Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Thomas Kloebl, the Sales Director for Carpet at Zimmer Austria, a renowned leader in innovative textile machinery solutions. With over 150 years of experience, Zimmer Austria has been at the forefront of digital printing technologies for the flooring industry, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Could you provide a brief overview of Zimmer Austria and its products in the flooring sector?
At Zimmer, we are recognized leaders in the carpet industry, renowned for our state-of-the-art Chromojet and Colaris printing systems. We are committed to innovation, continually introducing new machinery and technologies to meet the evolving needs of the market. Our latest offering, the Colaris printing system, has been developed over several years, offering printing solutions ranging from 2 meters to 5 meters in width.
Our comprehensive product line includes full production lines equipped with fixation, washing, and drying systems. Additionally, we offer standalone printers for customers looking to upgrade existing lines. Our printing solutions cater to a wide range of carpet types, including tufting, woven, needle punch, soft, and rachel carpets. Moreover, we provide various back coating options to suit the specific requirements of our customers.
Recognizing the rich tradition of carpet making in the Middle East, we have always considered this region to be a significant market for us. Despite recent challenges, particularly in printing, we remain optimistic about the region’s growth potential. Our investment in new technologies, such as printing on woven carpets, has garnered considerable interest, particularly in the luxury segment. Over the past few years, we have successfully executed several projects and gained numerous customers, reaffirming our commitment to the Middle Eastern market.
How can digital printing enhance product quality for producers?
Digital printing offers substantial advantages to carpet manufacturers, particularly in terms of efficiency and speed in bringing designs to market. This technology presents a clear advantage, especially within the e-commerce sector, by enabling swift production and delivery. With digital printing, manufacturers benefit from an extensive range of color options and sizing flexibility, facilitating rapid transition from design conception to market availability. Moreover, customization options are virtually limitless, allowing for tailored designs and carpets to meet diverse market demands.
The versatility of digital printing extends across various sectors, including contract and hospitality carpets, ensuring adaptability to different market needs and design preferences. Additionally, compared to traditional weaving methods, digital printing offers significant cost savings by minimizing yarn wastage and eliminating the need for extensive stockkeeping. The ability to print on demand further enhances efficiency, enabling prompt delivery to customers without the necessity of maintaining large inventories.
Addressing sustainability concerns, digital printing has made notable strides. While some washing of carpets is required in the printing process, advancements in technology have significantly reduced water and energy consumption compared to traditional systems. As environmental issues continue to be a global concern, digital printing represents a more eco-friendly approach to carpet production, aligning with efforts to minimize resource usage and environmental impact.
How do you foresee the evolution of digital printing technologies?
Looking ahead, digital printing is poised to become even more environmentally sustainable, requiring fewer resources such as water and energy. Already, significant strides have been made in reducing water usage, with some cases requiring only three liters per square meter compared to the previous standard of 12 liters per square meter. This trend towards greater efficiency and conservation will likely continue as technology advances.
At Zimmer, we take pride in our long history of innovation. With over 150 years of experience, we have been at the forefront of digital printing since its inception in the early 1980s. Over the years, we have continually refined and developed our digital printing technologies, making us the most experienced partner in this field.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to driving innovation and sustainability in digital printing. We invite you to explore our cutting-edge solutions and engage with us to learn more about how digital printing can benefit your business. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time, and we will be delighted to share our expertise and assist you with your digital printing needs.
