What Santoni does

Santoni S.p.A., founded in 1919 in Brescia, Italy, is an industrial machinery manufacturer recognized as the global leader in circular electronic knitting machines for seamless knitwear. The company has been wholly owned by the diversified Lonati Group since 1989 and operates across eight specialized product families: Seamless (SM8-TOP2V, SM8-TOP2ST), Large Diameter (Innotas), Mec-Mor (CMP/Variatex double jersey), Footwear (X-, XT-, XS-Machine intarsia machines), Socks (HT-50, STAR-S, plus intarsia variants), K-Fabric (laminating machine for seamless tubular products), Sangiacomo, and Macchine Ausiliarie (automatic sewing systems). Core proprietary technology centers on needle-by-needle electronic selection, patented chain linking systems ("ago annegato"/sunken needle processing), mechatronic devices for selective terry (SM8-TOP2ST), piezoelectric needle-to-needle selection (Mec-Mor), and a recently completed AI-based integrated production process (SEAMLESS-WG) funded under the Italian PNRR. The portfolio is protected by multiple patent families spanning selective terry, intarsia knitting, true linking, and laminating technologies.

The business model is hardware-led industrial B2B sales: primary revenue comes from the sale of circular electronic knitting machines (pricing not publicly disclosed, quote-based via direct sales and local agents), supplemented by an aftermarket spare parts business (sold through authorized dealers with periodic promotional discounts) and revenue from technology co-development partnerships. Distribution runs through a global agent network spanning all continents and 60+ countries, complemented by direct sales from Brescia and active participation at 15+ international textile and footwear trade fairs annually (ITMA, ITM, ITMA ASIA+CITME, Colombiatex, Febratex, ISPO, APLF, Premiere Vision, ITME, etc.). Customers are industrial textile manufacturers globally, with co-development partnerships with major brand owners and suppliers including HP, Decathlon, Kelheim Fibres, Coatyarn, Macpi, and The Woolmark Company embedding Santoni into next-generation sustainable footwear, knitwear, and sanitary-wear manufacturing roadmaps.

The company employs 251–500 staff, holds paid-up share capital of €41,000,000, and has adopted an Italian Legislative Decree 231/2001 Organizational, Management and Control Model with a Code of Ethics and BDO-managed Whistleblowing channel. The firm markets to brand owners, designers, and yarn suppliers through trade fairs, a corporate news channel, YouTube-hosted product videos, and free online training courses, while pursuing expansion into adjacent categories such as 40-gauge seamless swimwear, AI-driven seamless knitwear design (SEAMLESS-WG), sustainable and repairable footwear (HP/Decathlon/Lonati concept, TPU-Evolution), and zero-waste period care products (Kelheim partnership).

Name

Santoni

Legal name

Santoni S.p.A.

Website

https://santoni.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Santoni S.p.A., founded in 1919 in Brescia, Italy, and part of Lonati Group since 1989, designs and manufactures circular electronic knitting machines for seamless knitwear, socks, footwear uppers, large-diameter fabric, and laminating, serving industrial textile manufacturers worldwide through a 60+ country agent network and global trade-fair presence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Knitting Machinery

NAICS

Narrow Fabric Mills and Schiffli Machine Embroidery (313220)

SIC

Knitting Mills (2250)

akta.pro primary industry

Narrow Fabrics & Webbings (Tapes/Ribbons/Straps) (IMAOABAD)

Keywords

• Circular knitting machines
• Seamless knitting technology
• Industrial textile machinery
• Sock knitting machines
• Footwear knitting machines

Headquarters

HQ city

Brescia

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Industrial machinery sales: Primary revenue stream from sale of circular electronic knitting machines (seamless, large diameter, socks, footwear, K-Fabric laminating, Mec-Mor). Machines sold directly and through global agent network. Major unit sales via trade shows and direct B2B engagement with industrial knitwear manufacturers.
2. Spare parts and aftermarket: Ongoing revenue stream from sale of spare parts to existing customer base. Promoted through periodic Black Friday promotions (30% discount on spare parts, excluding knitting elements and software) and discount campaigns. Dedicated spare parts contact email ([email protected]).
3. Technology partnerships and co-development: Revenue from collaborative innovation projects with industry partners (HP, Decathlon, Coatyarn, Macpi, Kelheim Fibres) for next-generation textile manufacturing solutions, particularly in sustainable footwear. Includes project-based collaborations and joint R&D for patented innovations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Santoni S.p.A. manufactures and sells circular electronic knitting machines for industrial textile production, with its core focus on seamlesswear (underwear, outerwear, sportswear, beachwear, sanitary wear) and expanded lines for socks/hosiery, footwear uppers, large-diameter knit fabrics, and laminating equipment. Machines are sold to industrial textile manufacturers worldwide via a global agent network and direct B2B engagement, supported by spare parts, training, and R&D-driven product innovation including patented needle-by-needle selection and AI-based production processes.

Product overview

Santoni S.p.A., founded in 1919 and part of Lonati Group since 1989, operates a multi-category industrial machinery platform organized around specialized circular knitting machine families. The Seamless category is anchored by the SM8-TOP2V (single seamless garments for underwear, outerwear, beachwear, sportswear, sanitary wear) and the SM8-TOP2ST (which adds patented needle-by-needle selective terry on top of the same seamless platform). The Large diameter category is represented by Innotas, a single jersey machine with 3 feeders per diameter inch. Mec-Mor is a dedicated sub-brand producing double-jersey circular knitting machines such as the MEC-MOR CMP, built on Variatex Technology with open variable panel. The Footwear category comprises three intarsia electronic knitting machines: X-MACHINE, XT-MACHINE, and XS-MACHINE, used to knit uppers and shoe components. The Socks category features the HT-50 (heavy terry), the STAR-S (true rib with five-color patterns), and dedicated versions of X-MACHINE, XT-MACHINE, and XS-MACHINE for hosiery. Auxiliary and complementary lines include the SANTONI K-FABRIC laminating machine for seamless tubular products, the Sangiacomo product line, and the Macchine Ausiliarie / Automatic Sewing Systems line. Beyond core machines, Santoni develops integrated application projects such as the SEAMLESS-WG AI-based seamless knitwear innovation (PNRR funded), the TPU-Evolution Shoe Project with Coatyarn and Macpi, the HP/Decathlon/Lonati shoe production concept, the Kelheim Fibres Period Panty, the Selective terry (SM8-TOP2ST), and the 40-gauge Swimwear line powered by SM8-TOP2V.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mec-Mor: Brand of large diameter circular knitting machinery for garment production, including the Mec-Mor CMP/Variatex variable-width double jersey circular knitting machines used for knitwear and footwear uppers.
• Sangiacomo

Products and services

• SM8-TOP2V Single Jersey electronic circular machine with 8 feeds and 2 points of needle-by-needle selection per feed, producing single seamless garments for underwear, outerwear, beachwear, sportswear, and sanitary wear. Optional terry capability. Powers the 40-gauge Swimwear application enabling one-piece swimsuit production in approximately ten minutes with zero material waste.
• SM8-TOP2ST Single jersey electronic circular machine with 8 feeds and 2 points of needle-by-needle selection per feed, for production of single garments in selective terry (needle-by-needle) and standard seamless garments. Uses an innovative patented mechatronic device for needle-by-needle / sinker-by-sinker selective terry with four registered patents enabling 3D structures with selective terry for thermoregulation, breathability, massaging effect, and softness.
• Innotas Large diameter single jersey circular knitting machine with 3 feeders per diameter inch capable of knitting up to 4 track structures with or without lycra. Features side-by-side needles and sinkers, open-shape sinker cams, individual open-shape cam boxes of forged aluminum alloy, automatic fabric take-down positioning, and convertible to three-thread fleece production. Available in tubular and open-width frames. Applications include underwear, sportswear, swimwear, and medical textiles.
• Sangiacomo Sub-brand product line within the Santoni portfolio focused on auxiliary and automated sewing systems for industrial textile manufacturing.
• Macchine Ausiliarie (Automatic Sewing Systems) Santoni's line of auxiliary machinery and automatic sewing systems, listed as a distinct product category in the company's product navigation, supporting downstream processing of knitted products.
• MEC-MOR CMP Garment Length Circular Knitting Machine complete with rib border separation, using Mec-Mor Variatex Technology with open variable panel. 33-inch diameter, gauges from E7 to E20, 12 feeds, with piezoelectric needle-to-needle selection on 3 technical ways for both cylinder and dial. Variable fabric panel width enables production of all sizes on a single machine without waste.
• X-MACHINE (Footwear) Single-cylinder INTARSIA electronic knitting machine with 4 reciprocating feeds and 2 selection points (3 technical ways) per feed and per rotating sense, producing intarsia products with cushioning areas knitted in sculpted terry. Uses patented chain linking system for sunken-needle processing enabling 4-feed high-definition colored logo and 3D patterns on the same course as intarsia and sculpted terry.
• XT-MACHINE (Footwear) Santoni-patented single-cylinder INTARSIA electronic knitting machine with 4 reciprocating feeds and 2 selection points per feed, designed to knit 4-feed high-definition colored logo patterns and 3D patterns on the same course as intarsia, sculpted terry, and transfer stitch areas. Closed toe optional. Targeted at footwear uppers.
• XS-MACHINE (Footwear) XS-MACHINE configured for footwear. Detailed specifications are provided via the machine's English PDF data sheet. Targeted at the production of intarsia footwear uppers with patented chain linking system for sunken needle processing.
• HT-50 Single-cylinder machine with one feed for production of heavy socks in terry with 4 colors plus ground on the same course. Optional knit or laid-in elastic. Optional automatic toe-closing by Santoni SbyS device using true linking technology for superior finishing, comfort, and durability.
• STAR-S Single-cylinder machine with one feed and needles in the dial, producing high-quality socks in true rib, five-color patterns, knit or laid-in elastic, and sculptured terry (on request). Santoni-patented special chain system drives only preselected needles to the stitch cam, with variable and three-dimensional effects obtainable without the aid of pickers. Optional automatic toe-closing by Lonati SbyS device using true linking.
• X-MACHINE (Socks) Single-cylinder INTARSIA electronic knitting machine with 4 reciprocating feeds and 2 selection points (3 technical ways) per feed and per rotating sense, configured for socks production. Detailed specifications are provided via the machine's English PDF data sheet.
• XT-MACHINE (Socks) Santoni XT-MACHINE configured for socks production, leveraging patented intarsia, sculpted terry, and transfer stitch capabilities. Detailed specifications are provided via the machine's English PDF data sheet.
• XS-MACHINE (Socks) Single-cylinder INTARSIA electronic knitting machine with 4 reciprocating feeds and 2 selection points (3 technical ways) per feed and per rotating sense for production of intarsia products with breathable mesh areas, cushioning areas, and/or transfer stitch areas knitted in sculpted terry. Patented chain linking system allows only preselected needles to be driven to the stitch cam. Standard version includes SByS closed toe device on 4-inch diameter for socks production.
• SANTONI K-FABRIC Revolutionary laminating machine able to heat-melt adhesive fabric on seamless tubular products made of natural or synthetic fibers. Operating frames are electronically adjustable to the proper size, with automatic feeding device, multi-step melting for 360-degree coupling, and a slitting device delivering finished open-width fabric at the end of the laminating cycle.

Quantifiable outcome

• One-piece seamless swimsuit produced in 10 minutes with zero material waste
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Lonati GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSantoni became part of the Lonati Group in 1989. Lonati Group is a diversified group active in textile, electronic, steel, real estate, financial, banking, and education sectors. Santoni benefits from exclusive technological and commercial synergies with other Group companies. PEC and corporate governance integrate with Lonati Group. Whistleblowing channel shared with Lonati Group.
• HPflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership announced at ITMA Milan on June 8, 2023. HP, Decathlon, and Lonati Group (including Santoni) unveiled a revolutionary sustainable manufacturing concept for sports footwear leveraging HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology and Santoni/Lonati knitting machines for uppers.
• DecathlonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced at ITMA Milan on June 8, 2023, together with HP and Lonati Group (Santoni). Together they define a sustainable, repairable sports shoe manufacturing approach: 3D printing + Santoni knitting for uppers with single/double-layer fabric, glueless assembly enabling separation of cushion and upper for targeted repairs, increased durability and recyclability. Also collaborated via Decathlon Italia for Alpin Socks inauguration in Turkey.
• Kelheim FibrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partnership for the New Generation Period Panty project using advanced machine technology (Santoni XT-Machine) and performance viscose fibres (Kelheim). Awarded at ITMF 2023 conference in Keqiao Shaoxing, China. Soft outer layer produced on Santoni circular knitting machines; functional inlay knitted in a single tube with multiple yarn layers for zero-waste production.
• CoatyarncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partnership for the TPU-Evolution Shoe Project. Coatyarn's TPU Evolution® coated yarn is processed with Mec-Mor CMP3 double jersey circular machine with Variatex Technology to produce knitted uppers for outdoor, sports, leisure, and workwear shoes with brilliant colors, incredible precision details, abrasion/chemical resistance, antibacterial properties, and 100% recyclability.
• MacpicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partnership for the TPU-Evolution Shoe Project. Macpi's 516.37 carousel press with 3 rotating plates for heating and cooling activates the polyurethane yarn creating matte-to-glossy color contrasts and built-in leather effect.
• Twine Solutions (Twine)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with Twine at Techtextil Frankfurt (21-24 June 2022, HALL 8.0, BOOTH G45). Joint participation in the trade fair.
• The Woolmark CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on the 'Seamless Knitting - Santoni Technology' free online course hosted on woolmarklearningcentre.com. Focuses on Merino wool yarns for seamless garment design with bodymapping, knit structures, yarns and colors. Aimed at designers and brands exploring wool-based seamless innovation.
• Studio Eva x CarolaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with Santoni and The Woolmark Company on the 'Seamless Knitting - Santoni Technology' free online course focused on Merino wool yarn design for seamless garments.
• Alpin Socks (Turkey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurkish sock manufacturer; inauguration of new headquarters in Turkey attended by Lonati Group delegation, in partnership with Decathlon Italia. Santoni representatives Jacob and Redoglio participated in the delegation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Lonati Group: Santoni's parent conglomerate and direct operator of sock/hosiery knitting machines. Comparable as a manufacturer of industrial circular knitting machinery with a long Italian heritage, but operates across the broader Lonati portfolio (electronics, steel, finance) and competes most directly with Santoni in the single-cylinder sock machine segment.
• Itema Group: Italian-headquartered manufacturer of weaving machines (including Sulzer and Itema brands) serving the global industrial textile machinery market. Comparable to Santoni as an Italian-based, globally operating industrial textile machinery maker with similar scale, premium positioning, and aftermarket revenue.
• Picanol Group: Belgian manufacturer of weaving machines and a major industrial textile machinery incumbent. Comparable to Santoni as a global industrial textile-machinery leader with comparable scale, customer base (industrial textile mills), and aftermarket/services model, though addressing weaving rather than knitting.
• Shima Seiki: Japanese manufacturer of flat knitting machines (including WHOLEGARMENT seamless) and CAD/CAM software for textile design and production. Comparable to Santoni as a global seamless knitting machinery leader, though addressing flat (rather than circular) knitting, with deep software and automation capabilities.
• Karl Mayer: German global leader in warp knitting and technical textiles machinery. Comparable to Santoni as a major industrial textile machinery incumbent with deep R&D, broad product portfolio, and global service network serving textile manufacturers.

Direct peers

• Mayer & Cie. German manufacturer of circular knitting machines for jersey, rib, fleece, and seamless applications. Direct competitor to Santoni in single jersey and large diameter circular knitting for apparel and technical textiles, with overlapping end customers in global textile mills.
• Pai Lung Machinery Mill: Taiwanese manufacturer of circular knitting machines (single jersey, double jersey, jacquard, fleece). Direct competitor to Santoni in industrial circular knitting, particularly in the large-diameter and commodity apparel segments, with strong presence in Asian textile markets.
• CamBER: Italian manufacturer of circular knitting machines for hosiery, seamless garments, and apparel. Comparable to Santoni as a heritage Italian circular knitting machinery maker serving the same textile-mill customer base in socks, seamless, and apparel segments.
• Terrot: German circular knitting machine maker specializing in single jersey, double jersey, and electronic jacquard machines for apparel, sportswear, and technical textiles. Comparable to Santoni in large-diameter circular knitting technology and global textile-mill customer base.

Emerging players

• Stoll (H. Stoll AG & Co. KG): German manufacturer of flat knitting machines for fashion, technical textiles, and seamless applications. Comparable to Santoni in seamless knitting technology for premium apparel and as a competitor for industrial textile-mill capex, though flat (vs. circular) knitting serves different product geometries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Santoni