On 20 May 2026, more than 100 representatives of the textile and apparel industry in Baden-Württemberg met with guests from politics, science and business at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. The conference was held to mark the association’s 80th anniversary and took place against the backdrop of a noticeably tense economic situation. Südwesttextil President Bodo Th. Bölzle referred to the growing community of textile and apparel companies since 1946 and at the same time spoke of profound challenges for the location. In his address, he stated that, despite all the challenges, the association would not join in the swan song for industry, that it was convinced of the diversity of industrial sectors in the federal state and that, through cooperation between all stakeholders, this crisis could also be overcome.

According to the association, the sector is facing declining sales, tough international price and technology competition, high location costs and a dense regulatory framework. Against this backdrop, Bölzle warned of a severe loss of industrial value creation in Baden-Württemberg.

With guest speaker Wolfgang Bosbach, the annual conference also addressed current geopolitical developments. Under the title “War & Crises – the New Normal? Straight Talk in Textiles!”, the former member of the German Bundestag spoke about current global conflicts, economic uncertainties and the consequences for companies and industry.

Call for a competitive European economic area

Südwesttextil links its diagnosis of the location with clearly formulated expectations of policymakers. It is calling for a competitive European economic area with strategic partnerships, consistent reduction of bureaucracy and faster, more modern public-sector processes. At the same time, the association is pushing for fair competitive conditions through stronger monitoring of import standards.

For the textile value chains in the state, the association identifies investment in digital and energy infrastructure as a key prerequisite. This is complemented by calls for a reform of public procurement law that places greater emphasis on product quality and durability.

Innovation-driven industry sees itself as part of the solution

Despite the pressures, the textile and apparel industry in Baden-Württemberg positions itself as an innovation-driven and transformation-experienced sector that wants to actively contribute to the future of the location. This was also underlined by looking back at the association’s history, with several mergers since 1946 leading to today’s Südwesttextil.

With around 200 companies, 7 billion euros in sales and 24,000 employees, the association sees itself as an adviser to its members, a networker in politics and business, a social partner, and a supporter of textile research as well as of engagement for social and environmental standards. Between history and the future, one thing became particularly clear at the annual conference: the need for political action is great in view of the threat to competitiveness and industrial value creation. The sector can only fulfil its role under reliable political and economic framework conditions.