GEMERT, The Netherlands—The acquisition of Johann van den acker by the principal of Raymakers and a sixth generation member of the van den Acker family may lead to coordinated velvet and flat weave collections for the two companies according to Pieter van den Acker. Johan van den Acker Textielfabriek BV, a small specialist weaver was acquired on May 15 by Pieter van den Acker the sixth generation member of the founding family and Richard Oussoren, owner of Royal Dutch Textile Mills J.A. Raymakers & Co. BV both located in Gemert. This is a personal investment for Oussoren who says that he and van den Acker bought the shares from various family members. This company has existed since 1807 and was owned by members of the van den Acker family during that time, Pieter van den Acker will continue as General Manager of Acker and the company will operate from the Gemert facility. Acker owns 40 dobby, jacquard and dobby wide-width looms up to 340cm with annual fabric production of about 750.000 square meters according to Oussoren. Acker is also vertically integrated with yarn dyeing, yarn preparation, weaving and finishing all in one factory about 10,000 square meters in size. “This acquisition and co-operation with Raymakers will offer us new opportunities to strengthen our specialism and market presence,” says Pieter van den Acker. “Furthermore it enables us to finalize our investment program to become one of the most flexible and creative flat weave operations in Western-Europe. That is good news for our customers and employees!” “This acquisition will give a strong impetus to the small flat weave operation of Raymakers,” says Oussoren. “For our important velvet operation, the cooperation of the two companies will secure textile craftsmanship, challenge our young apprentices for their careers in textiles and will give both design teams more opportunities to create the best flat-weave and pile-fabric products in the market. Both companies will operate independently to secure the best focus on each activity.” “Acker is acknowledged as the supplier of the Dutch Royal Court,” Oussoren says. “It is part of the Dutch textile heritage and in the last decades has developed itself as a specialist weaver, dyer and finisher of high-end interior flat woven fabrics for both domestic and contract use. Its products are sold world-wide via wholesaling editors and contract specialists.” “Royal Dutch Textile Mills J.A. Raymakers & Co BV from The Netherlands, was established in 1773. It has the same roots in the Dutch textile industry and is a market leader and specialist weaver, dyer and finisher of velvets for both domestic and contract use,” Oussoren says. “Its products are sold world-wide via wholesaling editors, contract specialists and manufacturers. Healthcare, hospitality, office, maritime and home are key Raymakers market segments.” “Key synergies for Raymakers are in flexible workforce, sharing and developing craftsmanship, purchasing, lean manufacturing and design, especially trend watching, yarn development, market segmentation models,” Oussoren says. Raymakers and Acker are both Proposte exhibitors.