#Knitting & Hosiery

2020-02-28

KARL MAYER buys STOLL – a new strong brand in the KARL MAYER Group

From left to right: Jochen Franke (CFO, STOLL), Andreas Schellhammer (CEO, STOLL), Arno Gärtner (CEO, KARL MAYER), Dr. Helmut Preßl (CFO, KARL MAYER) (c) 2020 KARL MAYER

As part of its growth strategy, the KARL MAYER Group has concluded an agreement to acquire the STOLL Group. The contract was signed on 26 February 2020, and the STOLL Group is to be part of the KARL MAYER Group from 1 July 2020.

By acquiring STOLL, KARL MAYER is opening up additional technological growth potential and an innovative solutions portfolio in the flat knitting sector. STOLL is an international industry leader with approx. 1000 employees and offers innovative tools and services for the knitting of tomorrow.

KARL MAYER is an innovative market leader for solutions in Warp Knitting, Warp Preparation for Weaving and Technical Textiles, with over 2300 employees worldwide.

“The acquisition is an important step in our growth strategy and we are proud to welcome STOLL into our Group. STOLL is an internationally recognised brand in the textile industry and has comprehensive technological expertise and an experienced team in the knitting sector,” explains Arno Gärtner, CEO of the KARL MAYER Group.

With the acquisition, STOLL will become part of the global KARL MAYER Group, an independent family business. As a result, STOLL will benefit from the broad global positioning of KARL MAYER’s sales, service and production sites, and from the opportunities for joint development, such as in the field of digital solutions.

“This alliance brings together two very strong brands in textile machinery building whose solutions portfolios and regional presence complement each other brilliantly. This will enable us to expand and accelerate our innovation strategy in the areas of digitalization and technology, and strengthen our global presence. Our customers will be able to benefit directly from this and increase their competitiveness in the dynamically changing textile industry,” says Andreas Schellhammer, CEO of STOLL.

Both family-owned companies can look back on a long and successful company history, and at the same time prove themselves time and again as trendsetters. In their respective market segments, they represent innovation, quality, long-term orientation, reliability and comprehensive expertise.

The complementary product portfolios and an even greater regional presence in all relevant markets will create new, high-level expertise in the international textile market. KARL MAYER is thus the only company in the textile industry to offer industry-leading solutions for the two main stitch-forming processes: knitting and warp knitting.

The group of companies will thus be even more broadly positioned in the future with the business areas: Warp Knitting, Technical Textiles, Warp Preparation, Flat Knitting and Digital Solutions. Customers can be accompanied beyond the boundaries of technology.

The contract is an asset deal. The well-established STOLL brand will be continued unchanged within the Group. KARL MAYER is therefore not only expanding its portfolio, but is also strengthening its market position with the new brand.

“Our clients were always our focus when preparing the transaction. By becoming part of the KARL MAYER Group, customers will benefit from additional impetus for innovation, particularly with regard to overarching issues such as digitalization. There will be no change to the usual customer support and service,” the CEOs of both companies are keen to emphasize.

Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration

KARL MAYER sees performance fabrics and next-level textile solutions in particular as potential growth drivers for its customers, as a motor for business development and as real game changers for the entire textile industry. Innovation does not happen by chance. It is the result of close exchange with customers & brands, textile expertise and competence in textile machine engineering. This is why KARL MAYER is investing in progress and collaborative development and opening its TEXTILE INNOVATION CEN-TER (TIC) – a place to be for the entire textile world.

KARL MAYER (China) celebrates its 30th anniversary

On February 6, KARL MAYER (China) celebrated the new year and its 30th anniversary. Employees and the management team at the Changzhou location, as well as representatives from management in Germany, Italy, and Hong Kong, were invited to the festivities. A special highlight was the visit by Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER.

KARL MAYER at JEC: Multiaxial reinforced CFRP pultrusion profiles are picking up speed in the mobility sector

KARL MAYER Technical Textiles will be showcasing exciting new application potentials for multiaxial non-crimp fabrics in combination with the pultrusion process at the upcoming JEC in Hall 5, Booth C 46. The advancement of the tried-and-tested pultrusion process enables the cost-efficient production of complex CFRP multi-chamber profiles, which are used in the CETROVO high-speed metro. The world's first carbon-intensive lightweight rail vehicle of this type is designed for speeds of up to 140 km/h.

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.

Huixing acquires insolvent Mayer & Cie.

Insolvency proceedings for the circular knitting and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. were opened on December 1, 2025. Immediately following the opening of proceedings, the complete cessation of business operations was initiated. Most employees were subsequently given notice effective the end of February 2026. The production of the remaining orders in the circular knitting segment is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As early as December 2025, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machine division was sold to an Italian investor.

LineONE – Smart performance, smart investment at Techtextil 2026

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt (April 21–24, Hall 12, Booth C79), AUTEFA Solutions will present its LineONE concepts for cost-efficient nonwoven production. As a full-line supplier for nonwoven production lines, AUTEFA Solutions covers the entire process chain – from fibre opening through to web bonding. With its LineONE line concepts, the company combines proven technologies into well-balanced, cost-efficient turnkey solutions. These concepts are designed for capacity expansions, modernisation projects and new production lines, offering robust design and high flexibility for applications such as filtration, geotextiles and automotive.

EU and Australia strengthen relations with Security and Defence Partnership and Trade Agreement

The EU and Australia have today announced the adoption of a groundbreaking Security and Defence Partnership. They have also concluded negotiations for an ambitious and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to launch formal negotiations for the association of Australia to Horizon Europe, the world's largest funding programme for research and innovation. With these steps, the EU and Australia are delivering mutually beneficial outcomes and further reinforcing their already close relations in a time of geopolitical uncertainty.

DuPont introduces Tyvek® APX™ 400 protective coverall, setting a new benchmark for extreme breathability

DuPont (NYSE:DD) announced the launch of the Tyvek® APX™ 400 protective coverall, the first in a new generation of extremely breathable disposable chemical protection garments. Manufactured using DuPont™ Tyvek® APX™ groundbreaking fabric, the new garment combines 360° protection and durability with extreme breathability, taking worker comfort and safety to a whole new level.