Tuesday 31 July 2012

Nike Flyknit: Ready, Steady, Go!

London

When sportswear and sports shoe giant Nike announced in February the launch of a revolutionary new running shoe which uses state-of-the-art integral knitting techniques to create a one piece upper, we published the following article - Nike Flyknit a seamlessly knitted running shoe! .

The article explains how the shoe upper is made using state-of-the art flat knitting technology and was our most read article since we launched Knitting Industry website in 2008 – by a long way!

The story created a real buzz around the industry and the social networks were busy with comments and discussions about Flyknit, so we decided to contact Nike to see if we could find out a bit more about how this exciting new product was being made and of course where it was going to be made.

Nike had announced that two versions of Flyknit would launch in July just in time for the London games, so we assumed that manufacturing would already be in place in order to meet anticipated demand.

We told Nike we had heard it had set up a manufacturing unit to produce the shoe uppers on Stoll flat knitting machines. We asked how many machines the company had or was planning to have. We also asked which model and gauge of machine the company was using and whether the unit was located at Nike’s HQ in Oregon.

Nike Flyknit: Ready, Steady, Go!

Thursday 26 July 2012

Nike Flyknit: Quantum leap for flat knitting

The knitting industry rumour mills have been running at warp speed (no puns intended) since we published an article on Nike’s Flyknit integrally knitted running shoe upper in February - see Nike Flyknit – a seamlessly knitted running shoe!.

Nike Flyknit: Quantum leap for flat knitting

Santoni & Lonati Open House exhibitions

Brescia

The Santoni Group and parent company Lonati are busy planning ‘Open House’ exhibitions which will be held at the same time in September at the Santoni and Lonati headquarter sites in Brescia in northern Italy.

Santoni & Lonati Open House exhibitions

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Shanghai success for Stoll

Reutlingen

German flat knitting machine manufacturer Stoll has reported a successful ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012 which took place in Shanghai in June. The Reutlingen based company says that its newly designed 755 square metre booth was a hit with trade show visitors and was the most popular exhibit at the event, with up to 1200 visitors per day.

Shanghai success for Stoll

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Santoni heads to Brazilian showcase

Brescia

Leading Italian knitting machine builder will be showcasing its latest technologies at Febratex 2012, one of the most important textiles exhibitions in South America next month.

Santoni heads to Brazilian showcase

REPORTS: Textiles and clothing markets remain subdued

Manchester

According to a new series of Textiles Intelligence reports, textile and clothing markets are likely to remain subdued in 2012, given the considerable uncertainty in the global economy, and the fact that the debt crisis in the Eurozone continues to hit business and consumer confidence.

REPORTS: Textiles and clothing markets remain subdued

CAITME - 7th Central Asian International Textile Machinery Exhibition

CAITME is the largest International Specialized Textile Machinery Exhibition in Central Asia – a showcase of the latest technology and a meeting place for buyers and sellers in the textile industry.

CAITME - 7th Central Asian International Textile Machinery Exhibition

Cosmetotextiles market takes-off

Paris

The recent Interfilière show in Paris confirmed the importance of the cosmetic textiles or cosmetotextiles market for producers and marketers of next-to-skin knitted fabrics.

Cosmetotextiles market takes-off

Monday 23 July 2012

Trends in EU Textile and Clothing Imports

Report summary

At a time when companies are battling against global economic uncertainty, this report provides indispensable insight for any textile and clothing company supplying goods to international markets in general, as well as to the EU region, and for strategists looking to undertake competitor analysis.

Trends in EU Textile and Clothing Imports

Dawson administration fears

Hawick

Dawson International has warned it may have to appoint administrators if talks over its pension funds with trustees and regulators fail, after it had failed in a bid to put its pension plans into a protection fund.

Dawson administration fears

Friday 20 July 2012

Building the scientific credentials of wool

Melbourne

Wool’s credentials as a textile fibre that promotes health and wellbeing were presented by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) at the International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) World Congress this week in Melbourne.

Building the scientific credentials of wool

YIWU H&G 2012

The 13th China (Yiwu) International Exhibition on Hosiery, Knitting, Dyeing & Finishing Machinery (YIWU H&G 2012) will be held from 27-30 November 2012 at Yiwu International Expo Centre, Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province, PR China. The China (Yiwu) International Exhibition on Sewing Machinery & Equipment (YIWU S&G 2012) will be held concurrently.

YIWU H&G 2012

Thursday 19 July 2012

Calzedonia expands German operations

Düsseldorf

Italian hosiery, underwear and beachwear brand Calzedonia, is strengthening its presence in Germany with the acquisition of 400 square metres of office space at Neuer Zollhof 3, in Düsseldorf's harbour district for its German HQ.

Calzedonia expands German operations

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Monforts Eco Applicator makes an impact

Mönchengladbach

The new improved Eco Applicator soft coating solution from Mönchengladbach, Germany based Monforts, is reported to be making a strong impact following launches at recent shows in Bangladesh, USA, India and ITMA Asia + CITME in Shanghai, by providing significant energy savings with reduced drying times and the possible elimination of a conventional wet-on-wet padder.

Monforts Eco Applicator makes an impact

Tuesday 17 July 2012

Survey shows consumers want higher quality hosiery

Brescia

A survey of Italian hosiery producers has found that although Italian made hosiery still occupies a top quality position in the market, consumers do not know how to recognise it. The survey, conducted recently by the organisers of the forthcoming FIMAST exhibition, found that 44% of producers said that “consumers would like to buy a higher quality product but can’t recognize it.”

Survey shows consumers want higher quality hosiery

Monday 16 July 2012

Research shows compression hosiery assists muscle recovery

Bönnigheim

According to the Hohenstein Institute, 50 % of everyone in Germany practices sport at least once a week, which is still fourth place in a European country comparison. Wearing knee-length compression socks, the institute says, was long viewed as uncool by sportsmen and women, but more and more active sportsmen and women have reported the positive effects of wearing these special elastic socks.

Research shows compression hosiery assists muscle recovery

Knit designers shine at Texprint showcase

London

The work of 24 carefully selected textile design graduates was shown at Texprint London last week where knits featured heavily.

Texprint’s chairman, Barbara Kennington presented all 24 designers to sponsors, press, key decision-makers and leading creatives in the fashion and interiors markets at Texprint London — a gallery-style display focusing on key pieces by each new talent —  on July 12 and 13 at Chelsea College of Art & Design, Pimlico, London. The designers’ full collections were available to view on request.

Knit designers shine at Texprint showcase

Sunday 15 July 2012

Seminar highlights Mecmor advantage

New York

The fourth edition of SPINEXPO New York, organized and produced by Well Link Consultants, returns to the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City today 16 July and runs until Wednesday 18 July.

The event puts the spotlight on the most comprehensive international creative offering of yarns, fibres, knitwear and knitted fabrics for the Americas and over eighty spinners and knitters will present their Autumn/Winter 2013/14 collections and showcase their latest introductions and innovations.

Show events include a seminar by Patrick Silva of Santoni on Tuesday 17th at 2.00pm on the new Mecmor Compact garment length circular knitting machine.

Seminar highlights Mecmor advantage

Thursday 12 July 2012

Despite Economic Woes, Innovation Abounds at Interfilière

As if current economic challenges weren’t enough to cast a pall over last weekend’s Interfilière and Mode City shows for the intimate apparel and swimwear trades, the November-like Parisian weather did its best to dampen spirits. But Interfilière’s mills and suppliers did much more than “keep calm and carry on.” They continue to invest and innovate at an extraordinary rate; with an emphasis on upgrading their fabrics with new fibres and technologies.

Despite Economic Woes, Innovation Abounds at Interfilière

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Knitwear Solutions attracts global producers

Paris

When leading European fabrics show Première Vision (PV) announced in February that it was launching Knitwear Solutions, a platform for flat bed knitted fabrics – most of us were surprised but mainly in agreement that there was the need for such a ‘show within a show’.

Knitwear Solutions attracts global producers

New show for Mexican apparel and sewn products

Atlanta

Clarion Events North America (Clarion) announced yesterday the launch of ExpoProducción, a new trade fair primarily for the apparel and sewn products manufacturing industry in Mexico and Central America.

New show for Mexican apparel and sewn products

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Blue Competence well received by Asian textiles industry

Frankfurt

Visitors to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012 are said to have greatly appreciated the commitment of the German textile machinery industry on the issue of sustainability. On occasion of the region’s leading textile machinery exhibition from 12th to 16th June in Shanghai, the VDMA Textile Machinery Association presented its sustainability initiative Blue Competence for the first time in the Asian market.

Blue Competence well received by Asian textiles industry

MicroModal Edelweiss fabrics on show

Paris

The first commercial MicroModal Edelweiss products went on show at this weekend’s Interfilière in Paris when Swiss spinner Hermann Bühler AG showed a range of yarns made from Lenzing’s new eco fibre. Collaborating partner company Arula Textile Solution from Austria also showed a range of circular knitted fabrics which were made from the same yarns.

MicroModal Edelweiss fabrics on show

Monday 9 July 2012

Warnaco to review European businesses

New York

The Warnaco Group, Inc. today announced that it has been conducting a comprehensive business review of its European-based operations with the aim of better positioning the company for future growth and improved profitability.

Warnaco to review European businesses

Quantum Clothing acquired by Itochu

Huthwaite

According to media reports, UK headquartered Quantum Clothing Group Ltd has been acquired by Japanese trading company Itochu. Quantum, which was created as a management buyout from Coats Viyella in 2000, employs around 5000 people worldwide and has factories producing hosiery and intimate apparel in Sri Lanka, India and Cambodia.

Quantum Clothing acquired by Itochu

New body-size continuous fabric machines from Santoni

Shanghai

Leading Italian knitting and hosiery machine builder Santoni launched a number of new machines aimed at the Chinese market at last month’s ITMA ASIA + CITME in Shanghai. Amongst the new exhibits from the Brescia, Northern Italy, headquartered company best known for its circular seamless knitting machines, were two new underwear and outerwear models which it is building at its own factory in China in order to meet the demand and price request of the market.

New body-size continuous fabric machines from Santoni

Friday 6 July 2012

Lycra fibre W debuts at Interfilière

London

Invista has announced that the first commercial fabrics with Lycra fibre W technology will be presented at this weekend’s Interfilière/Mode City show, six months after the technology’s introduction to the intimate apparel industry.

Lycra fibre W debuts at Interfilière

Textiles group buys stake in Hawick Knitwear

Hawick

A textile company has agreed a deal which will help to safeguard 200 jobs at a Scottish Borders mill. Bolton UK based Ruia Group has acquired a stake in Scottish Borders knitwear manufacturer Hawick Knitwear.

Textiles group buys stake in Hawick Knitwear

Consumer insights on swimwear to be revealed

Paris

Invista, owner of the Xtra Life Lycra fibre brand will reveal new consumer insights and scientific findings on swimwear at this year’s Mode City which takes place from 7-9 July in Paris.

Consumer insights on swimwear to be revealed

Thursday 5 July 2012

ITMA ASIA + CITME ends on high note

Shanghai

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012, Asia’s leading textile machinery exhibition, which was held at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from 12 to 16 June 2012, ended on a high note for the organisers with record numbers of visitors and exhibitors.

ITMA ASIA + CITME ends on high note

Wednesday 4 July 2012

New working widths for Wefttronic RS

Shanghai

Karl Mayer Malimo has introduced two new working widths for its Wefttronic RS parallel weft insertion machines. A Wefttronic RS in a width of 213 inches was shown at the recent ITMA ASIA + CITME in Shanghai and a 176 inch machine was introduced at the same time.

New working widths for Wefttronic RS

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Hyosung celebrates 20 years of creora

Paris

Hyosung will use next weekend’s Paris Mode City & Interfilière to celebrate 20 years of its creora spandex/elastane and to unveil its Creora 2014 Swim Trends with highclo elastane.

Hyosung celebrates 20 years of creora

Monday 2 July 2012

Creora 2014 Swim Trends with highclo elastane

Paris

Creora by Hyosung, the world’s largest spandex/elastane producer will present a collection of new fabrics highlighting its 2014 trends for the Swimwear market at next weekend’s Interfilière/Paris Mode City.

Creora 2014 Swim Trends with highclo elastane

Smart Textiles and Nanotechnologies: Applications, Technologies and Markets

Report summary

Textiles are getting smarter, and much of this is being enabled by nanotechnology. “Smart Textiles and Nanotechnologies: Applications Technologies and Markets” provides the most in depth look to date at the impact of nanotechnology on the global textile industry.

Smart Textiles and Nanotechnologies: Applications, Technologies and Markets

Stoll's ADF technology: A new dimension in flat knitting?

Billy Hunter reports from Shanghai

Leading German flat knitting machine builder Stoll has launched an exciting prototype flat knitting machine with direct yarn feed and motorised yarn feeders. The Reutlingen based company’s CMS 530 HP-ADF was unveiled at last week’s ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012 in Shanghai where it created a lot of interest and Stoll’s Director of R&D Michael Sedlag talked to Knitting Industry about the company’s latest high-tech flat knitting machine.

Stoll’s ADF technology: A new dimension in flat knitting?