Rieter Celebrates 230 Years Of Innovation In Textile Technology
Rieter, the global leader in systems for yarn production from staple fibers, marks its 230th anniversary in 2025 — a journey defined by pioneering innovation, resilience, and growth.
Founded on April 15, 1795, by Johann Jacob Rieter in Winterthur, Switzerland, Rieter began as a trading company dealing in exotic spices and cotton. Just days later, the first cotton bale arrived at the Waaghaus trading house, laying the foundation for a future deeply intertwined with the textile industry.
Throughout the 19th century, Rieter evolved from textile manufacturing into industrial machinery production. The acquisition of the former Töss Abbey in 1833 enabled expansion into spinning, winding, knitting, and weaving machinery. In 1891, the transformation into a stock company marked a new chapter in its industrial growth.
A consistent trailblazer, Rieter was the first Swiss machine factory to introduce electronic data processing. It established a modern materials testing lab, prototype workshops, a textile lab, and a test spinning mill to fuel continuous innovation.
Through economic cycles, Rieter has sharpened its strategic focus, leveraging challenges as catalysts for efficiency and transformation. Today, alongside its renowned components and technology subsidiaries – Accotex, Bräcker, Graf, Novibra, Suessen, SSM, and Temco – Rieter remains at the forefront of spinning mill solutions worldwide.
The company’s strength lies not only in technology, but in its people. With around 4,800 employees globally, Rieter continues to shape the future with a workforce driven by expertise, innovation, and passion.
Looking ahead, Rieter envisions spinning mills that are automated, digital, and intelligent. Through intensified R&D, the company is advancing autonomous transport systems, collaborative robotics, and its digital platform, ESSENTIAL. The aim: fully automated value creation in spinning mills by 2027, enabling customers to optimize costs and returns while relying on Rieter’s proven solutions.
With a legacy of 230 years, Rieter stands poised for the future—backed by innovation, sustainability, and a strong global presence.
