#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-04-14

Seizing opportunities in the crisis

The weaving mill in Pakistan is expanding and investing in machinery including KARL MAYER’s PROSIZE® and WARPDIRECT®

Pakistan’s economy was another to be hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, but the textile and garment industry quickly showed signs of recovery.

“Things have been going crazy in Pakistan for some time now,” says Dieter Gager, Vice President Sales and Marketing at KARL MAYER’s Business Unit Warp Preparation. In particular, the PROSIZE® sizing machine combined with the WARPDIRECT® beam warping machine of the well-known global player is proving to be a bestseller: the order volume for these high-tech models was already considerable in 2020, but was surpassed once again at the beginning of this year.

Highest warp beam quality for maximum efficiency in the weaving mill

Most machines are destined for the textile strongholds of Karachi and Lahore, which are currently benefiting from a boom in high-end household textiles. Bed linen and terry towels from Pakistan are in great demand both in the domestic market and abroad. The latest generation weaving machines is used for the production of diverse articles, which require warp beams of the highest quality for their full performance.

This is where the PROSIZE® and the WARPDIRECT® come into play: the beam warping machine ensures same warping length for all warp beams, uniform thread tensions and an even winding structure. The sizing machine that follows in the process applies the sizing to the threads absolutely homogeneously and without affecting the elasticity, and requires very little water and very few chemicals to do so. In addition, the price-performance ratio of KARL MAYER’s products is just right. “Customers quickly realise that they can significantly increase the efficiency of their process chain with our models,” says Senior Sales Manager Peter Obrist following a business trip. In order to support his clients with their investment projects not only by telephone and video conference, he visited numerous clients in Pakistan at the end of last year – of course in full compliance with the strictest coronavirus safety requirements.

KARL MAYER opens a new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE – a new era of textile innovation begins

KARL MAYER is opening its new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE (TIC), sending a strong signal that it is driving textile innovation forward and opening up new perspectives for the textile industry. The TIC brings together the latest developments in Warp Knitting, Technical Textiles and Warp Preparation – KARL MAYER’s core areas of expertise.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

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.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at GMMSA Expo India

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Indian sales representative Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services, Ltd., will participate in the upcoming Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo India 2026 exhibition to be held in Ludhiana, India next month. Through its lineup at GMMSA, SHIMA SEIKI aims to further strengthen its presence within the Indian market with an exhibit that caters to diverse needs, consisting of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology as well as a brand-new shaping machine with high productivity and excellent cost performance.

Terrot introduces T-Frame platform to redefine stability and flexibility in large-diameter circular knitting

Terrot Textilmaschinen GmbH has unveiled the new T-Frame, a universal machine frame platform for large-diameter circular knitting machines. Designed to meet growing demands for flexibility, stability, and operational safety, the T-Frame provides a next-generation foundation for both current and future industrial knitting machines, combining German engineering expertise with a modular, future-ready design approach.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.

Modern testing methods for raw cotton

The 38th International Cotton Conference Bremen will take place from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the Bremen Parliament. This conference has traditionally stood for in-depth expertise and international exchange. The program will focus on technical innovations, market trends, and regulatory frameworks across the entire value chain – from agriculture to the circular economy. With high-profile speakers, the conference is regarded as the key meeting point for the global cotton industry. Today’s focus: Cotton quality and testing methods.

Rieter responds to higher raw material prices

Global political and economic developments have been leading to rising raw material and energy costs for some time. The textile machinery industry is also affected by this trend. Rieter machines and components consist to a large extent of steel, copper, aluminum and electronics. These materials in particular have seen higher demand and higher prices in recent months.