Ascend Cares Foundation Grants More Than 100 Awards Through Annual Scholarship Program

HOUSTON — May 30, 2019 — The Ascend Cares Foundation announced today it has awarded $166,500 this year as part of its scholarship program for children of employees of Ascend Performance Materials.

Ascend Cares, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded and led by Ascend employees, was founded in 2011 to support Ascend families in their times of need, provide community engagement opportunities and facilitate community leadership. The scholarship program, now in its fifth year, was launched to invest in Ascend families and their students’ education.

This year, Ascend Cares awarded 103 scholarships to students in Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Texas. Students will be attending trade schools, colleges and universities. Winners were selected based on their outstanding community service and strong academic achievements.

“We are very proud to be able to support this group of accomplished young leaders as they pursue higher education,” said Phil McDivitt, Ascend’s president and CEO. “I am impressed with their level of commitment to their communities, and I am confident they each have the potential to change the world.”

Rachell Gold, executive director of the Ascend Cares Foundation, received many scholarship applications that included each student’s volunteering efforts.

“The applicant pool has grown each year since the program was launched,” said Gold. “Last year we awarded $149,000 in scholarships. This year we are delighted to increase our investments in students who are committed to making a difference in their communities.”

Six top scholarship recipients were awarded Ascend Cares Community Impact Grants for $500. The foundation regularly offers these grants to Ascend employees to support hands-on involvement with local organizations. Student winners will use the grant toward their own personal project in their communities.

The Ascend Cares Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2011 and is managed by team members of Ascend Performance Materials. It is financed through a combination of individual contributions and matching company funds. The foundation partners with other nonprofits serving the communities where Ascend Performance Materials employees live and work. Ascend Cares is focused on serving and supporting the areas of education, healthcare, children, families and the military through charitable giving and volunteering.

May 30, 2019

Source: The Ascend Cares Foundation

TRSA 106th Annual Conference Expands Content, Schedule

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — May 28, 2019 — The TRSA 106th Annual Conference will provide attendees with an expanded, more inclusive format that begins on September 17 with TRSA committee meetings. Industry professionals, from managers up through CEOs and owners, are encouraged to participate in these meetings, which will include a 30-minute open discussion roundtable on industry-related issues.

Sept. 18 will feature the Management Development program, a new part of the Annual Conference, which will provide a day of breakouts and general sessions featuring subjects beneficial to leadership of all levels. Next generation executives, emerging leaders, general managers, and other plant-based management, graduates of EMI and PMI, owners and c-suite executives will be inspired by keynote speaker Steve DiFillippo, restaurateur and author of It’s All About the Guest. Steve’s family has been deeply involved in the laundry business for a few generations, and he’ll bring that perspective as he shares the deliberate steps taken to transform his upscale restaurants into multiple locations during his presentation on Mastering Hospitality for Business.

Six breakout sessions feature the “best-of-the-best” top-rated speakers and topics from TRSA’s range of programs, covering:

  • Communications;
  • Management;
  • Recruiting and Retention; and
  • Safety and Skills Development.

Sept. 19’s opening keynote, Bill Taylor, founding editor, Fast Company, will rev up the audience with questions such as: What separates us from our rivals in the marketplace? And What holds us together as colleagues in the workplace? Hear ideas, diagnostics and case studies, and be guided to a new world of work and a cutting-edge agenda for recruiting, evaluating, organizing and retaining talent. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Taylor’s bestseller, Simply Brilliant: How Great Organizations Do Ordinary Things in Extraordinary Ways following his presentation.

Digital innovation is on the agenda with a presentation, Riding the Digital Wave, with Andrew Lippman, MIT Media Lab and co-director of Digital Life. This highly animated, engaging presentation will translate the latest digital technology trends into clear, business-ready insights that are effective in any industry. Additional general sessions include:

  • Government Relations Update, presented by Kevin Schwalb, vice president, government relations and certifications;
  • Latest Trends in Labor and Employment Law with attorney Joseph Shelton, partner, Fisher & Phillips LLC; and
  • Textile Services Bottom-Line Performance presented by Andrew Wittmann, CFA, director, senior research analyst, Robert W. Baird Facility and Industrial Research Services Team.

The conference’s closing keynote speaker, presidential historian and Pulitzer-prize winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will discuss Leadership in Turbulent Times. Inspired by her current New York Times bestseller of the same name, Goodwin’s engaging and entertaining address will bring to life some of the actions of the most successful U.S. presidents to provide perspective for today’s leaders, and to underscore that the U.S. democracy has survived — and even thrived — through troubling times in the past. Attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of this book following the keynote.

Included social activities include a Secrets of Old Boston scavenger hunt, a competitive, yet fun small team activity that is open to all attendees and their guests/partners. A special outing is also planned for guest/partners on Sept. 18. The evening of September 19 is the TRSA Annual Awards Dinner, a tradition that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of top industry leaders with the presentation of the Operator and Maglin-Biggie Associate Lifetime Achievement awards. The Sept. 20 agenda includes the annual membership meeting and elections, and presentations on the state of the association, as well as the Industry, in addition to the closing keynote. This year’s conference venue, the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor is close to the Logan International Airport and offers convenient free shuttles. The city of Boston is a 15-minute ride via water taxi, Uber or subway from the hotel.

The Annual Conference package is inclusive, covering all meals and receptions from noon September 17 through breakfast on September 20. However, TRSA is also offering stand-alone registrations the September 17 committee meetings and the September 18 Management Development program. Registrations received on or before August 9 will save $100 on registration. View the full brochure and register today at www.trsa.org/annualconference.

May 30, 2019

Source: TRSA

Home Furnishings Retailer To Create 161 Jobs With New East Coast Operations In Johnston County, NC

RALEIGH, N.C. — May 28, 2019 — Broad River Retail LLC, an Ashley HomeStore licensee, will create 161 jobs as it locates a distribution center in Johnston County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $2 million in the new facility, to be located in Four Oaks.

“North Carolina’s strong workforce and critical transportation networks make it a natural fit for retailers working to deliver products quickly,” said Governor Cooper. “Broad River Retail’s new distribution hub in Johnston County will mean job growth and fuel economic expansion in the Four Oaks area.”

Broad River Retail is a privately held company that employs over 540 employees and sells furniture, mattresses and home accessories and is headquartered in Fort Mill, S.C. The new facility in Four Oaks will be the second campus for Broad River Retail and will be 182,300 square feet. The facility will be a multi-purpose location that will include an Ashley HomeStore plus Ashley HomeStore Outlet connected to a state-of-the-art, distribution center, call center, learning center and regional campus.

The new distribution center, located alongside Interstate 95, will sit on over 30 acres of land and will support primarily eastern North Carolina, as well as parts of South Carolina and southern Virginia.

“This announcement is an exciting and important milestone for our company and is a testament to all of our talented team members who have contributed to our success and growth,” said Charlie Malouf, president and CEO, for Broad River Retail. “This deal would not have happened without the leaders from the Town of Four Oaks, Johnston County and the State of North Carolina. We were extremely pleased with how quickly everyone from economic development came together to make today’s announcement a reality, and we are grateful for the incredible collaboration.”

“We are grateful for the world-class team at Ashley Furniture Industries who helped us design what we hope will become an iconic location for this global brand,” Mr. Malouf continued. “We are looking forward to becoming part of a vibrant business community in Johnston County and the state of North Carolina where we hope to furnish life’s best memories for many years to come.”

“The investment made by Broad River Retail will allow the company to continue with our customer-centric focus, creating additional space to service our regional customer base in a timelier fashion,” said Todd Wanek, president and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. “We’re very proud of Charlie Malouf, Manny Rodrigues, Charlie Workmon and the Broad River Retail team for their growth and determination, and wish them future success as true ambassadors of the Ashley brand.”

“The furniture industry continues to thrive in North Carolina,” said North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland. “Broad River Retail’s new home in Four Oaks will serve as a great showcase for the industry along one of our busiest interstate routes.”

The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. (EDPNC) were instrumental in supporting the company’s decision to expand to the state.

“I am so incredibly proud of all of the Broad River Retail team members for helping us arrive at this milestone today,” said Manny Rodrigues, Chief Operating Officer of Broad River Retail. “We look forward to welcoming new team members in Johnston County as we continue to grow in the coming months.”

The new positions associated with the project will provide an annual payroll impact of more than $6.8 million to the local economy.

A performance-based grant of $150,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Broad River Retail’s new operation in North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“Broad River Retail’s selection of Four Oaks and Johnston County brings another world-class company to our region,” said N.C. Senator Brent Jackson. “We welcome this new, high-profile facility and will work with the company and its employees as they grow.

“We congratulate Broad River Retail for this strong vote of confidence in North Carolina and Johnston County,” said N.C. Representative Larry Strickland. “It’s wonderful to see another company reach the conclusion that our state is a great place to do business.”

In addition to North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, Johnston County, the Town of Four Oaks, and Johnston County’s Economic Development Office.

May 30, 2019

Source: North Carolina Office of the Governor

Spider Silk Production Breakthrough From Kraig Biocraft Laboratories

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — May 30, 2019 — Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc., a developer of spider silk based fibers, announced today the creation of the next generation of recombinant spider silk using the company’s new design, gene editing, and incorporation approaches. Kraig Labs designed this approach to customize mechanical properties for specific commercial markets and has demonstrated the ability to more quickly, accurately, and efficiently, generate new transgenics.

This is the material science breakthrough that the company has been pushing for since establishing the Dragon Silk line; this new transgenic was specifically engineered for high strength and significantly higher protein expression levels. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Kraig Labs’ mission to produce and commercialize eco-friendly materials that exceed the performance and strength of native spider silk.

“This breakthrough has powerful ramifications that affect the core of how we develop future spider silk materials,” said COO Jon Rice. “These newly confirmed transgenics mark a revolutionary advancement in capability of our spider silk materials. The new tools developed by Dr. Trevor Kane and our research team will allow us to target commercial markets that were not originally on our radar.”

Screening of these samples confirms that the gene edit was successful, validating the underlying protocols and genetic constructs. Furthermore, western blot analysis, performed on the silk, confirms expression of this new and potentially much more powerful spider silk protein. These results open the door for the Company to deploy this new methodology towards a variety of tailored spider silk designs. Kraig Labs expects these new recombinant spider silk fiber lines will open up broader commercial opportunities and complement the Company’s existing Monster Silk™ and Dragon Silk™ technologies.

May 30, 2019

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc.

Applied DNA Closes The Loop On Traceability For Egyptian Pima With Genotyping Assays For Cotton Authentication

STONY BROOK, N.Y. — May 30, 2019 — Applied DNA Sciences Inc., today announced that it has closed the loop on traceability for Egyptian Pima using DNA-based genotyping assays for cotton authentication. These assays have been used to verify fiber and will be extended to yarn, fabric and finished goods in an ongoing validation program. The Egyptian Pima developments join and expand a series of U.S. Pima cotton assays performed within Applied DNA testing services and are based on work conducted over the past three years related to the validation of a known library of cotton cultivar standards.

“This solution closes the loop for the cotton industry that has been under a cloud of controversy surrounding evidence of cotton products labeled as Egyptian cotton versus those which are actually grown in Egypt. There is no substitute for DNA analysis when it comes to cotton traceability and transparency because of its ability to do what other technologies cannot do, which is to forensically authenticate the fiber through to yarn and finished goods,” stated Dr. Michael Hogan, vice president, Life Sciences, Applied DNA. When paired with SigNature® T DNA tagging, testing and tracking of cotton at the gin, it is expected that these new cotton assays, along with other methods of fiber quantitation in the development pipeline at Applied DNA, can now broaden our multiple-parameter analysis to verify the type of cotton, the cotton’s origin, and the blending of the cotton fiber (both valid and surreptitious) during the journey from the ginned fiber to a finished textile product.

In August 2016, the controversy of home bedding and other products labeled 100-percent Egyptian Cotton hit an all-time high when a number of US retailers recalled many products from retail shelves due to label claim violations, and consumers were informed that products did not meet the standard or label requirement. Three years later, Applied DNA will begin to validate and market test products that are labeled to contain 100-percent Egyptian Pima in addition to these services for US Pima. Recently, a federal judge ruled that several “Big Box” stores must face lawsuits claiming they sold linens falsely labeled “Egyptian Cotton.” Applied DNA believes its new Egyptian genotyping assays could assist in protecting against such an imbroglio if the retailers used this technology in their supply chains to verify their goods.

“Our cotton authentication platform of SigNature T and genotyping can provide a means for quality control and compliance in supply chains. Many products use cotton grown in the US and Egypt, and we believe that our system can provide a useful tool to enable brands and manufacturers to verify their products at any stage of the supply chain, that is more exact than other methods claiming to do the same without the same degree of precision,” stated Dr. James Hayward, president and CEO of Applied DNA.

“The Himatsingka Group remains committed to bringing cotton traceability for all major varietals of cotton including Egyptian cotton, while maintaining the highest standards of traceability solutions and quality control mechanisms. We applaud Applied DNA for advancing the solutions for the cotton industry as we believe that DNA science is the new standard for purity and authenticity,” stated Shrikant Himatsingka, CEO of The Himatsingka Group.

May 30, 2019

Source: Applied DNA Sciences

ITMA 2019 Sustainable Innovation Award Finalists Unveiled

BRUSSELS, Belgium — May 30, 2019 — CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, has unveiled the finalists of the second ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award.

The award comprises two categories: ITMA Industry Excellence Award which celebrates the collaboration of ITMA exhibitors and their customers, and the ITMA Research & Innovation (R&I) Excellence Award for Master’s students of R&I Pavilion exhibiting institutions.

Fritz P. Mayer, president of CEMATEX, and one of the judges of the Industry Excellence Award said: “CEMATEX launched the ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award in 2015 as part of its ongoing efforts to recognize outstanding industry members and post-graduate students for their contributions to the sustainable development of the global textile and garment industry.

“As the world continues to face sustainability challenges, it is heartening to see the successful collaboration between technology providers and industry users, which benefits consumers and has a positive impact on the environment and business bottom line. We would like to congratulate all the finalists for their outstanding efforts.”

Industry Excellence Award

The award recognizes textile and garment manufacturers who have leveraged technological innovations to advance business sustainability that benefit people, planet and profit. The panel of judges selected the following three finalists who have worked closely with ITMA 2019 exhibitors to introduce innovative solutions to their production process or products:

  • Candiani S.p.A.
    • Innovation: Candiani Re-Gen: Creating Circular Denim
    • Nominated by ITMA exhibitor: Lenzing AG

One of Europe’s largest denim producer, Candiani created a denim fabric using regenerated and recycled raw materials to commemorate its 80th anniversary. Fifty percent of the Re-Gen fabric comprises Tencel x Refibra Lyocell made from pulp from cotton scraps and wood pulp using Lenzing’s closed-loop process; the other 50 percent consists of post-industrial recycled Candiani fibers. Candiani’s fabrics are also dyed using green technologies, resulting in substantial reduction in the use of water and chemicals in the fabric production and jean washing process.

  • Levi Strauss & Co
    • Innovation: FLX Customization Studio
    • Nominated by ITMA exhibitor: Jeanologia S.L

Winner of the first ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award in 2015, Levi Strauss & Co continues to break new ground with the FLX Customization Studio. The studio revolutionalizes in-store customization by allowing customers to pick their denim finish and create a unique pair of jeans in less than two hours. It is a mobile installation where technologies needed for a sustainable garment finishing are found within two 40-feet containers that can be taken anywhere. Leveraging Jeanologia’s water recycling system, H2Zero, the studio operates on 100% recycled water.

  • VF Corp.
    • Innovation: All-in-One System
    • Nominated by ITMA exhibitor: Tonello S.r.l.

One of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies, VF Corp. leverages Tonello’s garment finishing system for its Wrangler® and Lee® denim brands. The All-in-One System combines four technologies that drastically reduces the water needed in the finishing stages of jean manufacturing to 13.5 l/kg, compared with the traditional process requiring almost 100 l/kg. Besides saving energy, it also cuts down chemical consumption, processing times and total production costs.

R&I Excellence Award – Master’s

The Award recognizes outstanding achievements in textile and garment related post-graduate research. The finalists are:

  • Mathias Zidda, Institut Für Textiltechnik, RWTH Aachen University
    • Thesis: Development of a gear driven 3D rotational braiding machine and its control concept
  • Pamela Massaccesi, Universidad De Buenos Aires
    • Thesis: TUTTI – Reusable Food Wrapping
  • Sarika Sunil Borikar, D.K.T.E. Society’s Textile & Engineering Institute
    • Thesis: Sanitary Napkin: A Greener Approach

One of the judges of the R&I award, Prof Vladan Koncar, Distinguished Professor at ENSAIT (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles), commented: “Many of the submissions by the students have innovative concepts with the potential to be commercially viable when further developed and ready for the market. A number of them are also excellent sustainable solutions that answers the environmental and social concerns of today.”

The winners of the ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award will be announced at a prize presentation ceremony at ITMA 2019 on June 20, immediately following the press conference.

ITMA 2019 will be held from June 20-26 at Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via venue. The exhibition will feature more than 1,700 exhibitors who will be showcasing the latest technologies and sustainable solutions for the entire textile and garment manufacturing value chain, as well as fibers, yarns and fabrics.

May 30, 2019

Source: CEMATEX and ITMA Services

ITMA 2019 Exhibitor Preview: James Heal

HALIFAX, England — May 30, 2019 — James Heal, a manufacturer of premium quality textile testing instruments and consumables worldwide, will use the ITMA Europe 2019 in Barcelona to launch an exciting new collection of precision testing instruments.

As well as James Heal’s well known and established range of quality products, four new James Heal testing instruments will be showcased at the exhibition, which runs from June 20-26, 2019.  The new instruments will be unveiled on the James Heal stand for the first time, with guests to the exhibition stand able to get hands-on and see the products demonstrated. Focusing on the emerging theme of performance textile and comfort testing, these products will enable much greater understanding of how garments will behave in different conditions. This will bring textile professionals a whole new level of insight into the products.

The new products cover several essential testing criteria, and always in an improved and innovative way. AquAbrasion is a class-leading hybrid Martindale, which allows users to perform controlled wet abrasion testing for the first time; ideal for outdoor wear and textiles expected to perform when wet or damp. TruRain is the definitive water repellency tester, allowing users to test for this in a tightly controlled and repeatable way, with the test closely replicating real life conditions. ProDry provides unparalleled insight into evaporation, and how garments such as activewear or athleisure products will dry if damp through rain or sweat. Finally, WickView is a state-of-the-art instrument that uses an advanced imaging system to track and record the transfer of moisture through a garment, helping understand its effectiveness at moisture management and wicking behavior.

This will be the 12th time that James Heal has attended ITMA in Europe. The U.K.-based firm first attended the event in 1971. Over the past 145 years from its headquarters Halifax in West Yorkshire, James Heal has built a reputation for the consistent high quality of its materials testing instruments combined with expertise that spans multiple sectors from traditional textiles and smart fabrics to nonwovens, rubber, wood and plastic.

Amanda McLaren, managing director of James Heal, commented: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming customers old and new onto our stand at ITMA Europe, and particularly excited to invite attendees to put the James Heal product range on show to the test. This is our 12th time at ITMA Europe and it’s great to be returning with such an exciting new range of instruments to exclusively unveil.

“As well as showcasing these new additions, some of our best-selling innovations from our core product offer will be on show. These are testing instruments developed as solutions to some of the biggest problems faced by brands and manufacturers, from a wide range of sectors. We are constantly listening to the needs of the industry we serve, and as a progressive business we are totally committed to producing products that best meet the needs of our customers, providing them with the quality that will give them the edge over their competitors. One particularly exciting area we are focused on is the performance wear and athleisure sector, which is a real growth area in the textile industry. However, as the provision of instruments to test in this sector is lacking and outdated at present, there is a huge opportunity to innovate. As a result we’re confident we have come up with the latest testing solutions which will benefit the industry and create a real competitive advantage for those materials and garment manufacturers willing to embrace it.”

Visitors to ITMA Europe are invited to visit the James Heal stand (UL C201) to see and experience a selection of James Heal’s core instruments together with new introductions to the range and consult with our team of experts available on the stand.

May 30, 2019

Source: James Heal

DEVIL-DOG Dungarees Brought Back To Life Thanks To Gerber Technology’s Integrated Software Solutions

TOLLAND, Conn. — May 30, 2019 — When General Sportwear, a Gerber customer for more than 30 years, decided to develop and produce its own brand, Gerber’s innovative CAD and PLM software was instrumental to its creation. Gerber’s reliable product lifecycle management software, YuniquePLM, and industry-leading pattern design software, AccuMark, made it possible for the 92-year-old company to relaunch its legacy brand, DEVIL-DOG Dungarees.

“Gerber Technology’s solutions are very integral to General Sportwear and our ability to execute down to the finest levels,” said Jeff Rosenstock, president of General Sportwear. “We are very proud of the product we’re making, and Gerber’s solutions are what enable our factories to create such high-quality jeans.”

Originally established in 1948, DEVIL-DOG Dungarees featured the highest quality denim with superb workmanship and stood proudly as a staple of iconic Americana. The brand relaunch, while holding true to its timeless vintage roots, will offer men’s jeans with an updated modern aesthetic and performance fabrics with unrivaled comfort at a great value.

In order to take the brand to the next level, General Sportwear needed innovative solutions at their disposal. Gerber’s AccuMark and YuniquePLM make it possible for the company to achieve great efficiency. From concept and design, to cutting, sewing, laundering, finishing and shipping, General’s vertically integrated manufacturing facilities convert efficiency into value.  This exceptional value will be passed directly to their DEVIL-DOG customers.

“Gerber is leading innovation and offering the best customer experience for the last 50 years,” stated Ketty Pillet, vice president of marketing, Gerber. “We are very proud to partner with General and enable them to bring DEVIL-DOG Dungarees to life in a very short period of time. By delivering regular product updates to our fully-integrated digital solution, we make sure our customers have the unique, cutting-edge solutions to be able to meet their market challenges.”

General utilizes YuniquePLM to ensure the design and quality of the jeans. They were able to capture and manage all data which allowed them to control the entire design process to be sure that the jeans were developed exactly as it wanted. With YuniquePLM’s powerful Design Suite plugin, General created all of their DEVIL-DOG images in Adobe® Illustrator® and easily integrated them into YuniquePLM for style creation.

“There’s a lot of details that have gone into these jeans and all that detail is something that we capture in YuniquePLM,” Rosenstock stated. “It’s our bible and how we make sure everything remains consistent and true to brand from concept through production.”

Gerber’s software solutions play a critical role in the DEVIL-DOG project by giving the brand the agility, speed and repeatability it needs to create its superior denim styles. The seamless connectivity between YuniquePLM and AccuMark has helped General stay true to their commitment to quality while reducing lead time and minimizing costs.

DEVIL-DOG Dungarees is set to be available July 1st with 16 styles of jeans. As the brand grows, they will be looking to add new technology to their workflow in order to improve on every step of the process and enhance their product line even further.

DEVIL-DOG is also supporting its community according to Rosenstock. “My Grandfather and founder, Louis Rosenstock, originally named the brand after the Marines, who earned the Devil Dog nickname in 1918 for their tenacity and bravery in World War I.” In keeping with its heritage, DEVIL-DOG Dungarees is a proud partner of Wounded Warrior Project (“WWP”). WWP is committed to honoring, empowering, and helping America’s injured veterans achieve their highest ambitions.

May 30, 2019

Source: Gerber Technology

 

Shimano Chooses Elastic Wholesale Merchandising Technology

DENVER — May 29, 2019 — Shimano, the global leader in bicycle components and technology, has chosen PlumRiver Technologies’ Elastic Suite digital B2B merchandising solution for developing enhanced commercial sales tools for reps covering multiple product lines throughout North America. Shimano is building upon the success utilizing Elastic with its Pearl iZUMi brand and is now extending the industry-leading sales technology to Shimano-branded apparel, footwear and the recently acquired Lazer helmet subsidiary.

The deal demonstrates the capability of the Elastic platform to cover the broad spectrum of Shimano’s product lines, including the future potential to service the full B2B sales and distribution needs of the company’s global bicycle component business.

“Shimano was looking for a digital sales and merchandising solution to provide our reps with the most innovative tools to better manage our diverse and growing product lines,” said Ryan Miller, Shimano Senior Sales Manager. “Elastic has exceeded our expectations when using their technology with our Pearl iZUMi product segment and we expect equally successful results with our Shimano apparel and footwear products, as well as Lazer helmets.”

Digital catalog creation, commercial sales rep merchandising tools, assortment planning and enhanced B2B sales process efficiency are integral components of the Shimano/Elastic platform. The rollout will cover the US and Canada market regions for the company.

“Working with a leading global brand like Shimano is an incredible opportunity for Elastic and we look forward to fully integrating with their business while empowering their B2B sales team with our best-in-class wholesale merchandising tools,” said Josh Reddin, PlumRiver Technologies CEO.  “This partnership demonstrates the flexibility of the Elastic platform to evolve and grow in response to our clients’ needs.  We foresee eventually helping Shimano more efficiently manage all segments of their business, including their global bicycle component sales and distribution.”

The core benefit of adopting and fully implementing Elastic’s innovative technology is that it helps manufacturers achieve efficiency-driven cost savings and incremental sales growth. PlumRiver’s B2B platforms serve clients representing some of the world’s largest and most iconic brands. In addition to Shimano and Lazer, selected brands include: The North Face, Patagonia, Timberland, Volcom, Gordini, Kuhl, Outdoor Research, Pearl iZUMi, Rawlings, New Balance, Crocs, Puma, Oakley, Reebok/CCM and Spyder.

May 29, 2019

Source: Elastic Suite

Texworld USA And Apparel Sourcing USA Return To The Javits Convention Center For The Summer Edition In A New Exhibition Hall, Featuring A One-Day Sustainability Conference

NEW YORK CITY — May 29, 2019 — The international sourcing trade show on East Coast, Texworld USA, will return to the Javits Convention Center this July 22-24, 2019. And for the first time in the show’s history, will take place in the bustling upper level exhibition halls of the known venue. A turnkey event for industry professionals, experts and more, the three-day sourcing, networking and educational event will feature more than 500 exhibitors from more than 15 different countries, as well as seminars from Lenzing Fibers, Textile Talks programming, workshops, and much more.

Texworld USA features 17 product categories, ranging from knits and functional fabrics to cotton, denim, and more. In conjunction, Apparel Sourcing USA Summer 2019, collocated with Texworld USA, will welcome exhibitors specializing in over 21 product groups, as well as a focus on sustainability as the spotlight. As one of the only events in North America to focus on sourcing finished apparel, contract manufacturing and private label development, Apparel Sourcing USA is a long-term joint venture partnership between Messe Frankfurt and CCPIT-TEX (China Sub-Council of Textile Industry) and provides attendees direct access to suppliers all over the globe. Attendees will also find the most cutting-edge information on trends in textiles, the opportunity to network with manufacturers and suppliers, as well as gain new knowledge from an assortment of complimentary educational sessions that cover sustainability, along with several other topics.

Taking place in the most dynamic capital in the US, Texworld USA is not only a must-attend industry event, but a business platform. A forum for transformation for the fashion and textile industry, Texworld USA joins together the best of international apparel fabric, trims, and accessory manufacturers in the heart of New York City. A matrix for making connections, Texworld USA also continues to provide industry experts, designers, fabric buyers, merchandisers, and sourcing professionals a unique opportunity to meet directly with a wide range of global suppliers.

Providing a stage for the industry to explore high quality apparel fabrics, trims and accessories at a reasonable price, the show features over 16 product categories, ranging from knits and functional fabrics to cotton, denim and more. Attendees will also find the most cutting edge information on trends in textiles, the opportunity to network with manufacturers and suppliers, as well as gain new knowledge from an assortment of complimentary educational sessions that cover upcycling, circularity, and innovative takes on sustainable solutions.

Brand new this year, the summer edition of Texworld USA welcomes Fashionsustain, a one-day conference originating in Berlin, Germany that is dedicated to educating attendees on sustainable practices. Kicking off the showcase, Fashionsustain will be held on Monday, July 22, 2019. Looking ahead for a better future, Fashionsustain is a conference devoted to revolutionizing the fashion and textile industries’ processes and production mechanisms, through collaborations, new technologies, and applied innovation.

With a goal of finding dynamic solutions to social and environmental problems, Fashionsustain’s purpose is to offer a fundamental transformation to the industry. With a compelling line up, keynote speaker Liz Hershfield, Head of Product Development, Production and Sustainability at Walmart eCommerce, will give her perspective and advice regarding necessary actions to work towards sustainable goals in the fashion industry. As an educational platform, Texworld USA aims to deliver resources for attendees to gain knowledge in these areas. The one-day conference will cover topics including transparency and traceability, challenges facing established brands, innovation in sustainable materials, and more.

“As trailblazers within the textile industry, we try to spotlight what’s trending; whether that is covering certain topics or product advancements with vendors and mills. It’s important to address what’s happening in the industry to stay relevant. This year, sustainability was an obvious choice for our spotlight. Because being sustainable has reached a point that it’s too important to ignore, our show now explores the importance of speed to market, as well having the ability to supply eco-friendly sourcing options in order to retain and obtain buyers. Manufacturers are starting to see this as a requirement and not just an option due to increased global concerns about business practices. By adding Fashionsustain, along with building up the sustainable exhibition profiles on the show floor with a wide range of representation of countries across the globe, Texworld USA is making it really easy for attendees to clearly recognize and visit these kind of exhibitors.” said Jennifer Bacon, Show Director, Fashion & Apparel.

With several favorites returning, Local Loft is back for the summer edition featuring domestic and local suppliers focusing on low minimums. Attendees will benefit from a new line-up of Textile Talks and Explore the Floor featuring discussions relevant to technology, fabric innovation and more – all on the show floor. Visitors can also gather inspiration through Texworld USA Showcase that will feature exhibitor textiles that are trending for the Fall/Winter 2020 season.

Another crowd pleaser, Texworld USA‘s educational seminar series organized by Lenzing Fibers, will return for Summer 2019 featuring sessions hosted by industry experts. “During this time in which the apparel industry faces many sourcing challenges, we look forward to a robust Texworld USA supporting alternatives and solutions for the market. The Lenzing Innovation Seminar Series includes topics ranging from sustainability, trends and sourcing. For the direct to consumer businesses seeking flexible suppliers, Lenzing has recommendations for sourcing fabrics with TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal,” comments Tricia Carey, Lenzing Fiber’s director of Global Business Development.

Resource Row, another celebrated feature of Texworld USA returns with the opportunity for visitors to explore local industry resources, including business development tools, recycling solutions, trend forecasters and textile education materials. This year, attendees can look forward to showcases by favorites such as: WRAP, Fashiondex, and MintModa, to name a few.

Finally, featuring hundreds of exhibitors, Texworld USA welcomes countries from all over the globe including: China, Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan, Turkey, India, and USA, offering a wide range of textiles including: cotton, denim, faux fur, jacquard, linens silk and more, also available in low minimums.

Registration is open for Texworld USA on July 22-24, 2019. The Texworld USA/Lenzing Fibers Seminar Series, along with the Textile Talk programming is open to all registered Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA attendees. Seating is available on a first-come-first-served basis.

May 29, 2019

Source: Messe Frankfurt Inc.

1...1,2651,2661,267...2,671Page 1,266 of 2,671

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2026 Quarterly Issue III

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.