EBIA Board Meeting in Ypres: a valuable gathering at Picanol
On 18 March, we had the pleasure of hosting the EBIA Board Meeting at Picanol in Ypres, Belgium. It was a valuable opportunity to bring the Board together in a setting that reflects industrial excellence, innovation, and a strong connection to the European textile manufacturing tradition. Picanol is a leading Belgian company that develops, manufactures, and markets high-tech weaving machines, particularly based on airjet and rapier technology, serving weaving mills around the world.
We would like to warmly thank Remy Tack and his team for their generous hospitality and for organizing an insightful visit to the company. The programme included a first stop in the showroom, where we were introduced to Picanol’s advanced textile machinery, followed by a comprehensive tour of the production facilities. This gave participants the chance to discover more closely the technological expertise, precision, and industrial know-how that make Picanol such a respected name in the sector.
The Board Meeting itself offered an important moment for discussion, exchange, and strategic reflection for our association. Holding the meeting in a company such as Picanol also underlined the value of staying closely connected to the industrial realities, innovation pathways, and manufacturing excellence that continue to shape the future of our sector.
Our gathering in Ypres also included a particularly meaningful cultural and historical moment. On the evening of 17 March, before dinner, we had the privilege of attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. This daily commemoration honours the soldiers of the former British Empire and its allies who lost their lives in the Ypres Salient during the First World War. Held every evening at 8 p.m., the ceremony remains one of the most moving and symbolic traditions in the city.
For all those present, it was a powerful reminder of the history of Ypres, a city that was almost completely destroyed during the First World War and has since become a place of remembrance, resilience, and reconstruction. Experiencing this ceremony together added a profound dimension to our stay and made our time in Ypres even more memorable.
We are grateful to Picanol for welcoming us and helping make this Board Meeting such a rewarding experience — professionally, industrially, and personally. Moments like these strengthen not only our discussions and decisions, but also the shared spirit that drives our association forward.