Bidding Farewell to a Storied Company: Stoll's Production Halt in Baden-Württemberg
Closing down for good: Long-standing business shuts operations entirely in Baden-Württemberg.
Over 150 years of industrial excellence comes to a halt in a German city. The iconic flat knitting machine manufacturer, Stoll, based in Reutlingen, will soon be no more – leaving behind a bewildered workforce and a region steeped in tradition.
A Tumultuous Finale: Stoll, a Beloved Pioneer, Shuts Down
When even decades of expertise and quality can't save a business, tough choices have to be made. And that's the predicament facing a city in Baden-Württemberg right now. A venerable machine-building company, one of the oldest in the region, is about to become part of history.
The workforce of 270 employees had put all their hopes, demonstrations, and patience on the line until the bitter end. But alas, the fight was in vain. The decision has been made: the end is near, and there's no turning back.
The parent company, the Karl Mayer Group, since 2020, attributes the closure to declining sales and economic strain. The business segment targeted for closure will be terminated completely. This news doesn't just hit the company; it leaves trade unions like IG Metall stunned.
Delving Deeper: The bitter pill of declining sales and economic pressure
The criticism is harsh: IG Metall contends that no investors have been found for the traditional business sector yet. The sad prospect: after over 150 years, the knitting machine manufacturer Stoll from Reutlingen will fade away from the scene. Established in 1873 in Riedlingen, this company was long considered a technological beacon of the region, with numerous patents and unparalleled global expertise in flat knitting machines.
For the employees, the closure means the loss of their jobs as well as the end of an era. The severance package isn't all doom and gloom though. A social plan has been put in place, offering severance payments ranging from 0.25 to 0.45 times an employee's gross monthly salary for each year of service. Moreover, a transfer company is planned to help ease the transition to new employment. Still, the bitter pill refuses to go down easily. For many in the region, Stoll was more than just an employer; it was their identity, tradition, and source of pride. What remains is the question of whether everything could have been avoided. And the silent goodbye of a great company, leaving many speechless.
Additional Insights:
- According to industry analysis, the Stoll brand and its extensive global installed base of machines retain significant value, with optimism that an investor could step in to preserve the brand and its technological legacy[2].
- The Karl Mayer Group announced its intention to refocus on its core business areas: warp knitting, warp preparation, and technical textiles in early 2025, which included plans to divest the flat knitting machine business under the Stoll brand[1][2][3].
- Although production at Reutlingen will cease in October 2025, manufacturing of Stoll machines will continue at Karl Mayer’s site in Changzhou, China[1][2][3].
- The closure of Stoll, a renowned flat knitting machine manufacturer, signals a significant shift in the region's business landscape and industry, leaving behind a legacy of technological innovation and expertise.
- The economic pressure and declining sales have led to the decision of terminating the flat knitting machine business under the Stoll brand, raising questions about the potential future of this storied company and its valuable global brand.
