Tailored Brands Reopens E-Commerce Fulfillment Centers

FREMONT, Calif. — March 31, 2020 — Tailored Brands Inc. today announced that, after instituting enhanced social distancing and sanitation protocols that meet or exceed those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it reopened its e-commerce fulfillment centers effective Monday, March 30 and these centers have begun shipping online orders.

Tailored Brands President and CEO Dinesh Lathi, said, “Our top priority will always be the safety and well-being of our employees, customers and communities, and I am proud of how quickly our supply chain leadership modified our distribution center operations to create a safe workplace environment for our fulfillment team members during this health crisis.”

While the company’s retail stores will remain temporarily closed until at least May 4, 2020, Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank can now ship directly to customers who place retail orders on the brands’ respective websites — www.menswearhouse.com and www.josabank.com — as well as rental orders previously placed in-store, and new rental reservations made online.

The Company will continue to incorporate employee input as well as recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and government officials as it regularly evaluates its renewed operations at its e-commerce fulfillment centers and determines when its currently closed facilities will reopen.

New Bedford Factory to Make Reusable Facemasks for Healthcare Workers

The company also announced that its factory in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in conjunction with a leading privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, will begin the production of cotton washable facemasks that can be used when an FDA approved mask is not available. The factory will use the manufacturer’s material and specifications and provide the sewing.

The company will bring back furloughed employees to make 50,000 masks over the next few weeks and will continue to look for additional opportunities to help front-line healthcare professionals. The New Bedford factory will undergo the same enhanced social distancing and sanitation protocols as our e-commerce fulfillment centers.

Posted April 1, 2020

Source:  Tailored Brands

Berry To Invest In Meltblown Capacity Serving Face Mask Demand In The EMEIA Region

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — March 31, 2020 — Berry Global Group Inc. has advanced its investment in an additional specialty meltblown asset to produce high-efficiency filtration media serving the EMEIA markets. Current projections are for commercial production to start in the June quarter of 2020.

This investment is targeted to meet increased demand and customer growth and will be focused on premium applications, such as FFP2 (N95) and FFP3 (N99) for industrial face mask and cabin air filtration markets. The new line will be equipped with Berry’s proprietary charging technology to deliver optimal filtration efficiency and pressure drop at lower basis weights. Berry has a unique offering, providing products across technologies and markets. In this instance, the company is using its resources to provide the highest level of supply across Europe and more.

As the largest manufacturer of nonwoven fabrics and one of the world’s leading plastic packaging suppliers, Berry makes materials for the world’s leading and emerging brands. These products range in use from materials for face masks and protective healthcare apparel to packaging for food preservation and disinfecting products, many of which have seen a demand surge in the fight against COVID-19. These critical materials include nonwoven fabrics for face masks and respirators, both of which will benefit from the increased capacity being brought online.

“As a market leader in that space, we had been planning to add more capacity shortly after our latest investment in Asia came on line. The opportunity to support the fight against COVID-19 accelerated our decision,” said Cedric Ballay executive vice president and general manager for Europe in Health, Hygiene, and Specialties for Berry. “Our ability to be agile will benefit our customers and our communities.”

Posted April 1, 2020

Source:  Berry Global Group Inc.

Suominen Receives The First Fine To Flush Certification Granted To A Nonwovens Substrate Manufacturer With The HYDRASPUN® Royal Launch

HELSINKI — April 1, 2020 — Suominen is the first nonwoven substrate manufacturer to receive the Fine to Flush Manufacturer’s Generic Certificate from Water UK. The certification was granted for HYDRASPUN® Royal, which is a dispersible nonwoven material especially designed for moist toilet tissues that are flushed after use.

Hydraspun Royal, which meets the stringent flushability standards established in the UK market by Water UK, is the newest addition to the Suominen’s market leading Hydraspun flushable product family.

“Our Hydraspun product line was the first dispersible product in the market, and producing sustainable, dispersible products is one of  Suominen’s core competencies. Receiving the Fine to Flush certification from Water UK is a remarkable achievement for Suominen. It demonstrates Suominen’s commitment to innovation and being a nonwovens market leader. In addition, Hydraspun Royal’s premium touch and feel combined with high dispersibility will raise the consumer experience to a new level,” said Andrew Charleston, Category Manager, Home Care.

Posted April 1, 2020

Source:  Suominen

EURATEX: COVID-19 Outbreak May Cause A 50-Percent Drop In Sales And Production For The European Textile And Clothing Sector

BRUSSELS — April 2, 2020 — Recent Eurostat data show that the European textile and clothing manufacturing went through a difficult year in 2019, despite good retail sales and export performances. This trend will worsen in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. An ongoing EURATEX poll with its members shows that 80 percent of companies are already laying off workers; more than half of them expect a drop in sales and production by more than 50 percent, creating serious financial constraints.

Data for 2019 show an economic slowdown in Europe, with manufacturing remaining under pressure from Brexit and trade frictions. Figures for the textile and clothing (T&C) industry are in line with that general situation: employment declined with over 2 percent, and the EU27 turnover evolution turned negative for the first time since 2012-2013 with a -2 percent setback for textiles, and a -1.3 percent for clothing, compared to 2018.

However, some positive signs are still coming from the retail sales and trade. The growth rate in the retail sales of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialized stores remained positive in 2019 (+0.9 percent). In addition, EU27 trade is now exceeding 170 billion euros, a +4-percent increase compared to the previous year. Exports grew at a higher pace than imports.

The outlook for 2020 is expected to worsen due to the coronavirus’ outbreak, as in March 2020 industry confidence fell dramatically. EURATEX is conducting a survey among European companies: preliminary results indicate that more than half of the companies expect a drop in sales and production by more than 50 percent. Moreover, almost 9 out of 10 companies face serious constraints on their financial situation and 80 percent of companies is temporarily laying off workers. 1 out of 4 is considering closing down the company.

EURATEX, as representative of the textile and clothing sector, is concerned about the crisis and the pressure on the functioning of the internal market. Border controls within the EU have increased sharply, leading to delays in supplies but also cancelling of orders, thus aggravating the economic impact. Many companies in the T&C sector work under strong global pressure, with limited absorption capacity for such a crisis, and this survey shows that measures need to be taken immediately. EURATEX already asked the European Commission to foresee fiscal and financial relieve, ensure a coherent approach across EU Member States and avoid limitations to the free movement of goods and of the workforce.

Director General Dirk Vantyghem commented: “The EU and its Member States must do all it takes to save our industry. At the same time, this crisis is an opportunity to develop a new blueprint for our sector; the Commission’s new EU Industrial Strategy can offer a basis for rethinking our business model.”

Posted April 1, 2020

Source:  EURATEX

ANDRITZ To Supply High-Speed Spunlace Line To Karweb Nonwovens, Turkey

GRAZ , Austria — April 1, 2020 — International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Karweb Nonwovens to supply a complete neXline spunlace line for its plant located in Gaziantep, Turkey. The line is scheduled for installation and start-up at the beginning of 2021.

This new neXline spunlace eXcelle line is dedicated to the production of viscose and polyester wipes as well as biodegradable wipes. The production capacity can be up to 18,000 metric tons per year.

Andritz will provide a full line with state-of-the-art equipment — from web forming to drying. The scope of supply includes the complete opening and blending machinery, two inline high-speed TT cards, a proven JetlaceEssentiel unit (including a water filtration unit) for hydroentanglement, a neXdry through-air dryer, and a neXecodry S1 system for energy saving.

This order confirms the strong and successful relationship between ANDRITZ and Karweb Nonwovens. In 2017, ANDRITZ supplied a spunlace line to Karweb for production of roll-goods made from several types of fibers, such as polyester, viscose, Tencel, cotton and polyamide.

Karweb Nonwovens, founded in 2013, is a division of Kara Holding and the first and only Turkish manufacturer of airlaid products for health care, hygiene and special disposable materials. The company serves customers worldwide.

Posted April 1, 2020

Source:  ANDRITZ

Boger & O’Hearn Designated As A COVID-19 Essential Service By US DOD, Homeland Security And State Of Massachusetts

FALL RIVER, Mass. — March 31, 2020 — Operations throughout Bolger & O’Hearn’s Fall River, Mass., R&D labs and manufacturing facilities will remain open as the company provides brands and textile manufacturers with the chemistries they need to make personal protective equipment (PPE) and other textile end products essential to fight COVID-19.

The majority of chemistries manufactured by B&O include specialty coatings formulated specifically for the medical, military and personal care industries. End products include masks, lab coats, surgical gowns, medical drapes, high performance rain proof tenting and many other products needed now to combat COVID-19.

Although Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered many companies in his state to shut down, B&O has been designated as a COVID-19 Essential Service and part of the nation’s critical manufacturing infrastructure through the duration of this national emergency.

In addition, the US Departments of Defense and Homeland Security have instructed companies that operate within the Defense Industrial Base Essential Critical Infrastructure, as well as suppliers to companies in that base, to maintain full operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. B&O is one such company, serving numerous companies that make military apparel and gear or fabrics for the military and medical markets

During this crisis, “We will stay open and proactive to keep our employees safe and maintain operations as we work with our country to help stop the spread of this disease,” said Mohan Rao, technology director for Textile Innovations at B&O.

“We are adhering to all social distancing rules and regulations identified by the Massachusetts State Department of Health’s COVID-19 guidelines,” added Frank Keohan, B&O’s senior technology manager. “We are also adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

Bolger & O’Hearn is known and respected throughout the industries it serves as a trusted partner and developer of innovative, highly-effective chemical products. A bluesign system partner, B&O is also known for developing chemical products based on environmentally-compliant materials and technologies. Most of their chemistries are water-based, and Boger & O’Hearn strives to continually improve the health, safety and environmental profiles of the chemistries they develop.

Posted March 31, 2020

Source:  Boger & O’Hearn

Accel Lifestyle Providing Vital Supplies During COVID-19 Pandemic

HOUSTON, Texas — March 25, 2020 — It is Accel Lifestyle’s mission to be a positive force
in the world. To that end, the apparel company is proud to announce it is adjusting its
manufacturing process to help alleviate a shortage of face masks caused by the ongoing
COVID-19 pandemic.

Accel Lifestyle is using its exclusive, anti-bacterial Prema® fabric to manufacture the all
new Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face Mask, which will be available to both the public and
medical professionals. The Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face Masks have two layers of
Prema fabric with excellent breathability and can easily be made to include a pocket for
an additional filter.

Prema fabric was developed by Accel Lifestyle founder and CEO Megan Eddings. It
uses a proprietary blend of silver-poly fibers woven with Supima®, the finest cotton in
the world. It has undergone years of development and testing – focusing primarily on
Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Even after 100 washes, tests have shown a
99.38% reduction rate of Staphylococcus aureus and a colony reduction rate of 97.44% of
Klebsiella pneumoniae.

While initially intended to be a non-stink fabric for athletic wear, Eddings’ creation — due
to its antimicrobial properties — has proven to be popular with cancer patients and others
with compromised immune systems. Although it’s not an N95 mask, Eddings hopes her
Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face Masks can help provide some level of protection against
COVID-19.

“I truly believe we’re all in this together and we all have a role to play during this pandemic,” Eddings said. “If Accel Lifestyle can help flatten the curve in any way, then we’re going to do it.”

Accel Lifestyle is currently in talks with the Texas Medical Center about supplying their
facilities with the Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face Masks. In addition, the Texas Medical
Center hospitals are also independently testing Accel Lifestyle’s Prema fabric in their
own infection control departments.

The manufacturing of the Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face Masks will also help have a
positive impact on the economy. In order to make the Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face
Masks, Accel Lifestyle is employing 40 sewers in the Houston area who would otherwise
be out of work. In addition, a local trucking company with a fleet of 17 trucks is on
standby to ship the Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face Masks to medical facilities.
The Accel Prema Anti-Bacterial Face Masks are currently available. Accel Lifestyle has
the ability to quickly produce over 90,000 additional face masks beyond their current
stock. Inquiries should be made to info@accellifestyle.com.

Posted March 31, 2020

Source: Accel Lifestyle

Carhartt Shifts U.S. Production To Support The Hardworking Men And Women Serving and Protecting Us During The Covid-19 Pandemic 

DEARBORN, Mich. — March 31, 2020 — Carhartt, America’s most trusted workwear brand, has been committed to serving and protecting hardworking people since 1889. That is why the company is announcing today that it’s joining in the effort to supply the brave men and women working on the frontline with the gowns and masks they need to protect themselves.

On Monday, April 6, Carhartt will begin producing 50,000 medical gowns, and on April 20, the company will begin manufacturing 2.5 million masks. As long as these critical items are in short supply, Carhartt will continue to assist in production.

“Serving and answering the call during times of need has always been an integral part of Carhartt’s history and it’s why consumers have trusted us to have their back for more than 130 years,” said Mark Valade, CEO, Carhartt. “We are humbled and honored to help all the essential workers serving and protecting us right now.”

Associates from Carhartt’s manufacturing facilities have proudly volunteered to produce these items and the company will continue to compensate them for their important contribution to the effort to support the nation’s need for medical personal protective equipment.

The safety of all associates is Carhartt’s top priority, so the company is working closely with local health authorities and following recommended protocols to ensure a safe work environment for employees. This includes implementing social distancing protocols, limiting the number of employees, and increasing sanitation measures within facilities to ensure the health and well-being of team members.

Over the last few weeks, Carhartt temporarily closed all company-owned stores and implemented temporary rotating paid work schedules in its manufacturing and distribution facilities to encourage social distancing among associates. Decisions continue to be made based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

For more information and updates on Carhartt’s response to COVID-19, please visit www.Carhartt.com

Posted March 31, 2020

Source: Carhartt

Battelle CCDS Critical Care Decontamination System™ Being Deployed To Meet Urgent Need for Personal Protective Equipment For Nation’s Healthcare Workforce

COLUMBUS, Ohio — March 28, 2020 — Battelle announced today that it has begun rapid manufacturing of a system to decontaminate N95 respirator masks and other medical protective equipment.

Each Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS™) is capable of decontaminating up to 80,000 masks per day at full capacity. Because it is scalable, the system is capable of processing even more pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) each day. Battelle CCDS uses concentrated, vapor phase hydrogen peroxide (VPHP) and works by exposing used respirator masks to the validated concentration level for 2.5 hours to decontaminate biological contaminates, including SARS-CoV-2.

Battelle has a fully operational system at its West Jefferson, Ohio facility that has processed test batches of previously worn PPE received from Central Ohio hospitals. Battelle is working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to obtain an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to begin processing previously worn PPE for reuse in a clinical setting.

This past week, Battelle started building systems at one of its manufacturing operations in Columbus for shipment to sites around the country. The first completed system is in transit and will be placed at an undisclosed location in the New York metropolitan area to address that city’s critical shortage of PPE needed by healthcare workers and first responders.

“The Battelle team mobilized to begin acquiring parts and developing manufacturing processes to deploy systems to help those on the frontline who need essential protective equipment,” said Matt Vaughan, Battelle’s contract research president. “We are building the next units and are in discussions with health officials across the country to determine where to best place them.”

For decades, Battelle has served the military in protecting troops from chemical and biological hazards. The company operates Biosafety Level 2 and 3 labs where research is performed on live viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Battelle also has a full medical device development team that works with the FDA on a regular basis.

Battelle CCDS is based on research that Battelle performed for the FDA in 2015 (Richter et al., 2016) to assess the feasibility to decontaminate N95 respirator masks in the event of a PPE shortage resulting from a pandemic. In that FDA study VPHP decontamination, using the same system parameters and critical end points as the current system, was shown to result in 6-log reduction of G. stearothermophilus while not degrading the filter performance of N95 respirators for multiple decontamination cycles. Battelle is currently conducting research to validate that other equipment, including surgical masks and ventilator components, can be decontaminated using this process.

Once the EUA is in place, Healthcare systems that are enrolled in the Battelle CCDS program will collect worn respirator masks daily in accordance with an approved procedure and courier them to one of the active Battelle CCDS locations. The PPE will be labeled with a barcoded serial number for tracking the chain-of-custody throughout the process. This ensures that a hospital system receives its own masks back. Each respirator mask will be marked with the number of times that mask has been processed.

Posted March 31, 2020

Source: Batelle

PureCare Begins U.S. Manufacturing

PHOENIX, Ariz. — March 30, 2020 — PureCare, a producer of wellness-focused sleep essentials, has begun manufacturing pillows in the United States — a move the company said significantly expands and improves its ability to serve a wider variety of customers.

PureCare partnered with Italy-based manufacturing technology provider Brighi Tech Innovations to develop and install a cutting-edge pillow manufacturing system with optimal versatility to make many types of pillows along with greater flexibility and control over quantities and cost.

From its 120,000-square-foot factory and headquarters in Phoenix, PureCare can now produce up to 5,600 pillows a day. Startup production currently is around 70 percent of full capacity, according to Sean Bergman, PureCare COO.

CEO Jeff Bergman said, “We recognized years ago the need to diversify our business to continue the tremendous growth we’ve had from day one, and domestic manufacturing was going to be key to expanding our footprint among specialty mattress and furniture retailers, mass merchants and hospitality markets.”

He explained that while PureCare claims a large part of the foam pillow market, about 70 percent of the overall market is in fiber and blended pillows. To capture that and continue its double-digit growth trajectory every year, PureCare teamed up with Brighi to design a pillow manufacturing system capable of blowing fiber, ball fiber, Microfiber, shredded visco-elastic foam and latex rubber foam, and a combination of shredded foam and fiber. The new machinery also has roll-pack and flat-pack capability, which reduces shipping costs.

The new pillow manufacturing equipment occupies about 25 percent of the Phoenix facility, and company officials said there are plans to expand with additional lines and cut-and-sew operations.

“PureCare already brings tremendous value to the category because we are the leaders in terms of quality and wellness focus, and now with manufacturing in the U.S., we are better able to answer the growing consumer demand for high quality products that enhance the sleep environment and offer real wellness benefits at more accessible prices,” said Sean Bergman.

PureCare officials estimated they have invested $2 million in its domestic pillow manufacturing, which includes the Brighi machinery, a CubiScan system to increase efficiency in inventory handling and logistics, and fiber and packaging materials.

Integral to PureCare’s domestic production is the close collaboration with Brighi Tech Innovations. Both companies share customer-centric and family-run philosophy and approach to doing business along with the attention to details that result in the highest quality product, said Jeff Bergman.

“We researched pillow machinery manufacturers from several different countries, and Brighi by far offered the most sophisticated and precise system to achieve our goal of producing the finest products with the finest materials,” he added. “Relationships are so important to us, whether it’s a customer, retail partner or supplier, and the decision to partner with Brighi has been a result of many years of developing trust and respect for our shared pursuit of quality.”

Posted March 31, 2020

Source: PureCare

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