#Knitting & Hosiery

2013-06-14

Bringing the shoe sector up to speed

Tricot machine with four guide bars (c) 2013 Karl Mayer

KARL MAYER has completed its TM machine series in time for Shanghaitex at the beginning of June this year. Until now, this successful machine series has been made up of the TM 2, TM 3, TM 4-T and TM 4-T EL.

The new TM 4 – a four-bar tricot machine for producing high-quality plain fabrics efficiently

The new TM 4 machine with four guide bars can produce plain fabrics and thus complements the TM 4-T, which is designed to produce terry fabrics. The technical platform of both machines is the same and their performance features are comparable. Speeds of up to 1,400 min-1, user-friendliness, and a high product quality make the new TM 4 extremely interesting for producing apparel fabrics as well as semi-technical textiles, particularly shoe fabrics.

Technical details The knitting motion and needle tool of the existing four-bar TM machine were modified to enable plain fabrics to be produced. Just like the TM 4-T, the machine for producing plain fabrics can either be fitted with an EL or an N drive for moving the ground guide bars. The EL version in particular enables a wider variety of patterns to be produced. In conjunction with the KAMCOS® system and the Multi Speed facility for controlling the warp beam let-off and fabric take-down, the TM 4 with electronic control operates sequentially and can easily work different sections of the pattern next to each other, for example.

Batchers no. 6 and no. 34 are available for winding up the final fabric. A frame with four positions for mounting warp beams having a diameter of 32" is available for delivering the yarn. The standard working width of the new TM 4 is 186" and the gauges are E 28 and E 32. Additional gauges are available on request if needed.

Market launch The new TM 4 was premiered at this year’s Shanghaitex fair and will be built by KARL MAYER (China) in Changzhou City. “With the TM 4, we have completed our twin product line strategy for our tricot machines. For all our two-, three- and four-bar machines, there is now a high-performance, high-tech range equipped with carbon-fibre bars as standard, i.e. our HKS machines and the price-optimised TM series catering for the mid-range sector. “We are expecting good sales opportunities in the future, particularly in those applications where there is a need for flexible patterning and shorter runs,” said Oliver Mathews when talking about the sales potential of this latest addition to the TM series of machines.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.