Leading manufacturer of sock knitting machines Lonati SpA is busy producing large quantities of its Goal series G 54JA and G 54J machines for delivery to Central American countries El Salvador and Honduras.

Lonati reports that it is delivering over 3000 machines to new factories in Central America, which are being set up to supply major brands in USA and Canada. The G 54JA flipping dial closed toe and G 54J regular open toe models are to produce sports socks with electronic designs for the North American brands.

Lonati would not reveal the machine diameters, needle counts or specifications for the machines they are delivering. However, the G 54JA closed toe is available in 3 ½ and 4 inch diameters and in gauges 6 to 13. The regular open toe model is available in the same diameters but in gauges 6 to 20.

Lonati has recently developed a new true linking or stitch by stitch linking system, designated ‘S by S’, for their Goal series men’s sock machines, where the linking system is independent to the knitting machine. The company exhibited its new Goal GL616 S by S, machine at the recent Santoni Days event in Brescia.

Lonati have pointed out that they will continue to manufacture flipping dial closed toe machines for sports socks and that their new S by S linking system with separate linking device is aimed at the high quality men’s socks market. A spokesperson for the company told KnittingIndustry.com: “The two families of "closed-toe" machine will complete the range of this type of machines, from sport up to high quality socks.