The Albstadt-based circular knitting
machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. (MCT) has been able to record a
substantial increase in sales of around 10% for 2016. With regard to the number
of machines produced during the year, the result was about 200 more than in
2015.
The ongoing positive trend in business
development is also reflected in the company's recruitment figures: its base in
Albstadt alone has welcomed 40 new members of staff, and across the Group as a
whole there have been 55.
In order to ensure this success continues,
Mayer & Cie. are planning further investments at all three locations in 2017.
One important goal is to reduce the long lead times resulting from demand.
"2016 was once again a record year for
our company", says Mayer & Cie. Managing Director Benjamin Mayer.
"That is down to our employees, and they deserve our thanks for having
made this renewed success possible in the first place."
Good
result thanks to very good order situation
Over the past year, Mayer & Cie.
cracked the €100-million-Euro turnover mark. Across the whole group, 2016 sales
amounted to around 105 million and have therefore grown considerably again compared
to the previous year.
According to the company, the main reason
for the successful conclusion to the year is the very good order situation.
Several times over the last year the circular knitting machine manufacturer was
able to record record-high numbers of incoming orders. Correspondingly, the
number of machines produced rose once again in 2016: at 1,500, it was 200 more
than the previous year.
It was primarily from Turkey, India and
China, which have all been strong textile markets for many years, that Mayer
& Cie. received a large number of orders. Nevertheless, says Mayer, the
demand for premium machines is growing the world over.
This applies particularly for new
developments, including the high-performance machines Relanit 3.2 HS for single
jersey fabric and OVJA 1.6 EM HS for patterned mattress material. The D4-2.2
HPI interlock machine, also introduced in 2015, has already become a
best-seller.
Clear
objectives for 2017
"Traditionally one step ahead" is
the guiding principle for the knitting machine manufacturer. To ensure it stays
that way, in 2017 this family-run company will make further investments in its
three production sites in Albstadt, the Czech Republic and China. The
overriding goal is to reduce lead times.
Managing Director Benjamin Mayer: "Our
customers are now waiting up to ten months for certain machines. That is too
long, and it's something we need to change."
In the course of 2016, Mayer & Cie. has
already implemented pioneering decisions. With the construction and expansion
of the Czech factory and the establishment of further machine production lines
in Vsetín, the premium manufacturer is also able to hold its own in the
mid-range segment of the market.
With new appointments in important
strategic roles at the parent company, the firm hopes to tap into new customer
segments. New, modern manufacturing machines have been purchased in production.
These will be followed by further acquisitions in Albstadt in 2017, which
include a few in-house developments by Mayer & Cie., for example a slitting
cutter machine.
Machines like this, produced by MCT itself,
are specifically tailored to the requirements of circular knitting machine
construction and the company's own production processes.
Also on the plan for Albstadt in 2017:
Production of the new, fully-automated high-rack warehouse, further modernisation
of the administration building and comprehensive innovations in the company's
own IT and software.
"2016 was once again a very good year
for our company," says Benjamin Mayer. "We are now facing the challenges
of 2017 – all the while firmly convinced that we are on the right path to
continued success. We are therefore expecting a slight increase in sales again
in 2017."