#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2021-02-18

Revolutionary machine returns to Monforts after more than a century

A 36-roller raising machine manufactured in the year 1918 has recently been delivered to its final retirement home – as a historic showpiece at the Monforts Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) in Mönchengladbach, Germany.

The machine remained in operation at a plant in Poland up until early 2000 and has now been handed back in full working condition to its manufacturer.

Monforts veterans Walter Dresen and Fred Vohdahl – both of whom each worked for the company for more than 50 years and are themselves now retired – ensured the smooth landing of the machine as it was unloaded from its delivery truck.

The raising machine was introduced by Monforts at the end of the 19th century and represented a gamechanger at that time, due to the use of low friction ball bearings for its raising rollers. This greatly reduced the wear and maintenance of the raising rollers and was a first for the market.

Spirit of innovation

“We are proud to have such an old-timer now on display at our ATC,” says Monforts Marketing Manager Nicole Croonenbroek. “It demonstrates the spirit of innovation that has been a part of Monforts since the company was founded in 1884 and is now in our genes.

“Our two former collleagues, Walter Dresen, our Head of Service for many years, and Fred Vohsdahl, who was the Manager of the ATC until his recent retirement, took charge of the rebuild and restoration work. They have been able to find and replace the leather transmission belts which were the crucial drive element between what would originally have been a steam engine and the raising machine in the textile mill.

“Visitors will be interested to see this example of Monforts Industry 1.0 engineering and can compare it to the latest Industry 4.0 features of our latest finishing lines at the ATC.”

Despite any current travel restrictions, the Monforts Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) is fully operational for industrial-scale trials which go beyond lab or pilot plant testing, to be run by highly experienced staff on behalf of customers.

Illustration of the raising machine from the 1920s (c) 2021 Monforts

Fred Vohsdahl (left) and Walter Dresen with the103-year-old Monforts machine (c) 2021 Monforts

Since its opening in 2013, over €3 million has been invested in equipment at the ATC, which over an area of 1,200 square metres, houses two full finishing lines, engineered to accommodate an extremely diverse range of processes based around the industry-leading Montex stenter, in addition to a Thermex range for continuous fabric dyeing and the newly developed CYD process for yarn dyeing.

An 1927 advertisement for Monforts with the raising machine depicted bottom left (c) 2021 Monforts

VDMA companies outline major benefits in finishing – and now dyeing too

Monforts and its partners Archroma and BW Converting are setting new standards in the resource efficient and cost-effective finishing of fabrics. During a recent webinar organised by Germany’s VDMA textile machinery association, specialists from the three companies provided details of the range of new energy-saving options that is now available to mills.

Navis TubeTex appoints Will McElheny as Business Development Manager for coatings technologies

Navis TubeTex has announced the appointment of Will McElheny as its new Business Development Manager, Coatings Technologies. In his new role, McElheny will focus on strengthening the company’s strategic partnership with Fibroline and expanding the market presence of dry impregnation technology across key industry sectors.

Navis TubeTex announces U.S. partnership with Icomatex

Navis TubeTex, a global leader in advanced dyeing and finishing machinery solutions, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Icomatex (www.icomatex.com), a respected European manufacturer of high-quality stenters and textile finishing equipment. Under this agreement, Navis TubeTex will exclusively represent the Icomatex stenter line in the United States.

Durak Tekstil enters 2026 with positive momentum, strengthens its global market focus

Durak Tekstil, maintaining its profitability and turnover levels in 2025 compared to the previous year, prioritizes growth through its export-oriented sales strategy. Increasing both its capacity and utilization rate, the company anticipates further gains in 2026 through expansion in global markets.

Global textile expertise meets high-end contract design: Heimtextil and Hospitality Interiors Europe announce partnership starting 2027

Heimtextil further expands its role as the global leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design – and starts a new partnership with the format Hospitality Interiors Europe (HINT). With the launch, a complementary event will take place alongside Heimtextil 2027, targeting decision-makers from the hotel and high-end hospitality design sector. Both platforms combine their strengths, create tangible synergies for exhibitors and visitors – and expand the holistic interior design offering for architecture, interior design, hospitality and the contract sector. Hospitality Interiors Europe already presents itself at Heimtextil 2026 with its own dedicated lounge area.

Tunicotex Group boosts OTDP to 85%, cuts planning time by 25% & expands production capacity by 40%

Coats Digital is delighted to announce that following the implementation of FastReactPlan, leading Tunisian premium knitwear manufacturer, Tunicotex Group, has significantly improved its on-time delivery performance from 75% to 85%, reduced planning time by 25%, minimised delays and penalty costs, and unlocked 40% additional capacity to take on more customer orders and support sustained business growth.