In this interview, Benjamin Mayer, Managing Director, Mayer and Cie, elaborates about the company’s new products and solutions, its focus on sustainability and growth strategies
How was the year 2022 for Mayer and Cie?
In terms of order intake and number of circular knitting machines produced, we have had a very good year. However, this year’s events, such as Russia’s war with Ukraine, disruptions to international supply chains and the increasing cost of energy will have an impact on business. As a machine builder with a high vertical range of manufacture, we have a high demand of energy – with the corresponding financial outlay.
Could you share key highlights in terms of business, new products and technologies?
At the beginning of this year, we could finalise a major circular knitting machine order with Birla Group. We feel privileged that Birla opted for Mayer and Cie as a partner in circular knitting. Naturally, we work on continuously improving our machines and technology – as well as technologies we use in existing machines. We know that many Mayer and Cie. machines have their well-deserved place in our clients’ machine parks. That is why we offer upgrade packages for our standard models to boost output, improve reliability or reduce downtimes. This also fits our strategy of further optimising our top-selling machines. Due to ITMA coming up in 2023, we won’t launch any new machines in 2022. However, speaking of trends, sustainability and digitisation surely remain the order of the day. There are several projects underway at Mayer and Cie.
How has been Mayer and Cie’s presence in the Indian market and growth over the years?
India has always been a focus market for MCT. Since the beginning of our cooperation with Batliboi Limited, the importance of this market has continued to increase. Today, India is one of the most important markets for Mayer and Cie. We expect it will remain a key market, regardless of the current political and economic events.
Could you comment on your strategic partnership with Batliboi?
Indeed, Batliboi has been a strong and reliable representative for Mayer and Cie for more than 40 years. Today, more than 11,000 Mayer and Cie. circular knitting machines are operating across the country. This certainly is a merit of this partnership. We have been working with Batliboi since 1984. We have been working alongside the same people for years or even decades as there aren’t many fluctuations in personnel, neither at Batliboi nor at Mayer and Cie. We have developed a very trusting relationship and it feels like working among our own colleagues.
What is the importance of India ITME for Mayer and Cie and what do you expect at this year’s show?
We will exhibit one machine at this year’s ITME, the OVJA 2.4 E in 38 inches and gauge E20 in an industry frame. The machine is targeted at manufacturers of mattress cover fabrics. In the segment of premium mattress ticking machines, Mayer and Cie. is the Indian market leader. However, we noticed that the number of machines ordered falls somewhat behind the market’s potential. ITME in India is one of the most important trade fairs for us. It attracts both domestic customers as well as visitors from neighbouring countries. We are looking forward to the event, especially because it’s the first time in six years the fair can take place. The 2020 edition had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. It will be good to see our partners and customers face-to-face again. Their feedback on market requirements and individual demands is very important for us.
What is your take on sustainability?
In terms of sustainable production, there are several aspects to look at. As a machine builder, we pay attention to our own sustainable production. At our headquarters in Albstadt we have put into operation two combined heat and power plants (CHPs). With an output of 900 KW we will meet between 80-90% of our heating requirements. The CHPs will also generate 50% of the electricity used and, in the summer months 50% of the energy required for cooling. In all, that should save us around 380,000 litres of heating oil per year.
The CHPs are part of a more extensive energy renovation plan for which we have won an award by the state government. Looking at our machine portfolio, our Relanit machines are characterised by much lower energy consumption than conventional machines. In the case of the Relanit 3.2 HS, savings in energy may reach up to 30%. Our SensoBlue oiler is a recycling system for reprocessing used needle oil. Consequently, machines equipped with this oiler system require up to 30% less fresh needle oil.
What about automation and digitisation driving future manufacturing technology?
We at Mayer and Cie understand digitisation as reaching well beyond machinery. Yet, if we look at our machines first, there is knit link, of course. The knit link platform records the operating data of your Mayer and Cie circular knitting machine(s) and visualises it. All our current machines will be compatible with this platform. Our web shop for spare parts which is to be launched in the near future also forms part of knit link. The same is true for our activities in remote maintenance which has already been working smoothly during the pandemic period.
Coming back to the comprehensive digitisation approach, we focus on product lifecycle management (PLM). It is the basis for pretty well all areas of digitisation and is now reflected everywhere, such as in the web shop for spare parts, which in future will be geared to the digital twin philosophy. This gives credit to our conviction that the customer is the key incentive of our digitisation. We aim to offer him lean, innovative processes and new experiences in order to do justice to our claim to be the market’s technology and innovation leader.
What are your future growth plans?
As already mentioned, sustainability and digitisation are our focal points in terms of development. This is important to keep our lead in the market and to continue to provide our customers with the means of production to achieve their own goals. India will remain a major market for Mayer and Cie. We see three-digit sales numbers there and will continue to work hard to maintain this level in the future.
