Exhibit 23.01 The Board of Directors Crompton & Knowles Corporation One Station Place, Metro Center Stamford, CT 06902 We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Stamford, Connecticut July 19, 1996