Albstadt-based circular knitting machine and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie, has bagged a 2022 Top 100 award for its innovative processes in particular. The company recorded a 40 per cent sales growth to over €100 million last year and hopes to maintain its market edge this year. As per a Knitting Industry report, the company continued to rely on digitization of both its processes and products. Even in difficult years, it focused on optimizing core processes in order to be able to hit the ground running when the market recovers, says Sebastian Mayer, Chief Digital Officer.

Mayer now plans to make several investments in machinery especially at its headquarters in 2022. It recently launched new CHP cogeneration units. Since Q4 2020, the Albstadt textile machinery manufacturer’s order position has remained stable with orders from all over the world, especially its core markets Turkey, China and India.

In braiding machine division, order position recovered in 2021. Sales of new machines and, especially, spare parts exceeded the 2020 figures significantly. It aims to expand in this area by developing existing machines and launching new ones, says Benjamin Mayer, Managing Director

The 19th edition of ITMA 2023 is set to occupy all 12 halls of the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition complex in Milan, Italy as the exhibition has sold around 95 per cent space. To be organized from June 8-14 next year, the exhibition has so far booked over 111,000 sq. mt. of net exhibition space. It is expected to be attended by over 1,364 exhibitors from 42 countries.

Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties, the response to ITMA 2023 has been overwhelming, says Ernesto Maurer, President, Cematex, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers. Charles Beauduin, Chairman, ITMA Services adds, ITMA has emerged as the quintessential platform for the industry to buy and sell, and to collaborate face-to-face.

The three countries with the highest number of exhibitors include Italy, Germany and Spain. Exhibitors from China, Turkey and India are also likely to participate in large numbers. They will span the finishing, spinning, weaving, printing, knitting, winding and nonwovens segments.

The global custom T-shirt printing market is expected to grow at a 9.70 per cent CAGR to surpass $9 billion upto 2032, as per a recent report by Future Market Insights (FMI). As per an Apparel Resources report, growth in this market is being triggered by the growing trend of wearing graphic, pre-printed T-shirts with movie logos and slogans.

Younger customers are opting for customized T-shirts due to the availability of a wide range of colors, patterns, garments, words or images printed on these T-shirts. This is spiking sales of pre-printed and creative graphic T-shirts. Brands are also designing custom printed T-shirts to raise social awareness, raise a voice and support a cause is on the rise.

The custom T-shirt printing market in the US is expected to contribute over 78.90 per cent of share in North America. India is expected to spearhead the growth in South Asia custom T-shirt printing market, with sales increasing at 16.60 per cent CAGR through 2022 and beyond. Whereas, sales of custom printed T-shirts in

Japan are expected to rise at over 15 per cent CAGR over the forecast period. Based on design, the artwork segment is expected to grow at 12.50 per cent CAGR from 2022 to 2032, adds the report.

India’s leading MMF manufacturing hub, Surat now aims to make a mark in garment manufacturing as well. The city currently manufactures around four crore metres of grey fabric annually. Of this, a small portion is used locally for manufacturing ethnic garments. The largest share is used to manufacture saris and the remaining is exported. Currently, Surat has around 1 lakh stitching machines. But, majority of these are used for stitching lace on saris, says Ashish Gujarati, President, Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI).

The city has around 200 medium and small size garment units. However, there are many new and emerging entrepreneurs, adds Gujarati. The Chamber is also exploring opportunities for garment parks in Surat and requesting the government to provide land. SGCCI also plans to participate in CMAI Fab Show in Mumbai next month to promote and explore opportunities in garment manufacturing in the city. It will organize workshops to create awareness about garment manufacturing at the event.