#Weaving

2025-03-03

Jakob Müller Group acquires MEI International, expanding narrow fabric weaving solutions

Jakob Müller Group (JMG), a global leader in narrow fabric weaving machinery, today announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares of MEI International, effective January 1, 2025. With a history spanning over 50 years, MEI is a renowned Italian manufacturer of wide label weaving machines. This strategic acquisition combines the strengths of two industry pioneers, creating a comprehensive portfolio of solutions for woven label production.

MEI team with Andreas Conzelmann (CEO JMG, center left) and Paolo Mazzucchelli (CEO MEI, center right) © 2025 Jakob Müller Group

JMG, known for its high-quality rapier and air-jet weaving machines, expands its offerings with MEI’s specialized air-jet technology and broad product range. As part of this integration, JMG will discontinue its Müjet air-jet weaving machine, fully endorsing MEI's advanced air-jet technology, which will continue to be strengthened thanks to the mutual cooperation.

Key benefits of the acquisition:

• Comprehensive product portfolio: Customers gain access to a wider range of label weaving machines, catering to diverse production needs.

• Enhanced innovation: The combined expertise of JMG and MEI will accelerate the development of new products and services.

• Stronger financial foundation: The acquisition reinforces the financial strength of both companies, enabling increased investment in innovation and customer support.

• Continued customer focus: Existing sales and service structures of both companies will remain in place, ensuring continuity for customers.

“This acquisition is a significant step forward in our JMG 2030 strategy,” said Andreas Conzelmann, CEO of Jakob Müller Group. “I really appreciate the entire MEI team for their values, attitude, and spirit. Together, we can offer our customers an outstanding range of solutions and services, while continuing to provide the highest quality, productivity, and reliability they expect from both JMG and MEI.”

Paolo Mazzucchelli, CEO of MEI, added, “Joining forces with JMG is an exciting opportunity for MEI. This alliance will enable us to develop new products and services more quickly and professionally, ultimately benefiting our customers’ growth. We are committed to maintaining our separate sales forces to preserve the long-standing relationships we have built with our customers.”

MEI will continue to operate as an independent company, retaining its location in Gallarate, Italy, with Paolo Mazzucchelli remaining as CEO. Both brands will maintain their separate market presence, leveraging their individual strengths to serve customers in a demanding market environment.

From carbon to canvas: DORNIER presents flexible and reliable weaving technologies for 3D weaving and dynamic markets at Techtextil

At Techtextil from 21 to 24 April 2026 in Frankfurt am Main (Hall 12.0, Stand D95), Lindauer DORNIER will be showcasing reliable and flexible weaving technologies for ever-changing market requirements. The machine and plant manufacturer will present retrofits for existing machines, the new TRITOS® FLEX 3D weaving technology, intuitive automation concepts and software solutions for data-sovereign networking of the weaving machine fleet.

From preparation to 3D weaving: Stäubli’s solutions at Techtextil 2026

Stäubli, a global leader in high performance weaving technologies, is pleased to announce its participation at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany, the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. As technical textiles continue their rapid expansion across demanding markets such as defense, mobility, aerospace, construction, energy… Stäubli will showcase innovative solutions designed to empower mills to produce the next generation of advanced fabrics. Stäubli will exhibit its trend-setting technologies at the Swiss Pavilion Booth B01.6 in Hall 12.0.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.