Business

Mayer & Cie Relishes The Fruits Of Relative Technology Used By Their Brand Relanit

Mayer & Cie have been expanding their customer base globally over the past three decades ever since they introduced the Relanit machines that fall under the category of relative technology. The company has right now a strong presence in the Asian markets including India and China. In an electronic interview, Wolfgang Mueller, Sales Director Mayer & Cie, responds to queries posed by our Special Correspondent Venkatesh Raghavan. Excerpts from the interview are reproduced below.

Over a period of three decades, how many upgrades did you effect to the Relanit to keep it relevant and retain its edge over competition in all markets?

The Relanit’s principle, that is relative technology, has been running unchanged for the past 30 years. Relative technology was a stroke of genius, there is nothing left to work on. Yet, components and means of production have improved significantly. That has always meant enhancements for Relanit machines, too. Over the years, we were able to lower cylinders and segments, allowing for yet higher production speeds. Our latest Relanit model, the Relanit 3.2 HS runs at up to 50 rpm with a 30-inch diameter.

Over the years, we have been able to further reduce a Relanit’s energy consumption, which has always been lower than that of a conventional machine. Nowadays, energy efficiency is a factor that cannot be overestimated. Also, we are using yarn guides that are superior to those we had available 30 years ago, in terms of material, configuration and form. This is a major reason why current Relanit machines provide extraordinary process reliability even with elastomeric yarns.

What is the response for Relanit in the Indian market? What are your plans for expansion in the Indian market?

In the Indian market, our S4 3.2 II is by far the most popular single jersey machine. At the same time, India, being a cotton growing country and home to a thriving textile industry, has always been a “Relanit country”. In fact, it is one of our top ten Relanit markets. Our Indian agent Batliboi has successfully promoted Relanit over the years.

The Relanit machine to which we currently attach the most potential in India is the Relanit 4.0. This machine is suitable for heavy single jersey fabrics. It is particularly strong in processing both pure cotton and pure polyester yarns. Up to one ton of single jersey fabric a day the Relanit 4.0 may produce. With a 30- inch diameter and 120 feeders, up to 50 rpm are possible with this machine. Due to the strong demand we experience for this machine, we are currently working on an even faster version of Relanit 4.0.

In the era of digital technology, what further changes do you foresee with Relanit machines?

The digital age has long started for our machines. Today, all our machines will notify knitters in many cases of abnormal machine status. In case of needle breakage, for instance, the machine will stop automatically. The same is true if an oil nozzle is blocked or if a yarn feeder does not work properly. With striping machines, we have an automatic hole detector.

In terms of connecting our machines, there is MDA.web. With this monitoring system, we can monitor and optimise the fabric production of all Mayer circular knitting machines. All machines included in an intranet appear on the graphic Web-based user interface. The knitter can call up the status of every machine, regardless of its production location anywhere in the world. The user can react swiftly and adjust the capacity utilisation of machines.

In the future, we want to use this or a similar system for preventive maintenance, too. Thereby, the machine will notify knitters or a supervisor anywhere in the world even before replacement of a certain item is necessary. Another idea would be to use a similar system to interconnect the entire value chain.

China has now become a manufacturing hub. How do you respond to this new challenge in the manufacturing realm?

At this year’s Shanghaitex in Pudong, we have introduced our Relanit 3.2 SC to local customers. This single jersey machine is based on existing Relanit models, particularly on the Relanit 3.2 S. Sales start for the Relanit 3.2 SC has been at the trade fair.

Final assembly of this machine will take place at our Chinese works in Shanghai. There, parts and components for this machine are fabricated, too. The knitting head is made in Germany as a matter of principle. It takes a great deal of experience and utmost precision to manufacture the knitting head, which, after all, has a decisive influence on the quality of the knitwear that is made on the machine.

We have been following this approach with our MSC 3.2 II and MDC 2.2 for a few years now. These two machines are especially built for and targeted at the Chinese market. They have been popular among domestic clients. Same as for the new Relanit 3.2 SC, these machines come at an attractive price. Furthermore, we can react faster and more flexibly to our customers’ orders, if we have the machines assembled locally. For all those reasons, we are now launching the Relanit 3.2 SC.