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The Textile Magazine
NOVEMBER 2011
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81
theme “Solutions for Diversity”. It
presented a range of products that
refected the dichotomy of the fat
knitting machine market. Antici-
pating the ITMA visitor profle to
include both high-volume export-
oriented factories as well as manu-
facturers catering to local consumer
markets, the company exhibited a
balanced cross-section of its entire
line-up in both shaping and WHO-
LEGARMENT applications.
Shima Seiki also presented an
impressive number of frst-time ex-
hibits in the form of new models,
gauges and prototypes. In fact, of
the 13 models exhibited, 11 were
new products. Some noteworthy
developments included the world’s
frst fat knitting machine capable
of shaping in 21 gauge and a V-bed
prototype machine equipped with
two additional loop presser beds.
The company received sales or-
ders that far exceeded its expecta-
tions, and the total number of en-
quiries were 2½ times that received
at ITMA Münich.
Shima Seiki received very good
response particularly from Italy,
Spain, the UK, India, Bangladesh,
Turkey, Eastern Europe, Northern
Africa, Brazil and Argentina.
Consumer demand was mostly for
shaping and WHOLEGARMENT
machines. A notable increase in in-
terest was also shown for the SDS-
ONE APEX3 design system, and
enquiries received were cent per
cent higher in number than that at
ITMA 2007. This is attributed to
customers’ realisation of their in-
creasing need for product planning
and design for consumer markets.
ITMA 2011 was of particular
signifcance for Shima Seiki as it
marked the 10
th
time it participated
in the show. The past 50 years has
certainly been fruitful for the com-
pany, having contributed major par-
adigm-changing advancements to
the fat knitting industry.
Despite current economic slow-
down, the customer enthusiasm for
new technologies and the resultant
mounting enquiries helped renew
faith in the future of the knitting
industry in Europe, its outlying re-
gions and other markets. It was Shi-
ma Seiki’s aim at ITMA to restore
ITMA 2011
[exclusive feature]