#Knitting & Hosiery

2025-02-13

KARL MAYER: Transformation focused on the future

The global textile markets are facing significant structural changes and a continued economic downturn. KARL MAYER is actively meeting these challenges and realigning itself - with clear decisions that ensure long-term innovative strength and competitiveness. In future, the long-established family company will be focusing once again on its core business areas - warp knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles.

“These areas have been the heart of our company for many years and we need to focus our innovative strength in these fields in order to quickly develop solutions that make our customers successful”, says Karl J. Mayer, Representative of the Advisory Board and member of the Mayer family. As a consultant, the grandson of the company founder is part of an experienced management team with extensive industry expertise.

One of the key elements of this transformation is the targeted push for innovation. KARL MAYER is investing in the further development of its machine technologies in its core areas - a measure that takes account of the needs of its customers. At the same time, customer centricity remains a fundamental aspect of the corporate strategy. The global network of subsidiaries and qualified representatives in over 90 countries guarantees that KARL MAYER will continue to provide its customers with fast and competent support in the future.

As part of the strategic reorientation, the company has also decided to divest the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand in 2025. This process is still in the planning stage and various transition options are being examined.

Since it was founded in 1937, KARL MAYER has proven its ability to respond successfully to changes in the market. With this strategic reorientation, the company will continue to rely on its tradition and innovative strength in order to meet the challenges of the global market.

"As a family business, we don't think in quarters, we think in generations. Our current decisions are an expression of a forward-looking strategy that aims to strengthen our company for the long term and secure its future", concludes Karl J. Mayer.

KARL MAYER will be presenting its latest innovations at ITMA ASIA in Singapore in October this year.

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.

Object Carpet tests production of rPET BCF yarn on Neumag BCF line

In a joint project with Object Carpet GmbH, Denkendorf; the Institute for Textile Technology (ITA), Augsburg; and Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH (NGR), Feldkirchen, Austria, Barmag investigated the processing of recycled polyester for BCF yarn. The goal was to evaluate the fundamental suitability of 100% recycled carpet material for reuse in carpet yarn production to create a closed-loop system in carpet manufacturing. To date, commercial rPET BCF processes have been based solely on rPET from bottle pellets.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

Yarns and technologies in symbiosis: Biella Yarn presents Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection “New Romance_”

Biella Yarn, the flat knitting brand of Suedwolle Group, launches new Fall/Winter 2027/2028 collection, inspired by the symbiosis of yarns and technologies – elements that blend, adapt and evolve together, forming something new without losing their origin. The name “Neu Romance_” reflects the emotional and neurological dimension of the yarns: a connection that engages the senses, experienced through material, touch and interaction. The collection is further brought to life through design collaborations, featuring selected yarns used in different design approaches.