In recent decades, the Picanol Group has evolved from a traditional weaving machine builder to a worldwide supplier of total solutions for the textile industry as well as for other industries. The group implements an active innovation policy and aims to invest up to 5% of its turnover in research and development every year. Three core divisions focus on the group’s target markets:
· - Weaving Solutions (Picanol) develops, manufactures and sells high-tech weaving machines, based on air (airjet) or rapier (rapier) technology. It supplies weaving machines to weaving mills worldwide, and also offers its customer such products and services as training, upgrade kits, parts and service contracts. Picanol also markets accessories via GTP Global Textile Partner, Burcklé, Steel Heddle and Te Strake Textile. For more than seventy years, Picanol has played a pioneering role in the industry. Today, it is a world player in the weaving machine industry.
- Mechatronics applies itself through PsiControl Mechatronics and Melotte to the design, the development, the manufacturing and support of technological components, services and mechatronical system solutions for original equipment manufacturers in various industries.
- Manufacturing comprises all foundry activities (Proferro) and the group’s mechanic finishing activities. Manufacturing’s ambition is to offer the customer engineered casting solutions for middle to large series in a value-driven partnership in the long term.
Next to the head office in Ypres (Belgium), the Picanol Group has production facilities in Asia, Europe and the United States, linked to its own worldwide service and sales network. The Picanol Group employs 2,342 employees worldwide (on 31 December 2007) and has been listed on Euronext Brussels since 1966 (ticker: PIC).