ZIMMER AUSTRIA tailors solutions to meet diverse customer needs
For over 150 years, ZIMMER AUSTRIA has been at the forefront of pioneering innovations, crafting success stories for four decades in the realm of digital printing. With its advanced production facilities located in Klagenfurt and Kufstein, ZIMMER AUSTRIA stands as a global leader among machine producers for textile and carpet finishing. Its portfolio includes cutting-edge digital printing systems, flat screen and rotary screen printing, coating systems, as well as steaming, washing, and drying solutions, underscoring its commitment to excellence and innovation in the industry. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, CEO/MD of Digital Printing Systems Andreas Rass discusses the company’s growth and the growing digital printing sector.
How has digital textile printing technology evolved over the last decade, and what are the most significant advancements that have transformed the industry?
Over the last decade, digital textile printing technology has evolved significantly, with advancements in print quality, speed, versatility in fabric compatibility, sustainability, customisation capabilities, streamlined design-to-print workflows, and market accessibility transforming the industry. Throughout the production process, the end customer is more closely involved in design creation, approval, and quality control. Modern tools, from webshops to online colour measurement, are helping to improve customer experience.
In terms of sustainability and environmental impact, how does digital textile printing compare to traditional textile printing methods?
Digital textile printing offers greater sustainability compared to traditional methods by using eco-friendly inks, reducing water consumption, minimising chemical waste, and enabling on-demand production, ultimately reducing energy consumption and waste generation.
Can you discuss the role of software and digital design tools in the textile printing process?
Software and digital design tools play a crucial role in textile printing by enhancing creativity, efficiency, and accuracy. They enable designers to create complex patterns and colours with precision, streamline the design-to-print workflow, and facilitate quick iterations, resulting in faster production and higher-quality output.
With the increasing demand for customisation and small-batch production, how is digital textile printing meeting these market needs? What challenges do manufacturers face in balancing customisation with cost-effectiveness and speed?
Digital textile printing meets the growing demand for customisation and small-batch production by offering on-demand printing capabilities, allowing for quick turnaround times and personalised designs. However, manufacturers face challenges in balancing customisation with cost-effectiveness and speed due to the need for specialised equipment, higher material costs for smaller runs, and optimising production workflows to minimise downtime and maximise efficiency.
Can you describe the journey of ZIMMER AUSTRIA from its foundation in 1874 to becoming a global leader in textile and carpet finishing machinery? How have the company’s core values influenced its success over the years?
ZIMMER AUSTRIA has evolved since its inception in 1874 into a global leader in textile and carpet finishing machinery, driven by innovation, quality, and customer focus. These core values have guided the company’s success, fostering trust, reliability, and excellence in its products and services over the years. Certainly, our Austrian production setup puts us under pressure in terms of competitiveness in pricing, but our customer base is valuing our consistency in terms of quality, textile processing know-how and openness for customisation.
ZIMMER AUSTRIA is renowned for its wide range of innovative solutions in textile and carpet finishing. Could you highlight some of the key innovations or technological breakthroughs that have been pivotal in shaping the industry’s landscape?
Well, there have been several innovations since the foundation of Franz Zimmer at Warnsdorf (North Bohemia/ K&K monarchy) in 1874. However, some notable ones are the invention of ZIMMER MAGNET SYSTEM in 1956, followed by MAGNOROLL high-precision Coating Machine for technical textiles and fabrics in 1962, and development of the digital carpet printing system in 1976. The subsequent technological breakthroughs that are significant include MAGNOPRINT - completely electronic FLAT.SCREEN Printing Machine in 1998, CHROMOJET 25 dpi (high resolution digital carpet printer) in 2005, and CHROMOJET 76 dpi (CMYK, process colour printing) in 2009.
Sustainability is a significant concern in the textile industry. How does ZIMMER AUSTRIA incorporate sustainability into its products and operations?
ZIMMER AUSTRIA integrates sustainability in manufacturing of the machinery as well as through development of eco-friendly printing, coating and finishing technologies. Water and energy-saving processes and reduction of chemical impact on the environment are corner stones for our development efforts and are the drivers for ZIMMER AUSTRIA’s success in the market. With our broad partner network from chemical, dyestuff and ink companies as well as other machinery builders, we are constantly chasing the efficiencies in various process steps.
With the advent of digital technology, how has ZIMMER AUSTRIA adapted its offerings to meet the changing demands of the textile and carpet printing industries? How do you see digital printing evolving in the next decade?
ZIMMER AUSTRIA has embraced digital printing as a growing sector. We anticipate that a greater proportion of production from traditional technology will shift to digital printing, requiring the entire ecosystem to be receptive to this transition – from machinery and chemical manufacturers to textile producers and ultimately, the end customer, who might need to pay slightly more for a more sustainable product.
The company motto ‘First in Quality’ and ‘First in Service’ emphasises a strong commitment to excellence. How do you ensure these standards are met consistently across all aspects of your business, from production to customer service?
We ensure consistent quality and service excellence by implementing rigorous quality control measures throughout production processes, providing comprehensive training to our staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and actively seeking and addressing customer feedback to meet their evolving needs and expectations.
ZIMMER AUSTRIA has a significant global presence, supported by a strong agent network and independent sales and service companies. Can you talk about the challenges and opportunities that come with managing such a wide-reaching global operation?
Managing a wide-reaching global operation presents challenges such as cultural differences, logistical complexities, and varying market regulations. However, it also offers opportunities for market expansion, diversification of revenue streams, access to new technologies and talent pools, and the ability to serve a diverse customer base with tailored solutions and localised support.
Customer needs in the textile and carpet industries can be quite diverse. How does ZIMMER AUSTRIA tailor its solutions to meet these specific needs, and can you give an example of a bespoke solution you have provided?
ZIMMER AUSTRIA tailors solutions to meet diverse customer needs through extensive consultation, customisation options, and flexible manufacturing processes. In the last years we have delivered printing lines for textile webbings from 25 mm width up to carpet print lines for 5.2 m wide carpets. This flexibility is our strength and helps to position our customers well in a very competitive market environment.
The company has a long history of R&D and innovation. What is the current focus of your research and development efforts and are there any exciting projects or technologies we can expect to see in the near future?
Our current R&D focus is on advancing digital printing technology, enhancing sustainability in textile finishing, and optimising production processes for efficiency and quality. Stay tuned for exciting developments in these areas, including improved digital printing systems, eco-friendly coating solutions, and innovations in production automation. A big focus in our Technology Center is currently around the digital printing of Military Camouflage textiles.
ZIMMER AUSTRIA prides itself in offering “all elements out of one hand”. How does this integrated approach benefit your clients, and what challenges does it pose in terms of product development and service delivery?
Our process understanding together with our partner network enables us to create complete production lines tailored to specific customer and product needs. Over the last few decades, we have built a good understanding of how to execute global projects and serve our customers in the after sales. Our global network of service technicians plays a big role in this success story.
Looking forward, what are the main goals and aspirations for ZIMMER AUSTRIA in the coming years? How do you plan to continue the company’s legacy of innovation and quality in the fast-evolving textile and carpet finishing sectors?
Our main goals for the coming years include advancing sustainability initiatives, expanding our global presence, and pioneering new technologies to meet evolving industry demands. We plan to continue our legacy of innovation and quality by fostering a culture of creativity, investing in R&D, and staying responsive to customer needs, ensuring that ZIMMER AUSTRIA remains at the forefront of the textile and carpet finishing sectors.
Gazing into the future, what are the emerging trends or technologies in digital textile printing that you believe will significantly impact the industry? How should businesses prepare to integrate these advancements into their operations?
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital textile printing, emerging trends such as sustainable printing technologies, 3D printing applications, and AI-driven design tools are poised to revolutionise the industry. Businesses should prepare by investing in research and development, fostering partnerships with technology providers, and staying agile to adapt to these advancements swiftly, ensuring they remain competitive and meet evolving customer demands in the digital era.
