#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2020-02-28

BRÜCKNER technology enables H&C Whitehead from UK to offer highest quality end products

Thomas Wiederer, Brückner (left) and David Whitehead, H&C Whitehead (right)

Family owned textile finisher H&C Whitehead Ltd. was founded in 1925 by Harold and Carl Whitehead. The company is a recognized world class textile finisher with more than ninety years of experience in coating and finishing an extensive and varied range of textiles. Within recent months they have successfully commissioned several BRÜCKNER machines.

As part of an ongoing capital upgrade strategy, a new state of the art BRÜCKNER finishing stenter with an ECO-HEAT air/air heat recovery unit has recently been installed in their factory in Brighouse, UK. This complements two other Bruckner stenter lines, both of which have heat recovery systems installed. Essential requirements were the highest performance heat setting consistency across and throughout the oven for delicate woven fabrics and minimal energy consumption in support of Whitehead’s sustainability initiatives. The stenter frame is mainly designed to process fabrics for the apparel industry with anti-pilling, stain resistant or anti-microbial finishes, but also flame-retardant chemistry is applied onto upholstery fabrics to meet fire safety regulations. The BRÜCKNER ECO-HEAT back pack heat-recovery unit is integrated into the stenter structure, which does not require a separate support structure, but provides for safe access to the unit. It significantly reduces the stenter heating energy requirement up to 20 %. The unit is equipped with several cassette type heat exchangers, which can be removed easily for cleaning or maintenance purposes.

One of the other existing BRÜCKNER lines has been retrofitted with a BRÜCKNER ECO-HEAT air/water heat recovery plant on the exhaust system. It is used to heat up process water for their new open width washing range and can, depending on the heat requirement of the process, regain up to 85 % of the stenter exhaust air heat.

Mr. David Whitehead, Owner and CEO, has successfully led the company for many years and has invested a great deal of effort in preparing the company for the future. Next to the investment into the new BRÜCKNER machines and the new washing range he has had a new production building built to house these new lines.

Mr. Whitehead states: “BRÜCKNER have been instrumental in the transformation in the quality of our end product over the last ten years. The reliability of their machinery has also proven essential to the “just in time” nature of our business. I cannot fault the company and their flexibility in finding solutions to our specific requirements, especially floor space limitations. I hope that BRÜCKNER continue to go from strength to strength and that the textile industry will continue to benefit from their programme of research and development and continual improvement into energy reduction systems and many other areas that will help the environment and improve the quality and consistency of the finished fabric.”

BRÜCKNER will be demonstrating what modern textile finishing looks like today at ITMA ASIA

Brückner Textile Technologies is presenting German engineering expertise and energy-efficient line concepts at this year's ITMA ASIA in Singapore. The family-run company has been a leader in customized technologies and solutions for textile equipment for over 75 years. The focus is on energy efficiency, automation, and maximum productivity.

Inauguration of the branch office in Coimbatore, India

With the establishment of Brückner Textile India Pvt. Ltd., the Brückner Group, based in Leonberg, Germany, marks another important milestone in its long and successful company history. The new subsidiary in Coimbatore, India, brings Brückner significantly closer to its Indian customers – both geographically and strategically.

Growing with a vision: BRÜCKNER opens branch office in India

The worldwide leading textile machinery manufacturer BRÜCKNER is opening its own subsidiary in India on June 1st, 2025. With this strategic step, the German family-owned company further strengthens its global presence and expands into the Indian market, which is so important for the textile industry.

William Clark & Sons – the oldest linen producer in North-ern Ireland commissioned new finishing plant with BRÜCKNER

William Clark & Sons have been providing world class linen direct from Northern Ireland to customers around the world for nearly 300 years. The Company is the only supplier in the world that can produce Beetled linen fabric with that unmistakable sheen. Using the Beetling process the fabric gets pounded for 20 days by wooden hammers on the original beetling engines. This equipment is as reliable today as when they were commissioned over 100 years ago, and the process remains unchanged.

Orthopac RVMC-20 plus: German Engineering for Smarter Weft Straightening

In times of rising cost pressure and growing quality demands, textile producers worldwide are searching for solutions that combine precision, efficiency, and sustainability. With its latest innovation, the Orthopac RVMC-20 plus, Mahlo once again demonstrates the strength of German engineering: improving proven technology to meet today’s challenges.

Precision jet dyeing moves towards industrial scale as Alchemie partners with Acatel

BTMA member Alchemie Technology, the pioneer of precision jet dyeing solutions based in Cambridge, UK, is partnering with Acatel, the Portuguese leader in sustainable textile manufacturing. The two companies will work together to validate and optimise Alchemie’s Endeavour system for knitted cellulosic fabrics.

VIATT 2026 to debut German Pavilion, strengthening European participation alongside key Asian textile hubs

Vietnam’s textile and garment sector continues to be a major contributor to the country’s economic growth, with export revenues expected to reach USD 46 billion in 2025, a 5.6% increase from 2024 . From 26 – 28 February, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to contribute to economic growth opportunities by accelerating digital transformation and green transition across the entire textile value chain. The upcoming edition will respond to the rising demand for advanced technologies and sustainable materials with the introduction of the German Pavilion, alongside strong exhibitor participation from key Asian sectors, as well as several high-profile fringe events.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.