On 25th and 26th May the German section of the International Federation of Knitting Technologists (IFKT) will invite its members to its annual conference and assembly. It will be hosted by Karl Mayer Texxtilmaschinenfabrik in Obertshausen.

On the first day of the conference the tasks facing the assembled knitting specialists will include electing a committee for the period 2009 to 2012 as well as considering the usual committee and auditors' reports. The first president, Chris Wilkens, will not stand for a further period in office. The remaining committee members will put themselves up for re-election. To round off the first part of the conference there will be a report on the 44th International Congress which was held from 23 to 27 September 2008 in St Petersburg.

The members' conference will be followed immediately by a series of reports with the emphasis on technical textiles. Professor Marcus O. Weber will present a paper from the Niederrhein Technical University on the theme 'Measurement and evaluation of the yarn tension in stitch formation'. Dr Uwe Moehring, from the Thueringen-Vogtland Textile Research Institute, will present the results of his research work. Dr Peter Offermann, from the Tudalit Proprietary Association and Dresden Technical University, will discuss details of the strategies in knowledge transfer in the textile reinforcement of concrete.

Of course Karl Mayer will have the opportunity to introduce itself to the guests. Of particular interest will be the modern development centre with its state-of-the-art college of technology for exhibiting machines and performing experiments. Modern workplaces and comfortable meeting areas give a clear insight into the high level of innovation and development competences of this world famous manufacturer. The investment made in this respect is a testimony to the German location and will pay off by safeguarding the future. A tour of the company will give further opportunities to learn more about the company and to supply answers to individual questions.

Theory and practice will be combined on the second day of the conference. During a sightseeing tour of Frankfurt Airport members of the IFKT will gain an extensive insight into modern flight technology and hence into many interesting end-uses of textiles in the technical sector. This is a multi-faceted schedule which will consolidate the knitting fraternity and should also make non-members curious as to the work of the IFKT.