What happens when you take a seat at the table during Südwesttextil e.V.’s parliamentary evening “Let’s talk Textil” in April 2025?
For Fuchshuber managing director Rüdiger Reuter and FDP politician Rudi Fischer, the answer was clear: a lively exchange, a spontaneous invitation – and, just a few weeks later, a stop on Fischer’s summer tour through his constituency 61, Hechingen-Münsingen.
A heart for medium-sized companies
Rudi Fischer, member of parliament for the Hechingen-Münsingen constituency, has a heart for small and medium-sized businesses – or as he sees it: the "backbone of economic success". During a visit to Fuchshuber Techno-Tex in Lichtenstein-Unterhausen, it quickly became clear that the politician understands the practice and does not shy away from talking about tricky topics.
The challenge of public tenders
One example: public tenders, for example for the Bundeswehr. Fuchshuber has been supplying high-tech protective underwear from its own knitting mill in the region for years – and often enough has to watch as orders go to companies in other EU countries, which then relocate production to Southeast Asia. "This is frustrating for us," said Reuter. "Like every company in Germany, we meet strict environmental and supply chain standards – and that is exactly what should also play a role in the awarding of contracts." Fischer nodded in agreement: Fair competitive conditions belong at the top of the political to-do list for him.
Innovations for the future: Purfi®
But it was not only about problems, but also about ideas for the future. This is how the Fuchshuber team presented its Purfi® approach: used aramid fibers are processed in such a way that their original quality is almost completely retained. The result: yarns that consist of 30% recycled material and whose performance is comparable to that of virgin material.
Addressing unpleasant truths openly
Fischer, in turn, spoke openly about the "unpleasant truths" that must be tackled politically – from the investment backlog to fair procurement – and called on companies such as Fuchshuber Techno-Tex to confidently bring their concerns to members of parliament. His conclusion: "Only if we talk to each other and keep at it can we change something together.