Filature Les Bobines
THE ABANDONED FACTORY IN BELGIUM
Explore ‘Filature Les Bobines’, an abandoned textile factory in Vichte, Belgium. This factory, biuilt in 1945, made furniture fabrics and other textile products. The factory remains a poignant reminder of the region’s industrial past and the changes brought by globalization.
Filature Les Bobines is an abandoned textile factory in Vichte, Belgium. Nature has taken over the site after more than 10 years of neglect. This factory was known for making furniture fabrics and other textile products. The company, named Vanco, began producing textiles in 1945. In the late 1980s, new halls and production lines were added to the mill.
The name ‘Les Bobines’ refers to the small wooden cylinders used to wind silk threads after weaving. This twisting process increases the strength of the fabric. Although the company’s real name was Vanco, it was commonly referred to by its nickname.
Belgium once had a thriving textile industry, renowned for its quality and craftsmanship. The factory played a significant role in the local economy and community for many decades. However, with the advent of globalization, most production moved to Asia where costs are lower. This shift led to the decline of many Belgian textile factories. Vanco, unable to compete with the cheaper production costs overseas, went bankrupt in 2007. The factory was abandoned and became a playground for local youth and copper thieves.
These photos of the old abandoned textile factory were taken in 2015. For more urban exploration, check out reports on other textile factories in Italy, Germany, and France.
