For many years, Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler, together with other entrepreneurs and industry associations, has been decisively advocating the establishment of a textile research centre at Hof University’s Münchberg facility. In late 2016, the Bavarian state government approved the establishment of the institute, thus laying the foundation for the expansion of textile-specific education—essential for Sandler and other companies in the region.

• On September 24th, 2020, a new textile research centre was inaugurated at Hof University’s Münchberg campus.

• Supporting a well-founded textile-specific education in the new institute, Sandler AG has donated a professorship worth a total of 600,000 Euros.

The new professorship has been occupied since 2019

Prof. Dr. Claus-Ekkehard Koukal holds a lectureship at the University of Applied Sciences Hof in the field of Innovative Textiles, teaching in the areas of nonwoven production, spinning mill, weaving preparation and textile chain. Prior to joining the university, Professor Koukal worked in the economy, including the textile industry and research and development.

The research project Efre

In addition to his teaching position, he continues to be active in consultancy and research. The Future – Textile Industry 4.0, which focusses on the transfer of know-how from research to small and medium-sized companies; or the Traveltex project, which involves the development of functional knitted fabrics for travel clothing, are just two examples.