The role of a solutions provider is to make the customer’s life easier. As such, the success of the customer is paramount when dealing with innovative technology. One European brand that has touched millions through its ground-breaking technologies, invisible yet omnipresent, is none other than Oerlikon of Switzerland.
Oerlikon Corporation AG, Pfäffikon, is the parent company of the Oerlikon Group specialising in machine and plant engineering, and a provider of innovative industrial solutions and cutting-edge technologies for surface solutions, man-made fibre manufacturing, drive systems, etc.
Under the market-leading brands of Oerlikon Barmag and Oerlikon Neumag, the Manmade Fibers Segment offers solutions and systems for filament spinning, texturing, bulked continuous filament, synthetic staple fibre spinning and nonwovens, which are highly precise and energy efficient. The Segment is also a pioneer in offering ground-breaking sustainable technologies under its e-save programme, which can help customers achieve up to 50 per cent of energy savings in production processes. The Segment offers engineering, machine and component solutions from a single source: from melt to yarn and from polycondensation to high-precision winders.
In 2014, the Segment generated sales of CHF 1,073 million. It has a team of over 2,500 employees serving customers worldwide, with a strong focus on its main markets of China, India, Turkey and the US.
With clear objectives to generate higher and more stable earnings, cash flow and added value, Oerlikon has been shaping its portfolio since 2010 through organic growth, acquisitions and divestments.
Many of Oerlikon’s technological solutions were also developed in close partnership with research institutions. A key and increasingly important part of Oerlikon’s business is providing customized solutions, including joint research projects, comprehensive service and support, warranty or first-hand access to ongoing development and new product generations.
To strengthen customer relationship and offer world-class services to customers, the group keeps expanding its global presence and customer service network. It operates globally in all regions with a well-established foothold in growth markets. With more than 200 sites spread across 36 countries, it has its presence in Asia, particularly in the emerging markets of China and India.
Oerlikon has been in India for more than three decades and has captured more than 60 per cent market share in the man-made fibres business. A few of the biggest names in India like Reliance, Alok, Wellknown, JK Synthetics, Century Enka, etc., vouch for Oerlikon’s success story.
Barmag has installed the world’s first as well as the 10,000th WINGS system at Wellknown. This shows the brand commitment to the Indian customers. The WINGS system is a plug-in revolutionary machine unit increasing productivity and efficiency as well as guaranteeing consistently good quality.
“The WINGS winder has been the biggest breakthrough. Ease of handling, significant reduction in the height of the machine and better performance are some of the USPs of that technology and are well appreciated by our customers. As a result we have sold hundreds of these winders since inception,” said Mr. Khurshed Thanawalla, Country Head, Oerlikon, in an exclusive interview to The Textile Magazine.
As a leading manufacturer of synthetic fibre machinery in the 21st century, Oerlikon is focused on new technology and product development. This European textile conglomerate acts as a one-stop solution provider catering to various needs, right from knowledge sharing to producing customized machines.
Oerlikon Barmag is the world market leader for spinning systems and extrusion equipment for man-made fibres such as polyester, nylon and polypropylene and for texturing and twisting machines, and the company is committed to maintaining this position. The Fibers and Nonwoven business unit, with the product brand Oerlikon Neumag, is a market leader with production technology for BCF carpet yarn and synthetic staple fibers. It offers the world’s largest technology portfolio for nonwoven production. In the field of Staple Fibre plant, a fall in investments, particularly in the primary market of China has led to substantial drop in sales numbers.
Talking about the Indian market compared to that of China, Mr. Thanawala said: “India has always treated man-made fibre as a rich man’s fibre, whereas China quickly understood that it’s a fibre for the masses. That’s one of the reasons why we have such a huge gap in terms of production compared to China. India is still one of the most important markets for Oerlikon. Our other segments, Surface Solutions and Drive Systems have shown good growth in the past few years in India. Segment Manmade Fibers is showing sign of revival and we are confident things would be better post this year’s ITMA.”
Over several decades, Oerlikon’s Segment Manmade Fibers has accumulated a rich experience and knowhow in synthetic fibre production. The spinning system, developed with total engineering expertise and know-how, enables configuration of optimum system to fit various conditions of spinning for materials from PET, PA, microfilaments, dope-dyed yarn, high-modulus low-shrinkage yarn (HMLS/LS), to new materials such PTT and PLA.
The Swiss manufacturer provides tailor-made solutions, from complex spinning to diverse draw processes such as POY/FDY/IDY, multi-draw process and take-up winders. It can customize its machine set-up according to the specific needs of customers, thus providing them their exact requirements. Oerlikon is also known for its finest engineered, extremely user-friendly and smart looking machines.
As a future-oriented company that is committed to adopting a responsible approach to the use of natural resources, Oerlikon attaches great importance to the aspect of energy conservation in its research and development work. Investing in Oerlikon technologies provides a technical and economic advantage – now and in the future.
At this year’s ITMA, Oerlikon will showcase its brands, Barmag and Neumag, at its stand A105.