Personnel Changes At MANN+HUMMEL: Josef Parzhuber Leaves Filtration Expert Harald Späth To Head Original Equipment Business Unit

LUDWIGSBURG, Germany — April 2, 2020 — Josef Parzhuber, president and general manager of MANN+HUMMEL’s Automotive Aftermarket, will leave MANN+HUMMEL effective April 30, 2020. Parzhuber has been with MANN+HUMMEL since 2011 and has played a significant role in developing the global automotive aftermarket business during his tenure. The search for a successor for his position is still ongoing.

From 2012 to 2016 Parzhuber, born in Bavaria, worked in Singapore as group vice president and CEO for MANN+HUMMEL Asia Pacific. In March 2016, he assumed global responsibility for the aftermarket business unit based in Ludwigsburg/Germany.

The Supervisory Board and the Management Board Committee thank Josef Parzhuber for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him all the best for the future. Until further notice, Kurk Wilks, President and CEO, will take the lead of the Automotive Aftermarket business unit on an interim basis.

Harald Späth to be President and General Manager Original Equipment

With immediate effect, Harald Späth has been appointed president and general manager for the Original Equipment business unit. He succeeds Kurk Wilks, who was appointed President and CEO of the MANN+HUMMEL Group in January 2020. Harald Späth currently holds the position of Senior Vice President Original Equipment Europe, which he will continue in addition to his new role until further notice.

“Last year we fundamentally realigned our business and initiated important projects. We must now successfully continue these topics and build on them together with our teams as well as master the current challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. I am very much looking forward to this new task and to being able to contribute my many years of experience from various areas and functions,” said Späth, president and general manager Original Equipment.

Späth has been part of MANN+HUMMEL since 1995, where he was, among other positions, responsible for the Heavy Duty & Industrial Division as Vice President Global Sales and Project Management. Following his position as managing director of MANN+HUMMEL in England, Späth successfully took over worldwide sales management for the industrial filter business.

Posted April 2, 2020

Source: MANN+HUMMEL

Milliken Pivots Textile Manufacturing To Produce Advanced Medical PPE

SPARTANBURG, S.C.— April 2, 2020 — Global textile manufacturer Milliken & Company is leveraging its materials science expertise to manufacture much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for the healthcare industry amid the current COVID-19 global pandemic. Milliken’s new advanced medical fabrics and barriers are currently available and complement Milliken’s breakthrough BioSmart™ antimicrobial technology used in scrubs, lab coats and hospital privacy curtains, harnessing the power of bleach to kill up to 99.9% of common bacteria on contact.

Milliken is manufacturing critical barrier protection fabrics to be used in gowns and headcovers for healthcare professionals. Milliken is also researching and developing materials for incorporation into N95-grade masks. These new innovations complement our existing range of products that can be used for temporary shelters in situations where it’s deemed necessary to set up transitory field hospitals.

“We have focused our development and manufacturing processes to help fight the battle against COVID-19,” said Halsey M. Cook, Milliken & Company’s president and CEO. “We began by engineering our existing textiles into medical-grade fabrics for PPE, and we will continue to seek critical solutions as we navigate this uncharted territory as a company, a nation and a world.”

These new advanced medical textiles and barriers are made in the USA and a result of the company applying deep knowledge in material science to modify fabrics that would meet the critical requirements for garments worn by healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 virus.

“Our team of scientists and developers is fully engaged, uncovering solutions to address critical medical and protective needs for those fighting on the front lines of this pandemic,” stated Chad McAllister, president and executive vice president, Textile Division.

Categorized into Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, Milliken’s advanced medical fabrics and barriers tested to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 Standard and suit multiple medical environments and usage situations.

  • Level 1 Medical Textile, Milliken Perimeter™ : Suitable for minimal risk situations, including basic care settings and standard hospital medical units, this gown textile provides a slight barrier to small amounts of fluid penetration. Tested to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 standard.
  • Level 2 Medical Textile, Milliken Perimeter : Designed for low risk situations, including suturing and the pathology lab, this gown textile provides a barrier to larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter and some fluid exposure through soaking. Tested to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 standard.
  • Level 3 Medical Barrier, Milliken Perimeter : Designed for moderate risk situations, including hospital emergency rooms and trauma care, this PPE gown textile provides a barrier against larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter, and more fluid exposure through soaking than Level 2. Tested to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 standard.

Milliken has a storied, 150-year legacy in American textile manufacturing and is known worldwide for industry-leading performance and protective textiles, including fabrics for first responder PPE, flame-resistant workwear, military uniforms, airbags, commercial and residential interior environments, napery and more.

Posted April 2, 2020

Source: Milliken

FESPA BRASIL 2020 Announces New Dates And Schedule

DORKING, England — April 2, 2020 — FESPA today announces that its flagship Latin American event, FESPA Brasil, will return to Expo Center Norte, in São Paulo from September, 23-25, 2020. The event, which was due to take place from March 18-21, 2020, had to be postponed due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

FESPA CEO Neil Felton commented: “We are very pleased to confirm that FESPA Brasil will be going ahead in 2020. The event will now feature an expanded daily schedule, allowing visitors more time to enjoy the immersive experience they have come to expect from a FESPA event.” Visiting hours on the opening day (Wednesday, September 23) will run from 12:00-21:00. The following two days of the show will run from 11:00-21:00.

Felton concludes: “FESPA and APS Eventos Corporativos, our local partner and trade event organiser, remain in close contact with exhibitors to ensure we deliver an event that is rewarding and productive in equal measure. All features, conferences and seminars at the event are part of FESPA’s commitment to sharing market insight and sector knowledge that are able to inspire the print community.”

Visitors who have already registered to visit the show will have their credential for FESPA Brasil 2020 guaranteed. For those who have not yet registered, please visit: https://www.fespabrasil.com.br/pt/

Posted April 2, 2020

Source: FESPA

CIT Financing Speeds Protective N95 Masks To Healthcare Workers

NEW YORK CITY — April 2, 2020 — CIT Group Inc. has provided critical financing for its client Aria Designs to help it procure millions of advanced N95 surgical masks that will protect medical professionals battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aria Designs, a North Carolina-based furniture manufacturer and importer, is using its global supply chain and manufacturers to supply the much-needed protective masks. To help finance the order, Aria Designs turned to CIT, which has long worked closely with Aria to finance its furniture transactions.

“We explained the situation and CIT immediately said: ‘Let’s go. How can we help?’” recalled Jeff Arditti, CEO of Aria Designs in Lenoir, N.C. “That gave us the confidence to go forward. CIT made it possible.”

To date, Aria Designs has collected orders for more than 5 million masks from hospitals, medical practices and emergency services across North Carolina. Thanks in part to CIT’s financing, the first masks are expected to arrive in the coming days — with millions more to follow by airfreight in the days and weeks ahead.

“Supporting clients is central to how we do business,” said Mike Hudgens, Southeast regional manager for CIT’s Commercial Services group, which finances transactions on everything from furniture to fashion to electronics. “When we learned of this opportunity to help our client and join the fight against COVID-19, we jumped right in.”

About 150 people are employed by CIT in Charlotte, N.C., with the large majority of them associated with the Commercial Services group supporting the financial needs of consumer products companies that sell furniture, apparel, housewares, electronics, toys, hardware and much more.

“Financing that gets protective masks flowing to the healthcare professionals who need them most is another example of how CIT’s expertise empowers businesses to make good things happen,” Hudgens said. “We’re proud to have played a key role in financing the delivery of surgical masks that will help stop the spread of the coronavirus from patient to healthcare provider.”

For Aria Designs, the quick pivot to importing surgical masks has also allowed it to keep more of its workforce employed during the retail shutdown. That benefits its workers and also helps keep the local economy moving at a critical juncture.

But for Aria, it’s primarily about helping protect the healthcare workers who are tending to those affected by the pandemic.

“It’s our privilege to support the healthcare community in the midst of this unprecedented emergency,” Arditti said. “We’re grateful for CIT’s financial expertise in making this possible.”

Posted April 2, 2020

Source: CIT Group Inc.

Barco’s Nightingales Foundation℠ Donates 350,000 Medical Masks To California Hospitals Fighting COVID-19

LOS ANGELES — April 2, 2020 — Barco’s Nightingales Foundation℠ (BNF) today announced that it will be donating 350,000 masks to four California hospital organizations that are treating patients infected with COVID-19.

Masks have been procured and paid for by BNF. Hospitals receiving the mask donations include:

  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center;
  • UCLA Hospitals;
  • Keck Medicine of USC Hospitals;
  • Stanford Health Care; and
  • Kaiser Permanente of Northern California.

“It’s our privilege to pay honor to the nurses and healthcare professionals who sacrifice so much to help keep the rest of us safe. Our mission now is to support them through this crisis, and we’re grateful to have located and purchased these 350,000 masks to be donated to some of the most vital medical organizations in our state,” said BNF Founder Michael Donner.

In 2008, Michael and Frida Donner founded Barco’s Nightingales Foundation to support the vitality and courageous heart of nursing and, through its philanthropic efforts, to honor the spirit of those women and men who choose nursing as a profession. By increasing awareness and appreciation for the work of nurses, the Foundation hopes to inspire more young women and men to enter the profession. It continues to do life-changing work for children around the world, including sending kids with cancer to camp, building solar water wells and providing children in Haiti with hot lunches. The Foundation also actively supports the work of Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times.

Barco’s Nightingales Foundation is supported by an Advisory Board of business professionals and volunteers and a Nurse’s Advisory Council that provides insight and guidance into the critical needs of the nursing profession as well as counsel on programs designed to help children and their families across the world.

In addition to supporting organizations and individuals making a dramatic difference in people’s lives, Barco’s Nightingales Foundation is committed to honoring nurses who have made Barco Uniforms a part of their profession for nearly 90 years.

Posted April 2, 2020

Source: Barco® Uniforms

RadiciGroup To Deliver Personal Protective Equipment For Doctors And Healthcare Workers Fighting COVID-19

BERGAMO, Italy — April 2, 2020 — Gowns, caps and shoe covers to protect doctors, nurses and healthcare workers battling day in and day out against the coronavirus. The RadiciGroup business area specializing in the production of high-performance nonwovens has brought to life a project that demonstrates the flexibility of the people in the Province of Bergamo and their capability to stand up to complex challenges.

“Producing high-performance materials is routine for us,” Angelo Radici, president of RadiciGroup, pointed out, “and we wondered how we could help in this emergency situation. So, we decided to call on local companies — which promptly came on board — to set up a reliable and approved production chain to make much-needed protective equipment for our medical personnel.”

RadiciGroup already has available 10,000 metres of fabric, which has passed the lamination test with plastic film produced by the local company Plastik S.p.A.

“Our collaboration with RadiciGroup goes back a long time,” said Gianangelo Cattaneo, president of Plastik, “and we think of the Group as a partner we can count on. When they contacted us for this project, our answer was an immediate “yes”. Through this project, Bergamo companies could provide a concrete response to the coronavirus emergency in our region. Our task was to laminate RadiciGroup nonwovens with a special film that makes the fabric breathable and anti-bacterial, and, thus, resistant to infective agents.”

Tests of the material for medical use were performed and validated at Centrocot in Varese. Crucial for the success of the project was the rapid response by some local garment makers who immediately became engaged in the production of the garments, according to the specifications for hospital PPE currently in use provided by Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo.

Posted April 2, 2020

Source: RadiciGroup

Oerlikon Nonwoven Large-Scale Meltblown Sold To Asia: Shortens Delivery Times Due To Rising Demand For Meltblown Systems

NEUMÜNSTER, Germany — April 2, 2020 — A large-scale Asian manufacturer of manmade fibers and polymers has invested in a new Oerlikon Nonwoven meltblown system. The recently-signed contract comprises a 2-beam system for manufacturing filtration nonwovens — predominantly for medical products such as face masks — with a nominal capacity of up to 1,200 tons of nonwovens a year. The commercial production launch has been scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2020.

The 2-beam system has an operating width of 1.6 meters and is equipped with the new patented Oerlikon Nonwoven electro-charging unit. The Oerlikon Nonwoven meltblown technology is recognized by the market as being the technically most efficient method for producing highly-separating filter media made from man-made fibers, particularly in conjunction with electrostatic charging and with extremely low pressure loss. Electro-charging the filter nonwovens allows the manufacture of sophisticated EPA- and HEPA-class filter media as well as media that comply with the requirements of N95-, FFP2- and FFP3-class respiratory masks.

The demand for filtration nonwovens for medical applications has risen tremendously across the globe since the outbreak of the Sars-CoV-2 (coronavirus) epidemic, presenting all manufacturers with huge challenges. “We are currently receiving inquiries from all over the world for our system concepts”, explains Dr Ingo Mählmann, vice president, Sales & Marketing Oerlikon Nonwoven, talking about the current situation. “To improve the supply situation, we have changed our prioritization in favor of considerably shorter delivery times for meltblown systems, so that customers can now be supplied even faster and also with very short lead times.” A meltblown system will be commissioning at the site of a leading Western European nonwovens producers as early as the second quarter of 2020. This system will be deployed exclusively in the manufacture of nonwovens for respiratory masks.

Due to the current state of emergency with regards to the local supply of face masks, Oerlikon Nonwoven is currently using its own laboratory system to produce electrostatically-charged filter media which are being sent to local small businesses and companies for the manufacture of face masks. “We are thrilled to be making a contribution towards fighting the pandemic, particularly in the local vicinity of our production site in Neumünster”, adds Rainer Straub, head of Oerlikon Nonwoven.

Posted April 2, 2020

Source: Oerlikon Nonwoven

The National Council Of Textile Organizations (NCTO) Statement On Administration’s Reported Tariff Deferral

WASHINGTON — April 1, 2020 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber through finished products, issued a statement from NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas today in response to the administration’s plan to institute a 90-day deferral on MFN tariffs, as reported by numerous press outlets.

The reported plan being pushed by the importing and retailing industries would defer certain tariffs, including those on finished apparel products. It is an ill-advised policy that will hurt the U.S. textile industry at the very time it is answering the call of the nation to produce medical supplies to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

NCTO has been at the forefront of the efforts to deploy resources, converting production lines to manufacture urgently needed medical supplies like face masks and their textile components,  to address the critical need for personal protective equipment and other medical and sanitation supplies in the fight against the coronavirus.

These unnecessary tariff concessions would benefit importers and retailers at the direct expense of manufacturers on the front lines of the COVID-19 response and send a demoralizing message.

Tariff deferrals would severely exacerbate ramifications for the U.S. economy, manufacturers and workers and open the floodgates for imports.

If the U.S. government makes tariff concessions during this crisis, it will be inviting a virtual tsunami of imports further devastating domestic manufacturing as it attempts to regain its footing.

We urge the administration to abandon any moves to defer tariffs on finished products. It would only serve to allow importers to exploit the current crisis, while dealing a severe blow to U.S. manufacturing and its workers.

NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers, including artificial and synthetic filament and fiber producers.

  • U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 585,240 in 2019.
  • The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $75.8 billion in 2019.
  • U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $29.1 billion in 2019.
  • Capital expenditures for textile and apparel production totaled $2.5 billion in 2018, the last year for which data is available.

Posted April 1, 2020

Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

Detroit Sewn Producing 300,000 Masks For Nation’s Health Care Workers

PONTIAC, Mich. — April 1, 2020 — In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Detroit Sewn, a Pontiac-based contract sewing house, has restructured its entire operation to produce more than 300,000 CDC-certified medical masks as part of the “Arsenal for Health Care” effort.  The masks are vital personal protection equipment for medical professionals.

By adding a second shift, acquiring four more high-production sewing machines and outsourcing work to seven additional Detroit-based subcontractors, Detroit Sewn hopes to create 50,000 masks a week by April 6. They are producing 10,000 masks a week now.

“We started with one order for 50,000 masks and the phone kept ringing from all over the country,” said Karen Buscemi, CEO, Detroit Sewn. “We’re now looking at making 300,000 masks and the number keeps growing. We’ve expanded into the office next door and are looking for additional nearby office space for the additional machines and staff.”

In addition, Detroit Sewn and Glamorous Moms Foundation have also organized a volunteer hub to accept homemade masks. They are packaging the work of home sewers in 10-packs for free distribution to non-hospital groups such as senior centers, soup kitchens and first responders upon request. The masks are distributed curbside by volunteers in proper safety gear. The Command Center for volunteer mask inquiries is @ https://www.facebook.com/volunteercommandcenterfordiysewnmasks/

A third component of the project is being launched by G1 Impact, a 501(c)3 non-profit fiscal sponsor, to acquire machinery to make KN95 masks in the United States and to purchase N95 masks in bulk from China. The goal is to bolster the US supply of medical PPE and provide jobs for American workers.

G1 Impact is grateful to The Skillman Foundation which has stepped up to lead funding for the volunteer mask effort to ensure that masks are provided to essential and impacted COVID-19 frontline nonprofits.  Other funders for the multi-tier effort are Detroit Area Honda Dealers, Dow Employees Credit Union, Mandell and Madeleine Berman Foundation, Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, Oakland University, Welding Concepts Training, and Dominion Real Estate Advisors.

A fundraising campaign has launched at  https://g1impact.org/mask-production/.  The group is hoping to raise $150,000 from individuals in the short term, and ultimately one million dollars total as additional states are added and additional small business manufacturers join this effort.

Detroit Sewn is producing a no-gap, 100-percent cotton mask. It is double-folded with twill or ties, pleating, and wire at the top to form around the nose. Adhering to CDC guidelines, the mask will be able to be reused after washing. An elastic tie alternative is also available.

To keep workers safe, all the machines and cut operations are more than six feet apart and proper outerwear and masks are being worn by all. Following safety guidelines, all linens are being laundered in hot water each day.

Posted April 1, 2020

Source: Detroit Sewn

Viral Protection Labs Launches West Coast Operations Of 3-Ply And 4-Ply Surgical Masks

LOS ANGELES — March 31, 2020 — Viral Protection Labs (VPL) launches its West Coast operations in April 2020 with the capacity to produce 6,000,000 3-ply and 4-ply surgical face masks per month. Made in America, manufactured and produced using state-of-the-art equipment, these masks will meet FDA specifications for blocking up to 95% BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency), PFE (Particle Filtration Efficiency), VFE (Viral Filtration Efficiency), Differential Pressure, and Blood Penetration.

The dire need for more domestically produced masks amidst the current COVID-19 pandemic became clear to the VPL team. The proof of the shortage to meet world demands and the United States alone is of grave concern for health care workers and those on the front lines who require critical protective gear to stop the spread of the virus. The United States Strategic National Stockpile cannot provide enough masks on its own. VPL’s goal is to fill the void of overseas, Made in China surgical masks to those Made in America, where no importation is required.

Viral Protection Labs’ mission statement promises quality prevention products to the medical community and to the public to help prevent the spread of viruses, harmful bacteria, and other infectious diseases, improve outcomes and ultimately, save lives.

Field-tested and customer-ready for manufacturing, VPL plans to build out its East coast operation by end of May 2020 with the capacity to produce 18,000,000 masks per month then. With the combined bicoastal factories, this will allow for a production rate of 24,000,000 masks per month over the next four months. As one of the newer, Made in America surgical mask companies, VPL ensures high quality control while staying competitive in the marketplace.

VPL is entrusted with a full team of Medical Advisors and counsel members contributing towards the evaluation, critique, and communication of the masks, along with the federal and state requirements of all products. Advisors and FDA counsel include Dr. Sudhir K. Reddy (University of California Davis School of Medicine), Dr. Michael Chai (Eastern Virginia Medical School), Dr. James Brown (University of Michigan Medical School), and Benjamin England.

Posted April 1, 2020

Source:  Viral Protection Labs (VPL)

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