JOANN Launches MyFabric, Unlocks Fabric Customization For Customers

HUDSON, Ohio — December 12, 2018 — Continuing its mission to build the ultimate creative experience, JOANN has launched MyFabric to allow customers to show their personal style through completely customized fabric creation. Powered by WeaveUp, the program offers customers unprecedented design control and product quality. Customers can now not only select from thousands of designer patterns, but also customize the exact color, scale and repeat of the pattern, and choose from dozens of high-quality fabric substrates.

“We know today’s consumers are looking for personalization in every retail experience, and that’s amplified in the craft arena,” said Steve Miller, senior vice president of Marketing at JOANN. “For 75 years, our customers have sewed, quilted, upholstered and crafted as a way to express themselves. But they could only choose from the fabric designs, colors and weights that were available. MyFabric opens the door to a new era of creativity, and brings an added layer of handmade individuality.”

Customers can manipulate more than 8,000 designer patterns in the browser-based service at joann.com, where they can also find inspiration for their home décor or fashion projects in featured collections and themes. Then, they select from dozens of fabrics, ranging from sheers to upholstery weight, to be printed with unparalleled precision and color quality. Additionally, they can visit stores to actually touch and see the fabric options before placing an order. Orders are printed in the USA using an eco-friendly process that results in sharp, colorfast designs, and users can order their custom fabrics in any quantity, even as little as a single yard.

“Using WeaveUp technology to bring fabric customization directly to individual consumers is a game-changer,” said Flint Davis, president of WeaveUp. “While we are the de facto standard for digitally customizing designs for many market-leading corporate clients, JOANN is the first major retailer to offer this range of designs and fabrics. We are excited to partner with America’s iconic fabric retailer to bring high quality digitally printed fabrics to millions of creative individuals.”

JOANN has recently made headlines by revamping its branding, merchandising and service offerings, as highlighted in its industry-first Concept Store. The store, in Columbus, Ohio, features cutting-edge technology, dedicated community and learning spaces, and custom services and support. The addition of MyFabric aligns to the Concept Store’s expanded Sewing Studio, as well as its custom Sew & Go service. In early 2019, MyFabric will expand to allow customers to upload their own pattern designs as well.

“As America’s full-service sewing destination, we are constantly looking for better ways to serve each and every customer,” said Miller. “We’re confident this unparalleled offering will help inspire customers to tap into their personal creativity, and we can’t wait to see what they create.”

Posted December 12, 2018

Source: JOANN

NoSweat Announces International Licensing Deal With United Sports Brands

MINNEAPOLIS — December 12, 2018 — NoSweat — creator of patented sweat-absorbing, disposable performance liners for hats, helmets, hard hats and visors — has announced a five-year international licensing agreement with United Sports Brands, a sports performance and protective products company. United Sports Brands, parent company of Shock Doctor, Nathan, McDavid, Cutters and XO Athletic, will market NoSweat hat, helmet and running hat liners through its brands. “Everyone at USB is excited to join forces and bring the NoSweat technology to the global sporting goods market and our loyal consumers,” said USB Vice President Brand and Strategy Jason Richter.

“NoSweat is excited to work with United Sports Brands to bring our patented technology to the global marketplace,” said CEO Justin Johnson. “Building on years of product development and sales growth, we are pursuing more licensing partnerships in markets ranging from industrial, commercial food, military, and any industry that involves sweat. This model allows us to strategically partner and leverage existing relationships and customer bases to accelerate awareness and distribution in the US and internationally.”

In the last 12 months, NoSweat has built a strong lineup of professional athletes who have both invested and become brand ambassadors including: TJ Oshie, Golden Tate, Dallas Keuchel, Brandon McManus, Stewart Cink, Scott Langley, Matt Adams and Kerry Feirman. NoSweat is also an Official Licensed Partner of the PGA TOUR.

Posted December 12, 2018

Source: NoSweat

Clariant Color Forecast Says Greens Are Back In 2020  

MUTTENZ, Germany — December 11, 2018 — Clariant announced the release of ColorForward 2020, the 14th edition of the annual color forecasting guide for the plastics industry.

While consumer preferences have been trending toward warmer tones in recent years, Clariant color-trend watchers see a shift to cooler blues and greens in the palette they developed for 2020. In fact, of the twenty colors in the latest edition of ColorForward, five of them are different shades of green. Some are genuine and natural looking, while others seem more artificial or ‘digital.’

That doesn’t mean the 2020 trend colors don’t include some warmth, says Judith van Vliet, ColorWorks® Designer and a leader of the ColorForward team. There are a range of reds, yellows and even a couple of oranges. These tend to be bright and, in many cases translucent or tuned up with special effect pigments.

“There are a lot of things going on in the world these days,” van Vliet explains. “Not all of them are negative, but the sheer volume of ideas, images and information confronting us, and the speed at which it comes at us, can seem overwhelming. Instead of trying to escape, which often seems impossible, people are seeking ways to harden themselves as a sort of emotional self-defense. We see other trends springing from developments in gene modification, increasing surveillance and loss of privacy, and the potential for ultra-high-speed travel.”

The View from Singapore
The ColorForward workshop was held this year at the Clariant ColorWorks center in Singapore. As they have every year since 2006, an international team of Clariant specialists came together for a week-long series of creative exercises aimed at defining four global trend themes that can be expected to influence consumers in the near and mid-term future, and selecting colors or color combinations that evoke an emotional response related to each trend. The result is a unique tool that can be used to help plastic product designers and marketing professionals make more informed color choices.

Posted December 11, 2018

Source: Clariant International Ltd.

Indorama Ventures Announces Acquisition Of UTT

BANGKOK, Thailand — December 11, 2018 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL) has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire UTT Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH. UTT is one of the leading suppliers of airbag fabrics and other highly specialized solutions in the field of technical textiles. The company has two sites in Germany and Mexico with approximately 420 employees and produces around 70 million square meters of fabrics.

Subject to regulatory approvals, UTT will be acquired by PHP Fibers, a company owned by Indorama Ventures (80% stake) and Toyobo (20% stake). The acquisition of UTT by PHP Fibers brings together two pioneers in the airbag market who have worked together closely and trustingly for more than five decades. With this acquisition, Indorama Ventures is strengthening its portfolio in the airbag sector and adds the UTT weaving sites in Germany and Mexico to the yarn production sites in Germany, the USA and the JV participation in China as well as to the PHP Fibers weaving mills in Germany and the USA established with the expertise of Toyobo.

The combination of both companies will form a leading integrated manufacturer of airbag yarns and textiles globally to offering wider choices to its customers in a more cost efficient manner.

Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, stressed: “We have known UTT for a long time as a loyal customer of our airbag yarns. The expertise of UTT and the intensified exchange of experience with PHP will advance both companies and further strengthen Indorama Ventures’ leading global position in the airbag segment. For the benefit of our customers, we will move even closer to the users in the future in order to be able to respond better and more flexibly to the wishes of our customers, whether for yarns or fabrics.

The acquisition also clearly demonstrates the strategic importance of the Automotive Division for Indorama Ventures. IVL is not only focusing on tire yarns, but also on other trendsetting segments such as airbags.”

Seiji Narahara, President of Toyobo Co. Ltd, commented: “Through the acquisition of UTT, Toyobo Group and PHP will become among the world’s top groups that can produce and supply products for airbags, from yarn to fabrics. It will also reinforce our long-term relationship with Indorama Ventures, which acquired PHP jointly with Toyobo, as a result.”

Posted December 11, 2018

Source: Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited

Nonwovens Industry Pledges Uptake In Use Of Recycled PET 

BRUSSELS — December 11, 2018 — EDANA, on behalf of the nonwoven producers amongst its membership, today issued a pledge to significantly increase the use of recycled PET in nonwoven fabrics.

Recycled PET is used in various nonwoven applications: roofing products, the automotive sector and nonwoven geotextiles are large users of R-PET fibres and resins. R-Pet can also be found in some hygiene products, such as diapers. Currently over 200,000 metric tons of recycled PET is used in the production of nonwovens. By 2025 this will grow to over 300,000 tons, providing that the post-consumer waste volumes necessary are available.

EDANA made the announcement in Brussels today at the event “The EU Plastics Industries – Towards Circularity”, joining 13 other organizations from across the plastics value chain in presenting the interim reports on voluntary commitments and pledges to adopt more circular business models.

The European plastics industry and value chain has developed an extensive and ambitious set of voluntary measures to close the loop for plastics. All commitments will be monitored with the industry ready to work closely with authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the goals are reached. The accomplishment of the ambitious sustainability targets depends not only on the industry but requires the support of national authorities, European legislators and consumers. More collection and better sorting are needed to increase recycling and incorporate more recyclate into new products.  The event “The EU Plastics Industries – Towards Circularity” will be organized on an annual basis to guarantee an open and public reporting and transparent dialogue with stakeholders on the industry’s progress.

Posted December 11, 2018

Source: EDANA

Monandock Nonwovens Welcomes Ray Whitby

MT. POCONO, Pa. — December 11, 2018 — Monadnock Non-Wovens LLC (MNW), established in 1998, proudly serves the fast growing automotive, facemask, filtration, healthcare and consumer markets. Today, MNW announced that Ray Whitby will join its team on January 2, 2019, in the role of Technical Sales Manager.

Ray is joining MNW after working for nearly 20 years with Transweb in New Jersey developing and marketing some of the most sophisticated and evolved surface charged enhanced media for the HEPA, respirator and filtration markets. His knowledge and proven experience will be used to help further evolve Monadnock’s established range and develop new fine fiber non-woven media aimed at the liquid and air filtration markets.

“Ray’s 30-plus years of experience in technical nonwovens product development, operations, and sales makes him an excellent addition to our team,” said Keith Hayward, MNW Managing Director.

Posted December 11, 2018

Source: Monadnock Non-Wovens LLC

Epson Certified Solution Center Now Open At Equipment Zone In New Jersey

LONG BEACH, Calif. — December 10, 2018 — Epson today announced Equipment Zone in New Jersey has opened its Epson Certified Solution Center. As the first Epson Certified Solution center located on the East Coast, potential Epson customers can visit Equipment Zone to engage with product experts and run test print samples using their own files on the Epson dye-sublimation, signage, photography, and direct-to-garment (DTG) solutions.

“We want to encourage customers to create innovative project with confidence, and are thrilled to partner with Equipment Zone to create this unique Epson experience,” said John Meyer, manager, Wide Format Channel, Epson America Inc. “These Epson Certified Solution Centers are designed to showcase the depth of capabilities that Epson has to offer, as well as allow customers to realize the full potential of partnering with Epson.”

This new Epson Certified Solution Center is conveniently located at the Equipment Zone offices in Franklin Lakes. It will provide customers with an immersive experience, including:

  • Full suite of SureColor® production equipment;
  • Extensive print samples and applications; and
  • Comprehensive customer training opportunities.

“By providing access to this technology, we’ve been able to host the first annual Epson Expo, an event that provided our customers in the New Jersey and New York City area a chance to experience the full range of Epson professional solutions,” said Harry Oster, president, Equipment Zone. “We are looking forward to continuing to host similar Epson events in the years to come.”

“The Epson Solution Center allows customers and potential customers a comfortable space to explore new technology while learning from our industry experts who provide one-on-one demonstrations,” said Jay Busselle, marketing director, Equipment Zone.

Posted December 10, 2018

Source: Epson America Inc.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö Launches Extia® 1000, A Breakthrough, High Performance And Durable Filtration Media

STOCKHOLM — November 29, 2018 — Ahlstrom-Munksjö, a producer of fiber-based materials, announced today the launch of Ahlstrom-Munksjö Extia® 1000 highly durable filtration media designed to extend filtration life time for air pollution control applications, helping to protect people and the environment. Extending filtration lifetime by more than 40 percent, helping customers to extend the operational duration, before needing to change the filters.

“Extia 1000 will set the new benchmark in terms of filtration media for air pollution control cartridge applications” says Giuseppe Costa, vice president, Product Development Filtration and Performance. “Due to its unique design, Extia 1000 dramatically extends filtration life time; it also delivers highly effective removal of coarse particles at over 3 times lower level of pressure drop. Additionally, Extia 1000 proves to be much easier to convert into a filter, on both knife and rotary pleating machines”

“Extia 1000 is the first product on the Extia platform, a range of highly durable filtration media, specifically designed for industrial filtration applications. From this platform, a family of products will be built over time, all combining strength, outstanding convertibility and filtration performance. Our product platform Extia is an excellent example of how Ahlstrom-Munksjo can leverage on its experience in manufacturing high performance filtration products to deliver new solutions for Industrial Filtration applications” commented Fulvio Capussotti,  executive vice president, Filtration and Performance. “Delivering high performance filtration media for industrial filtration is a priority for our business area and we will continue to develop and strengthen our product offering for our customers in this field”, he concluded.

The Filtration and Performance business area develops and produces filtration materials for transportation as well as industrial applications. It also produces glass fiber media for flooring products and wind turbine blades and makes nonwoven materials for automotive, construction, textile, hygiene applications and wallcovering materials.

Posted December 10, 2018

Source: Ahlstrom-Munksjö

Lands’ End Ranks First In Newsweek’s List Of America’s Best Customer Service For Online Retailers, Clothing

DODGEVILLE, Wis. — December 10, 2018 — Lands’ End, a uni-channel retailer known for high quality apparel for the whole family, today announced it has been named to Newsweek’s inaugural list of America’s Best Customer Service 2019 as the number one customer service provider for online retailers, clothing category.

The America’s Best Customer Service 2019 ranking was identified from an independent survey of more than 20,000 U.S. customers who were asked whether they would recommend brands to friends or family, and assessed brands in quality of communications, technical competence, range of services, customer focus, and accessibility.

“Unmatched customer service is at the foundation of everything we do at Lands’ End,” said Jerome Griffith, CEO and president, Lands’ End. “It has been a pillar of our business from the start; our founder, Gary Comer, wisely stated, ‘Take care of the customer, take care of the employee and the rest will take care of itself.’ More than 55 years later, that principle still drives our company today, and we’re proud that Newsweek has recognized us for our efforts.”

In collaboration with analytics firm Statista, Newsweek selected America’s Best Customer Service 2019 winners based on an independent survey from a vast sample of more than 20,000 U.S. customers who have either made purchases, used services, or gathered information about products or services in the past three years. The survey was conducted on retailers and service providers from 141 categories, providing a broad spectrum of customer experiences: traditional retail, online as well as service segments.

Lands’ End has also been awarded the StellaService Elite Seal for the past five years, a prestigious award given to a small percentage of retailers who provide the very best in customer care; is listed in Prosper Insights & Analytics’ top 10 list of Customer Service Champions for 2017; and was recognized by Multichannel Merchant as a Customer Experience Leader in 2017.

Posted December 10, 2018

Source: Lands’ End

U.S. Fashion Industry Industry To Testify On U.S./Japan Trade Negotiating Objectives

WASHINGTON — December 10, 2018 — This afternoon, United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) President Julia K. Hughes will testify during the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s public hearing on the negotiating objectives for a U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, taking place at the U.S. International Trade Commission.

She will speak in support of a trade agreement with Japan, an important trading partner for retail as the third-largest consumer market in the world, as well as an important sourcing destination for high-quality textiles increasingly demanded by consumers. She calls for the elimination of the very high import duties on fashion products; a flexible, simplified, 21st-century Rule of Origin for apparel; harmonized and streamlined customs procedures; and, harmonized rules and regulations governing issues like product safety and labeling.

“As American fashion brands and retailers—and all companies in the United States—are seeking opportunities to reach new consumers, grow their businesses, and create jobs in the United States, it’s important to make it easier to trade and do business with lucrative, growing markets like Japan,” she says in her testimony. “An effective, 21st century U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement would be flexible and would recognize the commercial reality that companies rely on global value chains to produce and sell products. Such an agreement would provide the United States with the best possible economic benefits for U.S. companies, U.S. workers, and U.S. consumers.”

Posted December 10, 2018

Source: United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA)

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