Fashion

These Hi-Tech Knitting Machines Will Soon Be Making Car Parts

  • Shima Seiki plans to adapt its knitting machine technology
  • Japan firm’s whole-garment machines create seamless products

This Machine Can Make Your Sweater From Scratch

Building a machine to construct high-end Prada sweaters was just the start.

Now Mitsuhiro Shima, who took over his dad’s knitting-machine firm three months ago, is setting his sights on -- of all places -- the car industry. The 56-year-old president of Shima Seiki Manufacturing Ltd. is in talks with auto-parts makers to use its technology to develop lighter, non-steel components, and plans to sign a deal next fiscal year.