The following interview was conducted by Kettenwirk-Praxis (KWP) in the run up to ITMA in Barcelona.

KWP: Karl Mayer is one of the largest exhibitors at ITMA 2011. What do you expect to achieve by exhibiting at ITMA?

Fritz P. Mayer: We are hoping to meet highly qualified visitors from all over the world at ITMA 2011. We are particularly geared up to welcoming visitors who lead the way in their own particular fields. As part of our twin product line strategy, we can supply innovation-driven companies with high-end machines of exceptional technical quality. The ITMA fair in Europe continues to be an effective platform for us, where we can showcase our high-tech machines, most of which are developed and manufactured in Western Europe.

KWP: What role can a textile machinery fair play in Europe against the background of a textile industry that is being increasingly dominated by Asia?

Fritz P. Mayer: The ITMA fair in Europe is a good opportunity for European textile machinery manufacturers to highlight their pioneering position and to demonstrate their exceptional innovative strengths. It is true that new technical innovations are increasingly being developed in Asia but, in the textile machine building sector, the leading manufacturers are still important sources of inspiration and new ideas.

KWP: What development prospects do you see for non-Asian textile producers over the next few years?

Fritz P. Mayer: Since the economic crisis in 2009, the textile markets outside Asia have recovered exceptionally well and also offer good business prospects for manufacturers who are based outside this emerging continent. In order to be successful, it is important to develop new products all the time, offer ranges that can cater for lucrative yet small end-use fields, and increasingly be able to deliver high-quality goods on time.

KWP: How can European textile machinery builders stand out against their Asian competitors in the future, especially in view of China's increasing expertise in machine building?

Fritz P. Mayer: The strength of European textile machinery manufacturers lies both in their traditional pioneering spirit as well as in their expertise in engineering and development, which is based on strong interdisciplinary cooperation. With their high-tech systems, European textile machinery builders have traditionally determined the performance limits of the textile and clothing sector. On the other hand, their international, market-oriented location enables European manufacturers to manufacture goods having a competitive price:performance ratio. Above all, the use of modern production technology and efficient process control and management techniques offer a huge potential when it comes to strengthening and consolidating production locations in Western Europe.

KWP: What level of interest do you expect from the Asian visitors at ITMA in Barcelona?

Fritz P. Mayer: We are expecting a large number of visitors from all over the world - especially from emerging nations like India. In addition to visitors from Europe, the Near and Far East, and North and South America, we expect that many interested people from Asia will also take the opportunity to examine our latest innovations for themselves.

KWP: How important are the markets outside Asia for KARL MAYER?

Fritz P. Mayer: The markets outside Asia have always been extremely important to us. This is where there is a demand for high-tech products manufactured in Germany. We have built up long-standing and close relationships with a large number of companies, which have resulted in the development of many new innovations.

KWP: What can visitors to ITMA expect to see on KARL MAYER's stand?

Fritz P. Mayer: We will be exhibiting the latest developments from all our business units at ITMA under the motto of ‘We care about your future'. Whereas the focus of our machines for producing technical textiles is on offering individual, client-based solutions, we also aim to showcase our warp knitting machines with their optimised price-performance ratios, as well as new, innovative textiles. Our warp preparation machines also offer an impressive, well-balanced price-performance ratio and a high, reproducible product quality. The performance profiles of our latest new developments are based on the requirements of their relevant markets - not only the current ones but also the emerging ones of the future.

We will also be exhibiting at ITMA as a focal hub for the industry. This is the first time that all our business units will be exhibiting on the same stand. It is here that companies will find new impetus and ideas, as well as practical tips and information to help them do business - and they will also be able to exchange ideas and information with each other.