[pageLogInLogOut]

#Knitting & Hosiery

Meeting of adidas, Tianhai Lace and KARL MAYER (CHINA) with multilateral benefits

The KARL MAYER GROUP supports its customers by providing solutions with added value in its business areas. In order to develop the innovations, it relies on close exchange along the supply chain. In mid-September, KARL MAYER (CHINA) welcomed its top customer for Lace and Raschel machines, Tianhai Lace, and the world-famous adidas brand in Changzhou.
The team of Adidas; Tianhai Lace and KARL MAYER at the meeting  © 2024 KARL MAYER
The team of Adidas; Tianhai Lace and KARL MAYER at the meeting © 2024 KARL MAYER


New future chances through networking and partnerships

The meeting was aimed at dialogue across sectors of the supply chain. The purpose was to get to know each other even better and to discuss further opportunities for cooperation.

„A deep understanding of the requirements of our customers and end users helps us to focus our development work even more on the burning issues and work out solutions for them,” says Kong Zhen, General Manager of KARL MAYER (CHINA). Tianhai Lace welcomed the opportunity to involve its important supplier from the mechanical engineering sector to meet the major sports brand. adidas took the opportunity to get to know the manufacturer of the warp knitting machines which produce the component they are working on. Bob Wong, Sales Director of Tianhai Lace, had initiated the meeting.

Impressive modernity and attitude towards the customer

The KARL MAYER GROUP and Tianhai Lace have been working together since the 1990s. The influential lace manufacturer has invested in more than 200 KARL MAYER machines, mainly in Lace and Raschel machines, but also in some Tricot machines. It is one of the most successful and largest customers of KARL MAYER (CHINA), and also a VIP customer of the group.

The visit by Tianhai Lace and adidas was accordingly well prepared. In addition to Kong Zhen, the Product Owners of warp knitting machine groups, the responsible of the TexLab Liu Guantong as well as Rainer Müller, Vice President sales of Warp knitting Business Unit and his regional counterpart Xu ZiWei were on hand to look after the guests. A sales team headed by Bob Wong travelled from Tianhai Lace. The visitors from adidas including Materials Operations team led by Jacky Fu, Director Materials Operations North Asia, and a core team from the Creation Centre Shanghai (CCS).

The get-together began with a tour of the premesis, a company presentation and a preview of the new showroom as a highlight. The creative and competence centre will be officially opened on 13 October during an in-house show alongside ITMA ASIA + CITME. The guests were impressed by the modernity of the location, the variety of KARL MAYER warp knitting machine range, their wide spectrum of applications and, above all, the innovative strength of the KARL MAYER GROUP. “We feel very impressive on your mindset how you explore opportunities about the future technology,” explains Jacky Fu in conversation with Kong Zhen.

The group from adidas was also particularly interested in the opportunities offered by the compa-ny's own training centre. “Both CCS and Materials Operations team were impressed by the Karl Mayer Academy coz we think that it is a valuable chance to deep dive the textile world. Mini ma-chines and digital simulations are a good method to get on-site experience,” says Jacky Fu.

Conversation with benefits for all

The excursion into the world of the KARL MAYER GROUP was followed by a joint discussion on trends and development priorities in the warp knitting industry. The possibilities for strengthening the position of knitwear in the sportswear sector were also discussed. The hosts were particularly interested in the end users' comments on the requirements placed on the textiles. Tianhai Lace learnt more about its partner from the mechanical engineering sector. “We learnt a lot about KARL MAYER and warp knitting,” concluded Bob Wong. And adidas team also appreciated the exchange.

“I believe everyone got a certain takeaway, including the experience of the diverse and close relationship that KARL MAYER maintains with its customers. Your Academy in particular is impressive. KARL MAYER not only sells high-end machines, but also provides excellent services and support in developing new and more business,” Jacky Fu expressed his appreciation to Kong Zhen. In order to deepen the cooperation, adidas has proposed a follow-up visit to the adidas headquarters considering both companies were originated in Germany. “Talking to the advanced creation team may help you to understand the brand’s focus and request,” says Jacky Fu.

To hear the real pain points at development stage, he also recommends building and maintaining relationships with adidas' material development team through regular workshops.






More News from KARL MAYER Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH

#Knitting & Hosiery

STOLL in focus:

At the beginning of this year, KARL MAYER announced that it would be shifting its focus back to its core areas of warp knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles. As part of this strategic realignment, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand will be discontinued. The Reutlingen plant will close down on 31 October 2025. Production in China will end in December 2025. This was an extremely difficult decision for KARL MAYER.

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

Solutions from KARL MAYER's Warp Preparation Business Unit at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025

The KARL MAYER Warp Preparation Business Unit has prepared a diverse media presentation of its extensive product portfolio for ITMA ASIA + CITME. The focus is on solutions that support its customers in successfully navigating the current tense global economic and geopolitical situation.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER develops seersucker WARP KNITS with even more character and style

Seersucker fabrics are icons of the clothing industry and assure their manufacturers' success. Just in time for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, the textile product developers at KARL MAYER have succeeded in creating brand new variants of this material. These fancy newcomers feature unique bubble effects and, with their new dimensionality, inject extra dynamism into the textile surface – and into the market.

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

The KARL MAYER Warp Knitting Business Unit at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025

The manufacturing of warp knitting machines has made KARL MAYER a leader in its field. It remains the company’s most important Business Unit today and has established its name as a brand in the warp knitting industry. KARL MAYER stands for the very highest quality, performance and technical progress. In a persistently difficult market environment, the company is seeking to strengthen its outstanding reputation and, above all, focus more than ever on innovation. The man responsible for this reorientation is Axel Wintermeyer, who has been President of the Warp Knitting Business Unit at KARL MAYER since January 2025 and is also part of the Management board.

More News on Knitting & Hosiery

Latest News

#Spinning

Rieter reports stable order backlog and strategic progress – outlook for 2025 adjusted

In its Investor Update 2025, Rieter announced an order intake of CHF 203.9 million in the third quarter and CHF 559.3 million after nine months, reflecting a continued cautious investment climate in the textile machinery sector. Sales totaled CHF 121.5 million in the third quarter and CHF 457.7 million for the first nine months of the year, while the order backlog stood at around CHF 590 million as of September 30, 2025.

#Associations

Winners of the ITMF International Collaboration Award 2025

The winners of the ITMF International Collaboration Awards 2025 will present their project at the upcoming ITMF & IAF Conference 2025 which will be held from 24 - 25 October in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and will be co-hosted by Indonesia Textile Industry Association (API).

#Associations

Winners of the ITMF Start-up Award 2025

The winners of the ITMF Start-up Awards 2025 will present their business models at the upcoming ITMF & IAF Conference 2025 which will be held from 24 - 25 October in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and will be co-hosted by the Indonesia Textile Industry Association (API).

#Associations

Winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2025

The winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Awards 2025 will present their project at the upcoming ITMF & IAF Conference 2025 which will be held from 24 - 25 October in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and will be co-hosted by Indonesia Textile Industry Association (API).

TOP