The knitting industry, part of the textile vertical, had its origin way back in the 14th century when cotton socks were being knitted using multi-colored strands. History shows that the first knitting trade guild was started in Paris in 1527. In very simple cases, knitting can be done without tools, by using only fingers. However, knitting is usually carried out using tools such as basic knitting needles or knitting machines.
Warp knitting represents the fastest way of producing fabric from yarn. LIBA is a family-owned textile machinery manufacturer founded by Karl Liebrandt, just after the Second World War, in 1945. The company, LIBA Maschinenfabrik GmbH, is located in a small town of Naila, Germany, where it continues to produce finest quality warp knitting machines. Over the last 60 years of hard struggle and endeavors, LIBA has been established as one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of flat knitting machines and warping machines in the world. Its products sell well at home and are exported to more than 20 countries and regions such as Italy, Spain, China and Japan.
Today the company has the latest modern equipments and facilities with an excellent group of engineers and technicians who have been devoting themselves to research and development of warp knitting machines. Its well-known products enjoy a growing market share at home and abroad.
LIBA, with more than 60 years of experience, is a strong partner of the textile industry. More than being just a machinery supplier, it specializes in individual solutions for customized equipment and achieving them by working closely with their customers.
Its motto is to strive to become a first-class textile machinery manufacturer and first-class textile machinery brand, as well as to guarantee optimum customer satisfaction.
LIBA machines have found their way into India way back in the 1970s, and a few of them are still in running condition. LIBA has been successfully associated with ICC, its agent for India, for more than 12 years now. ICC looks after marketing, after-sales service, technical assistance and warehousing of spare parts of LIBA machines for the sub-continent.
Mr. Mirko Ackermann, Head of Service and Spare parts – LIBA, says: “India is a very very important market to us, next to China. Here we have good demand for our machines with a growth of more than 30% in the last few years.”
LIBA has its presence across the country. The Surat market continues to be the biggest stronghold for LIBA machines with massive orders flowing in every month. Pioneer from Delhi, Salasar, Surbhi and Ginza from Surat, Sartex, Saluja and BK Textiles are some of the biggest customers. VKA Polymers is one of the leading customers of LIBA machines in south India.
As one of the world’s leading producers of warp knitting machines, LIBA’s product range covers more than 60 types of warp knitting machines, including tricot machines, Raschel machines, weft insertion machines, warping machines and special-purpose machines to produce different fabrics.
Mirko Ackermann adds: “LIBA has a strong presence in Technical Textiles vertical. Due to technologically advanced nature of these machines, customers catering to the construction industry and geo-textiles give first preference to LIBA machines. From lingerie to aircraft, LIBA has its own solution”.
Beginning next year, LIBA plans to have its first installation of its flat knitting machines, specifically designed for cotton, on the Indian soil. The company is very positive about getting a sizable market share in this segment which has been dominated for years by circular knitting machines.
LIBA’s competence lies in:
* More than 25 years experience with bi- and multi-axial technology (geogrids, billboards, tarpaulin, plaster reinforcement and all possible multi-axial fabrics for composites and concretes)
* More than 25 years experience in manufacturing carbon, glass and aramid fabrics
* More than 10 years experience as a development partner in automotive, aerospace and wind energy industries
* Close co-operation with customers