#ITM 2024

2024-05-23

Versatile solutions paired with a perfect price-performance ratio for the Turkish flat knitting industry

Turkey is a key market with great potential for STOLL. The flat knitting business unit of the KARL MAYER GROUP is therefore well prepared for the upcoming ITM, which will take place from 4 to 8 June 2024 at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul.

Machine innovations for the volume market, impetus for technical textiles, a brand new ADF with maximum flexibility and a new Trend Collection - STOLL at ITM 2024

In Hall 3, on Stand 303A, STOLL will be presenting four machine with maximum benefits for Turkish customers. On display will be a CMS 503 ki E7.2 and CMS 502 ki E3.5.2 - two representatives from the Economic range of the CMS series for the volume market - among others.

"The highly productive machines with an excellent price-performance ratio are extremely interesting for Turkish knitting companies. The manufacturers have to meet the special requirements of high-volume production of trend-driven articles under high cost pressure," explains STOLL Area Sales Manager Lutz Vogel.

Other machine highlights for the flat knitting industry include a CMS 530 ki BcW E7.2, which brings chic and variety to the production of technical textiles and thus stands out from the competition, and an ADF 530-32 ki FLEX E7.2, a brand new, highly flexible machine. The newcomer with almost unlimited production possibilities was already presented extremely successfully at ITMA 2023 in Milan. Its appearance in Istanbul is a premiere for the entire region.

In addition to the machines, examples from their production repertoire will be presented.

The textile innovation show has a special highlight in store for ITM guests: The new STOLL Trend Collection, which has just been completed, will be presented under the exciting heading "NOCTURNO".

Machines for different requirements

The CMS 503 ki E7.2 and the CMS 502 ki E3.5.2 offer excellent value for money, guarantee premium quality and produce items that are a sight to behold: For ITM, the reliable everyday machine CMS 503 ki produces a stylish poncho with a design that promises maximum comfort and at the same time attracts attention when worn on the street. An elegant ladies' handbag is produced on the CMS 502 ki.

The reliable, unpretentious and efficient CMS 530 ki BcW E7.2 shows that it sets standards not only in the fashion sector, but also in technical textiles. In Istanbul, the all-rounder machine produces a cover for a baby seat with fully fashion technology, i.e. completely in one piece. Sustainable and economical production generates no waste and opens up a wide range of design options. Various textured and color effects can be achieved by using different yarns and colors. STOLL's weave-in® technology provides even more design freedom with the possibility of creating weave-like effects in knitted fabrics.

The recently launched ADF 530-32 ki FLEX E7.2 tops the wide range of creative possibilities once again. The newcomer is uniquely profitable, flexible and versatile and uses a broad repertoire of STOLL technologies for its outstanding performance profile, including knit and wear® and Fully Fashion - topped by the brand new automatic adjustment of the needle beds -, plating, intarsia and weave-in®.

All garments from ADF 530-32 ki FLEX © 2024 KARL MAYER

Inspired by nightlife

STOLL is presenting its latest trend collection NOCTURNO at ITM. The exciting creations were designed by the Fashion & Technology department in Reutlingen, who were inspired by the captivating facets of life at night. Intimate clothing is presented with elegant styles: outfits in dark night shades, made of shiny and transparent materials and unique mesh constructions, which have been implemented using innovative design and knitting technologies.

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.

The Address of innovation and investment in textile technologies: ITM 2026

Sales for ITM 2026, one of the world’s most comprehensive and prestigious exhibitions in textile technologies, are continuing at full steam. The record number of exhibitors and visitors achieved at ITM 2024 once again proved the industry’s confidence and the commercial success of the exhibition; meanwhile, the strong interest shown in ITM 2026, to be held on 9-13 June 2026, has far exceeded expectations.

Fruitful discussions and an attention-grabbing innovation showcase

At this year's ITM, the KARL MAYER GROUP once again demonstrated that it is a reliable partner for its customers, especially in difficult times. At this year's trade fair, the majority of visitors came from Turkey. In particular, the number of trade visitors from North Africa and Central Asia was lower than usual. Nevertheless, the KARL MAYER GROUP trade fair team was able to report successes.

Dedicated car seat model of SHIMA SEIKI’s P-CAM® R Cutting Machine unveiled

Leading Japanese textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, showed a special version of its P-CAM® R multi-ply computerized cutting machine dedicated to the production of car seats for the first time, at a private exhibition held over two days on Thursday, July 2nd and Friday, July 3rd at the Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center in Aichi Prefecture.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Katharina Obergruber appointed to the Management Board of Sandler AG

The Supervisory Board of Sandler AG has appointed Katharina Obergruber to the company’s Management Board. Effective September 1, 2026, the Board will consist of Philipp Ebbinghaus (CEO), Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck (currently CCO, future COO), and Katharina Obergruber (CCO). Katharina Obergruber, currently Chief Sales Officer Hygiene and member of the Management Team of Sandler AG, will assume responsibility for all sales activities as Chief Commercial Officer. She will assume this role from Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, who will focus primarily on production and supply chain topics.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.