#Knitting & Hosiery

2020-04-02

Increased productivity with dur sock needles

As original equipment in sock machines from leading manufacturers, Gros-Beckert products are known in the market for their reliability and quality. To ensure that all product requirements are met and all aspects are taken into account, development and further development not only take place in consultation with machine builders, but also in dialog with end users who know their requirements best. The result is top class knitting tools that stand for efficiency and perfect product appearance. This is the only way to achieve uninterrupted production in light of the complex work steps involved in producing socks.

dur™ can offer even more

The latest development of the Groz-Beckert sock needles was recently presented under the name dur™. This too was based on feedback received from end users. It is the answer to the increased loads in modern sock production due to fashion or technical aspects. dur™ needles reduce the risk of tuck stitches, needle lines and other faults in the knitted fabric caused by damage to the needle under extreme usage conditions. It is currently demonstrating its effectiveness in the latest machine generations of Lonati and Santoni.

dur™ – the durable

"dur" stands for "durability", i.e. resilience and long service life. Equipped with different properties, needles with dur™ technology are optimally designed for use under higher loads, without compromising the performance of the sock machine.

The technical features at a glance:

Increased hook stability

Increased latch stability

Modified slot design

The higher hook stability reduces the risk of hook breakage and bent open hooks. The increased latch stability and modified slot design reduce the risk of bent latches and also guarantee the latch movement, even with slightly bent latches.

Customer benefits at a glance:

Lower needle consumption

Reduced machine downtime

Increased productivity

Fewer rejects

Lower production costs

Field tests in over 50 machines showed a clear reduction in needle consumption, which depending on the application was as low as -30 %. This not only saves costs, but helps to protect the environment too. The reduction of rejects means that the dur™ needle contributes to sustainability.

How to identify dur™ needles

Sock needles with dur™ technology can be identified by the suffix dur™ in the needle designation.

For visual differentiation, dur™ needles have a notch on the back on the butt directly below the predetermined breaking groove.

dur™ needles are currently available for various Lonati and Santoni machine models. The product range can be expanded as required.

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.

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.

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.

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 closes doors, advancing sustainable and innovative sourcing in South China

Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026 served as a strategically positioned mid-year sourcing platform for the Greater Bay Area, highlighting Shenzhen’s role in connecting regional demand, supply and innovation exchange across the textile value chain. During the three-day fair, over 20,000 visits were drawn from 74 countries and regions[1], as exhibitors and buyers engaged with new developments in greener, performance-led, and value-added yarn and fibre solutions. Held in conjunction with Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and PH Value, the fair underscored the benefits of closer synergy and new materials across yarn, fabric and apparel platforms for the South China market.