The industry events that the Albstadt-based circular knitting machine manufacturer attends throughout the year are usually further away than 200 kilometres. Techtextil, which starts on 21 June in Frankfurt am Main, is the only ‘home game’ for Mayer & Cie.

At its booth C63 in hall 11.1, the textile machinery builder will rely on fabric samples and advice instead of machines despite its geographical proximity. Jürgen Müller, head of product development knitted fabrics at Mayer & Cie., explains: “Our machine portfolio is very broad; we offer the right circular knitting machine to produce the entire range of modern textiles. Experience has shown that small, fine solutions are at stake, especially in the technical field. Thus, listening and consulting is the central building block at Techtextil.”

Focus on home textiles

Nevertheless, Mayer & Cie. has several focal points. One is in the field of home textiles, especially in the production of high-quality mattress cover fabrics. Until the end of the nineties, they were exclusively woven. When Mayer & Cie. developed the first electronic machine with a 38-inch diameter in gauge E 20 in 1997, the conquest of the mattress market with circular knitted upholstery fabrics began.

In just twenty years, the proportion of circular knitted fabrics in this segment has risen from zero to over 50%, and Mayer & Cie. has become the leading manufacturer here. The most productive machine in this segment is the OVJA 2.4 EM from Mayer & Cie. it produces up to 30 kilograms of fabric per hour. Other machines that are suitable for producing elastic, pattern-diverse knitted fabrics are, for example, the OVJA 1.6 E, the OVJA 1.6 EM, and alsom as well as the OVJA 1.6 EE.

Sportswear

Fashionable, breathable sportswear is in vogue. To set yourself apart from the competition, structures and patterns are a popular means. “Mesh and body mapping are particularly in demand,” says pattern specialist Jürgen Müller. The machine of choice is the MJ 3.2 E. Other possibilities are the MV4-3.2 II and S4-3.2. Both process different synthetic fibres into knitted fabrics in fine gauges. Double Jersey machines for the sports sector are the D4 2.2 II as well as the D4 3.2 II.

Shoe uppers

Circular knitted fabric as an upper material for leisure and sports shoes is becoming more popular. In particular, it is the high productivity that makes this type of production interesting for shoe production. Mayer & Cie. already has several machines in its extensive portfolio that are suitable for knitting shoe uppers. Established machines from the Mayer & Cie. portfolio that are suitable for this are the OVJA 1.6 ET 3 WT and the OVJA 1.6 E. The latter also knits spacer, which finds a place of use in both shoe upper and sportswear. A relative new addition to the portfolio is the OVJA 1.6 EE – 3WT/2WT.

Consulting and individual solutions

Because of this variety of possibilities, Mayer & Cie.’s Jürgen Müller will rely on fabric samples instead of machine exhibits – and on the company’s extensive experience in the field of circular knitting.

www.mayercie.com