MagnaColours® Recommends SPIRO For Its Eco-Friendly Inks
BARNSLEY, England — March 27, 2018 — Screen-printing ink specialist MagnaColours says SPIRO’s new S287X Aircool Tee is the perfect garment for customization with its eco-friendly range of water based inks.
SPIRO’s S287X Aircool Tee offers the perfect print base for MagnaColours’ AquaFlex V2 water-based high solids ink and Migration Eliminator V2 product, and has had much success with the non-toxic water-based ink.
PVC and formaldehyde-free, MagnaColours range of water-based inks offer the screen printing industry an eco-friendly, non-toxic alternative to plastisols. The inks are perfect for polyester fabric, including high performance garments such as SPIRO’s S287X Aircool Tee, and offer a stretchy soft feel to the garment. Other benefits include; quick curing, short flash times, formulations that are slow to dry in the screen and the ability to be pigmented to any shade.
Helen Parry, managing director for MagnaColours, said: “The high performance, S287X Aircool Tee by SPIRO is the perfect garment to showcase what’s possible with MagnaColours® water-based inks. Together we’ve demonstrated the superb print effects that can be achieved on performance fabrics when making the switch to our range of eco-friendly, PVC-free inks.”
Managing Director for SPIRO David Sanders-Smith said: “We were so impressed by the performance of MagnaColours’ inks and the superb print quality they offered that we wanted to highlight the many benefits of water-based inks and communicate this to the wider industry. Our S287X Aircool Tee is a great performance shirt that offers the wearer both comfort and technical performance; it’s the ideal backdrop to promote any event, team or uniform brand!”
Part of SPIRO’s popular IMPACT Fitness Wear range, the S287X Aircool Tee is an air-dry soft mesh fabric tee with High Tec stretch that provides the ultimate in comfort and performance during wear. Classed as a performance shirt, the S287X Aircool features a quick-dry finish and moisture-wicking fibers to keep the wearer dry and cool. The high elastane content means its drape envelopes the body with a comfort stretch, and its exceptional elasticity results in excellent shape retention and recovery during maximum movement. Label-free and ready to brand, it is supplied in non-bagged bundles so is the perfect decorators friend. Whilst it is particularly suited for water based inks, the S287X is also suitable for embroidery and transfer application.
The unisex S287X Aircool Tee is available in sizes 2XS to 5XL in 17 vibrant colours.
The complete range of SPIRO activewear is easily available through SPIRO’s European network of distributors offering full range product availability and exceptional customer service.
Posted March 27, 2018
Source: MagnaColours®
Milliken Specialty Interiors Expands Environmental Leadership With Membership In Sustainable Furnishings Council And Champion Of Sustainability Award
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — March 27, 2018 — Milliken & Company’s Specialty Interiors business has extended its sustainability leadership by recently joining the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) and being honored by Unifi as a REPREVE® Champion of Sustainability.
Milliken Specialty Interiors has joined the Sustainable Furnishings Council as a qualifying member, pending successful application for higher-level recognition. The Sustainable Furnishings Council shares Milliken’s commitment to taking immediate steps to minimize carbon emissions, reduce other pollutants and remove unsustainable materials and chemical inputs from furnishings product platforms. The organization exists to raise awareness and expand the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices across the home furnishings industry. SFC also provides a symbol of assurance for consumers.
“Milliken’s focus on natural, recycled and easily recyclable materials is part of our overall sustainability journey to improve product design, manufacturing and sourcing practices.” said Jennifer K. Harmon, vice president, Milliken Specialty Interiors. “We look forward to working closely with the Sustainable Furnishings Council and other concerned parties to build on our proud legacy of environmental stewardship and leadership.”
The Unifi Repreve Champions of Sustainability awards celebrate Unifi’s brand and textile partners that share in its commitment to sustainability and vision for a better tomorrow. They recognize companies that exemplify leadership in sustainability and have helped recycle more than 11 billion plastic bottles as a result of their use of Repreve performance fibers.
“Through our development of many eco-friendly products, especially Breathe™ by Milliken, an eco-elegant, performance fabric available in natural or manmade materials made from recycled plastic bottles, Milliken Specialty Interiors has worked closely with companies like Unifi to reduce, reuse and recycle for the betterment of our homes, our health and our world,” Harmon noted.
Eliminating waste and enhancing sustainability also aligns with Milliken Specialty Interiors’ business strategy of purposeful and intentional design. “Rather than manufacturing an overwhelming array of styles each season that may or may not sell, we believe that by creating a carefully curated selection of products and colors with long lasting beauty, we can help protect our natural resources and produce less sample waste,” added Harmon.
In keeping with its belief that sustainability is closely linked to health and safety, Milliken also recently announced that it has become a founding member of the Well Living Lab, a collaborative research initiative led by Delos and Mayo Clinic dedicated to studying the impacts of our indoor environments on health and wellness. Milliken joins 18 other building science and medical research leaders in coming together to creating healthier spaces in which to live and work. The Well Living Lab believes that our society performs better in all aspects of life when people are at their healthiest — a tenet Milliken has championed for decades.
Posted March 27, 2018
Source: Milliken & Company
CSI launches Color Analysis — The Color Trend Magazine for Autumn/Winter 2019
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — March 27, 2018 — Color Solutions International, a member of the DyStar® Group, is launching its Color Analysis magazine for Autumn/Winter 2019. This trend forecasting magazine provides high-level global color information for color managers, directors and designers to support the color palette development process. The magazine includes a seasonal color palette selected from a wide range of approximately 3,700 CSI ColorWall™ colors.
Based on most recent customer feedback, the newest edition of Color Analysis was adjusted to be more valuable for the design and palette creation process. This new edition contains 54 trend and validated colors, additional color data, and color evolution & direction by hue. Furthermore, the color trend palettes are displayed by product category: Women’s, Active, Intimates, Men’s, Kids and Home. Similar to the previous editions, Color Analysis also includes our proprietary Relative Color Popularity report (RCP), offering color predictions with validation of performing colors.
“As the Color and Trend Director at Color Solutions, it is my goal to provide relevant seasonal color data collected through consumer insights and market analysis. We are able to look further out for trends that are affected by world views, mindset and cultural influences,” said Heather Sandwall, CSI Color and Trend Director
The CSI and DyStar team of experts work together and assist their customers in color development and communication as well as in the dyeing and quality inspection process to achieve best possible results and sustainable fashion. All CSI products are produced with high-quality, eco-friendly DyStar colorants.
Posted March 27, 2018
Source: The DyStar Group
VF Corp. Receives National Award From The U.S. Association Of Former Members Of Congress
GREENSBORO, N.C. — March 23, 2018 — VF Corp. was honored earlier this week with the Corporate Statesmanship Award from the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), a bipartisan, voluntary nonprofit alliance of former U.S. Senators and Representatives. VF received the award on March 21 at FMC’s annual Statesmanship Awards Dinner in Washington.
“We are honored to be recognized by the FMC for our work to improve the lives of apparel and footwear industry workers and their communities around the world,” said Steve Rendle, VF’s chairman, president and CEO. “As one of the largest and leading companies in our sector, we recognize our unique opportunity to leverage our scale to affect positive changes that have a lasting impact and set a high standard for human rights and environmental responsibility. I am proud of the work our associates have accomplished, but we also know this important work is never done. We are and will forever remain committed to partnering with others to continue to advance ongoing progress.”
The Corporate Statesmanship Award recognizes outstanding corporate leadership and citizenship, including companies that exemplify service and commitment to improving the lives of others. VF received this recognition for its creation of the company’s Responsible Sourcing program, a global collaborative approach to sourcing products responsibly, including collaborating with industry partners and multi-stakeholder organizations across 50 countries to maintain safe, healthy environments for workers, manufacturing products responsibly, and improving workers’ lives.
An integral component to VF’s Global Supply Chain organization, the Responsible Sourcing program ensures VF’s more than 1,000 contract suppliers and sourcing partners are operating with the same high standards VF sets for its owned and operated manufacturing operations. VF shares with its supply chain partners the company’s manufacturing best practices and know-how, and often serves as a consultant to help them continually improve their operations and environmental and socially responsible initiatives.
VF’s Responsible Sourcing program comprises four focus areas:
- Worker Rights and Safety – Maintaining safety and healthy environments for all workers;
- Product Stewardship – Manufacturing and sourcing products and raw materials responsibly and ethically;
- Environmental Sustainability – Reducing the environmental impact of our business; and
- Worker and Community Development – Improving the standards of living for all workers who make our products.
“We are thrilled to recognize VF Corp. with our 2018 award. Steve and his team stand for the exact corporate global citizenship that we seek to highlight. They have demonstrated admirably how a group of leaders, united behind a commitment to combine product excellence with good stewardship, can set the industry-wide standard when it comes to environmental and labor values. FMC seeks to promote finding common ground and working together toward the common good, and we cannot think of a better private sector example of this than VF Corporation’s Responsible Sourcing Program,” said former Member of Congress Cliff Stearns, FMC’s President.
With more than 600 former Members of Congress in its membership, FMC utilizes the expertise and experience of its bipartisan membership for domestic and international programs, all performed by former Senators and Representatives on a pro bono basis. FMC’s main domestic project, the Congress to Campus Program, teaches about our representative democracy and encourages the next generation of public servants. International projects include four Congressional Study Groups that connect current Members of Congress with their peers in the legislative branches of Germany, Japan, Korea and the European Union.
Posted March 26, 2018
Source: VF Corp.
The Finish Line Announces Entry Into Merger Agreement With JD Sports Fashion Plc
INDIANAPOLIS — March 26, 2018 — Athletic retailer The Finish Line Inc. announced today that it has entered into a merger agreement providing for JD Sports Fashion Plc to acquire 100 percent of the issued and outstanding Finish Line shares at a price of $13.50 per share in cash representing an aggregate deal value of approximately $558 million. JD is the leading European retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands.
“The Special Committee appointed by the Finish Line board recommended and the board voted unanimously to approve entering into this merger agreement,” said Bill Carmichael, chairman of the Special Committee and Lead Director of the Finish Line Board of Directors. “With JD, Finish Line achieves immediate value for its shareholders and moves into a stronger position to compete as part of a global enterprise that leads in our industry.”
“Finish Line has long admired JD and their commitment to serve customers with premium brands through a unique and innovative retail experience,” said Sam Sato, CEO, Finish Line. “We are thrilled to partner with them and look forward to realizing the impact we will have on the marketplace together.”
“We are extremely excited to be joining up with Finish Line, a well-established U.S. operator,” said Peter Cowgill, executive chairman of JD. “The acquisition represents an excellent opportunity for JD to establish its market leading multi-brand proposition in the world’s largest athleisure market. It immediately offers a major presence in the US, a clear next step to further increase our global scale. Finish Line has many similarities to JD with a strong bricks and mortar offering complemented by an advanced and well-invested digital platform. We are looking forward to working with Finish Line’s experienced management team to bring best in class retail theatre to the U.S. Our combined extensive knowledge of the retail market and our product and marketing relationships with global brand partners will benefit our customers, in turn supporting the continued future growth of JD.”
Transaction Highlights
- The terms of the merger represent a premium of 28 percent for Finish Line shareholders compared to the closing price of Finish Line’s shares of $10.55 as of March 23, 2018.
- This provides an excellent strategic fit for Finish Line and JD. Finish Line moves into a stronger position to compete as part of a global enterprise that leads in the industry. JD gains a significant physical and online retail presence with direct access in the US which they have long identified as a highly attractive growth opportunity.
- Finish Line and JD together create a leading global, premium, multichannel retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands who embraces the latest online and in-store digital technology.
- The combined purchasing power of Finish Line and JD, coupled with the strategic alignment with major international sportswear brands in North America, is expected, on completion, to enable the enlarged group to bring a highly differentiated multi-channel retail proposition to the US market.
- Upon closing of the agreement, the Finish Line executive team will continue their involvement with the business.
The merger agreement is subject to Finish Line and JD shareholder approval of the merger, the receipt of all required regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other customary conditions to closing. The expected timeline to close on this agreement is no earlier than June 2018.
Advisors
Barnes & Thornburg LLP served as legal counsel to Finish Line. PJ SOLOMON served as lead financial advisor, Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. served as financial advisor and Faegre Baker Daniels LLP served as legal counsel to Finish Line’s Special Committee of the Board of Directors in connection with this transaction.
Barclays served as lead financial advisor to JD and Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLC, Addleshaw Goddard LLC and Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP served as legal counsel to JD. Barclays, HSBC Bank and PNC Bank, National Association provided committed financing to JD for the transaction.
Posted March 26, 2018
Source: The Finish Line
Mallard Creek Polymers Acquires The Intellectual Property Of Ecronova Polymer GmbH
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — March 23, 2018 — Mallard Creek Polymers Inc. (MCP) has reached agreement with Michelman Corp. to acquire the intellectual property of the Michelman subsidiary, Ecronova Polymer GmbH.
Short-term, Mallard Creek Polymers will offer a limited number of products based on Ecronova recipes and know-how from several manufacturing partners in Europe. Long-term, Mallard Creek Polymers plans to reestablish the broad product line for customers across Europe, add its North American products to the European portfolio, and introduce Ecronova grades for customers in North America.
“We are pleased to add Ecronova’s product and process technology to our portfolio,” said Thayne Hansen, vice president and general manager of Mallard Creek Polymers. “Our technology heritage stems from Unocal, Rohm and Haas, and Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex, as well as Mallard Creek’s collaboration with customers.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Mallard Creek Polymers has nearly 60 years of experience in emulsion polymers across many product types — styrene-butadiene, styrene-acrylic, pure acrylic, vinyl acetate, nitrile elastomers.
Mallard Creek Polymers is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parekh Capital Group, which invests in and nurtures companies that have strong collaborative relationships with customers.
Posted March 26, 2018
Source: Mallard Creek Polymers, Inc. (MCP)
In 2025, All Jeans In The World Could Be 100-Percent Water Free Thanks To Jeanologia’s Technology
VALENCIA, Spain — March 21, 2018 — Enrique Silla, CEO at Jeanologia, with a view to the upcoming World Water Day, highlights that using a combination of their technologies “in 2025 all jeans in the world could be 100-percent water free.”
For Silla: “with Jeanologia as the expert technology partner, it is possible, within a few years, for production to use zero water and create zero waste; increasing productivity and reducing time to market”.
Thirty-five percent of the 5 billion jeans produced every year are made with Jeanologia technology. As such, the company CEO explains: “if we develop products in an eco-efficient way, we will produce an eco-sustainable product and bring a sustainable product to the market, achieving one of our company’s objectives: to reduce environmental impact in its entirety, not partially mitigate it”.
Water generates life and prosperity, and its care is essential for sustainable development. Furthermore, it plays an important role in the reduction of poverty and economic growth. With this in mind, the CEO at Jeanologia has pointed out that “we continuously work to increase awareness and involve everyone while reducing the water footprint, and without losing competitiveness or compromising on design and quality”.
During the past month, Jeanologia technology has led to a saving of 800,000 cubic meters of water, the equivalent of water used to fill 283 Olympic swimming pools. “This saving has been possible thanks to the laser, ozone, and eflow technology being used in the 60 countries Jeanologia works in”, explains Silla.
It is worth remembering that the combination of the company’s technology has contributed to a saving of around 8 million cubic meters of water in 2017; equivalent to the quantity of water needed for human consumption in the city of Miami for a whole year.
Furthermore, the company’s technology has allowed the elimination of potassium permanganate, pumice stone, manual scraping and traditional washing at the same time as considerably reducing chemical use. Leading to, as the CEO highlights “the detoxification of jeans”.
Posted March 26, 2018
Source: Jeanologia
TRSA Members Advocate, Collaborate In DC To Keep Industry Growth On Track
WASHINGTON — March 22, 2018 — TRSA members made the case for pro-business regulatory and legislative policy on Capitol Hill in the morning and huddled in association committee meetings in the afternoon of the second day of the Eighth Annual Leadership & Legislative Conference. Both activities combined their voices and knowledge to prime their companies individually and collectively for further growth.
Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) kicked off the day’s agenda with a Capitol Hill breakfast presentation highlighting the importance of addressing China’s impact on U.S. business. He correctly foretold that later in the day, tariff measures would be announced. To keep America competitive in the global economy, he noted the importance of fair government regulations and tax relief, pointing out that the recent tax reform bill lowered rates for pass-through entities (sole proprietorships, partnerships, S-corporations) as well as larger corporations.
In 51 meetings in Congressional offices, a higher total than any of the seven previous conferences, the TRSA contingent promoted the economic and environmental benefits of linen, uniform and facility services. Visits to legislators’ offices enabled TRSA members to detail their concerns regarding the following issues:
Infrastructure
The federal Highway Trust Fund is facing a revenue shortfall with a current $15-billion annual gap in what fund receipts can support and the existing investment level. To properly facilitate commerce and safety, TRSA supports establishing a steady, reliable source of revenue for improving the nation’s roadway system and protecting the fund from being used for other expenses not related to highway transportation.
NLRB Over-Reach
NLRB’s facilitation of micro-unions and “ambush” organizing elections and redefinition of “joint employer” (see below) reflect the Board’s lack of interest in fulfilling its charge to act as an impartial referee. Under the Obama administration, the NLRB chose instead to carry out a one-sided agenda aimed at growing labor unions at any costs. TRSA supports passage of legislation addressing ambush organizing to help reverse the trend.
Joint Employer Rule
When a linen or uniform service (or any other type of business) stations an employee on a customer’s site, the service provider can be considered a joint employer with the customer. That makes the provider responsible for the customer’s staff and vulnerable to becoming a party to the customer’s union obligations. TRSA supports passage of the Save Local Business Act, which would limit the extent to which affiliated businesses are considered joint employers for wage-and-hour and collective bargaining liability purposes.
Following the morning Hill visits, conference attendees returned to the host Sheraton Pentagon City in Arlington, VA., where seven committee meetings took place, some combining face-to-face interaction with teleconferencing to accommodate members who couldn’t fly to Washington due to inclement weather. Ideas abounded for new professional development programs, research projects, certification activities, publications, videos, webinars and industry customer outreach campaigns.
Two of these panels, Marketing/PR and Food & Beverage, united to discuss Hygienically Clean Food Service market research and the possibility of further technical study of the hygiene benefits of tablecloths. Meeting separately to discuss market-specific issues were the Healthcare, Hospitality and Industrial/Uniform committees. Education, Environmental & Sustainability and Government Relations committees met as well. Two more, Safety and Human Resources, were scheduled to meet by teleconference on March 28.
Posted March 26, 2018
Source: TRSA
Uzbekistan Plans To Add Value And Quality Through Textile Technology Investment
ZÜRICH, Switzerland — March 26, 2018 — Already a strong producer of raw cotton and yarns, Uzbekistan is now ready to take its textile manufacturing capabilities to the next stage, by investing in latest-technology for downstream processes of fabric manufacture, finishing and making-up.
The appetite for progress in these segments was demonstrated at a recent two-day symposium in Tashkent, staged by the Swiss Textile Machinery Association (Swissmem), showcasing the technology and know-how of 14 leading textile machinery manufacturers from Switzerland.
The event was opened by the Swiss Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Olivier Chave, and Bakhodir Alikhanov, the First Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Association. It was attended by hundreds of delegates from the Uzbek textile and clothing sector, as well as a large contingent of students from the textile faculty of Tashkent University.
Welcoming the delegates, Ernesto Maurer, president, Swissmem, said it was clear that recent actions by the Uzbekistan government signalled its intent to foster advances in both the technology level and the extended range of textile-producing activities by its textile manufacturers.
“The fact that the Uzbek currency is now convertible for international exchange is the foundation for a significant increase in foreign trade,” he said. “And the presence at the symposium of many important representatives of the Uzbekistan textile industry is proof that there is great enthusiasm to take advantage of the new opportunities, especially in the development of business in the value-added areas of textile production, downstream from the established raw cotton and yarn sectors.”
The member companies of Swissmem taking part in the symposium were: Amsler Tex, Benninger, ITEMA, Jakob Müller, Loepfe Brothers, Luwa, Maag Brothers, Rieter, Rieter Components (Bräcker, Graf, SSM), Saurer, Stäubli Sargans and Steiger.
According to Cornelia Buchwalder, secretary general, Swissmem, the machinery manufacturers presenting their technology at the event were gratified at the level of interest shown: “As well as the industrialists, it was especially pleasing to welcome many textile students to learn about the Swiss companies and their products,” she said. “After all, we are planning to create new partnerships and project for the future, and these are the people who will be involved in this process in the years to come.”
Further positive reactions came from the individual Swiss company representatives. Boyd Higgins, Uzbekistan sales manager for Jakob Müller AG Frick, said the organisation of this event helped to create the right impression among attendees: “There was a very distinct recognition of Swiss quality and precision from the industry delegates present. This will certainly help us all in convincing customers that investing in Swiss Textile Machinery is always the right decision.”
Posted March 26, 2018
Source: Swiss Textile Machinery Association (Swissmem)
