From classic traditional styles to brand-new trends, Piel S.A. is one of the leading integrated companies in the Spanish textile sector producing household textiles and upholstery covers for homes designed totally to individual tastes. The company has developed an additional focus with its development and production of innovative technical textiles as well as the production of high-quality clothing textiles. The entire range of Piel S.A. is certified according to the human/ecology requirements of the OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
The Valencia region progressed in the 15th century through its silk and textile production to become one of Europe's trading centres and flourished for many years. Even today many of Spain's important textile companies are located in this region with its traditionally favourable conditions for textile production. Piel S.A. was established here in 1976 and has focused on customer-orientation as explained by Vicente J. Sanchís, General Manager.
“Our challenge as a European textile company in order to remain competitive over the long term is to always remain flexible and develop a feeling for the needs of our customers, to exploit new markets and then implement these modifications accordingly in the company.” And in line with this the company based at Agullent, and with its approximately 60 employees, has adapted its product and activity portfolio to sales markets and successfully carved out some niche markets for itself. Through its company-owned worldwide sales and distribution network in more than 70 countries, the textile company is in a position to meet market developments and individual customer requests extremely flexibly.
Piel S.A. has a very strong presence in the market for household textiles such as bed linen, bedspreads, padded bed throws, table cloths and, plaids. An extensive range of upholstery covers of all types in many different types of materials, textures and designs rounds off the company's portfolio. Piel S.A. also produces textiles for clothing and produces high-quality, top fashion designer pieces according to specific customer requests.
All areas of the company are vertically integrated which means that all phases are carried out under the company's control - from the very selection of raw materials through the processing in the company's own weaving mill to garment manufacture and packaging. Four in-house design teams are continuously working on new creations and individual customer solutions based on new fashion trends.
In the growth market of technical textiles, Piel S.A.focuses on highly-efficient textile solutions which combine functionality, comfort, safety aspects and – where necessary - decorative aspects. In this area the company mainly supplies leading automotive producers (interior fittings), shoes (mesh materials), outdoor products (tents, rucksacks) and mattresses. In the non-woven sector Piel S.A sets new benchmarks with two products with their extremely wide usage spectrum. Loose polyester fibres from the recycling of plastic bottles are primarily used as filling for cushions, mattresses, duvets and upholstered furniture to name but a few.
The innovative fleece material developed by Piel also made completely of recycled polyester fibres and sold under the brand name of SONOPIEL, has also established itself, due to its excellent thermal properties, as an ideal material for use in the construction sector as a sound absorber. Over recent years fleece has increasingly replaced the mineral wool that was traditionally used in these sectors and today it is impossible to imagine fleece material not being used for sound protection of technical systems or devices as well as in may types of filters such as air filters.
Vicente J. Sanchís is convinced that there are still revolutionary successes ahead in this field. “We place great emphasis on innovations. The technical textiles sector will continue to develop extremely dynamically in the future. Therefore it is important for us to register patents for all new products.”
Environmental protection considerations and sustainability play a very important role in all areas of Piel S.A. Since 2010 all the company's products have met the human/ecology requirements of the OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Vicente J. Sanchís is convinced of the added-value of the OEKO-TEX certification: “It is specifically in the sensitive area of home textiles where it is important for us to integrate the concepts of product safety in relation to possible pollution through harmful substances.
“Due to the often close and long-term contact with these textiles, the quality assurance aspect must not be disregarded.” All processes from development and production to quality assurance and packaging are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the quality management system ISO 9001:2008 and the environmental management system ISO 14001:2004 respectively. This ensures a continuous control of all production steps and the products.
“We also feel we have an obligation to the natural resources” explains Vicente J. Sanchís, “and do everything possible to minimise the environmental impacts of our business operations.” This obligation also includes the creation by the company of its own source of energy supply. Two efficient photovoltaic systems equipped with a total of 1,260 solar modules and a combined output of 200 kW guarantee the environmentally-friendly energy supply.
The company's own gas-powered combined heat and power unit ensures this maximum level of energy efficiency which in addition to the electricity produced also enables the heat created to be used in various production processes.
Piel S.A. assumes its social responsibility through its specifically developed programmes for working conditions, further vocational and professional training as well occupational health and safety. In relation to the appreciation of our employees, the company has also undertaken some internal initiatives such as an equality programme for men and women and family-friendly working times rules.
