At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Behnam Ghasemi, Editor-in-Chief of Kohan Textile Journal, spoke with Dennis Colo, Sales Director EMEA at Jakob Müller, about the company’s latest innovations, its long-standing commitment to the Turkish market, and the future of narrow fabric manufacturing. During the interview, Colo discussed how automation, digitalization, and user-friendly machinery are helping textile producers improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability in an increasingly competitive global market.
Jakob Müller on the Future of Narrow Fabric Manufacturing
Can you introduce Jakob Müller to our readers?
Jakob Müller is a Swiss-based, family-owned technology company headquartered in Frick, Switzerland. Since its foundation in 1887, the company has become the global leader in system solutions for the narrow fabric industry, covering weaving, knitting, and finishing technologies.
Our customers serve a wide range of industries, including fashion, home textiles, automotive, and technical textiles. Through innovative machinery, modular production systems, digital smart solutions, and worldwide service support, we help manufacturers improve productivity, product quality, and long-term competitiveness.
What technologies are you presenting at ITM 2026?
At ITM 2026, we are presenting solution concepts specifically tailored to the evolving needs of the Turkish textile market. We invite visitors to discuss efficient, flexible, and future-oriented production technologies that enable manufacturers to respond to today’s rapidly changing market conditions.
Beyond machinery, innovation is also driven through our Lab 1887, named after the year our company was founded. In this innovation center, we collaborate closely with customers and industry partners to develop practical solutions for future textile applications—even applications that do not yet exist commercially. It is a platform focused on research, development, and technological innovation.
Why is the Turkish market strategically important for Jakob Müller?
Turkey has been one of our most important textile markets for many years and remains one of our strategic focus countries.
Together with our local partner, Bloon, we have successfully supported Turkish customers for decades.
Our objective is to further strengthen these long-term relationships by providing innovative technologies, reliable service, and advanced production solutions that enhance the global competitiveness of the Turkish textile industry.Turkey has a long tradition in label manufacturing as well as weaving technologies, making it a highly valuable market for Jakob Müller.
Read more : Jakob Müller Group Acquires MEI International, Expanding Narrow Fabric Weaving Solutions
How do you see the future of the global textile industry?
The textile industry is currently undergoing a major transformation.
Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to produce faster, more efficiently, and more sustainably while maintaining consistently high product quality. We believe automation, digitalization, flexibility, and sustainability will become even more important in the coming years.
Another critical factor is ease of operation. Skilled labor shortages are becoming a growing challenge in many markets, so machinery must become more user-friendly. Companies investing in modern, intuitive technologies will be better positioned to remain competitive in the future.
What opportunities do you see in the Middle East and Africa?
We see strong long-term potential throughout the Middle East and Africa.
Several countries across the region are investing heavily in textile manufacturing and are becoming increasingly important within global supply chains. As manufacturers continue focusing on productivity, quality, and sustainability, we expect steady demand for advanced textile machinery and modern production technologies across these markets.
Sustainability is a major industry topic today. How does Jakob Müller approach sustainability?
When discussing sustainability, many people focus primarily on textile materials, and rightly so. However, machinery also plays an important role.Jakob Müller designs machines for exceptional durability. Many of our machines remain in operation for more than 40 years, significantly extending their lifecycle and reducing environmental impact through long-term use.
Whenever possible, we also incorporate sustainable and durable materials into our machine manufacturing. While textile sustainability is largely driven by fiber and material innovation, we believe reliable, long-lasting machinery is equally important in supporting a more sustainable textile industry.
Editor’s Insight
Jakob Müller continues to demonstrate why it has remained a global benchmark in narrow fabric technology for well over a century. Rather than focusing solely on machinery, the company is investing in collaborative innovation through Lab 1887, helping customers prepare for future textile applications while addressing today’s challenges in automation, digitalization, labor shortages, and sustainable manufacturing. With Turkey remaining one of its key strategic markets and growing opportunities emerging across the Middle East and Africa, Jakob Müller is positioning itself as a long-term technology partner for textile manufacturers worldwide.
