2005 was a mixed year for the international fabric machinery market. Although deliveries of knitting machinery to the world's mills increased, weaving machinery deliveries plunged.

Shuttleless loom and shuttle loom deliveries fell at double-digit rates. In the case of shuttleless looms, the more advanced weaving technology, deliveries were down by 16%, while shuttle loom shipments fell by as much as 96% to only 663 machines. The 16% drop in shipments of shuttleless looms was due entirely to a 30% decline in deliveries to Chinese mills. Nevertheless, the Chinese industry continued to hold a commanding position and accounted for 61% of global purchases in 2005. 

The global market for circular knitting machinery, in contrast to that of weaving, was buoyant in 2005. Double-digit increases were recorded in worldwide deliveries of single jersey and double jersey machines. In the flat knitting sector, there were increases in shipments of hand and semi-automatic machines, but sales of electronic flatbeds fell. The increases in circular knitting machinery were due mainly to higher shipments to Chinese mills.

China accounted for 73% of the global increase in single jersey machines and 86% of the rise in double jersey machines. In the case of hand and semi-automatic flat knitting machinery, Chinese mills stepped up their purchases by 605%. In doing so, they accounted for more than the global increase in acquisitions in 2005. In the electronic flatbed machinery market, Hong Kong held first place with a 46% share of the market.

Source:未知