In a critical assessment of the global exhibition landscape, Alex Zucchi, President of CEMATEX, raised serious concerns about the rapid growth of textile machinery exhibitions around the world and their long-term impact on innovation, investment, and industry credibility.
Speaking about the increasing number of international shows, Zucchi stressed that not all exhibitions serve the same purpose. According to him, the industry must clearly distinguish between exhibitions organized by professional associations and those launched purely as speculative, profit-driven ventures. “Some exhibitions exist simply as a business model for private investors,” Zucchi said. “Their main objective is not industry development, but revenue generation.”
He explained that association-led exhibitions—often managed by national or regional industry bodies—are fundamentally different. These events are designed with a long-term vision, taking into account social responsibility, technological progress, and the real needs of manufacturers. Most importantly, they are typically held on an annual or biennial basis, giving companies reasonable time to develop, test, and present genuine innovations.
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Too Many Shows, Too Little Innovation
Zucchi warned that the growing number of annual exhibitions creates unrealistic pressure on machinery manufacturers. “You cannot expect companies to develop breakthrough technologies every few months,” he noted. “A reasonable cycle is essential if we want meaningful innovation rather than superficial updates.”
While acknowledging that the industry cannot prevent speculative exhibitions from taking place, Zucchi emphasized that serious technology providers will continue to focus on what truly matters: long-term development and practical solutions. He pointed out that although recycling technologies are gaining attention, the most significant transformation in textile machinery will come from the application of artificial intelligence—not only in production, but increasingly in services, maintenance, and performance optimization.
Textile machinery, Zucchi reminded, is not replaced every few years. “These are investments designed to last 20 or 30 years,” he said. This reality creates a dual responsibility for machinery manufacturers: to supply reliable equipment and to provide long-term service, upgrades, and digital solutions that extend machine life and efficiency.
Shifting Investment Patterns Across Africa
Addressing global investment trends, Zucchi highlighted major structural changes underway in Africa. He described a strong and aggressive industrial strategy led by Chinese investors in several African countries, combined with growing interest from Turkish companies seeking to diversify their manufacturing footprint.
According to Zucchi, Turkey is increasingly relocating garment production to neighboring regions such as Syria, while textile finishing operations are moving toward Egypt. Egypt’s advantages include access to raw materials, strong fiber production, and a skilled workforce, making it an attractive destination for long-term investment. Morocco is also emerging as a relevant player within the African textile landscape.
However, Zucchi offered a more cautious view on other regions. He noted that South Africa, despite recent policy changes, continues to struggle with declining textile installations. Although the country has begun producing its own cotton in recent years—something that did not happen in the past—building a fully competitive garment and textile ecosystem will take time. “It is very difficult to make precise forecasts,” he concluded. “Industrial transformation is a long-term process.”
Zucchi’s remarks underline a broader message: the textile machinery industry needs fewer speculative events and more focused, high-quality platforms that genuinely support innovation, sustainability, and global industrial development
