After the heavy impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020, the recovery – which started in the second half of 2020 – continued throughout 2021. Both the Weaving Machines activities (Picanol) as well as the other industrial activities (Proferro, PsiControl) showed a strong revenue increase. In the second half of the year however, the profitability was under severe pressure as the negative impact of rising component prices could not be fully translated into higher sales prices, partly due to the large order book.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, Picanol launched its customer platform PicConnect. This is a new, fully digital platform offering a wide range of features from industrial IoT to service-related applications. In addition, Picanol introduced its latest generation of airjet and rapier weaving machines, which have been called the Connect generation. These new generation weaving machines focus on connectivity and an increased level of data availability (Machines & Technologies segment).
Following the launch of the new Connect generation weaving machines in 2021, Picanol introduced the OmniPlus-i TC Connect in January 2022. This dedicated execution for the weaving of tire cord fabrics has now been upgraded to the latest airjet technology and combined with the Connect generation features.
At the end of 2021, Picanol Group announced the construction of a new head office for its Machines & Technologies segment in its hometown of Ieper (Belgium). Construction work in Ieper is planned to start in the second quarter of 2022, with the new head office scheduled to open in 2024.
Outlook
The Picanol Group anticipates a continued high level of uncertainty in 2022 due to the current conflict in Eastern Europe, the difficult supply chain circumstances, and other challenges following the coronavirus pandemic. The group is faced with higher logistics, energy and raw materials costs, and this implies that our sales margin could come under pressure during the coming months.
—
Expands Indian operations
Picanol has been active in India since 1956, and following many years of successfully serving the local market, Picanol India Private Ltd. was established in 2008. Just a few years later, the inauguration of new offices for Picanol India in New Delhi took place in 2012.
Ten years on from that event, Picanol has expanded its operations by moving to a larger facility.
“This decision clearly shows our commitment to grow together with our Indian customers. The new offices will create several advantages for Picanol India. Specifically, grouping the Sales, Service, and CSR teams under one roof will make operations more efficient and the print repair facilities have been modernized.” explains Kasiviswanathan Palanisamy, Director of Picanol India.
On March 10, 2022, Picanol India officially opened its new offices, with H.E. Mr. Francois Delhaye, Ambassador of Belgium to India, cutting the ribbon.
The entire team at Picanol India is confident that the new offices will mark the newest chapter in the success story of Picanol’s longstanding presence in India.
—
Roll out of the first Connect weaving machines
Picanol realized another milestone with the first weaving machines of the Connect generation rolling off the production line at its plant in Ieper, Belgium. This marks a new step for Picanol and its customers with an even greater focus on data and connectivity.
The OmniPlus-i Connect weaving machine in the picture will be shipped to the Vietnamese branch of our Chinese customer Texhong Textile Group Ltd.
“This new Connect generation of weaving machines provide the correct data and are loaded with new functionalities, such as Climate control, Shed angle measurement, and fully integrated Power monitoring. For the OptiMax-i Connect and TerryMax-i Connect machines, a digitalized Gripper stroke setting and Gripper tape monitoring have also been introduced. With this new Connect generation, our customers get all the possibilities to be at the top of their market and they will be prepared for every new opportunity,” comments Kurt Lamkowski, Manager Worldwide Sales.