After months of uncertainty and insolvency proceedings, the iconic German circular knitting machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. is preparing for a phased restart under new ownership. The acquisition by Chinese entrepreneur Xu Hongjie, owner of the circular knitting machine group Huixing, marks a decisive turning point for the 120-year-old brand. What began as a crisis threatening complete shutdown has now evolved into a strategic collaboration aimed at combining German engineering excellence with Chinese manufacturing scale and agility.
From Insolvency to Strategic Investment
Founded in 1905 and family-owned for four generations, Mayer & Cie. has delivered more than 80,000 circular knitting machines worldwide and built a strong reputation in single jersey, double jersey, interlock, and jacquard applications. However, challenging market conditions and a significant decline in demand led the company into insolvency proceedings in December 2025, placing its future at serious risk.
The signing of the purchase agreement on February 9, 2026, secures a future for Mayer & Cie.’s entire circular knitting business, including its international subsidiaries in Vsetín (Czech Republic) and Jintan (China). The agreement dissolves the former Mayer & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG structure and paves the way for a relaunch as an independent company under its established brand.
A Phased Restart from Spring 2026
Operations are now being prepared for a progressive restart, with activities expected to stabilise over the coming weeks and production resuming in phases from spring 2026.
In recent weeks, only assembly work continued at the Albstadt-Tailfingen site to fulfil machines already on order, while production had largely come to a halt. The new ownership plans to rebuild operations step by step, beginning with the establishment of a focused team to revitalise sales and coordinate the relaunch.
To implement the restart, Xu Hongjie has temporarily chosen the name “Blitzstart” (Lightning Start) for the new entity — a symbolic expression of urgency and determination. All employees will need to be rehired under the new structure, making the coming months critical for operational stabilisation.
Wolfgang Müller, long-time Head of Sales at Mayer & Cie., who played a key role during negotiations, expressed relief at the outcome, stating that a clear future perspective has emerged for the company and everything associated with it.
German Premium Brand, Chinese Industrial Strength
A central pillar of the acquisition is the commitment to maintain Mayer & Cie.’s identity as a German premium brand. Development and manufacturing will remain anchored in Albstadt, safeguarding the company’s engineering heritage, product philosophy, and quality standards.
Xu Hongjie has emphasised that tradition and technical excellence are core to Mayer & Cie.’s value proposition. At the same time, he brings with him the entrepreneurial energy of Huixing — a family-owned company founded in 1998 that has grown into a global industrial group employing around 1,000 people.
Huixing operates seven large-scale production sites covering more than 300,000 square meters and has expanded beyond textile machinery into software development, AI applications, and industrial internet services. With Mayer & Cie., Huixing intends to enter and strengthen its position in the global premium circular knitting segment.
“1+1=11”: A Philosophy of Synergy
Xu Hongjie describes the acquisition as guided by a “1+1=11” philosophy — not a simple addition, but a “chemical reaction” unlocking synergy beyond expectations. By combining Mayer & Cie.’s decades of premium circular knitting expertise with Huixing’s scale, manufacturing agility, and digital orientation, the two brands aim to serve the entire spectrum of customer requirements worldwide.
The collaboration is expected to generate synergies in operations, manufacturing, and supply chain management. Importantly, both brands will continue to operate while working closely together, effectively transitioning from competitors to sister companies.
Customer-Centric Approach and Agility
A strong customer focus lies at the heart of Xu Hongjie’s vision. Drawing on his experience at Huixing, he emphasises rapid response and continuous improvement. If customers encounter issues, solutions should be implemented quickly and repeatedly until fully resolved.
This approach, he believes, will complement Mayer & Cie.’s longstanding reputation for reliability and durability. “Simplify, digitize and renew” forms the guiding principle for the relaunch, aimed at reducing internal friction and accelerating innovation cycles.
Huixing’s experience — particularly in the mattress ticking segment — demonstrates the effectiveness of this agile, feedback-driven model. Integrating such dynamism with German engineering rigor is expected to enhance competitiveness in a demanding global market.
Leadership and Cross-Cultural Vision
At just 32 years old, Xu Hongjie represents a new generation of industrial leadership. Educated in Business Management in both China and the United Kingdom, he combines understanding of Chinese manufacturing efficiency with respect for German technical precision.
Beyond his entrepreneurial responsibilities, Xu serves as Chairman of the Shishi Young Entrepreneurs Association and is a member of the Quanzhou Municipal People’s Congress, reflecting his broader engagement in economic development and mentorship.
His description of Huixing — meaning “connecting stars” — symbolises the strategic ambition behind the acquisition: linking two strong brands across continents to create a more resilient and innovative global player.
The acquisition of Mayer & Cie. by Xu Hongjie and Huixing marks not merely a rescue from insolvency but the beginning of a transformative chapter. By preserving development and production in Albstadt while leveraging Chinese industrial strength and agility, the new ownership aims to reinforce Mayer & Cie.’s position as a trusted premium supplier of circular knitting technology.
As production resumes in phases and teams are rebuilt, the success of this cross-cultural collaboration will depend on balancing heritage with innovation, stability with agility. If executed as envisioned, the partnership could redefine competitive dynamics in the circular knitting machinery sector — proving that, indeed, 1+1 can equal far more than 2.