Riopele

Founded in 1927 as a small family business, Riopele is now one of the oldest and most reputable textile companies in Portugal. This expansion was achieved thanks to the values that the company cherishes: innovation, cooperation, developing people, focus on results, focus on customers and leadership. Together these make the perfect mix for the weaving company. Riopele produces approximately 700,000 meters of fabric per month of which 98% is exported to countries such as the USA, Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Britain.

As Riopele is a fully vertically integrated organization, the fabric goes through a process of spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing and is used for modern-day fashion. Every year two collections are presented: the fall/winter and the spring/summer collection. These fabric collections always feature three main distinctive elements: innovation, quality and reliability. Today, Riopele is successfully running 30 Picanol machines. This order was placed after extensive trials which included two other possible suppliers. Picanol was able to prove its advantages compared with the others, with the trials focusing on production (speed and stop levels), fabric quality (contrast, aspect and defects) and energy consumption (power and air consumption). 

One of the unique features which also tilted the investment decision in Picanol’s favor was the unique Quick Style Change system. Riopele now makes active use of the QSC philosophy and greatly appreciates the benefits that it offers. A well-organized team of dedicated people is able to complete a full style change in less than 45 minutes. While this QSC philosophy results in extra output in the weaving department the same way of thinking and working is being successfully implemented in other departments of the Riopele Group. Picanol is proud to be a partner in this success.