#Weaving

2020-05-15

Picanol realizes production milestone with 100,000th rapier weaving machine in Ieper

This week, Picanol realized another impressive milestone when its 100,000th rapier weaving machine rolled off the production line at its plant in Ieper, Belgium. Picanol is also celebrating 45 years of manufacturing rapier weaving machines in 2020. Once again, this reaffirms the leading role Picanol plays in the rapier weaving machine segment worldwide.

The 100,000th rapier weaving machine (an OptiMax-i) will be shipped this week to the company SAITEX Fabrics, which is based in Long Tho, Vietnam.

Picanol has an extensive track record in the production of high-tech rapier machines. In 1975, it launched its very first weaving machine with a rapier insertion, which was named the PGW. Since the launch of the first rapier machine all that time ago, Picanol has introduced various new generations of rapier machines. These include, amongst other machines, the GTM in 1983, the Gamma in 1996, the GamMax in 2002, and the OptiMax and the GT-Max in 2007.

Its current flagship rapier weaving machines – the OptiMax-i (launched in 2015) and the GTMax-i 3.0 (launched in 2018) – cover a complete range of applications and they are generally recognized as being the most versatile and best-performing rapier machines on the market. The OptiMax-i represents the benchmark of the industry and it is unquestionably the fastest rapier weaving machine in the world.

“The fact that the 100,000th machine mark has been reached now represents a sign of hope and optimism during this COVID-19 time. Our people are working hard to build, install and service weaving machines, even under these extraordinary circumstances – and this is taking place while simultaneously respecting all of the measures needed to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. We have every reason to be proud of the fact that we have produced 100,000 rapier weaving machines and we are extremely grateful to all of our employees who have made this possible,” explained Johan Verstraete (VP Weaving Machines).

“Achieving this milestone once again demonstrates our ability to produce best-in-class, dedicated weaving machines for the world’s most reputable textile manufacturers. In addition, this is further proof of the confidence that our customers have in the Picanol brand, its quality and its rapier technology. By working in close cooperation with our customers, even in these challenging times, we will grow together!”

Picanol to present its leading weaving technology at ITM 2026

Picanol is pleased to announce it will be participating in ITM 2026 in Istanbul. This is a key event for industry professionals to engage with the Turkish textile industry as well as the extensive international audience attending the fair. During the event, Picanol will present its latest innovations to the visitors in Hall 8, booth 802.

Picanol to exhibit latest weaving technology at ITMA ASIA + CITME, Singapore 2025

At ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, Picanol (Hall 2 – Booth C204) will unveil the next-generation OmniPlus-i Connect airjet weaving machine, setting a new benchmark in airjet weaving technology. This latest evolution of Picanol’s trusted platform demonstrates how the company continues to deliver innovative, performance-driven solutions that meet the evolving challenges of modern weaving mills.

Picanol’s will unveil the Supermax, its new rapier weaving machine, at ITMA Asia + CITME 2024

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 represents an excellent opportunity for Picanol to once again demonstrate its technological leadership in both airjet and rapier weaving machines. Visitors to the event will experience Picanol’s world premiere of its brand-new Supermax rapier weaving machine. In total, Picanol will have four different high-tech weaving machines as well as its PicConnect digital platform on display.

Picanol opens its new training and service center in Tashkent (Uzbekistan)

Last week, Picanol inaugurated a new training and service center in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), in collaboration with its Uzbek agent, Baror Group. This state-of-the-art facility is strategically located to serve Picanol’s Central Asian customers more effectively. The opening ceremony was organized during CAITME 2024, which is the largest textile machinery exhibition in Central Asia, and it provided the ideal platform to showcase the new center to many industry professionals and customers from Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, among other countries.

Vandewiele Group presents integrated textile innovations at ITM 2026

At ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the Vandewiele Group will showcase a broad portfolio of weaving, carpet and textile machinery technologies under the theme “Textile Innovations Together”. From 9 to 13 June 2026, the Group will present solutions from its brands Vandewiele, Savio, IRO and BMSvision in Hall 7 / Booth 710A.

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.