David Stasse Named Executive Vice President, CFO Of Trinseo

BERWYN, Pa.— April 29, 2019 — Trinseo — a global materials solutions provider and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders and synthetic rubber — has named David Stasse executive vice president and CFO of the company, effective July 1. He also will join the executive Lladership team.

Stasse is currently vice president, treasury and investor relations, for Trinseo.

“We are extremely pleased to name an executive the caliber of Dave Stasse as CFO,” said Frank A. Bozich, president and CEO, Trinseo. “His track record at Trinseo, his strategic and financial acumen, and his credibility with investors make him ideally suited to take on this role. Dave has worked closely with Barry Niziolek throughout his tenure, which will enable a smooth and seamless transition.”

Stasse will replace Barry Niziolek, executive vice president and CFO, who earlier this year announced his plans to retire, which also will be effective July 1.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Barry Niziolek for his leadership in strengthening the Company’s financial performance, compliance programs and operational discipline during his tenure as Trinseo’s CFO,” Bozich said. “We will miss his counsel and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Stasse joined Trinseo in 2013 from Freescale Semiconductor Inc., where he served as Vice President and Treasurer 2008-2013 and previously Assistant Treasurer from 2006. Stasse previously served as First Vice President, Debt Capital Markets, at MBNA Corporation, and as Treasury Manager of SPX Corp. He held numerous financial leadership positions from 1998 to 2004 at Honeywell International, last serving as Director of Corporate Finance.

Stasse holds a Master’s in Business Administration in Finance from The University of Maryland and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Logistics from Penn State University. He will continue to be located at Trinseo’s global operating center in Berwyn, Pa.

Posted April 30, 2019

Source: Trinseo

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories To Expand Corporate Board Of Directors

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — April 29, 2019 — Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc., a developer of spider silk based fibers, today announced that it has initiated the process of identifying qualified corporate leaders, to assist in the company’s growth, as it plans to add two new independent corporate board directors.

“With the successful delivery of our proprietary spider silk technology to Prodigy Textiles, our Vietnamese subsidiary, we are now moving into the production phase of our business plan. We believe that this is the right moment to bring on additional expertise to support the company’s efforts to bring spider silk to the performance textile markets. The addition of these new board members will assist our growth through this exciting transition to commercialization and help keep our focus on continuing to create shareholder value,” stated COO Jon Rice.

Expanding the Board of Directors is an important advancement in Kraig Labs’ business model and is an important milestone for the company as it contemplates uplisting to a larger exchange.

“We plan to conduct a careful search, to identify independent board members who can contribute expertise and crucial market experience, as we look to rapidly grow our capacity and expand our strategic market channel partner networks,” said CEO and Founder Kim Thompson.

Posted April 30, 2019

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.

Colorado Classic® Presented By VF Corp. Announces Commitment To Becoming The Greenest Pro Cycling Race In North America

DENVER — April 30, 2019 — The Colorado Classic presented by VF Corp. announced its commitment to becoming the greenest pro cycling race in North America. The 2019 race will incorporate more than a dozen initiatives supporting sustainability, energy efficiency, water conservation, resource management and sustainable transportation.

The race has been awarded “Certifiably Green” status by the City of Denver. No other bike race in the state of Colorado has received this designation and the Colorado Classic is the largest event in Colorado to receive this certification. The race has earned the designation through numerous initiatives that will take place at this year’s event, which include:

  • Purchasing carbon offsets for ground transportation;
  • Eliminating the sale of bottled water and providing free water fill stations at the main Denver expo;
  • Eliminating or reducing printed material, and using 100% recycled products when possible;
  • Onsite recycling with mandatory vendor compliance;
  • Landfill waste diversion with a goal of at least 60% diversion;
  • Anti-idling requirement for on-site vehicles;
  • Donation of unused food and beverage to a women’s shelter; and
  • Promotion of bicycling to the event with safe routes and free bike-rack parking.

“The Colorado Classic team has gone above and beyond to ensure this event protects the environment,” said Emily Backus, Sustainability Advisor for Denver’s Department of Public Health & Environment. “The Colorado Classic presented by VF Corporation mirrors Denver Public Health & Environment’s mission of empowering Denver communities to live better, longer by promoting healthy activity and a clean environment. I look forward to seeing their efforts in action during the race!”

The race will apply the sustainable principles of Certifiably Green Denver to its operations in its race host locations, which will be announced later this spring.

The race announced that it will follow the Colorado Tourism Office’s “Care for Colorado” principles and will encourage fans and attendees to “Leave No Trace” while visiting or enjoying the state of Colorado.

“The Colorado Classic will bring spectators from our own state and around the world to watch pro women cyclists race through Colorado’s iconic mountain and urban terrain,” said Cathy Ritter, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office. “Many of those spectators will also plan to stay before and after the race to further enjoy Colorado’s natural assets. We’re excited to partner with the race to encourage those spectators, whether they are residents or visiting, to Care for Colorado and Leave No Trace after they are gone.”

The race is proud to partner with the Regional Air Quality Council’s (RAQC) Simple Steps. Better Air. program, which encourages residents in the Denver Metro area to reduce car trips for better air.

“The Colorado Classic shares our mission to improve air quality, which is an issue for the Denver metro area,” said Mike Silverstein, executive director of the RAQC. “We are encouraging spectators and their families to leave their cars at home and bike or take public transit to Colorado Classic events. It’s a simple step to improving the air we all breathe.”

For its carbon offset program, the race is working with the Colorado Carbon Fund to remove an equivalent amount of emissions created by all of the vehicles needed to support the race — from repair vans to pace cars.  “It is clear that the Colorado Classic recognizes the seriousness of climate change,” said Brandon Welch, program director of the Colorado Carbon Fund.  “I applaud that the race is taking a stand on carbon emissions and helping support the environmental movement in Colorado.”

Additionally, the Colorado Classic is working with SCRAPS — a woman-owned and pedal-powered compost pickup service based in Denver. SCRAPS will pick up all compostable trash by bicycle from the 2019 Colorado Classic race sites and a planned expo in Denver. SCRAPS will also consult with the other race’s host locations to encourage following similar protocols for compost pickup. The partnership with SCRAPS is part of the race’s commitment to divert at least 60 percent of the race’s waste from landfills to compost and recycling.

“Our mission of becoming the best pro women’s cycling race in the world includes making the race as sustainable and green as possible,” said Lucy Diaz, COO for RPM Events Group, which organizes the race. “We’re fortunate to have partners, sponsors and host cities who are aligned in that mission.”

To learn more about the green efforts of the Colorado Classic presented by VF Corp., visit coloradoclassic.com.

Posted April 30, 2019

Source: RPM Events Group

O’right Pioneers Groundbreaking Sustainability Solutions Using Discarded T-shirts As Eco-Building Materials

TAIPEI, Taiwan — April 29, 2019 — It seems as if there just may finally be a sustainable solution for fast fashion. Always at the forefront of sustainability, O’right, the Taiwan-based green beauty brand, is leading the way once again by being the first to transform recycled clothing and recycled plastic — known as wood-plastic-textile composites — into a signboard for its new O’right Da-an Concept Store. As a pioneer in raising the standard for sustainability, O’right is committed to developing innovative solutions for a greener future. This time the company has not only found a way to combat the current worldwide plastic waste crisis, but also to fight another growing global epidemic — fast fashion.

According to “A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future,” a report published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2017, out of the 53 million metric tons of fibers that are produced every year in the fashion world, 73 percent end up in a landfill or are incinerated, with just less than 1 percent reused to make new clothes. If the industry continues on its current path, textile production will account for more than 25 percent of the carbon budget for a 2°C pathway. Yet, O’right, as part of its path towards a sustainable, zero-carbon world, has made sure to factor environmental issues into each and every one of its decision processes, in order to make a significant impact on the green beauty sector. The new O’right Da-an Concept Store, for example, boasts a signboard that is made from 416 recycled t-shirts and 175 kilograms of recycled plastics. Thus, this true advocate of waste reuse is not only taking the initiative on recycling plastic, but is also using old clothing to achieve an innovative approach to sustainability. In fact, every decision O’right makes as a green business is underpinned by its philosophy of “green, innovation, and sustainable.”

Taiwanese SME O’right Spearheading Global Sustainability

Actually, this is not the first time that O’right, perhaps the world’s greenest beauty brand, has garnered global attention. In 2011, it became the first company in Taiwan certified with a carbon footprint label to introduce the world’s first zero-carbon shampoo. In 2012, the newly constructed O’right Green Headquarters became the first GMP-certified cosmetics plant to receive the Gold-Level Green Building Label in Asia, showing the world that even small businesses can transform ambition into achievement. In 2017, O’right switched all of its shampoo bottles to 100 percent renewable plastic bottles, reducing product carbon emissions by a notable 80 percent. In 2018, the company, along with nine of its products, was validated by SGS as a carbon-neutral corporate organization, and it has subsequently vowed to go 100 percent renewable by 2025 by joining RE100 initiative. This true pioneer of sustainability has also impressed the world with the very first renewable plastic pump and the innovative Recoffee Tree in the Bottle, which is made from six cups of spent coffee grounds and can even grow into a tree after it has been used. The above examples are just a few of the remarkable, industry-leading achievements that O’right, a groundbreaking Taiwanese SME (small- and/or medium-sized enterprise), has accomplished.

With long-standing commitments to everything from green products and green manufacturing to green logistics, green energy, and green initiatives, it’s no wonder O’right has won numerous international awards. The company’s ambition to building a more sustainable world is reflected in its efforts and achievements around the world. With sustainability at the heart of its business, O’right is living proof that even small steps can have a big impact on the environment.

Posted April 30, 2019

Source: Hair O’right

PTM Innovations Seeks Dealers For New DTG Pretreatment Machine For T-Shirt Printing

FRENCHS FOREST, Australia — April 30, 2019 — PTM Innovations today announced they are actively seeking new dealers worldwide for their flagship pretreatment machine.

The machine, the PTM, is designed to solve the challenges of delivering the perfect amount of pretreatment to t-shirts as the first step in the DTG (Direct to Garment) printing process.

PTM Innovations is seeking qualified established distributors, manufacturers and sales groups in specific areas around the globe. They are looking for dealers who have an existing audience in the textile industry and are looking for partner with PTM to bring the latest in textile treatment technology to the DTG market.

The PTM machine has unique technology that solves traditional pre-treatment aggravations while offering a unique high-profit opportunity for interested dealers.

PTM Features:

  • Dual Pre-Treat Tank System -Allows for machine to hold 2 pre-treatment solutions, i.e. light and dark formulations;
  • Large Pretreatment Area – 19″ x 15.5″ (480 x 390mm);
  • Adjustable Spray Length
  • Single Spray Nozzle;
  • ** No Air Compressor;
  • No Special Electrical Wiring Needed;
  • Durability (ACF-50 Coated) – The anti-corrosion film is a state of the art, anti-corrosion lubricant compound, specifically designed for the Aerospace Industry;
  • Enclosed Spray Chamber – No misting or contaminating overspray; and
  • Adjustable Spray Time – Complete Control from 2 to 12 seconds.

In addition to other benefits, the PTM is one of the first pretreatment machines to offer a *Rotational Shirt Platen which allows both front and side loading.

For additional information and to submit an application, interested parties can find PTM on the web at: https://ptminnovations.com/products/

Posted April 30, 2019

Source: PTM Innovations

U.S. Polyester Textured Yarn Producers Applaud U.S. Department Of Commerce’s Affirmative Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determinations On Imports Of Polyester Textured Yarn From China And India

WASHINGTON — April 29, 2019 — On April 29, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce Department) announced affirmative preliminary determinations that producers and exporters of imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India are being unfairly subsidized by their respective governments at double- and triple-digit margins, as follows.

Polyester Textured Yarn Imports from China
Producer/Exporter Preliminary

Subsidy Rate (%)
Fujian Billion Polymerization Fiber Industrial Co Ltd. 32.04
Jiangsu Shenghong Textile Imp & Exp Co. 459.98
Suzhou Shenghong Fiber Co Ltd. 459.98
Suzhou Shenghong Garmant Development Co. 459.98
All Others 32.04

 

Polyester Textured Yarn Imports from India
Producer/Exporter Preliminary

Subsidy Rate (%)
JBF Limited 20.45
Reliance Industries Limited 7.09
All Others 13.82

 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will now begin collecting countervailing duties (CVD) in the amount equal to the preliminary subsidy rates for imports from each country.

Importers will be required to post duty deposits at these CVD rates on the date the preliminary determinations are published in the Federal Register (in approximately one week).

The Commerce Department previously announced on April 19, 2019, its affirmative preliminary “critical circumstances” determination with respect to imports of polyester textured yarn from China. As a result, all imports of polyester textured yarn from China will be subject to duty deposits for countervailing duties retroactively — i.e. 90 days from the date the preliminary CVD determinations are published in the Federal Register.

The Commerce Department is scheduled to announce its preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations involving imports from China and India on June 26, 2019. Importers will then be required to post additional duty deposits at the preliminary dumping rates. Due to the Commerce Department’s affirmative critical circumstances determination, importers of polyester textured yarn from China will then be required to post duty deposits retroactively, i.e. 90 days from the date preliminary AD determinations are published in the Federal Register, at the applicable preliminary AD rates.

Background

Two major U.S. synthetic yarn producers — Unifi Manufacturing Inc. and Nan Ya Plastics Corp., America — filed petitions with the Commerce Department and the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in October 2018 alleging that dumped and subsidized imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India are causing material injury to the domestic industry. The Commerce Department initiated the investigations in November 2018, and the USITC preliminarily determined in December 2018 that imports from China and India are causing injury to the U.S. domestic industry.

The product covered by the investigation, polyester textured yarn, is synthetic multifilament yarn that is manufactured from polyester (polyethylene terephthalate). Polyester textured yarn is produced through a texturing process, which imparts special properties to the filaments of the yarn, including stretch, bulk, strength, moisture absorption, insulation, and the appearance of a natural fiber. This scope includes all forms of polyester textured yarn, regardless of surface texture or appearance, yarn density and thickness (as measured in denier), number of filaments, number of plies, finish (luster), cross section, color, dye method, texturing method, or packing method (such as spindles, tubes, or beams).

Excluded from the scope of the investigation is bulk continuous filament yarn that: (a) is polyester synthetic multifilament yarn; (b) has denier size ranges of 900 and above; (c) has turns per meter of 40 and above; and (d) has a maximum shrinkage of 2.5 percent.

The merchandise subject to this investigation is properly classified under subheadings 5402.33.3000 and 5402.33.6000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive.

The petitioning companies are represented by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.

Posted April 30, 2019

Source: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

Pantone Introduces Licensing Program For Color Printing And Display Solutions

CARLSTADT, N.J. — April 30, 2019 – Pantone LLC, provider of professional color standards for the design industry, today announces PANTONE Validated™, a business-to-business licensing program that enables color hardware manufacturers to incorporate their capability to simulate Pantone colors in their products. Designed to acknowledge color fidelity in representing and reproducing the Pantone Matching System (PMS), the program is ideal for a broad array of manufacturers of color devices used throughout the design workflow where color is critical including: various color printers and digital front-ends from large format systems to industrial inkjet, 3D printers with full color capability, stand-alone professional color displays, laptop and all-in-one desktop computer displays, tablet/mobile devices and digital advertising displays.

“Color is a critical element of any design and ensuring the quality of visualization and eventual reproduction of the colors within a design can be particularly frustrating for designers working between digital design programs and the final outputs,” said Iain Pike, director of Partner Business Development for Pantone. “Working with color print systems and notebook and display manufacturers to confirm that their products are Pantone Validated provides their user base with affirmed color tools that they can use more confidently in their everyday work with Pantone Colors.”

Hardware models approved through the Pantone Validated program are evaluated by technicians who combine color science and advanced X-Rite technology to qualify professional- and production-grade color imaging devices. Innovative technology firms who are now offering Pantone Validated devices include:

ASUS: as a leader in notebooks and all-in-one PCs for professional creatives, graphic designers and gaming enthusiasts, ASUS has attained Pantone Validated status on a number of ZenBook Pro models, in addition to the Zen AiO. Among many enhanced features designed to enable creativity, the ZenBook Pro models feature ASUS’s sharpest laptop display, which is Pantone Validated and ideal for graphic designers and brand owners creating and viewing color-critical projects on-screen daily. In addition, ASUS has introduced Pantone Validated gamer notebooks in the ROG Zephyrus S models, which allow players to focus on their experience knowing their device model has met Pantone’s color evaluation and gamut benchmarks.

BenQ: as a leading brand of high-quality professional display, BenQ has recently launched its PhotoVue and DesignVue Monitors with outstanding color accuracy. To communicate their solid color performance, a range of BenQ PhotoVue/DesignVue models have been licensed as Pantone Validated, meeting Pantone’s standards for Pantone color simulation and color gamut.

Stratasys: as a market leader in industrial-grade 3D printing, Stratasys has introduced the industry’s first Pantone Validated, full-color 3D printers – the Stratasys J750 and J735. These models ensure better product design through faster iterations and the creation of final models that match shapes, colors, appearance, finishes and other complex design elements of each model. Exceeding the Pantone Validated criteria qualifies Stratasys to simulate thousands of printable Pantone Colors, including the full range of Pantone SkinTone™ Colors, allowing designers to build realistic prototypes faster than ever before.

Acer: one of the world’s top ICT companies whose products include notebooks and stand-alone displays, has unveiled several new products which meet the Pantone Validated criteria for color capability and color gamut, including the ConceptD 7 and ConceptD 5 notebook models, with plans to add several other Pantone Validated display and notebook models in the near future.

For a full listing of all in-market color products that are licensed as Pantone Validated, or to learn more, visitwww.pantone.com/licensees/pantone-validated.

Posted April 30, 2019

Source: Pantone

Lectra’s Annual Event, “Winning Over The New Fashion Consumer,” Demonstrates The Power Of Data In Fashion

PARIS — April 30, 2019 — Lectra cements its position as a fashion industry opinion maker by leading a much- awaited discussion on new consumer behavior at its latest fashion event, “Winning Over the New Fashion Consumer” in Bordeaux-Cestas, France.

More than 75 industry insiders and market experts from
 14 countries convened at Lectra’s International
 Advanced Technology and Conference Center (IATC)
 for two days to examine how the digital age is bringing about major shifts in consumer behavior. Today’s digitally attuned consumers have become co-creators in the production process, changing the fashion landscape entirely.

The keynotes, live demonstrations, and customer testimonials highlighted the importance of process digitization and data analysis for meeting new consumer needs. The event kicked off with two keynote speakers. Peter Jeavons, Managing Director of First Insight Europe, stressed the importance of using data to understand the hyperconnected fashion consumer. Craig Crawford, Strategist and Founder of CrawfordIT, outlined the arising challenges and opportunities from these changes, and urged fashion companies to embrace digital transformation internally by cultivating a conducive environment for it.

Beyond just understanding the new fashion consumer, the event stressed on the importance of leveraging data to deliver customer-centric services and products. Lectra presented their responses to this challenge in the form of two new major solutions, Kubix Link and Fashion on Demand by Lectra.

Kubix Link, a cloud-based platform that has the combined capabilities of PLM, PIM and DAM, which enables companies to deliver the ultimate product experience through unparalleled collaboration powered by data. Big-name company representatives from jewelry brand, Pomellato, and outdoor performance footwear manufacturer, Tecnica Group, were there to share their experience. “Kubix Link was exactly what our company needed — a platform to gather, process and share consistent product information across our entire fashion eco-system and all marketplaces. And Kubix Link provides just that, with so much ease,” said Cristiano Simonetto, the IT director of Tecnica Group.

Attendees were treated to a live demo of Fashion On Demand by Lectra, the industry’s first end-to-end personalization solution. There, they saw how a data-driven, automated on-demand production process from order reception to final cutting stages could deliver garments customized according to consumers’ specific demands. Charline Fasquel, Production Manager and Stéphane Quinou, Industrial Director of Balsan and Groupe Marck respectively, provided testimonials on the effectiveness of Fashion On Demand by Lectra. “We were producing hundreds of uniforms every day, and reaching our maximum capacity. We had two options — either to hire more manpower or modernize our tools. And so we did (the latter),” said Charline Fasquel.” Fashion On Demand by Lectra is a dream come true for us. Thanks to this solution, we managed to increase production output, achieve the perfect fit, reduce cost of consumables, save time on preparing orders and minimize human errors.”

On the product development side, Mariam Bennissi, head patternmaker of luxury brand Balenciaga, shared on Quick Estimate, Lectra’s latest application that allows users to make fabric consumption estimates via the cloud. “It takes us just one minute to estimate our fabric consumption during our collection planning stages with this application,” she attested. She described the technology as efficient and intuitive, saying, “Thanks to Quick Estimate, we managed to pre-order our materials for this season and were already fully prepared four days before our fashion show.”

“Today’s fashion world is not just about gathering big data; it is about cultivating a big understanding of it. Fashion companies will unearth big business opportunities if they manage to unlock the power of their data. Our newest generation of Industry 4.0-compliant solutions, Kubix Link and Fashion On Demand, both powered by the cloud, enables them to do just that, whether it’s for managing information and content or delivering customized products. Our technology helps them understand their consumers, produce the right product and deliver it to them at the right time. And that’s how you win them over,” said Celine Choussy, chief marketing and communications officer, Lectra.

Posted April 30, 2019

Source: LECTRA

TRSA Offers Consulting Services To Aid In Hygienically Clean Certification Protocols

ALEXANDRIA, Va.— April 29, 2019 — Because of the growth of Hygienically Clean certifications, TRSA is now offering consulting services to aid laundry operators in achieving the requirements for certification. To provide these services, TRSA recently entered into a partnership with two consulting groups — Six Disciplines Consulting Services (6D) and The Laundry Design Group (LDG). These partners are available to help guide companies through the certification process and provide solutions that address key certification hurdles, ranging from pre-audit consultation and reporting to program element assistance through complete program design and implementation. Additional services, such as training, follow-up and project management, are available upon request.

“TRSA certifications have been developed to help linen and uniform services companies improve operations by incorporating industry best-management practices,” said TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci. “These new services have been designed and introduced as cost-effective options for pursuing these valuable certification designations based on demand from TRSA members.”

The LDG program is led by Bob Corfield, CEO of LDG. Corfield has more than 30 years’ industry experience, during which time he has visited, designed and evaluated laundry operations in more than 20 countries. He is a Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM), certified ISO QMS lead auditor, and for the last seven years has successfully overseen the inspection and reporting process for TRSA certification programs.

Corfield and his team of inspectors have evaluated facilities and their Quality Assurance (QA) programs to ensure compliance with TRSA Hygienically Clean program standards. In cooperation with TRSA, he’s also assisted in developing the inspection protocol, evidence collection and reporting procedures for the TRSA-initiated ASTM Clean Green program. He is a frequent presenter/instructor to industry educational programs and webinars, and contributor to trade magazines.

The 6D program is led by Audrey Carmichael. Carmichael is the lead consultant responsible for coaching and offering strategic advisory services to companies seeking Hygienically Clean certification. Carmichael is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a certified ASQ quality auditor with more than 25 years of experience in light manufacturing, product development, technical communications and QA management. Prior to joining Six Disciplines Consulting Services, Carmichael was the global director of quality assurance for Canberra, an international business unit of AREVA, a leader in the energy industry.

Posted April 29, 2019

Source: TRSA

The National Council Of Textile Organizations (NCTO) Announces Kristi Ellis As New VP Of Communications And Donald Vavala As Director Of Regulatory & Technical Affairs

WASHINGTON — April 29, 2019 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristi Ellis as the organization’s new vice president of communications, effective April 29, 2019, and Donald Vavala as the director of regulatory and technical affairs, effective May 2019.

As vice president of communications at NCTO, Ellis will assume responsibility for developing, overseeing, and implementing a communications strategy for the association and the domestic textile industry as a whole. Ellis brings 24 years of manufacturing and international trade reporting experience with leading publications such as Women’s Wear Daily and S&P Global Market Intelligence. The majority of her career, which includes nearly 10 years as Washington bureau chief for Women’s Wear Daily, has been spent reporting on textile trade policy matters. Regarding her appointment, Ellis said, “I am really excited and grateful to have the opportunity to help develop and shape NCTO’s communications strategy as we work to amplify the textile industry’s importance as a thriving and innovative manufacturing sector in the United States.”

As NCTO’s director of regulatory and technical affairs, Vavala will support all association activities related to federal government procurement and industry regulatory matters. In this capacity, Vavala will staff various NCTO committees covering a broad spectrum of contracting, technical, and environmental issues. He comes to NCTO following a 31-year career at W.L. Gore, a NCTO member organization, where he most recently held the position of director, military government affairs. He will succeed Hardy Poole, who announced his resignation from the same position at NCTO, effective May 2019. Regarding his appointment, Vavala stated: “I am very excited about the opportunity to work with Ms. Glas and the staff at NCTO. The textile industry is a major component of the economic backbone of this great nation and I look forward to applying my 31 years of experience to insuring that the industry continues to thrive and maintain its status as a significant contributor to our country’s growth and prosperity.”

The hiring of Ellis and Vavala coincide with the arrival of Kimberly Glas as NCTO’s president and CEO, effective April 29, 2019. In referencing these two new hires, Glas stated: “I am excited Kristi and Don are joining the NCTO team at this important time. They both have significant experience with the textile industry and a wealth of knowledge specific to their new roles. Most importantly, both have shown a strong commitment to the success of the domestic textile industry. We are very fortunate to have them join the organization in these pivotal leadership roles. NCTO’s membership will be well served by these important staff additions.”

NCTO is a Washington-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers, including artificial and synthetic filament and fiber producers.

  • U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 594,147 in 2018.
  • The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $76.8 billion in 2018.
  • U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $30.1 billion in 2018.
  • Capital expenditures for textile and apparel production totaled $2.0 billion in 2017, the last year for which data is available.

Posted April 29, 2019

Source: The National Council Of Textile Organizations (NCTO)

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