KARL MAYER GROUP – Textile Machinery and Knitting Technology Manufacturer in Germany

KARL MAYER GROUP is a German textile machinery manufacturing group headquartered in Obertshausen, Germany. Founded in 1937, the group specializes in warp knitting machinery, warp preparation equipment, technical textile manufacturing systems, computerized flat knitting machines and digital solutions for textile production.

Through the KARL MAYER, STOLL and STOLL electronic brands and its specialized group companies, KARL MAYER GROUP serves manufacturers in the apparel, knitted fabric, technical textile and industrial textile sectors.

Company Background

KARL MAYER GROUP has an industrial heritage dating back to 1937. The company developed its expertise in textile machinery engineering and established an international presence through specialized equipment manufacturing and technical innovation.

Its headquarters are located in Obertshausen, in the German state of Hesse.

The group combines mechanical engineering, textile technology, research and development, customer training and digital manufacturing solutions.

Warp Knitting Machinery

Warp knitting machinery is one of the group's principal specializations.

KARL MAYER develops machines for manufacturing fabrics in which yarns are supplied from a warp system and formed into knitted structures.

Its equipment includes tricot and Raschel machines for different fabric constructions and end-use applications.

These technologies are relevant to manufacturers of apparel fabrics, sportswear materials, mesh, lace, functional textiles and industrial textile products.

Tricot Knitting Machines

Tricot machines are an important part of the KARL MAYER machinery portfolio.

They are used for producing a variety of warp-knitted fabrics, including lightweight and functional textile constructions.

The company develops machines with different working widths, gauges and production capabilities.

Its HKS machine series includes equipment designed for demanding textile production applications.

Raschel Knitting Machines

Raschel machinery is another important technology area within KARL MAYER.

Raschel machines are used to produce a wide range of textile structures, including openwork fabrics, mesh and other specialized knitted products.

The group's technical expertise includes machinery construction, knitting elements, pattern formation and fabric development.

Available machines are selected according to the intended fabric structure and production requirements.

High-Gauge Knitting Technology

KARL MAYER develops fine-gauge warp knitting technology for specialized fabrics.

One example is the HKS 2-S machine in gauge E44, presented for lightweight outdoor and sun-protection textiles.

The company has demonstrated fabrics with enhanced ultraviolet protection and breathability characteristics using this technology.

Such developments illustrate the group's combination of textile machinery engineering and fabric application research.

Warp Preparation Machinery

Warp preparation is another principal business area of KARL MAYER GROUP.

The company's machinery and systems support the preparation of yarns for weaving and warp knitting.

These operations are important for maintaining consistent yarn supply, tension and production conditions.

The group develops technologies for manufacturers requiring efficient and reliable warp preparation processes.

Flat Knitting Machinery – STOLL

STOLL is the group's established brand for computerized flat knitting machinery.

The STOLL portfolio includes CMS and ADF series machines designed for fashion knitwear and other knitted textile applications.

Its equipment supports manufacturers producing sweaters, shaped knitted components and specialized textile structures.

The brand combines knitting technology with digital pattern development and industrial production capabilities.

CMS Flat Knitting Machines

The STOLL CMS series includes computerized flat knitting machines for different production requirements.

The machines are designed to support efficient and flexible knitted fabric and garment component manufacturing.

STOLL has presented CMS configurations for high-volume knitwear production and specialized applications.

Machine capabilities depend on the selected model and technical configuration.

ADF Flat Knitting Machines

The STOLL ADF series is designed for advanced flat knitting applications.

The machines provide flexibility for creating different knitted structures and complex designs.

The group has presented ADF equipment for manufacturers requiring adaptable knitting technology.

Its ADF 530-32 ki FLEX is one example of the company's specialized flat knitting developments.

Technical Textiles Machinery

Technical textiles are an important area of KARL MAYER GROUP's activities.

The company develops equipment for textile structures used in industrial and functional applications.

Its technologies address composite reinforcement fabrics, weft-insertion warp knitting and other engineered textile constructions.

These applications extend beyond conventional clothing and household fabrics.

Composite Reinforcement Textiles

KARL MAYER develops machinery for producing textile reinforcement structures used in composite materials.

The MAX GLASS ECO is one example of equipment designed for economical production of glass-fiber reinforcement fabrics.

Such materials can be used in applications including wind energy components.

The group also investigates the use of natural fibers for composite reinforcement structures.

MAX GLASS ECO

The MAX GLASS ECO is a specialized technical textile production machine.

KARL MAYER has presented the system for manufacturing standard glass-fiber reinforcement fabrics.

Its published technical information identifies high production output and optional configurations for different applications.

The machine is particularly relevant to manufacturers supplying the composites industry.

Weft-Insertion Warp Knitting

KARL MAYER develops warp knitting machines incorporating weft-insertion technology.

The TM WEFT 2 is one of the group's technical textile machinery innovations.

The system is designed for textile manufacturers producing specific fabric constructions for fashion and industrial applications.

The company emphasizes performance, operational efficiency and equipment durability.

Natural Fiber Composites

KARL MAYER has investigated natural fibers as reinforcement materials for composite applications.

Its technical textile development work has included flax and hemp-based reinforcement structures.

The company has reported work involving non-crimp fabrics for sports equipment applications.

These developments demonstrate its interest in alternative reinforcement materials and specialized textile engineering.

Digital Textile Manufacturing

Digital solutions form part of KARL MAYER GROUP's wider technology portfolio.

The group develops systems that connect textile manufacturing processes with digital control and production technologies.

Its activities include digital solutions associated with knitting machinery and production workflows.

The company aims to support manufacturers seeking more efficient and flexible textile production.

Textile Additive Manufacturing

KARL MAYER has explored combining warp knitting technology with additive manufacturing.

Its development work includes an inline 3D printing system that applies selected materials directly to textile surfaces.

This technology is intended to support customized designs and functional textile applications.

The company has demonstrated potential uses in sportswear, footwear and automotive interior textiles.

Research and Development

Research and development are central to the group's industrial strategy.

KARL MAYER works on machinery engineering, textile structures, production efficiency and new material applications.

Its innovations include advanced warp knitting systems, technical textile machinery and textile-integrated printing technologies.

The company also collaborates with external research and development partners.

Textile Application Development

KARL MAYER supports the development of new textile applications alongside machinery engineering.

Its technical work includes fabrics for sportswear, outdoor clothing, industrial reinforcement and functional textiles.

This approach helps customers evaluate potential applications for different machine technologies.

The group presents textile development as an important element of its innovation activities.

KARL MAYER Academy

KARL MAYER operates a technical training academy for textile industry professionals.

Its courses include theoretical and practical training in warp knitting technology.

Subjects include tricot and Raschel machine construction, knitting elements, fabric structures, textile calculations and machine operation.

The academy provides learning opportunities for personnel seeking to improve their knowledge of textile machinery and production processes.

Technical Training

The company's training portfolio includes machine operation, fabric analysis and troubleshooting.

Training materials address warp knitting structures, lapping diagrams, yarn systems and production calculations.

The academy offers different learning formats, including classroom training, webinars and online courses.

Practical training takes place using suitable machinery and technical facilities.

International Operations

KARL MAYER GROUP operates internationally through its companies, manufacturing locations and customer-facing organizations.

Its industrial activities extend beyond Germany.

The company has established and developed operations in countries serving important textile manufacturing markets.

Its international structure supports the group's machinery manufacturing and technology activities.

Romanian Manufacturing Operations

KARL MAYER GROUP established a Romanian manufacturing subsidiary in October 2023.

The company announced the development of production operations in Baia Mare in 2024.

This investment forms part of the group's wider manufacturing strategy.

The Romanian operation is intended to strengthen its international production network.

Chinese Market

China is an important market for KARL MAYER GROUP.

The company maintains business relationships with Chinese textile manufacturers and industrial customers.

Its activities include textile machinery supply, application development and technical cooperation.

The group has highlighted Chinese demand for its warp knitting and technical textile machinery.

Indian Market

India is another significant textile machinery market for KARL MAYER GROUP.

The company has reported deliveries of technical textile machines to Indian customers.

Its machinery portfolio addresses different requirements within textile manufacturing.

The group continues to develop solutions for international textile producers.

Turkish Textile Industry

Türkiye is an important market for KARL MAYER GROUP, particularly for knitting and textile machinery.

The company has participated in Turkish textile industry exhibitions and presented STOLL flat knitting technology to local manufacturers.

At ITM 2024 in Istanbul, STOLL highlighted CMS and ADF machine models for Turkish knitwear producers.

Its product range is relevant to Turkish manufacturers of knitted apparel, warp-knitted fabrics and technical textiles.

Textile Machinery for Apparel Production

KARL MAYER GROUP's equipment supports textile manufacturing processes used in apparel supply chains.

Warp knitting machines produce fabric structures for clothing and functional textile applications.

STOLL flat knitting machines support knitwear production.

The company supplies machinery and associated technology rather than operating as a commercial apparel manufacturer.

Textile Machinery for Industrial Applications

The group's technical textile machinery supports production of materials for industrial applications.

Its equipment includes systems for composite reinforcement structures and specialized warp-knitted fabrics.

These technologies may be relevant to automotive, wind energy and other engineering sectors.

The company develops machines according to different technical requirements and textile constructions.

Sustainability and Production Efficiency

KARL MAYER GROUP addresses resource efficiency through machinery and textile technology development.

Its published projects include technical textile solutions intended to improve production performance and reduce environmental impacts in specific applications.

The company also investigates alternative materials such as natural-fiber composite reinforcements.

Sustainability outcomes depend on the individual manufacturing process and application.

Corporate Responsibility

KARL MAYER GROUP maintains published policies relating to corporate conduct, human rights and supplier responsibilities.

Its corporate values include trust, fairness and reliability.

The group communicates expectations concerning ethical business practices and environmental and social responsibility.

These principles form part of its international corporate management framework.

Germany Headquarters

KARL MAYER GROUP is headquartered at Industriestraße 1, 63179 Obertshausen, Germany.

The location is associated with the group's main administration and KARL MAYER Academy.

The company publishes official telephone and email contact information for inquiries.

Customers can also use the contact forms on its corporate website.

International Textile Machinery Supplier

KARL MAYER GROUP combines a long history of German textile machinery engineering with an international industrial network.

Its principal technologies include warp knitting machinery, warp preparation systems, computerized flat knitting machines under the STOLL brand, technical textile production equipment and digital manufacturing solutions.

The group is relevant to international buyers researching German textile machinery manufacturers, warp knitting machine suppliers, Raschel and tricot machines, warp preparation equipment, STOLL flat knitting machines and technical textile manufacturing technologies.

Through its machinery development, application engineering, digital technologies and professional training activities, KARL MAYER GROUP supports innovation across the international textile manufacturing industry.