Empowering Women in a Technology-Driven Textile Industry
In this exclusive interaction with Textile Sphere India, Summer Hsia, Textile Marketing & Communication Officer, Staubli AG, shares her journey in a highly technical industry. She highlights the importance of innovation-driven marketing, cross-functional collaboration, and the growing opportunities for women to lead and shape the future of textile technology.
April 01, 2026 | By Textile Sphere India
Q. Stäubli has long been recognised for precision engineering in weaving preparation and weaving systems. How do you see automation redefining mill productivity in the next five years?
Automation is profoundly transforming the way weaving mills operate, and its impact will only accelerate in the next five years. We observe a clear shift from reactive production to highly predictable, stable and energy‑efficient processes. Technologies such as automatic drawing‑in systems, intelligent shedding solutions and advanced Jacquard electronics not only reduce dependency on skilled labour — a growing challenge in many markets — but also minimise the need for lengthy personnel training and significantly shorten machine start‑up time. At the same time, digital tools provide real‑time insights, enabling mills to anticipate issues before they occur and maintain consistent fabric quality.
Q. What key innovations from Stäubli are currently most relevant for Indian textile manufacturers?
India’s textile industry is moving quickly toward higher efficiency and modernisation, and several of our solutions directly support this evolution. Our SAFIR PRO drawing-in systems drastically reduce style-change time while ensuring flawless warp preparation — a crucial advantage in a market where flexibility and rapid turnaround are essential. The TIEPRO warp-tying system helps mills minimise downtime thanks to its fast, reliable operation.
For weaving, our LX PRO Jacquard and our S3018 rotary dobby are particularly relevant to Indian producers looking for stable high-speed performance with low energy consumption. Together, these technologies allow mills to improve productivity and remain competitive in both domestic and export-oriented segments.
Q. Sustainability is a major focus for global brands. How do Stäubli solutions contribute to energy efficiency, reduced waste, and traceability in textile production?
Sustainability is embedded in the way we design our machinery. Our latest generation of systems significantly reduces energy usage through optimised motion control, lightweight components, and smart electronics. But sustainability goes beyond energy savings: our machines are engineered for long-term durability, meaning they can run reliably for decades, limiting the need for replacement and reducing environmental impact.
We also support recyclability and repairability by designing equipment that is easy to maintain and by ensuring long-term availability of spare parts. With digital platforms such as MyStäubli, mills gain visibility over their machine’s lifecycle, can monitor performance, and identify inefficiencies early on. This combination of longevity, precision, and digital support creates a more sustainable and responsible production environment.
Q. With growing demand for technical textiles, how is technology evolving to meet quality and consistency requirements?
The growing demand for high‑performance fabrics requires machinery capable of extraordinary precision and repeatability. Stäubli’s technological developments are fully aligned with these expectations. Our UNIVAL 100 electronic Jacquard and our TF weaving systems are designed for complex 3D, multilayer and technical fabrics, ensuring gentle yarn handling and stable high‑speed performance, even when working with demanding materials such as glass or carbon fibres. Our TF system also offers minimal material loss, significantly reducing the waste of costly technical fibres and improving overall production efficiency.
Q. Digitalisation is reshaping manufacturing — how are smart connectivity and data integration influencing decision-making on the shop floor?
Digitalisation empowers mills to make faster and better decisions directly on the shop floor. Through smart sensors, real‑time monitoring and predictive‑maintenance features, our systems help detect deviations before they affect fabric quality.
The MyStäubli portal is a key enabler of this transformation. It centralizes machine data, maintenance records, technical documentation and spare‑parts information within a single intuitive platform. By making this information accessible and actionable, mills can reduce downtime, optimise workflows and manage their equipment more strategically.
Q. How is Stäubli strengthening its engagement with the Indian market, and what trends are you observing among progressive Indian textile companies
India has always been a strategic region for Stäubli, and our presence there continues to grow. We maintain strong local service teams with 23 local technicians and global experts, offering technical training, and working closely with customers to ensure our solutions match their real production needs. Today we have five service offices in Mumbai, Surat (Gujarat), Erode (Tamil Nadu), Ichalkaranji (Maharashtra) and Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and this local presence ensures fast response times and builds trust with customers, while maintaining Stäubli’s global standards of quality and performance.
Q. From a global perspective, what challenges should textile manufacturers prepare for in the coming decade
Looking ahead, the textile industry will face multiple pressures: fluctuations and uncertainty in global demand, stricter sustainability regulations, rising energy costs, and increasing expectations regarding fabric performance. Labour shortages and supply chain disruptions will also continue to influence operations. On top of this, unpredictable tariff policies and volatile trade relations add another layer of uncertainty for mills operating in globally interconnected markets. Sudden changes in import/export duties can directly impact margins and sourcing strategies, forcing manufacturers to constantly revaluate procurement and sales channels.
Q. As a woman professional in a highly technical industrial sector, what challenges and opportunities have shaped your career journey?
Working in a highly technical industry hasn’t always been easy, especially at the beginning, when building technical credibility was a real challenge. But over time, it has given me a very strong foundation for where I am today. The textile machinery industry is global, complex, and driven by innovation, and I’ve learned that effective marketing here isn’t about promotion—it’s about making technology meaningful and relevant for customers.
Over the past 15 years at Stäubli, I’ve had the opportunity to grow in an environment that constantly pushes innovation, working closely with technical, sales, and regional teams across many markets.
As I take on a leadership role in marketing, I see my role very much as a bridge—aligning innovation with market expectations and helping our solutions create real impact. What makes this industry especially exciting is how fast it moves. Technologies evolve quickly, customer priorities change, and today, geopolitical disruptions and supply‑chain shifts add another layer of complexity. It’s demanding, but also incredibly motivating. It confirms my belief that this industry offers great opportunities for those who are curious, committed, and ready to lead change.
Q. What steps can companies take to encourage greater participation and leadership of women in the textile industry?
To attract more women, the industry must first make opportunities visible—especially in areas such as automation, engineering, digital technologies, and operations, where women remain underrepresented—by promoting mentorship programs, inclusive career development pathways, and technical training tailored for women entering the field; however, this effort must begin earlier within the education system itself, with technical universities and textile engineering institutions actively encouraging female participation through targeted outreach, showcasing role models, and positioning textile engineering as a modern, innovative, and globally connected discipline.
Representation also matters: when women see other women in leadership positions, it becomes easier to project themselves into these roles. Finally, flexible worktime policies and a culture that values diversity help create an environment in which women can thrive, contribute, and aspire to leadership positions.
#TAGS weaving preparation, textile technology, weaving mills, SAFIR PRO drawing-in systems, MyStäubli, LX PRO Jacquard, S3018 rotary dobby, TIEPRO warp-tying system, Ichalkaranji,