#Spinning

2026-11-04

Georg Stausberg, a veteran of the textile machinery industry, takes over as Rieter Group CEO

Georg Stausberg, one of the most experienced executives in the international textile machinery industry, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Rieter Group with immediate effect from 4 November 2026. With more than three decades of industry experience and a long-standing leadership career at Barmag, Stausberg brings extensive technological expertise, international market knowledge and an established network across the global textile industry to his new position.

Stausberg has played a significant role in the development of Barmag over many years, holding various management positions before becoming CEO. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its position as a leading global supplier of machinery and technologies for the man-made fiber industry.

Following Rieter's acquisition of Barmag in February 2026, Stausberg became a member of the Rieter Group's Executive Committee. His appointment as Group CEO now brings an executive with extensive experience in the man-made fiber sector to the leadership of a company traditionally associated with short-staple spinning machinery.

Leadership change following withdrawal of designated CEO

The appointment follows an unexpected development in Rieter's previously announced succession plans.

In an ad hoc announcement issued on 4 November 2026, Rieter Holding Ltd. stated that designated CEO Daniel Lippuner had presented additional demands regarding his compensation package, particularly his bonus. According to Rieter's Board of Directors, these demands led to irreconcilable differences, and Lippuner will therefore not assume the position as originally planned.

Lippuner had been designated to succeed Thomas Oetterli as CEO of the Rieter Group from 1 November 2026.

Extensive industry experience for Rieter's next phase

Stausberg takes over the leadership of Rieter at a significant stage in the Group's development. The acquisition of Barmag has expanded Rieter's technological portfolio and strengthened its position across different segments of the textile machinery industry.

His extensive background in spinning technology, combined with his experience in international markets and industrial management, provides a broad foundation for leading the enlarged Group.

With Georg Stausberg at its helm, Rieter is now led by an executive whose professional career has been closely connected to the international textile machinery industry for more than 30 years.

Rieter appoints Daniel Lippuner as new CEO as Thomas Oetterli steps down

Thomas Oetterli has decided to step down from his function as CEO, effective October 31, 2026, and hand over the Chairmanship of the Board of Directors. “After the successful implementation of the Next Level performance program, the structural measures initiated to consolidate the sites and the acquisition of Barmag, the time has come to hand over responsibility to new hands,” explains Thomas Oetterli.

Rieter and partners launch Recycling Powerhouse for industrial-scale textile recycling

Recycling Powerhouse Ltd. was established in July 2026 to industrialize, standardize and scale textile recycling. Based in Switzerland, the venture will operate a franchise-driven business model that enables the production of high-quality, certified recycled yarns. The project is supported by the following partners: Rieter Group, the world’s leading system supplier for natural and man-made fibers, Säntis Textiles, a Swiss textile engineering company, and Valvan, a Belgian sorting technology company. The first blueprint franchise operation is scheduled to launch early 2027 in partnership with Suhail Industrial Holding Group in Qatar.

Trützschler expands technical service capabilities for spinning mills in Pakistan

Faster support, shorter downtime and advanced repair capabilities: customers across Pakistan can now benefit from the Trützschler Service Station at its new location in Lahore. By combining Trützschler service expertise with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, the new facility helps spinning mills resolve technical issues more quickly and maintain reliable production.

Savio presents intelligent winding and air-jet spinning technologies at ITMA Asia 2026

At ITMA Asia Shanghai 2026, Savio will showcase its latest developments in winding and spinning technology, focusing on artificial intelligence, automation and digital integration. The spotlight will be on two machines: the Proxima Smartconer®, Savio’s next-generation winding platform, and the Lybra Smartspinner®, an air-jet spinning solution designed for flexible yarn production and a wide range of textile applications.

Lenzing improves profitability as strategic transformation gains momentum

The Lenzing Group reported improved operating profitability in the first nine months of 2026 despite declining revenue and a challenging market environment. Revenue decreased by 2.3 percent to EUR 1.93 billion, while adjusted EBITDA remained stable at EUR 353 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 17.9 percent to 18.3 percent, reflecting progress in the company's strategic transformation under its “Grow Nonwovens. Reset Textiles.” strategy.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris marks 30th anniversary with a redesigned exhibition concept

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris will celebrate its 30th anniversary from 25 to 27 January 2027 at the Paris-Le-Bourget Exhibition Centre. With more than 1,000 international exhibitors expected, the anniversary edition will introduce a redesigned exhibition layout across Halls 3 and 4, bringing fabric manufacturers and garment producers closer together. The event will also highlight Spring-Summer 2028 trends, sustainable sourcing and new opportunities for international textile trade.