New international platform brings together experts in the knitting industry

Albstadt, October 7 and 8, 2026 – With THE LOOP, Groz-Beckert, together with leading partners in the knitting industry, has launched a new international platform for innovation, knowledge transfer, and networking. Approximately 160 participants from 20 countries gathered in Albstadt for the first THE LOOP Knitting Technology Summit.

Under the guiding principle “Connected by precision. Driven by innovation,” this long-term initiative aims to bring together experts from industry, research, and application to exchange ideas on current developments, future trends, and new fields of application. This concept of connection is also reflected in the name of the event: Just as individual loops come together to form a textile structure, innovations arise from the interplay of different areas of expertise and ideas.

The first installment of the event series focused on Medical & technical textiles. The emphasis was on innovative applications, new technologies, and current challenges and opportunities within this dynamic growth sector of the textile industry. Through presentations, technology demonstrations, and discussions, topics such as textile robotics, artificial intelligence in product development, digital development processes, and modern yarn feeding systems were addressed.

Speakers included representatives from the University of Pisa, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, and the companies Shima Seiki, Lonati, Memminger-IRO, and Merz. The program was complemented by live demonstrations on machines, guided technology presentations, and exclusive insights into production at Groz-Beckert.

“The requirements for the knitting industry are becoming increasingly complex – from new materials and application areas to digital development and production processes. THE LOOP offers participants the opportunity to learn about specific technological approaches, exchange experiences from research and practice, and draw inspiration for their own work.”
Marco Riecher, Head of Sales Knitting, Groz-Beckert

“With THE LOOP, we are creating an international platform designed to strengthen dialog within the knitting industry over the long term. Together with our partners, we want to promote exchange across corporate, technological, and national boundaries, thereby contributing to the industry’s further development. The positive response to the premiere shows that we are on the right track.”
Matthias Häckel, Head of Brand, Groz-Beckert Group

Groz-Beckert organized the first edition of THE LOOP in collaboration with Shima Seiki, Lonati, Memminger-IRO, and Merz.

With the successful premiere in Albstadt, the foundation has been laid for a long-term platform that will focus on further topics, technologies, and perspectives within the international knitting industry in the future.

About Groz-Beckert
Groz-Beckert is supplier of industrial machine needles, precision parts and fine tools, as well as systems and services for the production and joining of textile fabrics. Its products and services support the fields of knitting, weaving, nonwovens, tufting, sewing and spinning.
Groz-Beckert is part of the Groz-Beckert Group, which specializes in the development, manufacture and distribution of process-critical textile precision tools, industrial cutting solutions, textile reinforcements for the construction industry and composites.
The group consists of the companies Groz-Beckert, TKM and solidian and generated sales of 799 million euros in 2025 with around 8,800 employees worldwide. The company is active in more than 150 countries with agencies, production and sales subsidiaries.