers who understand and appreciate the unique winning characteristics of the Itema airjet machines. When developing new technological devices for its weaving machines, Itema focuses on most innovative tools with the highest added value for the Customer, to assure reliability, user-friendliness and reduced maintenance and operational costs. The A9500 is designed for high productivity, whilst ensuring reduced levels of energy consumption and guaranteeing air savings, as well as top machine reliability.
A popular recent trend to weave stretch and super stretch fabrics with dedicated weft yarns, inspired Itema to create and patent the innovative BLC – Brush Lycra Clamp – nozzle to weave elastic weft yarns. Thanks to the BLC nozzle, the weft is held without movable parts to ensure superior fabric quality and reliability. Another Itema patented feature – the ELD Electronic Leno Device – with its innovative design, self-cleaning and no need to wind the leno spools, provides a perfect leno binding even at highest speeds, whilst reducing significantly operational costs.
Thanks to the electronic NCP New Common Platform, the new benchmark for reliability and easy control of all the technical parameters, the A9500 provides immediate, easy and perfect control of the weft insertion parameters.
Itema: Better, Smarter, Faster
“At Itema innovation is a must,” adds Mr Rogora. “We are the only Company in this sector to have 2 R&D departments. We remain focused not only on meeting and exceeding weavers’ needs, but on going beyond, anticipating future market requirements. We continue to concentrate our extensive R&D efforts on offering better, smarter, faster solutions, increased performances, unparalleled flexibility, reduced consumption and enhanced user-friendliness.”
During ITM, Itema will demonstrate the new Online Spare Parts Portal – MyItema – an immediate, easy-to-use tool dedicated to orders of Itema original spare parts. Mr Piero Colombelli, Itema Regional Head of Sales and in charge of Turkey market for more than 25 years, commented: “Original spare parts can substantially increase machine life span and efficiency, guaranteeing the highest return on investment. Itema supplies a substantial local spare parts stock in Turkey, in order to serve and accomplish in real time every Customer’s request.”
To learn more about Itema’s technological innovations, make sure to visit ITEMA Stand @ ITM: Hall 2, Booth 213.
ITEMA WEAVING MACHINES AT ITM 2016 (Hall 2, Booth 213):
- Rapier R9500terry – 260cm – Terry
- Rapier R9500p – 220cm – Super Stretch Denim
- Rapier R9500 – 220cm – Stretch Shirting
- Airjet A9500 – 220cm – Apparel


ITEMA Group Announces Full Year 2015 Results, Third Year in a Row Beating Expectations
PRESS RELEASE – 08/04/2016

Colzate, Bergamo, Italy – Itema, the world’s largest privately held provider of advanced weaving solutions, including best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and integrated services, announced today results for the full year (FY2015) ended December 31st, 2015, maintaining a positive trend for three years in a row. The Group closed the year with total sales up +11% compared with the previous year, registering an upward trend across all the business units. Weaving Machine sales were up +14% YOY, whereas Spare Parts turnover grew by some +4% YOY, continuing the reversal in the recent years of the decade-long-decline in demand for OEM parts. EBT climbed +30% YOY due to increased efficiencies and continued cost reduction measures.
CEO Carlo Rogora commented: “I am especially proud to announce yet another year of brilliant results at Itema Group. We are now entering the fourth year in a row of continuous growth, with +80% more looms sold compared to 2012. This is a truly remarkable milestone, for which I also thank shareholders, Customers, employees, agents, suppliers and partners worldwide for each and everyone’s contribution to our success. The innovative mindset, the fighting spirit, and, most of all, the commitment to Customers to offer only the smartest, most game-changing weaving technology are just some of the factors that set us apart. I am excited to be part of this revolution and to lead Itema to even greater heights to realize its full potential as a market leader and technology champion.”
“Itema Group comes from a landmark year,” continued Rogora. “The milestones are too many to mention, but center stage are our new product launches, market share gains across all the three weft insertion technologies (N.B. Itema is the only brand that offers the top three technologies for weft insertion: rapier, airjet and projectile) in important markets, an excellent ITMA show last November and a packed order book post ITMA.”
ITMA Review
ITMA 2015 was a real success for the Italian technology major, with a never-ending visitor flow to the designer stand, and a rich legacy of orders filling up the production pipeline. In Milan, Itema Group showcased innovative weaving machines, the new MyItema spare parts portal (https://portal.itemagroup.com) and the latest developments in its real-time loom management system. With 13 looms at the trade fair grounds, of which 6 in the avant-garde Company stand and 7 in Partner stands, Itema was the most well represented brand and its looms- real stars of the show, demonstrating to technology buffs from all corners of the world the technical advantages and superiority of Itema-branded weaving machines.
R9500terry
Among the new entries in 2015 is the new R9500terry, an instant best-seller carrying on the rich heritage and reputation in this application of historic Sulzer, Vamatex and now Itema brands. Sturdy structure and reliable mechanical components inherited from R9500 are just some of the features making R9500terry an extraordinary terry weaving machine. Unparalleled textile quality is furthermore guaranteed by a winning trio of new innovative devices: positive pile back-rest roller, pile formation unit and ground back-rest roller.
R9500p
Unveiled at ITMA in Milan, the R9500p (“p” as in “premium”) is the newest evolution in rapier insertion technology, covering the full range of weft types, with fewer weft stops and higher efficiency and productivity. Engineered for speed, the R9500p boasts top-notch pedigree as the enhanced version of the single most successful rapier loom in recent history, the legendary R9500. Highlights include the Rapier 2.0 with its new right-hand rapier head designed for improved weavability and flexibility even at highest speeds, as well as the innovative LoomCooler, reducing oil temperature by decreasing the thermal load on the conditioning system. The R9500p is, no doubt, the perfect machine in highly competitive, quality-oriented segments such as denim and shirting, to name just a few, due to best-in-class technical advancements which guarantee unbeatable performances, production speed, and weaving flexibility and versatility.
A9500p
On the airjet side, the Company presented a revamped model of the A9500p, already well-known and appreciated by sophisticated weavers worldwide as the excellence flagship of Itema’s airjet portfolio. The premium airjet machine is now equipped with a double tandem nozzle for enhanced machine efficiency and superior fabric quality. The innovative feature guarantees the perfect distribution of the pushing force on the weft using a lower air pressure. The end result is a double benefit for the Customer: top fabric quality due to reduced stress on the yarn and, at the same time, energy savings due to the possibility to weave with a lower pressure.
Loom of the Future
In the futuristic booth at ITMA, the Italian textile machinery player launched a first-ever social experiment of crowdsourcing the “Loom of the Future”. The only Company in the industry with two Research departments, Itema carries on resolutely with big, bold ideas to discover the next breakthroughs for weaving excellence.
Closing Remarks
Mr Carlo Rogora concluded the presentation of Itema’s 2015 results by saying: “The whirlwind and growing acceptance of our technology is testimony to the fact that innovation coupled with the strong know-how pays back. We remain focused not only on meeting and exceeding weavers’ needs, but on go beyond, anticipating future market requirements. With our shareholders’ full-fledged support, we continue to concentrate our extensive R&D efforts on offering better, smarter, faster solutions, increased performances, reduced consumption and enhanced user-friendliness.”


Nimbark scaling great heights using ITEMA’s A9500p
NEWS – 30/03/2016

One such sector that has been maturing at a rapid pace is the weaving industry. Though weaving is one of the important sectors for Indian textile industry, it has not been given due attention like the spinning sector. The main reason attributing to this fact is the nature of this sector which is predominantly unorganized. These units are typically known for using second-hand or Chinese looms ranging from 6 to 30 machines under a single roof.
But things are changing in a rapid manner. With better exposure and growing competition, these small players have realized that superior technology is the only way forward for future survival. In this segment, the world renowned Italian brand, ITEMA, has been playing a key role in empowering small and medium textile entrepreneurs with world-class technology and unparalleled customer satisfaction.
ITEMA version 2.0 has been highly effective with its new management and customer-centric approach. The weaving major has taken India as one of its important markets and is prioritizing it, which never happened until a few years ago. In this renewed approach, top level management from the Italian HQ makes regular visits to Indian customers to understand and accommodate their growing needs and to provide customized solution for individual problems.
Recently during one such visits by the Italians to Kolhapur, it was made clear that their approach is paying them rich dividends. The customers were delighted to have the management team visit their premises and appreciated the efforts and interests shown by the brand in such smaller pockets.
“We are customers of ITEMA for the last one year and we are immensely satisfied with the brand, their approach towards the Indian market and their machines. We received the very first installation of A9500p air-jet machines in the world. This shows their commitment and trust with small and medium players within the textile fraternity,” says the Director of Nimbark Textiles, Mr. Arun Baheti, in an exclusive interview to The Textile Magazine.
Nimbark Textiles, located in Ichalkaranji, manufactures dhotis for the last two decades. Not known to many until recently, when the young directors of the company decided to invest in the best and premium-range air-jet machines from ITEMA – the A9500p where p stands for premier, performance, powerful. Arun Baheti of Nimbark signed the deal for 24 machines with ITEMA for their latest A9500p machines during the GTTES show last year, a true trailblazer project which paved the way for numerous other installations of this type.
Today, biggest names of Indian textile industry are making their way to Ichalkaranji to watch the performance of these newly installed A9500p air-jet machines. Nimbark has moved ahead from dhotis to manufacturing of fabrics for shirting and trousers. The company has been running these machines at 1100 rpm on cottons; numbers that are hardly achieved in shop floor in India.
Nimbark has a production capacity of close to 300,000 m/month using their existing batch of 24 machines and hopes to sign his second order with ITEMA for another 24 machines of A9500p in the first semester of 2016. When asked regarding the reason for choosing A9500p for his second lot, “Best in class performance of these machines and excellent after-sales service by the Indian team made me go for another batch of 24 machines. I didn’t think twice, I didn’t have to check with their competitors, after seeing the performance for myself I knew that I only wanted A9500p machines,” proudly mentioned Mr. Baheti.
Many stories in Ichalkaranji similar to Nimbark had one thing in common, the brand perception of ITEMA weaving machines is on the rise and customers are openly acknowledging the commitment of the team to grow this business in India. The Italian brand has sold more than 700 machines in the region of Kolhapur & Ichalkaranji in the last 24 months helping it to capture a sizable market share in this textile cluster.


Itema exhibits at TEMTECH 2016
PRESS RELEASE – 06/02/2016
Itema exhibits at TEMTECH,
North India’s Largest Textile Machinery & Spare Parts Exhibition
February 6th – 8th, 2016
(Stand A-2)
Colzate (Italy) and Ahmedabad (India) – Itema S.p.A, the largest privately-owned multinational company and global leading provider of best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and services, is exhibiting at TEMTECH – North India’s Largest Textile Machinery & Spare Parts Exhibition – from February 6th to 8nd in Bhilwara, Rajasthan.
Taking place in the famous textile hub of Bhilwara, Temtech is an unmissable appointment for Itema, offering a perfect occasion to meet face-to-face valuable Customers in the region and discuss first-hand the very latest innovations that will benefit the broad base of weavers in the region.
Itema comes from the more-than-positive experience of ITMA Milan, where the Company showcased not only its innovative weaving machines, but also the newly improved spare parts portal and the ultimate real-time loom management system, reaping a huge success from the audience. A consistent number of orders have already been collected, from loyal and historical Customers, but also from brand-new contacts, thus representing a major point of satisfaction and confidence for the future.
With a comprehensive sales and after-sales service organization in India operating from own offices in Mumbai, as well as Coimbatore, New Delhi and Kohlapur, the Italian-headquartered Company is present at Temtech to introduce to the sophisticated Indian weavers the technical advantages and superiority of Itema-branded weaving machines and the latest entries in the championship portfolio of the technology major.
Introduced for the first time in September 2015, the new R9500terry is the racehorse when it comes to terry weaving. Itema, the first and foremost rapier terry loom producer, carries on the excellence in this application of historic Sulzer and Vamatex brands. Besides this strong inheritance, what makes R9500terry an extraordinary weaving machine for terry weavers are the sturdy structure and reliable mechanical components coming from the Itema absolute best-seller, the rapier R9500, and the exceptional textiles results obtained due to an extensive and thorough R&D work. Unparalleled textile quality is guaranteed by a winning trio of innovative devices: the new positive pile back-rest roller, the new pile formation unit and the new ground back-rest roller. Fulvio Carlo Toma, Itema Group Sales & Marketing Director, commented: “The new R9500terry, after a few months from market launch, already enjoys a spectacular market success. Orders are coming in continuously from Portugal, Turkey, China, Ethiopia, El Salvador, South Korea, Japan, just to name a few Countries. The whirlwind market acceptance of our R9500terry is just a further testimony that innovation coupled with the strongest know-how in the market pays back with enormous satisfaction.”
Always focused on the weavers’ needs, Itema concentrated its R&D extensive research to offer to the market even more efficient weaving machines, where efficiency stands for increased
performances, reduced consumption and enhanced user-friendliness.
A brilliant example of this strategic concept is the A9500p, already well-known and appreciated by many weavers in India, launched in 2014 as the excellence flagship of Itema’s airjet portfolio.
During ITMA Milan, Itema introduced its best-in-class airjet machine, the A9500p, equipped with a new and innovative feature: the double tandem nozzles, which ensure enhanced machine efficiency and superior fabric quality. In fact, the double tandem nozzles guarantee a perfect distribution of the pushing force on the weft using a lower air pressure, thus leading to a double benefit: reduced stress on the yarn allowing top fabric quality and, at the same time, the possibility to weave with a lower pressure ensuring energy saving.
From the rapier insertion technology side, ITMA Milan has been the proper stage to officially launch the new Itema R9500p. Born from the pedigree of the premier rapier R9500 loom and destined to run even better, smarter and faster, the new R9500p offers the perfect blend of ultimate versatility and productivity through an ensemble of exclusive technological features and brand-new innovations, which together meet and exceed even the most demanding requirements of Customers competing in rapidly changing markets. In the words of the Managing Director of Itema India, Mr Updeep Singh: “R9500p is, no doubt, the perfect machine in segments such as denim and shirting, core markets in India, due to its best-in-class technical advancements which guarantee unbeatable performances, speed and versatility”.
Mr Singh refers, among others highlights, also to the new weft transfer SK Rapier 2.0, which ensures improved weavability at high speed thanks to the new right-hand side rapier head designed for enhanced flexibility and to the innovative Loom Cooler, which allows the reduction of the oil temperature by decreasing the thermal load to be drained by the conditioning system.
TEMTECH 2016 is open to visitors from February 6th to 8th. To learn more about Itema’s technological innovations, make sure to visit ITEMA Stand A-2.


Itema stays in Zuchwil and invests millions
NEWS – 04/01/2016

The textile machine manufacturer Itema is planning to stay in Zuchwil. The enterprise has extended the lease on the production facilities at the Riverside Site with Swiss Prime Investment Foundation by ten years. Up to 10 million is to be invested.
Further positive news for the Solothurn job market: having already attracted relocation and expansion projects such as Biogen, Megasol or most recently Ypsomed, it is now the turn of Itema. The loom manufacturer, which is part of the Italian corporate group of the same name, has extended the lease on the production facilities at the Riverside Site in Zuchwil.
At the same time, the company has announced investments of five to ten million Swiss francs over the coming two years. According to Christian Straubhaar, Works Director and Member of the Executive Board of Itema (Switzerland) AG, the lease has been signed for ten years. “This is a clear statement of support from the corporate group for the Zuchwil site.”
“Wonderful and lasting”
The owner of the Riverside Site, Swiss Prime Investment Foundation, is also confident that this will help to safeguard jobs in the region, as investment director Thomas Grossenbacher explains. The Foundation recently acquired the site from the listed real estate company Swiss Prime Site, which for its part bought the site at the end of 2012.
The Riverside Site encompasses a useful surface area of around 100,000 square metres, of which over four fifths has been rented out, says Grossenbacher. Tenants are being sought for the remaining surface areas in the halls, while certain other buildings will soon be going on the market following renovation. The extension of the lease is “a wonderful and lasting Christmas present for the 150 Itema employees at the Riverside Site,” Zuchwil’s Municipal Chairman Stefan Hug was quoted as saying in a media communiqué.
Investment in the Zuchwil works will be used to acquire state-of-the-art tool machines and automation systems, explains the Works Director. This step is necessary in order to raise the automation level, thereby cutting production costs. “We are determined to become even more efficient.” However, the new investments will not automatically lead to job cuts. The size of the workforce is linked to the sales market.
The order situation is “good”
In Straubhaar’s view, the current order situation as well as the prospects for the coming year are “good”. It was thanks to the quick response to the Swiss franc shock in January of last year that the negative repercussions were cushioned. Sales prices were raised, the working week was extended from 40 to 43 hours, and internal processes were optimised. “The overall package had positive effects.” The extension of the working week will remain in place, however, until at least the end of March 2016. Around 140 looms were produced this year. He explains that the sales volume was in the vicinity of CHF 100 million.
In 2001, Itema acquired the “remnants” of the former Sulzer or Sultex. In Zuchwil, projectile looms – the projectile clamps the thread and “shoots” it to the other side – are produced for niche markets (technical fabric and high-quality textiles).
Specialisation makes it possible to secure prices that make it cost-effective to operate even here, explains Straubhaar. By contrast, Zuchwil would not have a chance with rapier and air-jet machines for “ordinary” fabrics. It is worth remembering: during the glory days of the 70s, Sulzer had over 3000 employees in Zuchwil alone.