EUROPE
ETSA, the European Textile Services Association, has appointed Thomas Krautschneider, the CEO of Salesianer Miettex, as its new chairman for a period of three years (2017-2020). Krautschneider takes over the role from Juha Laurio, CEO of Lindström, Finland.
Salesianer Miettex is a family-owned Austrian company, founded in 1916, and employs 2.450 people in 22 plants in Austria and eight countries in CEE/SEE. The company generated a turnover of over €160m in 2016/17.
“I am honoured to take over the chairmanship of ETSA,” said Krautschneider. “Our goal is to promote and defend our industry’s interests in close cooperation with suppliers and national associations within a European context. We value fair competition, eco-efficiency and sustainability.”
The textile services industry is a major contributor to the European economy, with a current annual turnover of circa €12 billion and employing 135 000 people in the EU. The textile services market has grown in almost every segment and product type in recent years, despite the negative economic climate. According to a Deloitte market study, the textile services industry in Europe could grow to €46 billion in turnover.
“In my three-year mandate, I will make sure that ETSA further strengthens its role as the industry’s information network, including for suppliers and national associations” said Krautschneider. “Furthermore we will continue to monitor and lobby the European Institutions and International Standard Bodies to defend our industry’s interests and promote the many benefits of our services.”
ETSA members are committed to lifecycle thinking and ecological principles. This means long-lasting textiles, lower energy and water consumption in the textile care process, and eco-friendly detergents. ETSA aims to dispose of textiles in an environmentally acceptable manner at end-of-life, which means they are recycled or used as raw material for power generation.
ETSA CHAIRMAN: The European Textile Services Association has appointed Thomas Krautschneider, the CEO of Salesianer Miettex, as its new chairman for a period of three years (2017-2020)
