Our history

The history of B&T Textilia is interwoven with the history of 5 generations of artisans – dating back to 1854 when the company’s founder was a maker of woollen suits and apparel fabrics. 

Located between the historical towns of Ghent and Bruges, our company expanded its operations by absorbing other weaving companies in the area. Today building on 800 years of authentic Flemish craftsmanship, B&T Textilia represents an unknown passion for textiles.

Our history

The history of B&T Textilia is interwoven with the history of 5 generations of artisans – dating back to 1854 when the company’s founder was a maker of woollen suits and apparel fabrics. 

Located between the historical towns of Ghent and Bruges, our company expanded its operations by absorbing other weaving companies in the area. Today building on 800 years of authentic Flemish craftsmanship, B&T Textilia represents an unknown passion for textiles.

Our history

The history of B&T Textilia is interwoven with the history of 5 generations of artisans – dating back to 1854 when the company’s founder was a maker of woollen suits and apparel fabrics. 

Located between the historical towns of Ghent and Bruges, our company expanded its operations by absorbing other weaving companies in the area. Today building on 800 years of authentic Flemish craftsmanship, B&T Textilia represents an unknown passion for textiles.

Our history

The history of B&T Textilia is interwoven with the history of 5 generations of artisans – dating back to 1854 when the company’s founder was a maker of woollen suits and apparel fabrics. 

Located between the historical towns of Ghent and Bruges, our company expanded its operations by absorbing other weaving companies in the area. Today building on 800 years of authentic Flemish craftsmanship, B&T Textilia represents an unknown passion for textiles.

 

Our history

For centuries, Flanders has been famous for its tapestry and weaving industry. The B&T Textilia weaving mill has been located in the village of Waarschoot, between Ghent and Bruges, for over 100 years. During this time, we have expanded our operations through several carefully-chosen acquisitions.

By combining over a century of experience, Flemish craftsmanship and a passion for innovation and high-end fabrics, B&T Textilia has become a preferred partner for the creative minds in the high fashion and interior design industries.

 

A golden age

Our story officially began in 1912, when Société Anonyme de Waarschoot founded Société Anonyme Textilia. But our history dates back to 1854, when our founder was a small-scale maker of woollen suits and fashion fabrics. Specialised in velour, the company became independent in 1925. The weaving industry was booming at that time, and more than 300 people kept over 300 machines up and running.

 

The humble '70s

During the 1970s, the vibrant sound of the mill died down. The company merged with Société Anonyme de Waarschoot, and of the 1000 employees only 700 remained. The new N.V. Textilia focused on home linens, upholstery fabrics, fashion fabrics, industrial applications and yarn spinning. Even though its creations travelled all over the world, the company’s heyday was over − or so it seemed...

 

A new wind blowing

In the early 1980s, Patrick Van Damme took over the weaving mill. A decade later, his son Thierry, who had just finished law school, joined the company. They introduced the production of unique and exclusive products and changed the course of the company to upholstery and home decoration fabrics.

Then, in the mid-1990s, a fusion with weaving mill Bruggeman from the Waasland resulted in the new name: B&T Textilia. The new organisation brought the company back into the limelight of the fashion and interior design industries.