#Knitting & Hosiery

2022-11-09

Warp knitting expertise for the USA

Sophia Krinner, head of the KARL MAYER Academy in Germany, at her warp knitting course in Greensboro © 2022 KARL MAYER

The KARL MAYER GROUP Academy trains the company’s customers all over the world, and either invites them to its sites in Germany, China and India for this purpose, or travels to see them. Only recently, in the autumn, Academy head Sophia Krinner flew from the company headquarters in Obertshausen to KARL MAYER North America in Greensboro to hold a warp knitting course, the first face-to-face event in the USA since the beginning of the Covid pandemic.

Start of warp knitting course at KARL MAYER North America after break due to the pandemic

The course took place from 19 to 23 September. The content topics included explanations regarding the different kinds of warp knitting machines and lappings, production calculations and an overview of the basics of textile analysis. The course participants listened to Sophia Krinner’s lectures with great interest. “Although the participants all had different levels of previous knowledge, and some of them had quite a lot to learn, all of them participated enthusiastically,” says Sophia Krinner.

In total, eleven people who work in the areas of production and quality control, as well as the creative departments of textile and clothing manufacturers, attended the course in Greensboro, including self-taught professionals with practical experience, newcomers to the industry and warp knitting experts who were looking to update their skills.

All of them benefited from the course and learnt many things that would be useful to them in their jobs. Quite a few gained a better understanding of their company’s products, were afterwards able to finally put things into context, and picked up ideas for improvements or new product solutions.

Sophia Krinner has been extremely busy since her return. The next basic warp knitting course in Obertshausen starts on 14 November.

Anyone interested in attending the course can register for it at https://karlmayer.csod.com/login/render.aspx?id=karlmayeracademy

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses.

New spinning package with two-step filtration for recycled yarns and more

At the ITM in Istanbul, BB Engineering unveiled its new, patented ValuePack spinning package for the first time, which features a two-stage filtration system. This is particularly beneficial for re-cycling processes. Until now, spinning packs have used either metal powder (“sand”) or filter candles as filter media. Both options are suitable for differ-ent applications, and each has its own specific advantages and dis-advantages.

ITMA 2027 gains strong momentum

In line with the theme "Co-creating the future of textiles", ITMA continues to strengthen its support for start-ups, recognising their role in driving innovation and shaping the future of textile and garment manufacturing. Through the Start-Up Valley, emerging companies gain access to a global marketplace where they can connect with industry leaders, potential partners, investors and customers.

Mongolia: Workshop on Italian textile technologies kicks off in Ulaanbaatar

The workshop dedicated to Italian textile technologies will kick off in Ulaanbaatar from 21 to 23 June 2026. Focused on the most advanced innovative solutions for the textile industry, the initiative will bring together 13 Italian textile machinery manufacturers, confirming the growing interest in strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries and highlighting Mongolia’s strategic importance for Italian textile machinery producers.

The textile industry in transition

Recycling, traceability, eco-design and digitalisation are among the key future challenges facing the European textile industry. The Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity, involving 21 partners from twelve countries, is investigating the skills required to address these challenges. As the German industry partner, the Industry Association for Finishing – Yarns – Fabrics – Technical Textiles (IVGT) is bringing the industry’s perspective to the project.