Shima Seiki’s Digital Ecosystem: Driving Faster Product Development

As much as 75% of the total product development timeline is spent in preproduction, with the remaining time going into production and logistics. Every day saved in pre-production translates into faster deliveries, lower costs, improved cash flow and a stronger competitive advantage.

SHIMA SEIKI is helping manufacturers capture these gains through digital product creation and simulation solutions centred on its APEXFiz® design software, allowing products to be designed, refined and evaluated long before the first physical sample is made. 

Best known for its computerised flat knitting machines, the Japanese company is also strengthening its presence in India. Apparel Resources spoke to a SHIMA SEIKI spokesperson about its digital solutions that are helping manufacturers accelerate product development, reduce labour dependence and move towards higher-value production. 

AR: Digital product creation has promised to transform apparel development for years. What will it take to move from digital experimentation to real manufacturing impact? 

Digital product creation has gained significant attention across the fashion industry because it helps improve development speed, reduce costs and support sustainability initiatives. However, we believe the true value of DPC lies not simply in creating realistic digital assets, but in connecting those digital products directly to manufacturing. This is what differentiates SHIMA SEIKI’s approach from traditional 3D design workflows. 

At the center of our strategy is APEXFiz design software, which supports the entire workflow from planning and design through digital sampling and production. 

Using APEXFiz, yarn manufacturers can digitize and share yarn data through the yarnbank® digital yarn sourcing web service, allowing brands to create highly realistic virtual products based on actual yarn characteristics. At the same time, the design process generates technical data for production that can be shared directly with manufacturing partners, enabling earlier evaluation of manufacturability and a smoother transition from product development to production. By allowing all stakeholders to work from the same digital product information, suppliers can assess production feasibility earlier, communication becomes more efficient, and development cycles can be significantly shortened. 

In addition, SHIMA Datamall™ digital content web service is helping customers accelerate product innovation by providing access to a wide range of knitting data and design assets that can be utilized within APEXFiz®. 

To further strengthen this digitalto-production workflow, we continue to expand the APEXFiz ecosystem through partnerships with industry leaders. For example, our collaboration with CLO Virtual Fashion under the CLO Ecosystem Partnership Program (EPP) connects 3D garment design, knit simulation and manufacturing, while our partnership with Lonati extends the same approach to the sock industry through the integration of APEXFiz and Lonati’s ORION software. 

A particularly powerful example of this integrated approach is the combination of APEXFiz and seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology. By knitting complete garments in three dimensions without sewing, manufacturers can reduce material waste, eliminate sewing processes and shorten production lead times, while also creating innovative knitwear designs that would be difficult to achieve through conventional manufacturing methods. 

As a result, we are seeing growing opportunities in premium and specialized knitwear categories, including seam-free luxury knitwear, athleisure, performance wear and technical textiles. 

AR: Reducing samples and shortening lead times sounds great in theory. Can you share a real example of how your technologies have helped a customer achieve this? 

The value of these technologies can be seen most clearly in the results our customers achieve. 

For example, one premium knitwear manufacturer previously required four to five rounds of physical sampling before approving a product. After implementing SHIMA SEIKI’s digital design and simulation technologies, sampling was reduced to just one or two iterations in many cases. Digital samples are now used for design evaluation, approvals and production communication, resulting in improved first-sample accuracy, reduced yarn consumption and significantly shorter development lead times. Processes that once took more than a month can now be completed digitally in a matter of days.

AR: AI is becoming a bigger part of product development. How is SHIMA SEIKI integrating AI into its solutions, and where do you see the biggest opportunities? 

SHIMA SEIKI has long promoted the digitalisation of workflows across the supply chain, from raw material sourcing and product planning to digital prototyping, production data programming and manufacturing. We view AI as a key technology for accelerating these processes. 

To support this vision, we are currently developing NEURALKNIT.AI®, a family of AI solutions built on SHIMA SEIKI’s decades of knitting expertise and technical know-how. Unlike general AI tools, NEURALKNIT. AI® is designed specifically for knitwear and can generate highly realistic knitwear visuals that support concept development and design exploration. Looking ahead, we also aim to leverage AI to strengthen the connection between product planning, design and manufacturing, enabling a more seamless and efficient development workflow. 

AR: India’s knitwear industry is evolving fast. What are manufacturers looking for today, and how is SHIMA SEIKI responding to those needs? 

India is one of the fastest-growing knitwear manufacturing markets and is steadily moving toward highervalue production. Based on our discussions with local manufacturers, four key trends are emerging. 

First, manufacturers are looking for faster product development and reduced sampling as brands demand shorter lead times and more frequent collections. 

Second, there is growing demand for modern yet affordable technology. Startups and emerging brands are also seeking affordable and versatile solutions. The N.SSR model computerized flat knitting machine was developed to address these requirements. 

Third, manufacturers are seeking higher productivity with less dependence on skilled labor. Rising labor costs and shortages of experienced knit programmers and technicians are driving demand for technologies that improve efficiency while maintaining quality. Our latest flat knitting machines, including the N.SVR series, help address these challenges while supporting innovative knitting techniques such as i-Plating®, which enables jacquard-like effects with lower yarn consumption and lighter fabrics. 

Finally, demand is growing for premium and functional knitwear, including seam-free knitwear, athleisure, performance wear and technical textiles. Through WHOLEGARMENT®, advanced flat knitting machines and digital development technologies, we help manufacturers expand into these higher-value market segments.