Following the recent acquisition of Benninger’s weaving
preparation operations, Karl Mayer has quickly set about the task of
integration.
13 July 2009, Obertshausen and Uzwil - For many years now,
Germany and Switzerland have been at the centre of first-class warp preparation
technology, as represented by two companies, Karl Mayer in Obertshausen and
Benninger in Uzwil.
Karl Mayer was known originally as a leading manufacturer of
warp knitting machines, but extended its product portfolio in 1950, when its
Warp Preparation for Knitting Division was set up. The new division impressed
the market with its highly efficient, innovative warping machines and it soon became
the benchmark for the latest technology with its staff intent on constantly
extending their knowledge and expertise.
Karl Mayer’s first warp preparation machine for the weaving
sector appeared in 1991, and marked the beginning of a successful history in
weaving preparation technology. As the company continued along its successful
expansion course, the product portfolio was constantly extended and optimised,
the range of services was improved, and the company’s flair for innovation was
strengthened. The aim of expanding its operations was to put the company in a
position to supply complete, high-speed solutions for every type of yarn used
in the weaving industry. The acquisition of appropriate leading companies
within the sector helped the company to consolidate its expertise and capacity
even further.
Karl Mayer’s latest move to expand its warp preparation
activities was the acquisition of Benninger AG’s weaving preparation operations
in December 2008. For 150 years, the Swiss company, has been one of the world’s
leading textile companies, with subsidiaries and service centres all over the
world. It began building weaving preparatory machines between 1870 and 1880,
and used all of its expertise and experience to produce high-quality machines
carrying the ‘Made by Benninger’ label.
All machinery supplied by this company, from creels through
direct beaming and warping machinery, to sizing and indigo dyeing machines,
produced warps of exceptionally high quality and enabled first-rate,
reproducible production to be carried out at all times, thus guaranteeing
maximum efficiency during weaving. This image is further enhanced by the high
calibre of the company’s employees and by its production facilities, which are
equipped with the latest machinery.
The Karl Mayer logo appeared on the wall of the company in
Uzwil in January of this year. By acquiring Benninger’s Warp Preparation
Division, Karl Mayer’s aim is to combine its own innovative strengths and high
technical standards with the extensive years of experience gathered by this
Swiss company with its long-standing traditions.
Current state of the integration process
The contract between Karl Mayer and Benninger was signed on
1st December, and this immediately put in motion all the steps that had to be
taken to consolidate the merger. The aim was to combine the product portfolio,
the service operations, and sales and spare parts operations so that they are
of maximum benefit to the users. The operations of both companies had to
continue seamlessly and also create the right type of structures that would be
mutually beneficial to both companies.
The first step involved incorporating Benninger’s
technologists into Karl Mayer’s worldwide service network. Karl Mayer has expanded
its technical support network to maximum effect; it has been operating
successfully for many years, and now provides technical support both for
Benninger’s warp preparation machines as well as its own, at the same high
level of efficiency that the industry has come to expect. Overall
responsibility for service operations relating to Karl Mayer’s warp preparation
machines will be based in Uzwil.
The company says that customers will not see any changes in
the spare parts service. If they need to replace a component, it can be
obtained in the usual efficient way from the parent company in Obertshausen or
from its subsidiaries or agents.
The agents are now made up of the representatives of both
companies. Choosing which were the most suitable representatives was carried very
carefully, and took into account a number of aspects, such as customer service,
technical expertise and position in the market. Only the most efficient
representatives were awarded a contract and customers can now rely on a
first-class technical support service, thanks to a close network of dealers
with a clearly defined structure.
The sales teams of Karl Mayer and Benninger were also combined
and are now responsible for serving the market efficiently and expertly. A new
team has been formed under the direction of Karl Mayer’s former Divisional Manager,
Friedrich Maletschek. With all their knowledge and expertise, the members of
the team are developing and offering user-oriented solutions from the extended
product portfolio.
Karl Mayer says that harmonising the future product strategy
is now in full swing. Selecting which products and technologies to integrate
into the new structure was based on the principle of choosing only the best
technology from both companies to cater for the relevant end-uses.
As far as creels are concerned, all of the successful yarn tensioners
will continue to be available. These include models from the ranges consisting
of compensating yarn tensioners, the new motor-driven Rot-O-Tense yarn
tensioner from Karl Mayer, and Benninger’s Isotens, Dynatens, Megatens and
Multitens systems. All the unwinding creels for processing monofilaments, tape
yarns and technical yarns will also remain in the company’s offer.
The diagram above shows the range of warping, beaming,
assembly beaming, sizing, sample warping and indigo dyeing machines available. Karl
Mayer says that the range and quality of this product portfolio can meet all
the demands made of a fully integrated supplier who leads the technology and is
ahead of its competitors. In order to secure this position, the research and
development operations are being combined, a step which is promoting
cooperation between the staff of both companies. Karl Mayer’s warp preparation
equipment is produced in four countries for the world market, in Germany,
China, Italy and now Switzerland.
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