Mayer & Cie. Focuses On Sport, Regeneration and New Customer Experiences

Sportswear, casual leisurewear, even sports shoes are increasingly made of circular knitted fabrics. According to Euromonitor, the segment grew by around seven per cent per annum between 2013 and 2017. For 2017 the London-based market research group estimated the total market value of the segment to be about USD 78 billion. “Because we reckon that sports- and leisurewear still has a great deal of potential our new machine developments are mainly in this sector,” says Mayer & Cie. managing partner Marcus Mayer, in charge of technical development, summarising the company’s ITMA presentation.

Key demand in the sector is for lightweight synthetic fibres, a steady flow of new patterns, and attractive functionalities, and Mayer & Cie. can already cater for many of these requirements with its extensive portfolio of machines.

Lightweight mesh structures, often in demand for running shirts, are a speciality of the IG 3.2 QCe interlock machine, for example, while jacquard machines from the OVJA family are just the job for manufacturing shoe uppers. Higher productivity and significantly shorter set-up times are the advantages of circular knitting over flat and warp knitting machines.

Mayer & Cie. is also focussed increasingly on sports- and leisurewear with the Spinit 3.0 E spinning and knitting machine, the series production of which has been under way since the end of 2018. Further developments of this machine, which combines in one machine the previously separate processes of spinning and knitting, will be presented at the ITMA.

As peak sporting performances can only be achieved in the long term with adequate regeneration phases, a good night’s sleep plays a decisive part in successful preparation for competitive events. So mattress covers and sportswear have points in common, which is why Mayer & Cie. will be targeting that market segment specifically with an ITMA exhibit.

In addition to machine development Mayer & Cie. is aiming for improved customer experiences by means of consistent digitization. Digitization of the company’s extensive customer and machine knowledge is currently under way. Customers will be able to see and test initial results themselves at the ITMA trade fair.