Mayer & Cie., one of the world’s leading circular knitting machine suppliers, focused on providing upgraded machines and digital products to enhance efficiency and productivity more sustainably at ITMA 2023. The company, participating in the exhibition with its Turkish agent, Mayer Mümessillik, welcomed many visitors worldwide and discussed their innovative solutions. In our special interview, Mayer & Cie. Managing Director Benjamin Mayer said that the textile industry faced several difficulties since 2019, including economic strains, supply chain crises, inflation, and geopolitical issues, however, he explained that he is optimistic about the future. Mayer stated: “I hope for a return to relative normalcy in the coming years. Despite visa issues and lower-than-expected attendance, we had overall satisfaction with ITMA 2023. It was an important and needed meeting for the global textile industry after four years full of challenges.”
Mayer & Cie. eliminates the full system investment with upgrade kits
Benjamin Mayer stated that as their new approach at ITMA 2023, instead of showcasing knitting machines, they focused on upgrade kits for existing machines. Saying; “It enables customers to make their equipment more sustainable without investing in entirely new systems. They can upgrade older machines to the new state-of-the-art with a lower budget,” he added that we also introduce a new digital solution to complement their machines, providing customers with added value. He continued:
“We had a minimum of 10 upgrade packages on the booth that we display the time and offer three monitoring systems allowing the user to see what is going on in this machine, how fast are they running, how much down times they have. Thanks to this, you know making all the analyzes to make the machine park more productive. Now, we are also able to provide remote service, which means if you have any technical problem with the subjects such as software, or electronics, not mechanic, we can solve it from everywhere in the world. So, the technicians do not have actually to go to the machine, they can do this remotely as well as updating the newest software versions or everything can be done online.”
New machines, new opportunities
Benjamin Mayer mentioned the machines including the company’s booth: “In addition to our best-selling machine, Relanit 3.2 HS, we showcased the OVJA 2.4 EM double-knit jacquard machine. What is new on this machine is a little easier electronic system inside the machine, but will make the machine more price attractive. We also changed our yarn guide a little bit, so now we have two yarn guide versions for the lay-in yarn. This means the customers can choose whether a vertical or horizontal yarn guide.”
Mayer said that another highlight was SF4-3.2 III, a completely new fleece machine, offering an attractive price and excellent quality. Stating that they have already a fleece machine for heavy fabric, he noted that in parallel with the changing market demands towards light fabrics, they decided to create SF4-3.2 III. He continued: “We also presented the MR-15/18 C/Single Deck braider, exploring potential interest from the textile industry in this existing product. Last but not least we displayed a mattress ticking machine for the second time already which is the fastest and most productive mattress ticking machine in the world.”
“Mayer & Cie. at the forefront of the textile industry’s transformation”
Benjamin Mayer emphasizes that Mayer & Cie.’s technical leadership in the textile industry and said that their commitment to innovation is evident in its focus on continuous improvement and the introduction of new products. He disclosed: “While facing challenges like economic uncertainties and market fluctuations, we remain dedicated to meeting customer needs and surpassing their expectations. We envision a future where sustainability and digitalization play pivotal roles in the textile industry, and we are determined to be at the forefront of this transformation.”
Stating that customers’ sustainability demands are driven by big brands’ requirements and the rising importance of sustainability among younger generations, he said that they aim to cater to these demands by focusing on sustainable solutions in the future. He added that customer feedback at ITMA 2023 emphasizes the quest for continuous improvement and staying ahead of competitors.
“Nearshoring has become a significant trend in the textile industry”
Benjamin Mayer noted that nearshoring has become a significant trend in the textile industry and said that, to meet the demands of this evolving landscape, Mayer & Cie. offers highly efficient machines that enable manufacturers to produce textiles closer to their consumer markets. Stating that Türkiye’s textile market has been growing in recent years due to its advantage as a nearshoring hub for the European market, he concluded: “With the ability to provide high-quality textiles within a shorter time frame, Türkiye has become a strategic choice for many brands seeking to optimize their supply chains. Mayer & Cie.’s machines cater to this demand, making them a preferred partner for textile producers looking to capitalize on the benefits of nearshoring.”