#Knitting & Hosiery

2025-07-02

Axel Wintermeyer is the new President of KARL MAYER’s Warp Knitting Business Unit

KARL MAYER's Warp Knitting Business Unit is working flat out to prepare for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore. The most important division of the renowned industry player will be presenting itself at the key textile machinery trade fair under new leadership.

The new man at the helm is Axel Wintermeyer, an experienced manager from KARL MAYER's own ranks who has been with the company for 29 years.

From the very beginning, the qualified textile engineer with additional business training and an international background has helped to shape the company's success.

At his first post, in machinery sales for the Asia-Pacific market, he successfully established entry into the new machinery business in India. In addition, in Korea he increased the market share of weft insertion warp knitting machines from KARL MAYER Malimo from 50% to 95% competing against the most important German competitor at that time.

Six years later, in 2002, he took over as Vice President Sales at the KARL MAYER Chemnitz subsidiary and left a big impression there too. The market share of composite machines rose from 10% to 50% by 2013, also comparing with KARL MAYER’s main German competitor at that time.

From 2014 to 2020, Axel Wintermeyer headed the spare parts business of the Warp Knitting Business Unit, which he developed from a marginal business into an important cornerstone of the company's success. He also introduced a spare parts web shop with an SAP connection, thereby increasing the benefits for customers.

Most recently, Axel Wintermeyer had the establishment of the CARE SOLUTIONS division as the next level of after-sales support on the agenda by 2026. This initiative is intended to further improve customer loyalty and strengthen KARL MAYER's competitive position.

The track record of the new President of KARL MAYER’s Warp Knitting Business Unit is therefore impressive and makes us look forward to the activities with which he will advance his current area of responsibility.

Axel Wintermeyer is looking forward to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 to engage in intensive dialogue with visitors at the KARL MAYER stand A 301 in Hall 5 of the Singapore EXPO.

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.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.

ITM 2026: Mayer & Cie. Global presents itself successfully at international industry trade fair

Mayer & Cie. Global has used ITM 2026 in Istanbul for its first major international appearance since the restart. Together with the Turkish representative Mayer Mümessillik, the company presented its premium circular knitting machines "Made in Germany", explained its future positioning within the group of companies and held talks with customers and representatives from numerous markets. The response to the restart was positive. The clear orientation of the company, the reliable worldwide network of representatives and the resumption of service and spare parts supply were welcomed by customers.

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.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.

C&S strengthens its governance to support its evolution

C&S announces the appointment of Marco Lucietti to its Board of Directors. With extensive international experience across the textile and denim industries, Lucietti will work alongside CEO Federico Corneli, contributing to the company’s managerial development, organizational structure and long-term strategic direction.