BTMA - British Textile Machinery Association

Working in partnership with Japanese manufacturer Fukuhara, Monarch is responsible for the sales, installation and servicing of what is generally recognised as one of the world's leading brands of single and double-jersey circular knitting machines.

The private, family company established in 1969, now exports 80% of its machines to countries throughout Europe, as well as to Turkey, Russia and African.

With over 100 current models, Monarch can lay claim to offering the world's largest range of circular knitting machines. It continues to design and develop market leaders in every area of circular knitting. from high-production plain models and mini-jacquards to electronically-controlled jacquard and striping machines. All Monarch machines are designed to offer high-speed production, maximum versatility and increased efficiency with minimum maintenance costs, while producing the highest-quality fabrics.

At any moment in lime, a wide range of single- and double-jersey models is held in stock to meet the demand for quick delivery. A very comprehensive stock of spares, including dials, cylinders, frames, take-up systems, needles, sinkers and cams, not only guarantees customers the highest standard of after-sales service, but also enables Monarch to sub-assemble machines, when necessary, from parts in stock.

A very experienced technical department is on hand to install machines and give expert after-sales technical service, and Monarch is justifiably proud of its fabric development and computer-based design service. In-house design expertise enables the company to provide new and existing customers with a professional, responsive service in support of the wide range or knitting machines.

The ability to take designs into production also allows Monarch to work very closely with yarn suppliers, garment producers and high-profile retail outlets. Such commercial awareness ensures a better understanding of a customer needs and requirements, whether for apparel, household textiles or automotive end-uses.

This advantage is continuously used to create ranges of new and exciting fabrics for many end uses. Technical textiles, spacer fabrics and lightweight fabrics are perceived to be some of the target areas going forward.

Monarch has developed an enviable reputation for the application of electronic technology to individual needle selection and auto-striping on its single and double jersey ranges of jacquard/striping machines.

New launches

Monarch has recently introduced two new 36 gauge machines- the 0D3-V-LEC6BSD electronic double jersey jacquard and the V-SEC4BYF6, a six-colour single-jersey electronic/jacquard striper. Both incorporate the latest electronic technology for greater design scope and increased productivity.

Also new is the model OD4-VXC-A3 single-jersey raceway, specifically designed to be user friendly and to minimise fault rates and downtime. It offers the highest fabric quality and productivity, with perfect plating of elastomeric yarns over a range of fabric structures on a newly designed compact frame.

New models and technology are continuously developed to meet the ever changing demands of fashion. The current trend is for ultra fine lightweight fabrics, for which Monarch has introduced the OD4-VSEC7CS single jersey electronic needle selection model in 34-inch diameter, gauge 44 and with 84 feeds for maximum productivity. For the more basic stitch structure in the fine gauge model OD4-YXC3.2 is available in 30-inch diameter, gauge 60 and with 96 feeds.

Single-jersey models include:

• Raceways
• Loop/Velour
• Fleece
• Mesh
• Mini jacquards
• Electronic jacquards
• Electronic stripers
• Open-width and tubular fabric take-ups

Double-jersey models include:

• Basic Rib and interlock
• Mini jacquards
• Electronic jacquards
• Electronic stripers
• Garment length
• Spacer fabrics
• Open-width and tubular fabric take-ups