Archroma Moves Forward With Full Scale Production Of Its New Aniline-Free Denisol® Pure Indigo

REINACH, Switzerland — March 4, 2019 — Archroma, a global supplier of color and specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, today announced that the production of its new aniline-free* Denisol® Pure Indigo has been accelerated due to the high demand encountered on the market.

Aniline-free Denisol Pure Indigo 30 liquid was first announced in May 2018 at the Planet Textile Conference held in Canada, and allows a cleaner way to produce the traditional, iconic indigo blue color that consumers associated with denim and jeans.

Archroma makes the Denisol Pure Indigo 30 dye in the most sustainable way as currently possible. The new dye is produced in Archroma’s facility in Pakistan, a plant that made the headlines in 2012 for being what Archroma believed to be the industry’s first zero liquid discharge plant.

“True to our commitment towards continuous innovation, Archroma challenges the status quo in the deep belief that we can make our industry sustainable. Denisol Pure Indigo is result of our efforts to challenge accepted technologies in order to find a better way to advance sustainability, and it is therefore extremely exciting to see that brands, retailers and manufacturers are eager to offer a more sustainable denim to consumers. We owe the successful launch of Denisol Pure Indigo to the shared vision of the textile value chain to preserve our planet and its people, after all — it’s our nature,” commented Alexander Wessels, CEO of Archroma.

* Below levels of detection

Posted March 4, 2019

Source: Archroma

Gap Inc. Announces Plan To Separate Into Two Independent Publicly Traded Companies — Old Navy To Become Standalone Company

SAN FRANCISCO — February 28, 2019 — Gap Inc. today announced plans to create two independent publicly traded companies: Old Navy, a category-leader in family apparel; and a yet-to-be-named company (NewCo), which will consist of the iconic Gap brand, Athleta, Banana Republic, Intermix and Hill City. Gap Inc. expects to effect the separation through a spin-off that is intended to generally be tax-free to Gap Inc.’s shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The spin-off will enable each company to maximize focus and flexibility, align investments and incentives to meet its unique business needs and optimize its cost structure to deliver profitable growth.

“Following a comprehensive review by the Gap Inc. Board of Directors, it’s clear that Old Navy’s business model and customers have increasingly diverged from our specialty brands over time, and each company now requires a different strategy to thrive moving forward,” said Robert Fisher, Gap Inc.’s board chairman. “Recognizing that, we determined that pursuing a separation is the most compelling path forward for our brands — creating two separate companies with distinct financial profiles, tailored operating priorities and unique capital allocation strategies, both well positioned to achieve their strategic goals and create significant value for our customers, employees and shareholders.”

Art Peck, President and CEO of Gap Inc., added: “We have made significant progress executing on our balanced growth strategy and investing in the capabilities to position our brands for growth: expanding the omni-channel customer experience, building our digital capabilities and improving operational efficiencies across the company. Today’s spin-off announcement enables us to embed those capabilities within two stand-alone companies, each with a sharpened strategic focus and tailored operating structure. As a result, both companies will be well positioned to capitalize on their respective opportunities and act decisively in an evolving retail environment.”

NewCo

NewCo, with approximately $9 billion in annual revenue and a strong balance sheet, will have a unique and differentiated portfolio, with significant opportunity to create value. The company will be well positioned to drive sustainable growth and improve profitability by leveraging its loyal and complementary customer base and an appropriately scaled operating platform with advantaged digital capabilities to deliver distinct products and experiences. With enhanced strategic and operational focus, it can deliver improved results at Gap, Banana Republic and Intermix, while capitalizing on the momentum of B-Corp certified Athleta and newly-launched Hill City. The program announced today to restructure the Gap brand specialty fleet is an important part of the plan to enhance the profitability of that channel. As a stand-alone company, NewCo also will be better positioned to continue to evolve its leadership role in sustainability and social responsibility.

Old Navy

As one of the fastest growing apparel brands in the U.S. with approximately $8 billion in annual revenue, Old Navy will be able to capitalize on its scale, broad customer awareness and unique positioning to extend its category leadership and deliver profitable growth as an independent company. Through this separation, Old Navy will have the flexibility, focus and control needed to increase customer access by further applying its strategic real estate strategy, evolving its omni-channel model and expanding its product categories to continue to successfully resonate with value-focused customers. Old Navy will be well positioned to invest in capabilities and initiatives that will continue to grow its market share.

Management

Both companies will have experienced leadership teams, well suited to lead these organizations on their separate, defined paths.

Gap Inc.’s current President and CEO Art Peck, will hold the same position with NewCo after the separation. With more than a decade of retail leadership experience, Peck is well positioned to lead NewCo going forward. Over the last several years, he has led significant improvements at Gap Inc. and reinvigorated growth across several specialty brands by strengthening the supply chain and pivoting quickly to leverage technology and capitalize on new customer trends.

Following the separation, Sonia Syngal, current president and CEO of Old Navy, will continue to lead the brand as a standalone company. Syngal — who has led Old Navy since 2016 — has a proven track record of leading Old Navy’s transformation and driving product-to-market innovations, as well as deep experience in supply chain and manufacturing in both retail apparel and other industries.

Transaction Details

Upon separation, Gap Inc. shareholders are expected to receive a pro-rata stock distribution and as a result own shares in both NewCo and Old Navy in equal proportion. The transaction is currently targeted to be completed in 2020, and is subject to certain conditions, including final approval by Gap Inc.’s Board of Directors, receipt of a tax opinion from counsel and the filing and effectiveness of a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurances regarding the ultimate timing or terms of the separation or that the separation will be completed.

After the separation, NewCo and Old Navy are expected to be appropriately capitalized with sufficient cash to support planned operating and investment plans.

NewCo will be based in Gap Inc.’s current headquarters and Old Navy will remain at its current headquarters, both located in San Francisco.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal advisor to Gap Inc.

Posted March 4, 2019

Source: Gap Inc.

JEC World 2019 Exhibitor Preview: Michelman

CINCINNATI — February 28, 2019 — Michelman is excited to introduce its new family of Unyte surface modifiers formulated specifically for manufacturers of technical textiles and prepreg fabrics. Designed to help technical textiles and pre-preg fabrics achieve advanced form and function in both woven and nonwoven materials, this brand of water-based emulsions act as binders for carbon, glass, aramid, basalt, UHMWPE, natural, and other polymeric fibers.

“We are known in the fibers and composites industry as the interface adhesion experts,” explained Steve Bassetti, global marketing director for the Industrial Manufacturing Group at Michelman. “Our expertise in formulating surface treatments such as sizings, binders, and film formers, strengthened by our understanding of end-use applications, provides technical textile manufacturers an unequaled set of solutions offering various functionalities that can be applied at the fiber level or as an oversizing. Specifically, we help the construction, ballistic, medical & hygiene, automotive, filtration media, prepreg, and consumer products industries improve the performance and functional behavior of textile applications.”

The performance and production of technical textiles are enhanced through six distinct pillars of functionality: binding, adhesion, processability, heat resistance, print receptivity, and anti-blocking.

Unyte Bind offers multiple solutions that improve fiber-to-fiber adhesion. This improved binding of fibers creates a better structure for applications such as laid or woven scrim and prepregs.

Unyte Grip promotes the adhesion between fibers and polymeric matrices helping to improve mechanical properties. Increased fiber-to-matrix adhesion is beneficial to prepreg fabric for composites and multilayer systems, such as roofing underlayment, that combine woven and nonwoven materials.

Unyte Glide is for manufacturers of prepreg fabric and multilayer systems combining woven and nonwoven materials, who can use these grades to increase lubricity and slip and facilitate tow spreading of fibers in technical textile production. They are also used as over-sizing to improve release, drape, and fabric processability.

Unyte Heat operates at elevated temperatures without degradation and can withstand more thermal recycling operations. It provides heat resistance during primary and secondary processing, as well as in the end-use product, making it an ideal solution on braided three-dimensional structures where thermal insulation is required.

Unyte Print boosts ink adhesion for improved print receptivity and minimal color bleed. Fabrics that are over-printed for decoration and branding, or with identification codes where legibility is essential, can benefit from these solutions.

Unyte Slip produces outstanding anti-block properties making it perfect for fabrics, nonwovens, and prepregs which need to be stacked or rolled. It helps prevent finished goods from sticking together, and improve interlayer release and stackability.

Michelman is introducing its exciting new Unyte family in Hall 5, Booth C34 at JEC World 2019. The show is being held March 12-14 in Paris.

Posted March 4, 2019

Source: Michelman

IDEA®2019 Exhibitor Preview: Herrmann Ultrasonics

BARTLETT, Ill. — March 4, 2019 — The advantages of ultrasonic solutions in the manufacturing of nonwovens products significantly supports sustainability intiatives.

Herrmann Ultrasonics has been at the forefront of this push in the industry, with leading ultrasonic technology, making glue-free diapers possible. Ultrasonic welding of nonwovens is a fast and stable process that is easily repeatable and immediately production-ready without the need for the preheating of components or adhesives. The technology allows for simultaneous embossing, laminating, perforating and cutting. The laminated materials provide a pleasant softness and fulfill all requirements for wear comfort and functionality. There is no need for hot glue — the process becomes more manageable, sustainable and ultimately more efficient.

The introduction of the new MICROBOND platform allows for greater closed loop process control and the new intuitive touch screen supports visual real time process changes and monitoring, multiple actuator control and graphical representation of the ultrasonic bonding process in a single handheld unit.  These standard features, along with the proven MICROGAP control system, ensures consistent product quality and provides key advantages:

  • Elimination of adhesive and the downtime associated with preheating, start up and preventative maintenance
  • Soft to the touch – skin friendly
  • Closed loop feedback ultrasonic process control offers high reliability and efficiency at highspeed production rates.

End users and OEM’s persist to eliminate adhesives; turning to ultrasonics as the solution due to the high residual costs of running adhesive production and a significant reduction in machine downtime. Further development of elastic entrapment and stretch paneling applications support the move to glue-free diapers and a more sustainable process.

For more information visit Herrmann Ultrasonics at IDEA 2019, booth #1606, March 25 – 28, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Fla.

Posted March 4, 2019

Source: Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc.

JEC World 2019 Exhibitor Preview: Chomarat

PARIS — March 4, 2019 — Composite reinforcement specialist Chomarat will exhibit its latest woven and multiaxial carbon fibre reinforcements at JEC World 2019. “Prepregs are used in the most demanding markets, such as aerospace or the automotive industry. Due to their high performance, Chomarat’s carbon fabrics are highly considered by prepreggers. Compared to standard solutions, the multiaxial reinforcements developed by the group offer Chomarat’s converter customers significant productivity gains. With its production sites in France, Asia and the United States, Chomarat is able to supply its customers and guarantee the same high level of quality in all countries,” explained Group Managing Director Michel Cognet.

C-WEAVE™ — A Quality And Reliability Benchmark

In just a few years, prepreggers have come to consider Chomarat’s C-WEAVE carbon-fiber fabrics as a benchmark for surface-finish quality and processability.
The reinforcement contributes to productivity and reliability during the prepregging process. Helen Doughty, Director at SHD Composites, testified: “The consistent high quality of C-WEAVE has been a key part of SHD Composite Materials continued success and growth.”
”Prepreg users often manufacture Class A surface parts for demanding applications, and they need excellence and reproducibility,” explained Chomarat’s Prepreg Market Manager Ulrike Salmon.

C-PLY™: Going Further With Carbon Multiaxials

The advantages of multi-axial reinforcements are now well established — oriented axes, absence of resin-rich areas allowing a high fiber content, and improved mechanical tensile and/or bending performance thanks to the non- crimp fibers.

By developing its C-PLY™ range, Chomarat further demonstrates that multiaxials are a real asset in terms of performance and appearance. “Chomarat strives to minimize marking on parts and to optimize surface quality through fibre spreading and the use of suitable stitches. C-PLY can also integrate aesthetic functions by using the assembly seam as a graphic design,” continued Ulrike Salmon.

These new advantages are important for the automotive, sports-equipment and consumer-electronics markets, which seek to combine premium quality and productivity.

Meet Chomarat’s teams and discover its complete carbon range
at JEC World 2019 – Hall 5 – Stand J42 -12-14 March – Paris Nord Villepinte

Posted March 4, 2019

Source: Chomarat

SHIMA SEIKI Announce Major Update Of VR-Knit.Com App

WAKAYAMA, Japan — March 4, 2019 — Japan-based computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI Mfg., Ltd. has released a major update to its smart device app VR-knit.com. New features include an AR mode and ultra-realistic knit fabric viewer, enabling a richer virtual knit experience.

VR-knit.com

VR-knit.com was initially released in November 2017 as an app for showcasing Shima Seiki’s original knit collection as 3D images in virtual space. Knitwear can be browsed by trend theme and rotated 360°, and with the use of VR goggles, the collection can be enjoyed in 3D. Traditionally, fashion trend collections involved prototype samples designed and produced each season worn by models at fashion events. With VR-knit.com, collections can be viewed anytime, anywhere, without limitations in time, place or opportunity.

New themes and items are added to VR-knit.com on a regular basis. By allowing push notifications on any smart device, it can receive the latest fashion trend information from Shima Seiki.

All knitwear featured in VR-knit.com is planned, designed, and simulated using Shima Seiki’s 3D design system SDS-ONE APEX3. Such digitized knitwear is attracting attention as a tool for advancing IT in the fashion industry. Furthermore, simulation with APEX3 becomes the basis for data to be used for actual programming of dedicated industrial knitting machines (computerized flat knitting machines). Until now, it was common for apps to simply allow for viewing of fashion designs in virtual space. Now, by linking virtual designs to actual production, VR-knit.com presents a production model for IT-based 21st century manufacturing.

New functions

AR mode
AR (augmented reality) function allows a virtual model wearing Shima Seiki original knitwear to be viewed within the user’s actual surroundings, offering an even more effective “real world” presentation of virtual knitwear. The model can be viewed from all angles, and the intensity and direction of the light source can be adjusted as well. Screenshots can be taken of the virtual model in AR mode as well.

Ultra-realistic knit fabric viewer


Shima Seiki original knitwear can be viewed as ultra-realistic virtual samples in full detail. This is made possible by the extremely high quality of knit simulation on SDS-ONE APEX3.

App overview

Supported for iOS, Android device, Windows PC, and Macintosh. To download the app, visit the official website www.vr-knit.com, or access the respective app store and search for VR-knit. 
The VR-knit.com app is free of charge.

Posted March 4, 2019

Source: Shima Seiki

Glen Raven’s Strata Joint Venture Opens New Geosynthetics Plant In India

GLEN RAVEN, N.C. — March 4, 2019 — Strata Geosystems — a joint venture of Glen Raven Inc. headquartered in Mumbai, India — opened a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on February 11, 2019, in Daheli, Gujarat.

“The opening of the Daheli facility is yet another milestone in Strata’s remarkable story,” said Harold Hill, president of Glen Raven Technical Fabrics LLC.

The new plant aims to meet the growing demand for geosynthetic products in India and around the globe.

The joint venture, founded in 2004, began as a manufacturer of geogrids and has since evolved into a fully-integrated design, supply, and construction firm. Today, Strata is India’s largest producer of reinforced soil structures.

“The growth and evolution of our Strata team in India has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Leib Oehmig, CEO of Glen Raven Inc.

For Glen Raven, a global leader in performance fabrics, Strata’s success is another example of how innovation continues to drive value for the company and the textile sector.

“Strata’s products are being used to build critical infrastructure all around the world,” said Hill. “We’re very proud to be a part of something that’s making such a positive and lasting impact.”

Posted March 4, 2019

Source: Glen Raven Technical Fabrics LLC

Keeping Textiles Great In North Carolina: Carolina Narrow Fabrics Turns 90

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — February 12, 2019 — One of the few manufacturers remaining from the era of North Carolina’s textile heyday, Carolina Narrow Fabric celebrates its 90th year of business in 2019. While many textile manufacturers in the area have shut down or moved overseas, Carolina Narrow Fabric continues to operate from the very building from which it began in Winston-Salem, N.C., in 1929.

When most people hear the word textiles, they tend to think of apparel, but Carolina Narrow Fabric manufactures technical textiles for industrial applications. Its products are used in commercial industries ranging from aerospace to medical to oil and gas. Most of the fabrics manufactured at Carolina Narrow Fabric look less like the fabrics seen in shirts and blankets and, instead, are strong and often hard materials that can withstand extreme force and high temperatures.

The company’s unique niche is not the only thing that sets it apart. Unlike most textile companies, Carolina Narrow Fabric is keeping production stateside while expanding its operations and adding more well-paying manufacturing jobs. The company’s medical division, CNF Medical, recently acquired the assets of Parker Medical Associates of Charlotte, N.C., making CNF Medical the only company manufacturing medical casting and splinting products in the United States.

Jeffrey Freeman, president of Carolina Narrow Fabric, said: “Our company has an incredible 90-year history of innovation and American-made manufacturing. We can look back on our past with pride, but we’re really focused on what’s next for the company as we expand.”

As a part of Carolina Narrow Fabric’s efforts to concentrate on the future, the company is creating an apprenticeship program designed to develop highly skilled technicians prepared for careers in textiles. The program will launch in February 2019, creating career opportunities and advanced training for many whose circumstances prevent them from pursuing higher education at universities or technical colleges. A training effort like this not only benefits the company, but will also have a positive impact on the local community and on the textile industry as a whole.

Freeman said: “Textiles have been a cornerstone of North Carolina’s economy for more than a century. At CNF, we’re designing innovations that can change the game for companies across a wide range of industries. And we’re providing well-paying jobs in our community.”

Since 1929, a lot has changed for Carolina Narrow Fabric and for the United States textile industry as a whole. While manufacturing companies continue to dissolve or move offshore, a few endure and even thrive, leaving hope for a new wave of prosperity in textiles.

Posted March 4, 2019

Courtesy of WilsonMcGuire Creative

Standard Textile Implements Datatex NOW ERP For Its U.S. Textile Manufacturing Division

ATLANTA — February 4, 2019 — Datatex is very proud to announce that Standard Textile has successfully implemented the NOW ERP solution for Textile Manufacturing along with the CAMS shop floor visibility suite and MQM Machine Queue Management tool. The software is in use at the Thomaston, Ga., and Union, S.C., manufacturing facilities as well as the corporate office in Cincinnati. The integrated solutions manages the supply chain planning, production, inventory and quality control and costing and valuation for the business, including integration to shop floor control systems and other corporate software.

Standard Textile, founded in 1940, puts a premium on innovation as its 70 plus patents clearly demonstrate. Standard is a global leader in the healthcare and hospitality marketplace and operates a vertical supply chain that is the benchmark for the industry.    Len Beck, Standard Textile vice president of Information Services, commented: “We are very excited to collaborate with Datatex on this project. Besides offering industry-perfected functional coverage we are confident in Datatex’s ability to keep innovating for the next big transformation in our industry.”

Posted March 4, 2019

Source: Datatex

Lectra, The Myron E. Ullman Jr. School Of Design (UC DAAP) Forge Automotive Partnership In Higher Education

NEW YORK CITY — March 1, 2019 — Lectra has joined forces with a university design school to devise an exciting new interdisciplinary course that explores emerging automotive interior design trends.

Lectra’s Education Partnership Program is donating DesignConcept, the firm’s innovative virtual prototyping and development solution, to The Myron E. Ullman Jr. School of Design at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (UC DAAP). Students with majors ranging from transportation to fashion and furniture design will learn how to develop product ideas using digital product-development techniques, including 3D modeling and 2D pattern-making.

DesignConcept enables makers of seating, dashboards and steering wheel covers for vehicles, marine vessels and aircraft to accelerate product development with collaborative virtual prototyping.

The Ullman School of Design, located in Cincinnati, was ranked as one of the top five undergraduate industrial design programs in the U.S. in 2016 by consulting and research firm DesignIntelligence. The school’s five-year co-op internships give students the opportunity to gain experience working for high-profile car manufacturers such as General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford Motor Co., Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai, Audi, Mercedes Benz and Tesla Motors, among others.

The new studio topic, “The Future of Autonomous Vehicle Interiors: Materials and New Configurations,” represents the first time that hands-on training using DesignConcept will be provided to a multidisciplinary group of UC DAAP students. The studio will be offered starting in September 2019 and is open to students preparing for design careers in transportation, fashion, furniture design and other industries.

Lectra’s longstanding partnership with the Ullman School of Design began in 2001. Committed to training the next generation of fashion students worldwide, Lectra provides more than 900 schools and universities with access to software and design expertise. Now that commitment has been extended to automotive interior design, which is undergoing a major transformation brought about by self-driving and connected cars, shared mobility and electric vehicles.

“This is a perfect example of our commitment to industry-focused education,” says Dr. Gjoko Muratovski, director and endowed chair of the Ullman School of Design. “The Lectra donation will take our tech capabilities to new heights and enable our students to do things that they could never do before.”

For Céline Choussy, chief marketing & communications officer, Lectra, the partnership with the Ullman School of Design at UC DAAP brings Lectra closer to the automotive industry and connects students to the company’s advanced technology. “This renewed partnership offers students the perfect laboratory to see exciting emerging automotive interior trends come to life with our digitalized product development solution. Lectra is pleased to play its part in training tomorrow’s designers.”

Posted March 2, 2019

Source: Lectra

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