After the pandemic-related restrictions and cancellations at the trade fairs of recent years, ITMA 2023 ended with record visitor numbers, including for the KARL MAYER GROUP. Under the motto "Master the Change - profitable, flexible, sustainable", the innovative industry pioneer showed solutions and innovations for the success-critical requirements of its customers on an area of 1,350 m². On show were 11 machines from all the KARL MAYER GROUP's business units, a wide range of trendy textile applications with high potential for new business, and groundbreaking digital offerings. The global player hit the bull's eye with its exhibition.

The KARL MAYER GROUP's stand was virtually mobbed from the very first day. The number of visitors was far higher than expected, with almost 2,900 contacts recorded. The traditional KARL MAYER business units of warp knitting machines, warp preparation and technical textiles recorded an increase in the number of visitors of 20 to 30 % compared to ITMA 2019 in Barcelona. There was also huge interest in the presentation of the STOLL business unit, which was added in 2020. The stand area for flat knitting was the most visited of the group. The number of new contacts was also gratifyingly high. Their share was around 30%. Many textile brands, but also people from outside the sector, are interested in the potential in terms of sustainability and business development through innovations along the entire textile production chain, in which the KARL MAYER GROUP is an important link with its solutions.

In addition to the number of visitors, the quality of the discussions with customers was also positive. "We were able to hold very specific project and in-depth technical discussions for the most part. The projects discussed open up positive prospects for us and our customers at least until the end of next year," explained Arno Gärtner, CEO of the KARL MAYER GROUP. However, the extent to which these expectations will be fulfilled will depend on the recovery of the global textile markets and on the geopolitical developments to come. The global dynamics of the recent past have already led to shifts in supply structures, which were also reflected in the country distribution of visitors to the KARL MAYER GROUP's stand. The top countries of origin included India, Turkey, Italy and Germany. The warp preparation division also enjoyed a great deal of interest from Pakistan. The STOLL flat knitting division received many inquiries from the USA and Bangladesh.