Euratex: Serge Piolat from France elected to Presidency

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Published
Jun 12, 2014

On January 1, Serge Piolat will succeed Alberto Paccanelli as President of the European Apparel and Textile Confederation. Co-owner of Schappe, a group composed of French technical yarn manufacturers, his terms will last two years.

"I would like to focus on several strategic priorities,” said Serge Piolat, who was unanimously elected by the council. “They include enhancing the competitiveness of European production and lobby to develop a genuine European industrial policy; growing companies’ knowledge and access to European programs; and achieving concrete results in terms of access to international markets and respect for the rules governing a fair playing field in international competition. We should try to integrate technical textiles, new technologies and new production methods properly in Europe and to increase marketing communications regarding the excellence of European products, especially concerning respect for the environment, consumer safety and social rights. "

A member of Euratex’s board of directors since 2009, Serge Piolat has occupied the vice-presidency since 2011. Previously, the Frenchman worked for Porcher Industries, which operates in France as well as the United States, Brazil, China and England. Having served as operating manager from 2003 to 2007, he was then named CEO joined of Schappe.

At the same time, the board has handed over the vice-presidency to both the current president, Alberto Paccanelli (Italy), as well as to Rusen Cetin (Turkey). German Klaus Huneke, meanwhile, has been named vice-president treasurer effective as of January 1.

In 2013, the European textile/clothing industry generated 166.5 billion euros in sales (-1.2%). Some 172,662 companies now make up the network (-4%), currently employing 1.66 million Europeans (-4%).