13/02/2026 – Last-minute rescue? — auf Deutsch lesen
Sale brings new prospects for Mayer & Cie.
The transaction with Huixing opens up the possibility of resuming circular knitting machine production in Albstadt. Regulatory approvals are still required. Ongoing production will continue until the end of February.
With Huixing Machine Co., Ltd. Shishi, a buyer for the circular knitting machine business was found at the last moment. © Mayer&Cie
On 9 February, the contracts for the sale of significant assets of Mayer & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG were signed. The announcement dated 10 February confirms that Huixing Machine Co., Ltd. Shishi intends to acquire selected parts of the circular knitting machine business. These include, among others, the property in Albstadt as well as shareholdings in China and the Czech Republic.
Huixing is based in Shishi City, a centre of China’s textile and machinery industry. The company manufactures knitting machines, develops associated intelligent software and employs around 1,000 people across six production facilities.
Continued production until the end of the month - and a possible restart
Since the opening of the restructuring proceedings for Mayer & Cie. on 1 December 2025, the cessation of business operations was initiated.
Production of existing circular knitting orders will continue until the end of February. Employees were given notice effective at the same time. The buyer has announced that it intends to resume production in Albstadt once the transaction has been completed. The new concept is to be finalised between signing and closing.
Approvals still pending
The implementation of the transaction depends on several regulatory approvals. The required permissions from the Chinese authorities for outbound investments and the clearance from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action are still outstanding. According to current information, completion is expected within six to eight weeks.
Voice from the process
Volker Wintergerst of the Wintergerst Societät für Unternehmerberater, who accompanied the investor process, says: “We have been searching intensively for many months for an investor for Mayer & Cie., initially without success. Despite the announced shutdown, we continued our search and marketing efforts with great determination. The assets, the know-how and the brand should not be lost. The fact that we were able to spark Huixing’s interest in Mayer & Cie. and ultimately convince them is a great success for all of us.”
