Technical textiles weaver Arville is boosting its specialist fabric engineering capabilities with a suite of new machinery worth over £1.2 million. The six rapier weaving looms and a high-grade warping machine will significantly expand the company’s production capacity at its Wetherby site and is expected to be commissioned and running by early this year.

The Comsat Uni-Evo Section warping machine and Picanol OptiMax-i rapier weaving looms are expected to create an additional 20 per cent production capacity to the Wetherby site, allowing for further expansion, said a media statement by the company. It will be put to use in the production of textiles for demanding applications across a wide range of industries.

The investment in new machinery follows successive year-on-year double-digit growth of Arville and is aimed at increasing its manufacturing capabilities to keep pace with customer demand. The latest move follows Arville’s recent success in achieving the prestigious ISO 14001 certification for its commitment to the highest environmental standards in its work for industries including defence, aerospace, pharmaceutical, food, medical, automotive, industrial and filtration.

“These changes are part of an ongoing investment programme throughout our group of companies,” said group head of marketing for Arville, Andy Smith. “Our strategic aim is to position the business as a ‘best-in-class’ specialist in the design, weaving, finishing, coating and fabrication of technical textiles.” (PC)