A new book describes the origin and evolution of Japanese computerised knitting manufacturing giant Shima Sheiki. Shima Seiki is known for its wholegarment knitting machines.
The success story of Shima Seiki began in 1962 when Masahiro Shima laid the foundation of the company with the sole aim of developing a fully automated seamless glove-knitting machine.
With time, Shima Seiki proliferated its product range, adding flat knitting machines and entered the era of computerisation. As a result, the company started focusing on computer-aided knit design and programming and revolutionised the world of knitting with the introduction of the wholegarment knitting machine in 1995.
Today, wholegarment knitting machines produce knitwear for major high-street brands as well as high-end fashion houses.
The book narrates the story of how Masahiro Shima developed both technology and philosophy and connected them to build the empire of Shima Seiki, the market leaders of today in knitting. The book narrates the story of the inventor himself and how his company brought a revolutionary change in the fashion industry.
Shima Seiki offers total textile solutions. Shima Seiki’s seam-free wholegarment knitting technology offers an alternative to labor-intensive manufacturing.
Wholegarment knitting is capable of producing knitted items in their entirety on the machine, and allows complex 3D forms for fitting the human body or even car seats without the need for sewing.
