The manufacturing of warp knitting machines has made Karl Mayer a leader in its field. It remains the company’s most important business unit today and has established its name as a trusted brand in the warp knitting industry.

Karl Mayer stands for the very highest quality, performance and technical progress. In a persistently difficult market environment, the company is seeking to strengthen its outstanding reputation and, above all, focus more than ever on innovation.

The man responsible for this reorientation is Axel Wintermeyer, who has been President of the Warp Knitting Business Unit at Karl Mayer since January 2025 and is also part of the management board. Christine Wolters, Head of Corporate Communications at Karl Mayer, spoke with him about his plans and the highlights he and his team will be presenting to visitors at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore.

CW: Axel, what are your main goals for your new role?

AW: My focus is entirely on our customers. We are refining our product portfolio to serve their needs with maximum effectiveness, and we are concentrating all our resources on projects that create genuine added value for them. A major priority for me is also agility – ensuring that our innovation process is more dynamic, flexible and responsive. This will help us build a truly successful innovation pipeline for the years ahead.

CW: What strengths will help you achieve this transformation?

AW: Above all, our people. The depth of knowledge and technical expertise within Karl Mayer is remarkable. We have a powerful combination of experienced professionals and young talents eager to push boundaries. Our long history and shared roots also create a strong sense of purpose – a spirit of teamwork and commitment that keeps us moving forward.

From my previous roles, I know that with a dedicated team, a clear strategy, and a daily drive to improve, success in a competitive environment is absolutely achievable. And of course, our reputation continues to be one of our most valuable assets. It’s something we’ve built up over decades, and every employee contributes to protecting and enhancing it every single day.

CW: You’ve been with Karl Mayer for nearly three decades. What motivates you personally in this new role?

AW: I’ve always been deeply proud to be part of Karl Mayer’ssuccess. From my early years as Sales Manager for the Asia-Pacific region – where we launched new machine business in India and grew our market share in Korea dramatically – to my later roles leading composite and spare parts operations, my motivation has always been to make a tangible impact.

What drives me today is that same pride in contributing to a global market leader. I’m also inspired by the continued support and passion of Mr Karl J. Mayer, who remains a strong advocate for innovation and provides invaluable guidance as we face new challenges.

CW: Let’s turn to ITMA ASIA + CITME in Singapore. What innovations can visitors expect from Karl Mayer this year?

AW: Visitors can look forward to two completely new, high-performance tricot machines that represent the next step in warp knitting technology.

The first is a 2-bar tricot machine for elastic fabrics, which sets new standards for speed, productivity and energy efficiency. It offers customers greater output with reduced handling effort, making it more efficient than ever before.

The second innovation is a 4-bar tricot machine aimed at price-sensitive fashion markets. It’s a true brand product, offering an outstanding price-performance ratio – ideal for trendy fabrics such as seersucker.

We’re also putting a strong emphasis on textiles themselves. Our booth will feature an inspiring textile showcase with exclusive fabrics and garments from across all our technological areas – tricot, lace and raschel, and spacer fabrics. Only by focusing on textiles can we fully support our customers with both machine technology and application expertise.

CW: That sounds like a compelling showcase. Any final thoughts?

AW: I’m excited about what lies ahead. ITMA ASIA + CITME is the perfect platform to demonstrate how Karl Mayer continues to lead through innovation and collaboration. We look forward to engaging with visitors, discussing their challenges, and shaping the future of warp knitting together.

www.karlmayer.com