A historic chapter in German manufacturing is entering a new phase after Chinese investor Huixing acquired a controlling stake in Mayer & Cie, the 120-year-old German textile machinery manufacturer known globally for its circular knitting technology.
The deal comes at a critical moment for Germany’s industrial sector, which has been under increasing pressure from rising production costs, slowing European demand, and intense competition from lower-cost Asian manufacturers. For Mayer & Cie, once regarded as one of Europe’s engineering success stories, the acquisition represents both a rescue package and a strategic pivot toward survival in a rapidly changing global textile industry.
Founded in 1905 in Albstadt, southern Germany, Mayer & Cie built its reputation on precision textile engineering and high-quality knitting machinery used by garment manufacturers worldwide. However, like many medium-sized German industrial firms, the company has struggled in recent years to maintain competitiveness amid growing Chinese dominance in textile equipment manufacturing.
Industry analysts say the acquisition by Huixing reflects a broader trend of Chinese investors targeting established European engineering brands with strong technical expertise but weakened financial positions. By combining German engineering heritage with Chinese manufacturing scale and market access, such deals are increasingly viewed as mutually beneficial.
Huixing executives described the acquisition as a long-term strategic investment rather than a short-term financial play. The Chinese firm plans to maintain Mayer & Cie’s German operations while expanding production and distribution opportunities in Asia, where demand for textile machinery remains strong despite wider global economic uncertainty.
A spokesperson for Mayer & Cie said the partnership would provide “new industrial momentum” and protect jobs while allowing the company to continue developing advanced textile technologies. Employees and local officials in Baden-Württemberg had reportedly feared possible downsizing or closure before the investment agreement was finalised.
The transaction also highlights the growing economic interdependence between China and Germany despite broader geopolitical tensions between Europe and Beijing. German manufacturers continue to rely heavily on Chinese markets and supply chains, while Chinese firms increasingly seek access to European industrial expertise and global brand recognition.
However, the acquisition is likely to renew debate within Germany and the European Union over foreign ownership of strategic industrial assets. Policymakers have become more cautious in recent years about Chinese investments in critical sectors, particularly technology and advanced manufacturing.
Still, supporters of the deal argue that without outside capital many traditional European manufacturers risk decline or insolvency. Germany’s textile machinery industry has been particularly vulnerable as production increasingly shifts toward Asia, where labour and operational costs are significantly lower.
For Mayer & Cie, the agreement may provide a rare opportunity to modernise operations while preserving its engineering legacy. For Huixing, it offers immediate credibility in global textile markets and access to one of Germany’s best-known industrial brands.
As global manufacturing continues to evolve, the deal underscores a larger reality confronting Europe’s industrial economy: survival may increasingly depend not on resisting foreign investment, but on adapting to a more interconnected and competitive global marketplace.
