BTMA: Textile machinery industry’s repeating pattern of success

Event at a time of general gloom and uncertainty, business is holding up remarkably well for the BTMA’s member companies, most report export sales continuing to rise year on year. The BTMA (British Textile Machinery Association) is the not-for-profit body that for over 70 years has acted as an interface between UK textile machinery companies and international textile manufacturers. It’s a ‘shop window’ for its members - a key resource for improving sales, and particularly exports. Any British company whose business includes products or services related to textile manufacture is able to join the BTMA (www.btma.org.uk).

Lessons in survival There are several lessons other UK manufacturers could learn from the BTMA members, according to the BTMA’s director, Alan Little. One is to have an industry body batting for the sector. Alan Little can cite many instances of UK companies winning contracts as a direct result of an initial enquiry to the BTMA by a manufacturer who had never previously worked with a UK supplier. ‘There are good opportunities out there, but potential customers won’t automatically think British first,’ says Alan. ‘It’s the BTMA’s task to persuade them of the advantages, and we know from experience that if a company gets good service from its first UK supplier, it will consider other UK companies for other needs.’

Alan Little, BTMA Director

Innovation and resilience

UK textile machinery companies also have innovation and resilience in their DNA. Much textile production, once so important to British industry, went overseas long ago, forcing UK textile machinery companies to adapt or go under. As a result, BTMA members tend to be flexible, responsive and independent-minded companies who have seen rocky times before and have learned how to survive them.

And UK companies have to accept that the world isn’t changing – it has changed. Alan Little again: ‘To succeed, you have to be a realist. We know that countries such as China and India are not emerging markets anymore – they are the markets. They’re in command and we have to compete for their business.’

Quality leads

One area in which BTMA members compete supremely well is quality. The UK is now a world leader in quality control, testing and monitoring systems and expertise – all vital to global textile manufacturers competing for orders from major retailers.

‘BTMA member companies are often the source of the quality standards everyone is chasing,’ says Alan Little, ‘and many manufacturers are almost fanatical about quality control and process improvement, because they know it will make or break their reputations internationally.

These companies make ideal partners for BTMA members with the right products and expertise – and that shared commitment to improved performance creates lasting and productive relationships.’

2011 BTMA Directory: available now

All BTMA member companies are showcased in the 2011 BTMA Directory, which is being released ahead of schedule so it can be available at ITMA Asia +CITME (Shanghai, 22-26 June 2010). 

Regarded for many years as an essential reference tool within the international textile industry, the 2011 edition achieves new and much higher standards of user-friendliness.

The former hard copy format is still available on request, but the primary BTMA Directory format now is CD, with much improved indexing for easy click-through to the information required. This will enable potential customers of BTMA members to access vital information far more quickly and efficiently. This will be a significant benefit, both to textile manufacturers and to BTMA members. Copies of the Directory on CD are available on request from the BTMA.