Warp knitting machinery specialist Karl Mayer has introduced its own training courses for the warp knitting industry in the USA.

Through its Karl Mayer Academy, which was set up some time ago to consolidate international training, the company’s own trainers are now able to also transfer knowledge and information on warp knitting in the USA. Previously, outside partners were responsible for holding training courses in the USA.

The first course to be run by the company directly in the USA took place from 19 to 23 June of this year in High Point, Greensboro, North Carolina, close to the head office of Karl Mayer North America. A total of 23 people registered for the course in just six weeks, which Karl Mayer says is a clear indication that the need for knowledge and expertise is again on the increase in the US textile sector.

Karl Mayer says he reason for this is partly due to the lack of qualified new blood coming into the sector, and also to the fact that manufacturers are increasingly concentrating on the high-skills-based sector of technical and semi-technical textiles. Most of the 14 companies who sent their employees on the Analysis and Design course for warp-knitted textiles came from this sector of the industry.

Tony Hooimeijer, Managing Director of Karl Mayer North America, welcomed the trainees to the course, following which, training instructor Robert Kuna, provided them with extensive information on production technologies, innovative machine components, the layout of pattern chains and the design and construction of tricot fabrics.

According to Karl Mayer, the trainees also had plenty of opportunity to familiarise themselves with the structure of certain pattern constructions using microscopes and analytical equipment and the course is said to have been received with great enthusiasm and interest. The participants were also said to have been extremely eager to expand their knowledge so that they could become qualified textile specialists. “They asked many questions, were able to imagine how they could transfer what they had learned to their daily working life, and were proud to receive the certificate showing that they had successfully taken part in the training course,” Karl Mayer said.

Encouraged by this year’s success, the Karl Mayer Academy is planning to hold the Analysis and Design course every year in the USA.