#Knitting & Hosiery

2025-07-02

Axel Wintermeyer is the new President of KARL MAYER’s Warp Knitting Business Unit

KARL MAYER's Warp Knitting Business Unit is working flat out to prepare for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore. The most important division of the renowned industry player will be presenting itself at the key textile machinery trade fair under new leadership.

The new man at the helm is Axel Wintermeyer, an experienced manager from KARL MAYER's own ranks who has been with the company for 29 years.

From the very beginning, the qualified textile engineer with additional business training and an international background has helped to shape the company's success.

At his first post, in machinery sales for the Asia-Pacific market, he successfully established entry into the new machinery business in India. In addition, in Korea he increased the market share of weft insertion warp knitting machines from KARL MAYER Malimo from 50% to 95% competing against the most important German competitor at that time.

Six years later, in 2002, he took over as Vice President Sales at the KARL MAYER Chemnitz subsidiary and left a big impression there too. The market share of composite machines rose from 10% to 50% by 2013, also comparing with KARL MAYER’s main German competitor at that time.

From 2014 to 2020, Axel Wintermeyer headed the spare parts business of the Warp Knitting Business Unit, which he developed from a marginal business into an important cornerstone of the company's success. He also introduced a spare parts web shop with an SAP connection, thereby increasing the benefits for customers.

Most recently, Axel Wintermeyer had the establishment of the CARE SOLUTIONS division as the next level of after-sales support on the agenda by 2026. This initiative is intended to further improve customer loyalty and strengthen KARL MAYER's competitive position.

The track record of the new President of KARL MAYER’s Warp Knitting Business Unit is therefore impressive and makes us look forward to the activities with which he will advance his current area of responsibility.

Axel Wintermeyer is looking forward to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 to engage in intensive dialogue with visitors at the KARL MAYER stand A 301 in Hall 5 of the Singapore EXPO.

KARL MAYER opens a new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE – a new era of textile innovation begins

KARL MAYER is opening its new TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTRE (TIC), sending a strong signal that it is driving textile innovation forward and opening up new perspectives for the textile industry. The TIC brings together the latest developments in Warp Knitting, Technical Textiles and Warp Preparation – KARL MAYER’s core areas of expertise.

Proven performance, optimised costs – the new RE 6 EL

Nowadays textile companies increasingly need to produce small production runs and respond to market changes with instantaneous pattern changes in order to operate profitably – meaning they require machines that offer maximum flexibility, reliability and cost efficiency. KARL MAYER understands the challenges of the market and is launching its new RE 6 EL. The Raschel machine offers the core strengths of the classic RSE 6 EL and essentially the same performance parameters, but has been further cost-optimised largely due to local production advantages. This makes the newcomer an efficiency champion in production, especially when it comes to frequent pattern changes.

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.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at GMMSA Expo India

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Indian sales representative Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services, Ltd., will participate in the upcoming Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo India 2026 exhibition to be held in Ludhiana, India next month. Through its lineup at GMMSA, SHIMA SEIKI aims to further strengthen its presence within the Indian market with an exhibit that caters to diverse needs, consisting of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology as well as a brand-new shaping machine with high productivity and excellent cost performance.

Terrot introduces T-Frame platform to redefine stability and flexibility in large-diameter circular knitting

Terrot Textilmaschinen GmbH has unveiled the new T-Frame, a universal machine frame platform for large-diameter circular knitting machines. Designed to meet growing demands for flexibility, stability, and operational safety, the T-Frame provides a next-generation foundation for both current and future industrial knitting machines, combining German engineering expertise with a modular, future-ready design approach.

Circulose restarts commercial-scale production at Ortviken plant in Sundsvall

Circulose today announced the restart of its commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The company plans to resume production of CIRCULOSE®, a recycled pulp made entirely from discarded cotton textiles, in the fourth quarter of 2026.

VIATT 2026 to debut German Pavilion, strengthening European participation alongside key Asian textile hubs

Vietnam’s textile and garment sector continues to be a major contributor to the country’s economic growth, with export revenues expected to reach USD 46 billion in 2025, a 5.6% increase from 2024 . From 26 – 28 February, the Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is set to contribute to economic growth opportunities by accelerating digital transformation and green transition across the entire textile value chain. The upcoming edition will respond to the rising demand for advanced technologies and sustainable materials with the introduction of the German Pavilion, alongside strong exhibitor participation from key Asian sectors, as well as several high-profile fringe events.

Sustainable, lightweight, and sound absorbing: Polyester-based front trunk solution for BEVs

As car manufacturers look to further reduce their carbon footprint, Autoneum has developed an innovative front trunk solution for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), made entirely from polyester-based textile. The Ultra-Silent Frunk offers significant weight reduction, improved acoustic and thermal insulation, and uses up to 70 percent recycled material, supporting sustainable and efficient vehicle design. Autoneum, global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles, has already received orders for the new frunk from three major OEMs in Asia and Europe to be built in three BEV models. Series production for two BEVs has been underway in China and Germany since last year.