#Knitting & Hosiery

2013-01-10

SHIMA SEIKI constructs new WHOLEGARMENT factory

Private show commemorating the opening of FA3 factory.

In March of 2012 SHIMA SEIKI opened a state-of-the-art factory on company grounds at its headquarters in Wakayama, Japan. The new factory, named "FA3," is dedicated to the assembly of WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines.

FA3 is named for being the third factory to bear the designation "Factory Amenity," referring to the various features that help improve the environment for its workers, as well as for our future generations. Such features include:

Natural daylight in combination with inverter-controlled variable lighting and motion sensors achieves even lighting conditions throughout the factory, while conserving electrical consumption by 50 per cent.
1,000 solar panels produce a total output of 220kW. This addition brings SHIMA SEIKI's total solar electric generation capacity to 1,550kW—one of the highest outputs for a Japanese private enterprise.
Inverter-controlled air conditioning conserves energy by 35 per cent.
Truss-architecture allows thinner pillars to be spaced farther apart, resulting in a more spacious work environment using less construction materials.
Improved foundation techniques replace conventional post-and-beam structure for increased earthquake resistance.
Increased floor height, floodgate doors and retaining walls minimize tsunami damage.

A 650 square meter outdoor architectural textile canopy provides improved shipping conditions in foul weather.
All trees uprooted during construction of the new factory were transplanted to other locations on company grounds. SHIMA SEIKI therefore maintains its green area ratio of 30 per cent of total company grounds, for which the company was awarded the Outstanding Green Development Factory Award from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2007.

The factory has a total floorspace of over 2,400 square meters. It has a working capacity for 2,000 WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines annually, in anticipation of increased demand for the still-new technology that is continuously improving and steadily gaining a loyal following among SHIMA SEIKI customers. To commemorate the opening of the FA3 factory, SHIMA SEIKI held a private show featuring its latest line of WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines, using a portion of the factory floor as exhibit space.

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.

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.

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.

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.

EDANA announces five new board members following 2026 Annual General Meeting

The EDANA Board of Governors is elected or re-elected at the Annual General Meeting by the member companies. The Governors are senior executives (business leaders) from member companies, based in different countries and representing different sectors of the nonwovens industry. The Board has central responsibility for guiding EDANA's overall strategy and approving its policies and priorities. It meets three times a year.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Bangladesh: Italian textile machinery mission stops in Dhaka and Chittagong

Technological upgrading and the transition toward higher value-added production are driving the new Italian industrial mission to Bangladesh. This year, the mission will split between the country’s two main manufacturing hubs, where Italian manufacturers will meet the leaders of the local textile supply chain in two strategic stages: July 7th in Dhaka and July 9th in Chittagong.