Launch of the PAT weaving machine

In 1980, Picañol launched the revolutionary PAT weaving machine at the ATME-exhibition in Greenville (U.S.). The machine used air insertion technology and surprised the textile world with the electronically controlled valves (PAT stands for Picañol Air Tronic). A PAT weaving machine with a width of 190 cm initially reached a speed of 600 weft insertions per minute. By making some improvements this was sped up to 800 weft insertions per minute.

Picture: the assembly team with the first PAT airjet weaving machine, destined for the French customer Hacot-Colombier.

Weaving Machines to Mexico with the Flying Tigers

The Nunatex story: after a fierce competition, a prestigious contract for 106 PGWs was closed in Mexico in 1980. The short delivery time (4 months), the special design, and the exceptional shipping method made it into an enormous challenge. All weaving machines must be shipped by plane and to achieve this an appeal was made to the ‘Flying Tigers’, the only cargo company that needed to deploy just four planes to transport 106 machines and 20,000 kg of spare equipment.

Breakthrough contract for casting and finishing cast iron carters

In 1980, ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen), a German manufacturer of gearboxes for trucks, came to an agreement with Picañol for the casting and finishing of cast iron carters. The contract was part of a compensation contract for the purchase of Leopard tanks by the Belgian army. It meant that the foundry could significantly increase its tonnage, and for Picañol this project represented a breakthrough in technical and quality areas. The gearboxes were a commercial success and created a huge demand. Eventually, over 600,000 kits were supplied. Between 1979 and 1983, the first robots for deburring gearboxes were put into service. The machines enable the grindstone to smoothly slide through the burrs of the carters.

Visit of Fidel Castro

In its rich history, the Picanol Group has been the scene of many important visitors from both Belgium and abroad: ministers, ambassadors, trade delegations etc. At the end of the seventies even Fidel Castro paid a visit to a textile complex with Picañol weaving machines in Santa Clara (Cuba). During the inauguration of the new textile complex in Santa Clara in 1979, our field technician Aquilino Jurado was greeted by the president.

Farewell to the old foundry

In June 1976, the foundry was moved to the Karel Steverlyncklaan. End of June 1976, the old foundry in the Polenlaan was closed. The foundry in the Polenlaan was deconstructed and sold to T.T.M. in Zagreb. Therefore, 252 tons of casting material made the move to Yugoslavia.

In 1976, Picañol signed a huge contract for the supply of 1,500 looms to Iraqi customer Diwaniya State Cotton Textile Company. Picture: Werner Schupbach and Patrick Steverlynck in the desert.