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Milestones

More than 100 years of textile tradition condensed into one brief overview. Sioen Industries has a rich history and shows that ‘protection through innovation’ is not just a slogan. It is a story about profitable growth.

1907
1907
Adolf Sioen starts a weaving mill in Rumbeke under the name Sioen-Sabbe. This is the golden age of the cloth weaving industry in western Belgium. Adolf Sioen is succeeded by Daniel Sioen, who continues to run Sioen-Sabbe.
1960
1960
Daniel’s son Jean-Jacques Sioen, then aged 25, creates his own company in the up-and-coming area of technical textiles, with a first coating line at Beveren/Roeselare. The company is successful, producing at first artificial leathers and later truck tarpaulins.
1967
1967
Jean-Jacques’ wife Jacqueline Sioen starts an apparel workshop in Roeselare, using the Sioen coated textiles. Initial products include protective rainclothing for amongst others fishermen and farmers.
1970's
1970's
The company continues to grow in the 1970s and early 1980s. By the mid-1970s the two buildings at Beveren and one at Roeselare have become too small.
1977
1977
Company moves to a single new site at Ardooie. At this stage it employs around 100 people in apparel, 30 in coating and 20 in sales and administration.
1989
1989
The company further expands, exporting to neighbouring countries and further afield. The Apparel division starts up production sites in France, Ireland and Tunisia. In 1989 Jean-Jacques Sioen receives the export prize from Prince Albert.
1991
1991
Fire destroys Ardooie plant. All persons are temporary out of work, and all of the production is lost.
1993
1993
New, state-of-the-art plant inaugurated on the Ardooie site. In 1993 it reports sales of EUR 45 million and a workforce of 600.
1996
1996
Sioen continues its expansion, especially in coated textiles. Apparel division opens additional production facilities in Indonesia (Jakarta).
1996
1996
Sioen goes public with an IPO on the Brussels stock exchange. At this stage it has a turnover of EUR 85 million and 1 500 employees.
1999
1999
At the end of the century Sioen employs 3 400 people and has a turnover of just under EUR 200 million a year. Expansion to Poperinge (services), Bornem (chemicals), Kerksken (weaving) among others.
2001
2001
The company continues to invests in new applications, new processes and techniques, with a focus on profitability and growth. Inauguration of Mouscron (Belgium) site with new coating plant, weaving mill, spinning mill and logistics unit.
2006
2006
Sioen acquires Richard SAS, a manufacturer of colorants for industry applications and for the DIY sector.
2009
2009
'In 2005, and after 45 years as CEO of the company, Mr. Sioen passes the position of CEO to his daughter Michèle Sioen and becomes chair- man of the Board of Directors. In 2009 Jean-Jacques Sioen, founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sioen Industries, passes away unexpectedly.'
Growth
Growth
Sustained cost efficiency and focus on productivity allows us to increase profit year after year. We are in constant search of new products and attractive take-overs and focus solely on our core competence. Be better, faster and stronger. This is and has always been our ambition. We have evolved into a textile solution provider.
2015
2015
Sioen takes over Dynatex. This is a young innovative company, specialising in multi-axial aramid reinforcement fabrics, a pioneering idea protected by several patents. By acquiring this company, Sioen emphasizes its aim for technical leadership in the market of technical textiles.
2016
2016
The company takes over Manifattura Fontana, the Italian market reference in geotextiles. This acquisition ensures further growth in this market.
2016 - acquisition 2
2016 - acquisition 2
Sioen acquires the world market leader in sailcloth, Dimension Polyant. With production plants in Germany and the USA, this acquisition facilitates access to these markets. With 40% marketshare, Dimension Polyant is the most important player on the sailcloth market.
2016- acquisition 3
2016- acquisition 3
Sioen Acquires Ursuit, a Finnish producer of drysuits for diving, fishing and professional use in extreme environments
2016- acquisition 4
2016- acquisition 4
Sioen acquires Verseidag Ballistic Protection, a Finnish producer of ballistic protection. Operating under the motto “Life-saving design“ Verseidag Ballistic Protection is a fully integrated manufacturer of armour products (a full range of vests, both overt and covert, tactical vests, EOD suits and shields).
2017
2017
Sioen acquires James Dewhurst, a British manufacturer of open-structure fabrics (laid scrims) for the reinforcement and support of many different products, such as roofing, packaging, geotextiles, ...
2017 - Lifetime achievement
2017 - Lifetime achievement
Mrs. Jacqueline Sioen wins the award Woman of the Year and the Lifetime achievement award by Director-E, which is one of the leading magazines regarding the Apparel business. These awards are the recognition for 57 years of hard work of Mrs. Sioen since the foundation of the company in 1960.
2018 - 500 million exceeded
2018 - 500 million exceeded
Sioen’s turnover reaches the 500-million-euro mark. In addition to a continuously growing turnover, the company also achieves excellent profits. It invests in new machines and digitization and continues its expansion, including in the United States and in the Middle East.
2018 - Manager of the year
2018 - Manager of the year
Michèle Sioen, is elected "Manager of the Year" by a jury of experts and the readers of the magazine Trends. She was chosen for the sustainable growth of Sioen Industries, her broad commitment which was translated into the chairmanship of the FEB (first female chairman) and her role in the textile sector federation Fedustria.
2019 - Lion
2019 - Lion
Flanders Investment and Trade awarded the two new 2019 “export lions”, a recognition for companies that excel in export. Sioen is delighted with the win in the ‘big companies’ category.