Lucky Brand To Speak At NRF 2019 About How To Predict Demand With Advanced Analytics

NEW YORK CITY — January 11, 2019 — NRF 2019 – Retail’s Big Show, Booth #1125 – Lucky Brand will share its experience working with Celect to optimize inventories at NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show in a session titled, “How Lucky Brand Optimized Allocation and Store Fulfillment With Advanced Analytics.”

“As we diversify Lucky Brand’s denim apparel roots to manage a vibrant collection of lifestyle products, we are aggressively growing our multi-channel distribution network and building a complex e-commerce network,” noted Mike Relich, COO, Lucky Brand. “We view optimizing inventories as a key component to improving profitability; working with Celect has allowed us to deliver better margins, increase service levels and improve inventory turnover.”

On Monday, January 14 at 4 p.m. in Expo Hall Level 3, Stage 6, Lucky Brand COO Mike Relich and Celect executives will discuss:

  • Why previous allocation and fulfillment processes were inefficient and the need to integrate disparate processes;
  • How Lucky Brand was able to rethink style allocation and predict localized demand;
  • Ways Lucky Brand changed its fulfillment approach to pull inventory from slow-turn stores and speed order delivery; and
  • The operational impact of inventory optimization — avoiding markdowns, minimizing sellouts, increasing full-price sales and maximizing gross margins.

“We had high expectations for Celect and have been absolutely floored by the results. Our team readily embraced the new system and has been able to work smarter and faster than ever before,” added Relich. “We can now not only confidently predict which styles should go to which stores and put our inventory in the right place, but also readily pull from stores for order fulfillment while avoiding out-of-stocks and excess inventory. Our stores have even been providing extremely positive feedback about how using Celect has improved dynamic inventory replenishment for their customers.”

Celect, a market leader in predictive analytics and inventory optimization, helps retailers overcome longstanding inventory obstacles while driving revenue and improving the shopper experience. With the Celect Inventory Optimization Suite, Lucky Brand has been able to make accurate demand predictions that optimize retail inventories throughout the entire product lifecycle—from reducing markdowns and increasing full-price sell through, to improving in-store conversions and minimizing stockouts.

“It is time for retailers to eliminate inventory guesswork so they can make better, more profitable merchandising, allocation and fulfillment decisions. Celect empowers technology-savvy retailers like Lucky Brand to predict future buying patterns and boost their bottom-line – both online and in-store,” noted Celect CEO John Andrews, who will join the session at NRF.

Posted January 11, 2019

Source: Celect

Myant To Showcase World’s First Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitoring Smart Shirt At CES 2019

LAS VEGAS — January 10, 2019 — Myant Inc. has announced the development of the world’s first cuffless blood pressure monitoring technology inside its SKIIN Textile Computing™ Platform.

Myant’s SKIIN Textile Computing platform integrates innovative sensor and actuator technology into the fabrics that surround us every day. This includes the world’s first smart garment that delivers continuous, cuffless blood pressure monitoring in a comfortable and machine-washable polo shirt.

The SKIIN Smart Shirt eliminates the hassle of regular blood pressure monitoring and adds automatic data tracking to share data and trends with clinicians. For more information, please visit our CES booth #43326, Sands, Halls A-D in the Health and Wellness section.

In 2019, Myant plans to release both its SKIIN Smart Underwear for heart health detection (with ECG, HRV, activity, sleep and temperature monitoring*) and its SKIIN Smart Shirt with continuous blood pressure monitoring. Planned additions to the SKIIN platform include slip and fall detection, driver fatigue, ovulation and a suite of chemical sensing markers. The result is smart clothing that enables users to proactively manage their health, stay connected and lead longer and more comfortable lives.

Tony Chahine, CEO and founder of Myant, noted that “Myant’s vision is to build a new platform for human-computer interaction that helps individuals manage and anticipate their health and wellness 24 hours a day, across all life stages. The addition of cuffless blood pressure monitoring to our SKIIN Textile Computing platform is a major step forward in empowering continuous monitoring in a comfortable garment.”

Posted January 11, 2019

Source: Myant Inc.

Prudential Overall Upholds Commitment With Clean Green Recertification

ALEXANDRIA, Va.— January 11, 2019 — Prudential Overall Supply, the Irvine, Calif.-based uniform and facility services provider with laundries from coast to coast, has been re-certified Clean Green, reflecting the company’s continued dedication to operational efficiency and sustainability. Companies that have earned this certification adhere to TRSA-designated water and energy use thresholds and deploy best management practices (BMPs) consistent with the ASTM International environmental laundering standard.

Prudential Overall Supply’s customers can be assured their uniforms, floor mats, towels and other reusable textiles are washed, dried and finished with processes that maximize sustainability and reduce greenhouse emissions. Clean Green certified operations demonstrate significant commitment to conservation and green operations through these BMPs:

  • Recovering heat from drained hot water and heat dispersed from the process of warming water;
  • Recapturing drained water from rinses for reuse;
  • Using environmentally friendly detergents;
  • Removing solids and liquids from wastewater;
  • Solar energy and energy-efficient lighting;
  • Recycling programs;
  • Re-routing trucks to save vehicle fuel; and
  • Spill prevention plans.

The Clean Green certification is valid for three years at a time. TRSA inspects laundry facilities seeking certification and approves documentation of their water and energy use and BMP deployment through production reports they submit to auditors during the inspections. TRSA’s certification management protocol includes auditor training by the association’s inspection program administrator.

Clean Green aligns with the ASTM International standard, Guide for Sustainable Laundry Practices, which recognizes key criteria for the certification as universal indicators of maximum sustainability in commercial laundry work. ASTM’s review of TRSA BMPs verified these as the most effective and practical techniques for a laundry to achieve green objectives.

TRSA members prompted development of the standard, which was vetted in the sustainability subcommittee of the ASTM Committee on Textiles. Top technical experts, scientists and environmental professionals from outside the linen, uniform and facility services industry reviewed the BMPs. ASTM is the global leader in developing and delivering voluntary consensus standards unparalleled in building consumer confidence in product and service quality.

“I applaud Prudential Overall Supply for their sustainability efforts and maintaining the highest standards in their production and delivery operations,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “Meeting all the criteria for certification is not easy, but Prudential is committed to industry-leading processes and technologies.”

Posted January 11, 2019

Source: TRSA

Heimtextil 2019: A Lively Start To The New Furnishing Season Gives Hope For A Good Business Year Ahead

FRANKFURT, Germany — January 11, 2019 — The international home textiles industry has enjoyed a promising start at Heimtextil in Frankfurt am Main, which finishes today. The challenging economic situation and uncertainty in the retail sector were countered by a positive and confident mood at the world’s leading trade fair.

3025 exhibitors from 65 countries* took the international trade fair for home and contract textiles to a 15-year high: “Exhibitors and visitors accepted the new trade fair concept with great enthusiasm and confirmed the trade fair’s position as the world’s most important meeting place for the industry,” said Detlef Braun, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt. “The quality of the decision-makers impressed the exhibitors, as did the number of new business contacts from 156 countries, especially international ones — thus enabling Heimtextil to set a new benchmark. Around 67,500 visitors* ensured that there was a busy atmosphere in the halls, despite a slight decline due to various reasons, such as difficult travel conditions on account of the storms in the alpine region and airport strikes in Germany.”

One topic that occupied both exhibitors and visitors was the current and future economic situation. A further challenge is the increasingly evident changes that are happening in trade. Increasing revenues and revenue shares in online retailing stand in the way of the efforts made by the stationary retail trade to maintain their inner-city businesses. “The small business specialist trade, but also department stores and multibrand stores, and thus the heart of our visitor target groups, are under pressure from the constantly increasing levels of e-commerce,” Braum continued. “With Heimtextil and our consumer goods fairs in general, we offer these retailers in particular clear perspectives and diverse inspiration in an ambiguous world.”

Heimtextil made it easier for its visitors to access valuable inspiration and business momentum thanks to an optimized trade fair concept and the associated new hall structure. “The new concept brought more visitors to the stand,” was the feedback from Andreas Klenk, managing director of Saum & Viebahn from Kulmbach in Franconia about hall 8.0 which offered textiles editeurs and manufacturers of curtain and sun protection systems a common platform for the first time. “It was the right decision to merge the different segments. We had high quality discussions with respect to both export and domestic business, and are satisfied with the trade fair.”

As part of the new concept, Heimtextil expanded its unique product range across the entire exhibition site and also included the new hall 12, which has been an additional architectural highlight on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds since September.

Top international companies from the Bed & Bath Fashion segment presented their wares here. For the company Curt Bauer from Aue in Saxony, the première of the new hall was a successful one. “We’re very enthusiastic about the new hall 12,” said Managing Director Michael Bauer. “The product range there was very well received. We are very satisfied with the quality of visitors to our stand. In addition to a good frequency of German visitors, we are particularly pleased about growth from China and Russia.”

Natural materials, PET and ocean plastics

Heimtextil set a standard in terms of sustainability: after the first global climate protection agreement for the textile industry was signed by 40 leading fashion companies, organisations and associations at the World Climate Conference in Katowice last December, the focus in Frankfurt was also on environmental progress in the textile industry. Numerous exhibitors presented progressive solutions, for example in the recycling of PET bottles and ocean plastic as well as in the use of certified natural materials. “Sustainability was the theme for us at this year’s Heimtextil,” said Denise Hartmann, marketing manager at Hefel Textil. “Major media players visited us and the ‘Green Tour’ guided tour stopped by. We presented many things, including our first vegan duvet and fair silk products, all 100 per cent produced in Austria.”

The topics of water consumption in the textile industry and microplastics also increasingly came to the fore. The exhibitor directory ‘Green Directory’ alone contained around 150 progressive companies listing sustainably produced textiles. The offer was supplemented by its own lecture series as well as theme-specific tours, which provided valuable impetus and underpinned the pioneering green position of the trade fair.

Sleep becomes new lifestyle theme

Heimtextil also focused on sleep as one of the upcoming lifestyle trends. While a balanced diet and sufficient exercise are now a natural part of a healthy lifestyle, restorative sleep is still neglected* although it is one of the most important building blocks for long-term physical and mental well-being. At Heimtextil, a number of new products and aspects came to the fore that help people become sensitized to and analyse their sleep behavior and promote healthy sleep. Around the redesigned hall 11.0 and in the adjoining lecture area ‘Sleep! The Future Forum’, representatives from the national and international bed industry enjoyed attractive product presentations and superb speeches on the topics of sustainability, hospitality, sport and digital.

In addition to the renowned trend show, the trade fair also focused on contract business, particularly in the hotel and hospitality sector, as well as decorative and upholstery fabrics, digital printing solutions and wallpapers.

The next Heimtextil in Frankfurt am Main — its 50th edition — will take place from January 7-10, 2020.

*For comparison, 2018: 2,975 exhibitors from 64 countries; 68,584 visitors from 135 countries, FKM-tested)

**According to a forsa investigation commissioned by the Techniker Krankenkasse

Posted January 11, 2019

Source: Messe Frankfurt

MagnaColours® Looking Forward To ISS Long Beach 2019

BARNSLEY, England — January 11, 2019 — Manufacturer of cutting-edge water-based screen-printing inks, MagnaColours® are delighted to announce that it will be exhibiting once again at ISS Long Beach in 2019. The exhibition, which will take place from 18th to 20st of January, brings together industry-leading brands, screen-printers, distributors and manufacturers.

MagnaColours will demonstrate an exciting selection of inks from its innovative product range with live printing demonstrations on the stand throughout the exhibition. Alongside a range a collection of new product launches, MagnaColours will be announcing the launch of a brand-new initiative that highlights their commitment to sustainability and the health of world’s oceans.

The MagnaColours BluePrint campaign will be introduced at the show, a corporate sustainability partnership between Magna and ocean conservation charity Just One Ocean. Magna’s support and donations to the charity support valuable research into pollution, the threat of microplastics to wildlife and human health and how industry can work towards cleaner oceans. The aim of the project is to raise awareness of global ocean pollution and the impact of unsustainable manufacturing processes from the garment industry.

Live screen printing will also be a major feature of Magna’s presence at ISS Long Beach 2019 with a complicated sportswear design on show, printed with the revolutionary MagnaPrint® Edge, that stays wet on the screen but dries instantly on fabric allowing screen printers to print up to four colours in sequence without requiring flash units. Alongside Edge, Magna will be showcasing their popular metallic-effect ink MagnaPrint Bling and impressive 3D puff ink MagnaPrint Expanding HT, all of which will be printed on polyester t-shirts to demonstrate the high performance of their water-based inks.

Helen Parry, managing director at Magna said: “We can’t wait to welcome visitors both old and new to our booth at ISS Long Beach 2019. It’s a fantastic opportunity for Magna to showcase our innovative product range and highlight just what water-based inks are capable of. We’re excited to introduce the brand-new BluePrint campaign to the industry which, alongside the GNA® compliance standard, demonstrates our commitment to sustainability. We’re also looking forward to launching brand new water-based inks, including our Digital Fusion Range for the latest digital squeegee systems, and new special effect inks including MagnaPrint Fade Out, which achieves a vintage-effect look over time, and MagnaPrint Wet Reveal, which ingeniously disappears when wet to reveal printed areas beneath. This is set to be our most exciting year at ISS yet!”

MagnaColours strives to provide environmentally friendly water-based alternatives to widely used toxic inks traditionally used in the screen-printing industry. At last year’s ISS event, MagnaColours launched their Make The Switch programme, which provides a step by step guide for printers to switch their production from harmful plastisol inks to sustainable MagnaPrint® water-based alternatives.

MagnaColours® will be exhibiting at booth #2009 at the ISS Long Beach 2019 exhibition from January 18-20.

Posted January 11, 2019

Source: MagnaColours®

The Long View For Bangladeshi Ring Spinners  — USTER® SENTINEL Is The Key To Optimized Yarn Production

USTER, Switzerland — January 11, 2019 — Ring spinning machines are getting longer. And that’s a trend that is particularly noticeable in Bangladesh, where some ringframes run to as many as 2,000 spindles — or about 70 meters in length. Even with good human eyesight capable of reaching 5,000 meters, it’s still not possible to have a total overview of end-breaks along the full extent of the frame. Only an automated system can monitor if the spindles are all operating correctly.

Since normal walking pace is about 4,000 meters per hour, an operative would typically need about one minute to arrive at an end-break at the last spindle on the frame. So, the spindle could be easily back in action again within two minutes — assuming, of course, that the operative knows exactly where to go…

Ring spinning optimization

It’s a fact that high-performance potential and enormous ring-spinning machine capacity are worthless if spindles are at a standstill because of end-breaks. USTER® SENTINEL is the answer: its bobbin build-up report is the key to optimized yarn production. The system’s unmatched detection of end-breaks provides the basic platform. Uster Sentinel guides machine operators straight to spindle breaks, through clear and simple indications by red light dots.

End-break levels are a key indicator of ring spinning performance, so Uster Sentinel’s intuitive bobbin build-up report includes every parameter influencing end-breaks. Clear visuals point to exact reasons for breaks, making optimization easy. Spinners can then make the required improvements, focused on ambient conditions, wear of mechanical parts and machine speed.

With real-time performance information, Uster Sentinel offers mills the data to raise yarn production efficiency to the next level. Its easy-to-use software gives a rapid, tailor-made overview of machine performance, highlighting exactly the most relevant production and laboratory data. For Bangladeshi spinners, an especially attractive feature is the real-time information on energy consumption. Only with real-time data can mills take the opportunity of immediate optimization.

The real difference

Combining this total control of end-breaks with Uster ROVING STOP leverages the efficiency of yarn production. The instant stop of roving feed at an end-break reduces waste significantly and makes raw material usage more cost-effective. Calculations show that 70% less pneumafil waste equates to a saving of nearly 1% in raw material, based on current spinning conditions. Obviously, this makes for a shorter investment payback too.

Reduced levels of waste and uncontrolled fiber fluff prevent quality issues around neighboring spindles and along the entire machine. Better operating conditions and reduced repair times result in higher yield and fewer quality issues. Badly-performing spindles are reliably identified and other issues which often impair the spinning process — such as idle, rogue and uniquely off-quality spindles, as well as spindle slip — are all monitored for fast response.

The summit of production efficiency

Human limitations on eyesight and speed are irrelevant with Uster Sentinel in place — and even the multiple number of spindles in a ringframe makes no difference. Downtime is kept at the lowest possible level — an unbeatable achievement also thanks to the unique design of Uster’s ring spinning optimization system. The streamlined and uncluttered profile of the Uster ROVING STOP is geared to optimum machine performance. The unique compact shape ensures easy and effortless piecing access, since its sensors don’t need to be positioned too close to the ring, which also saves time and speeds up responses.

First-hand information and a special Uster Sentinel showcase are available at DTG 2019 in Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 9th to 12th. At Booth 325 in Hall 7 at the show, experts from Uster’s agent, New Asia, will be ready to welcome visitors and discuss solutions to yarn production challenges such as efficiency and energy — always with quality in mind.

Posted January 11, 2019

Source: Uster Technologies AG

Innovative BCF S8 Platform Technology Opens Up New Carpet Yarn Industry Markets For Oerlikon Neumag Customers

NEUMÜNSTER/HANOVER, Germany — January 11, 2019 — With a  world premiere at the DOMOTEX World Trade Fair for Carpets and Floor Coverings in Hanover January 11-14, 2019‎, Oerlikon Neumag will be showcasing its innovative new development, the BCF S8, to a wide audience for the very first time in Hall 11, Stand B36. Whether commodities or niche products — the new BCF S8 platform technology offers manufacturers of BCF carpet yarns decisive arguments for responding to constantly rising cost pressures and the trend for greater efficiency and quality in fiercely-competitive markets. World record: the system achieves never-seen-before spinning speeds and is able to simultaneously spin up to 700 filaments and produce fine titers of up to 2.5 denier per filament (dpf). This superlative performance is guaranteed by numerous individual innovations in the new platform and, for the first time, also in a new human-machine interface (HMI)-based control system, which opens the door to the digital age of smart carpet yarn manufacturing wide. At the ITMA ASIA 2018, the Oerlikon Manmade Fibers segment had already announced that it would be presenting revolutionary solutions in 2019 — both in hardware and software. And the DOMOTEX marks only the start.

According to manufacturer information, the new BCF S8 is the most efficient Oerlikon Neumag BCF system of all times. “We have succeeded in achieving a new level of greater productivity and even broader product diversity. These allow our clientèle to better cater to changing market requirements and achieve a competitive edge in tough market conditions,” explained Martin Rademacher, vice president Sales Oerlikon Neumag. As a pre-taste, the machine specialists from Neumünster are serving up performance figures and results from comprehensive trials conducted at their own BCF technology center as well as from two pilot systems which have been tried and tested within the market for months now.

BCF S8 performance in numbers

With up to 700 potential filaments per yarn end, the BCF S8 is raising the benchmark considerably compared to the Oerlikon Neumag S+ BCF system (400 filaments) that has dominated the global market to date. Oerlikon Neumag guarantees fine titers of up to 2.5 dpf. Furthermore, the process speed is higher than ever before — 3,700 m/min (winder speed). This permits throughputs of up to 15 percent greater compared to predecessor technologies. Overall, system efficiency is 99 percent — almost unbeatable. True to the Oerlikon Segments Manmade Fibers segment e-save philosophy, energy savings of up to 5 percent per kilogram of yarn are achievable.

BCF S8 innovations – from straight yarn paths to large cooling drums

This comprehensive progress has been achieved with numerous smart innovations. To this end, one key element above all has been optimized. The yarn path from the spinning system to the new, large cooling drum has now been almost completely straightened. This yarn path, unique to the BCF market to date, ensures that the individual filaments are subjected to minimum friction, hence once again considerably reducing yarn breaks and optimizing the overall production process. Especially noteworthy here are the, for the first time, straight yarn inlet in the texturing head — guaranteeing superior yarn quality.

And the considerably reduced distance between the heating godet duo and the texturing head also has a positive impact on the texturing process. It ensures a more even twist to the yarn and reduces the compressed air consumption. Furthermore, the texturing chambers can be removed individually, which additionally shortens servicing times. The now closed units also provide the best possible protection for the texturing jets and lamellar chambers.

The 800-mm diameter cooling drum optimally and gently cools the filaments. And this has a positive influence on the yarn quality. The new cooling drum is now equipped with a V groove for all polymers (PET, PA6 and PP) as standard.

The RoTac3 tangling unit, already established within the market, once again reduces the compressed air consumption by around 50%, while the newly-developed Witras III-37 winder achieves production process speeds of 3,700 m/min.

First intuitively-operable human-machine interface (HMI)

The new BCF S8 is the first Oerlikon Manmade Fibers segment system equipped with the innovative human-machine interface (HMI) for intelligent controlling and monitoring. In this case, the interface between man and machine has been oriented on the daily requirements of users in BCF production. With its new ‘look and feel’, it supports intuitive operation and offers direct access to important information as well as actual and target values at each take-up position by means of a touch screen. A completely new ‘alarm philosophy’ also simplifies troubleshooting and malfunction analysis. “This smart HMI system is a logical step in the digitalization of our products,” explained Dr. Friedrich Lennemann, vice president R&D Oerlikon Neumag.

Posted January 11, 2019

Source: Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Segment

DAK Americas To Acquire PET Recycling Facility From Perpetual Recycling Solutions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — January 9, 2019 — DAK Americas LLC (DAK), an Alpek Polyester business, announces that it has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Perpetual Recycling Solutions LLC (Perpetual) to acquire the Perpetual PET recycling facility in Richmond, Ind.

The Perpetual PET recycling operations have an approximate annual capacity of 100 million pounds per yearr (~45,000 tons per year) of high quality recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) flake.

This facility will complement Alpek Polyester’s current food-grade PET recycling capacity in Pacheco, Argentina and its fiber-grade recycling joint venture facility in Fayetteville, N.C.

“The acquisition of Perpetual and additional rPET capacity demonstrates Alpek Polyester’s ongoing commitment to sustainable product offerings to meet growing customer and consumer demand for rPET content. The addition of this facility will allow us to expand our sustainability initiatives,” stated Jon McNaull, vice president – PET Resins.

The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed and the acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.

Posted January 10, 2019

Source: DAK Americas LLC

Eric Hequet Receives 2018 Cotton Genetics Research Award — Jim Olvey Receives Special Recognition

NEW ORLEANS, La. — Dr. Eric Hequet, a former cotton breeder and current chair of Texas Tech University’s Plant & Soil Science Department in Lubbock, has been selected by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee as the recipient of the 2018 Cotton Genetics Research Award.

The announcement was made here today during the 2019 Beltwide Cotton Improvement Conference, which convened as part of the National Cotton Council (NCC)-coordinated 2019 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. Hequet received a plaque and a monetary award.

Hequet, who co-developed and co-released 21 improved germplasm lines of upland cotton and two cultivars, has served the cotton genetics community as a breeder, textile engineer, department chairman, and collaborator with cotton breeders in Texas, other states, and worldwide.

According to one of his nominators, Dr. Wayne Smith, professor and associate head of Texas A&M University’s Soil and Crop Sciences Department, Hequet has 1) conducted research into the use of high volume instrument and Advanced Fiber Information System data as selection criteria for breeders across the United States and 2) encouraged breeders to utilize these parameters in the development of improved cotton germplasm and cultivars.

“Eric has provided leadership in research on the measurement of cotton fiber properties and contaminants and their impact on textile processing performance,” Smith said. “He has been in the forefront of advocating that breeders consider more than just micronaire, length, and strength in their plant and row selections and has provided guidance in the value of fineness, maturity, length uniformity, and fiber elongation.”

Smith noted that Hequet also has been a terrific collaborator in evaluating the exceptional fiber quality material and how these improvements can lead to better yarns that will lead to better textiles for maintaining cotton as a fiber of choice.”

Another nominator, Dr. Jane K. Dever, a professor and cotton breeder at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Lubbock, agreed saying that Hequet “instilled conscientiousness about the importance of fiber quality in the U.S. breeding community at a crucial time in the industry, as U.S. raw cotton exports soared from 20% to 80% of production.”

Hequet has received multiple awards and honors. Among those are being named in 2014 the J.A. Love Endowed Chair for Sustainable Agriculture at Texas Tech as well as being named in 2015 as a Horn Endowed Professor – Texas Tech’s highest honor for a faculty member.

After earning his Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences at the Université de Haute Alsace (France), Hequet worked at the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development. He came to Texas Tech in 1997 where he served five years as assistant director of the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute before being named the Institute’s associate director – a post he still holds. In 2006, he became a research associate and professor in Tech’s Plant & Soil Science Department.

The annual cotton Genetics Research Award was established in 1961 by U.S. commercial cotton breeders to recognize and encourage basic research in cotton genetics, cytogenetics and breeding. It is administered by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee consisting of representatives of the NCC, the USDA, state experiment stations, Cotton Incorporated and commercial breeders.

Dr. James Olvey also was honored by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee during the Improvement Conference.

Olvey, president/cotton breeder of O&A Enterprises, Inc. in Maricopa, Ariz., was recognized, in part, because of his work to identify Pima and Upland germplasm demonstrating resistance to the FOV4 race of fusarium. In 2016 he realized that FOV4, a highly virulent race of the soil-born fusarium pathogen previously confined to California, had spread to the cotton growing areas near El Paso, Texas.

Dr. Don Jones, director, Agricultural Research for Cotton Incorporated, said Olvey promptly alerted his organization and the larger cotton community and volunteered to assist public-sector researchers on a strategy to screen germplasm to identify resistance to FOV4 which, once identified, could in turn be utilized in breeding programs to develop FOV4 resistance varieties.

“Those strategy sessions culminated in a massive 2018 field screening effort that he (Olvey) conducted on behalf of the public sector using his own proprietary ‘calibration’ checks to gauge the level of pathogen load across the field,” Jones said. “These checks are a unique and vital resource and were previously unavailable to the public sector.”

Olvey’s contributions in designing and conducting the screening for resistance as well as his volunteering the use of his “calibration” checks are considered critical for the nation’s upland production regions to survive the spread of this fatal cotton pathogen.

Posted January 10, 2019

Source: National Cotton Council (NCC)

Lands’ End Names Chieh Tsai Chief Product Officer

DODGEVILLE, Wis. — January 10, 2019 — Lands’ End Inc. has announced they have appointed Chieh Tsai, the company’s current senior vice president of design, to the newly-created position of chief product officer as its next step in continuing to refine the company’s signature look and feel. The appointment comes as part of the company’s continuing focus to execute on its strategic initiatives and position the company for long term growth after six straight quarters of revenue improvement. In this new role, Tsai will oversee all design, merchandising, and global sourcing activities for the company.

“Chieh’s design vision has enabled us to confidently go to market with offerings that have resonated well with the Lands’ End customer,” said Jerome Griffith, CEO and president, Lands’ End. “We are excited to extend Chieh’s vision across all aspects of design, merchandising and global sourcing, and believe consolidating leadership of these critical functions will allow our American heritage brand to continue to deliver products that fit the Lands’ End customer’s needs.”

Additionally, Lands’ End has named Rosalind Drisko as vice president, public relations and brand marketing, reporting to senior vice president of brand creative, Matt Trainor. Drisko brings a wealth of industry experience in progressive leadership roles and most recently was at VF Corp., Nautica Apparel Brand as vice president of global marketing, where she led marketing and creative services. Drisko will lead the public relations, social media and brand marketing teams, which will continue solidifying the brand’s unique point of view in the marketplace and push awareness through partnership and collaboration opportunities.

“Lands’ End continues to make meaningful and strategic changes across the organization to better position it for future growth by focusing on four main strategic pillars — product, digitalization, uni-channel distribution and infrastructure — while staying true to our heritage,” added Griffith.

Posted January 10, 2019

Source: Lands’ End Inc.

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