The French Textile Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (UCMTF) has elected a new President following the retirement of Bruno Ameline who has chaired the association since 2004.

Hugues Schellenberg, CEO of Dollfus-Muller of Heimsbrunn in the French province of Alsace, has been on the board for 10 years and unanimously elected to succeed Ameline.

As President of UCMTF, Schellenberg will represent the French association on the board of Cematex, the owner of ITMAs. After the election, Schellenberg initiated a standing ovation to thank Ameline for his outstanding job during his 4 terms of tenure (16 years).

“It is a great honor but a stressing responsibility to become the UCMTF President in such uncertain environment our companies have to face worldwide due to the COVID pandemic. For the long run, I am very positive thanks to our state-of-the-art equipment and services which are up to the best standards, our teams are so professional and motivated but right now our business is on a bumpy road,” stated Schellenberg.

As CEO of Dollfus-Muller, Schellenberg spends at least half of his time with customers that he visits worldwide. This is how he keeps a firsthand contact and a deep connection with the needs of the market in order to both manage his company on a day to day basis and design its long term strategy.

In addition to UCMTF, Schellenberg is very active in many national and regional associations, including the chairmanship of a trade association to improve the employment of underprivileged workers.