Picanol, which introduced the first electronic guided weaving machine to the world in 1971, is involved in the production process of 2,600 weaving factories today. Picanol Marketing Communications Manager Erwin Devloo said in his statement, “Today's world is all about connectivity, user-centered design, and intuitive control.” with the great emphasis placed on sustainability.
Can you provide some information on the establishment and field of activities?
Picanol develops, produces and markets high-tech weaving machines. Today, about 2,600 weaving mills around the world use Picanol machinery, totalling more than 175,000 weaving machines.
What is the focal point of your company in the manufacturing? What are the distinctive features of PICANOL products to remain competitive in the market?
Our design principles: how we build our machines.
When starting the design of a new machine, we have to do better than just a few picks faster than the previous generation. Today’s world is all about connectivity, user-centric design, intuitive controls, self-learning capacities and sustainability ... to name just a few.
These are the benchmarks for a future-proof design.
Smart Performance
Performance is the first requirement for any machine or feature, and the obvious indicator is the theoretical maximum speed.
Very often, however, the gap between this theoretical speed and the effective speed under real-life conditions is huge.
Sustainability Inside
When it comes to preventing waste and reducing energy consumption, Picanol has long faced up to its responsibility. Our machines are designed with a built-in capacity for sustainability.
Driven by Data
We all know that digitization will become ever more important in the next decades. Data have to be captured and made available for artificial intelligence, making production more efficient.
Intuitive Control
Kids nowadays handle new technology effortlessly and intuitively. That’s what we want for our machines as well. Just like your smartphone or your car, the machine display is the interface that controls nearly all the machine functions.
Would you give some details on Research and Development (R&D) Activities of PICANOL?
Picanol has played a pioneering role worldwide in the development and production of weaving systems for 80 years now. In 1971, Picanol introduced the very first electronically controlled weaving machine in the world. It was also the first weaving machine manufacturer in the world to obtain ISO 9001 certification. Thanks to its policy of innovation, Picanol has managed to surprise the market time and time again with new, high-tech weaving machines thus reinforcing its position among the world leaders.
Picanol's R&D effort is aimed not just at development and production of the most advanced weaving machines and related products and services, but also at achieving the most profitable weaving process in the world. In this way Picanol is able to offer its customers innovative solutions for raising the efficiency and productivity of their weaving process. And since its technological know-how can also be applied in related fields and other branches of industry, the Picanol Group confirms its strategy of expanding sales of this technology to third parties. This diversification builds on the group's existing competencies, including knowledge of and access to the textile markets, and development and production know-how.
Could you talk about business conduct and advanced technologies offered by the PICANOL within the scope of sustainability?
Care for the environment forms an essential part of the corporate policy. Picanol systematically takes account of the environment in its operating processes, and tries to minimize the impact of its activities on the environment by constantly paying close attention to energy consumption and waste management.
What kind of works have you carried out to keep up with the fast moving technology and innovations?
Quality is a priority for all subsidiaries and employees worldwide. The group has a team of internal ISO 9001 auditors who form a crucial link in the quality process. Every year various internal audits are carried out in order to continually fine-tuning the quality system. In addition Picanol focuses worldwide on World Class Manufacturing (WCM). World Class Manufacturing or WCM stands for constantly striving to eliminate losses, with the involvement of all employees, so as to become a world class company. Picanol began its WCM program in 1998 to obtain its purpose.
Currently it focuses on the themes of cost development, continuous improvement, self-management, planned maintenance, total quality, training, health and safety and the environment.
Various management audits are held on an annual basis, with the management of the different departments following the implementation of WCM. Picanol also has a suggestion system that enables employees to put forward proposals for work-related improvements. In recent years, further steps have been taken in the implementation of self-managing teams within Picanol.
Would you mention about the various strategies pursued by PICANOL towards export activities in 2020-2021? Which countries are targeted specifically for exports?
As Picanol is a stock listed company on Euronext Brussels since 1966 (ticker: PIC), market sensitive information cannot be divulged. However, it is not a secret to say that Picanol wants to be active in the mayor textile markets all over the world.
Would you assess the current position of textile sector and weaving discipline in Turkey and in the rest of the world?
Turkish textile mills have always been advanced in technology, and thus investing in the most modern equipment to stay at highest productivity level. By having the most productive equipment Turkey has been able to produce the best quality fabrics. It also enables them to be very flexible in following new market trends. The proximity to European market also gives Turkey the advantage to react fast, and to follow new seasonal changes immediately. The governmental incentives continue to help and position Turkish textile producers amongst the most competitive ones in many segments.
