Textile Industry Thanks, Roasts Retiring National Council Of Textile Organizations President & CEO Augustine Tantillo

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — May 17, 2019 — Last night, players in the U.S. textile industry gathered to celebrate former National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Augustine D. “Auggie” Tantillo and wish him well as he enters retirement. The cocktail reception and dinner featured a roast led by Allen E. Gant Jr., chairman of Glen Raven Inc. Executives in attendance had the chance to express their gratitude to Tantillo for his knowledge and dedication to the textile industry for more than 30 years, while also recounting personal anecdotes.

After the roast, Tantillo entertained the gathered crowd with stories from his time as an employee in the office of the late South Carolina Senator James Strom Thurmond Sr., which was his first job in Washington after he graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics.

During his multifaceted, 38-year career in Washington, Tantillo represented the textile industry for more than 30 years in the policy arena. He was deputy assistant secretary for textiles & apparel at the U.S. Department of Commerce under President George H.W. Bush, and also served as the executive director of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition.

“Auggie Tantillo is a great institution and a great resource for the industry and has a strong legacy of really fighting for this industry on a whole host of trade and regulatory issues,” said Kim Glas, newly-installed NCTO president and CEO. “This industry has seen a great benefit from Auggie’s work over the past 5 years. He’s made a huge difference and is a giant in essence.”

Click here to view a photo gallery from the event

Comments from the industry:

“The textile industry owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Auggie. Through his leadership, NCTO has become recognized as a thought leader in global trade and has earned a seat at the table on major policy issues. On a personal note, my friendship with Auggie is something that I will always treasure.”

— C.G. “Leib” Oehmig IV, president and CEO, Glen Raven Inc.

“Auggie Tantillo has made an invaluable contribution to the U.S. textile industry through his dedication and wisdom in championing for domestic textiles. His long-standing career, built by mutual respect and wisdom, has spanned many levels in Washington and throughout our industry. I wish Auggie the best in his retirement as he leaves a successful legacy!”

— Robin Perkins, CEO, Frontier Spinning

“Auggie has been a tremendous asset to the industry as ‘the voice of the industry in Washington, DC.’ Although the industry is relatively small in its lobbying effort, Auggie made sure that the administration understood and responded to our stance on issues. I was always impressed with how impactful he was considering that he was so calm and matter of fact in his presentation of issues. Personally, I appreciate Auggie’s sense of humor and his humble leadership.”

— Jim Booterbaugh, CEO, National Spinning Co. Inc.

“First of all, I am sad and glad at the same time that Auggie was offered and accepted the CEO’s position at the ‘Relax Now house.’ He has done tremendous work for the textile industry and definitively deserves the right to slow down and enjoy every second of it. Steve Marshall summarized perfectly how I feel about Auggie: ‘You can speak with spiritual eloquence, pray in public and maintain a holy appearance … but it is your behavior that will reveal your true character.’ Auggie did it all, had it all. He has been an amazing leader, a remarkable spokesperson for our whole industry. He will be missed for his wise advice, professional knowledge, but ever more so as a wonderful friend.”

— Ludovic Pitrois, North American Textile Division manager, Staubli

“What struck me about Auggie was his passion to see the industry not only survive, but thrive as well. He recognized that any industry must constantly evolve if it wants to prosper. And his oversight in the rebranding of the textile industry with the ‘We Make Amazing’ campaign was simply ‘AMAZING.’”

— Wayne Trotter, director of government relations, Teijin Holdings USA Inc.

“Auggie has been outstanding as president/CEO of NCTO. He is a true Southern Gentlemen and commanded the respect and confidence of all he came into contact with on Capitol Hill and in other agencies of the government. He will be missed. However, my fond remembrance is of the day I sat outside and was the dog sitter while his daughter, Auggie and Lisa toured the College of Nursing at ECU. Disappointed she did not attend ECU but, no surprise, opted for Clemson. Great dog! Best wishes to you and whatever is in your future. Thank you again for the service to our great industry.

— Jim Chesnutt, chairman, National Spinning Co. Inc.

“There is a popular term I now hear often at Auggie’s beloved Clemson University — ‘ALL IN.’ Those words, ‘ALL IN,’ perfectly describe Auggie and his career. Since 1981, and whether in government service or government relations, Auggie has been ALL IN. He has given all of himself and has achieved immeasurable success for our industry. Jan and I wish him the very best for his well-deserved retirement.”

— Bill McCrary, chairman and CEO, William Barnet & Son LLC

“Auggie Tantillo is the best association president I have ever had the pleasure to work with. His knowledge of the textile industry is unmatched. His institutional knowledge of previous trade agreements is amazing. NCTO has always out-punched its weight class and it is because of Auggie Tantillo.”

— Anderson D. “Andy” Warlick, chairman and CEO, Parkdale

“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. For Auggie Tantillo, that portrait was a masterpiece. Auggie’s contributions to the textile industry are immense, and his experience in Washington uniquely positioned him to be one of our greatest advocates. Having Auggie at the helm of NCTO advanced our entire industry by leaps and bounds, and we wish him the very best as he moves on to his next great portrait.”

— Jeff Price, president, Milliken Performance and Protective Textiles division

“Many people claim to know a thing or two about their domain, however, when it comes to our U.S. textile industry and the inner workings of the federal government, Auggie has the ability to explain complicated issues in such a way that it becomes as clear as water. A true master of intelligence.”

— Cyril Guérin, president, Picanol of America

“Auggie has been a determined fighter for the interests of the textile industry and the many people who make a living directly and indirectly as a result of the jobs this industry creates. I wish him well in his retirement and he will be missed as a friend to us all.”

— Jay Self, president, Greenwood Mills Inc.

“Auggie Tantillo has been a tremendous asset to the textile industry. His ability to understand the intricacies of Washington, D.C., coupled with his deep understanding of the diverse textile business made him the perfect advocate and defender of our interests. The bright future of American textile manufacturing is due in large part to his leadership.”

— Marty Moran, CEO, Buhler Quality Yarns Corp.

“Working for Auggie over the last six years has truly been my honor. He is held in the highest regard by friends and colleagues of the industry he has represented so well for many years, and those of us who have been privileged to work so closely with him have witnessed first-hand his incredible knowledge and discerning wisdom.  He has qualities that are increasingly rare, and I am grateful to have worked with someone of such distinguished character and integrity.”

— Robin Haynes, director of finance & administration, treasurer, NCTO

Posted May 17, 2019

Source: Textile World, Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor

NCTO President & CEO Kim Glas Highlights Plans For First Hundred Days On The Job

KimGlas
Kim Glas, NCTO president and CEO, visited Pharr in McAdenville, N.C., while on a visit to the Carolinas.

MCADENVILLE, N.C. — May 16, 2019 — This week, the newly-installed National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Kim Glas spent time in the Carolinas engaging with the industry. Glas met with executives at Milliken and Company, Spartanburg, S.C.; was a featured speaker at the Southern Textile Association (STA) Southern Division Meeting in Clemson, S.C.; and spent a day at Pharr, A Family of Companies, in McAdenville, N.C., where she toured several yarn spinning plants and hosted a meet and greet with industry executives. Glas said she was in the Carolinas to hear about what is important to the industry.

Glas also held a media briefing at Pharr where she discussed her plans for the first 100 days of her tenure, noting that this is a transition time for NCTO. “Transitions are a time of challenge, but also a time of great opportunity,” Glas said. “So, I’m all ears and that’s why I’m here today to hear from the industry themselves about what they see, not only about the future of their business, but the future of NCTO.”

Kim reported she has essentially five priorities for the first 100 days:

  1. To get to know the industry, and the businesses in the industry.

“A lot of the industry I know, but there are some folks in the industry I don’t know,” Glas said. “So I’m going to be reaching out, visiting plants, talking to members. And not only figuring out what are they making now, but where do they want to go as an industry. What are their sustainability initiatives? How best can NCTO represent their voice on Capitol Hill and in the administration?”

2. Meeting key allies and stakeholders, and people who should be key allies and stakeholders on Capitol Hill and in the administration.

“There is a huge change in terms of what’s happening in Congress these days and the composition and we need to get up and talk to members of congress about our industry and some of the issues that are on the front pages of the news — whether it’s trade policy or regulatory issues,” Glas mentioned.

3. Strengthening NCTO communications.

“We are delighted that our vice president of communications Kristi Ellis has come on board, and we have Rebecca Tantillo who is handling a lot of our digital operations,” Glas said. “… [NCTO’s] obviously had a branding campaign ‘We Make Amazing,’ [but] how do we take that campaign to the next level? Are we reaching all our key stakeholders that we’re trying to communicate with about the innovation happening in the industry, and what the industry sees in terms of a proactive agenda moving forward?”

4. Building the industry association to make it stronger.

Glas said: “What are services that we can provide that would be of benefit to the industry? Now that there have been some [association] mergers, now it’s time to reflect and think about our strategy moving forward.”

5. Getting to know the staff.

Glas is no stranger to the textile industry. Previously in her career, she served as the deputy assistant secretary for Textiles, Consumer Goods and Materials at the U.S. Department of Commerce under the Obama Administration, where she oversaw efforts to improve the domestic and international competitiveness of the U.S. textile and apparel industries. Glas also worked closely with the United States Trade Representative, key agencies and Congress to advance various critical trade policy issues including changes to the CAFTA-DR agreement.

Glas has a very favorable impression of today’s textile industry and is enthusiastic about educating law makers in Washington about the industry and the great things that are happening.

“When I was the deputy assistant for textiles, … [the United States was] the fourth largest exporter [of textiles] in the world,” Glas said. “And now that data shows we’re the second largest textile exporter in the world. And when I say that to Capitol Hill stakeholders and the administration, it just sort of blows them away that this industry is not only alive, but is doing really well.

“I’m always constantly impressed with the level of investment that the industry is making,” Glas noted. “Just going through the plant today at Pharr, you see the level of investment they are making. Some $2 billion has been invested by this industry in the latest data that we have from 2017, so the amount of technology, the automation happening in the industry and the diversity of the products that we’re making is great.

“I look forward to seeing how the industry continues to transform itself over the next five years,” Glas concluded.

Posted May 16, 2019

Source: Textile World, Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor

Toray Launches Technorama GIII Weather Simulation Chamber— New Capabilities Designed To Drive Next Generation Materials Development

SETA, Japan — May 15, 2019 — Toray’s Fibers & Textiles Research Laboratories, in Seta, Japan is the home of the company’s new Technorama GIII facility, the textile industry’s most advanced laboratory for reproducing climates from around the world.

Previous Technorama iterations were focused on functional evaluations of thermo-physiological factors, like heat, cold and humidity. Technorama GIII’s vastly expanded compliment of evaluation equipment makes it possible to measure sensations like fabric feel, using “sensitivity engineering” to track human comfort through a range of motion and conditions.

The Technorama GIII is comprised of three chambers, allowing Toray research testers to quickly move between radically different environments, measuring the reaction of materials and products by reproducing everything from a mountain summit to a stuffy, crowded subway car. This provides Toray with unique insight into the performance of everyday casual clothes, as well as high-performance sports textiles.

The testing chambers offer:

  • Variable wind speeds up to 67 mph;
  • Rainfall simulation up to 200 mm/hr;
  • Temperatures from -22 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit;
  • Humidity levels of 20 to 80% RH;
  • Solar Radiation levels to 1.16 kW/m²;
  • Motion simulation equipment (treadmills, bikes, ergometers, etc.);
  • Infrared imaging systems;
  • Motion capture devices;
  • Physiological analysis equipment (myoelectric meters, sweat meters, clothing pressure gauges, etc.); and
  • Thermal mannequins.

With the Technorama GIII laboratory, Toray is poised to develop the next generation of ground-breaking fibers and textiles.

Posted May 15, 2019

Source: Toray

ITMA 2019 Exhibitor Preview: Uster Technologies

USTER, Switzerland — May 15, 2019 — Uster Technologies offers a unique portfolio of solutions for textile quality control, management and improvement, from fiber to fabric — adding value for each stage of production. Now USTER strengthens that concept even further, enabling textile producers to actually prevent poor quality, rather than just recording it.

This latest advance combines textile know-how and technology with smart software, as the textile industry embraces the digital age through intelligent systems which promise faster, better and more cost-effective manufacturing.

Introducing data-based optimization

“Digitalization offers many opportunities for evolving and improving our systems and services,” says USTER CEO Thomas Nasiou. “At the same time, the core of our offering will always be Think Quality and all our efforts will aim towards quality measurement and management to maximize the value for our customers.”

At ITMA 2015 USTER introduced data evaluation to textile quality control, with the USTER® TESTER 6. This allowed users, for the first time, to combine both laboratory and in-process data from different production stages to optimize quality control and its management. In 2019, the next logical step is to extend this connected approach to the further production processes, to offer value modules which enable textile producers not only to be informed of quality problems but also prevent and optimize wherever possible. This is another major step in ‘managing a textile mill with quality in mind’.

Launching at ITMA 2019

USTER QUALITY EXPERT, the Quality Management Platform, collects and evaluates information from different production stages and expands its insightful analytics with valuable intelligence as each additional instrument is connected. The entire process becomes more transparent for managers and operators. Finally, the Quality Management Platform drives consistent quality in every part of the spinning process.

The introduction of the Quality Management Platform marks an important evolution for Uster Technologies. It combines collection and smart data analysis from more process steps with the next level of knowledge-based alerts about possible defects and extended prognosis of yarn performance in subsequent processes. Also very new is the possibility for better contamination control and quality-based optimization of the ring spinning process, including the possibility to stop defect production as early as possible.

Alerts are available on a mobile app and important performance indicators are also projected on dashboards — both with the target to trigger early reaction to problems. Of course, the reporting is also accessible on client terminals across the plant.

The Quality Management Platform will form the centerpiece of the USTER presentation at the upcoming ITMA 2019. At the same time, the comprehensive portfolio of online, laboratory, fabric inspection products and value-added services is being extended with further innovations.

Reflecting the spirit of continuous innovation, a completely new ITMA booth design will highlight the digitally-connected Uster Technologies offering and showcase developments across the entire portfolio. USTER offers visitors an exciting mill management experience at booth D201 in hall 6.

Posted May 15, 2019

Source: Uster Technologies Ltd.

BASF, Longterm Concept, And Gu Guoyi Introduce X-Swift: Swiftly Shaping The Athleisure Shoe Market With Material Innovations And The Latest Footwear Technology

GUANGZHOU, China — May 15, 2019 — BASF, Longterm Concept, and Gu Guoyi have collaborated to develop X-Swift — a newly designed athleisure shoe that showcases four outstanding BASF advanced material innovations fused into one shoe with the latest footwear automation technology. The X-Swift is collaboratively designed by renowned footwear designer Gu Guoyi and BASF’s Creation Center, BASF’s dedicated touch-point for engaging and inspiring designers, bridging the gap between conceptual ideas of creators and the technical possibilities offered by BASF. The design is also multi-purpose; allowing individuals to wear the same pair of shoes to work, and their next work-out.

“The X-Swift marries style and function together — which fits perfectly for consumers looking for high-performance shoes that are versatile enough to match modern lifestyles,” said Gu Guoyi, founder of a banana.design. His professional background includes footwear design for established brand names, such as Reebok and Nike.

Longterm Concept, a leading Taiwanese shoe manufacturer that specializes in an automated and intelligent footwear production process, used the latest automation technology to integrate different footwear automation processes and fuse four different advanced BASF materials cost-effectively. The process also enables a quicker production time compared to conventional footwear manufacturing techniques.

“The demand for new shoe designs is growing at a fast speed. Our process fundamentally changes the way that shoes are made and opens up brand new possibilities both for what we can create and the speed with which we can create it. The name X-Swift aptly reflects the speed of production, and how it mirrors our fast-paced lifestyle,” said Darren Shih, Innovation Director, Longterm Concept.

Each of the advanced and high-performance material solutions from BASF in the athleisure shoe complements each other in their own way. The result is a shoe with better stability and support for the feet:

  • The outsole made of Elastollan® Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) incorporates a high grip tread pattern to optimize traction and provide maximum surface contact.
  • X-Swift’s midsole features the high rebound polyurethane Elastopan® for excellent cushioning and durability, which is superior to conventional midsoles.
  • The midsole is complemented by a unique, breathable insole made of Elastopan that is engineered to work with the high-performance sock liner.
  • X-Swift also features an innovative, two-piece material upper construction which is a combination of sustainable synthetic leather Haptex® and fiber made with Freeflex™ TPU. The materials conform to the foot using minimal seams and stitch lines to provide superior comfort and maximum performance.

“The footwear market is dynamic and fast-paced. So we are challenging ourselves every day to explore the boundaries of our materials. For this co-creation, we are meshing the qualities of our state-of-the-art footwear materials, and prototyping with the limitless potential of new manufacturing technologies,” said Manfred Pawlowski, Vice President, Consumer Industry, BASF Performance Materials. “With a timeless, simple style, cozy comfort and performance in the sole, the X-Swift is every athleisure loving’s best friend and a game changer, empowering the future of footwear.”

The X-Swift will be on display at BASF’s booth during CHINAPLAS 2019 and will be featured as part of its series of tech talks organized at the booth.

Posted May 15, 2019

Source: BASF

Taiwan Announces DuPont As A Winner Of Inaugural National Green Chemistry Award

WILMINGTON, Del./TAIPEI, Taiwan — May 15, 2019 — DuPont recently received Taiwan’s inaugural National Green Chemistry Award at a ceremony in Taipei on April 16. The Taiwan Toxic and Chemical Substance Bureau (TCSB) initiated the award this year to honor companies in the region that are making strides in sustainable chemistry initiatives.

The award recognized DuPont’s outstanding product life cycle management and efforts on promoting green chemistry, while also highlighting DuPont™ Sorona® — a versatile polymer comprised of 37 percent renewable plant-based ingredients, produced using 30 percent less energy and releasing 63 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions as compared to nylon 6. In reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, Sorona polymer combines eco-efficiency with function for use in a variety of applications due to its performance attributes. Its exceptional softness, inherent stain resistance and uncompromising durability offer a sustainable, high-performing material option for customers throughout the supply chain.

DuPont product life cycle management and Sorona® were selected by a panel of judges — mostly composed of Taiwan government officials and academic professionals — who evaluated competing companies through a field assessment of the products’ life cycle management, sustainable processes and chemical expertise. Sorona products and their applications were exhibited to demonstrate DuPont’s commitment to the innovation of more sustainable products. After many weeks of review by the TCSB and its judging panel, DuPont was selected as a winner alongside other prestigious multinational and local chemical companies.

“We are deeply proud to receive the inaugural National Green Chemistry Award,” said Larry Chen, president of DuPont Taiwan. “DuPont has a long-standing commitment to sustainability in Taiwan, and we are thrilled by the recognition of green chemistry’s role in meeting our collective global goals of building a circular economy.

“It’s an immense honor that the TCSB has recognized the versatility of Sorona,” said KiKi Chen, DuPont Biomaterials. “It’s not simply an application of green chemistry for sustainability’s sake — it was important to DuPont in the development of this biomaterial that it also is cost-effective for customers and is high-performing. We see countless applications in this region for our product.”

Posted May 15, 2019

Source: DowDuPont Specialty Products, a division of DowDuPont

Frontier Reports Capital Investments Will Drive Future Growth

Open-end and air-jet spinning company Frontier Spinning Mills Inc., Sanford, N.C., reports it has received a substantial capital investment from Cerberus Business Finance LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC.

Founded in 1996, Frontier currently employs approximately 1,200 associates at five state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Alabama.

“We are proud of the long-standing relationships we have with our customers and the ability to offer them a high-quality, reliable product supply,” said Robin Perkins, CEO, Frontier. “We are excited to begin our company’s next phase of growth with partners that not only bring exceptional financial acumen, but also substantial industry and operating expertise.”

“Over the past two decades, Frontier Spinning has become an industry-leading business, supported by a portfolio of high-quality products and strong customer relationships” said Joseph Naccarato, COO, Cerberus Business Finance, and senior managing director of Cerberus. “In partnership with the talented team at Frontier Spinning, we look forward to helping the company capitalize on strategic opportunities, while continuing to deliver for their customers every day.”

May/June 2019

PVH Corp. Invests In Warehouse Center In Georgia, Creates 575 Jobs

The Georgia Governor reported New York City-based PVH Corp. — owner of brands including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and Izod — will invest $77.6 million to establish a new distribution and warehouse facility in Palmetto, Ga. The facility will join PVH’s current distribution center located in McDonough, Ga.

“We are excited that PVH Corp. chose to locate their new distribution and warehouse facility in Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “By creating 575 jobs and investing $77.6 million in the Palmetto community, PVH Corp.’s positive impact will be felt statewide and bring even more business to our booming Savannah port.”

“We are proud to be partnering with the State of Georgia to expand our footprint here, and we look forward to welcoming hundreds of new PVH associates to our company, where we are guided by our core values — individuality, partnership, passion, integrity and accountability. PVH is an organization where every individual is valued,” said Kevin Urban, executive vice president of Logistic Services at PVH. “PVH strives to make positive impacts in the places we do business, and our greatest opportunity to do that comes from the passion and integrity of our associates.”

May/June 2019

CTC Celebrates 40 Years In Business

Gastonia, N.C.-based Champion Thread Co. (CTC) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded by CEO Bob Poovey in 1979, CTC credits a loyal and fast-growing customer base for its transformation from a small thread broker into a developer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of sewing threads, engineered yarns and other trims and findings sold on four continents. Since 2011, the company has opened a state-of-the-art flexible manufacturing facility, expanded its current headquarters and opened a new warehouse/distribution facility.

CTC remains family-owned and operated, with Matt Poovey promoted to president in 2016.

May/June 2019

Cone Denim’s American Draper X3 Selvage Looms Set To Reenter Production

Cone Denim, Greensboro, N.C., reports investor Will Dellinger has signed an agreement to purchase the American Draper X3 selvage looms from Cone’s White Oak denim plant, which was shuttered at the end of 2017 after a 112-year-run. Dellinger plans to restart the looms and produce the iconic selvage denim in North Carolina. Some of the looms Cone will sell to Dellinger were original to the White Oak plant and date as far back as the 1940s. Other looms were reclaimed from other sources and restored for use at White Oak. One loom, however, will be donated to the Greensboro History Museum so it will be available to the public in support of the city’s denim heritage.

“The looms are an integral part of American textile history and I am excited by the possibilities of continuing their legacy,” Dellinger said. “North Carolina is rich in textile resources and expertise and I look forward to collaborating with others as we fully explore the potential of the looms and develop plans for their future start up.”

“It is exciting to see a path forward for these iconic looms that allows them to remain in North Carolina and continue the legacy of American denim,” said Cone Denim President Steve Maggard. “While we will not be involved in the operation of the looms going forward, we are pleased with the prospect of them finding a new home. Will Dellinger understands the heritage and history of these looms and we appreciate his commitment to putting them back in production here in North Carolina.”

May/June 2019

Sponsors