Rockline Industries Launches Career Accelerator Program In Partnership With Arkansas Tech Career Center

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — October 15, 2019 — Rockline Industries announced the launch of a new Career Accelerator Program in partnership with Arkansas Tech Career Center (ATCC) during a ribbon cutting event held on October 11 at Rockline’s Russellville location to celebrate the new initiative.

“Arkansas Tech University (ATU) is excited to partner with Rockline Industries to create this educational training partnership that enhances the region’s potential for manufacturing by developing entry-level operators,” said Bruce Sikes, ATU-Ozark chancellor. “This partnership will provide relevant educational programming to our students and enable ATU to deliver on its promise to offer multiple access points to higher education and its responsibility to drive economic growth in the region and the state.”

The program focuses on providing skills workers need to succeed in today’s manufacturing industry through a classroom component with ATCC and paid internships at the Rockline Industries facility in Russellville, Ark. As part of the program Rockline installed a pilot line where students will learn the practical application of their classroom training in a hands-on environment.

“Manufacturing is the backbone of the U.S. economy,” said Frank Hacker, director of manufacturing at Rockline Industries. “We believe that by providing students the opportunity to apply the lessons they’re learning in the classroom in a hands-on setting, we can inspire the next generation of manufacturing leaders, which is critical to the continued success of American industry.”

Numerous state, local, business and educational leaders spoke at the ribbon cutting event on the program’s importance in helping further the growth of the Arkansas River Valley region. Speakers included Arkansas Senator Breanne Davis, Russellville Mayor Richard Harris and more.

Posted October 15, 2019

Source: Rockline Indstries

Honeywell Launches Spectra Shield® 6472 For Improved Protection in Military Helmets

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. — Oct. 15, 2019 — Honeywell today announced the expansion of its high- performance hard armor suite of products with Spectra Shield® 6472, specifically designed to meet stringent military protection requirements globally. Spectra Shield 6472 is the first product in the new Spectra Shield 6000 series, which continues Honeywell’s legacy in providing the highest performing ballistic materials for protective gear.

“We specifically designed Spectra Shield 6472 for helmet manufacturers to incorporate in the creation of the next generation helmet for the Army,” said Tim Swinger, business director for armor at Honeywell Packaging & Composites. “Helmets made with Spectra Shield 6472 defeat small arm threats at lighter weight than current materials, as well as provide full coverage and protection from fragments and bullets.”

Honeywell’s Spectra Shield series has been widely adopted and proven for the most advanced armor applications globally, from bullet-resistant vests, breast plates, and helmets, to combat vehicles and military aircraft where lightweight solutions and performance are critical. Honeywell’s Shield technology includes applications to meet military requirements for helmets that are lighter in weight but able to protect against a range of threats.

“As we’ve expanded our Spectra Shield portfolio to now include our 6000 series, we’ve developed higher performing ballistic materials to adapt to the demanding protection requirements of militaries and law enforcement agencies around the world,” said Swinger. “Our innovations have consistently provided high-performing, high-quality reliable materials resulting in low-weight solutions for helmet, vest, and plate manufacturers to design next generation protective gear for our soldiers and service members.”

Honeywell’s Shield technology is also capable of combining a variety of aramid fibers and resins to meet specific performance requirements in soft and hard armor applications. Pound for pound, Spectra is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float. It has up to 60% greater strength than alternate aramid fiber. Spectra fiber is made from ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) using a patented gel-spinning process.

Customers will get a preview of Spectra Shield 6472 at this year’s Milipol trade show, November 19-22, in Paris as well as the SHOT Show, January 21-24, in Las Vegas.

Posted October 15, 2019

Source: Honeywell

IFAI Announces Changes To Board Of Directors

ROSEVILLE, Minn. — October 15, 2019 — The IFAI Board of Directors announced changes in leadership at the IFAI Annual Meeting held October 2 at IFAI Expo 2019, in Orlando, Fla., at the Orange County Convention Center.

The new members of the board and position changes are:

  • Chairman – Kathy Schaefer, IFM, Glawe Tent and Awning Co. (2-year term);
  • 1st Vice Chairman/Chairman Elect – Amy Bircher, MMI Textiles Inc. (2-year term);
  • 2nd Vice Chairman – Roy Chism, The Chism Co. (2-year term);
  • Immediate Past Chairman – Steve Ellington, Trivantage (2-year term);
  • New Board Director – Ron Houle, Pivot Step Consultants LLC: 1st term (3-year term);
  • New Board Director – Jonathan Palmer, Autometrix Inc.: 1st term (3-year term); and
  • New Board Director – Marc Shellshear, Value Vinyls: 1st term (3-year term).

The returning board members are:

  • President – Steve Schiffman, IFAI;
  • Board Director – Keith Gardner, Dalco Nonwovens;
  • Board Director  – Scott Massey, Awning Cleaning Industries/APCO Products LLC;
  • Board Director – William Morse, Ohio Awning & Mfg. Co.;
  • Board Director – David Segal, Edward Segal Inc.; and
  • Board Director – Craig Zola, Herculite Products, Inc.

The changes to the IFAI Board of Directors were effective immediately after being announced at the IFAI Annual Meeting at IFAI Expo 2019.

Three members of IFAI’s Board of Directors have ended their terms. Dennis Bueker of Miami Corp.; Brian Rowinski of Rainier Industries Ltd.; and Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, of Custom Marine Canvas all ended their terms. Both Dennis Bueker and Brain Rowinski served two three-year terms as directors.

Katie Bradford was elected to the position of 1st vice chairman/chairman elect in 2013. In 2015, Bradford became the association’s first female chair. She previously served one elected three-year term and two appointed one-year terms during the period of 1997 to 2003.

Posted October 15, 2019

Source: IFAI

Fortum, Spinnova Present Wheat Straw-Based Clothing

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — October 15, 2019 — Fortum, a Europe-based energy company building new business options in the circular economy, together with the sustainable fiber technology company Spinnova have today introduced the first prototype product born out of their joint development of using wheat straw in the production of highly sustainable textile fibers.

Fortum and Spinnova are showcasing the world’s first clothing made from agricultural waste, namely wheat straw, at the Textile Exchange Sustainability Conference in Vancouver, October 15-17. The showpieces include a knit T-shirt, as well as a jacket and skirt made of a woven fabric on organic cotton warp.

The prototype material is unique also due to its extremely low environmental impact from raw material extraction, processing and manufacture, verified by life-cycle analysis (LCA).

“We are very excited to present this revolutionary textile,” said Heli Antila, vice president, Biobased solutions at Fortum. “Today, wheat straw is mostly discarded or even burned in the fields. As it can now be used in numerous textile applications, this opens up huge possibilities globally. This cooperation is a tangible step towards Fortum’s strategy to build options for significant new businesses that improve resource efficiency and provide smart solutions for a cleaner world. We would like to invite more key industry players to join us in this journey.”

“We are all very proud of this amazing collaborative accomplishment!” said Spinnova’s CEO Janne Poranen. “This was a very fast journey from the first trials to real, appealing fabric materials. This shows that wheat straw-based fiber is well on its way to being a drop-in product of the most sustainable kind.”

The parties announced their partnership earlier this year after testing various biomasses. The showcased straw was first processed with highly sustainable fractionation technology, developed by Fortum’s associate company Chempolis Oy. Spinnova’s technology, presently in a piloting phase, turns microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) directly into fibre mechanically without any dissolving or harmful chemical processes. Fibers of the now showcased clothing were produced in Spinnova’s pilot facility in Finland, which also means that Spinnova’s technology can be applied to various biomasses without further technology development.

Fortum and Spinnova plan to establish sustainable fiber production in Fortum’s future biorefineries that will use residual biomasses such as agro waste. The biomass will be processed into materials for bioproducts of lignocellulosic origin, as well as cellulosic products. The refineries will be based on fractionation technology, enabling highly resource-efficient utilization of wheat straw and resulting in significantly lower environmental impact compared to other processing technologies.

Spinnova, Fortum and the clothing are showcased in the Conference October 15-17 in booth 35.

Posted October 15, 2019

Source: Fortum Corp.

Polartec® Releases Military Issue Collection

ANDOVER, Mass. — October 14, 2019 — Polartec, a provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, is honored to bring iconic, American-made, military-issue fabric technologies and finished garments a step further than ever before, directly to all Americans.

The foundation of today’s GEN III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (E.C.W.C.S.) — the standard issue cold weather apparel system in the U.S. Army — is the Polartec® Military Issue Collection. This system provides soldiers with a multi-layered, performance driven clothing system that’s designed to be versatile and adaptable to varying operational and environmental conditions.

For more than a decade there have been GEN III E.C.W.C.S. labeled military garment designs for sale online and from select military retail stores. While some of these items are authentic surplus garments, it remains an unregulated gray area. Foreign imitations continue to pop up in their various forms, and even outdoor sporting and hunting brands have adopted military issue garment nomenclature into product descriptions.

Now available directly from the source, these authentic Polartec fabrics and designs are proudly made in America and shipped directly from the same U.S. cut and sew manufacturers that have been creating these garments since 2007. Polartec GEN III E.C.W.C.S. products and the Polartec® Military Issue Collection includes:

  • E.C.W.C.S. Level I Silkweight Shirt and Pants, the foundation of the modern GEN III E.C.W.C.S. layering system, made of a soft and comfortable Polartec Silkweight fabric for versatile next-to-skin performance that includes fast wicking action and dry times, high durability and compressibility
  • E.C.W.C.S. Level II Grid Knit Shirt and Pants, the legendary “waffle” shirt, made of iconic (and patented) Polartec Power Grid™ bi-component knit fabric, which maximizes warmth, breathability, wicking action, compressibility and versatility, while minimizing dry-times and weight.
  • E.C.W.C.S. Level III High Loft Jacket, the “smoking jacket,” made primarily of Polartec High Loft™, the ultra soft and compressible fleece for warmth without weight, with Polartec Power Grid panels
  • Micro Fleece Cap, small enough to stash anywhere for critical warmth, made of warm, highly compressible and lightweight Polartec® Micro series fleece in a durable three-panel construction

“We have long noticed veterans, active military, or even just the tactically-inclined reaching out to us directly, in search of these authentic military grade products,” said Polartec President Steve Layton. “No one should have to roll the dice on a blurry eBay photo or questionable shopping link to get a new pair of their favorite long underwear, “waffle” grid mid-weight top, or favorite “smoking jacket” design.”

Posted October 14, 2019

Source: Polartec

Shaw To Host Sustainable Brands Webinar October 17: Free Registration Open

DALTON, Ga. — October 11, 2019 — Shaw Industries Group Inc. is hosting a webinar with Sustainable Brands on October 17 at 1 p.m. EST with diverse organizations intently focused on products and initiatives that support the wellbeing of people and the planet. The webinar will explore what is driving their efforts, the challenges they’ve faced, keys to success and what’s on the horizon.

Moderated by Susan Farris, vice president of sustainability and corporate communications at Shaw, panelists include:

  • Perkins and Will’s Material Performance Lab Co-Director Mary Dickinson
    • A global architecture and design firm that ignited an industry movement toward healthy building materials in 2008, and whose Material Performance Lab continues to lead research and educate design professionals on how to choose healthier, more sustainable products
  • HeiQ Group’s Co-founder & CEO Carlo Centonze
    • A leader in textile innovation that helps textile brands and manufacturers quickly identify, target and manufacture novel technologies, including groundbreaking work on IKEA’s air purifying curtain concept
  • Healthy Building Network’s Collective Impact Director William Weber
    • An organization dedicated to advancing human and environmental health who in conjunction with the Housing Partnership Network helps encourages the adoption of healthier materials in the affordable housing sector

“At Shaw, we put people at the center of sustainability — what we call sustain[HUMAN]ability™. It’s why we’re focused on the ingredients that go into products and the impacts of sound, moisture and other design elements so we can create a better future,” noted Farris.

She continued, “We believe in a future comprised of spaces and places that support the wellbeing of people and the planet. This webinar provides the opportunity for attendees to learn from others’ successes and innovations as well as the challenges they faced in the process.”

Attendees will:

  • Gain insights into the trends that are driving companies, nonprofits/NGOs and others to focus on people at the core of their sustainability efforts;
  • Understand common obstacles to change and innovation and how to overcome them; and
  • Learn about the value of leveraging partnerships to achieve sustainability objectives.

Register for free at: https://sustainablebrands.com/events/view/sustaining-human-ability-taking-a-people-centric-approach-to-sustainability

Posted October 11, 2019

Source: Shaw Industries Group Inc.

TRSA Elects New Directors — Increases International Representation

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — October 11, 2019 — TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services, elected five new Operator member company directors to its board for three-year terms September 20 during its 106th Annual Conference in Boston:

  • Johanna Ames, president, Ames Linen Service, Cortland, N.Y.;
  • Brad Drummond, COO, Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel, Burbank, Calif.;
  • Roger Harris, president and CEO, Metro Linen, McKinney, Texas;
  • Juha Laurio, president and CEO, Lindström Group, Helsinki; and
  • Chris Sander, industry relations ambassador, Johnson Service Group PLC, Preston Brook, U.K.

These Directors are also eligible for a second three-year term. In addition, Tyler Fowler, president, M+A Matting, LaGrange, Ga., was elected to represent Associate (supplier) member companies for one three-year term. Finally, Jim Vaudreuil, president and CEO, Huebsch Services, Eau Claire, Wis., was re-elected to serve a second and final three-year term.

“We are excited about the range of expertise, experience and perspective these new Directors will offer the TRSA Board,” said TRSA Immediate Past Chair David Potack, Unitex, Elmsford, N.Y., who chairs the Nominating Committee.

The TRSA Board of Directors reflects TRSA’s developing international emphasis with Directors representing Canada, Europe, Mexico and Australia. The TRSA Board represents the industry’s most diverse, inclusive membership with more than 160 linen, uniform and facility services companies in North America, as well as nearly 40 companies operating outside of North America. In addition, TRSA membership includes nearly 140 Associates, who offer the industry’s most innovative equipment, chemicals, linens, uniforms, and other products and services.

With international supply chains and global issues (sustainability and environmental stewardship, digitalization, safety & health, hygiene and cleanliness) driving the industry everywhere, TRSA and its partners in the International Textile Services Alliance (ITSA – www.itsa-alliance.org) have taken the lead in establishing worldwide resource and information-sharing.

In addition, TRSA is investing in a Global Textile Services Market Research project conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a provider of worldwide forecasting and advisory services. This research will be presented and released at the World Textile Services Congress (WTSC) June 18-19, 2020, in Frankfurt, Germany, in conjunction with Texcare International. The project will offer insight into linen, uniform and facility services markets in 13 countries in the Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America global regions, as well as South Africa. Market sector demand and country- and region-specific opportunities and challenges will be forecast. The research also includes insightful interviews with more than 30 industry leaders operating in these countries and profiles of the 10 largest international linen and uniform services companies.

In addition to the newly elected Directors, the TRSA Board of Directors includes the following Officers and Directors:

Executive Committee

  • Chair Jim Buik, president and owner, Roscoe Co., Chicago
  • Immediate Past Chair David Potack, president, Unitex, Elmsford, N.Y.;
  • Vice Chair Noel Richardson, president/CEO, Shasta Linen Supply, Sacramento, Calif.;
  • Treasurer Jim Kearns, executive VP, CFO and CAO, Alsco Inc., Salt Lake City;
  • Randy Bartsch, CEO, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service Corp., Mississauga, Ontario;
  • P.J. Dempsey, president, Dempsey Uniform and Linen Supply Inc., Jessup, Pa.
  • Eric Brady, chief strategy officer, PureStar Group, Las Vegas;
  • Chris Corcoran, operations VP, Crothall Healthcare, Chesterbrook, Pa.;
  • Bob Dudley, president, APPEARA, Norfolk, Neb.;
  • Scott Finkelstein, co-president, Ace Uniform Services., Baltimore;
  • Phil Hart, president, Kannegiesser-ETECH, Minneapolis;
  • Jose Luis Jacques, CEO, LAVARTEX SAPI de CV, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico;
  • Dan Sanchez, corporate sales VP, Medline Textiles, Northfield, Ill.;
  • Todd Schneider, president and COO – rental division, Cintas Corp., Mason, Ohio; and
  • Joe Sullivan, chairman, Spotless Facility Services Pty. Ltd., Melbourne, Australia.

Posted October 11, 2019

Source: TRSA

Retailers Welcome Progress On Trade, Say Administration Has Listened To Concerns 

WASHINGTON — October 11, 2019 — The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French after the Trump administration announced that a scheduled tariff hike from 25 percent to 30 percent on $250 billion worth of goods from China will not take place next week as negotiators finalize a tentative trade deal.

“Retailers are encouraged by the progress made between the United States and China and are pleased that the administration has listened to the concerns of the business community as the trade war takes an increasing toll on the American economy. The decision to delay planned tariff hikes is welcome news to U.S. retailers and consumers heading into the busy holiday shopping season. Although this is a step in the right direction, the uncertainty continues. We urge both sides to stay at the negotiating table with the goal of lifting all tariffs and fundamentally resetting U.S.-China trade relations.”

Posted October 11, 2019

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

TRSA Hosts 106th Annual Conference In Boston

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — October 11, 2019 — TRSA  hosted its 106th Annual Conference in Boston September 17-20. The event drew leaders from the linen, uniform and facility services industry for committee meetings, professional development, teambuilding and industry recognition. Several TRSA committees gathered on September 17, the first day, at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor to provide updates on projects and discuss the latest issues of importance to the linen, uniform and facility services industry. Members of the Education, Environment & Sustainability, F&B/Restaurant, Healthcare, Hospitality, Industrial & Uniform, Marketing & Sales and Safety Committees met for the afternoon then enjoyed a welcome reception against the backdrop of Boston Harbor and the city skyline.

After a full slate of committee meetings on the opening day, Annual Conference moved forward on September 18 with its Management Development Day. Designed to develop the next generation of linen, uniform and facility services leaders, the program kicked off with keynote speaker and restaurateur Steve DiFillippo, owner of Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse chain, which started in Boston and has expanded nationwide. DiFillippo has deep ties to the linen, uniform and facility services industry with several family members working in prominent roles at UniFirst Corp. For example, his father, Tony was a former president of the company who passed away last year, and brother, David, currently serves as a senior vice president at the corporate headquarters in Wilmington, Mass. DiFillippo signed copies of his book It’s All About the Guest following his presentation.

Breakout sessions followed the keynote, covering topics such as:

  • Personal Skills Assessment and Development;
  • Effective Communication Skills for Managers;
  • Great Cultures Create the Right Leaders;
  • Recruiting, Hiring & Retaining Great People;
  • Making Emotional Intelligence Work for You; and
  • What’s New in Contract Law.

The final session of the day focused on the steps that linen, uniform and facility services executives should take to implement a successful ergonomics program in their business. Hosted by Stephen Jenkins, senior director of safety and health, Cintas Corp., the session detailed how a focus on ergonomics cuts down on workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims, and in turn, improves employee morale and productivity. Attendees closed the day with a reception that including time to network and discuss a wide range of issues at the well-attended event.

September 19 combined professional development sessions in the morning with a team building outing in the afternoon that found TRSA members and guests participating in a bit of friendly competition as teams tracked down hidden icons throughout the city, providing a great opportunity to see downtown Boston on a perfect fall day.

At the September 19 Awards Dinner, TRSA chair Jim Buik, president, Roscoe Co., Chicago, presented TRSA’s Lifetime Achievement Awards. The TRSA Operator Lifetime Achievement Award went to Tom Watts, president of Prudential Overall Supply, Irvine, Calif. During his acceptance remarks, Watts grew reflective as he told the crowd of nearly 200 people that he felt like the entire industry should receive recognition for its work. However, he graciously accepted the laundry industry’s highest honor, the Operator Lifetime Achievement Award, and in doing so, thanked his wife, Marcy, and Prudential Chairman Dan Clark for their many years of personal and professional support. Watts concluded with kudos to the industry at large, including vendors, as well the association.

Milton Magnus III, president and CEO of M&B Hangers, Leeds, Ala., received TRSA’s Maglin/Biggie Associate Lifetime Achievement Award. Amid a heartfelt show of thanks to customers and colleagues, as well as family members who’ve backed M&B for four generations, Magnus said he was surprised when he got word from TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci that he’d been tapped by the Associate Executive Committee to receive the award, knowing so many other associate members who are equally deserving of recognition. Magnus added his love of this industry and the work he does has aided in his success, echoing Wednesday’s keynote speaker Steve DiFillippo, who had told the crowd assembled you’ve got to love what you do to be successful.

TRSA’s Next-Generation Executives and Women in Textile Services committees also held their own networking events during the conference.

On September 20, TRSA members elected six new members to the TRSA Board of Directors.

Next year TRSA will host its 107th Annual Conference and Exchange at the Westin Alexandria, in Alexandria, Va., October 20-22, 2020.

Posted October 11, 2019

Source: TRSA

Agility Fuel Solutions, A Business Of Hexagon Composites, Extends Long-Term Agreement With UPS

AALESUND, Norway — October 10, 2019 — Agility Fuel Solutions, a business of Hexagon Composites, has signed an exclusive three-year agreement with UPS to supply compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel systems for medium and heavy-duty trucks as well as terminal tractors. The agreement represents a total value of $65 million to $95 million (approx. NOK 595 to 870 million) over the three-year period.

“We are proud to continue our collaboration with UPS, a front-runner in clean transportation,” says Seung Baik, president of Agility Fuel Solutions. “With our range of proven and reliable clean fuel technologies and aftermarket support capabilities, we will assist UPS in reaching its sustainability targets.”

As part of the new agreement, Agility will provide complete end-to-end natural gas systems for heavy-duty gas trucks, terminal tractors and medium-duty walk-in vans, which are UPS’s familiar brown delivery trucks. These will include on-board CNG fuel storage and management as well as Agility’s certified natural gas engine fuel systems.

“UPS continues to expand and improve our smart logistics network by implementing new technologies and creating a highly flexible, data-driven, and sustainable network,” says Juan Perez, chief information and engineering officer at UPS. “That is why we intend for 25 percent of our vehicles purchased in 2020 to run on alternative fuels.”

Posted October 10, 2019

Source: Hexagon Composites ASA

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