2008.01.31

The last November 2007, at the company’s headquarters in Wakayama (Japan), took place the celebration for the 45 years of Shima Seiki.
It was the third commemorative event for Shima Seiki, the first one having been organized in 2002, for its 40th anniversary, and the second one in 2005, to celebrate the 10 years of the innovative Wholegarment technology.
The event was attended by 800 guest companies, of which 600 from Japan and 200 from abroad, including knitted fabric manufacturers, clothing producers and fashion designers.
The main event was the Garden Fashion Show, held in a large transparent structure, in the gardens of the Shima Seiki headquarters. The show featured garments by the Italian designer Saverio Palatella, as well as several models produced by some Japanese clothing companies and various garments created by the Shima Seiki Total Design Centre.
A plant tour took also place, during which several new machines shown at the last Itma fair in Munich were exhibited: the improved version of the hybrid weft/warp knitting machine Lapis, the mini machines for accessories SWG021N/041N/061N and 091N, equipped with the Wholegarment technology, and the prototype of the new high-speed Wholegarment knitting machine.
Moreover, there was a visit to the new production site, opened in early 2006, designed to increase the production capacity by over 200% within the next 5 years in full respect of the environment.