Helmut Schlotterer, Founder, Owner and Managing Director
„The innovative strength and distinctive character of the brand are rooted in German production.“
Helmut Schlotterer, Founder, Owner and Managing Director
Helmut Schlotterer, Founder, Owner and Managing Director
A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES
The core of every Marc Cain collection is knitwear. Exceptional patterns, innovative knitting techniques and outstanding workmanship show just how much expertise and craftsmanship goes into every single item. With the introduction of electronically controlled knitting machines in the 1970s, production on a larger scale became possible for the first time. A lot has happened since then.
In our ultra-modern production facilities covering an area of 2,000 square metres, we manufacture around 390,000 knitwear items annually on a total of 119 knitting machines – an impressive capacity of approximately 1.5 million knitted pieces per year. This involves the use of 112 flat knitting machines and 7 circular knitting machines. Our production runs on working days in a rare and efficient 24-hour operation with three shifts.
All Marc Cain collections are created at the company headquarters. State-of-the-art features also include exclusive production technology, special prints and high quality standards. An in-house development department continuously works on new processes and is what makes this highly specialized artisanal know-how possible in the first place.
Programmers and engineers have invested countless hours into the research and development of this technology. The result is unique in the industry: the machines are capable of independently detecting knots in the yarn, knitting them separately, and resuming the work process without any downtime. Various knitting techniques, ranging from plain knit to rib, cable and jacquard patterns, are also possible.
Programmers and engineers have invested countless hours into the research and development of this technology. The result is unique in the industry: the machines are capable of independently detecting knots in the yarn, knitting them separately, and resuming the work process without any downtime. Various knitting techniques, ranging from plain knit to rib, cable and jacquard patterns, are also possible.
All Marc Cain collections are created at the company headquarters. State-of-the-art features also include exclusive production technology, special prints and high quality standards. An in-house development department continuously works on new processes and is what makes this highly specialized artisanal know-how possible in the first place.
Programmers and engineers have invested countless hours into the research and development of this technology. The result is unique in the industry: the machines are capable of independently detecting knots in the yarn, knitting them separately, and resuming the work process without any downtime. Various knitting techniques, ranging from plain knit to rib, cable and jacquard patterns, are also possible.
Programmers and engineers have invested countless hours into the research and development of this technology. The result is unique in the industry: the machines are capable of independently detecting knots in the yarn, knitting them separately, and resuming the work process without any downtime. Various knitting techniques, ranging from plain knit to rib, cable and jacquard patterns, are also possible.
Quality begins with procurement. Marc Cain sources almost all of its fabrics, yarns and jersey materials from Europe, primarily from Italy. After a fabric has been shortlisted by the designers, a sample piece is sewn from it to see how it drapes.
Quality begins with procurement. Marc Cain sources almost all of its fabrics, yarns and jersey materials from Europe, primarily from Italy. After a fabric has been shortlisted by the designers, a sample piece is sewn from it to see how it drapes.
Subsequent tests then evaluate criteria such as care properties, abrasion resistance and pilling behaviour. Once all tests have been completed, the designers begin creating the collection. Each season, a quality check involves an incredible 31,000 steps. This is a staggering figure that demonstrates just how much attention to detail goes into every collection.
Subsequent tests then evaluate criteria such as care properties, abrasion resistance and pilling behaviour. Once all tests have been completed, the designers begin creating the collection. Each season, a quality check involves an incredible 31,000 steps. This is a staggering figure that demonstrates just how much attention to detail goes into every collection.
The location in Germany is what makes these elaborate quality standards possible in the first place. This is because all processes – from design and development to production – take place under one roof. In its own winding and twisting mill, Marc Cain exclusively creates its own yarn creations, which make the knitwear models even more unique.
The location in Germany is what makes these elaborate quality standards possible in the first place. This is because all processes – from design and development to production – take place under one roof. In its own winding and twisting mill, Marc Cain exclusively creates its own yarn creations, which make the knitwear models even more unique.
HIGHEST QUALITY STANDARDS
Textile manufacturing is followed by finishing. Every single Marc Cain article goes through a finishing programme specifically tailored to it, such as steaming or ironing. Steaming and ironing serve, for example, to maintain shape, while drying ensures volume, density and elasticity. In this way, specific visual and tactile effects are achieved, and quality and material properties are improved. Manual processes are paramount, meaning that each item is handled up to 90 times and repeatedly inspected in the process. This is the only way to guarantee consistent standards. It is precisely this manufacturing know-how that makes Marc Cain so special.
HIGHEST QUALITY STANDARDS
Textile manufacturing is followed by finishing. Every single Marc Cain article goes through a finishing programme specifically tailored to it, such as steaming or ironing. Steaming and ironing serve, for example, to maintain shape, while drying ensures volume, density and elasticity. In this way, specific visual and tactile effects are achieved, and quality and material properties are improved. Manual processes are paramount, meaning that each item is handled up to 90 times and repeatedly inspected in the process. This is the only way to guarantee consistent standards. It is precisely this manufacturing know-how that makes Marc Cain so special.
Special attention is paid to the charismatic prints in every collection, which are typical of Marc Cain. Here, too, the company is forging its own path: since 2007, Marc Cain has had its colours manufactured exclusively for it. Proprietary printing processes also guarantee incomparable colour brilliance and durability. In the inkjet printing process, the colour reaches the fabric via a nozzle, where it forms a permanent bond with the fibre. Thanks to this true dyeing process, the prints can neither crack nor break. Even 360-degree print motifs on knitwear are possible in this way.