#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

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.

Freudenberg Performance Materials presents Mehlerheytex and Filc at Techtextil 2026

Freudenberg Performance Materials will showcase textile innovations that increase efficiency, performance and sustainability in industry and mobility at Techtextil 2026. For the first time since the merger of Mehler Texnologies and Heytex, the MehlerHeytex brand will make its debut as a leading expert in coated technical textiles. Moreover, Freudenberg Performance Materials Filc (Filc), specialist for advanced needlepunch nonwovens and laminated materials, will present its groundbreaking solutions for automotive applications. Filc customers can benefit from the perfect combination of functionality, comfort and sustainability. The Freudenberg Performance Materials experts are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the trade fair at Stand A11 in Hall 11.0 from April 21 – 24, 2026.

Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 to showcase innovations – Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts is now open for the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2026, taking place on 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany, and online. Europe’s leading platform for advanced recycling brings together hands-on solutions and cutting-edge research on recycling technologies for various waste streams like plastics, polymers, textiles or automotive, highlighting progress towards a circular renewable carbon economy.