ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — April 29, 2020 — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Moss Inc. has expanded its global manufacturing capabilities to include high-speed automated production for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Moss’s new fleet of proprietary manufacturing technology can produce a total global output of 1.2 Million face masks per day.
The automated manufacturing system was developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute of Product Technology IPT and a local machine builder in Germany. Moss will scale capacity in Europe and North America to produce global output of 3 Million masks a week by June and reach 6 Million masks per week by August. The masks are developed to meet the EN14683 surgical MNS mask standard in Germany and the ASTM Level 2 Procedure Mask rating in North America.
In planning the plant, the partners considered the entire supply chain from production of the required materials to certification and supply chain management. As soon as the first prototype is completed, it will be optimized further by Fraunhofer IPT in order to scale and automate production.
“Textiles and stitching have been part of the Moss legacy since the 1950’s. We’re proud to take these new production steps to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to secure ample, competitively-priced supply for global public health needs,” said Dan Patterson, president and CEO of Moss.
“Because of these skills in textile processing, we received many inquiries on whether we could help with face masks, including inquiries for hundreds of thousands,” said Peter Bottenberg, managing director of Moss Germany. “Thinking in solutions instead of problems has always been Moss’s greatest strength, and we’re grateful for the dynamic partners who undertook a quick solution with us.”
Leveraging its global network of suppliers, Moss supply chain experts continue securing needed materials and confirming suppliers meet Moss’s standards of excellence for reliable, quality fulfillment.
While Moss has already shipped several large orders, it will soon have capacity to fulfill high-volume orders from governments and public health organizations, including national contracts and re-stockpiling. Information available at solutions.mossinc.com/ppe/.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — April 29, 2020 — The COVID-19 pandemic has caught the world by surprise, and a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) has exposed the vulnerability of our healthcare and emergency response systems. While the virus has uncovered industry shortcomings, such as its dependence on outsourced supply chains, demand for PPE is thriving and creating market opportunities globally. According to Frost & Sullivan, on average, the industry grows at 3 to 5 percent per annum; however, the healthcare PPE segment is now experiencing an unprecedented boom, estimated at 80 to 100 percent, and is opening doors for new entrants, alliances, and partnership opportunities between PPE players and material suppliers.
Frost & Sullivan invites you to join Global President & Managing Partner Aroop Zutshi and Vice President Sanjiv Bhaskar for the Growth Opportunity briefing, “COVID-19: Growth Opportunities in the PPE Industry,” on May 7 at 11 a.m. EST. The briefing will highlight how the PPE industry can seize the growth opportunities presented and remain a favorite of the private equity community, and also discuss how the pandemic will change the PPE industry’s approach to different end-user industries.
For more information and to register for the webinar, please visit: http://frost.ly/42t
Key benefits of attending this webinar:
Understand the impact of COVID-19 on the industrial PPE markets.
Identify global opportunities for industrial PPE supplies of masks, gowns and eye protection in the healthcare industry.
Expose potential new competitors to industrial PPE players.
Discover how to overcome supply chain challenges such as over-dependence on imports.
Capitalize on the growing userbase to help your company expand.
Find out if COVID-19 will reverse the PPE consolidation trend or enhance it.
The event will also be recorded and available on-demand at http://frost.ly/1ti.
Monforts customers dominated in the Kingpins 2021 Most Sustainable Products (MSP) design collection.
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — April 29, 2020 — Monforts denim customers rallied to support a virtual version of the Kingpins denim show that was scheduled to take place in Amsterdam on April 22-23.
When the organizers were obliged to cancel the physical event due to COVID-19 restrictions, they immediately began working on an online alternative, and such was the positive response that they were able to livestream seamlessly across the entire two days that the show had been scheduled to take place.
Interviews, discussions, catwalk displays and presentations featuring brands, denim mills, artisans and raw materials suppliers were broadcast successfully from five continents.
In opening Kingpins24 on April 22 at 9 a.m., show Founder Andrew Olah (at 2 a.m. from Texas) and his co-host, Managing Director Vivian Wang (at midnight in Los Angeles), explained that more than 75 percent of the exhibitors who were scheduled to be in Amsterdam had responded positively to the idea, providing content and arranging interview slots and new presentations.
True Blue Solutions
Many of the companies involved outlined their development of new in-house practices and processes for more sustainable denim fabric production through the reduced use of water, chemicals and energy and it was no accident that Monforts customers dominated the Kingpins 2021 Most Sustainable Products (MSP) design collection.
While the organisers stressed the MSP was not a competition, merely a showcase of the latest sustainable denims, it featured fabrics from Aristic Milliners, Bossa, Calik, Kilim, Naveena, Orta Anadolu, Prosperity Textile and Vicunha.
Many companies are now using their existing Monforts technologies within integrated finishing mills to develop new in-house processes and further improve their ecological performance.
Artistic Milliners, for example, working with chemicals leader DyStar, has introduced Crystal Clear, an indigo dyeing process which is based on an organic fixing agent. It requires no salt and 70-percent less chemicals and produces clean and recyclable water effluent without any salt by-products. In conventional systems, the company says that indigo dyestuff is stored after the dyeing process and only about 20 percent can be reused due to salt formation. Crystal Clear uses a prereduced liquid indigo that requires no additional water or salt and allows complete indigo recovery.
Hong-Kong-based Advance Denim has developed a similar process it calls Green Finishing for removing indigo and the 100-percent recycling of water.
With the D-clear process developed by Calik of Turkey, water is reduced by 40 percent in indigo dyeing and by 83 percent in the subsequent finishing, while another Turkish company, Kilim, is looking to reduce water by 93 percent as a result of its current Cactus project.
Circularity
Monforts denim customers are also constantly exploring the possibilities of new and more sustainable raw materials and the latest to be featured prominently is hemp, as exemplified by Cone Denim’s new Sweet Leaf collection.
Cone Denim has also been working extensively on the Jeans Redesign project drawn up by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) with the aim of making circular production a reality. The project has involved a number of leading brands including Adidas, Burberry, C&A, Gap, H&M, M&S, Primark and Unilever.
Via this project, Cone has already produced a 100-percent cellulosic denim collection for Gap, although as a result of the coronavirus, its launch date has had to be pushed back to Spring 2021.
“The collaborative spirit from our brand partners is very encouraging, and we are excited by the energy and commitment within the denim community and believe there are many more opportunities to drive sustainable collaborations ahead,” said Cone president Steve Maggard.
Current outlook
Pursuing similar circularity goals is Soorty, which has already achieved Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Gold certification for both denim fabrics and garments produced to the most exacting standards.
In an interview on the current situation during Kingpins24, company director Asad Soorty said that with manufacturing plants in Bangladesh and Pakistan, a product development centre in Çorlu, Turkey, and a design house in Amsterdam, the immediate future for his company looked very uncertain, yet he remained optimistic.
“We have seen many cancellations and postponements of orders, but as a fully vertically integrated manufacturer we are not in a position to stop payments because we purchased cotton and other raw materials for many months ahead,” he said. “As a result, we have a lot of stuck capital and anticipate that when we are able to resume production, we will only be at 10 to 20 percent of capacity.
“However, I believe this industry can unite and understand the problems of everyone in the supply chain. In the next 18 months we will see very price-conscious consumers who are more cognisant of the environment, because we’ve seen the world tipped on its head. As a result, I believe our initiatives such as Cradle to Cradle and full transparency, combined with good prices and short lead times will prove even more valuable to the brands.”
Optimism
Kingpins24 was a meticulously scheduled international program, planned in just 30 days, with no real template. However improvised and rushed it may have been in the build-up to it, the show ran over Zoom for the full two days with virtually zero technical issues and attracting thousands of online attendees to dip in and out of it from around the world.
The mood of the entire two-day virtual event was upbeat and optimistic, as best summarised by Menno van Meurs, founder and CEO of highly successful Amsterdam denim store Tenue de Nîmes:
“Sometimes difficult roads bring you to beautiful places and we’re seeing so much creative energy and new ideas being exchanged right now,” he said. “I believe that, despite the tragedy, what is happening will bring us to a place that’s better than the one we left behind.”
SINGAPORE — April 29, 2020 — Huntsman Textile Effects and Phong Phu International (PPJ) today announced a strategic partnership agreement that aims to promote PPJ’s growth in Vietnam as a leading manufacturer of sustainable, high-performance textiles and garments for many of the world’s leading brands and retailers.
Vietnam-based PPJ will leverage best-in-class technical support from Huntsman Textile Effects to enhance its manufacturing processes across its denim/twill and knit mills, and develop new products that deliver optimal sustainability along with advanced performance, protection and comfort.
The development of workwear and value-added textile for the American, European and Japan markets, such as innovative textiles with functional finishes will be a key project for the two partners. They will use advanced Huntsman Textile Effects barrier solutions such as PHOBOL®, PHOBOTEX® and ZELAN™, along with other finishing effects.
Huntsman Textile Effects will additionally support PPJ to promote its Sinnika Fabric collection, leveraging Huntsman’s advanced dyeing technology and finishing effects to deliver high-value market-focused solutions to brands and retailers.
Dr. Dang Vu Hung, chairman and CEO of PPJ, said: “PPJ was among the first in Vietnam to move away from traditional contract manufacturing and offer innovative designs, green solutions and a vertically integrated supply chain as a one-stop solutions provider. With Huntsman Textile Effects as our technology partner, we look forward to continuing to enhance our capabilities as the preferred supplier to global brands that believe in quality and sustainability.”
The new agreement strengthens a longstanding relationship that has already seen PPJ develop innovative denim, knitwear and woven fabrics and garments using Huntsman Textile Effects technologies including AVITERA® SE dyes, NOVACRON® Atlantic dyes and High IQ® intelligent effects.
“The textile sector is Vietnam’s largest export earner, and PPJ is one of its most impressive success stories,” said Chuck Hirsch, vice president of Commercial, Huntsman Textile Effects. “By focusing on innovation and being open to new technology and ideas, PPJ has moved up the value chain and showed others how to succeed on the global stage. We are pleased to continue to support PPJ and help strengthen Vietnam’s reputation for high-quality textile production.”
Huntsman Textile Effects has long been an active supporter of Vietnam’s textile sector. It holds regular seminars and workshops in Vietnam and collaborates with textile mills and apparel manufacturers to help them adopt new technologies and processes that conserve resources, reduce waste and improve productivity.
PARIS — April 29, 2020 — Following the launch of the podcast series in March, JEC Group will name the winners of the 2020 JEC Innovation Awards on May 13 at noon (CET) through digital broadcasting for the first time. The recent global health crisis has prevented the ceremony from taking place during JEC World 2020, but the entire composites community as well as the finalists are expecting the 2020 winners to be revealed. This initiative will be followed very soon by other digital program.
A unique and exciting time that brings the composites industry together
“We are very proud and excited to bring you this new all-digital JEC Innovation awards ceremony during this challenging era of social distancing and limited travel. JEC Composites Innovation Awards are more than just an awards ceremony. They are meant to inspire the whole industry and shed light on the excellent work carried out by the prize winners, and a year couldn’t go without celebrating them,” said Franck GLOWACZ, Innovation Content Leader at JEC Group.
A cutting-edge selection process and a prestigious jury
After pre-selecting 33 finalists, a cutting-edge selection process and a prestigious jury has selected one winner in each category (Additive Manufacturing, Aeronautics, Automotive, Construction- Infrastructures & Civil engineering, Design & Furniture, Maritime Transportation & Shipbuilding, Process, Railway Vehicles & Infrastructure, Recycling, Space, Sports & Health care). High-level innovations and high-talented professionnals will be rewarded at this ceremony:
The international jury representing the entire composites value chain includes:
Anurag BANSAL, Manager Global Business development, ACCIONA Construction S.A;
Christophe, BINETRUY, Professor, EC Nantes;
Robert BUCHINGER, Business Development Advanced Industry Systems, Swarco;
Chantal FUALDES, Head of Airframe Certification, Executive Expert Composite, Airframes, Airbus;
Karl-Heinz FULLER, Manager hybrid materials, concepts and AMG, Daimler;
Sung HA, Professor, Hanyang University;
Deniz KORKMAZ, Ph.D. Composite Technologies Director, EMEA, Kordsa;
Brian KRULL, Global Director of Innovation, Magna Exteriors;
Yann PENFORNIS, Managing Director, Multiplast;
Henry SHIN, Director – R&D Composites Innovation Centre, KCTech; and
Kiyoshi UZAWA, Professor/ Director (Ph.D.), Innovative Composite Centre.
The online ceremony will be hosted by Peter Hopwood and Franck Glowacz from 12 to 1 p.m., and each of the awards will be named by the jury members.
ZURICH — April 29, 2020 — Striving to help advance the global fight against coronavirus on textiles, HeiQ recently launched HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03, an antimicrobial textile treatment proven effective against human coronavirus (229E) in face mask testing, significantly enhancing the antiviral log reduction from 2.90 of untreated face masks to 4.5, a 30 times improvement with over 99.99-percent reduction of virus infectivity in minutes. It is tested to last at least 30 washes. Since its launch the company has been utilizing its full capacity of 145 tons per day in its four manufacturing sites on three continents.
In his interview with CNN, HeiQ co-founder and Group CEO Carlo Centonze expressed the urgent need to maximize the impact of the international textile industry in fighting the global pandemic, even if that meant sharing HeiQ’s proprietary technology. HeiQ has since offered to share its HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 technology to textile industry peers via a free licence. Sharing the formula, manufacturing protocol and technical guidance will permit the manufacture and commercialization of HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 to meet the regulatory compliance and performance requirement. Licensees will be required to test their treated fabrics with licensed third-party testing institutes to establish efficacy and quality as per HeiQ’s standards. Use of the “HeiQ Viroblock” trademark in relation to treated articles will require trademark authorization directly by HeiQ to ensure truthful and compliant claims.
“There is not a moment to lose. We must act now and act fast to produce textiles for hospitals and every frontline healthcare worker that are more resistant to pathogenic viruses and bacteria. The international textile industry must do our part and work together in a united effort to protect textiles and help in the struggle to reduce the risk and speed of contamination and transmission around the world,” Centonze said. “Reducing transmission and infection rates is the only way to re-open our economies swiftly and maintain jobs in the textile industry,” he added.
Ralf Kattanek, group vice president Textiles of CHT Group said, “We believe by using CHT’s textile expertise and production capacities globally that we can play a key role in mitigating the impact for the healthcare workers and our industry partners by maximizing our reach swiftly.”
David Juang, chairman of Taiwanese textile chemicals manufacturer JINTEX Group adds “We want to show leadership in taking decisive action in a coordinated effort.”
“HeiQ has enlisted the Piedmont Chemical Group to help support its North American production and distribution, in order to assure maximum product availability during the crisis. We are here to join the fight and support HeiQ and our textile industry with all we have,” says Rick Wilson, CEO of U.S.-based Piedmont Chemical Industries.
HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 is a combination of vesicle and silver technologies using HeiQ’s registered silver technologies for antiviral and antibacterial (together antimicrobial) effect. This is accomplished through binding permanently to viral sulfur groups and using HeiQ’s fatty vesicle technology (Liposomes) as a booster that helps deplete swiftly the virus membrane (pericapsis) of its protective cholesterol layer, thereby destroying the enveloped virus. HeiQ Viroblock NPJ03 can be applied to many textile surfaces including face masks, air filters, medical gowns, curtains, mattresses, bed linens, drapes and more.
NEW YORK CITY — April 29, 2020 — Continuing to support the alleviation of global shortage of medical and consumer personal protective equipment (PPE), Gerber Technology is now empowering manufacturers to accelerate PPE production by offering a PPE Retooling Package. The package includes an end-to-end suite of software and a specially configured PPE Edition Gerber Paragon® cutter with optimized cutting parameters that allow manufacturers to produce up to 150,000 medical gowns and 6 million non-medical masks per week. The package also includes PPE patterns, tech packs, and a regulatory consulting package for rapid conversion of conventional sewn goods production to PPE. The Gerber PPE Retooling Package will help manufacturers seamlessly convert their supply chain allowing them to quickly, efficiently, and sustainably manufacture quality PPE.
“We are dedicated to making our customers successful in every way possible as they navigate through these unprecedented times, to save lives and jobs,” said Leonard Marano, vice president of product management and marketing for Automation Solutions at Gerber Technology. “Since PPE materials are technical and complicated to work with, we want to ensure our customers have everything they need to make their transition to PPE production as smooth, efficient, and fast as possible.”
Materials used for PPE are complex and often require several materials to be layered together to meet regulations and compliance. In order for manufacturers to successfully transition to efficient PPE production at scale, they will need to make significant changes to the setup of their workflow. The Gerber PPE Retooling Package will simplify the transition through a pre-packaged set of options including vacuum regulation and cutting parameters, essential spare parts, 2D/3D CAD and PLM software to ensure accuracy and efficiency, and support from Gerber’s knowledgeable experts. By leveraging the Gerber consulting package, retooling your production can take less than one week and results in less wasted material than ‘learning by doing’.
“Since March, we have helped over 1,200 companies worldwide optimize their supply chains for PPE production by providing production-ready patterns and files, sharing best practices and connecting our global network of manufacturers and suppliers,” said Michelle Steenvoorden, vice president, Professional Services and Technical Lead on Gerber’s PPE Task Force. “We know exactly what it takes to produce high-quality, sustainable products that are effective, and help companies retool as quickly as possible for maximum impact.”
People all around the world are currently at high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the shortage of PPE for both medical and consumer use. Earlier this year, Gerber created the PPE Task Force and Manufacturer Matchmaking Program which is helping manufacturers produce 150+ million masks and several million gowns per week, saving hundreds of millions of lives and securing countless jobs around the world. The Gerber PPE Retooling Package will help further increase manufacturing capacity.
MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — April 29, 2020 — Omega Systèmes, a Web Industries company, is responding to needs for personal protective equipment (PPE) in the Pays de la Loire region of France by producing and delivering 60,000 single-use, disposable aprons per day to local hospitals.
Single-use aprons are among the most needed PPE items in France, along with face masks and gowns. When Omega Systèmes was contacted by Nantes University Hospital in mid-April 2020 with a request for aprons, the company responded quickly.
“We produced prototype aprons for the Hospital’s review,” reported Web Industries Michael Quarrey, vice president of aerospace operations. “We put production into high gear immediately following the Hospital’s validation of our product. Omega currently has material to manufacture one million single-use aprons. With our materials supply chain and high-speed precision formatting equipment, we can quickly meet apron needs for hospitals and care facilities throughout France and other European countries.”
The polyethylene aprons are worn by nurses, doctors, medics and caretakers who meet with patients to examine and carry out treatments, such as taking temperatures or changing an IV line. They are delivered in protective plastic sheaths that meet Nantes University Hospital’s strict sanitary requirements.
Face masks and gowns
In a related note, Quarrey says that Omega Systèmes is currently filling orders for more than 7.8 million face masks for other France-based customers, and is equipped to manufacture face masks and gowns for use in hospitals and health care facilities throughout Europe.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — April 28, 2020 — As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the need for economic reactivation in America requires increased attention from all industries to maintain public health and safety. As restaurants open, they can initiate proven practices ensuring the safety and confidence of patrons. Maximizing restaurants’ hygiene requires adopting increased cleanliness practices such as using commercially laundered hygienically clean linens and garments including chef, kitchen and wait staff apparel. TRSA, the Association of the Linen, Uniform and Facility Services Industry, called on the National Governors Association today to prompt states to feature such services in guidance documents for restaurant reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic.
TRSA is prompting members to distribute the NGA letter to their local/state restaurant associations and regulatory authorities. The association is launching a publicity and social media campaign to reinforce the letter’s messages.
“Expectations for best safety practices will be extremely high as restaurants begin re-opening,” said Joseph Ricci, president and CEO of TRSA. “Clean, white linens and apparel increase both the perception and reality of a cleaner, safer environment.”
Bacteria have been shown to be present in excessive amounts on bare restaurant tables, even with regular cleaning, in comparison with tablecloths. Tablecloths can provide a 5-times-cleaner surface and are touched only at the corners by the server laying the cloth and by the immediate patrons. Bare tables can be a breeding ground for all types of microscopic bacteria. Hygienically Clean table linens minimize the bacteria that put patrons at risk.
TRSA member best management practices help keep the dining public safe by implementing cleanliness standards and inspiring public confidence. TRSA identified these practices as best practices for any guidance released to restaurants and dining establishments:
Hygienically clean tablecloths, place mats and napkins should be used to reduce or eliminate disease transmission by touch. Replacing tablecloths each time new guests are seated ensures a clean and safe table. These products can also identify the tables to be used for social separation. Placemats can accomplish a similar result by seating guests further apart at the same table or counter. “Hygienically Clean” commercial laundry certification standards minimize contamination risk.
Staff should be given hygienically cleaned, commercially laundered uniforms daily such as chef coats, cook shirts, pants and aprons to wear throughout their shifts. This applies to takeout and delivery staff, as well as kitchen and wait staff. Research verifies the superior cleanliness and public preference for professional laundering of work uniforms; home washing machines and practices have proven inadequate for consistent disinfection. Instead, uniforms should be left in a bin at the restaurant to be picked up and commercially laundered. A clean uniform should be given out at the start of each shift, replacing the clothes in which employees commuted to the restaurant.
Hand sanitizer dispensers should be placed throughout restaurants for guests and staff to use.
Reusable/washable face masks that meet CDC guidelines and disposable gloves should be worn by staff. Gloves should be changed out often throughout an employee’s shift.
Commercial cleaning solutions should be used on all hard surfaces throughout the day, including entryway door handles, kitchen area and bathrooms.
“As America starts to get back to business and dining establishments begin to reopen, providing the public with clean and safe dining establishments will be a key part of an economic recovery. Abiding by these steps should be a cornerstone of this process,” said Ricci.
“We are all looking forward to the opportunity to dine out and go back to our favorite restaurants or try something new. We know that public confidence will be a key factor in putting this vital part of our economy back on track and returning millions of hard-working Americans back to the workforce,” he added.
WASHINGTON — April 28, 2020 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber though finished sewn products, issued a statement today with textile executives stressing the critical importance of moving ahead with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and lauding U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer for setting July 1 as the implementation date now that the U.S. has taken the necessary final procedural steps.
“We commend Ambassador Lighthizer for moving forward with USMCA, a critical trade deal that will greatly benefit the U.S. textile industry at a time when domestic producers — facing significant challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic — have mobilized to convert their production lines to manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers during this crisis,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas.
“Sustaining the $20 billion in apparel and textile trilateral trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada is absolutely critical at this time. USMCA, which makes several key improvements over the former North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will go a long way to increasing the textile industry’s exports, as well as investments and capacity in the U.S. We need to maintain and expand a Western Hemisphere supply chain to meet national emergencies head on in the future,” Glas added.
Mexico and Canada are the two largest export markets for the U.S. textile and apparel industry, totaling nearly $11.3 billion in 2019.
“I think USMCA is vitally important. It provides this hemisphere with production capabilities to counter Asia and other developing areas,” said Jay Self, president and CEO of Greenwood Mills. “The improved trade agreement offers speed to market and that is such a critical factor not only for our traditional fabric business, but also for our production of face masks and gowns for frontline workers battling the coronavirus. Anything we do to make this hemisphere more competitive is to our advantage.”
Greenwood Mills, a family-owned textile company in Greenwood, S.C., has converted its denim jeans production at a factory in Mexico to PPE production of non-medical face masks and hospital gowns.
“USMCA creates more certainty in the Western Hemisphere and allows us to have a vision of how to continue to build the domestic textile platform and supply chain, while giving us the confidence to re-invest,” said Cameron Hamrick, president of Hamrick Mills. “This trade agreement makes several improvements, and our hope is it will spur more investment in the Western Hemisphere. Now is the time more than ever to have a strong regional supply chain in the Western Hemisphere.”
Hamrick Mills is a 119-year-old company based in Gaffney, S.C. and producer of greige woven fabrics in both polyester/cotton blends as well as 100% cotton. The company has also pivoted to PPE production to help frontline workers.
“Localized cooperation up and down the supply chain is of paramount importance to securing our economy in a predictable manner and as a model for increased investment for all stakeholders,” said James W. McKinnon, CEO of Cotswold Industries, Inc. “The implementation of USMCA is critical to the continued health and growth of the U.S. textile industry and our regional manufacturing partners. It’s times like this that highlight the importance of a robust regional manufacturing base in the Western Hemisphere.”
Cotswold Industries is a vertically-integrated textile engineering and marketing company that manufactures and distributes technical barriers, knitted and woven industrial fabrics and non-woven substrates, many of which the company has utilized for the production of PPE products.
NCTO worked with the administration during negotiations on USMCA and successfully lobbied for several provisions and improvements that were subsequently incorporated in the trade deal that will close loopholes and strengthen U.S. Customs enforcement.
