The textile machinery industry in Benelux is vital for transforming fabrics into finished products, featuring companies that design, manufacture, and supply machinery for fabric production and fiber processing. These include manufacturers of weaving and knitting machines, dyeing and finishing equipment, and automation solutions. With sustainability becoming a key focus, innovation is driving changes toward eco-friendly practices, like reducing waste and energy consumption. The industry is advancing towards integrating smart technologies and Industry 4.0, aiming for increased efficiency and productivity. Thus, it’s the cornerstone for fostering a new generation of textile production, constantly evolving to meet market demands.


Among the top textile machinery investors in Benelux are a mix of corporate and private equity firms. This collection of 16 investors, headquartered in regions like Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, varies in size from small teams to large corporations, with many founded in the last few decades. In 2024, these investors collectively made 107 deals, reflecting their active role in the textile machinery sector. Their strategies focus on nurturing innovation and facilitating growth, making them significant contributors to the industry’s future.


Top 16 Textile Machinery Investors in Benelux


1. European Innovation Council (EIC)


The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a public entity based in Brussels, Belgium, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. Founded in 1958, the EIC offers various funding programs, including the EIC Accelerator and EIC Pathfinder, aimed at helping startups and SMEs develop and scale their technologies. The EIC provides business acceleration services, networking opportunities, and prizes to foster innovation in diverse sectors. Notably, the EIC has been involved in funding transactions relevant to the textile industry, such as Resortecs, which raised $2,638,999 in a grant in June 2022 and $2,182,128 in a pre-seed round in January 2021. Additionally, Dimpora received $1,932,971 in a grant in March 2022. These transactions highlight the EIC's active role in supporting innovative textile solutions. Furthermore, TM Systems, another company in the textile machinery context, received funding through grants and venture rounds, showcasing the EIC's engagement with textile-related technologies.


2. Triton Partners


Triton Partners is a private equity investment firm founded in 1997, based in Luxembourg, specializing in private equity and credit investments in European mid-market businesses. The firm focuses on sectors such as Business Services, Industrial Tech, and Healthcare, providing operational expertise and capital to help companies unlock their full potential. Notably, Triton has been involved in significant transactions within the textile machinery sector, including the acquisition of Battenfeld-cincinnati in March 2007, which is a key player in the textile machinery industry. Additionally, their acquisition of Dunkermotoren GmbH and the United Grinding Group further demonstrates their engagement in industrial technology, which often overlaps with textile machinery. Triton's strategy includes partnering with management teams to address challenges and drive growth, making them a strategic investor in the textile machinery landscape.


3. Cvc

  • Website: cvc.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: cvc-capital-partners

CVC Capital Partners is a prominent investment firm founded in 2005, specializing in private equity, credit, secondaries, and infrastructure. With approximately €193 billion in assets under management for over 1000 clients, including pension funds and institutional investors, CVC focuses on delivering sustainable value and growth through strategic investments. Among their notable transactions, CVC has acquired companies such as SIAT Group, which is involved in the production of textile machinery and related products, and Kalle, which also operates within the textile sector. These acquisitions highlight CVC's engagement in the textile machinery industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


4. Mutares Benelux

  • Website: mutares.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: mutares-benelux

Mutares Benelux, a private equity firm based in Amsterdam, specializes in acquiring and managing companies in transition. Founded in 2021, the firm has quickly established itself by focusing on strategic investments and turnaround management across various sectors, including automotive, technology, and retail. Notably, Mutares has made significant acquisitions in the engineering and technology segments, such as the acquisition of SABO Maschinenfabrik from John Deere, which strengthens their Goods & Services segment. Additionally, their acquisition of Royal De Boer and Clecim France (formerly Primetals Technologies France) further emphasizes their commitment to enhancing profitability and growth in engineering-related fields. These transactions indicate Mutares' potential relevance to the textile machinery industry, as they involve companies that may have overlapping technologies or capabilities.


5. Sioen Industries

  • Website: sioen.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ardooie, Flanders, Belgium
  • Founded year: 1960
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • LinkedIn: sioen-industries

Sioen Industries is a Belgium-based corporate investor founded in 1960, specializing in technical textiles and protective clothing. The company operates in various industries, including transportation, construction, and public safety, providing innovative and high-quality textile solutions. Sioen has made several strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in the textile market. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Saint Clair Textiles in December 2019, which expanded its textile offerings, and the acquisition of Dimension-Polyant, a leading sailcloth manufacturer, in July 2016 for €38 million. Additionally, Sioen acquired James Dewhurst in August 2017 for over $56 million, further enhancing its textile capabilities. These acquisitions reflect Sioen's commitment to growth and innovation within the textile industry, making it a significant player in the sector.


6. Gilde Buy Out Partners


Gilde Buy Out Partners is a private equity firm based in Utrecht, Netherlands, founded in 1982. The firm specializes in investment management and business transformation services, focusing on providing growth solutions to mid-market businesses across Europe. Gilde has been involved in several notable acquisitions, including Riri SA, a company that operates in the textile and fashion industry, and The Spandex Group, which serves the textile and graphics sectors. Their acquisition of Reesink and Elcee Group further demonstrates their interest in companies that may have ties to industrial applications, including textile machinery. Gilde's approach combines strategic investments with operational support to enhance the market presence of their portfolio companies, making them a significant player in the investment landscape.


7. SHIFT Invest

  • Website: shiftinvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: shift-invest

SHIFT Invest is a venture capital fund based in Amstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2009. The firm specializes in impact investing, targeting innovative enterprises with significant environmental impact potential. They provide funding and support to early-stage companies across various sectors, including energy transition, smart food & agriculture, and sustainable mobility. Notably, SHIFT Invest has made significant investments in the textile sector, particularly in Byborre, a textile innovation studio. In May 2020, they led a Series A funding round for Byborre, raising €3.2 million to enhance its on-demand textile platform. Subsequently, in February 2023, they participated in a Series B funding round for Byborre, contributing to an $18.3 million raise aimed at accelerating the company's international growth. These transactions highlight SHIFT Invest's commitment to supporting innovative textile solutions, making them a relevant player in the textile machinery investment landscape.


8. Astorg

  • Website: astorg.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Luxembourg
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: astorg

Astorg is a private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 1998, specializing in investments in global B2B companies. With €22 billion in assets under management, Astorg focuses on creating long-term value through a disciplined investment process and strong partnerships with entrepreneurs. The firm has made notable acquisitions in various sectors, including the industrial space. For example, Astorg acquired a majority stake in Megadyne, an Italian company that produces belts and pulleys for industrial applications, which are essential components in textile machinery. Additionally, their investment in ARMOR-IIMAK, a company involved in industrial solutions, and AutoForm Engineering, a Swiss industrial software group, further demonstrates their engagement in sectors that may overlap with textile machinery. These transactions highlight Astorg's strategic approach to investing in companies that support industrial operations, including those relevant to the textile industry.


9. Retviews

  • Website: lectra.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Belgium
  • Founded year: 2017
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: retviews

Retviews, operating under Lectra, is a corporate investor based in Belgium, founded in 2017. They specialize in providing advanced software and equipment tailored for the fashion, automotive, and furniture industries. Lectra's offerings are designed to enhance production efficiency and sustainability, catering to manufacturers looking to optimize their operations through digital platforms and cutting technologies. Notably, Lectra has made significant investments in the textile machinery sector, including the acquisition of Gerber Technology for approximately $210.9 million in February 2021, which bolstered their position in the fashion technology market. Additionally, they announced the acquisition of 60% of Gemini CAD Systems, a Romanian company, to enhance their fashion software portfolio. In December 2022, Lectra signed an agreement to acquire 51% of TextileGenesis, further solidifying their commitment to innovation in textile production. These strategic moves highlight Lectra's active role in the textile machinery industry, making them a relevant investor in this space.


10. Invest-NL

  • Website: invest-nl.nl
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 2020
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 17
  • LinkedIn: invest-nl

Invest-NL is an impact investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 2020. They focus on financing sustainable and innovative projects, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. Invest-NL aims to support entrepreneurs with promising plans for societal transitions by mobilizing capital from various sources to make impactful investments that contribute to a more sustainable economy. Notably, they led a Series B investment in Byborre, a textile innovation studio, raising $18.3 million to accelerate the company's international growth. This transaction highlights their engagement in the textile sector, showcasing their commitment to supporting innovative projects within this industry.


11. Bencis


Bencis is a private equity investment company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1999. The firm specializes in providing capital and strategic support to business owners and management teams across various sectors, including manufacturing and healthcare. Bencis has a notable history of investments in the textile machinery context, particularly with their acquisition of SPGPrints in 2007, a company known for its innovative printing solutions for textiles. Additionally, they acquired a controlling interest in Xeikon in 2013, a company that develops digital printing technology, which is relevant to the textile industry. These transactions highlight Bencis's capability and interest in supporting growth within the textile machinery sector, alongside their broader investment strategy.


12. Quadrivio Group


Quadrivio Group is a private equity firm based in Luxembourg, founded in 2000, specializing in investment management with a focus on transforming SMEs into small multinationals. The firm manages specialized funds across various sectors, including Lifestyle, Industry 4.0, and Silver Economy. Notably, Quadrivio Group has made significant investments in the textile sector, acquiring a majority stake in Soft Non Woven, a company involved in the production of nonwoven fabrics, and purchasing Texbond, a leading European producer of specialty nonwovens. These transactions highlight Quadrivio's commitment to the textile industry, making them a relevant player in the textile machinery investment landscape.


13. Textiel Innovatie Fonds


Textiel Innovatie Fonds is a venture capital firm based in The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands, founded in 2016. The firm focuses on sustainability and positive impact, offering investment management services and sustainability consulting. It primarily targets businesses in sectors like clean technology and textiles. Notably, Textiel Innovatie Fonds has participated in several relevant transactions in the textile industry, including a Series A investment in SpinDye, which raised $3,711,590 in April 2018, and multiple seed rounds for Reflaunt, a company focused on technology and business development in the textile sector. These investments reflect the fund's commitment to supporting innovation within the textile industry, particularly in areas that enhance sustainability and operational efficiency.


14. H2 Equity Partners

  • Website: h2ep.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1991
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: h2-equity-partners

H2 Equity Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1991. The firm specializes in private equity investments in mid-sized companies across various sectors, providing hands-on support and consulting services to help management teams achieve growth and operational improvements. Notably, H2 Equity Partners has been involved in several significant transactions, including the acquisition of Contiweb, a company known for its role in the textile machinery industry, which was previously a subsidiary of Goss International. This acquisition, along with their other investments such as the William Hackett Group and GBUK Group, showcases their diverse portfolio and capability to enhance business performance across different sectors, including textile machinery.


15. TKH Group

  • Website: tkhgroup.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Haaksbergen, Overijssel, Netherlands
  • Founded year: 1930
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: tkh-group-n.v.

TKH Group is a technology company based in Haaksbergen, Netherlands, specializing in innovative solutions for automation, digitalization, and electrification. Founded in 1930, the company operates globally, providing smart vision, manufacturing, and connectivity systems to enhance efficiency and sustainability across various sectors. Notably, TKH Group has made significant acquisitions in the machine vision sector, including Euresys, a company focused on machine vision technologies, and SVS-Vistek GmbH, a manufacturer of machine vision cameras. These acquisitions align with TKH's strategy to integrate advanced technologies into manufacturing processes, making them a relevant player in the textile machinery industry.


16. AAC Capital Partners


AAC Capital Partners is a private equity investment firm based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, founded in 1982. The firm specializes in providing growth capital and strategic guidance to mid-sized businesses in the Benelux region, with a focus on fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable growth through partnerships with management teams. Notably, AAC Capital has been involved in significant transactions in the textile sector, including the acquisition of James Dewhurst in 2008, a company known for its textile manufacturing capabilities, and CleanLease in 2004, which also operates within the textile industry. These transactions highlight AAC Capital's engagement in the textile machinery context, supporting companies that contribute to this sector.



Textile Machinery Insights: Key Investors in Benelux


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
European Innovation Council (EIC)Brussels, Brussels, Belgium201-500195857
Triton PartnersLuxembourg201-50019976
CvcLuxembourg1001-5000200516
Mutares BeneluxAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202116
Sioen IndustriesArdooie, Flanders, Belgium1001-500019600
Gilde Buy Out PartnersUtrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands11-5019820
SHIFT InvestAmstelveen, North Holland, Netherlands11-5020094
AstorgLuxembourg51-20019988
RetviewsBelgium51-20020171
Invest-NLAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands51-200202017
BencisAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019990
Quadrivio GroupLuxembourg11-5020003
Textiel Innovatie FondsThe Hague, South Holland, Netherlands1-1020160
H2 Equity PartnersAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019910
TKH GroupHaaksbergen, Overijssel, Netherlands5001-1000019301
AAC Capital PartnersAmsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands11-5019821


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