Culp Announces Passing Of Founder And Chairman Robert G. Culp III

HIGH POINT, N.C. — December 10, 2018 — Culp Inc. today announced that Robert G.”Rob” Culp, III, died on December 8, 2018, following complications related to leukemia. Culp founded the company in 1972 with his father, Robert G. Culp Jr. He was named CEO in 1981 and served in that capacity until 2007. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1990. Under his leadership, the company has become one of the world’s largest marketers of mattress fabrics for bedding and upholstery fabrics for furniture with global operations and approximately 1,400 employees worldwide.

Culp was well respected throughout the home furnishings industry and remained active in trade associations throughout his career. He was also deeply committed to his home community of High Point through various philanthropic efforts along with his service on the downtown advisory board and as a trustee of High Point University. Culp was an avid supporter of his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, where he received his bachelor’s degree in economics. He earned his MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Culp served as a member of the board of directors of Old Dominion Freight Line, Leggett & Platt and Slumberland.

Frank Saxon, vice chairman and CEO of Culp, stated: “We deeply mourn the passing of our beloved friend, colleague, and one of the company’s founders, Rob Culp. He was widely recognized as a visionary and passionate leader who built a company known for innovation and an unwavering commitment to our customers. He carried this same vision with him in all activities with the company, and he inspired everyone around him to strive for the same standards of personal character and work ethic as he did. Rob had valued relationships and deep ties within our industry, and he was highly admired and respected both within our organization and throughout the markets we serve. He will be greatly missed, especially for his sharp wit, generosity and kindness. Inspired by his example, everyone associated with Culp remains committed to Rob’s vision of excellence, and we will continue to honor his memory in the management of Culp in the years to come. As chief operating officer and president of Culp Home Fashions, Iv Culp will play an important role in extending the legacy of his father and grandfather, and I look forward to our continued work together. On behalf of the management team and board of directors, we extend our deepest sympathies to Rob’s wife, Susan, and to Iv and the entire Culp family.”

Posted December 10, 2018

Source: Culp Inc.

ITMF: Yarn Production Increased In The Second Quarter of 2018; Fabric Production Fell Slightly

ZURICH, Switzerland — December 10, 2018 — Global yarn production increased by +5% between Q1/18 and Q2/18. Higher output where observed in Egypt (+1.4%), the U.S.A. (+3.2%), South Africa (+3.3%), and globally in Asia where the overall +5.7% increase was led by Chinese Taipei and Korea, Rep. (respective growth rates of +8.1% and +8.8). An opposite trend has been observed in all surveyed European countries, Brazil and Japan. Forecasts for Q3/18 are only optimistic in Africa but the Q4/18 previsions turn positive in all regions except Brazil where stability is expected. Global yarn stocks decreased globally by -4.75%. This is the effect of small contractions in Asia and Europe (between -3% and -4%), an +18% increase in Brazil, and a -20% average decrease in the African countries surveyed. Altogether, yarn stocks reached 85% of their previous year’s level for the same quarter. Global yarn orders decreased by -6% led by a strong reduction in the Brazilian market (-28%). Yarn orders however increased in Africa and Europe by +5.7% and +7.5%, respectively.

Global fabric production slightly decreased from Q1/18 to Q2/18. The +0.25% contraction reflects a -6% output reduction in Africa, a decrease of -0.5% in Asia, a +1.6% increase in Europe, and a +3.7% jump in Brazil. The world output level now reaches 87% of its Q2/17 level. Fabric production in all regions is expected to decrease in Q3/18 except in Brazil where stability is foreseen. Q4/18 should see improvements in all regions. In Q2/18, the global fabric stock level grew by almost +2%. It was driven by Brazil’s stock increase of +7%, which brought global fabrics stocks 11% above their Q2/17 level. Stocks remain stable in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.A. They continue to steadily drop in Egypt. Global fabric orders have risen by +43% at world level in Q2/18, led by a +65% increase in Brazil that followed an unusually low first quarter. Orders in Asia and Europe have stagnated and contracted in Egypt, respectively. Global fabric orders are now 16% above their level observed in Q2/17.

ITMFD2018graph

Posted December 10, 2018

Source: International Textile Manufacturers Federation, (ITMF)

Elkem Silicones Builds A New Research & Development Center On The Saint-Fons Site

SAINT-FONS, France — December 6, 2018 — In order to support its global growth strategy by developing high value-added silicone specialties, Elkem Silicones has decided to build a new Research and Development (R&D) center at its Saint- Fons site. This new site, operational at the end of 2020, will bring together 130 European researchers and will be at the heart of the Chemistry Valley and the Lyon Metropolis to reinforce innovation within Elkem in partnership with many innovative external actors to develop silicones of tomorrow.

The silicones industry is experiencing strong growth (> 5 percent per year), driven by urbanisation, the electrification of transport means, renewable energies and the growing needs for care and quality of life. It is a young and dynamic chemistry that requires significant innovation efforts to support its growth.

Elkem Silicones, one of the world leaders in silicones, has decided to reinforce its anchoring in one its two historical cradles (France and China) to continue its policy of upscaling and to perpetuate its Research and Development (R&D) activity in Europe.

With this major project, Elkem Silicones doubles the space dedicated to research on its Saint-Fons site, bringing the surface of its Research Center to 6,000 square meters, with the aim of reinforcing collaborative research within Silicones teams, but also within its open innovation network in the Auvergne-Rhône- Alpes region. Thus, several workspaces of the site of Saint-Fons South will be grouped, allowing the R&D teams to work together in a unique place while maintaining its level of EHS requirements. This new center will also make it possible to welcome new research projects, add value to laboratory equipment or rethink the ergonomics of workstations. Forfour years, Elkem Silicones’ R&D personnel have increased by 11 percent in France and by more than 20 percent worldwide. In total, nearly 130 people will join this new R&D center, with nearly 60 percent of technicians.

Chinese, American and European teams will come and enjoy all the equipment to share their work and their expertise. Every year, more than 10 patents come out of the Elkem Silicones R&D Center, which already holds more than 1,200 patent titles.

R & D Campus Elkem Silicones – Key figures

  • Surface area: 6000 square meters;
  • Architect: AMMA Architect;
  • Investment: 25 million euros;
  • Start of work: March 2019; and
  • Delivery date 2nd half of 2020.

For Frédéric Jacquin, General Manager of the Elkem Silicones Division, “Innovation is an essential strategic issue for our industry and our Company. Being able to invest in this field in France, thanks to a favorable local eco-system, high-quality teams and the competitiveness of Research in France for many years, is a sign of confidence in our ambition to grow within a global project. ”

For David Kimelfeld, President of the Metropole de Lyon, “The establishment of the new R & D center at Elkem in the heart of the Chemistry Valley confirms the industrial dynamism of the city and in particular that of the Lyon chemical industry. Investments in this territory represent more than 400 million euros on the mandate. This project reinforces the development of an innovative Chemistry in Lyon that integrates the issues of respect for the environment. Elkem Silicones once again demonstrates the strong relationship we have with China to sustain and support our industries. In the economic field, our region is the 1st largest in France for the number of employees working for Chinese groups, and many of our companies are successfully developing industrial and technological partnerships in China”.

For Nathalie Frier, Mayor of St Fons, “this new Research and Development center is a great sign that Saint Fons is becoming a territory of innovation and creation. A new dynamism in the Valley of Chemistry that must reflect on its inhabitants. A hope that is added to the projects conducted with the Metropolis for a sustainable and renewed city “.

Posted December 10, 2018

Source: Elkem Silicones

Mountain Khakis® Promotes Victoria Payne To CFO And Vice President

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — December 5, 2018 — Mountain Khakis, an outdoor apparel outfitter for men and women, is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Victoria Payne to CFO and vice president. Payne will lead all Mountain Khakis’ Finance and Operations activities.

Payne has an extensive background in financial planning and analysis, leadership, and operational strategy. Beginning with Mountain Khakis, nearly 12 years ago, Payne has held key positions within the company including Controller and Director of Finance & Administration. Her new position will allow her to focus on efforts to strategically grow the Mountain Khakis brand and business. She intends to continue to lead boldly, taking decisive actions that lead to intentional growth while building a great team and maintaining an incredible company culture.

“For over a decade, Victoria has been essential to the success of
 Mountain Khakis on many levels. There isn’t a department or
partner that she hasn’t led or influenced in some way,”
commented Jeremy Hale, Mountain Khakis President. “Victoria’s new position will allow her to concentrate on taking Mountain Khakis to the next level.”

“Mountain Khakis is a group of talented individuals that have become family over the years. I’m excited to start this new chapter and look forward to the challenge,” said Payne.

A St. Louis native, Victoria and her husband now reside in Charlotte, N.C. She loves watching football and baseball, traveling and spending time with her daughters in her rare, but cherished, free time.

Posted December 10, 2018

Source: Mountain Khakis

Northwest Healthcare Linen Upholds Environmental Commitment With Clean Green Recertification

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — December 7, 2018 — Northwest Healthcare Linen, the Bellingham, Wash.-based independent medical launderer, has been re-certified Clean Green, reflecting the company’s continued dedication to operational efficiency and sustainability. Linen, uniform and facility services companies who renew this certification do so by adhering to TRSA-designated water and energy use thresholds and deploying best management practices (BMPs) consistent with the ASTM International environmental laundering standard.

Northwest Healthcare Linen’s customers can be assured their reusable healthcare 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 Northwest Healthcare Linen 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 Northwest is committed to industry-leading processes and technologies.”

Posted December 7, 2018

Source: TRSA

DRÄXLMAIER Completes New Spartanburg County Expansion 

COLUMBIA, S.C. — December 4, 2018 — The DRÄXLMAIER Group, an automotive supplier, has completed a new expansion of its existing manufacturing operations in Spartanburg County. This expansion represents an investment of $42.7 million and the creation of 460 new jobs.

A tier one supplier to the international automotive industry and headquartered in Germany, DRÄXLMAIER manufactures interiors for premium automobiles and plastic components at its Duncan, S.C., site, which is located at 1751 East Main Street. Opened in 1998, the facility has been expanded three times since then, the last time in 2015 when DRÄXLMAIER constructed a 184,000-square-foot production and logistics building.

With this project, DRÄXLMAIER has invested in additional equipment to accommodate new automotive interior production demands by new and existing customers.

For more information on the DRÄXLMAIER Group, visit the company’s website.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. A $500,000 Set Aside grant was also awarded to Spartanburg County to assist with the costs of building upfit.

“We are proud to call South Carolina our home,” said DRÄXLMAIER Group CEO Americas Dr. Josef Mittermeier. “Our latest expansion shows that we are committed to steady growth in the region. South Carolina offers us an excellent business environment, a talented and skilled workforce and exceptional market access. We appreciate all the support we have received from state and local officials.”

“South Carolina remains a leader in the global automotive industry, and this expansion by DRÄXLMAIER is a great example of that,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “We’re proud that this internationally-renowned company has been a part of the South Carolina business community for more than two decades, and we look forward to their continued success here.”

“It’s hard to overstate the important role that DRÄXLMAIER has played in transforming South Carolina’s economy into an automotive powerhouse,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “I congratulate this innovative company on their ongoing success and look forward to watching this latest expansion come to fruition.”

“We are extremely pleased that the DRÄXLMAIER Group is expanding and growing its operations in Spartanburg County,” David Britt, Spartanburg County Economic Development Committee chairman and Economic Futures Group board member. “DRÄXLMAIER’s decision to expand here represents our commitment to our existing industries through the support of Spartanburg’s Economic Futures Group and the S.C. Department of Commerce. Working together with industry, we continue to demonstrate the hospitable international business climate that exists in Spartanburg County and the dedication of the economic development team in South Carolina.”

FAST FACTS

  • The DRÄXLMAIER Group has completed a new expansion of its Spartanburg County operations.
  • $42.7 million investment to create 460 new jobs.
  • The company’s facility is located at 1751 East Main Street in Duncan, S.C.
  • DRÄXLMAIER has investedin additional equipment to accommodate new automotive interior production demandsby new and existing customers.

Posted December 7, 2018

Source: Office of the Governor of South Carolina

Unisync Selected As Uniform Provider To WestJet

TORONTO — December 7, 2018 — Unisync Corp. is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary Unisync Group Ltd. (UGL) has been selected by WestJet to manufacture and distribute new uniforms to its more than 11,000 uniformed employees across Canada and the world. This multi-year agreement represents the culmination of an extensive review of Unisync’s award-winning product quality and customer-focused suite of fulfillment services. This new agreement covers the manufacturing, supply and program management of a new design of imagewear for all of WestJet’s pilots, cabin crew members, customer service agents, aircraft maintenance engineers, and ground crew.

“We are pleased and honoured to have been selected by WestJet to be their uniform provider,” commented UGL President B. James Bottoms. “We look forward to showcasing the new WestJet uniforms on WestJet flights across Canada, the U.S. and internationally in the near future.”

The newly-designed imagewear will appear on crews operating WestJet’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and select WestJetters across the network for testing in late 2019, with rollout across the remainder of the WestJet network through 2021.

Posted December 7, 2018

Source: Unisync Corp.

Monthly Imports Reach 2 Million Containers For First Time As Retailers Continue Rush To Beat Tariffs

WASHINGTON — December 7, 2018 — Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports have set another new record, reaching 2 million containers in a single month for the first time as retailers continued to bring merchandise into the country ahead of a now-postponed increase in tariffs on goods from China, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“President Trump has declared a temporary truce in the trade war, but these imports came in before that announcement was made,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “We hope that the temporary stand-down becomes permanent, but in the meantime there has been a rush to bring merchandise in before existing tariffs go up or new ones can be imposed. China’s abuses of trade policy need to be addressed, but tariffs that drive up prices for American families and costs for U.S. businesses are not the answer.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.04 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in October, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was up 9 percent from September and up 13.6 percent year-over-year. A TEU is one 20-foot-long cargo container or its equivalent.

The October number was the highest for a single month since Global Port Tracker began counting cargo in 2000, topping the previous record of 1.9 million TEU set in July, which in turn had beat a record of 1.83 million TEU set in August 2017.

November was estimated at 2.01 million TEU, a 14 percent year-over-year increase that would have been a new record if not for the October number. December – normally a slow month with holiday merchandise already on the shelves – is forecast at 1.83 million TEU, up 6.1 percent year-over year. Those numbers would bring 2018 to a total of 21.8 million TEU, an increase of 6.5 percent over last year’s record 20.5 million TEU.

Both year-over-year growth rates and total volume are expected to slow considerably in January, when 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products that took effect in September had been scheduled to increase to 25 percent. Trump announced last weekend after a meeting with Chinese President Xi that the increase — and a threat to impose tariffs on all Chinese products — would be put on hold while the two countries conduct 90 days of negotiations. Official action to delay the tariff increase has yet to be announced, however.

January 2019 is forecast at 1.72 million TEU, down 2.1 percent from January 2018; February at 1.67 million TEU, down 1 percent year-over-year; March at 1.57 million TEU, up 1.7 percent, and April at 1.7 million TEU, up 3.7 percent.

“We see a significant slowdown in import growth in 2019 as the market adjusts to higher prices due to the Trump tariffs and the impact on consumer and industry confidence going forward,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “We project that imports at our monitored ports will have grown significantly in 2018 but that there will be no import growth in the first half of 2019 compared with the same period in 2018.

”

While cargo numbers do not correlate directly with sales, the imports are also being driven by this year’s strong retail sales. NRF has forecast that 2018 holiday season retail sales — excluding automobiles, restaurants and gasoline stations — will increase between 4.3 percent and 4.8 percent over last year. Retail sales for all of 2018 are forecast to be up at least 4.5 percent over 2017.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.

Posted December 7, 2018

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

KARL MAYER To Exhibit Warp Knitting At ISPO Munich

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — December 7, 2018 — The textile machinery manufacturer KARL MAYER is participating more and more in shows concentrating on applications and end-uses. “We want to pick up customers at key textile areas and introduce them to something new by offering innovative textiles and concepts,” said Oliver Mathews, sales manager of the Business Unit Warp Knitting, when speaking about the aims behind this decision. The next important date in Karl Mayer’s diary of events is ISPO Munich. Karl Mayer can be found here on stand 408 in hall C4 of Messe München — right at the center of the exhibition’s trends hub. Karl Mayer will be demonstrating the performance features of warp-knitted textiles on an area of 120 m², surrounded by the latest fabrics, styles and accessories.

TEXTILE-CIRCUIT shows how electrically conductive yarns can be incorporated directly into the textile in a single step during fabric production. The positioning of the electrically conductive yarns is done to meet the requirements of the intended end-use. For example, this can produce warp-knitted textiles having sensor functions, which are opening up completely new potential applications in the sportswear and outdoor sectors.

Textiles that can do so much more are also at the focus of solutions in the field of active sports. With their functional zones, which are also integrated directly during manufacture, these new articles provide breathability and compression following the principles of body mapping. They, therefore, deliver maximum efficiency when producing high-performance activewear for ambitious athletes.

LEISUREE.FASHION is a futuristic concept for producing sporty athleisure wear and comfortable, everyday clothing, as well as conventional underwear and lingerie. The fabrics offer all the comfort of sportswear with the soft support of activewear and also produce a sophisticated look with zones featuring decorative lingerie elements – the perfect combination of style, sportiness and comfort.

Gabriela Schellner, head of Textile Product Development at Karl Mayer, is convinced that the products on show will familiarise the sportswear and outdoor sectors with warp knitting technology. In particular, she intends to come into even closer contact with brand manufacturers at ISPO. She wants to learn more about their ideas and requirements for new product developments, and to develop new solutions with them.

Posted December 7, 2018

Shaw Invests $250 Million In Andalusia Fiber Manufacturing Facility

DALTON, Ga. — December 5, 2018 — Shaw Industries Group Inc. (Shaw) announced that is investing $250 million in its Andalusia, Ala., manufacturing facility, which creates fiber used to manufacture residential carpet.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson and Covington County Commission Chairman Greg White joined Shaw associates on Decemeber 5 in a celebration of recent achievements at Plant 65 in Andalusia, Ala.

The project includes construction of new and expanded building assets and installation of substantial amounts of new manufacturing equipment.

“At Shaw, our vision is to create a better future for our associates, our customers, our company, and our communities. We can only achieve that vision through continued investment in our people, our products, our facilities, and our operations. We continually bring customers the forward-thinking products and services they expect from Shaw,” stated David Morgan, Shaw Industries’ executive vice president of operations.

The changes will create even better efficiency, production, ergonomics, and safety for the more than 1,200 associates who work at the plant.

Construction began a little over a year ago and modernization efforts will continue through 2020. The facility remains operational throughout the transition.

“Shaw’s operations are more complex than ever. As a result, almost every job at Shaw — from designers and data scientists to machinists and managers — requires a higher skill level than in the past. Shaw benefits from a talented, well-trained associate base in Covington County, where it is the county’s largest employer,” states Ron Fantroy, plant manager for Plant 65.

Posted December 7, 2018

Source: Shaw Industries Group

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