Picanol, a leading manufacturer of weaving machines for technical textiles, has celebrated the opening of its new training centre and test and shipping area in Ypres, Belgium. The official inauguration took place in the presence of Geert Bourgeois, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders.

Since improving competitiveness through further productivity and quality improvements and targeted investments is a top priority, a EUR 17.5 million worth investment programme in Ypres was approved in 2013. The investment plan includes a new training and test centre and shipping area for weaving machines and the purchase of several production machines.

Training centre

Well trained employees are important for optimum machine and plant performance and the weaving industry is no exception, the company reports. The quality of the fabric and the performance of the machine are determined not only by the input materials and the machine itself, but also to a large extent by the way the materials and the machine are handled.

Last year Picanol decided to invest in a state-of-the-art training centre. With three fully equipped training rooms (each with two weaving machines, cut models, mini-workshop etc.) covering a total area of 270 m², the new training centre allows the company to train the technicians of its customers on its weaving machines under optimal conditions.

Focus on quality

The new test area replaces the old one and is equipped with 24 test stations. All weaving machines leaving the assembly lines are mechanically and electronically tested in the new test area before they go to the customers.

Following testing and final check, the machines are put on a moving floor, where accessories are added and packaging of the machines is done. After the packaging line, the machines are placed in the buffer zone awaiting shipment.

Since the summer of 2014, the shipping area has been housed in a new space with two loading docks and one loading space.

Picanol

The Picanol Group is an international group that specialises in the development, production and sale of weaving machines for technical textiles, engineered casting solutions and customised controllers.

Through its division Weaving Machines (Picanol), it develops, manufactures and sells high-tech weaving machines based on air (airjet) or rapier technology.

Within the Picanol Group, the Technical Fabrics Group, a specialised team of product managers and technicians, constantly works towards optimising the existing solutions and exploring exciting new applications, such as super-wide weaving in the field of technical textiles.

www.picanol.be