Santoni Shanghai Knitting Machinery Co. Ltd., founded and owned by Italy’s Lonati family reported the strategic takeover of Terrot GmbH, a leading manufacturer of circular knitting machines based in Chemnitz, Germany. The strategic move is a part of Santoni Shanghai’s long-term vision to establish an ecosystem that aims to reshape and consolidate the circular knitting industry. The deal will be finalised after approval from Chinese regulatory authorities.
Market reports predict a 5.7 per cent annual growth rate from 2023 to 2030, driven by an increasing consumer preference for breathable and comfortable knitted fabrics and a diverse demand for knitted apparel. The Shanghai-based company targets to capture this rising market with an ambitious plan centred on innovation, sustainability, and digitalisation.
According to Gianpietro Belotti CEO of Santoni Shanghai, “We see our machines not simply as isolated units of production, but rather as parts of a holistic and integrated ecosystem. Through our partnership with Terrot, we are one step closer to fulfilling our vision of innovatively consolidating the entire industry.”
Robert Czajkowski, managing director of Terrot GmbH expressed, “With the strategic investment of Santoni, we aim to strengthen our position as the preferred solution provider to many of the world’s leading textile manufacturers and top brands as well as continue working with industry talents as we provide valuable and essential know-how to drive premium ‘Made in Germany’ textile machinery.”
Similarly, Terrot GmbH co-managing director Dirk Lange stated that, “Having defined our strategic growth targets, we are now embarking on the next exciting chapter in our long and successful history, one that includes a 160-year tradition of textile machinery manufacturing”.
The new partnership with Terrot aims to further Santoni’s strategy by enhancing integrated and scaled-up ecosystem, while also driving the sustainable development of the global knitting machinery industry.
