KARL MAYER is pleased with its participation as an exhibitor at ITM 2026.
Faced with the challenges of rising domestic costs and fierce competition from low-priced Asian markets, the industry leader had traveled to Istanbul with mixed feelings – yet still draws a really positive conclusion:
“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.
In addition to an exhibition full of innovations, visitors enjoyed hospitality with a strong regional touch at the global player‘s booth: During the trade show, KARL MAYER was effectively supported by its representative, ERKO, and its Turkish subsidiary took center stage.
A highly goal-oriented meetings
The discussions during the trade show were constructive and promising. There were in-depth meetings with customers, significant interest in investment plans and potential collaborations, and new contacts were made. Visitors came mainly from Türkiye, and a large number traveled from Egypt. Participation from Syria was surprisingly high.
An exhibition perfectly tailored to the market
The exhibition on warp knitting focused on innovative machinery solutions and textile developments – and it hit the mark.
“Our expectations were modest, but they were exceeded. Demand and market interest remain positive, and the discussions we‘ve had give us cause for optimism,” says Axel Wintermeyer, President of KARL MAYER‘s Warp Knitting Business Unit, following the first day of ITM.
Türkiye is a leading hub for nearshoring and vertically integrated manufacturing. It offers flexibility and short lead times, but it also faces challenges such as domestic inflation and rising labor costs. Competing on rock-bottom prices for basic garments is becoming increasingly difficult.
The HKS 4-M EL ECO on display was developed for challenging market situations like these: to enable production with maximum productivity and a rapid response to constantly changing demands, particularly in the fashion and apparel industry.
Thanks to its wide range of textile products, the machine also excels in the areas of furniture upholstery and semi-technical applications.
A textile innovation show also demonstrated how new products and business areas can be developed and promoted, featuring highlights such as velour, corduroy, and plain fabrics for furniture upholstery, as well as terry Warp Knits, open-mesh curtain solutions from warp knitting machines, lightweight performance fabrics for sports and athleisure, as well as fashion and apparel items made from staple fibers.
There was considerable inquiry regarding the application topics, which KARL MAYER‘s strong team of textile experts responded to on-site. The professional exchange yielded approaches and ideas that will be further pursued at the manufacturer‘s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER following the trade show.
Growth Potential in Technical Textiles
In addition to traditional applications, Technical Textiles are becoming increasingly important. Discussions at the trade show focused particularly on solutions in the geotech, buildtech, and billboard sectors. However, the challenging economic conditions have dampened investment sentiment even in these areas.
Nevertheless, KARL MAYER‘s Technical Textiles Business Unit was able to generate interest in its machinery solutions, strengthen its partnerships, and establish new contacts.
Warp Preparation: Further Strengthening of a Powerful Position
The Warp Preparation Business Unit also reported positive results. Despite the recent difficulties, visitors showed keen interest in KARL MAYER‘s innovative machinery – particularly in solutions for automating warp preparation, given the high labor costs in Türkiye. Accordingly, there was a lively professional exchange regarding the high-performance MULTI-MATIC warp sampling machines and the PRODYE indigo dyeing system. The trade show team held numerous project discussions with clear objectives that will be pursued in the coming quarters but also assisted guests who were initially only seeking general information.
Care Solutions Stands Out with Expertise, Spare Parts, and Digital Services
The KARL MAYER Care Solutions division also made a strong impression at ITM. With its in-depth expertise, reliable supply of spare parts, and online services, it helps customers maximize the potential of their machines and reduce downtime. The customer portal also provides 24/7 access to various solutions, such as the WEBSHOP. This offering was particularly well received by ITM visitors.
