Picanol launched its new Supermax Rapier loom at SITEX 2025 in Surat, India to target saree fabric weavers. Offering speeds exceeding 400 RPM (for the 340 type), the Supermax surpasses typical speeds in Surat. With reed widths ranging from T190 to T380, the machine caters to all saree weaving demands.
The machine received an overwhelming response at SITEX, reports Sigurd Blondeel, Area Sales Manager, Picanol. As a successor to the GTMax-i 3.0S Connect, the Supermax combines performance with user-friendliness, especially with Picanol’s PicConnect digital platform, he adds.
Designed for wider saree fabrics, the Supermax is available in 340cm, 360cm, and 380cm widths. It can be equipped with a Jacquard and handle up to 12 weft colors. The Smart Cutter, an electronically driven weft cutter, allows individual weft channel cutting time settings for increased precision and efficiency, ideal for diverse saree styles.
Blondeel emphasizes on Surat's importance in Picanol's global strategy, noting the region's shift from shuttle looms to advanced technologies like Rapier looms. The demand for higher-quality fabrics and shuttle loom replacements presents significant potential.
Picanol machines are designed with ‘Intuitive Control,’ ensuring easy operation and a smooth transition to modern technology for weaving mill staff.
Optimistic about Surat's weaving industry in 2025, Blondeel says, announcement of the new textile policy for the state has spurred new investments with Picanol registering increased inquiries and quotations, anticipating a successful 2025 in Surat.
