Austria has a smaller but highly specialised knitwear supply base. The companies below are not a ranked list and they do not all offer the same production model. Some make finished knitwear in Austria, while others focus on knitted fabrics, technical 3D structures, prototypes or their own collections. That distinction matters when you are comparing suppliers for a fashion label, private-label range or performance product.
For buyers searching for knitwear manufacturers in Austria, the first question is not simply which company looks most established. It is whether the supplier can make your product, at your required scale, with the level of development support and production transparency you need. Public MOQ information is limited, so every buyer should confirm capacity, outside-brand availability, sampling terms, yarn sourcing and actual production location directly.
How to Use This Austrian Manufacturer List
The list combines finished-garment manufacturers with upstream textile and development partners because the Austrian market is structured around different specialist capabilities. A fashion brand looking for a fully finished cardigan should not assess a technical fabric producer by the same criteria as a small garment workshop. Conversely, a brand developing a seamless product, spacer structure or performance fabric may need a specialist rather than a conventional sweater factory.
The Austrian Fashion Association’s network database is useful because it separates machine knitting, prototyping, contract manufacturing and textile production. That separation reflects a practical sourcing reality: the right partner may be a factory, a development studio, a knitting mill or a combination of several companies.
Descriptions below use only capabilities that were publicly supported by an official company website or the Austrian Fashion Association directory. Where a company mainly produces for its own brand or does not publish external-client terms, that limitation is stated rather than assumed away.
Quick Comparison
| Company | Supplier type | Relevant focus | Public MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adem’s Strickdesign | Garment knitwear producer | Fully fashioned, whole garment, prototypes and small series | Not publicly stated |
| Arula | Knitted fabric producer | Fashion, bodywear, activewear, dyeing and finishing | Not publicly stated |
| Boos | Walk and knitwear manufactory | Wool knitwear, boiled wool and customised traditional styles | Not publicly stated |
| Horst Sitte | Small knitwear manufactory | Women’s merino knitwear and Austrian production | Not publicly stated |
| Kobleder | Technical knitting partner | 3D-knitted fabrics, spacer structures and technical products | Not publicly stated |
| Löffler | Sportswear manufacturer | In-house knitting mill, performance fabrics and teamwear | Not publicly stated |
| Phil Petter | Brand-owned knitting factory | Men’s knitwear, in-house production and European materials | Not publicly stated |
| Luppi-Werner | Prototype and small-series specialist | Knitting patterns, prototypes and series of up to 10 pieces | Up to 10 pieces listed |
The table is a starting point, not a quotation comparison. A supplier’s published product range does not automatically mean it accepts private-label orders or can reproduce your required gauge, stitch structure, size range or annual volume.
What to Verify Before You Place an Order
Start with the product specification. A sweater is not defined only by its fibre content. Gauge, stitch density, yarn count, construction, shaping, washing, linking and finishing all affect fit, cost and repeatability. A fine 18GG lightweight top, a 3GG winter pullover and a boiled wool jacket may require very different machinery and production routes.
Ask whether the supplier works from a Tech Pack, can create or correct patterns, and provides a pre-production sample. Confirm whether the quoted process is fully fashioned, cut-and-sew, whole-garment or knitted fabric followed by garment assembly. These terms affect seam placement, waste, labour content, fit adjustment and the way measurements should be approved.
MOQ needs equal care. A low garment MOQ can still be affected by yarn minimums, custom colours, labels, trims, programming and sample costs. If the supplier does not publish an MOQ, write a realistic enquiry covering style count, colour count, size range and expected repeat orders rather than asking only for a unit price.
Industry evidence: SHIMA SEIKI describes WHOLEGARMENT as a process that knits an entire garment in one piece, while the Austrian Fashion Association lists fully fashioned, whole-garment, prototyping and series-production capabilities as distinct supplier services. Buyers should therefore confirm the actual construction method instead of treating every Austrian knitting company as interchangeable.
Austrian Knitwear Manufacturers to Compare
1. Adem’s Strickdesign
Adem’s Strickdesign is a Vienna-based knitwear producer with a factory location on Koppstraße. Its public profile combines direct Austrian knitwear production with made-to-measure work, wholesale activity and a broad size offer. The Austrian Fashion Association lists fully fashioned and whole-garment production, pattern development, prototyping, sample collections and small-batch and series production.
- Type and location: Knitwear producer and development partner in Vienna.
- Products and capabilities: Fully fashioned knitwear, whole garment, prototypes, sample collections and series.
- Best suited to: Brands needing local development or small-batch knitwear production.
- MOQ / order information: Not publicly stated; confirm directly.
- Production location: Factory address listed in Vienna; confirm which stages remain in Austria.
- Buyers should confirm: Gauge range, yarn sourcing, grading, sample fees and external-brand capacity.
- Website: https://www.strickdesign.at/
2. Arula
Arula is an Austrian knitted-fabric producer based in Mäder, Vorarlberg. It is better understood as an upstream textile partner than a conventional finished-sweater factory. The company develops and produces knitted fabrics for fashion, bodywear, activewear and technical applications, with knitting, dyeing, finishing and textile refinement integrated at the Mäder site.
- Type and location: Knitted-fabric manufacturer and textile development partner in Mäder.
- Products and capabilities: Fashion fabrics, cellulosic and natural-fibre qualities, dyeing and finishing.
- Best suited to: Brands developing custom fabric qualities or performance-led knitwear.
- MOQ / order information: Not publicly stated; confirm directly.
- Production location: Knitting, dyeing and finishing are presented at the Austrian Mäder site.
- Buyers should confirm: Finished-garment partners, fabric widths, testing, colour minimums and delivery terms.
- Website: https://www.arula-textile.com/
4. Horst Sitte Strickmanufaktur
Horst Sitte is a small knitwear manufactory in Wolfpassing, Lower Austria. The company describes collections for women, Austrian production and a focus on 100% extra-fine merino wool. Its public positioning is strongly brand-led, so it should be approached as a specialist benchmark or possible small-production partner rather than assumed to be an open private-label factory.
- Type and location: Small luxury knitwear manufactory in Wolfpassing, Lower Austria.
- Products and capabilities: Women’s knitwear, merino garments and boiled-wool outerwear.
- Best suited to: Premium, low-volume collections with a strong Austrian-made story.
- MOQ / order information: Not publicly stated; confirm directly.
- Production location: The company states that production takes place exclusively in Lower Austria.
- Buyers should confirm: Whether external brands are accepted, available gauges, development fees and capacity.
- Website: https://www.horst-sitte.com/
5. Kobleder
Kobleder is a fourth-generation Austrian producer specialising in technical knitted fabrics and 3D-knitted textile solutions. Its work covers spacer structures, flat-knitted fabrics, seamless components and complete product solutions for areas such as mobility, furniture, interiors, consumer goods and safety. It is not a standard fashion sweater factory, but it may be valuable for technically differentiated wearable or lifestyle products.
- Type and location: Technical knitting manufacturer in St. Martin im Innkreis.
- Products and capabilities: 3D-knitted fabrics, spacer structures, flat knitting and seamless components.
- Best suited to: Functional, technical, furniture-linked or innovative knitwear concepts.
- MOQ / order information: Not publicly stated; confirm directly.
- Production location: The official site identifies St. Martin im Innkreis, Austria.
- Buyers should confirm: Fashion-garment suitability, yarn specifications, testing and serial-production quantities.
- Website: https://www.kobleder.at/
6. Löffler
Löffler is an Austrian sportswear manufacturer based in Ried im Innkreis. Its production page states that more than two thirds of its fabrics are made in its own knitting mill, alongside cutting, sewing, finishing and quality control. The company focuses on cycling, running, outdoor, alpine sports and teamwear, making it a specialist option for performance rather than fashion-led seasonal sweaters.
- Type and location: Sportswear manufacturer with an in-house knitting mill in Ried.
- Products and capabilities: Performance fabrics, seamless products, cycling and teamwear production.
- Best suited to: Technical sportswear, activewear and functional knitted products.
- MOQ / order information: Not publicly stated; confirm directly.
- Production location: Production is carried out in Austria and Europe; confirm product-specific origin.
- Buyers should confirm: External-brand programmes, fabric access, order scale and certification scope.
- Website: https://www.loeffler.at/
7. Phil Petter
Phil Petter operates its own knitting factory in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg. The company states that design, knitting, cutting, sewing and final inspection take place under one roof, with materials sourced primarily from European partners. Its public business is centred on its own men’s knitwear collections, so an outside brand should verify whether contract manufacturing or development projects are currently available.
- Type and location: Brand-owned knitwear factory in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg.
- Products and capabilities: Men’s sweaters, cardigans and shaped knitwear with in-house finishing.
- Best suited to: Premium brands seeking Austrian production and traceable European sourcing.
- MOQ / order information: Not publicly stated; confirm directly.
- Production location: The company states that garments are made entirely in Austria.
- Buyers should confirm: External-client availability, product categories, development process and capacity.
- Website: https://shop.philpetter.com/
How to Shortlist the Right Partner
Reduce the list by matching the supplier’s production model to your product. For a conventional fashion collection, start with garment knitters and prototype specialists. For custom fabric development, consider Arula. For performance or seamless structures, investigate Löffler or Kobleder. For a premium Austrian-made story, Boos, Horst Sitte and Phil Petter may be relevant, but their external-client terms need direct confirmation.
Prepare a concise enquiry with sketches or a Tech Pack, fibre composition, target gauge, size range, colour count, expected first order, repeat forecast, packaging requirements and destination market. Ask for the manufacturing location of every major step, not just the company address. Then compare the sample process, measurement controls, yarn approvals, shrinkage testing, inspection method and communication speed before comparing unit prices.
For a separate review of private-label structures, see the private-label knitwear guide. Buyers prioritising small opening quantities can also compare low MOQ knitwear manufacturing options, while quality-sensitive projects should review the knitwear quality control process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are All Companies on This List Finished Garment Factories?
No. Arula and Kobleder are especially relevant as knitted-fabric or technical knitting partners, while Luppi-Werner focuses on prototypes and small series. Confirm the complete production route before sending an order.
Do Austrian Knitwear Manufacturers Publish MOQ Information?
Public MOQ information is limited. The exception identified here is Luppi-Werner, which is listed for small series of up to 10 pieces. Other suppliers should be contacted with your style, colour, size and repeat-order plan.
Is Austrian Production Suitable for Startup Brands?
It can be suitable for prototypes, premium positioning and smaller regional collections, but the cost may be higher than large-volume offshore production. Sampling terms and minimum yarn quantities need careful comparison.
What Should Buyers Include in the First Enquiry?
Include product drawings, fibre content, target gauge, measurements, colours, estimated quantity, delivery market and whether you need pattern development, sampling, labels, packing or full-package production.
Can I Assume a Company Accepts Private-Label Orders?
No. Some businesses primarily sell their own collections or specialise in materials and technical products. External-brand availability must be confirmed directly and should not be inferred from a public product catalogue.
Conclusion
The most suitable supplier is the one whose product specialisation, material expertise, development process and quality controls match the needs of the collection. Compare the verified capabilities and working approach of each manufacturer against the specific project requirements instead of relying on broad claims or a single headline figure.
Looking for a Knitwear Manufacturer in China?
KnitSeek is a custom knitwear manufacturer based in Hangzhou, China. We support fashion brands with OEM, ODM and private-label development, covering 3GG–18GG flat knitting on Stoll, Shima Seiki and Cixing machines, together with yarn sourcing, sampling, jacquard, intarsia, embroidery, fully fashioned knitting and quality control.
If you are comparing Chinese suppliers for sweaters or other knitted products, explore KnitSeek’s custom knitwear manufacturing service or contact KnitSeek to discuss your design, target quantity and production requirements.
References
- Austrian Fashion Association network database.
- SHIMA SEIKI WHOLEGARMENT technology.
- Official production information from the manufacturer websites linked in the comparison list, including Löffler and Phil Petter.
About the Author
Wen | Senior Knitwear Consultant, KnitSeek
Wen has more than 20 years of practical experience in knitwear development, production management and garment quality control. As a senior knitwear consultant at KnitSeek, Wen helps fashion brands make practical sourcing, sampling and manufacturing decisions.
