German textile machinery manufacturer KARL MAYER said it saw stronger-than-expected demand at the ITM 2026 trade fair in Istanbul, as buyers in Tรผrkiye and surrounding markets increasingly prioritize efficiency, automation and technical solutions over low-cost sourcing amid rising production expenses.
The company said sentiment at the June 9โ13 exhibition surprised on the upside, despite a challenging global backdrop marked by inflationary pressure in key textile-producing economies and intensifying competition from low-cost Asian suppliers. Industry participants are under growing pressure to shift away from basic garment manufacturing and toward higher-value production segments.
โWe donโt win on price, but rather through better solutions and strong on-site support,โ KARL MAYER Chief Executive Lutz Wolf said, adding that close engagement with customers in Tรผrkiye ahead of the fair helped shape tailored solutions. โBeing close to the market is our advantage. It ensures that our technologies pay off in the market.โ
Tรผrkiye has emerged as a critical nearshoring hub for global apparel brands due to its vertically integrated manufacturing base, geographic proximity to Europe and fast lead times. However, the countryโs textile sector is facing headwinds from rising labor costs and domestic inflation, which are eroding its competitiveness in low-margin commodity apparel.
Against this backdrop, exhibitors at ITM 2026 reported a clear shift in buyer priorities toward productivity-enhancing machinery, digitalisation and flexible production systems.
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KARL MAYER said discussions at its booth were โhighly goal-oriented,โ with strong engagement from Turkish manufacturers as well as visitors from Egypt and Syria. The company reported renewed investment interest, early-stage collaboration discussions and new customer contacts across multiple product lines.
Axel Wintermeyer, President of KARL MAYERโs Warp Knitting Business Unit, said early feedback from the event exceeded expectations. โOur expectations were modest, but they were exceeded,โ he said, pointing to sustained interest in both new investment plans and modernization projects.
A key focus of the companyโs display was its warp knitting portfolio, particularly the HKS 4-M EL ECO machine, designed to deliver higher productivity and flexibility for manufacturers navigating volatile demand cycles. The system is positioned to support rapid product changes in fashion and apparel markets while maintaining efficiency and output stability.
Beyond apparel applications, KARL MAYER said the machine also targets furniture upholstery and semi-technical textiles, reflecting a broader industry trend toward diversification as manufacturers seek higher-margin product categories.
The company also highlighted a range of textile innovations, including velour, corduroy, terry warp knits, lightweight performance fabrics for sportswear and athleisure, and open-mesh curtain solutions. These developments reflect growing demand for multi-functional textile structures that combine aesthetic and technical performance.
Interest was also strong in technical textiles, particularly in geotechnical, construction and billboard applications. While investment sentiment in these segments remains cautious due to macroeconomic uncertainty, KARL MAYER said it continues to see long-term growth potential as infrastructure development and industrial applications expand globally.
The firmโs Warp Preparation division also reported solid engagement, driven by rising demand for automation solutions aimed at reducing labour dependency in high-cost environments. Products such as the MULTI-MATIC warp sampling machines and the PRODYE indigo dyeing system attracted attention from manufacturers looking to improve consistency, efficiency and process control.
Industry observers say automation is becoming increasingly central to investment decisions in Tรผrkiyeโs textile sector, where producers are seeking to offset wage inflation and energy costs by upgrading to more efficient production systems.
Alongside machinery, KARL MAYER emphasized its Care Solutions division, which provides spare parts, technical support and digital services designed to minimize downtime and optimize machine performance. The companyโs online customer portal, including 24/7 access to its WEBSHOP and service tools, was well received by visitors at the fair.
The company said the strong response to its service offering highlights a broader shift in the textile machinery market, where after-sales support and lifecycle management are becoming as important as initial equipment sales.
KARL MAYER added that project discussions initiated at ITM 2026 will be followed up in the coming months, as customers evaluate investment plans under evolving economic conditions.
Overall, the company described the Istanbul fair as a positive indicator for the sectorโs resilience, noting that while cost pressures remain significant, demand for advanced machinery and integrated solutions continues to hold firm in strategic manufacturing hubs such as Tรผrkiye.
As global textile supply chains continue to reorganize around nearshoring and efficiency, KARL MAYER said it expects continued opportunity in markets that prioritize speed, flexibility and technical capability over price competition alone.