German textile machinery group KARL MAYER has signed an agreement to transfer selected assets of its former STOLL brand to Ningbo Cixing Co., Ltd. (CIXING Group). The company announced the deal on June 17, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the global flat knitting machinery sector. For B2B buyers and textile producers worldwide, the transfer signals a new chapter for one of the industry's most recognized equipment brands.
Karl Mayer's Strategic Restructuring
In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced a strategic decision to concentrate on three core business segments: warp knitting, warp preparation, and technical textiles. As part of this refocusing, the company discontinued its flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand.
The STOLL production site in Reutlingen was subsequently closed in October 2025. The closure ended the brand's manufacturing operations as a KARL MAYER division, paving the way for the current asset divestiture.
What the STOLL Asset Transfer Covers
KARL MAYER has reached an agreement with the CIXING Group to transfer a defined set of assets from the former STOLL business unit. The transaction scope includes the following:
- The STOLL brand name and associated trademarks
- Selected materials and existing inventory stock
- Specific technological assets from the flat knitting portfolio
The transaction closing remains pending, with a final date to be confirmed at a later stage. The CIXING Group assumes sole responsibility for the future use and development of all transferred assets, and will communicate its strategic plans in due course.
Service Continuity for Existing STOLL Customers
KARL MAYER has confirmed that all current warranty obligations to STOLL customers will remain fully honored. A transition of service and support for the installed STOLL machine base to the CIXING Group is planned for later in 2026.
Textile manufacturers and garment producers operating STOLL flat knitting equipment can expect continuity in technical support throughout the handover process. You can follow the latest corporate developments and textile industry news in the Info Center on textilezon.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What assets are included in the STOLL transfer to CIXING Group?
The deal covers the STOLL brand name, selected materials and stock, and specific technological assets from the former STOLL flat knitting business unit. It does not include KARL MAYER's warp knitting or technical textiles divisions.
Will existing STOLL machine warranties be honored after the transfer?
Yes. KARL MAYER has confirmed that all existing warranty obligations to current STOLL customers remain fully guaranteed. The asset divestiture does not affect active warranty coverage.
When will service and support transition to CIXING Group?
KARL MAYER plans to transition service and support for the installed STOLL machine base to CIXING Group later in 2026. The exact closing date for the overall asset transfer agreement has not yet been disclosed.
The STOLL brand divestiture to Ningbo Cixing reflects a broader consolidation trend in global textile machinery, with established European brands moving under Asian-led ownership. The CIXING Group's acquisition of STOLL assets is set to reshape flat knitting machine supply chains and after-sales service networks across major textile-producing markets worldwide.
