VDMA Textile Machinery has re-elected Dr Janpeter Horn, managing director of A. Herzog Maschinenfabrik, as chairman of the trade association, while revising its 2026 turnover forecast down to -14 per cent nominal. The vote took place at the association's general meeting in Hanover at the end of September, one year ahead of ITMA 2027.

Regina Brückner, managing partner of Brückner Trockentechnik, and Verena Thies, managing partner of Thies Textilmaschinen, return as vice-chairs for the 2026-2030 term. The continuity at the top comes at a difficult moment for the German and wider European capital-equipment tier: rising competition from Asia and challenging domestic business conditions have driven significant declines in order intake and turnover in recent years.

Order intake, however, appears to be stabilising — even as the turnover forecast for 2026 had to be cut again.

The meeting's theme, "The world is moving forward – where is Europe?", framed the agenda. Horn was blunt about the structural forces at work.

"The discussions and workshops at our General Assembly clearly demonstrated that our industry is in the midst of profound change. The challenges are considerable, yet we possess the innovative strength, the expertise and the technological leadership to actively shape these changes," Horn said. "Together, we will work to support our customers even more effectively throughout the entire lifecycle of their machinery and equipment, to capitalise on the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence, and to strengthen the competitiveness of the European textile machinery industry in the long term. ITMA 2027 in Hanover will be an important milestone in showcasing our industry's capabilities to the world."

Dr Harald Weber, managing director of VDMA Textile Machinery, pointed to the board's composition as an asset for the term ahead. "I look forward to working with the newly elected Executive Board. The board's wealth of experience, high level of technical expertise and broad positioning reflect the diversity and innovative strength of our sector," Weber said. "Together, we will actively drive forward the key future issues facing the European textile machinery manufacturing sector and provide important impetus for the competitiveness of our industry."

The executive board for 2026-2030 comprises:

• Dr Janpeter Horn, A. Herzog Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, Oldenburg (chair)
• Regina Brückner, BRÜCKNER Trockentechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Leonberg (deputy chair)
• Verena Thies, THIES GmbH & Co. KG, Coesfeld (deputy chair)
• Riccarda Dilo, Oskar Dilo Maschinenfabrik KG, Eberbach
• Peter D. Dornier, Lindauer DORNIER GmbH, Lindau
• Volker Gingter, A. Monforts Textilmaschinen, Mönchengladbach
• Andreas Lukas, ANDRITZ Küsters GmbH, Krefeld
• Dr Jörg Morgner, Temafa Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Bergisch Gladbach
• Benjamin Reiners, Reiners + Fürst GmbH & Co. KG, Mönchengladbach
• Markus Settegast, Groz-Beckert KG, Albstadt
• Alexander Stampfer, Trützschler Group SE, Mönchengladbach
• Georg Stausberg, Barmag GmbH & Co. KG, Remscheid

For mills and vertically integrated manufacturers sourcing from German suppliers, the -14 per cent turnover forecast signals continued production pressure across the European machinery base. Buyers planning capital expenditure around ITMA 2027 in Hanover — now the sector's stated showcase for its capabilities — should weigh supplier capacity and service commitments carefully before committing to long lead-time orders.