We make our customers successful. - Oerlikon Barmag

tion, teams made up of members from different business units work together to address common issues
and thereby maximize the efficiency of the Group as a whole. The success of this effort depends greatly
on the Saurer company culture, on the willingness of management to optimize results for Saurer as a
whole as well as for their own business unit. These common programs can realize cost savings in excess
of EUR 20m p.a. and at the same time accelerate important projects. Clear definition of business processes
and open communication of goals and interests are the foundation of this process which is one
of the main strengths of Saurer Textile Solutions. The question is not one of centralized or decentralized
solutions, but of efficiency and customer service.
Neumag: Innovation on a broad front. Neumag’s positive business development continued in 2003 in
respect of orders, sales and results. High demand for synthetic staple fibers in China led in turn to a need
for staple fiber production plants, which Neumag were able to exploit most effectively. Thanks to their
products’ reliability, productivity and optimal cost-effectiveness, Neumag was able to acquire a majority
of the tendered contracts and thereby build up a significant share of the market. The key to this success
was the company’s ability to offer complete solutions from one source.
Neumag also enjoyed success in its carpet yarn business. In particular the S5 compact, modular system
introduced in the second half of the year was extremely well received by customers worldwide thanks to
its increased throughput and ease of use. The development phase of a new generation of fleece machines,
started in 2002, was concluded on time when the first large Spunbond laboratory installation was taken
into service at a customer presentation day in Neumünster at the end of the year. Neumag’s structure has
been realigned toward business processes as part of the Saurer Tempus program, resulting in a flatter
hierarchy with only two levels of management.
Successful networking in texturizing. Developments in the texturizing sector were highly satisfactory
this year. Business opportunities in the lively Asian market were successfully exploited by virtue of the
worldwide supply and production network which now operates in this sector, with production based in
China, Czech Republic and Germany. Increased volumes and a strengthened cost base have brought this
business unit back into profit. Further measures have been introduced as part of the Tempus program
and these will lower the break-even point a good deal more. Thanks to its well-run network, texturizing
is the most progressive of all Saurer’s business units and best placed to exploit opportunities in our global
markets. With the introduction of the MPS, a new fully modular texturizing machine with individual
operation of each section, a revolutionary new concept in production technology was presented. It sets
new standards in flexible small-scale production with low costs – something our customers continually
strive to achieve. Its low energy consumption and ease of use are further valuable features which will
help to differentiate it in the market.
Success with spinning mills in China. In China, private enterprises have been building up synthetic yarn
production capacity. They have shown a preference for larger machines, hoping to realize economies of
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