#Knitting & Hosiery

2022-07-28

Opening of the new STOLL customer center, July 25, 2022 in Reutlingen-Betzingen, with important representatives from government and administration

Already at the opening, the new customer center proved to be extremely suitable for its purpose of being a place of meeting and exchange © 2022 KARL MAYER

STOLL, a Business Unit of the KARL MAYER Group, opened a new customer center in Reutlingen-Betzingen, thus completing its move to the new location in the west of Reutlingen. The first part of the production was relocated from the city center back in 1987. This was followed in 2004 by the remaining part of the production, and in 2020 by the move into a new development center.

For the time being, the ceremonial opening of the new building took place in a closer regional setting. Among the guests were Finance and Economic Mayor Roland Wintzen and Economics Minister Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, as well as members of the STOLL family, the architect and general contractor of the project, and the neighbors. The inauguration for customers, other business partners and the workforce is planned for 2023. It is to crown the celebrations of the 150th anniversary.

The doors of the new building are already open for exchanges with interested industry players. "The new customer center is intended to be an inspiring meeting place for partners in the textile value chain. Through exchange and joint projects, we want to drive relevant innovations related to flat knitting," said Andreas Schellhammer, Head of the STOLL Business Unit during his welcoming speech.

Cooperation within the textile industry is nothing new for STOLL. What is new, however, are the possibilities offered by the modern customer center. Workshops, a showroom with the latest STOLL trend collection and an extensive sample archive invite you to experiment, research and inform yourself. State-of-the-art equipment is available for training courses to impart knowledge. There is also a well-equipped machine park with up to 30 flat knitting machines, finishing technology and digital tools. Experts in machine and software development and in the field of textile applications provide technical support. The know-how and machine technology are also available to existing and entry-level customers for implementing their own ideas through to the finished textile solution. The offer is part of the KARL MAYER Group's new TexLab format, which will be worldwide in the future. "Customers can get an idea of STOLL's innovative strength here. The building is extremely impressive, from the outside and even more so when you enter," explained Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut.

With its customer-centric orientation and representative architecture, the new meeting point in Reutlingen-Betzingen has overarching significance. "The customer center is the innovation hub for flat knitting topics in the KARL MAYER Group and thus makes a fundamental contribution to innovation leadership," said Andreas Schellhammer.

The new STOLL customer center © 2022 KARL MAYER

In addition to purpose and appearance, the issue of sustainability was also important in the construction of the customer center. The building with its approximately 5000m² of floor space is fully insulated, a heat pump system takes care of a large part of the air conditioning and LED lighting provides light at the workplaces for up to 100 employees.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

ITM 2026: KARL MAYER presents new perspectives

KARL MAYER will once again showcase itself as a strong partner to the Turkish textile industry at ITM in Istanbul from June 9 to 13. At Booth 303 A in Hall 3 of the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center, the industry leader will exhibit solutions for warp knitting, warp preparation, and technical textiles – tailored to a challenging economic environment.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

Leading computerized flat knitting technology provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Turkish representative TETAS IC VE DIS TICARET A.S., will participate in the ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye this month with a full product lineup. In addition to flat knitting machines and design software, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the full range of SHIMA SEIKI textile machinery with its automatic cutting machine exhibit, all geared toward the fashion apparel market as well as non-apparel related businesses.

Mayer & Cie. Global is getting ready for ITM 2026

ITM 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mayer & Cie. Global. For the first time, the company will present itself to the international textile machinery industry in its new setup: combining proven circular knitting technology engineered in Germany with a clear commitment to its Albstadt headquarters and an internationally shaped, agile management approach.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.