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 and this, the company says, 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, in 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 weft 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 machine, the OptiMax-i (launched in 2015) and the GTMax-i 3.0 (launched in 2018) cover a complete range of applications and are generally recognized as being the most versatile and best- performing rapier machines on the market, according to Picanol. The OptiMax-i represents the benchmark of the industry and it is unquestionably the fastest rapier weaving machine in the world, the company adds.

“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.”

Source: Innovation in Textiles