The KARL MAYER GROUP is passionately committed to the success of its customers and to a better world. Following this vision, the global player has made a name for itself as an important partner for entire industries with its textile machines, digital products, services, ideas and know-how. The textile solutions from KARL MAYER machines can be found at every turn, particularly in the footwear industry.

Depending on the area of application, tricot and raschel machines are available for the production of intelligent knitted high-performance footwear fabrics. Spacer knits, which have become particularly established in the sports sector, are produced on double raschel machines with jacquard technology for the realization of elaborate patterns. Even the production of completely finished shoe uppers is possible. Flat knitted articles can be produced mainly on the CMS 202 ki B, CMS 303 ki B, CMS 330 ki BW and ADF 330-32 ki BW models, mostly in gauge E 7.2 and finer. Flat knitting technology offers the possibility of implementing the most varied patterns. Simple flat panels can be knitted as well as elaborate 3D shoe uppers or complete solutions without seams for optimized performance. After a thermosetting process, sole constructions can be applied directly to the 3D-knitted shoe uppers without any intermediate steps, as demonstrated by a joint project with DESMA Schuhmaschinen GmbH. For more process integration, a warp knitting machine based on the roll-to-roll principle was also combined with a 3D printing system to apply reinforcement structures to knitted fabrics in a uniform process.

In mid-April 2023, the KARL MAYER GROUP took its commitment to the footwear industry one step further by becoming a member of the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association (USFMA) with its American subsidiary. The association is pleased with the addition. "Our industry cannot grow and innovate without state-of-the-art machinery," said Bill McCann, executive director of the USFMA. "We hope to provide KARL MAYER and others with a growing market in the U.S."

The association leader shares this hope with Mariano Amezcua, president of KARL MAYER North America and initiator of the membership. he spoke to Ulrike Schlenker of my TEXTILE NEWS about other expectations and reasons for joining.

US: How did the idea of membership come about? Did you already have contacts with the association or joint projects?

MA: The background to our membership is New Balance's focus on using domestic capacities. The company is one of our key footwear customers and the flagship member of USFMA. Its Vice President of Domestic Product Development & Manufacturing, Kevin McCoy, has set a goal for the MADE brand to design and manufacture athletic footwear using 100% American resources. To accomplish this ambitious task, New Balance turned to the USFMA. Through the association, U.S. sources were to be identified for all raw materials, production machinery and manufacturing processes. John Simon, president of Signet Mills and also a member of the USFMA board, has been instrumental in establishing an all-U.S. supply chain. As a long-time KARL MAYER customer, he invited KARL MAYER North America to participate in the USFMA to expand the potential of U.S. footwear manufacturers.

US: What is the mission of the USFMA? Are any of KARL MAYER GROUP's other customers members?

MA: The USFMA's main mission is to strengthen, protect and optimize the foundation of footwear manufacturing in the United States. Located in the heart of the footwear industry, the USFMA is the hub for innovation, networking and collaboration between domestic manufacturers and suppliers. Members include New Balance and Signet Mills, as well as our fiber partner UNIFI and R & D labs for lifestyle footwear.

US: What are the KARL MAYER GROUP's goals in becoming a member? What does it want to achieve?

MA: First and foremost, by working with the entire supply chain, we want to help New Balance and other USFMA members achieve their goal of 100% American-made athletic footwear. We also want to further promote the developing knitted footwear market in the U.S. by building relationships with numerous brands.

US: How can the KARL MAYER GROUP get involved in the association's work? Which of its business units are specifically targeted for cooperation?

MA: KARL MAYER North America plans to contribute its product development expertise in the design and production of innovative patterns using KM.ON CREATE PLUS and STOLL flat knitting machines to the association's work. Through our fabric development training courses, we are able to attract experts in the fields of technology and design. We can also help our customers seamlessly integrate our knitting and specialist knitting technology into their processes. And when manufacturers are ready to move into mass production, KARL MAYER warp knitting machines are ready to produce the perfect American-made sports shoes.