Dr. Barry Arkles Resumes Position As CEO Of Gelest Inc.

MORRISVILLE, Pa. — October 12, 2020 — Gelest Inc. announced today that Dr. Barry Arkles, has been appointed the CEO of Gelest Inc. effective immediately. Dr. Arkles is also the chairman of the board of Gelest, the company he co-founded in 1991. On October 1, 2020, Gelest was acquired by Mitsubishi Chemical America Inc. (MCA), the U.S. subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. (MCC).

“Dr. Arkles’ comprehensive knowledge of the business and technology of Gelest provides excellent continuity as members of the talented leadership team join to support the continued growth of the company in the key markets served: medical device, semiconductor, personal care, pharmaceutical and diagnostic science,” remarked Steve Yurich, MCA president.

Dr. Arkles stated: “My primary objective will be to deploy the technological strengths of Gelest and its parent Mitsubishi Chemical in service to the customer base that depends on us and the communities that we serve. With the support of our reliable and talented employees, I anticipate a smooth transition into the Mitsubishi Chemical organization while sustaining the continued growth of Gelest.”

Dr. Arkles’ appointment follows the resignation of Ken Gayer as CEO of Gelest.

Posted October 12, 2020

Source: Gelest Inc.

Frontier Digital Textile Collaboration Platform Seamlessly Connects Brands With Supply Chain At TITAS And Beyond

TAIPEI, Taiwan — October 12, 2020 — Frontier, a collaboration software as a service (SaaS) designed to digitize fabric materials, enhance supply chain management, and boost 3D design capabilities, will present its workflow enhancing technology to brands, mills and manufactures at the Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (TITAS) taking place at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center October 13-15, 2020.

At the show, Frontier will highlight its new strategic partnership with C-Design PLM, a cloud-based product lifecycle management (PLM) from France, which will be the first of its kind to integrate materials into PLM and supply chain digitization. It will also offer interactive sessions for interested attendees to demonstrate the ease and capability of the platform to digitally connect and interact with supply chain as working remotely becomes the new normal.

“From our recent standing room only workshop held here, we found that as material developers — whether they be from the brand, mill or manufacturer side — had the opportunity to experience new Digital Product Creation (DPC) tools and how best to embrace them for their use, they discovered how adaptable they are and how they can integrate into organizations’ daily workflow,” said Wayne Fan, Chief Strategy Officer, Frontier. “Suppliers began to realize that Frontier can transform their business digitally by launching their digital assets into the cloud and connect seamlessly with virtual prototyping applications.”

Frontier will also extend interactive opportunities for exhibitors who cannot attend the TITAS live show through its virtual show taking place on October 21-30, 2020. Frontier will provide options for brand designers and product developers to freely and seamlessly enter into the Frontier platform, without any barrier of entry, to search trends in the marketplace, fabric suppliers and interact with the entire supply chain.

“As many of the online trade shows only offer pre-recorded interviews, panel discussion, and static virtual booths, there is very little live interactive engagement,” said Fan. “We are looking to connect and engage with those who cannot attend the TITAS show due to COVID-19 through our extended virtual program to make trade shows live again.”

Please visit Frontier at TITAS in Hall 1, booth M1101, and virtually October 21-30 at https://frontier.cool/virtualevent.

Posted October 12, 2020

Source: Frontier

Precision Textiles Expands IQ FIT Product Lineup With Its First Glass-Free, All-Natural FR Mattress Sock

TOTOWA, N.J. — October 12, 2020 — Precision Textiles, a supplier of coated fabrics, nonwovens and laminations for the bedding, automotive, health care and home furnishings industries, has expanded its popular IQ FIT® product family with the addition of its first all-natural, cotton FR mattress sock. The IQ FIT Natural is a glass-free natural alternative to FR sock solutions made with fiberglass.

The IQ FIT Natural is not only 100 percent glass-free, but is made with sustainable, renewable cotton that delivers breathability and superb moisture wicking. The cotton selected is a natural, hypoallergenic, durable, long-lasting fiber that stays strong after years of use and biodegrades when composted. The new glass-free sock also eliminates the breakdown of fiberglass and provides bedding manufacturers with a safer FR solution. Each component within the sock was chosen not only for the safety of consumers but also for the safety of the environment. The new sock is also free of para-aramid and antimony — both of which offer fire resistance but can cause respiratory and skin irritation — to ensure consumers receive an all-natural sleep experience.

“The addition of the IQ FIT Natural to our product lineup allows us to offer mattress manufacturers an all-natural cotton FR mattress sock that is free of skin irritants and harmful chemicals,” said Keith Martin, vice president of Precision Textiles. “As consumers become more health conscious about the products they’re bringing into their homes, this breathable cotton option allows bedding producers to address the consumer demand for more sustainable and natural raw materials in their mattresses.”

IQ Fit Natural is available in three adaptive sizes — twin/twin XL, full/queen and king/California king.

Posted October 12, 2020

Source: Precision Textiles

YKK Commits To Achieving Climate Neutrality By 2050

TOKYO, Japan — October 12, 2020 — At today’s Copenhagen Fashion Summit, global sustainable trims leader YKK announced the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, which will serve as a roadmap to the company achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, among other targets. The Sustainability Vision 2050 consists of five themes with corresponding sustainability goals, as well as ten SDGs.

Theme 1:  Climate Change – Tackle greenhouse gas emissions and increase use of renewable energy

With the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, YKK commits to a 50-percent reduction of Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions) emissions from a 2018 baseline year by 2030. It also commits to a 30-percent reduction in Scope 3 emissions (all indirect emissions not included in Scope 2 that occur in its value chain). In order to achieve these targets, YKK will:

  • Reduce energy consumption through improved manufacturing and auxiliary equipment efficiency, streamlined operations and processes.
  • Stop the construction of new facilities using coal by 2019 and abolish all coal use in YKK facilities by 2030.
  • Install renewable power sources at YKK owned facilities for power generation where feasible.
  • Reduce Scope 2 emissions by purchasing renewable energy wherever possible.
  • Reduce Scope 3 emissions by switching to 100% sustainable textile materials by 2030.

Theme 2:  Material Resources – Increase use of sustainable materials

YKK commits to reducing waste and the use of petroleum derived materials throughout the lifecycle of its Fastening products. It further commits to contributing to the transition to a circular society by eliminating production and plastic waste and by developing products designed for circularity. In order to achieve these targets, YKK will:

  • Switch to 100-percent sustainable textile materials (recycled materials, naturally derived materials, etc.) by 2030.
  • Replace all vinyl/plastic packaging materials with sustainable packaging, including recyclable/reusable forms by 2030.
  • Reduce the amount of waste to be landfilled or incinerated at all productions sites and increase waste recycling rate to 90 percent by 2030.

Theme 3:  Water Resources – Reduce water use and manage wastewater

To combat serious water resource depletion and degradation, YKK commits to the following actions:

  • Reduce water intake through efficient usage, the development of new water saving production methods, and the increased recycling of wastewater.
  • Strictly manage wastewater at all manufacturing sites in accordance with government regulations and YKK in-house standards established based on industry standards such as Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC).

Theme 4:  Chemical Management – Manage and reduce chemical usage

To ensure a healthy environment for future generations, YKK will reduce the environmental impact caused by chemicals used in the manufacture of its products using the following measures:

  • Manage and further reduce the use of chemical substances in product manufacturing from input to output in accordance with YKK’s own standards (YKK Restricted Substance List), which was established based on industry standards such as the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL).
  • Confirm that finished products meet industry standards such as Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®, ensuring they are free of harmful substances.
  • Develop new production methods that reduce and eliminate the use of toxic chemicals.

Theme 5:  Respect people – Uphold human rights and ensure fair, safe work environments

YKK pledges to uphold the universal philosophy of respecting the dignity and rights of all human beings. The company commits to being inclusive and improving work environments throughout its supply chains by:

  • Implementing the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance (YGCC) audit, a comprehensive standard based upon YKK’s “Cycle of Goodness” philosophy and the ISO26000 guidelines, at YKK Group facilities.
  • Conducting periodic evaluations by third party auditors to assure transparency and improvement of sustainable practices.

YKK to Focus on ten United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

To ensure that its sustainability roadmap is aligned with needs of society, YKK mapped each of its five themes with the UN SDGs. While the company intends to tackle all 17 SDGs, the following ten were identified as the ones on which YKK could make the most impact:

  • Goal 5: Gender Equality
  • Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
  • Goal 14: Life Below Water
  • Goal 15: Life on Land
  • Goal 16 : Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

“YKK is constantly pursuing the creation of a sustainable society through our business,” said Hiroaki Otani, president, YKK Corp. “At the core of all our corporate activities is the philosophy of YKK founder Tadao Yoshida, the ‘Cycle of Goodness.’ The idea that ‘no one prospers without rendering benefit to others’ clearly expresses the YKK Group’s corporate spirit of continuing to prosper together with society and related industries, and we consider it to be a concept that leads to sustainability. Under the ‘Cycle of Goodness,’ YKK will address the essence of sustainability through our businesses and products and will continue to take on challenges in order to remain a socially good company.”

While YKK’s Sustainability Vision 2050 and goals are new, protecting the environment is part of YKK’s DNA. In 1994, YKK announced its first “Environmental Pledge” that proclaimed “harmony with the environment” as the “highest priority of YKK’s business activities.” In that same year, YKK launched the NATULON® zipper, which recycles approximately 3,600 plastic bottles per 10,000 zippers. NATULON Ocean Sourced™, a premium collection of zippers made from plastic waste that has been collected within 50 km of the coastline of Sri Lanka, launched in January 2020. YKK’s GreenRise™ zipper, the first in the industry to use plant-based polyester, thereby achieving a 30-percent reduction in petroleum usage, was launched in 2019. YKK’s sustainable trim collection also features organic cotton zippers and zippers made using YKK’s ECO-DYE® dyeing technology, which has completely eliminated the usage of water in the dyeing process.

Posted October 12, 2020

Source: YKK

Esteemed Founder & Chairman Of Fi-Tech Inc., Lee Bassett, Dies At Age 82

RICHMOND, Virginia — October 12, 2020 — C. L. (“Lee”) Bassett, founder and chairman of leading manufacturers representative and distribution firm, Fi-Tech, Inc. (“Fi-Tech”), passed away peacefully on October 5, 2020. The news was announced by his sons Jeffrey Bassett and Todd Bassett, who have operated the firm as managing directors since 2012.

Lee was born in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania in 1937 and later graduated from Duke University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After earning an MBA from the University of North Carolina, he began his career in manufacturing in Richmond, Va. In February 1972, with his wife Becky and three young children, Lee left a stable job and started Fi-Tech.

Lee launched Fi-Tech as a manufacturers representative firm for the man-made fibers industry and transformed it into a global business, serving as a connection to the most advanced suppliers in the polymer, man-made fibers, nonwovens, textile, converting, perforating and tobacco industries. Lee was revered for his commitment to building lasting relationships, a company attribute imbued by its founder. Personal attention and face to face contact was a hallmark of his approach to business, having steadily built Fi-Tech’s supplier and customer base over the years. In the 40 years prior to his retirement in 2012, Lee cultivated partnerships with nearly 50 principals across multiple countries. Fi-Tech also opened its office in San Luis Potosí, Mexico in 1995, and later purchased its principal, Arkote Ltd. in Sheffield, England. Throughout his years, Lee traveled extensively worldwide for both business and pleasure.

“Our father possessed the unique combination of an incredible intellect and attention to detail, as well as the important relational skills needed to be a successful businessman. He enjoyed and took great pride in building the long-term relationships based on mutual trust that are so important to our business,” stated Jeffrey and Todd Bassett.

Lee brought his three children into the company to add to Fi-Tech’s continued success. Jeffrey and Todd assumed leadership as managing directors in 2012, while his daughter, Julie Thompson, sits on the company’s board of directors. Lee continued to enjoy his global travels and interest in the company following his retirement.

Lee was awarded Duke University’s prestigious Pratt School of Engineering Distinguished Service Award and the Charles A. Dukes Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. He was an avid Duke basketball fan, holding season tickets for many years. Lee also had a strong interest in animal welfare, dedicating a tremendous amount of time and resources to the Richmond Animal League (RAL). He spearheaded numerous initiatives for the organization, including a program to reduce the cost of cat adoptions, as well as enhancements to the cat habitat within RAL’s shelter.

Beyond his significant, impactful career, Lee felt his greatest achievement was his children and the team of dedicated professionals who have, and will continue to, carry on his legacy of peerless quality and integrity. He is fondly remembered by his family, employees, customers, and principals as a mentor, teacher, and friend. His presence will be greatly missed.

Posted October 11, 2020

Source: Fi-Tech Inc.

Innovative Intimates Brand Ruby Ribbon Bolsters Management Ranks With Hiring Of Michelle Sanft As COO/CFO And Loly Hlade As CMO

LOS ANGELES — October 8, 2020 — To better fulfill its mission of supporting women with comfort, confidence and opportunity, Ruby Ribbon Inc. today announced the appointment of Michelle Sanft as the company’s new COO and CFO, and Loly Hlade as its new chief marketing officer. Both report to Clint McKinlay, CEO of the innovative, social commerce-driven intimates, shapewear and athleisure company.

With a 25-year career in financial management, operations and strategy, including executive experience in social-selling channels, Sanft will play a pivotal role as the company continues its growth phase via an expanded network of independent Stylists.  Most recently, Sanft led planning and business strategy as vice president of finance for Careismatic Brands, the leading global provider of medical apparel, scrubs and supplies.  Previously she served in executive, finance, operations, and strategic planning roles for Jafra Cosmetics and Guitar Center. Sanft said: “I am thrilled to combine my passion for developing businesses with the opportunity to support women entrepreneurs and promote a body positive community.”

A seasoned and creative marketing expert, Hlade will lead Ruby Ribbon’s brand marketing and communications as well as product development and category expansion efforts.  Before joining Ruby Ribbon, Loly served as vice president of marketing for Topgolf supporting innovation initiatives and brand expansion efforts. She also has prior experience in business development and marketing for leading consumer brands such as Disney and NBC Universal.  Her experience building new product categories, lasting brand loyalty and delivering impactful communications will serve her well in this role. Hlade started her career at McKinsey & Co. and Goldman Sachs.

Ruby Ribbon CEO Clint McKinlay stated: “I am thrilled to welcome both Michelle and Loly.  They are best in class executives, leaders and brand builders who will be key to our next phase of growth.  Their passion for our company’s mission and for developing and offering stylish and inclusive products for our customers has allowed them to make an immediate impact and become cherished leaders to our expanding national salesforce of women entrepreneurs.”

Posted October 9, 2020

Source: Ruby Ribbon

Liquid Wire Passes Wash Test For Performance Apparel

PORTLAND, Ore. — October 8, 2020 — Liquid Wire Inc. announced today that its stretchable circuitry has passed a stringent wash test regimen required by performance apparel makers.

Liquid Wire, founded in 2016 in Portland, Oregon, has established itself as the global leader in the emerging field of pliable and stretchable Metal Gel circuitry. The company produces advanced fluid circuits on both plastic and textile substrates using a Metal Gel based on a patented non-toxic gallium alloy modified with proprietary additives. The resulting circuit consists of fluid interconnects entrapped in soft elastic materials, duplicating the mechanical behavior of a moving human body. This allows sophisticated sensing and data processing functions to be directly integrated into comfortable form fitting garments.

Liquid Wire’s mission to produce electronics that flex and stretch naturally while embedded invisibly in functional materials also enables medical wearables, safety wear and non-wearable industrial applications in robotics, structural monitoring, automotive and aerospace.

The Portland metro area hosts many global leaders in performance apparel, so this was a natural first vertical market for Liquid Wire’s technology. To address this market, garments enhanced with Liquid Wire circuitry must endure the rigors of washing and drying. Repeated agitation, heat, and water immersion are challenges that few electronics can withstand.

Jorge Carbo, Innovation Director of Liquid Wire stated, “Through a third-party validated wash test program with the textile experts at Hohenstein, we are pleased to have delivered on this promise of making our invisibly integrated electronics something that customers can count on in their next-generation garments. Our Metal Gel sensors inherently can measure respiration and joint flexion. Temperature, heart rate, and other biometric sensor capabilities are also embeddable into Liquid Wire soft circuits.”

Posted October 9, 2020

Source: Liquid Wire Inc.

New, High-Volume EFI POWER And COLORS Printers Create Profit Opportunities In Soft Signage

FREMONT, Calif. — October 9, 2020 — Electronics For Imaging Inc.’s  (EFI’s) two new printers for the high-end, high productivity soft signage market help display graphics producers reach new heights in productivity and extend their capabilities. The EFI™ COLORS 340 printer announced today prints at up to 9,149 square feet per hour (in a four-color x 4 configuration) while providing unmatched color capabilities for premium-quality soft signage. For even higher-volume production environments, the EFI POWER 340 prints up to 16,835 square feet per hour.

Leveraging technology from EFI Reggiani’s 70-plus-year legacy of best-in-class fabric printing, both new offerings have the ability to print with higher quality on a wider range of materials than other soft signage inkjet devices, with 100-percent penetration on both sides of the material. The printers offer added versatility and economical ink capabilities with their ability to print either direct to fabric or to transfer paper using the same inkset, eliminating the significant cost and downtime related to switching over inks.

“EFI, through our Reggiani division, has decades of experience bringing to market the highest quality in fabric printing in the industry,” said Scott Schinlever, COO, EFI Inkjet. “These two new printers are specifically designed to meet the most stringent quality and productivity needs in soft signage for companies that want to truly differentiate themselves in a highly competitive marketplace. With their extreme speed and reliability, the EFI POWER and COLORS printers can often replace multiple soft signage printers, producing more premium signage work with a single footprint.”

The new printers follow the proven market successes EFI customers have achieved with VUTEk FabriVU® soft signage printers, which are among the most productive in their class for premium dispersed dye sublimation graphics. There are more than 250 FabriVU printers installed worldwide, many of them installations of FabriVU 340 and 340i models that give display graphics producers a higher-profit opportunity to enter the soft signage space. Building on that progress, EFI’s newest soft signage printers address the next level of production demand with higher throughput, more robust operation and even greater efficiency.

A new level of quality in premium soft signage

The EFI COLORS 340 printer has all the power and capability sign and display graphics providers have grown to expect from EFI, and more. It is ideal for many applications, from table throws and pop-up promotional tents to SEG backlits, flags and retail fixtures. At 11 feet wide with the ability to handle different fabrics up to 450 gr/m2, this printer delivers results that exceed the expectations of even the most demanding clients.

Using genuine EFI water-based CMYK dispersed dye inks, the printer gives users entrée into an ultra-premium point-of-purchase category for soft signage, producing smoother color transitions and ultra-realistic skin tones, unlike any other soft signage printer in the market. Available with up to 24 printheads, only the COLORS 340 offers greater versatility in color capabilities to print in four-color x 2, four-color x 4 or six-color x 4 configurations, as well as an eight-color configuration featuring standard CMYK and light CMK color inks, plus a penetrating agent.

Signage providers can print in production, point-of-purchase (POP) or very high quality at speeds up to 9,149 square feet per hour, achieving dramatic printing with a wide color gamut and rich, deep color saturation.

The printer’s 2,400 dots per inch (dpi) resolution with four level grayscale printing and drop sizes from 4 to 18 picoliters can deliver 100% penetration on both sides of the material, making it ideal for the production of national flags. Its precision sticky belt feeding mechanism ensures near-perfect, continuous tone image quality at high speeds with no wrinkle artifacts on a wide range of materials. And, EFI’s unique continuous ink recirculation system for textile printing improves ink yield, reducing the need to purge while eliminating downtime associated with printhead maintenance.

Extreme POWER meets maximum productivity needs

The new EFI POWER 340 digital soft signage printer has most of the capabilities of the COLORS 340 but at a blazing fast speed of up to 16,835 square feet per hour.

The POWER 340 is also capable of printing direct-to-fabric or onto transfer paper using genuine EFI water-based CMYK dispersed dye inks. And, like the COLORS 340 model, it employs the proven, reliable sticky belt feeding mechanism. The POWER 340 features up to four colors, in either four-color x 4 or four-color x 8 configurations. With its remarkable speeds, users can profit from producing the appropriate quality at the highest speed with a lower total cost of ownership for high-volume demands.

Both printers employ a powerful EFI Fiery® proServer Premium digital front end, which means operators can take advantage of the ultimate in color management, job management, and powerful tools for nesting, step and repeat, scaling, cropping, barcode creation and tiling.

Reduce your footprint, increase your output

With these two new solutions, soft signage producers can reduce their production footprint while also increasing their output by replacing multiple, slower devices with a single high-volume, premium-quality production powerhouse.

Posted October 9, 2020

Source: Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI)

Teijin Frontier Unveils New Extra-Absorbent, Fast-Drying Fabric With Diatomaceous Earth-Like Surface

TOKYO — October 9, 2020 — Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., the Teijin Group’s fibers and products converting company, announced today an all-new high-absorption, quick-drying fabric inspired by the fine structure of diatomaceous earth used in bath mats. Teijin Frontier will begin selling its new fabric for casual wear in spring/summer 2021 collections, targeting annual sales of 50,000 meters in fiscal 2020 and a tenfold increase to 500,000 meters in fiscal 2022.

About the new fabric:

– Technology

Similar to diatomaceous earth – Composite yarn is processed to swell as longitudinal warp and expand and contract as transverse weft, realizing a fabric surface with a fine uneven structure.

– The microporous surface structure, replicated by imitating diatomaceous earth creates interthread voids within a woven structure, using varying shrinkage in composite yarn to form convex parts.
Natural fiber-like structure – Natural-like appearance of fabric surface created with composite yarn made comprising random fibers of varying fineness and shrinkage.

 

– Structure

While conventional polyester fabrics have a smooth woven structure made with uniform fibers, the new fabric has a fine uneven structure made with random fibers.

– Fabric Features

The new fabric offers excellent water absorption and diffusion for quick drying. It also achieves a natural-like appearance and is stretchable.

High absorption and quick drying Fabric instantly diffuses moisture, is highly absorbent and dries some 40% faster than ordinary polyester thanks to density difference of uneven layer structure, which has a diatomaceous earth-like surface and a convex part that promotes capillary action.
Washing durability Excellent durability even after 50 washings to maintain fabric structure’s water-absorption and quick-drying properties.
Natural-like look and texture, plus stretchability Natural-like achieved with composite yarn made with random fibers of varying shrinkage. Yarn expands and contracts for moderate stretchability and soft texture. Wrinkles less than ordinary polyester.

 

Due to increases in double-income and single-person households, demands are rising for products that help to minimize housework, such as washing clothes. Related to this trend is the increasing popularity of easy-care attire that dries quickly after washing. Furthermore, clothing with natural-like appearances and textures have come into vogue in recent years.

Posted October 9, 2020

Source: Teijin Limited

Miller’s Textile Services Names Andrew Thornbury COO And Greg Hart Director Of Sales & Service

WAPAKONETA, Ohio — October 9, 2020 — Miller’s Textile Services (Miller’s), a family-owned, customer-centric supplier of professional quality uniforms, linens, mats, towels, healthcare textiles and facility services supplies, announced today the promotion of Andrew Thornbury from vice president of operations to COO. In addition, Miller’s named Greg Hart as director of sales & service. Combined, Thornbury and Hart have nearly 40 years of experience in customer service and business operations.

“Miller’s Textile Services is blessed to have leaders with such keen business acumen as Andrew and Greg to help accelerate our growth while maintaining the quality of service our customers have come to know Miller’s for,” said Robert L. Hager, president and CEO of Miller’s Textile Services. “After spending the last few months investing in and deploying industry-leading technology to improve our services and products for our customers, we are ready to have Andrew and Greg lead our efforts to implement our strategic plan to ensure our ongoing growth and success as we approach Miller’s 75th anniversary.”

In his new role as COO, Thornbury will be responsible for all aspects of Miller’s day-to-day operations in support of the company’s strategic and tactical plans. Thornbury joined Miller’s in October of 2016 as plant manager and was promoted the following year to Vice president of operations. Under Thornbury’s leadership, Miller’s has significantly expanded its presence and scope in their growing operating region, and has improved customer focus through technology driven inventory management processes that continuously improve its value proposition, earning industry accolades and certifications along the way.

“I am excited to have an expanded role with Miller’s to further enhance the value that we bring to our customers,” Thornbury said. “I look forward to collaborating with Greg and having his insight on building our customer base as we leverage our robust vendor relationships and extend into new markets.”

As incoming director of sales & service, Hart will be responsible for Miller’s revenue growth and exceptional customer service through improving internal and external communications, trainings and education systems as services are expanded into other markets. Prior to joining Miller’s, Hart was with Cintas Corp. During his time with Cintas, he held a number of roles beginning as a management trainee in 1995 and worked his way up to various executive level positions, helping to grow the company’s sales and profits. Most recently, Hart served as COO for J. Charles, a manufacturer of glass and crystal for the gift and recognition industry and as COO for the Designs Direct Creative Group, a home décor supplier.

“I welcome the opportunity to partner with Andrew to leverage Miller’s most important asset, its employees, as well as the long-standing, regionally based partnerships to meet our customer’s ever-changing needs while identifying new opportunities and markets,” Hart said. “With our combined experience and the strong foundation that Bob and his family have built, I am confident Miller’s will continue to prosper under our guidance for the benefit of our customers and the next generation of actively involved Hager family members.”

In 2021, Miller’s will celebrate its 75th anniversary. For more information about Miller’s Textile Services visit, www.millerstextile.com.

Posted October 9, 2020

Source: Miller’s Textile Services

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