Unifi Announces Sustainability Grant Winner Pac-12 School Takes $10,000 Grand Prize

GREENSBORO, N.C. — June 27, 2019 — Unifi Inc., maker of REPREVE®, has awarded a $10,000 grant to the University of California, Berkeley, for its efforts to boost sustainability on campus. The school won the grant after submitting a video as part of the Pac-12 Zero Waste Challenge. REPREVE is the founding sustainability partner of Pac-12 Team Green, which promotes sustainability and circular economy efforts taking place on and around the Pac-12 Conference and all 12 of its member universities, including UC Berkeley.

“Cal’s video really stood out for its students’ and staff members’ tremendous efforts to raise awareness about the importance of a circular economy during the Zero Waste basketball game,” said Richard Gerstein, executive vice president – Unifi.  “These students understand the importance of protecting our environment. We applaud them for going above and beyond to create exciting promotions at the game to show fans that products people enjoy every day are made when you close the loop on recycling.”

“Our mission is to foster a culture of Zero Waste on campus by becoming a world leader to advance the principles of the circular economy,” said Lin King, zero waste manager for UC Berkeley. “Winning the video competition is a perfect example of how we can all better promote, educate, and market our zero waste goals at all of the athletic venues.”

The grant is part of Unifi’s official sponsorship of all Pac-12 Championship events. Unifi’s grant program provides an opportunity to each Pac-12 institution to receive a $5,000 annual grant award to promote campus zero waste activities and circular economy programs. UC Berkeley received an additional $10,000 grant based on its winning submission of a three-minute video summary of the circular economy sustainability program that was developed.

“Congratulations to Cal Zero Waste for receiving this grant,” said Jamie Zaninovich, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the Pac-12. “We are proud to continue to further support and promote the work of our universities through our Pac-12 Team Green platform and our relationship with Unifi.”

Posted June 27, 2019

Source: Unifi Inc.

Major Investment Deal For Egyptian Textile Industry Announced During ITMA 2019

BARCELONA, Spain — June 24, 2019 — During ITMA 2019, a press conference was held to announce a very large investment by the Cotton & Textile Industries Holding Co. of Egypt. The investment program, facilitated by Brussels-based Werner International, is designed to modernize Egypt’s textile industry and will leverage the prestige of Egyptian cotton to restore Egypt’s textile industry to prominence. The investment is supported by Egypt’s President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi and the Minister of Public Enterprises Dr. Hisham Tawfik.

The total investment of approximately 1.1 billion euros ($1.25 billion) will be used to modernize spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing, printing and cut-and-sew manufacturing. The investment will occur in phases and includes approximately 780,000 new spindles and 1,250 weaving machines. Dr. Ahmed Moustafa Mohamed, chairman of Cotton & Textile Industries Holding Co., reports as part of the investment, Egypt will construct a new state-of-the-art spinning mill for fine and extra-fine counts that will feature more than 180,000 spindles under one roof.

During the press conference, contracts were signed between Dr. Mohamed, and Rieter and Savio. Other companies that are part of this first investment phase are Benninger, including Thies and Brückner; EFI Reggiani; ITEMA; Karl Mayer; and Marzoli. Dr. Mohamed announced that a second phase will be signed within the next month.

“The Government of Egypt has decided to make a big investment into the textile industry of the public sector,” said Dr. Mohamed during the signing ceremony. “The program will have a major impact on the competitiveness and the success of the Egyptian textile industry in the future. It is an important step for our country. I am proud and happy that the leading machine suppliers are committed to support the holding company in the implementation of the program. We thank ITMA for having hosted the signing ceremony which gave us the opportunity to kick off our ambitious program so solemnly.”

Fritz Mayer, CEMATEX president remarked that ITMA was pleased to host the ceremony. “We are famous for our supportive attitude, and I am sure you will be successful,” Mayer said.

“It is always said history repeats itself, and I’m sure we will see a revival of the Egyptian textile industry,” said Ernesto Maurer, president, Swiss Textile Machinery Association.

The press release issued by the Cotton & Textile Industries Holding Co. can be viewed here.

Read Rieter’s press release about their participation in the ceremony here.

Posted June 27, 2019

 

 

Innovative New SkinSoft® by Skineez® Skincarewear® Collection Launch Announced

BOSTON — June 26, 2019 — Skineez Skincarewear today announced the launch of its newest collection, the SkinSoft by Skineez Skincarewear line. The SkinSoft collection features moderate compression (15-20mmHg) unisex socks for both men and women, in four colors and an array of beautiful patterns, bringing stylish options to the marketplace. The line is the first to offer not only medical-grade, true gradient compression, but also utilizes a patented, smart delivery system to hydrate and moisturize skin.

The new collection represents a unique convergence of beauty, health and wellness. And, like all the other products in Skineez’ offerings, helps to improve circulation, massage and revitalize legs and reduce swelling in the legs and feet, while also moisturizing skin as you wear them! Compression socks are an essential item for many, as we head into the busy summer travel season.

80% of wearers noticed softer, smoother skin after just one hour of wearing. (Consumer Perception Survey)

The company’s patented smart fabric is infused with natural hydrating botanicals including shea butter, apricot kernel oil, retinol, Vitamin E and Rose hip oil, that help repair and restore the skin’s natural moisture. Skineez is the only company to manufacture products that provide both therapeutic and hydrating benefits, endorsed by medical professionals, the U.S. military and the FDA. It is the brainchild of founder Michelle Moran, a veteran entrepreneur.

“I wanted to create products that not only help men and women with various ailments, but also offer an added hidden benefit, that suits a busy lifestyle,” says Moran. “The SkinSoft collection is an extension of this, that also brings the ever-important compression garment industry to a new audience: high-end retailers and department stores,” explains Moran.

The Boston-based Skineez is a certified Women Owned Business, and all products are proudly made in the U.S.A. The products, which also include fingerless gloves, diabetic socks and miracle toning capris, are available nationwide at select retailers and online at mySkineez.com.

Posted June 26, 2019

Source: Skineez

Cherokee Global Brands Becomes APEX Global Brands

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. — June 26, 2019 — Cherokee Global Brands, a global brand ownership and marketing organization that manages a growing portfolio of lifestyle brands that it owns, in addition to brands that it creates and elevates for others, today announced that it will be changing its name to APEX Global Brands to reflect the company’s expanded brand portfolio, marketing and design services, effective June 27, 2019.

“We are very excited to rebrand ourselves as APEX Global Brands,” said CEO Henry Stupp. “We are at a significant moment in our company’s history as we evolve our unique platform of capabilities and portfolio of brands. Over the last decade, we expanded our offering beyond our namesake Cherokee brand to a well-rounded assortment of high-equity lifestyle brands. Most recently, we amplified our brand portfolio through the acquisition of Hi-Tec®, Magnum®, Interceptor® and 50 Peaks®. Each of our brands provides a unique value proposition and a strong long-term point of view. As APEX, we will leverage our strengthened platform and position ourselves as a true thought leader in the global retail space through brand management, brand creation and brand elevation.”

Stupp continued: “Through the APEX platform, our owned brands will be able to grow into new categories, multiple distribution channels and new geographies without limitation. Our retail partners and licensees will be able to expand their global reach and relevance, and our shareholders will benefit from our transformation into a streamlined organization that can reach new levels of profitability. We are now positioned to deepen our relationships with licensees as we assist our partners to deliver more product and introduce new categories faster and more efficiently than ever before.”

Cherokee Global Brands will officially become APEX Global Brands on Thursday, June 27, 2019. On that date, the Company’s common stock will trade on the Nasdaq Capital Markets under the ticker “APEX,” previously “CHKE”. In addition to a name and ticker change, the Company’s corporate rebranding efforts will include an updated website and a revised communications offering to promote APEX’s unique platform of capabilities.

Posted June 26, 2019

Source: APEX Global Brands

Culp Inc. Names Perry E. Davis To Board Of Directors

HIGH POINT, N.C. — June 26, 2019 — Culp Inc. today announced that Perry E. Davis was elected to the company’s Board of Directors. His term is effective July 1, 2019, and will expire at the next annual meeting of shareholders, at which time he will be eligible for re-election along with the other directors.

Davis currently serves as executive vice president, president – Residential and Industrial Product Segments for Leggett & Platt Inc., a diversified manufacturer that designs and produces engineered products found in most homes and automobiles. He previously served as Senior Vice President, President – Residential Furnishing from 2012 until 2017, Vice President, President – Bedding Group from 2006 to 2012, Vice President, Executive Vice President – Bedding Group and President – U.S. Spring from 2004 to 2005, President – Central Division Bedding Group from 2000 to 2004, and in various other capacities for Leggett & Platt since he joined the company in 1981.

Davis has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Missouri Southern State University.

Commenting on the announcement, Frank Saxon, chairman and chief executive officer of Culp Inc., stated: “We are delighted to welcome Perry Davis to our Board of Directors as an independent director. His long tenure with Leggett & Platt in a variety of leadership positions for both residential furnishings and bedding divisions makes him an ideal candidate for Culp. He brings extensive corporate and industry experience that will complement the work and expertise of our other members. We look forward to his participation as we focus on executing our growth strategy and delivering greater value for our shareholders.”

Iv Culp, president and COO of Culp Inc.: added, “We feel very fortunate to have Perry join our Board of Directors and look forward to benefiting from his substantial knowledge and experience in our key markets, as well as his insight regarding the dynamics of operating an international business. Perry is highly regarded in the bedding and furniture industries, and he brings an additional level of expertise that will further enhance Culp’s leadership position in today’s global marketplace.”

Culp Inc. is one of the world’s largest marketers of mattress fabrics for bedding and upholstery fabrics for residential and commercial furniture. The company markets a variety of fabrics to its global customer base of leading bedding and furniture companies, including fabrics produced at Culp’s manufacturing facilities and fabrics sourced through other suppliers. Culp has operations located in the United States, Canada, China and Haiti.

Posted June 26, 2019

Source: Culp Inc.

Target to Debut Target Deal Days – No Membership Required

MINNEAPOLIS — June 25, 2019 — Target Corporation today announced Target Deal Days – its biggest sale of the summer – with no membership required to shop thousands of deals. On July 15 and 16, 2019, guests can enjoy deals on top national and only-at-Target brands across categories like home and apparel. And there’s no need to wait days to get purchases with Target’s same-day delivery and pickup options.

“Last year’s Target.com One-Day Sale was one of our biggest days of the year for online sales,” said Mark Tritton, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target. “This year, we’re giving guests more discounts across even more of our assortment with two days to save on hundreds of thousands of items and offering the best options in retail for delivery and pick up on their terms, including same-day.”

Target Deal Days offers include rarely-on-sale, exclusive home, apparel and toy brands, discounts on hundreds of thousands of items and new deals each day. These deals are on top of Target’s already low everyday prices and, as always, guests can take advantage of 5% off using their Target REDcards. Specific offers will be shared at a later time.

For guests who want to bring home their items without the wait for shipping, Target has them covered. Guests can visit Target.com or the Target app during Target Deal Days to get their items through Target’s convenient same-day delivery and pickup services.

Guests coast to coast can enjoy the ease and convenience of ordering from Target.com and having their items shopped by Shipt and delivered to their home within hours.

With Order Pickup, guests can have their online order ready and waiting within an hour at their local Target store.

And for guests who don’t even want to leave their car, they can place a Drive Up order from the Target app and Target team members will bring it out to the parking lot within minutes.

Guests can also take advantage of free two-day shipping on hundreds of thousands of items when they spend $35 or use their Target REDcards.

Posted June 26, 2019

Source: Target Corporation

StudioSuits Launches 3D, Real-Time Suit Configurator For Custom Suit Design

NEW YORK — June 26, 2019 — StudioSuits, a provider of fine-tailored men’s clothing, has introduced a new online suit configurator. The browser-based application allows men to completely customize their suit, providing an authentic 3D rendering in real-time. The application can be found on the StudioSuits website.

The suit configurator makes designing a custom, hand-tailored suit simple. Users can sort by fabric, color, pattern and price, displaying materials available for the creation of their suit. The configurator offers options for more than a dozen different fabrics, numerous colors and six patterns, including solids, stripes, plaid, houndstooth and more. There are more than 500 total combinations available.

After choosing fabric, color and pattern, users are able to continue customizing their suit with virtually limitless options. Tailoring options span the jacket, pants and stitching, including button styles, lining material, pocket style, monogramming, stitching accents and dozens more. Customization options are virtually limitless!

Every option selected is displayed instantly by the suit configurator, allowing discernable shoppers to see exactly what their custom suit looks like. Options can be easily added and removed for quick personalization.

“This is a really powerful tool that we’re proud to be able to offer our gentlemen shoppers,” said Harry Fashion, founder of StudioSuits. “It’s very easy to go in and design a suit using our customization options, then see what that suit looks like as a double-breasted option or with peak lapels. It’s much easier and more convenient than looking through tailoring diagrams or buying off the rack and tailoring after.”

The true convenience of StudioSuits’ suit configurator is that the final design can instantly be added to the shopper’s cart and purchased as-is, totally customized. StudioSuits will hand-tailor the suit based on the customers’ design and measurements, delivering a truly one-of-a-kind suit of the highest caliber.

To learn more about StudioSuits and its new suit configurator, or to view the company’s selection of fine, handcrafted suits, visit http://www.studiosuits.com

StudioSuits is part of a strong tradition of excellence, using only the very best fabrics and proven Italian tailoring techniques. Its parent company has been featured in Oprah magazine, InStyle, the Tampa Tribune and various other prominent publications. The company also offers an easy-to-use ordering system that allows customers to input their measurements and order quickly, and will ship items to anywhere in the world.

Posted June 26, 2019

Source: StudioSuits

Milliken & Company Names Steve Layton President Of Polartec Business

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — June 26, 2019 — Milliken & Company, a global diversified manufacturer with more than a century and a half of textile expertise, has named Steve Layton president of its newly acquired Polartec business. The strong global brand, which joined Milliken in June, is known for its innovative performance textiles for outdoor and military apparel.

“Steve brings extensive textile market knowledge and strategic business acumen to lead Milliken’s Polartec business,” said Jeff Price, president of Milliken’s Performance and Protective Textiles division.

“Appointing an individual of Steve’s caliber is a prime example of the capability of Milliken & Company to foster the Polartec brand,” shared Gary Smith, outgoing CEO of Polartec. “I look forward to introducing Steve to our global team and customers.”

Layton will head the integration process, bringing Polartec’s global portfolio of fabric technologies for outdoor apparel—including performance-driven and consumer-focused textiles, and flame-resistant, workwear and military fabrics—into Milliken. In addition, he will be tasked with the ongoing management of the business, ensuring operational success in manufacturing and furthering industry-leading innovation to develop textile solutions that benefit Polartec brand customers and end users.

“It is an honor to lead the Polartec business as we embark upon our next era of success,” shared Steve Layton, president of Polartec, a Milliken & Company textiles business. “Polartec is preceded by a strong reputation. I look forward to working with the team to further it in the market.”

Layton joined Milliken & Company in 2012, most recently serving as vice president of sales and marketing for the respected Westex by Milliken flame resistant textiles business. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in managerial economics from Union College and a Master of Business Administration from Clemson University, where he served as an adjunct professor for six years.

Posted June 26, 2019

Source: Milliken & Company

Modernization Of The Textile Industry Of The Public Sector Of Egypt

BARCELONA, Spain — June 24, 2019 — Today, the Cotton & Textile Industries Holding Co. of Egypt kicked off the implementation of a major modernization program at ITMA Barcelona. The program, supported by the president of Egypt, Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi and Minister of Public Enterprises, Dr. Hisham Tawfik, aims to upgrade Egypt’s upstream textile industry to support its competitiveness to become a major regional sourcing hub in the Mediterranean region.

The restructuring program performed and supervised by Werner International aims to restore Egypt’s prominent position in the world markets, capitalizing on the global renown fine Egyptian Cotton fiber.

The program includes the modernization of spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, finishing, printing and confection, based on a product line definition which brings forth added value to Egyptian cotton, from cotton farming to ready-made goods with world class level in terms of quality and efficiency — aiming to support Egypt Private Sector upstream manufacturers competitiveness in the world markets.

The total value of the program is approximately 1 Billion Euros, which includes around 780 000 new spindles and 1250 new looms, dyeing, printing and finishing machinery and state-of-the-art cutting and sewing equipment

The foreseen investments will stimulate the dynamism for upgrading technology in the entire industry and ensure continuing increases in productivity as well as technical and management skills to maximize value creation within the Egyptian textile value chain. It will affect largely Egypt’s vertical integration and competitiveness, taking advantage of the Egyptian Cotton.

Dr. Ahmed Moustafa Mohamed, chairman of the holding company was proud to announce that, as part of the restructuring project, the masterpiece of this development plan is the establishment of a state-of-the-art new spinning mill for fine and extra-fine counts, hosting over 180 000 spindles under one roof, making it the biggest of its kind worldwide.
During ITMA, contracts were awarded for the first phase of the modernization program to seven textile machinery suppliers: Benninger (including Thies and Brueckner), EFI Reggiani, ITEMA, Karl Mayer, Marzoli, Rieter and Savio.

Dr. Mohamed was very pleased at the signing ceremony in Barcelona, Spain: “The Government of Egypt has decided to make a big investment into the textile industry of the Public Sector. The program will have a major impact on the competitiveness and the success of the Egyptian textile industry in the future. It is an important step for our country. I am proud and happy that the leading machine suppliers are committed to support the Holding Company in the implementation of the program. We thank ITMA for having hosted the signing ceremony which gave us the opportunity to kick off our ambitious program so solemnly.”

Posted June 25, 2019

Source: Cotton & Textile Industries Holding Co. 

USTER Launches Five Value Modules For The Quality Management Platform At ITMA

USTER, Switzerland — June 25, 2019 — Visitors to ITMA 2019 will see the present and future of textile quality management. A world in which substandard quality is actually prevented – instead of just being monitored and removed.

This new reality for mills enables data-based preventive control. It is delivered exclusively by Uster Technologies through USTER® QUALITY EXPERT, the ultimate Quality Management Platform. The system connects, integrates, analyses and interprets vital quality information from every stage of the fiber-to-yarn process. This analysis is based on USTER® application know-how and produces alerts about exceptions and suggestions for fixing them, as well as improvements when necessary.

At ITMA, five ‘Value Modules’ for USTER® QUALITY EXPERT will be launched, after successful testing by customers around the globe. These modules will give spinners an objective and accurate view of the entire spinning process, leading to higher yields and consistent quality: ‘Managing a textile mill with quality in mind’ in practice.

Optimize ring spinning, control contamination – and much more

The five Value Modules will give tangible benefits to operators, quality managers and mill managers.

Ring Spinning Optimization (RSO)

RSO focuses on the most costly part of yarn making – ring spinning – using data from USTER® QUANTUM 3 yarn clearers at winding and USTER® SENTINEL in ring spinning to ensure yarn quality stays constant, even at high speeds. Spinners can correlate end-breaks with winding data, as well as with fiber properties, in a single system. This results in an improved cop build-up quality, fewer quality variations and a reduction in alarms, delivering significant profitability increases to yarn producers.

USTER® RSO 3D extends this functionality to quality mapping of the ring frame, based on individual quality data for each spindle. This helps to identify outlier sides, sections or spindles. Through seamless collaboration with Muratec QPRO EX/FPRO EX spindle identification, USTER® QUANTUM 3 and USTER® SENTINEL, the system can stop faulty spindles or poor quality cops and so prevent poor quality. This reduces the workload for operators, while increasing quality assurance.

Total Contamination Control (TCC)

The double protection by USTER® JOSSI VISION SHIELD and USTER® QUANTUM 3 gives spinners control over balancing quality and productivity – a transparency that enhances cost efficiency and maximizes profits. It means they can make good choices about raw cotton purchases and reduce waste of ‘good’ fiber. Optimizing ejections and cuts gives precise control over levels of contamination, ensuring the yarn meets customer demands.

Alarm center

This provides direct guidance to machine operators, alerting the appropriate personnel and pointing them to the exact location of an issue. Knowledge from these alarms is stored and used for future reference, enabling even faster reactions.

Mill analysis

Intelligent, data-based analysis by USTER® QUALITY EXPERT provides customers with an excellent overview of mill operations. Information is stored centrally, for easy access and total transparency. The result is savings in both time and money.

Yarn prognosis

Accurate forecasting of how yarns will perform in downstream processes brings security and confidence to both spinners and their customers. It means spinning mills can isolate below-par quality and remove it, sending out only yarn which meets customer specifications.

Quality Management Platform for long-term business success

By increasing productivity, the Quality Management Platform contributes directly to improved business security for textile producers. “The profitability and future sustainability of a textile mill depends a lot on the optimization of production and the predictability of produced quality,” says Thomas Nasiou, CEO of Uster Technologies. “Our customers are partners and we want to support them to stay successful and tackle challenges, by providing the best services and systems.”

Posted June 25, 2019

Source: Uster Technologies

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