Trützschler recently welcomed a delegation of spinning experts from Senegal to its headquarters in Mönchengladbach. The visit included representatives from DOMITEXKA SALOUM, a leading spinning mill in Kahone, as well as officials from the cooperative SODEFITEX and the German knitting industry association, GESAMTMASCHE e. V.
Senegal has a rich history in industrial textile production and is a major producer of high-quality cotton. However, a significant portion of its harvest is exported due to limited domestic processing capacity. DOMITEXKA SALOUM, founded in 2010, has been working to revitalize local textile manufacturing and, in 2018, acquired a disused textile factory in Kahone to boost regional economic activity.
During their visit, the Senegalese delegation participated in a specialized training session on spinning preparation technology led by Martin Dovern, Product Manager Fiber Preparation, and Andre Johnen, Regional Sales Manager at Trützschler. They also explored the company’s latest innovations in spinning technology, gaining valuable insights into modern textile manufacturing processes.
The visit facilitated a meaningful exchange of expertise, fostering potential opportunities for collaboration and growth. Trützschler expressed its appreciation for the discussions and looks forward to strengthening ties with Senegal’s textile industry in the future.
What were your key takeaways from hosting the Senegalese factories at your facilities in Germany?
We were delighted to have the opportunity to exchange ideas with representatives from the Senegalese factories. Our visitors were particularly impressed by our advanced technologies and we hope that we can help them with the modernization of their factories. At the same time, we gained valuable insights into the situation of the textile industry in Senegal and other African countries.
Based on this visit, what opportunities do you see in the African textile market, especially in Senegal?
We see significant potential and new impulses for the textile industry in certain African countries. There are several initiatives to create jobs in the textile industry and to build a future for the people in these countries.
Senegal, in particular, has a long tradition of industrial textile production. In the 1980s, around 20 companies operated in this sector, covering all stages of the value chain from cotton growing to spinning and sewing. However, this labor-intensive industry has gradually been replaced by imported fabrics. As a result, clothing manufacturers and tailors in Senegal and other West African countries struggle to access raw materials from domestic production. Despite being an important producer of high-quality cotton, almost the entire harvest is exported due to a lack of domestic buyers for processing into yarns and fabrics, leading to a significant loss of jobs over the years.
Senegal still has the technical know-how to produce high-quality textiles. The sector needs to be modernized in order to realize its full potential. The Senegalese company DOMITEXKA is an example of this revitalization of the value chain.
How do you envision future collaborations with African textile manufacturers following this engagement?
We see future collaborations with African textile manufactures as a transformative opportunity. By building on the existing expertise and rich tradition of textile production in countries like Senegal, we can help to strengthen the economic position of companies like DOMITEXKA. With a large, eager workforce, good cotton production, and the possibility for greater industrial activity, we remain hopeful that these markets will start to capitalize on the opportunities available.
About DOMITEXKA
DOMITEXKA integrates the industrial textile activities of SOTIBA and SOTEXKA at the Kahone site, aiming to establish the most modern and competitive textile factory in West Africa. The project leverages regional assets and market potential to drive growth in the African textile sector.
About SODEFITEX
SODEFITEX focuses on the development of the cotton agro-industry and sustainable agricultural practices in Senegal. The organization also supports other agro-industrial initiatives that prioritize environmental responsibility and economic sustainability.
About GESAMTMASCHE
GESAMTMASCHE represents Germany’s knitted fabric industry, which generates an annual turnover of over €4.5 billion. The association advocates for the sector at national and international levels, providing industry insights and strategic support to its members.
