#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-04-14

Seizing opportunities in the crisis

The weaving mill in Pakistan is expanding and investing in machinery including KARL MAYER’s PROSIZE® and WARPDIRECT®

Pakistan’s economy was another to be hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, but the textile and garment industry quickly showed signs of recovery.

“Things have been going crazy in Pakistan for some time now,” says Dieter Gager, Vice President Sales and Marketing at KARL MAYER’s Business Unit Warp Preparation. In particular, the PROSIZE® sizing machine combined with the WARPDIRECT® beam warping machine of the well-known global player is proving to be a bestseller: the order volume for these high-tech models was already considerable in 2020, but was surpassed once again at the beginning of this year.

Highest warp beam quality for maximum efficiency in the weaving mill

Most machines are destined for the textile strongholds of Karachi and Lahore, which are currently benefiting from a boom in high-end household textiles. Bed linen and terry towels from Pakistan are in great demand both in the domestic market and abroad. The latest generation weaving machines is used for the production of diverse articles, which require warp beams of the highest quality for their full performance.

This is where the PROSIZE® and the WARPDIRECT® come into play: the beam warping machine ensures same warping length for all warp beams, uniform thread tensions and an even winding structure. The sizing machine that follows in the process applies the sizing to the threads absolutely homogeneously and without affecting the elasticity, and requires very little water and very few chemicals to do so. In addition, the price-performance ratio of KARL MAYER’s products is just right. “Customers quickly realise that they can significantly increase the efficiency of their process chain with our models,” says Senior Sales Manager Peter Obrist following a business trip. In order to support his clients with their investment projects not only by telephone and video conference, he visited numerous clients in Pakistan at the end of last year – of course in full compliance with the strictest coronavirus safety requirements.

More Jacquard. More functionality. More fashion.

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

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.

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.

EU ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear now in force

The European Union's ban on the destruction of unsold clothing, clothing accessories and footwear has entered into force. Since July 19, 2026, large companies across the EU have been prohibited from destroying unsold textile products, while medium-sized companies will be required to comply with the same rules from 2030.

Eastman Naia™ brings its inside-out denim vision to Kingpins New York

Following its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, Eastman Naia™ brings the next chapter of its denim story to Kingpins New York, taking place July 22–23. At Booth Green 7, Naia™ presents its denim proposition built around three complementary design directions: Performance Denim, Fashion Denim and Authentic Denim.