Mayer & Cie. (MCT), a leading international manufacturer of circular knitting machines, specialises in the entire range of machines required for making modern textiles. Fabrics for home textiles, sportswear, nightwear and swimwear, seat covers, underwear and technical uses are made on MCT knitting machines.
Founded in 1905, Mayer & Cie. generated sales of EUR 105 million in 2016 with about 500 employees worldwide. In addition to its headquarters in Albstadt, Germany, where around 370 employees work, and subsidiaries in China and the Czech Republic, Mayer & Cie. is represented by sales partners in around 80 countries.
India is one of Mayer & Cie.’s five most important markets. In India’s premium and midrange market segment the German knitting machine manufacturer’s market share is 36 per cent. This means that at least one in three high quality machines India imports is an MCT product. In absolute terms, and from MCT’s viewpoint, the facts are that in 2016 the German engineering company booked orders from India for well in excess of 200 circular knitting machines. The S4 3.2 II was a special favourite, followed by the D4 2.2 II. The most popular electronic machine in 2016 was the OVJA 1.6 E, a jacquard machine for double jersey fabric.
Batliboi has looked after Mayer’s numerous Indian customers for many years. Collaboration between the two companies is close indeed.
Mayer and Cie. has identified several application areas with worldwide growth potential. The ones identified were the manufacture of clothing and mattress covers. Another new segment is fabric uppers for sports shoes and trainers.
Globally, Mayer and Cie. sold about 1,500 circular knitting machines in 2016. Turkey, India and China continue to be key markets for Mayer & Cie., particularly the demand for premium machines is growing the world over. To stay on its road to success, Mayer & Cie. plans further investments in its three plants in Albstadt, the Czech Republic and China. The overriding goal is to reduce lead times, which are up to ten months for certain machines.
Early 2017, Mayer and Cie. announced among the new acquisitions in production machines a few in-house developments, for example, a slitting cutter machine. Also on the plan for Albstadt in 2017, production of the new, fully-automated high-rack warehouse, further modernisation of the administration building and comprehensive innovations in the company’s own IT and software.
With last year’s expansion of the plant in the Czech Republic, Mayer & Cie. is able to hold its own in the mid-range segment of the market. With new appointments in important strategic roles at the parent company, the firm hopes to tap into new customer segments.