AmeriMark Holdings Changes Its Name To Amerimark Interactive
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. — April 16, 2019 — Amerimark Interactive, formerly AmeriMark Holdings, announces its name change and launch of its new website at amerimarkinteractive.com. With revenues exceeding $750 million and offices in Lincolnshire, Ill.; Edison, N.J.; and Cleveland, Amerimark Interactive is a growing direct-to-consumer and e-commerce company owned by Prudential Capital.
“Over the past 18 months, we have acquired several brands that successfully use digital marketing to complement their print marketing strategies,” said Mark Ethier, CEO of Amerimark Interactive (AI). “We’ve been leveraging this approach across our entire enterprise, and have established it as one of our core competencies. As such, we felt it was time to change the name of our organization, as well as launch a comprehensive corporate website, to better reflect our business.”
With 14 distinctive brands and one of the largest databases of U.S. consumers aged 55+, AI is one of America’s leading direct marketers of housewares, home and garden décor, apparel, healthcare and personal care products serving the unique needs of the mature market. The 2017 acquisition of LTD Commodities not only doubled AI’s share of this rapidly-growing demographic segment, but with ltdcommodities.com and lakeside.com ranked among the country’s top internet retailers, strengthened its ecommerce presence as well. The recent addition of Harriet Carter Gifts and Fresh Finds positions Amerimark Interactive for additional growth with consumers aged 50+.
Posted April 16, 2019
Source: Amerimark Interactive
Recovery Force Receives $1.8 Million Grant From National Institutes Of Health
FISHERS, Ind. — April 16, 2019 — Recovery Force LLC, a med tech innovation company, has received a $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to complete development and clinically validate its flagship product, the Mobile Active Compressions™ (MAC) calf device. The innovative device is designed to prevent occurrences of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while facilitating faster patient mobility and recovery as well as collection of meaningful data for nurses and physicians.
The prestigious grant was awarded through NIH’s highly competitive Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) process and builds off efforts from a previous $244,000 grant from NIH, which demonstrated the need for a new way to address DVT prevention and patient adherence. DVT is a life-threatening condition that affects between 350,000 to 600,000 people annually and is associated with $6 billion in yearly healthcare costs.
“The NIH award will help Recovery Force gather clinical evidence to accelerate commercialization of our groundbreaking MAC device,” said Matt Wyatt, founder and CEO of Recovery Force. “Most important, the grant will fortify our efforts to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs by bringing a completely portable product to market that’s more comfortable than and half the size of existing DVT prevention sleeves.”
Recovery Force uses a completely different approach from the decades-old methods for preventing DVT. Instead of relying on cumbersome tubes and wires that connect patients to electrical power and loud pumps, Recovery Force has engineered a completely mobile technology that combines breathable, lightweight fabrics in a comfortable form factor that doesn’t require bladders, pumps, cords or electrical stimulation. The quiet, wireless and rechargeable solution delivers a dramatically improved experience and quality of life after surgery, sports performance or other activities.
”Success under the previous NIH grant validated the strong need for vast improvements in DVT prevention from both the patient and healthcare system points of view,” said Jason Bobay, COO of Recovery Force. “There’s strong demand for a new technology to better address DVT and leverage patient mobility data in deterring other hospital-acquired conditions and events.”
The $1.8 million NIH award will enable Recovery Force to complete the design of its device and begin testing on patients in two major hospital systems — Eskenazi Health, a partner with Indiana University School of Medicine and Boston-based Tufts Medical Center. “I am excited to lead the clinical testing of this innovative device,” said Dr. Karen K. Giuliano, a nurse researcher and associate professor at Northeastern University, who is leading clinical testing at both hospitals. “While our initial testing will focus on enhancing mobility and addressing DVT risk for patients after total joint replacement, the MAC device has the potential to reduce DVT risk as well as significantly improve mobility and care for almost any patient.”
Recovery Force’s initial involvement with healthcare experts and clinicians as well as the gathering of patient feedback has contributed greatly to early momentum for this disruptive device. In 2018, the company announced a collaboration with Mayo Clinic to assist Recovery Force in developing, assessing and validating next-generation active compression technology. Recovery Force also announced it was working with manufacturing solutions provider Jabil to benefit from the company’s proven healthcare expertise in bringing its next-generation wearable medical technology to market.
With this latest NIH grant, Recovery Force is well positioned to accelerate product development, testing and research. The company expects the first MAC calf device to be commercially available to hospitals and at-home patients by early 2020.
Posted April 16, 2019
Source: Recovery Force
Walmart Partners With KIDBOX To Deliver Premium, Personalized Kids’ Fashion To Parents’ Front Doors
SAN BRUNO, Calif./NEW YORK CITY — April 15, 2019 — Today, Walmart announced a partnership with KIDBOX to offer Walmart.com customers an exclusive, curated stylebox for kids, with the option to receive seasonally, without a styling fee. The new Walmart KIDBOX stylebox will offer Walmart.com customers personalized style from more than 120 premium kids’ brands, including BCBG, Butter Super Soft, C&C California and Puma. The stylebox will include four to five fashion items for $48, which is approximately 50-percent off the suggested retail price for the group of bundled items.
Starting today, Walmart customers can order a Walmart KIDBOX stylebox by visiting Walmart.com and completing a short style quiz for their child. KIDBOX stylists use the style quiz to tailor each box based on the child’s style preferences, the season and where the child lives, creating a truly personalized selection.
“We are thrilled to partner with KIDBOX to introduce our first kids’ subscription apparel service offering premium fashion brands at a substantial savings,” said Denise Incandela, head of fashion, Walmart U.S. eCommerce. “Over the last year, we have significantly expanded our portfolio of kids’ fashion brands as part of our broader effort to establish Walmart.com as a destination for fashion. Our partnership with KIDBOX enables us to round out our offering with additional national and premium kids’ brands.”
The new Walmart KIDBOX stylebox will be available for sizes 0 to 14 for girls and 0 to 16 for boys, and includes a range of items, from sweaters and denim to dresses and graphic t-shirts. Parents can order a box and schedule delivery on demand or sign-up for automatic shipments of up to six boxes a year timed to seasons, back-to-school and holiday. For every Walmart KIDBOX stylebox purchased, KIDBOX will clothe a child in need through its partnership with Delivering Good.
“Walmart has done a lot over the past year to establish itself as a go-to retailer for all things fashion, and we’re honored to partner with the retailer to expand its kids’ assortment online, while also saving parents time and offering them the value and convenience of a stylebox,” said Miki Berardelli, KIDBOX CEO. “At KIDBOX, we pride ourselves on understanding kids’ fashion preferences while also creating moments for them to learn about the importance of giving back. We look forward to bringing KIDBOX to even more parents and kids, inspiring them to do good in their communities and amplifying the voices of our Kids Board of Directors, Little Leaders and Community Moms programs.”
The Walmart KIDBOX stylebox complements Walmart.com’s expanding kids’ fashion assortment, which features more than 100 new brands that have been added over the last year, including Betsey Johnson, Kapital K, Levi’s, Limited Too and The Children’s Place. Popular private brands, Wonder Nation and Athletic Works, continue to offer on-trend, high-quality fashion at low prices, and Walmart has extended inclusive sizing across its kids’ private brands online and in its stores. The retailer has also launched new shopping destinations for dance essentials and gymnastics, and licensed children’s clothing, making it easier for customers to shop for fashion featuring top movie, TV and gaming characters.
Posted April 16, 2019
Source: Walmart Inc.
HanesBrands Celebrates 10th Consecutive U.S. EPA Energy Star Award For Environmental Stewardship
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — April 16, 2019 — HanesBrands’ commitment to be an international leader in energy management and eco-friendly business operations has earned the company its 10th consecutive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Sustained Excellence/Partner of the Year award for continued success in energy conservation, carbon emissions reduction and environmental sustainability.
Hanes was recognized by the EPA for its 2018 environmental stewardship performance, which has been published on the company’s Hanes for Good corporate social responsibility website. The company achieved significant progress against aggressive 2020 goals, including:
- Renewable energy sources accounted for 41% of the company’s energy usage, surpassing its 2020 goal of 40%. Increased utilization of the company’s biomass facilities in El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, along with use of hydro and geothermal energy, fueled the 8 percentage point increase in use of renewable energy compared to 2017.
- A 23% reduction in energy use per pound of production versus its 2007 baseline and a 2% reduction from 2017. The company’s 2020 goal is to reduce energy use by 40%. To date, the company’s energy reduction efforts have delivered a total cost avoidance of more than $220 million.
- A 36% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions versus its 2007 baseline, nearly reaching its 2020 goal of 40% reduction. Bolstered by the significant jump in Hanes’ use of renewable energy, these emissions were down nearly 11% in 2018 versus the prior year.
- A 31% cut in water use against the company’s 2020 goal of 50% compared to its 2007 baseline. Hanes’ water use was down 2% versus 2017.
- An 86% diversion of supply chain waste, or 107 million pounds, from landfills while working toward a 2020 goal of 100%.
Also in 2018, the company — unique in the apparel industry because it owns the significant majority of its supply chain operations — developed the capability to convert wastewater sludge to energy, retrofitted 10 facilities with LED tubes and improved water efficiency in boiler operations with reverse osmosis technology.
“We’re celebrating a decade of environmental excellence with the honor of a 2019 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award because HanesBrands’ 68,000 worldwide employees have embraced environmental stewardship and actively led our energy management initiatives,” said Mike Faircloth, group president, global supply chain, information technology and e-commerce for HanesBrands. “And we’re very proud to remain the only apparel company to earn sustained excellence honors in the EPA Energy Star program’s 27-year history.
“But we have much work yet to do as we remain intensely focused on achieving our 2020 environmental sustainability goals,” he continued. “We believe this effort and our commitment to be an international leader in eco-friendly business operations creates value for our company, our investors, our consumers, our employees and our communities.”
The Energy Star award follows the February announcement that Hanes earned an A- score and leadership position in the CDP 2018 Climate Change Report. The company scored in the top 6% of nearly 7,000 companies that participated in the most recent report and achieved the highest score in the apparel industry.
Energy Star was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased efficiency. The annual Energy Star Partner of the Year award honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protect the environment through best practices and organization-wide energy savings.
For more information on Hanes’ award-winning environmental, social and workplace accomplishments, visit Hanes For Good.
Posted April 16, 2019
Source: HanesBrands
SBA Announces New Regional Innovation Cluster Awards To Advance Small Business Growth — Including Bioscience and Composites
WASHINGTON — April 15, 2019 — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the addition of seven new clusters to the portfolio of communities it supports through the Regional Innovation Clusters initiative. Regional Innovation Clusters are geographically-concentrated groups of interconnected businesses, suppliers, service providers and related institutions in an industry that drive innovation, job creation and help grow the economy.
“The SBA’s Regional Innovation Clusters connect and enhance innovation assets so that small businesses can effectively leverage them to commercialize new technologies and expand into new markets,” said SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development Allen Gutierrez. “The clusters initiative at SBA has helped foster innovations in their regions that ultimately have a global economic impact. These seven new clusters are particularly well suited to focus on rural small business creation that will bring much-needed education, training and expertise to support small business growth in rural locations across our country.”
The new SBA’s Regional Innovation Clusters are:
- Optics Valley, at the Arizona Technology Council;
- The Great Plains TMC at the Kansas State University Technology Development Institute;
- Montana Bioscience Cluster Initiative;
- AgLaunch in the Mid-South Delta Agriculture Innovation Cluster, comprised of primarily rural counties in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee;
- The Utah Advanced Material Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI), an advanced composites cluster with LSI Business Development and Grow Utah Ventures;
- The Defense Alliance, Advanced Power and Energy Cluster (APC) in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minn.; and
- Conductor Regional Innovation Cluster in Healthcare, Education, and Data/Decision Sciences, a project of Startup Junkie, LLC, a Veteran-Owned Small Business, in Central Arkansas.
The addition of these new clusters raises the total number of SBA-supported clusters to 14. The clusters exist to help small businesses thrive through purposeful, strategic and focused economic development. The clusters work together as networking hubs to maximize their resources, allowing them to compete on a larger scale. These new clusters will attract, create and grow new business startups throughout several regions of rural America, expanding the connectivity of technology and promoting business formation while fostering innovation, commercialization, business acceleration, mentorship and sustainability.
The SBA provided significant and intensive outreach to recruit new clusters, drawing an overwhelming response from a wide range of diverse geographic areas and industries. The response was further greatly enhanced due to the critical partnership between the SBA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To learn more, get contact information or to obtain a complete list of SBA Regional Innovation Clusters, go to www.sba.gov/local-assistance.
Posted April 16, 2019
Source: The U.S. Small Business Administration
AATCC Future Leaders Award Presented To Meredith McQuerry At International Conference
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — April 15, 2019 — The AATCC Future Leaders Award was presented to Meredith L. McQuerry on April 11, 2019, at the International Conference held in Fort Worth, Texas. The Future Leaders Award recognizes promising young professionals in the fields of textiles, apparel, and related material sciences. These young professionals are the future of our industry and the future leaders of AATCC. Award recipients are determined by each AATCC Interest Group.
McQuerry is a tenure-track assistant professor in the Retail Entrepreneurship Department at Florida State University. McQuerry joined AATCC in 2012, the same year she graduated with a BS from the University of Kentucky, where she double-majored in Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles, and Career and Technical Education (Family and Consumer Sciences). In 2013, she received an MS from the University of Kentucky, majoring in Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles (Textile Science), and in 2016, earned a PhD in Textile Technology Management from North Carolina State University.McQuerry has over $380,000 in research grants. She has 12 journal articles published, and seven manuscripts in preparation for submission. One of the journal articles, published with Emil DenHartog and Roger Barker in 2016, received the AATCC J.W. Weaver Paper of the Year Award. She also is a graduate advisor, and undergraduate mentor for students with research scholarships and grants.
Among her many skills, she is certified in Six Sigma Green Belt. She was also a winner of the 2013 AATCC Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Student Paper Competition. She currently is an invited member on the AATCC Strategic Planning Committee and is a faculty advisor for the Florida State University AATCC Student Chapter.
Nominees for the AATCC Future Leaders Award must be AATCC members who are 39 years old or younger and actively engaged in the greater textile or related industries. They must display leadership skills and have a history of service to AATCC or the greater textile and related industries. A key quality of successful candidates is a desire to become more involved with the objectives of AATCC: to increase expertise, encourage research, and establish channels for the interchange of professional knowledge. Nominees must agree to join the AATCC Young Professionals Committee and must participate, as their professional commitments allow, in the work of the committee. The award includes a framed certificate signed by the AATCC president and the Interest Group (IG) chairs and a special pin.
The AATCC is the world’s leading not-for-profit association serving textile professionals since 1921. AATCC, headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA, provides test method development, quality control materials, and professional networking for members in about 50 countries throughout the world.
Posted April 16, 2019
Source: AATCC
AAFA Celebrates Fashion’s Future With The American Image Awards
NEW YORK CITY — April 16, 2019 — The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) hosted the AAFA American Image Awards last night with a sold-out event celebrating the accomplishments of the fashion and retail industry at the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City. Hosted by award-winning actress Brooke Shields, the gala honored leaders, influencers, and innovators in the apparel and footwear industries and benefited the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Foundation.
The AAFA American Image Awards honorees included Person of the Year, Isaac Ash, President and CEO of United Legwear & Apparel Co.; Retailer of the Year, American Eagle Outfitters; Company of the Year, Birkenstock; Designer of the Year, Eileen Fisher; Media Brand of the Year, WWD; and Fashion Collaboration of the Year, Disney Princess X Ruthie Davis.
“It is no secret that our industry has been navigating profound change in the way we sell and bring product to market. Our honorees have not only welcomed these changes, but have thrived,” said Rick Helfenbein, AAFA president and CEO. “The American Image Awards is about celebrating the future of fashion. This year’s honorees exemplify where the industry is heading, and it was a privilege to showcase their success.”
“We thank the AAFA and all those who attended the American Image Awards for the support to the CFDA Foundation. Through the Foundation, we are able to devote funds towards important causes and initiatives, such as HIV/AIDS, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, disaster relief, domestic manufacturing, and education and professional development,” said Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA.
Jay Schottenstein received an enthusiastic reception upon accepting his award for Retailer of the Year. Schottenstein spoke about the age of Amazon and Millennials and the company’s secret to success — happy customers, great quality and exciting product, and motivated, positive employees. Guests were treated to a fun and engaging video from Ruthie Davis X Disney which noted the launch of a new princess collection for Aladdin featuring highlights of this empowering collaboration. Guests listened attentively as honorees Ruthie Davis, designer, and Heather Sanchez, Senior Licensing Manager for Consumer Products, spoke about the successful partnership. Eileen Fisher accepted the Designer of the Year award. Known for her commitment to social issues and timeless designs, Fisher engaged audiences with her inspiring journey through the fashion industry, as well as her latest inspiring projects. Legendary for both his business acumen and generosity, Isaac Ash was presented with the Person of the Year Award. Ash received a resounding response and spoke about his deep-rooted philosophy in giving back to those in need as an everyday occurrence. During his electrifying speech, Ash committed to donating 500,000 pairs of socks to Delivering Good. The Media Brand of the Year award was presented to Paul Jowdy, Chief Business Officer and Publisher of WWD & Fairchild Live, and James Fallon, the WWD Editorial Director. David Kahan, CEO of Birkenstock Americas, accepted the Company of the Year Award. Kahan spoke about the brand’s heritage, its fashion collaborations, and the company’s vision for the future.
The red carpet buzzed with stars, fashion executives, and designers in celebration of the night’s honorees. Designers and Creative Directors included Peter Som (Fashion Designer), Naeem Khan (Fashion Designer), Nick Graham (Fashion Designer), Brandon Maxwell (Fashion Designer, Judge of Project Runway), Stacey Bendet (CEO, Alice and Olivia), Sara Eisen (Squawk on the Street, Co-Anchor and Closing Bell, Co-Anchor, CNBC), among others. Victor Luis (CEO of Tapestry), Josh Schulman (CEO of Coach), and President of Tapestry, Todd Kahn, represented the heavy-hitting business contingency. Celebrity highlights included the stunning Katherine McNamara, actor from “Happyland;” Holly Taylor, actor from “The Americans” and TV Personality Lala Anthony.
“On behalf of AAFA’s Board of Directors, let me congratulate this amazing group for their inspirational work and contributions to our industry,” said Gary F. Simmons, chairman of the American Apparel & Footwear Association. “AAFA is delighted to showcase the success of the industry and to support its future growth through our collaboration with the CFDA Foundation.”
Posted April 16, 2019
Source: AAFA American Image Awards
