#Knitting & Hosiery

2025-05-20

Mayer & Cie makes circular knitting machines IoT-ready

Albstadt, Germany, May 20, 2025 – The new machine control system Control 5.0 from Mayer & Cie. is now available. It makes the company’s circular knitting machines Internet- and knitlink-ready, preparing them for the digital future of textile production. Control 5.0 is the prerequisite for accessing knitlink, Mayer & Cie.’s digital platform. The new machine control system is available as an upgrade kit for all machines built from 2001 onward. From now on, every newly delivered mechanical circular knitting machine will be equipped with Control 5.0 as standard.

(c) 2025 Mayer & Cie.- Circular knitting machine

New concept in machine operation

“Control 5.0 marks a milestone in the evolution of circular knitting for the digital age,” says Benjamin Mayer, Managing Director of Mayer & Cie. “With Control 5.0, we’re guiding our customers step by step into the world of the Industrial Internet of Things. That makes our machines not only smarter but also more efficient in the long run.”

From Stand-alone to IoT-ready

Since the 1990s, Mayer & Cie. machine control systems have undergone continuous development – from stand-alone solutions to locally installed data interfaces, and now to Control 5.0, which enables a direct, secure connection to the cloud-based knitlink platform.

Gateway to the knitlink platform

Control 5.0 is the key to accessing knitlink, Mayer & Cie.’s digital platform that currently includes three apps:

my.monitoring provides real-time machine operating data.
my.service enables fast and competent remote support.
my.shop delivers precise search results for “registered machines”, e.g., for spare parts.

Another major benefit: updates are now delivered over the air (OTA) – making USB sticks a thing of the past.

(c) 2025 Mayer & Cie. - gateway to knitlink platform

SmartControl or ClassicControl – your choice

Control 5.0 consists of an edge device for internet connectivity and a new human-machine interface (HMI). Customers can choose between two interface options:

SmartControl (standard): Up to four smart knobs – small, rotary displays – on the machine legs allow the knitter to access all relevant machine functions. More in-depth operation is handled via a mobile device – such as a tablet or smartphone – which allows for role-based user permissions for operators and supervisors.
ClassicControl (optional): All control functions are bundled in one central touchscreen interface located within the machine – in the same position as the previous control unit.

(c) 2025 Mayer & Cie. - SmartControl with up to 4 smart knobs

Upgrades for machines built after 2001

Going forward, all new mechanical circular knitting machines from Mayer & Cie. will be equipped with Control 5.0.

For existing customers looking to retrofit their machines to use knitlink, Mayer & Cie. offers upgrade kits for machines built from 2001 onward. Since older models and configurations can vary, the company provides a detailed checklist to clarify individual upgrade requirements in advance.

Closing completed – Mayer & Cie. Global starts business operations

The future of the Mayer & Cie. brand has been secured: Following the successful completion of the purchase agreement for assets in the circular knitting machinery segment of the German traditional company Mayer & Cie., which was signed in February this year, the brand will continue to exist. The transfer of these assets to the new owner, Xu Hongjie, was formally completed yesterday afternoon. This clears the way for the resumption of business operations at the Albstadt site.

Huixing acquires insolvent Mayer & Cie.

Insolvency proceedings for the circular knitting and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. were opened on December 1, 2025. Immediately following the opening of proceedings, the complete cessation of business operations was initiated. Most employees were subsequently given notice effective the end of February 2026. The production of the remaining orders in the circular knitting segment is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As early as December 2025, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machine division was sold to an Italian investor.

Mayer & Cie. to shut down after failed search for investor – 270 jobs affected

Mayer & Cie., the long-established German manufacturer of circular knitting and braiding machines, will cease operations after its international search for an investor ended without success. The company, based in Albstadt-Tailfingen, had been undergoing insolvency proceedings in self-administration since its filing on 23 September 2025. As Schwarzwälder Bote reports, the insolvency court has now formally opened the proceedings, triggering the decision to wind down the business in an orderly process.

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