21.05.2026
Jos Vanneste wins Joe Lano as investor
The Belgian flax yarn manufacturer Jos Vanneste has brought two new strategic investors on board: industry expert Joe Lano and the investment company Vybros Capital Partners. Joe Lano was previously the owner of the eponymous textile floor covering manufacturer Lano Carpets. Based in Harelbeke, the long-established company Jos Vanneste is a key supplier of flax fibres and yarns for the home textile industry and generated a turnover of 52.0 million Euros in the 2025 financial year.
19.05.2026
Inter Ikea Group plans to cut 850 jobs worldwide
The Inter Ikea Group – the global franchisor behind the brand, responsible for the design and supply of the legally independent Ikea stores – intends to cut around 850 jobs worldwide, with approximately 300 positions affected in Sweden. Together with all 13 Ikea franchisees, the group plans to focus on driving sales growth, implementing significant price reductions and increasing visitor numbers across all customer touchpoints.
08.05.2026
Stäubli to cease carpet weaving machine production in Germany
The Swiss technology group Stäubli is discontinuing the production of Schönherr carpet weaving machines at its first German site in Bayreuth. According to a report by the Bayreuther Tagblatt, the company is responding to the current difficult situation in the global carpet market. While the manufacturing of these machines will end, customer service and the spare parts business for the Schönherr division will be maintained.
07.05.2026
Jysk plans 100 new city stores
Danish interior retailer Jysk is continuing its global expansion with plans to open up to 100 new stores in major European cities over the next three years. The company is increasingly focusing on central locations in capitals such as Dublin, Madrid, Oslo, and Amsterdam to reach urban customers more effectively. Since its founding in 1979, Jysk has primarily concentrated on peripheral locations and medium-sized towns to benefit from larger floor spaces and parking facilities.
07.05.2026
Einrichtungspartnerring VME increases turnover
Following two years of declining figures, Einrichtungspartnerring VME has reported a positive trend for the 2025 financial year. The purchasing association's centrally regulated turnover rose slightly from EUR 1.34 billion to EUR 1.37 billion. In tandem with this growth, the net profit increased by 8.5% to EUR 11.5 million.
07.05.2026
KHG (Krieger / Höffner) exits Begros
The central purchasing and administrative company of the Krieger/Höffner Group, KHG, officially resigned as a shareholder from the Begros purchasing association on 30 April 2026. The association informed its business partners of this move in a recent circular. To ensure an orderly transition, a specific transitional arrangement was agreed upon between Begros and the management of KHG.
07.05.2026
Belgotex owner Stephan Colle passes away
The industry is mourning the loss of Stephan Colle, who passed away on 4 May 2026 at the age of 66. Together with his wife Ann De Clerck, he was the owner of the Belgotex International Group. With renowned manufacturers such as Associated Weavers, Balsan, and Lano, the group is one of the most influential players in the European flooring market.
04.05.2026
Rugvista appoints Gustaf Arlid as new CFO
Rugvista Group AB has appointed Gustaf Arlid as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He will assume the position no later than 1 November 2026, succeeding the current financial leadership. Arlid joins from Bygghemma Nordics, part of the BHG Group, where he currently serves as CFO. He brings extensive experience from senior finance roles, including positions at Findus and as a Manager at Deloitte.
04.05.2026
50th India Carpet Expo scheduled for October
The 50th edition of the India Carpet Expo is set to take place from 4 to 6 October 2026 in Bhadohi. The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) had originally planned to hold the anniversary event in April but had to cancel the spring fair. The venue remains the Carpet Expo Mart in Bhadohi, India.
27.04.2026
Salone del Mobile attracts over 300,000 visitors
The Salone del Mobile in Milan remained a premier hotspot for the design and furnishing world again this year. Between 21 and 26 April, organisers recorded a total of 316,342 visitors from 167 countries at the Rho trade fair grounds. The share of international trade visitors remained steady at 68 per cent, underlining the event's significance as a tool for internationalisation and business development.
