‘Sustainability And Digitalization Are Central To Karl Mayer Strategy’

In the long term, Karl Mayer’s ambition is to maintain its position as the global leader in warp knitting technology by driving continuous innovation, strengthening collaboration with strategic customers, and aligning closely with new material and yarn developments, says Axel Wintermeyer in an exclusive interview with Textile Insights Associate Editor, Henry Dsouza.

How does it feel to be at the helm of Karl Mayer’s Warp Knitting Business Unit at such a pivotal moment for the textile industry?
It’s certainly a challenging time, not just for Karl Mayer, but for the entire textile industry, which is navigating a period of significant transformation. Taking responsibility for the largest business unit within the Karl Mayer group comes with great responsibility, but also great opportunity.

I’m fortunate to have strong support from the owner family, who are once again playing an active role in the company’s activities. When you’re encouraged and empowered to make the right decisions, the challenge becomes both rewarding and enjoyable.

Overall, I’m having a great time. The exhibition has exceeded our expectations. Singapore has proven to be an excellent venue, ideally located for this part of the world. We had the right products, a clear product logic and a dedicated team at the site. Visitor turnout has been far higher than anticipated and we’re extremely pleased with the response and the overall atmosphere of the event.

Having spent nearly three decades with Karl Mayer, you’ve played a pivotal role in developing markets across Asia and beyond. Which experiences have most influenced your leadership approach today?
What has always been truly eye-opening and continues to shape my understanding of the business, is the sheer dynamics of this region. Asia, of course, is not a single market. It’s a collection of diverse countries, each with its own characteristics, mindset and pace of development. Yet what unites them is an entrepreneurial spirit, pragmatic problem-solving and an incredible sense of momentum.

Being immersed in this environment teaches you to stay agile, open-minded and responsive to change. These qualities have deeply influenced my leadership style. At Karl Mayer, this mindset aligns perfectly with our own DNA built on innovation, partnership and long-term commitment.

Today, as sustainability and digitalization become defining forces for the industry, that same adaptability and forward-thinking approach are more important than ever in driving our success and supporting our customers globally.

How is Karl Mayer’s Warp Knitting Business Unit addressing the key themes of sustainability and digitalization in its current developments?
Both sustainability and digitalization are central to our strategy, though we approach them in a measured and pragmatic way. In warp preparation, for instance, we’ve made strong progress and even received awards for solutions that significantly reduce energy and water consumption—clear  examples of how we can achieve sustainability while maintaining economic viability.

At the same time, we’re deeply focused on expanding our digital ecosystem. Our goal is to provide the highest level of customer support through digital tools and remote services. This reduces the need for extensive travel and on-site interventions, which not only saves time and costs but also contributes to lowering our CO₂ footprint.

What are your short-term and long-term priorities for the Warp Knitting Business Unit under your leadership?
In the short term, our focus is on navigating the current global challenges as effectively as possible. The market today is characterized by a mix of uncertainty and opportunity demand, but conditions are shifting rapidly due to geopolitical factors and tariff adjustments. These developments are causing a regional realignment of production and our priority is to remain agile and present in those markets that are emerging as future growth hubs. Ensuring that our products meet these evolving needs, as we demonstrated here at the exhibition, is key to our short-term strategy.

In the long term, our ambition is clear: to maintain our position as the global leader in warp knitting technology. That means driving continuous innovation, strengthening collaboration with our strategic customers, and aligning closely with new material and yarn developments. Profitability and leadership go hand-in-hand, and by focusing on innovation, sustainability and technological excellence, we aim to ensure that warp knitting ‘Made by Karl Mayer’ continues to set the benchmark for the industry.

How do you see the Asian market, especially India and Southeast Asia, evolving for warp knitting technologies in the coming years?
Southeast Asia has long been a strong region for us and its importance continues to grow. We’re seeing significant foreign direct investment flowing within Asia and know-how being reinvested across borders, which is creating new hubs of textile production. Karl Mayer is deeply engaged in this development. We have strong relationships with key investors and well-established setups in the most strategic locations, which allows us to actively support and grow alongside our customers in these markets.

India, on the other hand, remains one of the most important markets for the Karl Mayer Group as a whole, not only for warp knitting, but also for warp preparation and technical textiles. At the moment, the industry is going through a phase of consolidation, but the long-term growth potential is enormous. Our focus is to continue investing in India’s expanding textile ecosystem and to ensure that Karl Mayer remains a trusted technology partner as the market matures and scales up in the coming years.

How would you summarize ITMA Asia for Karl Mayer’s Warp Knitting Business Unit and what kind of response did you receive from visitors and customers for the innovations showcased?
Simply fantastic. The overall response has been truly overwhelming far beyond our expectations. We’ve welcomed visitors from all over the world, including the United States, Turkey, India, Indonesia, China, Vietnam and even Egypt. The diversity and enthusiasm of the audience clearly reflect the strong global interest in warp knitting technologies.

Our innovations attracted a great deal of attention and the feedback was exceptionally positive. Many visitors appreciated the technological direction we’re taking and the way we’re combining sustainability, efficiency and digitalization. We came into the show with high hopes, but the engagement, discussions and excitement we’ve experienced have surpassed them completely. In short, ITMA ASIA has been a truly outstanding event for Karl Mayer’s Warp Knitting Business Unit.

Which products or technologies attracted the greatest attention at your booth during the exhibition?
In the warp knitting segment, the interest was quite evenly spread, but what really drew attention was our new concept of showcasing complete end-use solutions. Instead of presenting machines in isolation, we demonstrated how our technologies translate directly into finished applications. Visitors could clearly see the connection from the final product back to the machine that produces it.

We focused on two key areas, sports and athleisure, highlighting fabrics designed for comfort, performance and fashion. The innovations around our 4-bar and 2-bar technologies particularly stood out, with several new developments on display. The response from visitors was outstanding, many appreciated the practical, application-oriented approach and the tangible link between machine performance and real-world textile products.