AVL Looms

What AVL Looms does

AVL Looms Inc. is a privately held, US-domiciled manufacturer of hand-weaving looms, accessories, and design software, founded in 1977 as Ahrens & Violette Looms and headquartered in a single facility in Chico, California. The company designs, CNC-machines, and hand-finishes looms across an entry-to-professional portfolio ranging from the $5,050 Home Loom to the $31,311 Professional Dobby Rug Loom, with used certified pre-owned units reaching $40,100. Its differentiated technology is the patented Compu-Dobby computerized dobby system — in its fifth generation since 1982 — which replaces mechanical bars with solenoid-driven shafts controllable through the browser-based AVL Drive software, along with the K-Series counterbalance loom (40 shafts without lift assist) and ergonomic add-ons such as the E-Lift and Air Assist Flyshuttle.

AVL monetizes primarily through one-time hardware sales (looms, accessories, warping equipment, replacement parts), software licenses (WeavePoint, ArahWeave, Complex Drafting Module), and a complementary services layer anchored by the 25-year-old AVL Weaving School, Traveling Teacher Program, loom buyback/reconditioning, and financing. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through avllooms.com, phone sales, factory tours, a customer-referral demonstrator network, and a small set of international channel partners in the UK, Netherlands, and Australia. The company reports reaching weavers in nearly 90 countries.

The customer base spans hobbyist home weavers, professional/production weavers, educational institutions (Studio Dobby Loom and Technical Education Loom), and custom/specialty buyers, with named testimonials from individual professionals and SMB production studios. AVL has no disclosed institutional investment; ownership traces to founders Jim Ahrens and Jon Violette, with current President Bob Kruger succeeding longtime CEO Peter Straus. Product line streamlining was announced in November 2025, and the company recently added Rebecca Shelly as a new weaving instructor through a Weft & Willow online instruction partnership in June 2026.

Name

AVL Looms

Legal name

AVL Looms Inc.

Website

https://avllooms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AVL Looms is a privately held US manufacturer of hand-weaving looms, computerized dobby systems, accessories, and weaving design software, serving hobbyist weavers, professional production studios, and educational institutions across nearly 90 countries from its Chico, California facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hand Weaving Looms

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (33331), Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine Embroidery (31322)

SIC

Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950)

akta.pro primary industry

Weaving & Loom Supplies Retail (CRALADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crafting Machines & Accessories Retail (Die-Cut, Cricut/Silhouette, 3D Pens) (CRALACAK), Sewing Machine & Serger Retail (CRALADAD)

Keywords

• Hand weaving looms
• Computerized dobby systems
• Weaving accessories
• Warping equipment
• Weaving design software

Headquarters

HQ city

Chico

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Loom Sales: Sale of hand weaving looms including production dobby looms, table looms, rug looms, and custom configurations. Looms are built to order with various customization options.
2. Loom Accessories: Sales of accessories including heddles, heddle hooks, beam coverings, benches, casters, and various loom add-ons and upgrades.
3. Reeds and Components: Sale of reeds in various sizes from 10.5 to 242 inches, constructed from stainless steel with epoxy adhesive.
4. Warping Equipment: Sales of warping equipment including spools, warping boards, sectional warp beams, tension boxes, electric bobbin winders, and warping wheels.
5. Compu-Dobby Systems and Upgrades: Sale of computerized dobby systems, E-Lift conversion systems, and upgrades for existing dobby looms.
6. Weaving Software: Sales of WeavePoint weaving design software ($117), ArahWeave software ($450), and related modules.
7. Weaving Books and Gifts: Sale of weaving instruction books and AVL-branded merchandise including t-shirts and coffee mugs.
8. Certified Pre-Owned Looms: Factory-reconditioned used looms sold with certification, inspection, and warranty.
9. Replacement Parts: Sales of replacement parts for standard AVL looms and warping equipment. Lead time varies from 1-8 weeks for standard items, 14-16 weeks for obsolete loom parts.
10. Weaving Workshops and Instruction: In-person workshops at Chico facility and online classes through Weft & Willow partnership. Classes like 'Maximizing Your AVL' priced at $695.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AVL Looms manufactures and sells hand weaving looms with computerized dobby systems, ranging from portable tabletop models to 10-foot industrial configurations. The company also sells weaving accessories (reeds, heddles, benches, warping equipment), weaving design software (WeavePoint, ArahWeave, AVL Drive), and weaving instruction workshops. All looms are hand-built in Chico, California using sustainably sourced hardwoods and modern CNC equipment.

Product overview

AVL Looms is a hand weaving loom and equipment manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of mechanically and electronically controlled looms, accessories, and software. The core product line includes multiple loom series (Home, Little Weaver, Workshop, K-Series, V-Series, A-Series, Studio, Professional Rug, Industrial, and Custom), with weaving widths ranging from portable tabletop models to 10-foot industrial configurations. Key enabling technologies include the Compu-Dobby computerized dobby system (now in 5th generation with web-based AVL Drive software), E-Lift and A-Lift assist systems, and Air Assist Flyshuttle for ergonomic operation. The company also offers an ecosystem of accessories including warping equipment (Warping Wheel, Tension Box, Sectional Warp Beam), reeds, heddles, benches, and replacement parts. Complementary software includes WeavePoint weaving design software, ArahWeave CAD/CAM, and the free AVL Drive loom control application. Services include the AVL Weaving School with in-person and online instruction, Traveling Teacher Program, video demo program, loom buyback and reconditioning services, and custom loom engineering. Manufacturing is entirely in-house at Chico, California facilities using sustainably sourced hardwoods with modern CNC equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home Loom Entry-level hand weaving dobby loom with quality hand-built construction, designed for home weavers seeking professional-quality results.
• Little Weaver 2

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminates carpal tunnel and repetitive strain for production weavers using Air Assist Flyshuttle
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Weft and Willow Fiber Arts StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAVL partnered with Weft and Willow (founded by new AVL instructor Rebecca Shelly) to deliver online weaving instruction. The Weft & Willow platform provides straightforward online enrollment, video content for flexible learning, and live instruction for AVL courses.
• WeavePointcoreTechnology or IntegrationWeavePoint weaving design software (by Bjørn Myhre in Oslo, Norway) is sold through AVL and integrated with Compu-Dobby systems for loom control. Version 9 available through AVL.
• Wonky WeaverminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based distributor of AVL products listed as international partner on AVL website.
• Weef BoutiqueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetherlands-based distributor of AVL products listed as international partner on AVL website.
• Thread CollectiveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralia-based distributor of AVL products listed as international partner on AVL website.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Louet (Louët Looms): Dutch manufacturer of weaving looms and spinning equipment, including the popular Louet Spring and Delta looms. Directly competes with AVL in computerized dobby technology and serves the same hobbyist/professional weaver base globally.
• Harrisville Designs: American textile company producing weaving looms, yarn, and weaving patterns. Overlaps with AVL in the loom manufacturing space while additionally producing textile materials and patterns for the weaving community.
• Schacht Spindle Company: US-based manufacturer of handweaving looms, spinning wheels, and weaving accessories. Comparable as a domestic peer focused on craft weaving equipment and education-focused customers similar to AVL's educational institution segment.
• Ashford Handicrafts: New Zealand manufacturer of weaving looms, spinning wheels, and fiber arts equipment. Competes with AVL in the hobbyist segment with global distribution and similar direct-to-consumer e-commerce model.
• Toika Looms: Finnish manufacturer of weaving looms (now distributed via Louet) including computerized models popular with production weavers. Directly comparable in technology category and customer base to AVL's mid-range offerings.
• Macomber Looms: US-based manufacturer of weaving looms, particularly known for their Inkle and rigid heddle looms as well as custom-built floor looms. Directly comparable niche loom manufacturer serving hobbyists and small studios.
• Glimåkra Looms: Swedish manufacturer of traditional and contemporary weaving looms known for the Standard, Ekeby, and Ideal models. Competes with AVL in the high-end handweaving loom segment with strong European distribution.
• Leclerc Looms: Canadian manufacturer of weaving looms, warping equipment, and weaving accessories. Closest direct competitor to AVL in North America with overlapping product categories including table looms, floor looms, and dobby systems.

Broad incumbents

• Brüel & Kjær (Viby) / Industrial Loom Makers: Industrial-scale weaving machinery manufacturers serving mass textile production. Adjacent to AVL in the textile equipment category but operating at vastly larger scale and different customer base.

Regional players

• Cranbrook Looms (TEXMAC): Japanese manufacturer of high-end weaving looms distributed in North America primarily through specialty channels. Comparable as a premium loom manufacturer targeting professional weavers but with different geographic focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/avllooms/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/AVLloomsUSA/?ref=br_rs
• Instagraminstagram.com/avllooms/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AVL Looms