At Colombiatex 2025, we had the opportunity to speak with Benjamin Schnabel, Area Sales Manager at Brückner Textile, about the current trends and future outlook of the textile industry in Latin America, the impact of global economic shifts, and the role of automation in shaping the sector.
Q: How do you see the short-term future of the textile industry in Latin America, particularly in light of the recent U.S. elections?
A: In the short term, the industry looks promising, especially with the recent political changes in the U.S. Many businesses are optimistic about increasing exports to the U.S., even if policies push for more domestic production. The U.S. lacks the full capacity to meet its demands, so we expect more nearshoring, shifting production from China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam to Latin America.
Q: Can you outline the key markets in Latin America and their roles in the textile industry?
A: Certainly. I would categorize Latin America into four key regions:
- Mexico – A major producer primarily exporting to the U.S., making it one of our most significant markets.
- Brazil – The opposite of Mexico; 97% of its textile production is for internal consumption.
- Central America – Including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, which mainly export to the U.S. Demand had slowed, but there is renewed optimism in the sector.
- Andean Region (Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia) – Peru is currently the most active market, while Colombia faced challenges due to political instability but shows signs of improvement.
Q: What role does digitalization and Industry 4.0 play in textile manufacturing today?
A: Industry 4.0 is a major focus for us. We have developed an AI-driven system that acts as a digital twin of textile machinery, allowing customers to optimize processes. The system gathers data on fabrics, chemistry, and machine settings, helping users fine-tune their operations. This results in energy savings of 10-60% and potential production increases of up to 50%, depending on initial efficiency levels.
Q: How does automation impact low-wage production countries like Bangladesh, India, and China?
A: Automation poses a significant challenge to these countries. In textile finishing, we already use minimal manual labor, but in areas like garment manufacturing, which relies heavily on human labor, automation could lead to major shifts. Instead of outsourcing to low-wage nations, companies may opt for fully automated local production, reducing costs and eliminating logistical challenges. This shift could reshape global textile supply chains in the coming years.
Q: What is Brückner Textile’s vision for the future of textile finishing?
A: Innovation is key. Our focus is on optimizing production efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and providing solutions that allow textile manufacturers to stay competitive. With increasing emphasis on sustainability and automation, we believe the industry must embrace digital transformation to remain ahead of the competition.
