Belgian Textile Giant Calcutta-Annabel Closes Its Doors, Putting 80 Jobs at Risk

The Belgian textile company Calcutta-Annabel, which has been in operation for over 175 years, has unfortunately closed its doors. This decision puts around 80 jobs at risk, with employees from both the Sleidinge and Mariakerke locations being affected. The Christian trade union ACV Metea has confirmed the closure, citing a sudden drop in orders that made bankruptcy unavoidable.

Calcutta Home Fashion, an East Flemish textile group founded in Sleidinge in 1848 and known as the oldest weaving mill in the country, recently acquired AG Tex from Waregem. Despite being under new ownership since 2019 and hopes of a turnaround with fresh capital and a new strategy, the company is still facing financial difficulties. Production decline and rising costs have led to a lack of long-term viability for the company. With mounting losses and pressure from banks, the decision was made to declare bankruptcy, with a curator overseeing the settlement process.