2008 was a very poor year for the international weaving machinery market. Global deliveries of
shuttleless looms and shuttle looms both fell at double digit rates.
In the case of shuttleless looms, global deliveries fell by 34% to 44,754 machines—their lowest level
since 2001. The decline in shipments was due largely to drops in purchases by the three largest
investors—the textile industries in China, India and Bangladesh. However, several other industries cut
back on their acquisitions, including those in France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Portugal,
Spain, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the USA and Vietnam. Indeed, only a few industries stepped
up their purchases, notable examples being Brazil, Indonesia and South Korea.
Furthermore,
acquisitions fell in six of the seven major regions examined—the exception being Eastern Europe,
where purchases rose by 2.7%. In five of the seven regions, acquisitions fell at double digit rates.
In the case of shuttle looms, global deliveries fell by 82% to just 684 machines. This was their second
lowest level, and was only slightly above the 663 machines delivered to the world’s mills in 2005.
Chinese mills acquired 89% fewer machines, and accounted for the entire drop in shipments. As a
result, their share of global deliveries fell from 95% to 59%. The industries in India and Indonesia
were the only others to invest in shuttle loom machinery in 2008, representing 33% and 9% of the
market respectively.
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