Lectra, a French industrial intelligence solutions specialist active in the fashion, automotive and furniture markets, continues to integrate AI in its processes, and has recently bought a 30% stake in AQC, a French company specialising in the automatic recognition of textile defects through machine learning tools.

A textile quality control device developed by AQC – AQC

Lectra has invested €1.3 million in AQC, laying the foundation for a strategic partnership between the companies. AQC was founded in 2019, and will use the funds to boost its expansion, while its AI-based quality control tools will add new solutions to the software, cutting equipment and analysis tools offered by Lectra to brands and manufacturers.

“AQC aims to bring textile quality control into the Industry 4.0 era, and to address sustainability challenges, goals that are perfectly aligned with the Lectra group’s strategy,” said Maximilien Abadie, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Product Officer of Lectra. “This strategic partnership will allow our customers to benefit from AQC’s expertise, and will strengthen Lectra’s value proposition by incorporating an additional link in the value chain for our fashion customers,” he added.

In mid-September, Lectra announced another major investment in AI. The French company bought an 18% stake in Singapore-based Six Atomic, in a funding round worth €2.5 million. Six Atomic gives brands and manufacturers the opportunity to create modular pattern libraries, using AI tools to reduce the time it takes to develop their collections.

In 2023, Lectra suffered the consequences of an adverse business climate, and its revenue fell by 6% to €477.6 million. However, in H1 2024 the company showed signs of recovery, posting a 9% revenue rise.