From the Sector

The Board of Directors of Rieter Holding Ltd. has appointed Emmanuelle Gmür to the Group Executive Committee of the Rieter Group with effect from January 1, 2025. As Chief Human Resources Officer, she succeeds Tom Ban, who has decided to pursue his career outside Rieter.

Emmanuelle Gmür has extensive knowledge in human resources and a proven track record in strategic leadership and organizational development, management consulting and change management. She has vast international experience and knowledge of the textile industry.

In the period from 2013 to 2024 Emmanuelle Gmür was active as Chief Human Resources Officer, Global Head of Communication and as a member of the global management board of the Triumph Group, Bad Zurzach (Switzerland). At the same time, she was a member of the Supervisory Board of Triumph France SA, Obernai (France) from 2020 to 2024 and deputy chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Triumph Austria AG, Vienna/Wiener Neustadt (Austria) from 2015 to 2024. She previously worked as Global Head of Learning and Development for the Triumph Group in Bad Zurzach (Switzerland) from 2010 to 2013. From 2007 to 2010, she held the position of Head of Consulting at Qualintra SA, Geneva (Switzerland). From 1999 to 2006, she held various positions at British Telecom plc, London (United Kingdom), among others as a consultant for leadership and organizational development and as a business transformation consultant.

Emmanuelle Gmür holds a Core MBA from the Helsinki University of Technology, Helsinki (Finland) and a Master of Science in Business from the École supérieure de commerce de Reims (France). She was born in 1976 and is a French citizen.

In accordance with article 15 of the law of May 2, 2007 (transparency law) on the disclosure of important participating interests in issuers whose shares are admitted for trading on a regulated market, and following the cancellation of 658,488 own shares in December 2024 acquired in the framework of the first €50 million tranche of the ongoing €300 million Share Buyback Program, the updated information about the capital, the shares and the voting rights of Syensqo SA is as follows:

Total capital: EUR 1,351,624,292.82

New total number of shares and voting rights (= denominator): 105,217,929

The denominator serves as a basis for the notification of major holdings by shareholders. The thresholds, as provided by Article 11 of the Articles of Association of Syensqo SA, are therefore applicable.

Mark Ushpol has been appointed Executive Vice President, Americas business area at Suominen. He will be a member of Suominen's Executive Management Team and report to President and CEO Tommi Björnman. Ushpol will start in his new position on January 6, 2025.

Mr. Ushpol joins Suominen from Ahlstrom, where he worked as Executive Vice President of the Food & Consumer Packaging division and as a member of the Executive Management Team.

“Mark has a strong experience in leading industrial business and operations. He also has industry knowledge and proven record in successfully executing company goals. I am sure he will be a valued member in our Executive Management Team and support us in our journey towards profitable growth,” says Tommi Björnman, President and CEO of Suominen.

One piece at a time - work with precision, grow with wisdom: Luciano Vivolo unveils the strategy that has enabled his company to navigate these challenging years for the world of luxury and, particularly, leather: technological investments, diversification of supply and markets, sustainable innovation, and hope for the future, without ever conceding on quality.

In a demanding and competitive field such as haute couture, achieving nearly fifty years of success does not happen by chance. It requires consistently staying one step ahead, designing the future in its most elegant details while safeguarding the identity and uniqueness that form the foundation of a company’s heritage. What distinguishes Vivolo, for example, is its refined and original designs, the ability to develop prototypes in just 24 hours, and the capacity to produce over 8 million articles a year, all adhering to the company’s high-quality standards.

These founding values of Vivolo are rooted in the prestigious manufacturing tradition of Made in Italy. However, as founder and president Luciano Vivolo explains, while these values remain essential, they are no longer sufficient to guarantee success for Italian companies. "In recent years, we have faced all sorts of variables, unpredictable or, worse, unforeseen. The belief of luxury, like many cornerstones of our society and industry, is no longer as firmly established as it once was. The sector is experiencing a crisis with deeper roots than many might imagine. At Vivolo, we are tackling this situation as we always have, by working patiently, designing, cutting, sewing, and creating one piece at a time, but always looking towards the horizon to recognize new opportunities and needs."

In 2024, just one year after inaugurating its efficient and modern headquarters in Bologna (San Lazzaro), Vivolo announced the expansion of its production department. This 1,000 square-meter addition of machines, dedicated to footwear and leather goods, complements the company’s existing 10,000 square-meter production facility. The strategic decision to invest more than one million euros in these segments materialized not only in the purchase of advanced machinery but also in the hiring of highly qualified personnel and structural improvements that enabled the company to increase production volumes.

In addition to this vertical growth, Vivolo has also pursued horizontal expansion by strengthening its network of sales agents in Northern Europe, particularly Germany, Holland, and Scandinavia, and the Far East, focusing on South Korea and Japan. These regions, especially important for Vivolo’s denim sector, value the company’s iconic leather labels, which are hot-printed, high-frequency (HF) or digitally produced, making each garment unique. Vivolo’s innovative capabilities are further enhanced by a state-of-the-art 3D machine, which eliminates the need for die-casting facilities, significantly optimizing costs, time, and resources. A prototype can now be produced in just a few hours.

However, the range of Vivolo’s accessories extends far beyond this. Each season brings dozens of new themes that explore sustainable materials, innovative processes, original designs, and unique techniques to anticipate fashion trends and offer unexpected, inimitable solutions to luxury brands. At the heart of Vivolo's business is environmental ethics, a vision that embraces the product in all its dimensions while integrating both working and human processes and relationships.

"As rhetorical as it may sound, our corporate culture is built on the idea of leaving a better world, or the best possible world, for future generations. For me, this need is closely and pragmatically tied to my four children. From the first patches I created to mend my son Salvatore’s trousers in the 1970s to the investments in our new headquarters and the recent production expansion, every decision has been driven by the desire to build a better future for the Vivolo family and company, and for generations to come," adds Luciano Vivolo.

Looking ahead, the company, which prides itself on maintaining up-to-date certifications, including the recently added OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD, and transparent communication, is currently in the preparatory stage of drafting its first sustainability report. This milestone will provide an opportunity to reflect on objectives achieved and set goals for the future. "The Sustainability Report 2025 is a goal we have set for ourselves as a concrete demonstration of our commitment to creating and sharing value for all stakeholders," says Luciano Vivolo. "We expect 2024 to close on a positive note for our company, even though it is difficult to define precise figures at this time. Certainly, our goal for 2025 is to raise our standards even higher while hoping for a recovery in the luxury market, to which we have been connected for decades."

Thermore prepares for next phase of growth into the end-consumer market: Thermore, an Italian manufacturing firm and leader in sustainable synthetic insulation, welcomes Laura Beachy as Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications. Beachy joins Thermore from Hyla Strategies, a NYC-based boutique marketing firm, where she served as a Managing Partner since 2014. Over the past decade, she has guided a diverse portfolio ranging from Shark Tank startups to Fortune 500 companies. Beachy’s understanding of sustainability, passion for the outdoors, and proven track record of success makes her poised to amplify Thermore’s brand story and drive its mission to new heights.

In the outdoor industry, Beachy’s consumer-facing knowledge has supported iconic brands like Xero Shoes, Oiselle, HOKA, Altra, and Kinetic. Her strategies have driven measurable growth—transforming online communities into buyers.

Beachy’s leadership represents a significant step for Thermore as it makes its first foray into the end-consumer market. Beachy will lead Thermore’s efforts to enhance brand presence, driving customer engagement while continuing to innovate in B2B channels. Her in-depth experience of B2C consumer engagement in the outdoor industry and specialized marketing development work in B2B climate tech, positions her as the perfect leader to guide Thermore as it expands its influence into the consumer market.

UMAC, a member of the EREMA Group, is expanding its ReadyMac product line with a new 60 hertz version. This means that the immediately available plastics recycling solution can now be deployed worldwide. The standardised machine with its particularly attractive price-performance ratio will be presented in its new look for the first time at Plast Eurasia from 4-7 December 2024 in Istanbul.
    
The ReadyMac celebrated its market launch at K 2022. The recycling system, which is produced in stock and therefore available at short notice, has since established itself successfully in the 50 hertz version, particularly on the European market. Based on this success, UMAC is now also offering the ReadyMac 500 in a 60 hertz version. "The ReadyMac is suitable for a wide range of materials and degrees of contamination, processing film, flakes and regrind into high-quality recycled pellets. The fixed price of just EUR 375,000 makes it an attractive proposition," says Michael Köhnhofer, Site Manager at UMAC. The machine is produced in small series at the St. Marien site.

The ReadyMac is based on EREMA's proven TVE technology, in which degassing occurs after filtration. Equipped with a robust SW RTF® screen changer filtration system, the recycling machine processes both printed and contaminated waste. The multipurpose screw handles a wide range of materials efficiently and reliably. With a throughput of up to 500 kg/h for LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, PP, PS, PC, ABS and up to 450 kg/h for HDPE, the ReadyMac 500 is a true all-rounder. In addition, the two frequency converters on the main drives (preconditioning unit and extruder screw) ensure consistently high throughputs and quality for a wide variety of material types, such as regrind, film or nonwoven, even without changing the screw. This enhances both flexibility and productivity. The frequency converters are now included as standard with the ReadyMac.

One of the automotive industry’s first hydrogen-powered spray booths has been installed by AkzoNobel at a new training center in Belgium.

Located near Brussels, the facility is part of a multi-million euro program to expand and upgrade the company’s network of more than 40 Automotive Training Centers (ATCs), which are located across the globe.  

Designed to go beyond local and legislative requirements, the new spray booth highlights how embracing the latest technologies can contribute to more sustainable operations. The site itself – which is 30% larger than the one it’s replacing – has been constructed to be BREEAM certified, further demonstrating AkzoNobel’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions across the full value chain by 2030.

“The industry of the future requires painters of the future who are fully conversant with the latest technologies and techniques,” says Patrick Bourguignon, Director of the company’s Automotive and Specialty Coatings business. “By increasing the size of our Belgian facility by almost a third, we can accommodate more technology – such as the new spray booth – and train more people.

The hydrogen-powered combi spray booth is fully equipped for traditional repairs and includes an all-in-one repairs workstation. It also has a special air filtration system which uses “active carbon” to filter any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated during the painting process. An extra high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) produces clean air (up to 99%), which is filtered back out into the atmosphere.

“By further upskilling painters, bodyshop managers and OEM engineers on a new generation of coatings and technologies, we can help them improve operational efficiency and reduce their own carbon emissions,” adds Bourguignon. “The investments we’re making in our ATCs will therefore address a growing global skills shortage, while also helping us set a new benchmark for sustainable practices in our industry.”

The company’s ATCs are part of a broader global network of training facilities that AkzoNobel operates across its businesses. They support customers and partners across key industries including aerospace coatings, decorative paints and yacht coatings.

Ontex Group NV, a leading international developer and producer of personal care products, announces the launch of a share buy-back program to acquire a maximum of 1.5 million shares, representing 1.8% of its issued shares. The shares acquired through the program will contribute to meeting Ontex’s obligations under its current and future long-term incentive plans. The share purchases will be spread over a seven-month period, starting on December 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025.

The program will be conducted under the terms and conditions of the authorization granted by the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting held on May 5, 2023, and will be executed by an independent intermediary, who will make its decisions independently pursuant to a discretionary mandate. The timing of the transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions. The share buy-back program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Ontex will publish weekly updates on the progress of its share purchases. During the term of the share buy-back program, Ontex’s liquidity contract will be suspended. As Ontex currently already holds 1.2 million shares in treasury, it will hold 2.7 million treasury shares upon completion of the program, representing 3.2% of its issued shares.

In line with the new Level Up corporate strategy, which focuses on innovation and a future-fit product portfolio among other things, Autoneum has further expanded its research and development activities in 2024 with a particular focus on New Mobility. In addition to establishing a specialized team to accelerate the development and market readiness of novel products and technologies for electric vehicles, the Company has complemented its global innovation network with a new Research & Technology (R&T) Center in Shanghai, China.

Innovation is and always has been an integral part of Autoneum’s corporate strategy and thus a key factor for business success. The Company’s innovation activities are also an important aspect of its vision: to be the global leader for innovative and sustainable solutions bringing comfort to every vehicle. Against the backdrop of the rapidly advancing electrification of mobility and Autoneum’s strategic focus on further expanding its presence in the Asian growth markets, the expansion activities of the company-wide innovation network this year concentrated on two key areas in particular: New Mobility and presence in China.

Responding to the increasing demand for new components for electric vehicles, Autoneum has formed a specialized team dedicated exclusively to New Mobility to further strengthen its position in this growing market segment. The New Mobility team was established in fall 2023 and has been completed over the past twelve months with members from different departments. It unites a broad set of skills from various fields of expertise such as product innovation, product development and industrialization, sales and business development. The team places a particular focus on accelerating the development and time to market of new products and technologies specifically for the fast-evolving battery systems and architectures of electric vehicles. It also acts as a catalyst for innovation pro-jects and strategic partnerships. The New Mobility experts work in close collaboration with the various departments across the organization and are based at Autoneum’s Swiss headquarters in Win-terthur, at the German locations in Gundernhausen and Munich and in Shanghai, China.

Shanghai is also the location of Autoneum’s third R&T Center worldwide, which was opened in China this summer to enhance the Company’s competitiveness in Asia and cater to the development and innovation needs in this key strategic market. The new center aims to intensify and accelerate the development and production of innovative components and materials, especially regarding e-mobility. The establishment of an R&T team in China allows Autoneum to develop products in a timely manner to respond to the dynamic market conditions and the rapidly evolving requirements of Chinese vehicle manufactures. In terms of material development, the center will support the wider organization in the further development of sustainable materials, especially polyester. In addition, it will promote the introduction of Autoneum’s environmentally friendly products such as the Company’s monomaterial carpet systems featuring Autoneum’s innovative and latex-free alternative backcoating (ABC) process to the Chinese market. Moreover, the R&T Center in Shanghai will also serve as a valuable point of contact with the 14 production facilities of the Jiangsu Huanyu Group, whose acquisition of a majority stake of 70 percent by Autoneum was recently announced and is expected to be closed in March 2025 (see media release of November 19, 2024). While the plants in China will benefit from the local R&T team’s expertise in the company’s technologies, the existing broad customer base of Jiangsu Huanyu Group will support Autoneum in better understanding and serving the innovation needs of Chinese vehicle manufacturers.

The new R&T Center in Shanghai complements the primary R&T Center in Winterthur, Switzerland, which supports the global network with its expertise and a vast array of services in the areas of pre-development as well as acoustic and thermal benchmarking, simulation and testing, and the center in Bocholt, Germany. The latter was integrated into Autoneum’s innovation network following the acquisition of Borgers Automotive last year and has since established itself as the Company’s competence center for trunk and trim components. Including the new center in China, a total of approximately eighty R&T employees – including engineers, chemists, physicists and product designers – are continuously working on new ideas aimed at the next technological breakthrough in acoustic and thermal management and shielding technologies.

Substituting dry curing for traditional water-based techniques, these new textile production solutions greatly reduce water-borne pollution: Green Theme Technologies (GTT), creators of the waterless and PFAS-free EMPEL® textile finishing platform, has teamed up with Golden Long John to promote the next generation of cleaner and more efficient fabric dye and finishing processes.

The textile manufacturing industry generates trillions of gallons of wastewater each year. Traditional textile dyeing and finishing rinses chemical dyes and water repellency onto fabrics. Post-production toxic water is then dumped into rivers and oceans.

Last year, Golden Long John, a major textile supplier of the global footwear industry, introduced GTT’s EMPEL® finishing platform in their Vietnam factories. Their partnership has led to the combination of their two industry leading technologies, the EMPEL® high performance water repellent finish and Golden Long John’s direct dye process.

“We believe, Cleaner IS Better and this is a big step forward for the fashion and textile industries,” said Martin Flora, President of GTT Business Development. “Similar to GTT’s EMPEL® application, Golden Long John applies dye chemistry directly onto fabrics. Better performance with much less pollution is our vision for the future.”