#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-01-14

The STOLL brand demonstrates strength in China

STOLL Customer at KARL MAYER In-house Show in China © 2021 KARL MAYER STOLL

The first presentation of the STOLL brand during an in-house KARL MAYER product show ended in great success on December 19 after a three-day run. In China, the current infection development allows face-to-face events again. Around 380 visitors from 170 companies took advantage of the opportunity to meet on site. Most of them travelled to KARL MAYER (CHINA) in Changzhou from the Great Shanghai area, and a few others came from the north of China, despite the exceptionally cold winter weather.

STOLL exhibitor premiere at KARL MAYER In-house Show in China a complete success

Many of the guests came with the question of how the STOLL flat knitting machine business will continue after the acquisition by KARL MAYER, and left with increased confidence. „The first impression was great. Our high-tech production in Changzhou with the group-wide high quality standards, the excellent operational management, the just established STOLL development, our expertise, all this left a very good impression on our customers," says Liu Xuran, Chief of Sales & Product of the STOLL Business Unit.

The STOLL brand will continue to operate independently as part of KARL MAYER with the same contacts but with the support of the strong group of companies. It will guarantee customers successful business more than ever before. An exclusive selection of the innovations which will continue to ensure full order books in the flat knitting sector was on show in Changzhou. All the machines exhibited impressed with their excellent price/performance ratio and various automation solutions. They were the subject of numerous concrete investment inquiries and project discussions. Area Sales Manager Thomas Streicher and Simon Ma from regional partner Chemtax expressed their satisfaction with the feedback and the sales successes. „Some customers came twice to check the performance of the machines“, says Thomas Streicher.

Sophisticated automation solutions?

A highlight of the machine show in Changzhou was the topic of knit & wear®. In the seamless knitting of sweaters, eliminating almost all downstream finishing processes, STOLL is setting standards in terms of patterning possibilities and price/performance, as demonstrated by the ADF 830-24 ki W knit & wear® and CMS 830 ki knit & wear®. The ADF model is designed for the high-level market segment and implements innovative fashion patterns with inverse plating and Intarsia among other things, which cannot be easily copied. With its production versatility and flexibility, the machine particularly impressed the brand manufacturers from the high-end segment in Changzhou. The CMS-version manufactures for the basic-level volume market and scores with an extremely good price/performance ratio. New to the in-house show was gauge E 10.2. The CMS 830 ki knit & wear® with the new gauge will allow customers to participate in the lucrative but highly competitive market of fine knit & and wear articles in the future.

As a further contribution to automation, an ADF machine with a knitrobotic®-kit was presented for the first time in Asia. The robotic functions make it possible to integrate materials and parts into the knitted product without manual intervention. As one example, an everyday mask was produced during the in-house show, with the nose bracket inserted fully automatically. The performance show inspired numerous new application ideas.

Solutions for creatives

An innovation for the creative process was presented with the new Connective Pattern Software (STOLL-CPS®). The solution combines a full-featured, advanced programming system with an easy-to-learn user interface and significantly expands knitting possibilities. Features include an authentic fabric view, many smart tools and open interfaces that allow CPS to be perfectly embedded in upcoming digital workflows. Among the most important advantages of STOLL-CPS® is the reduction of time-to-market. With an integrated grading system, additional sizes or size approaches can be created quickly and changes can be made across all sizes and/or patterns in a project in the shortest possible time. As an inspiration for designers and product developers, the current STOLL collection "FASTER from Concept to Store" showed which creations can be realized with knitelligence® software solutions and how complex designer pieces can be transformed into commercially producible goods for the mass market through small changes. The extravagant fashion items were a real crowd puller.

More patterns, less effort: the MULTI-MATIC® at Rohleder

Rohleder is one of Europe’s most modern weaving mills. For over 80 years, the family-owned company has been developing and manufacturing premium fabrics for brands, retailers and private customers – 100% Made in Germany. This success is made possible by a consistent focus on design, quality, and functionality, as well as by continuous investment in state-of-the-art production facilities. Rohleder also relies on innovative technologies in warp preparation and has been collaborating with KARL MAYER for many years. As recently as 2023, a MULTI-MATIC® was delivered to the company’s headquarters in Konradsreuth.

The new RJ 4/2 EL revolutionizes body mapping and expands creative possibilities – from smart lingerie to sporty athleisure designs

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SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

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SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

Stylish, functional, and efficient to produce – spacer fabrics are the all-arounders among textile materials. These versatile fabrics are particularly in demand in the sports and casual footwear sector, as they combine comfort, breathability, and design freedom. At the same time, this industry is trend-driven, dynamic, and price-sensitive like few others. Innovations are therefore a decisive factor for success. With the RDJ 7/3, KARL MAYER offers a solution specifically tailored to these requirements. The particular strength of the new double raschel machine: its exceptional flexibility, thanks to its three jacquard bars.

Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens with focus on AI, circularity and new sourcing regions

More than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world are gathering at Paris-Le Bourget as Texworld Apparel Sourcing Paris opens its doors from August 31 to September 2. With around 500 textile manufacturers and a similar number of apparel and accessories suppliers, the trade fair reflects the ongoing transformation of global sourcing and the growing diversification of supply regions.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.