Since early summer 2025, the circular knitting machines of the Lichtenstein-based company have been turning under the umbrella of Röcker + Kohler in Ofterdingen near Tübingen. The experienced manufacturer of knitted fabrics has integrated the fifteen or so machines into its own machine park. Fuchshuber benefits from the comprehensive knitting expertise at Röcker + Kohler and can access additional or specialized capacities if required. Conversely, Fuchshuber brings valuable contacts to yarn and fiber suppliers as well as an established sales structure to the partnership – a strategic gain for Röcker + Kohler, who want to position themselves more strongly in the field of technical textiles.
From Balingen to Ofterdingen: Move at a glance
The decision to cooperate was made in autumn 2024. The relocation of the knitting machines from Balingen to Ofterdingen was prepared from the end of the year and completed in three steps. At the beginning of 2025, technicians at Röcker + Kohler began installing the machines. In the course of this, they subjected the circular knitting machines to a comprehensive overhaul. For more than two months now, they have been turning at Röcker + Kohler and producing technical high-performance knitted fabrics in Fuchshuber quality.
"Always open to new things"
Stefanie Hirschmüller, operations manager at Röcker + Kohler, is pleased with the new additions to her knitting mill. "We have always been open to new things and that is more important today than ever." Especially since the cooperation with Fuchshuber is an ideal fit for the strategic orientation of Röcker + Kohler: In order to assert itself in the textile market, the knitwear specialist focuses on technical textiles, high-quality materials and innovative qualities. "With Fuchshuber Techno-Tex, we have the ideal partner on board for these goals."
Knitting with specialist knowledge
The decision to cooperate was made not least for a very practical reason: "After our long-time knitting mill manager retired, we had difficulties finding a successor," explains Rüdiger Reuter, Managing Director of Fuchshuber Techno-Tex. "Our high-performance knitted fabrics require a deep technical understanding, both for knitting and for the materials used."
This is because Fuchshuber's product range is sophisticated: technical yarns or yarn blends, such as aramids and Kevlar, are used to create knitted fabrics for applications in body protection, industry and sports. Cut-resistant and stab-resistant protective clothing for glass and metal processing, flame-retardant equipment for firefighters and underwear with special functions are just as much a part of this as cut-resistant textiles for athletes.
A win-win situation
The cooperation with Röcker + Kohler not only secures Fuchshuber's expertise, but also creates more flexibility for order peaks through additional machine access. With around 100 circular knitting machines, Röcker + Kohler operates one of the largest machine parks in the region, including special machines for unusual qualities.
"We can react more quickly and take on additional orders," says Rüdiger Reuter.
In return, Röcker + Kohler benefits from access to an established sales network, material approvals and certifications, for example for authorities or safety-relevant areas. "These door openers create potential for completely new markets," says Rüdiger Reuter.
Fuchshuber's own knitting mill has a tradition
At Fuchshuber, its own knitting mill has always been part of a clear concept: virtual full-scale production. Company founder Friedrich Fuchshuber wanted to control all production steps without having to do them all himself. For spinning, finishing and ready-to-wear, Fuchshuber works with reliable partners, mostly in the region – but knitting remained a core competence in-house.
"Especially with our technical textiles, the quality of the knitted fabric is decisive for function," Reuter also emphasizes.
Incidentally, Friedrich Fuchshuber did not find his first machines in the factory trade – but in a cowshed: a farmer's machines later formed the basis for his own knitting mill in Balingen, which Fuchshuber Techno-Tex took over after its insolvency.
Fuchshuber will retain the premises in Balingen, on a smaller scale: they serve as a delivery warehouse for ready-to-wear and as a warehouse for fabric rolls and yarns.