2007 was a mixed year for the international textile machinery market. On the positive side, deliveries of open-end rotors soared by 64%, following declines in 2005 and 2006. Shipments of short staple spindles also rose although, at 9.0%, growth was slower than in 2006. On the negative side, deliveries of long staple spindles declined by 23%, following growth of 5.6% a year earlier. In doing so, they returned to the downward trend which has been apparent for much of the 2000s.
The market for draw texturing machinery was positive overall. Deliveries increased by 9.9% in 2007 following declines in the previous two years. However, the rise in 2007 was due entirely to a 12% increase in sales of double heater spindles. Shipments of single heater spindles, by contrast, fell by 37%—which reversed a 50% increase a year earlier.
In terms of individual countries, the textile industry in China increased its purchases of open-end rotors but its acquisitions of all other types of yarn manufacturing machinery fell—reflecting a number of difficulties in the sector. Elsewhere, spinners increased their share of investments—especially those in India, Bangladesh and Turkey.