#Knitting & Hosiery

2020-07-01

Transaction completed - STOLL was transferred to KARL MAYER on 01.07.2020

With the so-called closing, the merger of the two world market leaders, KARL MAYER and STOLL, was officially completed on 1st July 2020. The relevant agreements were signed on 26th February 2020, thus, setting the course for the formation of a trans-technology global player, who changes the world of its customers and of the textile sector.

KARL MAYER is now the leading provider of solutions for the two most important stitch-forming processes, flat knitting and warp knitting. The company’s entire expertise in the fields of warp knitting, flat knitting as well as technical textiles, warp preparation for weaving and digital solutions is now housed under one roof.

When it comes to the manufacture of products for warp knitting, warp preparation for weaving and the areas of technical textiles, KARL MAYER is innovative market leader with more than 2,300 employees worldwide. STOLL, the international sector leader with roughly 1,000 employees, stands for progressive tools and services for tomorrow’s knitting.

STOLL will continue its activities within the KARL MAYER Group as autonomous business unit. The brand will be carried on independently, and represents KARL MAYER‘s expertise in the field of flat knitting technology. KARL MAYER also relies on STOLL‘s proven management. The previous CEO, Andreas Schellhammer, will become President of the STOLL business unit within the KARL MAYER Group.

„With STOLL‘s excellent know-how and committed staff, we can build on a good basis for further joint developments. STOLL and KARL MAYER complement each other perfectly in terms of technology, they consistently rely on the proximity to their markets, and they are the innovation leaders in their sectors. The merger offers the basis for new machine-based solutions, textile products and digital offerings, which will make a major contribution to strengthening our customers in their business environment“, says Arno Gärtner.

In the area of machine development, it is possible to use completely new technological principles but also optimizations of details, for example concerning the operation. For the development of new textiles, the customers can rely on broad, cross-sector expertise. They can benefit from the Group’s entire textile-technological know-how in the fields of warp knitting and flat knitting with an even increased application-oriented focus. The customers‘ contact persons will remain the same.

One of the main aims in production is to increase the added value for more know-how protection, flexibility and rapid delivery. Components from own production will be used groupwide, if possible, and the manufacture of the STOLL machines in China will be integrated into KARL MAYER’s location in Changzhou. With a surface area of 90,000 m² and modern factory halls, the Chinese plant offers the perfect conditions for continuing STOLL‘s high-quality production. The integration project runs smoothly, despite highest complexity and corona pandemic. „The teams from STOLL and KARL MAYER are full on schedule. They cooperate closely and extremely dedicated, they complement each other’s strengths, and successfully live the merger“, explains Andreas Schellhammer.

Moreover, via their familiar contact partners, the Chinese customers can rely on the resources and organization of KARL MAYER (CHINA) in the fields of service and spare parts. The spare parts are manufactured in-house, they are stored in larger quantities, and dispatched directly from China to China. This ensures shortest delivery times.

In terms of digitalisation, the know-how merger raises expectations for innovation leaps with advantages for the customers and effects on the entire textile industry. KARL MAYER‘s KM.ON is a highly agile software start-up, that uses the potential of cloud-based concepts and of artificial intelligence for completely new digital solutions. STOLL offers many years of experience in the software section. Together it will be possible to accelerate digital product developments enormously.

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SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).

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SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

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Archroma and Lameirinho partner in pioneering deployment of InOneGO single-step dyeing

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, and Lameirinho, a leading home textiles manufacturer based in Portugal, are collaborating to bring InOneGO by Archroma, a new single-step dyeing process, into commercial production. Lameirinho’s first InOneGo bedlinens collection is now available worldwide.

ITA has developed a washable digital smart jacket with real-time feedback and an AI-powered app for rehabilitation

As part of the PhysioTaix research project, the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University is developing a digital smart jacket with integrated sensors. The jacket is washable and reusable; it tracks movements during rehabilitation exercises in real time and transmits the data to an app.

25 years in the room: EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ returns to Cascais to shape a changing industry

The market does not wait, and it does not grant easy answers. Across the absorbent hygiene, personal care, and wipes sectors, business is undergoing a period of intense, necessary adjustment. New European rules on packaging, single-use items, product safety, and end-of-life are forcing companies to drop old assumptions about materials and performance. At the same time, producers must keep their goods safe, reliable, and affordable for the babies and aging adults, who rely on them every day.