PHILADELPHIA — January 23, 2019 — Philly-based creative brand agency 20nine continues to build on its commitment to purpose-driven branding and delivering full circle solutions by acquiring Nucleus Brands and naming its CEO, Jason Weidner, as 20nine’s COO.

“Today’s consumers are expecting brands to be more purpose-driven and deliver higher-order value to society,” said Greg Ricciardi, President/CEO, 20nine. “Acquiring Nucleus accelerates our ability to build brands with more meaning for clients and brands of our own. 20nine has always been entrepreneurial in nature so this makes total sense.”

We live in a time where brands are being defined by their values and the way those values impact their actions. This makes it critical for existing brands to see themselves through a “purpose lens” and new-to-the-world brands to figure out their purpose from the start. Which fits in perfectly with 20nine’s approach to the work.

Nucleus Brands is a portfolio of Direct-to-Consumer brands, living at the intersection of smart product development and strategic marketing. The mission is to leverage ecommerce as the main distribution channel, while creating value for customers in high demand categories with opportunity for innovation. These products inspire consumers to share their experience with others and proudly represent the brand as a reflection of themselves.

By adding this capability, 20nine enhances its offering of brand development, digital marketing, social media, product design and development, to now deliver a high value platform that completes the full circle, from concept, to bring-to-market strategy, to operationalizing it in the digital age.

“We’re excited to engage with clients who are committed to bringing a greater sense of purpose and meaning to the brands they sell but also to continue building purpose-first brands of our own,” said Jason Weidner, COO, 20nine. “Nucleus home-grown brands will continue to be developed under the flag of the new brand incubator that includes Waggery (pet products), Freetown (lifestyle apparel) and Matsy (home goods).”

Posted January 23, 2019

Source: 20nine Creative Brand Agency

SOMERVILLE, N.J. — January 23, 2019 — Chris H. Giordano ECOTEK 360 President stated. “We are pleased to announce to our shareholders that Mary Lynn Landgraf has been appointed to the Board of Directors of ECOTEK 360 Inc.

“Landgraf recently retired from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) in Washington, where she was employed for 15 years from 2003 through December 2017.

Landgraf served as a senior trade specialist with a focus on promoting U.S. made technical, specialty and military related textiles to international buyers around the world and strengthening the U.S. textile industry and promoting the Made in America textile image for superior quality and innovation. It is with great enthusiasm we welcome her to our Board”

Landgraf stated “I look forward to working with the innovative team at ECOTEK 360 Inc. and helping them commercialize their proprietary technologies in both the “brick and mortar” and digital assets arena”.

Paul Serbiak ECOTEK 360 Inc. CEO stated: “Ms. Landgraf’s extensive knowledge of the textiles and apparel industry in the US and around the globe will help guide our efforts to provide meaningful innovation that meets the needs of the marketplace”.

Posted January 23, 2019

Source:  ECOTEK 360 Inc.

FORT MILL, S.C. — January 22, 2019 — Domtar Corp. has announced two well-qualified leaders to manage its Kingsport, Tenn., and Nekoosa, Wis., mills.

Marty Barfield has been named manager of the company’s mill in Kingsport. Since September 2015, Barfield has been the Plymouth Mill’s pulp production manager, leading manufacturing for two softwood fiber lines and two fluff pulp machines with a keen focus on employee safety. He was instrumental in the mill’s successful NC2 retirement and NC5 transition, including his leadership on a number of continuous improvement projects to increase the mill’s output.

Barfield brings more than 30 years of experience to this role. He began his career working a number of technical, engineering, maintenance and operational positions at Procter & Gamble before joining Domtar in 1989, where he has served in roles of increasing operational responsibility at the Marlboro and Plymouth mills. Barfield earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from N.C. State University.

Marty Burkhardt has been named manager of the Nekoosa mill. Burkhardt previously was Nekoosa’s operations manager, responsible for all aspects of safety, environmental, productivity, reliability and continuous improvement across Nekoosa’s manufacturing operations. His commitment to reliability and continuous improvement has helped increase the mill’s pulp production while also reducing its chemical usage.

Burkhardt’s 20-plus years of diverse experience include roles of increasing responsibility in the pulp mill, paper operations, the recovery process as well as power and utilities at both Verso Corp. and Alliant Energy before joining Domtar in 2017. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

“We are excited to promote these two deserving internal candidates to mill management positions” said Mike Garcia, president pulp and paper division. “Their commitment to production, employee safety, strategic planning and reliability will help ensure Kingsport and Nekoosa continue to drive value for our company.”

Posted January 23, 2019

Source: Domtar

LOS ANGELES — January 21, 2019 — Emerald Textiles, a portfolio company of Los Angeles-based private investment firms Pacific Avenue Capital Partners LLC and Highland Avenue Funds LLC, announced that Richard “Rich” Bott has joined the executive management team and was appointed CEO. Bott’s appointment follows Emerald’s recent announcement of its expansion into Los Angeles and the San Diego Market as well as its greenfield expansion in Northern California.

“We are excited to have a leader of Rich’s caliber joining the Emerald team,” said Chris Sznewajs, chairman of the Board of Directors of Emerald Textiles and managing partner and Founder of Pacific Avenue Capital Partners. “Rich has a proven track record of success, high integrity, and brings over twenty-five years of experience in the healthcare service industry. We believe Rich’s deep experience in the healthcare linen and service industry, as well as his strong business sense and collaborative approach, make him the ideal candidate to lead Emerald through its next stage of growth.”

Greg Anderson will transition to executive chairman and will continue to support the business in a daily role, overseeing the integration of the recent acquisitions of the San Diego and Los Angeles facilities, while also providing oversight for the greenfield facility that is underway in Livingston, Calif. Greg will remain a member of the Board of Directors and will lead several other key strategic initiatives for Emerald. “We are excited for Greg’s evolving role as he continues as a key partner to Emerald Textiles. Greg has done an excellent job leading the business through an impressive transformation. I look forward to Greg’s continued involvement in the organization,” Chris Sznewajs added.

“We are excited to have Rich join our team and lead Emerald as the company enters its next phase of growth,” said Greg Anderson. “Rich shares our vision of excellent quality and customer service at a competitive price. Emerald has invested heavily in all of its facilities in San Diego, Los Angeles, Turlock, Livingston and Reno to ensure it has the most modern, safe, and efficient facilities in the industry. I look forward to supporting and working closely with Rich in my new role as Executive Chairman.”

Anderson added: “I want to thank Pacific Avenue and Highland for their support of my vision to scale and grow the company over the last eighteen months. I also want to thank all Emerald Team Members, which is over 1,000 strong for their dedication and support of the company’s vision.”

Prior to Emerald, Rich served as the director of Intermountain Healthcare’s Supply Chain Services, which includes Central Laundry, Design and Print Services, Corporate Travel, Supply Chain Guidance Council, Fleet Management and Sign Center. Before Rich joined Intermountain Healthcare, he served as a medic and LPN in the 328th General Hospital unit of the 96th ARCOM where he began his nursing education at the Academy of Health Sciences. He then was trained clinically at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas and then at Fitzsimons Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.

“The Emerald Textiles team has shown an incredible commitment to providing fantastic service at an undeniable value while scaling the organization through both organic growth, acquisitions, capital investments and greenfield opportunities,” said Bott. “It is my pleasure to join this exceptional management team and employee base in continuing to enhance our value proposition and service to our customers.”

Bott is active in the community serving as board chair for The Columbus Community Center, committee chairman for the Boy Scouts of America and has been a delegate for Davis County. Richard also serves as the President Elect of The Association for Linen Management and serves on the board of the International Association for Healthcare Textile Management.

Bott holds an Associates of Nursing Degree from The Academy of Health Sciences, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Health Services Administration from Weber State University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He is a native of Utah and currently resides in Mountain Green, with his wife Darcie and their four children.

Posted January 23, 2019

Source: Emerald Textiles