Shima Seiki Mfg. Ltd. of Wakayama, Japan, a leading manufacturer of computerized flatbed knitting machines, has been offering its products and services to the knitting industry worldwide. Known for its computerized knitting technology, Shima Seiki celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012. This year marks its 50th year in business.
Shima Seiki is also a pioneer in complete garment manufacturing technology called WHOLEGARMENT wherein an entire knitted garment is produced on the knitting machine without the need for linking or sewing afterwards. Since its commercial introduction in 1995, the company has been the undisputed leader in this knitting technology with over 25 years of ongoing research and over 15 years of proprietary field experience and knowhow, not to mention over one thousand patents worldwide related to machinery, programming and stitch structure.
Shima Seiki participated in ITMA 2011 where it showcased its new technology machines under the theme “Solutions for Diversity”. It presented a range of products that reflected the dichotomy of the flat knitting machine market. Anticipating the ITMA visitor profile to include both high-volume export-oriented factories as well as manufacturers catering to local consumer markets, the company exhibited a balanced cross-section of its entire line-up in both shaping and WHOLEGARMENT applications.
Shima Seiki also presented an impressive number of first-time exhibits 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 first flat 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 orders that far exceeded its expectations, and the total number of enquiries 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 interest 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 increasing need for product planning and design for consumer markets.
ITMA 2011 was of particular significance for Shima Seiki as it marked the 10th time it participated in the show. The past 50 years has certainly been fruitful for the company, having contributed major paradigm-changing advancements to the flat knitting industry.
Despite current economic slowdown, 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 regions and other markets. It was Shima Seiki’s aim at ITMA to restore customer confidence in the future of knitting with its commitment to future progress. This aim has been fully realised.
As part of its enormous growth as the world’s foremost garment production base, China’s knitting industry has developed rapidly. As feared and revered as China is however, we are now witnessing a slowdown due to increasing material cost, higher wages and shortage of labor. Consequently the trend to concentrate knit manufacturing within China is being reconsidered.
At the same time, textile manufacturing for consumer markets is expanding within emerging markets such as Russia, India and Brazil, thanks to their accelerated economic growth. Asian and Middle Eastern countries are also attracting attention as garment manufacturing bases for the European market.
Almost ten out of the 12 computerized flat knitting machines exhibited by Shima Seiki at ITMA were new. They round out a complete line-up only Shima Seiki can provide: WHOLEGARMENT, new integral, intarsia and shaping machines ranging from 3G to 21G. For manufacturing in consumer markets, an expanded range of WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines offers even higher added-value than ever before. A new generation of shaping machines provides a new sense of value aimed at an entire spectrum of markets, from high value-added production applications in consumer markets to replacements for hand-flat knitting machines in labor-intensive mass-production markets.
For production, brand new software provides improved efficiency in programming, and enhanced 3D simulation eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming sample-making beneficial to any market application.
The year 2011 has proved much better for the company as compared to 2010. Shima Seiki is expanding its manufacturing capacity with its new factory at Wakayama headquarters in Japan.
India is an important market for Shima Seiki. The company has over 200 customers with multiple installations, including Shima Seiki flat knitting machines, collar knitting machines and glove knitting machines.
The interest and response from Indian customers is very high, and the company has received several firm orders, says Mr. Masaki Karasuno, Head of Corporate Planning, Shima Seiki Manufacturing Ltd.
“India is an established market with much potential for further growth. Therefore Shima Seiki considers it a very important market. We would like to further assist in the automation of the knitting industry by providing computerized knitting machines for garment shaping, for replacing hand-flat knitting machines and collar machines. Also for those customers who are eager to provide high-value added knitwear and quick response production for export as well as for the domestic market, we provide state-of-the-art WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines”, adds Mr. Masaki Karasuno.