"The 2011 edition of the International Exhibition of Textile Machinery (ITMA) once again presents an opportunity for Shima Seiki to demonstrate its leadership in flatbed knitting machine technology." These are the words of leading Japanese company Shima Seiki as it prepares to participate in its 10th ITMA in Barcelona with a whole host of new products.

 With "Solutions for Diversity" as its exhibit theme, Shima Seiki returns this year to Barcelona with a line-up that emphasizes its diverse range of products while showcasing the familiar combination of uncompromising technology, quality and value that has traditionally set the Japanese machine builder apart from its competition.

"With a line-up emphasizing innovation and consisting mostly of first-time international exhibits, new models, gauges and prototypes, Shima Seiki's exhibit should prove fully gratifying to those seeking to witness the leading edge of flat knitting technology, from customers looking for new business opportunities, to the press community in search of a scoop," says Shima's Masaki Karasuno.

"Among them are products first shown during Shanghaitex 2011 earlier this year in Shanghai, China, including the SSR112 computerized flat knitting machine with superior cost-performance ratio and the SCG122SN coarse gauge specialty machine equipped with Shima Seiki's own SlideNeedle."

Also on show will be a quicker and more efficient version of the SIP fabric printing machine, as well as Shima Seiki's latest all-in-one design system SDS-ONE APEX3. Several more new models for both Wholegarment knitting and shaped production are scheduled for first-time introduction at ITMA 2011. As a result, of the 13 machine models Shima will be exhibiting, an incredible 11 models will be new exhibits.

ITMA Barcelona holds significance as a commemorative occasion for Shima as well. Firstly, this will be the company's 10th time the company has participated at ITMA. Founded in 1962, Shima Seiki will also be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012. 2011 therefore marks its 50th year in business.

"We may not be the oldest in the business, but we are very proud of the substance of our business which we have been able to concentrate into these first 50 years. Moreover we highly appreciate the fact that this milestone could not have been achieved without the support of our customers, and we hope to have the opportunity to thank each of them in person at Barcelona," the company said in a statement today.