Among the many strengths of Britain’s textile machinery manufacturers is their focus on innovation and the future. They are willing to invite new challenges to keep themselves alert, proactive, flexible and responsive to change. “To be a good innovator you need to be confident of your ability to make a significant leap and get it right – first time if possible, but certainly to respond very quickly. BTMA member companies have that confidence because they’re used to being leaders in technological development across a wide spread of areas in textile production.” Alan Little, Director, BTMA Examples of British innovation in textile machinery and processing are everywhere. Virtually all textile manufacturing processes – from carding, spinning, weaving, knitting, tufting and nonwoven bonding of fibres through to advanced colouration, finishing and printing techniques – began in Britain and still generate a steady stream of intellectual property for BTMA manufacturing companies. Their activity ensures that the UK will be an R&D powerhouse for many years to come. Let’s not forget that the BTMA was once itself an innovation. It was set up in 1940 as a shop window for UK textile machinery manufacturers who were trying to resume exporting in difficult post-war conditions. It proved so successful that we are still here, helping to bring together the world’s textile producers and UK textile machinery specialists.