ERIE, Pa. — September 19, 2019 — Eriez®, the majority shareholder of United Kingdom-based FaultCurrent Ltd. (FaultCurrent), is reporting results from a recent round of independent tests of its next generation Fault Current Limiter (pmFCL) which employs ferrite magnets at the core of its patented design. According to FaultCurrent, the final round of short circuit (fault limiting) tests — conducted at KEMA Laboratories in the Netherlands — successfully proved that its technology can be safely applied to a power system to facilitate the rapid connection of additional Distributed Generation without an electrical utility having to incur the costs and delays of network reinforcement.

FaultCurrent Chairman and CEO Martin Ansell said: “This is the final hurdle in a 7-year journey that has involved fundamental research, groundbreaking innovation, prototyping and re-engineering, resulting today in a proven market ready product.”  He adds, “We were able to test the short circuit (fault limiting) performance at both 50Hz and 60Hz at KEMA’s Laboratories, a world-leader in energy consulting, testing and certification, to confirm that our pmFCL can be used on power grids across the world.”

A number of companies have designed and built Fault Current Limiters using different technical approaches, from the application of Superconducting technologies to the introduction of Power Electronics. FaultCurrent’s approach was to design a truly “fit and forget” product that used simple permanent magnets at its core to provide a dependable, robust and energy efficient solution that is quick to install.  Uniquely, the pmFCL has no operating overhead and requires no maintenance beyond simple inspection.

The pmFCL works by providing additional fault current headroom when it is needed, presenting a low impedance during normal “in service” current flows until an abnormal fault current instantaneously forces the device into a higher impedance state, and in doing so, allows time for the power system’s existing infrastructure to react to isolate the fault safely. Post fault, the pmFCL instantly recovers, ready to protect the network again.

Ansell says FaultCurrent’s momentum has significantly increased since Eriez recently became the majority shareholder. “We have been able to accelerate the completion of our development program and are now working to appoint a network of sales representatives,” Ansell said. “We look forward to sharing additional updates as we continue to work to bring our state-of-the-art pmFCL to customers around the world.”

Posted September 23, 2019

Source: Eriez

NEW YORK CITY — September 23, 2019 — Cotton Council International (CCI) has appointed Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) as its global communications partner. H+K will establish the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and communicate U.S. cotton’s sustainability credentials on a global scale.

Bruce Atherley, CCI executive director, said, “The entire selection committee was overwhelmingly impressed by H+K’s thoroughness and attention to detail. From spending time with growers, brands and the influencer community, they truly demonstrated their understanding of the industry, their expertise in establishing a new voluntary standard and most importantly how to engage brands and retailers.”

H+K’s distinctive approach combined data and analytics with behavioural science to help CCI identify and prioritize potential partners and a creative communications strategy that engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders creating awareness, adoption and advocacy for the voluntary standard.

“What really excited us about this brief was the complexity of the challenge. The cotton supply chain is complicated and there are multiple standards,” said Sam Lythgoe, Global Chief Business Development Officer. “As an agency, we never shrink from a challenge and brought together experts from around the globe in public policy, retail, brand building, sustainability as well as media and stakeholder engagement. Together we shaped a response that proposed unexpected approaches to drive awareness and adoption. We can’t wait to get started.”

H+K won the competitive brief against 12 starting agencies, in a process coordinated by Joanne Davis Consulting. The three-year partnership will begin effective October 1. The business will be led by Sam Lythgoe.

H+K has offices in more than 40 countries worldwide, delivering award winning campaigns to clients across all sectors and disciplines and with a focus on continued innovation for the industry.

CCI is the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council responsible for the promotion of U.S. grown cotton and value-added cotton products around the world in order to drive U.S. exports.

Posted September 23, 2019

Source: Hill+Knowlton Strategie Inc.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — September 20, 2019 — Angelica, one of the nation’s largest healthcare linen providers, has recently recertified its Phoenix, Ariz., Fresno, Calif., and Pittsburg, Calif., facilities as part of the Hygienically Clean Healthcare Certification Program.  Angelica maintains this certification at all 23 of its facilities resulting in the most hygienically clean healthcare certified laundries in United States.

Hygienically Clean is the quantified, validated standard and measure for hygienically clean textiles in North America since 2011, and achieving this certification is reflective of their commitment to Best Management Practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and their capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing.

Angelica’s locations are in Phoenix; Colton, Fresno, Los Angeles, Orange, Pittsburg, Pomona, and Sacramento, Calif.; Holly Hill and Safety Harbor, Fla.; Rockmart, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Somerville and Worcester, Mass.; Durham, N.C.; Henderson, Nev.; Batavia, N.Y.; Lorain, Ohio; Pawtucket, R.I.; Columbia, S.C.; Ooltewah, Tenn.; and Dallas and Houston, Texas.

The Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification confirms the organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention; compliance with recognized industry standards; and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that employees are properly trained and protected, managers understand regulatory requirements (including OSHA compliance) and the physical plant operates effectively.

“I am very proud of all our employees for earning and maintaining such a prestigious certification in the healthcare laundry industry,” states Jamie Shaddix, Angelica’s Interim CEO. “We are committed to providing exceptional customer service and continually improving our industry-leading patient safety and infection prevention initiatives.”

“Congratulations to Angelica on their recertifications,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their continued commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Posted September 16, 2019

Source: TRSA