Berlin, 25 June 2026 - The international law firm ADVANT Beiten has provided comprehensive legal advice to Ningbo Cixing Co. Ltd. (CIXING Group), a leading Chinese manufacturer of computerized flat knitting machines, on the acquisition of selected assets of the former STOLL business unit from the KARL MAYER Group. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction.
In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of Warp Knitting, Warp Preparation and Technical Textiles. As part of this realignment, the flat knitting machine business operating under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.
The agreement now signed provides for the transfer of selected assets to the CIXING Group. The scope of the transaction includes, in particular, the STOLL brand, selected materials and inventories, as well as certain technological assets. Completion of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions.
STOLL, defined by German engineering excellence and over a century of continuous innovation, stands for first-class knitting technology. In industrial applications, STOLL machines go far beyond the fashion sector: they are used for a wide range of purposes, such as manufacturing car seat covers, medical bandages, high-performance uppers for sports shoes, and even 3D fiber composites for the aerospace industry. Currently, around 130,000 modern STOLL flat knitting machines are in use worldwide.
As an industry leader with annual revenue of approximately EUR 290 million, Cixing possesses strong industrial manufacturing capabilities, a robust supply chain, and an extensive sales network within the global computerized flat knitting machine sector. The acquisition aims to leverage Cixing’s industrial resources to drive new growth for STOLL, revitalize business operations in Europe and China, and ensure that customers worldwide regain access to high-quality, competitive knitting solutions. This acquisition marks a pivotal milestone in Cixing’s international growth strategy and is expected to fundamentally transform the global supply chain landscape for knitting machines and high-quality textiles.
ADVANT Beiten advised the CIXING Group on all legal aspects of the asset deal. The transaction once again highlights ADVANT Beiten’s strong expertise in German - Chinese investments and cross-border M&A transactions. An international team worked closely across offices and jurisdictions to efficiently coordinate and implement the legal requirements of the transaction in Germany and China.
Advisors to CIXING Group:
ADVANT Beiten: Dr Barbara Mayer (Freiburg), Christian Burmeister (Berlin and Freiburg, both lead), Dr Christian von Wistinghausen (Berlin), Damien Heinrich (Freiburg), Susanne Rademacher, Lelu Li (both Beijing, all Corporate/M&A), Heiko Wunderlich (Tax, Munich).
Public Relations
Frauke Reuther
Manager Kommunikation
ADVANT Beiten
+49 (69) 75 60 95 - 570
frauke.reuther@advant-beiten.com
