Optitex Acquired By Fog Software Group, A Division Of Constellation Software

TEL AVIV, Israel — April 17, 2020 — Optitex®, a global provider of integrated 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software solutions for the fashion and apparel, automotive, upholstery and industrial fabrics industries, today announced its recent acquisition by FOG Software Group, a division of Constellation Software Inc.

Optitex will continue to operate as an independent company within FOG and will revert to its historic “Optitex” name and brand, allowing the company the strategic and operational freedom to focus on the unique and specific needs of its users. Optitex will continue to innovate its products, expand its suite of software solutions and services, and directly support its customers worldwide.

With Constellation Software’s long-term strategy to acquire, build and retain companies, Optitex will benefit from Constellation’s additional strategic support. Having completed over 500 acquisitions, Constellation Software brings a robust set of business best practices and investment strength to its portfolio companies to ensure their steady and continuous growth.

“This acquisition provides significant added-value to Optitex, its customers and partners. While retaining independence of business operations, we reinforce our strong commitment to innovative product development,” said Amir Lehr, CEO of Optitex. “This investment also shows a tremendous vote of confidence in both our team, and our technology, particularly in these challenging times. Optitex expects to achieve lasting business stability supported by Constellation’s long-term vision, and further benefit from Constellation’s financial support, networking opportunities and well-honed management best practices.”

“We are excited to enter the 3D digital design space and impressed with the product and market vision of the Optitex team. With our historic investment in similar companies in this market this reinforces our commitment to the segment, and we are very pleased to add Optitex to the FOG family,” said Sandy Scott, FOG Software Group Portfolio Manager for Retail and Textile Technologies. “We look forward to supporting continued product innovation to create value for customers around the world.”

Posted April 17, 2020

Source: Optitex

SHIMA SEIKI Releases Additional Data for WHOLEGARMENT®Masks

WAKAYAMA, Japan — April 21, 2020 — In light of the recent worldwide shortage of surgical masks due to the spread of the CoVID-19 coronavirus infection, flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI Mfg. Ltd. has released additional knitting data for producing another type of 3D knit mask on its WHoLEGARMEnT® knitting machines.

Data is meant to be for cotton masks knitted using 3D WHoLEGARMEnT knitting technology that can produce items in their entirety without the need for sewing afterward. The masks can be knit on SWG041n2, SWG061n2 and SWG091n2, as well as on the rest of Shima Seiki’s compact WHoLEGARMEnT knitting machines also known as “WHoLEGARMEnT Mini” type machines that are suited to production of small accessory items, in 15 gauge. Mask data is available for download from the Shima Seiki Users’ Site, an archive featuring over 10,000 knit samples for use by Shima Seiki customers.

Seam-free 3D WHoLEGARMEnT masks provide superior fit and comfort. Integral ear straps that are knitted along with the mask portion offers reduced stress on the ears, and require no further sewing for quick response production. Holes are also knitted-in for insertion of wires that provide further adjustment for improved fit.

The mask data is intended for knitting with the use of silver-fiber yarn, which has antibacterial properties. The filterpouch that was featured on previously released WHoLEGARMEnT masks is eliminated, allowing this mask to be knit with a single layer of fabric, making it thinner and lighter.

Knitted cotton masks can be washed and reused repeatedly. It should be noted however that unlike common nonwoven surgical masks, knit masks do not have virus- and pollen-filtration functionality. Their main use is for prevention of spray from coughing and sneezing, and for reducing exposure to airborne particles such as pollen.

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Shima Seiki

Wolverine Worldwide Announces Key Leadership Changes — Joelle Grunberg, Chris Hufnagel and Tom Kennedy Join Executive Leadership Team

ROCKFORD, Mich. — April 20, 2020 — Wolverine World Wide Inc. today announced the appointment of Chris Hufnagel, Joelle Grunberg and Tom Kennedy to the company’s Executive Leadership Team. Each will now be responsible for multiple brands within the company’s diverse portfolio, and report directly to Blake W. Krueger, Wolverine’s chairman, CEO and president.

“During this unprecedented period of economic disruption, we are making important changes to our leadership team and organizational structure to make the company more nimble and better positioned to seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Krueger. “This new structure will accelerate our biggest growth initiatives and strengthen our focus on DTC opportunities. We will also realize meaningful cost savings under the new structure.”

  • Joelle Grunberg was named global president of Sperry® in February 2020. Grunberg will continue in that role, and Saucony®, Keds® and the Wolverine Kids Group will also now report to her.
  • Chris Hufnagel is a 10-year veteran of the company and was named global president of Merrell® in September 2019. Hufnagel will continue in that role, and CAT® Footwear, Chaco® and Hush Puppies® will also now report to him.
  • Tom Kennedy is a five-year veteran of the company and was named global president of the Wolverine® brand in February 2020. Kennedy will continue in that role, and Bates®, HYTEST® and Harley-Davidson® Footwear will also now report to him.

“I am proud of how our team members have stepped up and taken quick action to protect and enhance the power of our brands and the financial integrity of our business,” Krueger said. “We have a strong portfolio and diversified global distribution network. Many of our brands are resonating with consumers in this current environment, and I believe these changes will make us stronger as we emerge from this crisis.”

As part of these leadership appointments and organizational changes, Todd Spaletto will be departing the company and his role as president of the Michigan Group will not be filled. “The Michigan Group made significant accomplishments under Todd’s leadership, and we want to thank him for his great work and wish him only the very best,” said Krueger.

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Wolverine World Wide Inc.

Burlington Partners With Ralph Lauren To Create Isolation Gowns For COVID-19 Frontline Workers

GREENSBORO, N.C. — April 21, 2020 — Burlington is pleased to support Ralph Lauren in transitioning production to make isolation gowns for healthcare and other community workers in New York, New Jersey and North Carolina on the front line of the COVID-19 crisis.

Burlington and Ralph Lauren have a long established relationship that spans years of creating uniforms for US Olympians and other classic apparel products. Burlington is pleased to expand this collaboration to provide its advanced barrier Maxima® fabrics and technical expertise to support Ralph Lauren in the manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE). In a time of such scarcity, medical apparel made from reusable fabrics offers the ability to keep a constant flow of protective garments – keeping front line workers protected and focused on patient care.

“Burlington is proud to be a part of an industry with such compassion and call to action as we have seen in the fight against COVID-19,” said Allen Smith, president Burlington, Safety Components & A&E – Americas. “Our expertise in fabric innovation and advanced technical fabrics is allowing us to be a resource to brands, like Ralph Lauren, who are stepping up to meet a great need for PPE. Teams at both Burlington and Ralph Lauren are pivoting from our traditional collaborations to more technical conversations and guidance on new fabric constructions.”

For more than 40 years Burlington has been a world leader in providing superior protective fabrics to the healthcare market. Burlington’s Maxima® line of reusable fabrics is highly protective, offers maximum durability after repeated launderings and is extremely comfortable to wear. In addition to advanced protection, reusable fabrics offer sustainable and cost-effective solutions to address the extreme global shortage of PPE. Burlington’s line of reusable, fluid resistant fabrics is engineered for top of the line performance and safety and meets ANSI/AAMI PB70 and EN 13795 certifications and FDA standards.

Smith continued: “Ralph Lauren is a perfect example of the collaborative spirit across the textile and apparel industry in times of need, and the way in which Elevate, Burlington’s parent company, can use its expertise and contacts to quickly assist with a broad range of needs. It all started with a phone call from Ralph Lauren into Elevate’s Cone Denim team who made the introduction to the right resource within Burlington and later expanded our support with A&E thread products. The initial order for Burlington fabric was placed within five hours of the first phone call and Ralph Lauren was sewing gowns in its New York facility the following week. We are proud of our employees in North Carolina who are working tirelessly to produce these advanced fabrics and find ways to achieve additional production within our facilities. We greatly appreciate their efforts along with those of workers at Ralph Lauren’s designated cut and sew operation in New York. This journey captures the human spirit — extraordinary people stepping up to support our heroes on the front line. From North Carolina to New York — we’re in this together.”

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Elevate Textiles

Youngevity International (YGYI) Completes Joint Venture In Nicaragua For Large Scale Processing Facility And 2200 Acres Of Hemp Grow

SAN DIEGO — April 21, 2020 — Youngevity International Inc. (YGYI), today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CLR Roasters LLC and Khrysos Industries Inc. — the U.S. partners — have entered into an agreement with H&H Coffee Group Export Corp. and The Nica Hemp Cooperative Inc. to acquire the 2,200 acre Chaguitillo Farms in Sebaco-Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Plans provide for all electricity and a 15,000 AMP electrical service to be delivered to the property and 45,000 Square feet of buildings to be erected for extraction drying and storage, and for greenhouse space to be added to the property. The total estimated cost for the land and improvements is approximately $30 million, with H&H contributing the 2,200 acre farm with an estimated value of approximately $10 million, and all the capital toward the construction of the project will be provided by The Nica Hemp Cooperative, estimated at $20 million.

The U.S. Partners will initially contribute $3 million of extraction equipment to the project along with its expertise in the hemp business. Additionally, subject to Nasdaq approval, the U.S. Partners intend to issue 1.5 million shares of YGYI common stock to the Nica Hemp Cooperative in exchange for a 50 percent stake in the land and the improvements — having a $30 million estimated value at completion — and will also issue 5 million warrants with a strike price $1.50 per share to the Nica Hemp Cooperative and the US Partners will receive a 75 percent controlling stake in the hemp grow and oil extraction business.  The warrants will be issued when the project is completed and commences its operations.

The project provides for complete preparation of the 2,200 acres; however, the initial pilot program planting will be for approximately 200 acres with an expected production of 400,000 lbs. of hemp bio mass on the initial acreage, which is estimated to convert to 13,000 liters of winterized crude oil which, at current market prices has the potential to generate $6.4 million in gross revenue. The group anticipates growing 400 acres in year 2, 800 acres in year 3, and 2,200 acres in 2023. Fully planted the projection for hemp yield in pounds is approximately 4.4 million pounds per year, which is estimated to convert to 129,000 liters of winterized crude oil, which at current market prices has the potential to generate approximately $64 million in gross revenue. All estimates are assuming only 1 annual crop yield, however, the weather in Nicaragua may be conducive to multiple harvests annually.

“This is a very impressive partnership and collaboration between our Hemp Enterprise, our Coffee Enterprise and our very strong and growing strategic business relationship in Nicaragua. We feel that the value of YGYI’s 50 percent interest in the land and infrastructure at completion of the project along with the assumption that the warrants will be exercised represents a significant premium to our current trading price,” said Dave Briskie, president and CFO of Youngevity.

“We are proud to be part of such a significant project in Nicaragua in this burgeoning industry. We are pleased to be executing on the exclusive rights to grow hemp in Nicaragua that was granted to our group in November of last year. This project is only made possible through a strong collaboration of experts and a vision to be a leader in this space,” said Alain Piedra Hernandez, president of H&H Export Y CIA. Ltda.

“Our team at Khrysos is honored to be supporting this Nicaraguan Hemp Initiative. It’s always a great thing when projects of this magnitude can come together and benefit all parties in a significant way. This should create expanding markets and job opportunities in both Nicaragua and the USA,” said Dr. Dwayne Dundore, president of Khrysos.

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Youngevity International Inc.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Appoints John Hartmann COO

UNION, N.J. — April 21, 2020 — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has appointed John Hartmann as COO of Bed Bath & Beyond and President, buybuy BABY (BABY), effective May 18, 2020. Hartmann will report directly to Mark Tritton, president & CEO, and be a key member of a streamlined senior leadership team.

Hartmann will lead key areas of the company’s transformation including IT, supply chain and real estate, working across the company’s five strategic growth pillars to accelerate decision-making and enhance connectivity across functions.  He will also be responsible for re-engineering the company’s supply chain and technology infrastructure to enhance fulfilment, drive cost improvements, improve customer experience and support the introduction of omnichannel improvements such as Buy-Online-Pick-Up-In-Store (BOPIS) across its fleet of stores. As President of BABY, John will be responsible for further developing the growth strategy for this leading infant and small children retail brand.

Mark Tritton, president & CEO, said: “We continue to drive our growth plans and invest in strategic talent, while managing through the COVID-19 situation, backed by significant financial flexibility.”

“John is a world-class leader with a passion for building high-performing teams and deep expertise delivering transformation in the retail sector. He will accelerate the execution of our vision to make it easy to feel at home with Bed Bath & Beyond, helping rebuild a modern, durable business and a deeper connection with our loyal customers across our portfolio of brands.”

Hartmann joins Bed Bath & Beyond from True Value Co., one of the world’s largest hardware wholesalers, where he was president and CEO. Hartmann led True Value through a significant business transformation that modernized and strengthened its wholesale supply chain, accelerated technology investments to align with the changing retail landscape and drove growth and profitability across its 4,500 retail locations.

Prior to this, Hartmann was CEO of leading home improvement company Mitre 10, COO at HD Supply, and has held senior positions at The Home Depot, Cardinal Health and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“I am passionate about retail and thrilled to join the Company to help transform this iconic brand. Together with the leadership team, I am confident we will continue to increase the pace of change to rebuild this business and support Bed Bath & Beyond’s omni-channel future,” said Hartmann.

Recruiting strategic talent remains a top priority for the company, and it plans to announce additional appointments in the coming weeks.

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

Minnesota Based Airtex Group | Acme Made Pivot Manufacturing To Help Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

MINNEAPOLIS — April 21, 2020 — Responding with urgency to the national Covid-19 pandemic, Minneapolis based textile manufacturer, Airtex Group | Acme Made, has pivoted their manufacturing operation at its Minnesota facility to provide critical personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies for front line doctors, nurses and medical professionals.

Airtex Group | Acme Made, normally a textile manufacturer designing and producing products such as high-end linen window coverings, pillows, throws, and bags, was well positioned to redeploy their workforce to sew gowns, non-surgical facemasks and assemble face shields.

“Our talented team of designers and operations staff knew exactly what to do when presented with the need for PPE gear,” said CEO Mike Miller. “In addition to our consumer home textile business, we have many business to business customers in the medical industry, so we used strong connections and supply chain expertise to get raw materials into the factory quickly,” added Miller.

The gowns are classified as Level 2 Isolation wear made from an innovative recycled material that allows moisture to pass from the inside while shielding fluids from the outside. With a softer and thinner material, this gown is lighter than most Isolation level 2 gowns, an important attribute when worn for long periods of time. The gown meets various medical industry standards for resistance of materials used in protective clothing.

“Our number one priority is keeping our team healthy, so we’ve stepped up normally stringent standards for cleaning and monitoring everyone’s health under CDC guidelines,” added Miller. “We feel very fortunate that our team has had no issues and that we’ve been able to keep everyone employed.”

The Acme Made branded Miller Face Mask is pleated, with an adjustable nose bridge and includes an interior pocket where a replaceable filter can be used for multiple use applications. The Acme Made branded Walker Face Mask is a center stitched mask with an adjustable nose bridge. Both products are made from unused upcycled scrap fabrics and available online at AcmeMade.com for consumers and businesses.

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Acme Made

Lee® Announces Global Sustainability Goals

GREENSBORO, N.C. — April 21, 2020 — In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Lee®, the iconic apparel brand known for its timeless denim style and innovative apparel, announced its first-ever global sustainability goals. Established under Lee’s recently launched global sustainability platform, For a World That Works™, these goals focus on boldly pursuing more sustainable solutions for apparel development and production.

“At Lee, we are committed to doing our part to help lead our industry toward a better future,” said Chris Waldeck, EVP, global brand president, Lee. “Our global sustainability goals will guide our actions and help accelerate our commitment to providing products that drive positive changes for our environment and communities, while delivering the quality and style consumers expect from Lee.”

Lee’s four global sustainability goals are to:

  • Power 100 percent of all owned and operated facilities with renewable energy by 2025.
  • Utilize more than 50 percent sustainable synthetics by 2025.
  • Source 100 percent sustainably-grown or recycled cotton by 2025.
  • Increase Indigood™ dyed products every year through 2025.

These global goals convey Lee’s commitment to integrating sustainable solutions into the brand’s design and manufacturing processes and to reducing environmental and social impacts. They also build on Lee’s latest sustainably focused product launches and partnerships including:

  • Indigood™ Denim: Launched this Spring, Indigood™ Denim is a signature product line that reduces the amount of water required by 100 percent, the energy required by 60 percent and the waste produced by 60 percent by replacing the traditional water vats and chemical baths of conventional indigo dyeing with a foam dye applicator. Indigood™ is Lee’s commitment to discovering and integrating into their supply chain, the most sustainable ways to dye denim.
  • Back to Nature: Lee’s range of biodegradable denim products, Back to Nature jeans are made from 100 percent cotton. When the jeans and jackets reach the end of their useful life, the metal buttons can be unscrewed and reused, and the remaining component products can be composted at home.
  • Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Jeans Redesign: In 2019, the brand signed on to the Foundation’s Jean’s Redesign Guidelines, which set minimum requirements on durability, material health, recyclability and are based on the principles of a circular economy. The guidelines are being integrated into an internal assessment tool used to measure the sustainability performance of Lee products.

“With these targets, we are raising the bar on what consumers can expect from Lee in terms of environmental sustainability,” said Roian Atwood, senior director of sustainable business, Lee. “For A World That Works is fueled by a sense of urgency and responsibility.  As we look ahead, we must continually challenge ourselves to redefine how we operate, so that we can help create a brighter future for our planet and our industry.”

Launched in February, For A World That Works™ unites Lee’s legacy of innovation and purpose with a responsibility to build a stronger, more sustainable world. Learn more about Lee’s sustainability goals and For A World That Works ™ at Lee.com.

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Lee

Pendleton Woolen Mills Announces Zion National Park Blanket And Contributions To The National Park Foundation

PORTLAND, Ore. — April 21, 2020 — Pacific Northwest lifestyle brand Pendleton Woolen Mills has announced the addition of the Zion National Park Blanket to their National Park Collection. The Zion National Park Stripe will carry over into additional lifestyle products such as outerwear, mugs and socks.

This newest blanket in the modern Pendleton National Park Collection is the first for a Utah national park. Current national parks featured in blankets include Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Olympic, Acadia, Crater Lake, Yosemite and Zion.

The Zion National Park Blanket features navy, ochre and goldenrod stripes on a brick red background and is available in full and queen sizes. “We were inspired by the bold stripe design of a version of the blanket from the 1950s,” shared Amanda Coppa, senior merchandise manager of Pendleton’s home division. “The colors were drawn from the beauty of the park! We emphasized the deep red that Utah and Zion are known and loved for.”

The Pendleton National Park Collection is a curated selection of lifestyle products with sales of the blankets and select additional partner product supporting the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. Since the creation of the partnership between Pendleton and the National Park Foundation in 2016, Pendleton and its collaboration partners have contributed over $900,000 to the National Park Foundation. The National Park Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service, enriches America’s national parks and programs through private support, safeguarding our heritage and inspiring generations of national park enthusiasts.

Pendleton’s contributions have supported two landmark national park projects, including the restoration of the double helix staircase at the Many Glacier Hotel, a renowned national historic landmark, in Glacier National Park, and preservation of the historic Grand Canyon Train Depot in Grand Canyon National Park.

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Pendleton Woolen Mills

Unifi Names Edmund Ingle CEO

GREENSBORO, N.C. — April 21, 2020 — Unifi Inc. today announced that its board of directors has appointed Edmund “Eddie” Ingle CEO and a member of the board of directors effective July 1, 2020. Ingle previously spent 30 years with Unifi in progressively senior roles from 1986 to 2018 before becoming an executive with Indorama Ventures.

After more than 40 years of dedicated and exceptional service to Unifi, Thomas H. “Tom” Caudle Jr., president and COO of the company, has announced his retirement effective June 27, 2021. Caudle will continue to be president and COO through his retirement date.

Albert P. “Al” Carey, executive chairman of Unifi, said: “Unifi has been strategically searching for the right leader and industry-experienced candidate to lead this great company into the future. Today, I am very pleased to announce that Eddie will be returning to Unifi. Eddie brings over 30 years of experience with Unifi, having held several key leadership positions during that time. The Board viewed his blend of industry expertise, knowledge of Unifi, broad operational skills, and proven leadership to comprise the ideal candidate to execute the Company’s strategic objectives.

“I’m pleased that Tom will still be with us for another year to help us conclude some very important strategic projects and to assist with the management transition. Tom’s knowledge and expertise of our business and the industry have been invaluable, and he’s been an integral part of Unifi’s success over the years.”

“It has been very important to me to ensure that I leave the company and its people with a leader who can drive the business forward and leverage our exceptional teams and assets,” Caudle said. “I am delighted that Eddie is returning to Unifi and am fully confident in him and the entire leadership team to foster Unifi’s growth and success for years to come.”

“I am honored by this opportunity to serve as Unifi’s next CEO, and I am excited by the many opportunities we have,” Ingle said. “Unifi means a great deal to me because of my long history with the company and my steadfast belief in its people and products. I am humbled by the Board’s decision, and I’m eager to work with our fantastic team to fulfill our mission of being the world’s most sought-after performance and sustainability textile partner.”

Ingle, 55, currently serves as CEO for Indorama’s Recycling Group. Prior to that, he was Indorama’s chairperson and CEO for its Wellman International division. Ingle began his career at Unifi’s operations in Letterkenny, Ireland, in 1986 and moved to Winston-Salem in 1991 to work for Unifi in the United States, and over the years has held numerous progressive leadership positions, including vice president of supply chain and global corporate sustainability officer.

Al Carey will continue in his current position and will remain as executive chairman after the addition of Eddie Ingle.

Posted April 21, 2020

Source: Unifi, Inc.

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