The textile machinery industry in the Nordics thrives on innovation and technological advancement. It comprises companies that design and manufacturer specialized equipment used in various textile processes, including weaving, dyeing, and finishing. Key players are investing in sustainability and efficiency, integrating smart technology into manufacturing methods. With a focus on eco-friendly practices, the industry is moving towards solutions that minimize waste and energy consumption. Scandinavian firms are also addressing the growing demand for high-quality materials. As textile businesses increasingly concentrate on automation, the machinery sector receives a boost towards digital transformation, indicating a bright future.


In this list, the featured investors include private equity firms, venture capitalists, and corporate investors, mainly based in Stockholm, Stockholm, and Helsingborg across the Nordics. Ranging in size from 11 to over 5,000 employees, these firms have been active in the textile machinery industry. Founded between 1906 and 2015, they made a considerable number of investments in the sector during 2024, with some notable players completing numerous deals. The focus on sustainable innovation suggests their belief in the industry’s expansive growth potential.


Top 12 Textile Machinery Investors in the Nordics


1. Almi

  • Website: almi.se
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: almi-ab

Almi AB is a financial services company based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. It specializes in providing loans, risk capital, and business development support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. Almi aims to enhance the growth and competitiveness of these businesses by offering tailored financial solutions and guidance. Notably, Almi has invested in several companies within the textile sector, including re:newcell, which focuses on sustainable textile recycling, Coloreel, known for its innovative dyeing technology for textiles, and HealthTextiles, which develops advanced textile solutions for health applications. These investments highlight Almi's commitment to supporting innovation in the textile industry, making them a relevant player in the textile machinery investment landscape.


2. Indutrade Life Science

  • Website: indutrade.se
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 14
  • LinkedIn: indutrade-life-science

Indutrade Life Science is a corporate investor based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1978. The company is part of an industrial group that specializes in developing and acquiring companies with high technical expertise across various sectors, including technology and industrial solutions. Indutrade emphasizes long-term relationships with its customers and operates through a decentralized structure, allowing its subsidiaries to maintain independence while benefiting from the group's resources. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Tebra Messenindustrie B.V. in August 2022, which, while not explicitly in textile machinery, indicates their interest in industrial sectors. Other acquisitions, such as Easy-Laser and Aluflex System AB, further demonstrate their strategy of investing in companies that may have applications in various industrial fields, potentially including textile machinery.


3. EQT Group

  • Website: eqtgroup.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1994
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 30
  • LinkedIn: eqt-partners

EQT Group is a prominent private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in a diverse range of investment strategies, including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, growth equity, and venture capital. EQT serves institutional investors by providing expertise in managing varied investment portfolios across multiple sectors and geographies. Among their notable transactions, EQT has acquired companies that are significant in the textile machinery context, such as Lillbacka Corporation (FINN-POWER), which specializes in machinery for the textile and metal industries, and Cimbria, which offers solutions that can be applied in textile manufacturing processes. These acquisitions highlight EQT's strategic interest in the textile machinery sector, alongside their broader investment portfolio.


4. Altor Equity Partners

  • Website: altor.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: altor

Altor Equity Partners is a private equity investment management firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in providing consulting services across various sectors, including technology and consumer products, with a strong emphasis on operational efficiency and sustainable growth. Notably, Altor has made significant investments in the textile machinery sector, including the acquisition of TRESU Group, a manufacturer of high-performance flexographic printing machines, in 2017. This strategic move highlights their commitment to enhancing capabilities within the textile machinery industry. Additionally, Altor has a diverse portfolio, having invested in companies like Meyn Food Processing Technology and Åkers Group, which further demonstrates their broad investment strategy while still maintaining a foothold in specialized sectors such as textile machinery.


5. Chalmers Ventures


Chalmers Ventures is a venture builder and tech investor based in Sweden, founded in 2015. They specialize in deep tech innovations and provide support to researchers and entrepreneurs in commercializing their technologies through various programs. Their model emphasizes active ownership and investment in startups, helping them scale and succeed in the market. Notably, Chalmers Ventures has been involved in several relevant transactions, including a significant investment in Vividye AB, a textile tech startup that raised 4.1MSEK ($439K) in a seed round. This investment aims to enhance Vividye's printing technology, which allows for the removal of colors from fabrics and the reapplication of new ones. Additionally, they have invested in Mimbly, which, while not directly related to textile machinery, operates within the broader context of sustainability in textiles. These transactions highlight Chalmers Ventures' commitment to supporting innovations that can impact the textile industry.


6. Litorina

  • Website: litorina.se
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: litorina

Litorina is a private equity investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in private equity investments in Nordic niche market-leading companies, partnering with management teams and entrepreneurs to provide capital, strategic guidance, and operational support aimed at driving growth and value creation. Litorina has a focus on well-managed, profitable companies primarily in the business services and consumer sectors. Notably, Litorina has been involved in several acquisitions relevant to the textile industry, including the acquisition of Textilia on August 22, 2008, which signifies their engagement in the textile sector. Additionally, they acquired Tolerans AB on January 10, 2006, and ECO-Boråstapeter Group on September 10, 2010, further showcasing their interest in companies that may intersect with textile machinery and production. These transactions highlight Litorina's strategic approach to investing in niche markets, including textiles, which supports their inclusion in the list of textile machinery investors.


7. Piab - A brand by Piab Group

  • Website: piab.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Danderyd, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1951
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: piab

Piab - A brand by Piab Group, founded in 1951 and based in Danderyd, Stockholm, Sweden, is a corporate investor specializing in vacuum technology and automation solutions. The company manufactures a range of products, including vacuum pumps, ejectors, and robotic tools, aimed at enhancing productivity and efficiency across various industrial sectors. Their customer base includes industries such as automotive, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals. In recent years, Piab has made several strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in automation and material handling. Notably, they acquired Joulin, a French provider of vacuum grippers and gantry robots, which aligns with the needs of the textile machinery sector for efficient handling and automation solutions. Additionally, their acquisition of TAWI Group, which focuses on semi-automated lifting solutions, further complements their portfolio in automation technologies that can be applied in textile manufacturing processes. These transactions highlight Piab's commitment to expanding its capabilities in automation, making it a relevant player in the textile machinery industry.


8. Nederman

  • Website: nederman.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Helsingborg, Skåne, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1944
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: nederman

Nederman is a corporate investor based in Helsingborg, Skåne, Sweden, specializing in industrial air filtration solutions. Founded in 1944, the company focuses on providing products and services for dust, smoke, and fume extraction across various industries, including manufacturing and woodworking. In recent years, Nederman has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, such as the purchase of Luwa Air Engineering AG, a manufacturer of air conditioning systems, and Aagaard A/S, a Danish filter company that specializes in dust extraction and filter systems for the woodworking industry. These acquisitions highlight Nederman's commitment to enhancing workplace safety and environmental sustainability, which are critical factors in the textile machinery sector as well. Their acquisition of NEO Monitors, a provider of gas and dust analyzers, further emphasizes their focus on air quality management, a key concern in textile manufacturing environments. Overall, Nederman's activities position them as a relevant player in the textile machinery landscape, particularly in areas related to air filtration and safety solutions.


9. Accent Equity


Accent Equity is a private equity firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1994. The firm specializes in investments in private Nordic companies, focusing on enhancing the value of its portfolio through strategic management and investment. Accent Equity aims to create sustainable growth and superior returns for its clientele across various sectors. Notably, they acquired Textilia on October 15, 2014, which is directly related to the textile industry. This acquisition highlights their engagement in the textile sector. Additionally, they have made other investments, such as in Plockmatic Group and Nordic Shelter Solutions, but these are not directly related to textile machinery. Nonetheless, their involvement with Textilia positions them as a relevant player in the textile machinery investment landscape.


10. Addtech Customised Solution


Addtech Customised Solution is a corporate investor based in Stockholm, Sweden, specializing in high-tech products and services for the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. Founded in 1906, the company operates through a decentralized model with 150 independent group companies, focusing on sustainable growth and entrepreneurship. Their customers are primarily businesses seeking innovative solutions to enhance their operations. In recent years, Addtech has made several acquisitions that highlight its interest in technical solutions relevant to manufacturing. Notably, they acquired AVT Industriteknik AB, which specializes in automation solutions, and Electrum Automation AB, which focuses on electrification solutions. These transactions indicate a strategic approach to enhancing their portfolio in sectors that may overlap with textile machinery, particularly in automation and process optimization.


11. SKF Group

  • Website: skf.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Founded year: 1907
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: skf

AB SKF, commonly known as SKF Group, is a manufacturing company founded in 1907, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The company specializes in the production of bearings, seals, and lubrication systems, serving a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. SKF operates through a vast distributor network globally, ensuring that their products meet the diverse needs of businesses. In recent years, SKF has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its technological capabilities and market presence. Notably, the acquisition of PEER Bearing Company, which includes operations in China and Thailand, strengthens SKF's position in the bearing market, a critical component in textile machinery. Additionally, the acquisition of 2C Composites, a supplier of high-performance fiber composites, could enhance SKF's offerings in advanced materials that may be utilized in textile applications. These transactions reflect SKF's commitment to expanding its product portfolio and improving machinery performance, which is relevant to the textile machinery sector.


12. Sentica

  • Website: sentica.fi
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
  • Founded year: 2004
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: sentica-partners

Sentica is a private equity firm based in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland, founded in 2004. The firm specializes in investment management services, focusing on providing capital and strategic support to businesses seeking growth or restructuring through private equity investments. Notably, Sentica has been involved in several acquisitions that highlight its interest in industrial sectors. For example, in 2006, Sentica acquired FinnSonic, a company that may have connections to industrial processes. In 2021, they acquired a majority stake in Dimex, a family-owned company specializing in heavy-duty workwear, which is directly related to the textile industry. Additionally, their acquisition of Tammermatic Group in 2007 and Elematic Group in 2006 further demonstrates their engagement in sectors that could overlap with textile machinery. Overall, Sentica's investment strategy indicates a potential interest in textile machinery, making them a relevant player in this space.



Textile Machinery Insights: Key Investors in the Nordics


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
AlmiStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden201-50019947
Indutrade Life ScienceStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000197814
EQT GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-5000199430
Altor Equity PartnersStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden51-20020036
Chalmers VenturesSweden11-50201526
LitorinaStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden11-5019980
Piab - A brand by Piab GroupDanderyd, Stockholm, Sweden1001-500019512
NedermanHelsingborg, Skåne, Sweden1001-500019440
Accent EquityStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden11-5019944
Addtech Customised SolutionStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden1001-500019061
SKF GroupStockholm, Stockholm, Sweden10001+19073
SenticaHelsinki, Uusimaa, Finland11-5020040


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