At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Behnam Ghasemi, Editor-in-Chief of Kohan Textile Journal, interviewed Albert Leonardi about the company’s latest embroidery technologies, market conditions in Türkiye and beyond, and the long-term outlook for the Schiffli embroidery industry.
Lässer AG on Embroidery Innovation, Market Challenges and Sustainability
Could you introduce yourself and Lässer AG?
Albert Leonardi: My name is Albert Leonardi, and I am part of the sales team at Lässer AG.
Lässer is a family-owned Swiss company specializing in Schiffli embroidery machines. We employ around 200 people, and nearly all of our machines are manufactured entirely in-house, allowing us to maintain the highest standards of quality and precision.
Our history dates back to 1955 with embroidery machine modernization, and since 1983 we have been manufacturing new Schiffli embroidery machines. Today, we are proud to be the world’s only remaining manufacturer dedicated exclusively to Schiffli embroidery technology.
What technologies are you showcasing at ITM 2026?
Albert Leonardi: We are presenting our latest generation of Schiffli embroidery machines, which have been on the market for the past two years.
This platform includes several advanced attachment options, including thermal cutting systems, together with the latest software updates that improve machine performance, flexibility, and production efficiency.
Rather than introducing an entirely new machine, we continue refining our existing technology through continuous software development and production enhancements.
Read More: ITM 2026 Results Confirm Global Industry Confidence
What are your expectations for the Turkish market and ITM 2026?
Albert Leonardi: The current market situation is quite challenging.
We came to ITM primarily to understand market developments and meet existing and potential customers. We had hoped to see a larger number of visitors from the Middle East and Africa, but visitor attendance from these regions has been lower than expected.
Compared with previous editions of ITM, overall visitor traffic has also been relatively modest, reflecting the difficult economic conditions affecting the textile industry worldwide.
How do you view the future of the global textile industry?
Albert Leonardi: The textile industry will always remain essential because people will always need clothing and textiles.
For Lässer, competition is not our biggest concern because we are currently the only manufacturer of Schiffli embroidery machines. Instead, our business is influenced primarily by global economic conditions, political developments, trade restrictions, and exchange-rate fluctuations.
When investment confidence returns, we believe demand for advanced embroidery machinery will recover as well.
What opportunities do you see in the Middle East and Africa?
Albert Leonardi: These regions are gradually developing, but for our specific market segment they are still relatively small.
We believe there is long-term potential, but widespread adoption of high-end Schiffli embroidery technology will require further industrial development and investment. Growth will come, but it will take time.
How important is sustainability at Lässer AG?
Albert Leonardi: Sustainability is an important part of our manufacturing philosophy.
Approximately 95% of our machine production is carried out in-house. This gives us complete control over quality, production processes, component sourcing, and manufacturing standards.
Managing production internally enables us to maintain consistent quality while ensuring responsible manufacturing practices throughout the entire production process.
