President Team 2024-2026
On 14 June 2024, EURATEX General Assembly voted the new president and his team to lead EURATEX’s vision for the next two year. The team is composed by President Mario Jorge Machado, Mrs. Barbara Cimmino, Mr. Michael Kamm, Mr. Ismail Kolunsag and Mr. Gregory Marchant.
Alberto Paccanelli has been appointed Honorary President.
From left to right: Dirk Vantyghem (EURATEX Director General), Mario Jorge Machado (President), Barbara Cimmino (Vice-President), Alberto Paccanelli (Honorary President), Ismail Kolunsag (Vice President) and Gregory Marchant (Vice President). Micheal Kamm (Vice President) could not be present.
EURATEX is the European Apparel and Textile Confederation, representing the interests of the European textile and clothing industry at the level of the EU institutions. As the voice of the European industry, EURATEX aims to create favorable environment within the European Union for manufacturing of textile and clothing products.
Textile and apparel manufacturing is an essential pillar of local economy across the EU regions. The textile and fashion products made in the EU are exceptional in regards to the respect of environment, consumer safety and labour rights. EURATEX has an ambitious programme to enhance sustainable growth of the European textile and clothing industry.
EURATEX provides the EU institutions with accurate data and useful tools for making the policies that enhance Europe’s economic growth and encourage jobs creation. We are committed to facilitate access of our companies, which are predominantly SMEs, to European actions. EURATEX is focused on a few clear priorities: genuine industrial policy, research and innovation support, free and fair trade, and sustainable textiles.
EURATEX was officially created in 1996 with the merger of three organisations present in Brussels, all lobbying for the interests of the Textile and clothing industries since the early ‘60s.
COMITEXTIL (Coordination Committee for the Textile Industries of the EC), ECLA (European Association of Clothing Industries), ELTAC (European Largest Textile and Apparel Companies) decided to create one single body, able to have a stronger and coordinated voice towards the European and International institutions.
In 2010 EURATEX became an international non-profit organisation (aisbl).
EURATEX Presidents
Mario Jorge Machado, Portugal (July 2024 – ongoing)
Alberto Paccanelli, Italy (June 2019 – June 2024)
Klaus Huneke, Germany (January 2017 – June 2019)
Serge Piolat, France (January 2015 – December 2016)
Alberto Paccanelli, Italy (January 2011 – December 2014)
Peter Pfneisl, Austria (January 2009 – December 2010)
Michele Tronconi, Italy (July 2006 – June 2008)
Filiep Libeert, Belgium (July 2001 – June 2005)
Jean De Jaegher, Italy (July 1999 – June 2001)
Dominique Jacomet, France (July 1997 – June 1999)
Klaus Steilmann, Germany (January 1996 – June 1997)
