EFI Reggiani has signed a multi-year licensing and manufacturing agreement with the Danitech Group, transferring production of the Mezzera and Jaeggli textile finishing machinery brands to Suzhou, China. This move signals a strategic shift of European high-end finishing technology into Chinese industrial clusters at a lower cost threshold.
The Logic Behind Technology Migration
Industry sources indicate that the Mezzera brand has over 70 years of history in textile wet processing, with its dyeing machines, washers, and finishing lines occupying a premium position in the European market. Jaeggli is known for precision padders and stenters. Previously, Chinese mills relied on full imports for similar equipment, with lead times of 6-12 months and high unit costs.
The core change in this agreement is that Suzhou Danitech will obtain manufacturing licenses for the full Mezzera and Jaeggli product range, completing assembly and testing locally. This could shorten delivery cycles to 3-4 months while avoiding some import tariffs and shipping costs. For medium-sized mills in printing and dyeing hubs like Keqiao, Shengze, and Shishi, high-end finishing equipment that was previously out of budget may now become accessible.
Direct Impact on Printing and Dyeing Clusters
China's printing and dyeing industry is transitioning from scale expansion to quality upgrade. According to publicly available data from the National Bureau of Statistics, total profits of mills above designated size fell about 2% year-on-year in 2025, but processing premiums for high-end fabrics continued to rise. Finishing fees for some functional fabrics are 30%-50% higher than conventional ones.
In this context, equipment upgrades are key to securing high-value orders. Mezzera's washers reduce fabric creases and chemical residues, while Jaeggli's uniform padders improve dye fixation. Local manufacturing will lower the procurement threshold for such technologies, accelerating process iteration for small and medium mills.
For Danitech, this partnership fills a gap in its product line. The Suzhou-based company previously focused on digital printing equipment and automation solutions. Adding Mezzera and Jaeggli allows it to offer complete lines from printing to finishing, creating a differentiated competitive edge.
Supply Chain Ripple Effects
Another dimension to watch is the parts supply chain. Previously, Mezzera spare parts depended heavily on Italian origin, with long procurement cycles and high costs. With local manufacturing, the Suzhou plant will gradually establish a localized parts supply system, sourcing key components like stainless steel rollers, variable frequency motors, and temperature sensors from domestic suppliers.
This sends a clear signal to precision machinery processors in the Yangtze River Delta: the finishing equipment supply chain is shifting from Europe to China. However, licensing does not equal technology transfer. Core process parameters and software algorithms remain controlled by EFI Reggiani, meaning the equipment's core competitiveness stays in Italian hands in the short term.