KARL MAYER attended the ITM trade show in Istanbul facing rising domestic costs and strong competition from low-priced Asian markets. The company concluded that competing on price alone is not viable; instead, success comes from delivering better solutions and strong on-site support. “The ITM has clearly shown that we don’t win on price, but rather through better solutions and strong on-site support – and that’s exactly what we deliver. Proximity to the market is key to this. Most recently, in the run-up to the ITM, we visited many of our customers in Türkiye with a team of managers and experts, analyzed specific challenges, and developed targeted offers based on those findings. Being close to the market is our advantage. It ensures that our technologies pay off in the market,“ emphasizes Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER.
Exhibition highlights and visitor mix
At the company’s booth, visitors encountered a range of machinery and textile innovation. The stand combined product demonstrations with regional hospitality, supported by the local representative ERKO and the manufacturer’s Turkish subsidiary. Discussions at the show were described as constructive and promising, with in-depth meetings, clear interest in investment plans, and numerous new contacts. Attendees were mainly from Türkiye, with significant visitor presence from Egypt and notable participation from Syria.
Machinery and product focus
The warp knitting showcase centered on machinery designed for productivity and rapid responsiveness to changing demand, particularly for fashion and apparel. The HKS 4‑M EL ECO was presented as a machine tailored for demanding market conditions to enable high productivity and flexibility. Its textile range also addresses furniture upholstery and semi-technical applications. The exhibition’s textile innovation presentations included velour, corduroy and plain fabrics for upholstery, terry warp knits, open‑mesh curtain options, lightweight performance fabrics for sports and athleisure, and apparel from staple fibers. There was considerable interest in these application topics, and KARL MAYER’s team of experts engaged visitors on technical details and potential product development.
Technical textiles and warp preparation
Technical textiles were also a topic of discussion, with attention on geotech, buildtech and billboard segments, though challenging economic conditions tempered investment sentiment in these areas. KARL MAYER’s Technical Textiles Business Unit nonetheless generated interest in its machinery and strengthened partnerships while establishing new contacts. The Warp Preparation Business Unit reported positive engagement as well, with visitors particularly interested in automation solutions to address high local labor costs. There were focused exchanges about high‑performance MULTI‑MATIC warp sampling machines and the PRODYE indigo dyeing system, alongside project discussions to be pursued in coming quarters.
Aftershow follow-up and service offerings
KARL MAYER’s textile innovation efforts will continue at the manufacturer’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER, where approaches and ideas from the trade show will be further pursued. The KARL MAYER Care Solutions division also made an impression by highlighting spare parts supply, online services and a 24/7 customer portal including the WEBSHOP, which received a positive response from ITM attendees.
