Makers Since 1861
Tell us your material and target output, and we’ll recommend the right machine or line.
Including waste recycling and decortication of hemp and flax. Made in Heckmondwike, England.
Welcome to
We are a family-owned business with over 150 years of experience in the design and manufacture of high-quality textile machinery. Founded in 1861 in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, England, we have built a reputation for waste recycling systems, rag machines, nonwoven processing, hemp and flax processing, and fibre blending solutions.
Now led by the great-great-grandson of founder Wilson Knowles, the business continues its long tradition of engineering textile machinery for customers across the world.
Reprocessing waste and giving new life to materials is a major driver in textiles today. We offer a wide variety of machinery to support recycling goals, including cutting, opening and shredding machinery, fibre transport and storage.
Find Out MoreWe offer full fibre opening lines, weighing lines and blending lines for all fibre types. Our 150+ years of experience allow us to tailor each system to suit individual requirements. Our product range includes fearnoughts, rag machines and blending hoppers to help customers achieve their production goals.
Find Out MoreWe design and build complete nonwoven lines, including Garnett lines, carbon fibre felt lines and geotextile lines. We can supply an entirely bespoke system or individual machines to suit your requirements.
Find Out MoreWe offer full decortication and cleaning lines, alongside individual machinery to help improve existing operations. Through university partnerships and many years of research and development, we can supply systems for customers across the world. Because growing, harvesting and processing conditions vary, every system is assessed individually so we can recommend the right setup for each customer.
Find Out MoreWe manufacture needlelooms and in-feed systems for the production of nonwoven felts and carbon fibre felts. We build machines to suit material requirements, with speeds up to 400rpm and a stroke of 76.2mm (3"). We can also supply boards and plates to suit all makes of machinery.
Find Out MoreWe manufacture lags and pins for all makes of machine in wood, steel and aluminium. We also manufacture pinned feed rollers and other bespoke roller arrangements. This work is carried out in house, from drilling the lags and grinding the pins through to heat treatment and setting.
Find Out MoreHave a question about our machinery, services or capabilities? Get in touch with our team.
Both. Many customers start with one machine, then build toward a full line concept as volumes grow.
Yes. Share your material type, contamination risks and target output. Trials and demonstrations can then be discussed with our team.
Yes. We build standard machinery and bespoke systems tailored to customer requirements.
We are based in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK, with our registered office at 6 Chapel Lane, WF16 9JT.
