THEMA, a company renowned for its expertise in advanced quality control systems, has steadily evolved to become a key innovator in the technical textile sector. As part of the IGH Group, THEMA has significantly expanded its capabilities, combining automation, engineering, and AI-driven inspection solutions. In a conversation with The Textile Magazine, Mr. Simone Ducceschi, Sales and Project Manager at THEMA, shares insights into the company’s legacy, technological edge, and its focused approach to capturing emerging markets like India.
A Journey of Innovation within the IGH Group
Founded in 1987, THEMA began its journey by applying technical expertise from other sectors to the textile industry. A significant shift occurred in 2010 when the company redirected its core business toward designing quality control systems for technical textiles. “In 2019, THEMA was acquired by IGH (Irico Gualchierani Handling),” says Mr. Ducceschi. “This strategic move allowed us to integrate our inspection solutions into IGH’s advanced automatic handling systems, creating a robust ecosystem for textile manufacturing automation.” The group has since grown with the addition of IGH Ningbo in China (2020) and IG-Automation in Germany (2023), strengthening its global engineering footprint.
A Portfolio Centered on Precision and Customization
THEMA’s product line is built around three core technologies: the Laser Density Control System (LDCS) for precise bobbin density measurement, the ARA Color System for detecting color variations directly on bobbins, and the RA Vision System for automatic visual defect detection and classification.
“All our systems are customizable,” Mr. Ducceschi emphasizes. “We tailor solutions to meet the productivity demands and specific requirements of each customer, ensuring maximum performance and adaptability across different textile sectors.”
Global Reach with a Focus on Emerging Markets
The company has established a strong presence in the US, China, Italy, and other parts of Europe. However, it is the emerging markets that hold immense promise. “Turkey is showing exciting potential thanks to our existing IGH installations,” notes Mr. Ducceschi. “And India, without a doubt, is poised to be a leader in technical textiles. That’s why we’re investing heavily in the market—through customer interactions, frequent visits, and participation in local industry events.”
Despite not having installations in India yet, THEMA is laying the groundwork for long-term success. “India is a strategic priority for us,” he affirms. “We are confident that our solutions will find strong relevance as the country’s technical textile ecosystem matures.”
Driving Innovation Through AI and Continuous R&D
Innovation is central to THEMA’s approach, particularly in vision inspection and AI. “This year, one of our major goals is launching an enhanced AI model for our RA Vision equipment,” Mr. Ducceschi reveals. “This upgrade will significantly improve self-training capabilities, leading to more reliable inspection results.”
R&D is also driving expansion into new areas, such as detecting color variations on knitted socks and developing tailor-made solutions based on specific customer challenges. “We’re constantly experimenting with new lighting and camera technologies,” he adds, highlighting the company’s commitment to pushing boundaries in textile inspection.
What Sets THEMA Apart
In a competitive global market, THEMA distinguishes itself through deep experience and a customer-first approach. “Automatic vision inspection isn’t something that can be mastered overnight,” says Mr. Ducceschi. “We bring decades of experience and the agility to adapt our solutions based on individual customer needs.”
Another edge is THEMA’s synergy with the IGH Group. “Our strength lies in being able to deliver fully integrated quality control systems that seamlessly work with automated handling infrastructure—a rare and valuable proposition for textile manufacturers,” he states.
The Indian Opportunity: A Market in Focus
With India rapidly emerging as a hub for technical textile production, THEMA is keenly watching and preparing. “We see India as a future leader in this space,” says Mr. Ducceschi. “And we’re committed to being part of that journey. Our focus is on creating strong relationships, educating the market about our capabilities, and offering solutions that meet the needs of Indian manufacturers.”
As global manufacturing increasingly embraces automation and digitization, THEMA stands at the forefront of delivering intelligent inspection systems tailored for technical textiles. With a proven track record, strong innovation pipeline, and the backing of the IGH Group, THEMA is well-positioned to support the industry’s evolving needs. As it sets its sights on new frontiers—particularly India—THEMA’s vision remains clear: to be a trusted partner in quality, precision, and performance for the textile industry worldwide.