#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-08-26

KARL MAYER with new head office building

Arno Gärtner, KARL MAYER’s CEO (left in the picture) and Dr. Helmut Preßl, KARL MAYER’s CFO, open the new building of the headquarters with a cut through the red ribbon

The KARL MAYER Group's corporate headquarters moved into a new, prestigious building on 23 August this year. The building with its ultra-modern architecture, together with a staff restaurant, forms the focal point of the new KARL MAYER Campus at the Obertshausen site. The building complex covers an area of 5,600 m². It is designed for 150 employees, invites people to exchange ideas and network, and stands for the further development of KARL MAYER.

Opening of the new headquarters of the KARL MAYER Group in Obertshausen in August 2021

The innovative world market leader with the roots of a traditional family business is now a growing international group of companies with three strong brands - KARL MAYER, STOLL and KM.ON - and an extended focus on business areas outside the textile world. "We are looking forward to welcoming our international guests to a headquarters that, with its modern, transparent design and inspiring atmosphere, reflects the dynamics, cosmo-politanism and innovative strength of the KARL MAYER Group," said its CFO Dr. Helmut Preßl.

Networking, agile working and more

In the light-flooded foyer, a large media wall provides information on the latest news, and a showroom is dedicated to the company and family history. An Innovation Hub provides space and opportunities for new ideas and developments together with customers from all over the world.

The office floors are already home to the working world of tomorrow. Office areas, meeting rooms and places of retreat can be changed according to the situation by modifiable furnishing and seating arrangements. Open entrances, glazed walls and areas that can be used in a variety of ways promote communication, "With our space and building concept, we want to promote a sense of togetherness and broaden horizons," says Arno Gärtner, CEO of the KARL MAYER Group.

Sustainability in construction and operation

In addition to performance, the ecological footprint of the new building is right. Air-source heat pumps take care of the entire energy supply, economical, long-lasting LED technology reduces power consumption, and digitization means that work is paperless wherever legally possible. Recycled materials were used where practical and feasible. For example, the paving stones in the outdoor areas were already in use. Almost all roof surfaces are extensively greened, providing habitats for insects and retaining rainwater. In addition, all materials used meet the specifications for a healthy working climate, and all current legal requirements for thermal insulation are complied with.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

The newcomers HKS 3-M EL ECO and HKS 4-M EL ECO set new standards in the tricot market

Short development cycles, frequent pattern changes, and maximum efficiency – even with small batch sizes: Today's global fashion and apparel market demands more flexibility than ever before. High-performance warp knitting machines with compound needles (HKS) and EL pattern drive are KARL MAYER's answer to this challenge.

KARL MAYER celebrates 35 years of EL pattern drive

KARL MAYER is celebrating an anniversary this year: on 30 November 1990, the first warp knitting machine with electronic guide bar control, the KS 4 EL, was delivered – another milestone for patterning. As early as 1980, the SU gearbox with the MRS42SU had initiated the transition from mechanical chains to digital data.

Terrot introduces T-Frame platform to redefine stability and flexibility in large-diameter circular knitting

Terrot Textilmaschinen GmbH has unveiled the new T-Frame, a universal machine frame platform for large-diameter circular knitting machines. Designed to meet growing demands for flexibility, stability, and operational safety, the T-Frame provides a next-generation foundation for both current and future industrial knitting machines, combining German engineering expertise with a modular, future-ready design approach.

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.

Groz-Beckert showcases textile innovation at ShanghaiTex 2025

From December 16 to 19, 2025, the global textile industry will gather at ShanghaiTex at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), where Groz-Beckert will present its latest highlights and innovations across its five product areas – Knitting, Weaving, Nonwovens, Sewing, and Spinning – at Hall N3, Booth A05.

Mayer & Cie. to shut down after failed search for investor – 270 jobs affected

Mayer & Cie., the long-established German manufacturer of circular knitting and braiding machines, will cease operations after its international search for an investor ended without success. The company, based in Albstadt-Tailfingen, had been undergoing insolvency proceedings in self-administration since its filing on 23 September 2025. As Schwarzwälder Bote reports, the insolvency court has now formally opened the proceedings, triggering the decision to wind down the business in an orderly process.

VIATT 2026 announces inaugural lifestyle Trend Forum: Unified vision for S/S 2027 across fashion, home, and tech

The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to host its first Trend Forum, offering a forward-looking, industry-wide perspective for Spring / Summer 2027. With the show scheduled from 26 – 28 February 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), VIATT’s trend curators – NellyRodi™ Agency and MUSEATIVE – will provide comprehensive insights across the interconnected realms of Apparel Fabrics & Fashion, Home & Contract Textiles, and Technical Textiles & Technologies.

Precision jet dyeing moves towards industrial scale as Alchemie partners with Acatel

BTMA member Alchemie Technology, the pioneer of precision jet dyeing solutions based in Cambridge, UK, is partnering with Acatel, the Portuguese leader in sustainable textile manufacturing. The two companies will work together to validate and optimise Alchemie’s Endeavour system for knitted cellulosic fabrics.