#Knitting & Hosiery

2020-05-28

Customer proximity despite social distancing

The KARL MAYER Academy goes online, in order to provide its customers with the necessary know-how, even in times of corona-caused travel restrictions. For the short-term start into the World Wide Web, the company’s own Qualification Center offers webinars lasting one hour and intended for not more than six to eight participants, because it relies on dialogue. „We don’t want any frontal teaching but interaction.

In this way, we can better answer individual questions and support the development of new ideas“, explains Robert Kuna who develops KARL MAYER’s e-training concept. Moreover, the course instructor hopes to get fresh impetus for webinar topics thanks to the close cooperation of all parties involved. In addition to basic knowledge of warp knitting, divided into small units, the clients should acquire special know-how that is meant to further support them in their market situation. Especially now, many warp knitting mills have enough time for the qualification of their employees.

The new webinar series was successfully started by Roland Bämpfer by mid-May 2020. Via video, the Indian customers received from this course instructor a detailed description of the possibilities of producing fabrics which are suitable for making everyday face masks. For many companies, the production of urgently needed sanitary articles represents an exception from the nationwide corona shutdown. Regarding the content of the online events, Roland Bämpfer says: „With the participants, I discuss different lapping techniques and suitable yarns for the commonly used tricot machines in India. In this way, everyone can produce those articles that are most suitable for his business.“

Further webinars are being prepared. More information about this issue, registrations and suggestions on topics can be obtained from the KARL MAYER Academy via its e-mail address academy@karlmayer.com.

In addition to the webinars with flexible content, from next year on, the company will also offer online training courses, to support the previous Academy courses with their permanent elements. The new offerings should contribute to increased efficiency in know-how transfer.

Navin Agrawal from KARL MAYER's agency A.T.E. in India attending the first KARL MAYER Academy webinar (c) 2020 KARL MAYER

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

Stylish, functional, and efficient to produce – spacer fabrics are the all-arounders among textile materials. These versatile fabrics are particularly in demand in the sports and casual footwear sector, as they combine comfort, breathability, and design freedom. At the same time, this industry is trend-driven, dynamic, and price-sensitive like few others. Innovations are therefore a decisive factor for success. With the RDJ 7/3, KARL MAYER offers a solution specifically tailored to these requirements. The particular strength of the new double raschel machine: its exceptional flexibility, thanks to its three jacquard bars.

More Jacquard. More functionality. More fashion.

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

BICO BCF yarn delivers impressive performance in field testing

In a joint development project with other partners, Barmag and Object Carpet have successfully tested BICO BCF yarn in the carpet manufacturing process. The results show that this innovative yarn technology offers significant performance advantages and opens up new possibilities for recycling-oriented carpet constructions.