Experience The MAGIC Of EFI’s Mini Textile Factory For A Complete Digital Workflow

LAS VEGAS — February 13, 2018 — This week during the Sourcing at MAGIC tradeshow in Las Vegas, Electronics For Imaging Inc. (EFI) is showcasing its award-winning end-to-end solution for digital textile manufacturing – the EFI™ Mini Textile Factory. A unique offering for industrial textile digital printing, the Factory encompasses design, print preparation, printing, image fixation and cutting with an integrated set of solutions from EFI and partners.

MAGIC attendees can witness how digital printing can revolutionize the apparel market with the EFI Optitex® 2D and 3D Design platform, the EFI Fiery® Textile Bundle, and EFI Reggiani inkjet printers. This digital workflow makes it easy to collaborate globally and reduces the cost of both sample making and the manufacture of small-lot apparel. It is already revolutionizing the fast fashion market by reducing the need to ship expensive samples around the globe. Over the longer term, it will also enable point-of-need manufacturing, opening new opportunities for brands and retailers alike while taking time and cost out of shipping.

The Mini Textile Factory gives users the ability to do fast prototyping and production, but it also eliminates the need for large minimum orders and inventory, while reducing turn time to market. Apparel companies can produce their goods as you need them, when it’s ordered and purchased.

“This digital transformation is quickly taking hold as brands embrace the ability to bring new collections to market faster, increase the amount of customization they can offer,” said Adele Genoni, vice president and general manager, EFI Reggiani. “The Mini Textile Factory gives brands the ability to create products closer to the point of need while reducing costs and cycle time.”

Guy Alroy, head of Textile product management, EFI Productivity Software, stated, “In the fast-paced apparel industry, this technology enables a full digital ecosystem from design to production. Starting with true-to-life 3D rendering with EFI Optitex technology, through to digital printing and subsequent, efficient cutting processes, ideas can turn quickly into real products.”

End-to-end apparel manufacturing live at Sourcing

Visitors to EFI’s booth #66806 in the north hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center can experience the full digital textile eco-system for manufacturing, from design to cutting to sewing. This includes:

  • Design: EFI Optitex provides an integrated 2D/3D digital solution for the fashion and textile industry to enable companies to quickly create true-to-life 3D digital garments that inspire;
  • Print Preparation: The EFI Fiery Textile Bundle combines the tools for efficient textile design and file preparation, with the Fiery digital front end (DFE) for professional color management and high-quality RIP output. The DFE features dedicated textile functionality to deliver accurate color, fine details, high saturation, and smooth gradients, and can be used with all EFI Reggiani digital printer models and dedicated cutting systems;
  • Printing Solutions: EFI Reggiani printing solutions offer a digital printing process with water-based inks. This eco-friendly, green production process delivers stunning colors and color fidelity for striking fashion designs. EFI Reggiani printers are very versatile in their capabilities, and can print with a variety of different inks to support virtually any fabric type for efficient digital production;
  • Image Fixation: A variety of different processes can be implemented into the process to allow fixation of color on any number of different fabrics;
  • Cutting Solutions: EFI and partner technologies automate the cutting process, thanks to its compatibility with almost any material to prepare fabrics for sewing.

The products shown this week extend EFI’s global role in the analog-to-digital transformation of print manufacturing, including in the commercial print, ceramics, corrugated packaging and signage and display graphics industries.

Posted February 13, 2018

Source: Electronics For Imaging

LIM College Study Reveals That When It Comes To Buying, Millennials Are Not Eco-Fashionistas

NEW YORK CITY — February 13, 2018 — While Millennials overwhelmingly claim to embrace sustainability and believe they will drive social change, the eco-friendliness of a fashion product may be the least important factor in their purchasing decisions.

In a comparison of five purchasing influencers, only 34 percent of those Millennials surveyed reported that they are driven to make a fashion purchase because the apparel or accessory was eco-friendly and sustainably-produced. This compares with 95 percent for ease of purchase, 95 percent for price/value, 92 percent for uniqueness, and 60 percent for the brand name of the product as factors in making their fashion purchase decisions, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by LIM College professors Robert Conrad and Dr. Kenneth M. Kambara.

LIM College is located in midtown Manhattan and focused exclusively on the study of business and fashion. Conrad and Kambara’s latest study, Shopping Trends Among 18-37 Year-Olds, surveyed 685 students and alumni (aged 18–37) from LIM College, RMIT University in Australia and London College of Fashion.

Professor Conrad said: “Our research is very revealing about how Millennials view themselves and future generations, and their ability to change the world. Nearly 90 percent of the those surveyed agreed that, ‘Millennials and Gen Z will help create more sustainably-produced products by convincing businesses and governments to alter existing practices.’ An equal percent report they ‘would abandon a product or brand for eco-unfriendliness.’ This sends a clear message to the fashion industry.”

“Yet while Millennials would like to buy eco-friendly fashion, the industry is not providing them with sufficient choices that also meet their most important criteria for making a purchase. As we learned from our previous surveys of Millennials, ease of purchase, price/value and uniqueness are their highest priorities,” Professor Conrad concluded.

According to Dr. Kambara: “We believe that some of the disconnect between Millennials wanting to buy and not buying eco-friendly fashion is the lack of fashionable eco-friendly choices that also meet their ease, price/value and uniqueness tests. There are only a handful of eco-friendly youth-oriented brands — such as Anek, Everlane, Nudie Jeans, Patagonia, People Tree, Reformation and K.O.I. — and none have the scale or variety of fashion offerings to meet Millennials’ requirements for ease, price/value and uniqueness.”

“The fashion industry is approaching Millennials with what they want to offer, not what the Millennials want. To capitalize on Millennials’ desires to make eco-fashion purchases offerings must be new and different — unique from what other brands are offering — and truly deliver value. Think Zara with authentic eco-friendly and sustainable product offerings,” Dr. Kambara concluded.

Posted February 13, 2018

Source: LIM College

Rice University Scientists Simplify Process To Make Polymers With Light-Triggered Nanoparticles

HOUSTON — February 8, 2018 — Rice University scientists plan to employ the power of the sun to build functional synthetic polymers using photosensitive quantum dots — microscopic semiconducting particles — as a catalyst.

The luminescent dots are only a few nanometers wide, but are highly tunable for their unique optical and electronic properties. They are beginning to show up in modern displays, but lend themselves to industrial chemistry as well.

The Rice lab of materials scientist Eilaf Egap focused on the latter with its demonstration of a stable and economical method to make polymers through photo-controlled atom-transfer radical polymerization. The method could replace molecular catalysts or expensive transition metals currently used to make things like methacrylates (common in plastics), styrene and block copolymers.

The work by Egap, Rice postdoctoral researcher and lead author Yiming Huang and graduate student Yifan Zhu is detailed in the American Chemical Society journal ACS Macro Letters.

The lab used various light sources, including the sun and even a household lamp, to illuminate a solution of dispersed cadmium selenide quantum dots. That introduced the generation of free radical atoms from a bromide-based initiator, which in turn triggered acrylate monomers in the solution to link. Because the monomers tested in Egap’s lab had no ability to terminate propagation of the chain, the process is called living polymerization.

“It will keep going until it consumes all the monomers or you decide to terminate,” Egap said.

Egap, an assistant professor of materials science and nanoengineering and chemical and biomolecular engineering, said quantum dot polymerization shows promise for highly controlled growth of sophisticated polymers. “The beauty of this is, if you have monomer A and you want to add monomers B and C in a specific sequence, you can do that,” she said. “In a random polymerization, they would be randomly dispersed along the polymer backbone.

“The implication here — and part of our broader goal – is that we can synthesize organic-inorganic hybrid structures in a controlled and periodic way for many applications,” Egap said.

She anticipates the process could also lead to the discovery of novel polymers. One might be a quantum dot photocatalyst with an attached semiconducting polymer that would simplify the manufacture of solar cells and other devices.

“These could also be relevant to light-emitting diodes, magnetoelectronics and bioimaging,” she said. “We could grow them all at once. That’s the dream, and I think we are within reach.”

The National Science Foundation supported the research.

Posted February 12, 2018

Source: Rice University’s Office of Public Affairs

Mitsui USA Invests In Custom Apparel Company Indochino

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — February 8, 2018 — INDOCHINO, a global participant in made to measure apparel, today announced a strategic investment by Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.) Inc. (Mitsui USA). The investment and strategic collaboration will help Indochino accelerate its North American expansion plans and investment in its global operations and supply chain.

Indochino is transforming men’s apparel by making custom clothing accessible and affordable for everyone through its unique, experiential approach to online and offline retail. The company grew revenue more than 50 percent for a second consecutive year, achieving full year EBITDA profitability and expanding from 10 to 20 showrooms in 2017.

Mitsui is among the world’s most diversified trading, investment and services enterprises, with a strong track record of cultivating pioneering business models and growing global businesses. Mitsui’s investment in and strategic collaboration with Indochino reflects both its appreciation for Indochino’s mission and execution and its commitment to helping the company achieve global scale.

Drew Green, CEO, Indochino, said: “I have admired Mitsui for many years and could not be more proud to welcome them as a shareholder and partner. Indochino has established a new way for men to experience well-fitting garments with ease and affordability. Our strong sales and earnings growth demonstrate that the Indochino brand resonates with consumers and has become a mainstream alternative to ready-to-wear clothing. Mitsui’s global footprint and its expertise scaling and operating international businesses will be invaluable as we prepare for the next phase of growth and scale as a global apparel brand.”

Mr. Iwai, senior vice president & divisional operating officer of Consumer Service Business Division, Mitsui USA, said: “We are very pleased to be joining Indochino as an investor and strategic partner. We believe Drew and his team have done an outstanding job in building Indochino into one of the industry’s most innovative and dynamic companies, and are truly excited by the prospect of working together towards achieving the company’s long-term goals and objectives.”

Scott Jacobson, managing director at Madrona Venture Group and Indochino board member, said: “We’re happy to welcome Mitsui to the Indochino family. Mitsui has an impressive track record of investing and partnering with global apparel businesses, and we look forward to a long and productive partnership together.”

Mitsui is the third global corporation to forge a strategic investment in Indochino in the last several years. Its new shareholders include Dayang Group, the world’s largest suit manufacturer, and Postmedia Network Inc., one of Canada’s largest media companies.

Posted February 12, 2018

Source: Indochino

Elbit Vision Systems Announces Acquisition By Uster Technologies AG

CAESAREA, Israel — February 12, 2018 — Elbit Vision Systems Ltd. (EVS), a producer of machine vision inspection systems for textile fabrics and technical webs, announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by Switzerland-based Uster Technologies AG.

Uster will acquire 100-percent ownership of EVS, paying $3.40 per share, or approximately a 16.8 percent premium on the closing price of the company’s shares on February 9, 2018. This corresponds to an Enterprise Value of approximately $32 million. The acquisition of EVS by Uster has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, and is subject, among other things, to the approval by the general meeting of the shareholders of EVS, which is expected to be obtained in March 2018.

Subject to the fulfilment of standard closing conditions, the transactions is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2018. Thereafter, EVS will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Uster Technologies AG.

Sam Cohen, CEO, EVS, said: “We believe that the merger with Uster Technologies is the optimal route for growing the business of the company. Despite our success in turning the company from a loss-making enterprise with onerous levels of debt in 2010 — the year of our management takeover — to a profitable company with no meaningful debt, the last three years have seen revenues remain largely flat. As a result, the management of EVS has come to the conclusion that given the current conditions of the industries in which we operate and the capital markets, our ability to continue to increase shareholder value is extremely challenging and uncertain as a stand-alone entity.”

Cohen continued: “Given the difficulties in showing our shareholders year over year increases in revenues, our board of directors and senior management team have spent the last 18 months conducting an in-depth analysis on alternatives for increasing shareholders value, including discussions with a number of potential acquirers and investors. We believe that the merger with Uster, which represents approximately a 17 percent premium on our current share price, provides our shareholders with real value.”

Thomas Nasiou, CEO, Uster, said: “The acquisition fits perfectly into our vision to be the world’s leading supplier of quality solutions for the textile industry from fiber to fabric. EVS technology will offer USTER’s clients the potential for further automation and improvement for increased and sustainable performance.”

Posted February 12, 2018

Source: Elbit Vision Systems Ltd. (EVS)

Apparel Company Mad Engine Acquires Mighty Fine

SAN DIEGO — February 12, 2018 — Mad Engine LLC, a full-service apparel company, formally announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Mighty Fine Inc.

This was the fourth acquisition for the company last year, proving that continual growth and expansion is possible in a challenging retail climate. The company acquired Xtreme Worldwide Inc (its Canadian affiliate) in February, Lifted Research Group (LRG) in March and NEFF Headwear in May of this year.

Danish Gajiani, CEO of Mad Engine, explained: “This acquisition comes at a critical time as the retail landscape is constantly changing, and customers are expecting impeccable design and execution capabilities from their suppliers. Joining forces with Mighty Fine also allows Mad Engine to contend in the Juniors apparel space– an incredibly quick-turn and competitive arena.” It is with Mighty Fine’s design expertise that Mad Engine is now one of the most well-rounded and innovative players in this market.

Although Mighty Fine will continue to operate as a separate division, it will work to completely integrate into Mad Engine’s robust back-end infrastructure before the end of this year.

Patty Timsawat, co-founder of Mighty Fine, will join the Mad Engine team to focus on business development while Guy Brand and Stacy Brand, co-founders of Mighty Fine, will branch off independently to pursue other opportunities.

“Mighty Fine has been following the amazing success that Mad Engine and their leadership team have built over the past few years, including the recent acquisitions of Neff and LRG.  We are thrilled and honored to have Mighty Fine be a part of the Mad Engine vision to align and grow upon the 20-year foundation that Mighty Fine has established with our creative DNA, solid relationships, and following in the market,” sayid Guy Brand.

Mad Engine would like to specially thank Buchalter, Moss Adams and Wells Fargo for their assistance in this acquisition and their continued support to the company.

Posted February 12, 2018

Source: Mad Engine

USTER Acquires EVS, Invests In Innovative Technology To Enhance Quality Control For Textile Manufacturers

USTER, Switzerland — February 12, 2018 — Uster Technologies AG expands its competencies in quality control and strengthens its product portfolio. USTER has signed a binding, friendly agreement to acquire Elbit Vision Systems Ltd. (EVS), a high-technology supplier for automated vision inspection in the textile industry. EVS’s products are used to automatically locate, label and trace defects of fabric and web products, and ultimately to grade the quality and determine the value of the produced goods. Closing of the transaction is expected by May 2018.

Thomas Nasiou, CEO of USTER, said: “The acquisition fits perfectly into our vision to be the world’s leading supplier of quality solutions for the textile industry from fiber to fabric. It shows once again our commitment to continuously invest in cutting-edge technology and foster our culture of innovation. EVS and USTER’s combined technology will offer all our customers more potential for further automation and improvement for increased and sustainable performance.”

Posted February 12, 2018

Source: Uster Technologies AG

EDANA: Expert Insight And Industry Innovation Showcased At Middle East & North Africa Symposium

DUBAI — February 12, 2018 — EDANA, the global association serving the nonwovens and related industries, last week welcomed some 200 delegates from more than 100 companies to Dubai for the fourth edition of the region’s premier conference for the nonwovens industry.

The symposium and exhibition featured expert analysis on market outlook, product innovation, demographic trends and sustainability initiatives over the two-day event, with dedicated sessions on geotextiles, raw material trends and nonwovens in the health sector.

Feedback from participants throughout the event emphasised satisfaction with the support provided to the industry and the many opportunities to meet with peers. “This symposium has recognized the importance of the MENA region for the nonwovens industry and allowed my team and me to meet many of our customers in a friendly, informative and efficient way. The diverse range of presentations and delegates has helped further cement the region as a growth generator for the industry” said Haitham Alhudhaif, President of Saudi German Co. for Nonwoven Products.

Mahdy Katbe, CEO, Unicharm Gulf Hygienic Industries, echoed these sentiments: “EDANA’s 4th MENA Symposium reaffirms their commitment to supporting multiple industries and areas. For the MENA region, one of the world’s most promising, EDANA’s resources are proving to be solid support pillars for the industry itself, the regulatory framework and end users.”

Other delegates highlighted the unique mix of insight and industry updates provided by such a gathering “all the nonwoven symposia I have joined over the years have always surpassed my expectations and Dubai is no exception. Listening to ideas and challenges in unrelated application fields remains and inspiring source for fresh ideas” said Ludwig Busam, Director Global Material Development & Supply Baby Care at Procter & Gamble. Silke Brand-Kirsch, Executive Partner at Schlegel & Partners concurred, adding that “the symposium has been a useful source of both inspirational knowledge, and technical innovations from expert speakers”.

“In addition to providing another successful platform for business development in the region, EDANA concurrently held its first ever board meeting outside of Europe here in Dubai, a testament to our reach and commitment to cater to the needs of our members and their markets” concluded Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA.

Posted February 12, 2018

Source: EDANA

Supima Engages Oritain To Provide Fiber Origin Verification

TEMPE, Arizona — February 12, 2018 — Supima has partnered with Oritain Global Ltd., an international forensic science firm, to provide a testing platform to identify and verify the origin of SUPIMA® cotton.

In partnership with Supima, Oritain will utilize its scientific technology to measure the naturally occurring elements that exist within the cotton fiber based upon the geographical production area the cotton is grown in. The project will cover the entire American Pima cotton growing region and create a unique fingerprint for Supima cotton.

Grant Cochrane, Oritain CEO, said: “The unique fingerprint analysis identifies different levels of chemical attributes that are found in the product itself and enables the cotton to be verified against its claimed origin. This platform offers a solution to address the traceability challenges that have been faced by the global cotton industry in recent years.”

“Manufacturers, brand owners and retailers are increasingly focused on ensuring there is transparency within their supply chains,” Cochrane said. “A huge part of this is knowing – and trusting – where their product comes from. This is of particular importance as brands make claims associated with provenance and want to be reassured their product — in this case, Supima cotton — isn’t being contaminated by inferior products coming from undesirable sources.

“We are pleased to be able to demonstrate our relevance throughout the supply chain – not just for primary producers,” he said. “We know that the fashion industry is highly-motivated in the sustainability space and we are ideally positioned to help them ensure the integrity of their products as sustainability compliance is closely intertwined with origin.”

Supima CEO Marc Lewkowitz said: “The partnership with Oritain fulfils Supima’s decade long objective to find a simple and natural way to use the fiber to verify provenance. We were impressed that Oritain doesn’t need to apply any identifier or tracer during the manufacturing or processing phases, which makes it a very simple solution to deploy from an operational perspective. The Oritain methodology simply measures what is naturally inside the fiber.”

“American Pima cotton growers take great pride in their status of producing a rare and premium fiber often referred to as the ‘World’s Finest Cottons’, and Supima is proud to provide a means to ensure that the Supima brand and fiber reputation are protected,” says Lewkowitz.

Posted February 12, 2018

Source: SUPIMA®

TRSA Donates $80,000 Toward Hurricane Relief From Proceeds Of Cancelled Annual Conference

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — February 9, 2018 — TRSA, the global association for the linen, uniform and facility services industry, has donated approximately $80,000 to Anayat House, Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) and ConPRmetidos: organizations assisting those impacted by hurricanes in Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico.

The donations are the result of TRSA’s 105th Annual Conference, which had been scheduled for last September in Miami, but was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. While offering to refund all registration and sponsorship fees, TRSA asked members to donate all or a portion of those fees to support local charities.

“We’re very proud of the TRSA community, which was able to create some positive outcomes in an overwhelmingly tragic circumstance,” said Joseph Ricci, CEO of TRSA.

“The contribution from TRSA will directly assist low income families and the elderly who seek overnight accommodations during a medical crisis,” said Tressa Clarke, executive director of Anayat House, which provides affordable overnight accommodations for family members of patients at local Beaumont, Texas, hospitals and anyone traveling to Beaumont for medical care and outpatient treatment. “This contribution will help bridge the gap between the suggested donation of $20 and the actual cost of $90 per room.”

CORE, an organization that is part of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, grants support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances. “CORE was incredibly grateful to receive the generous donation from TRSA,” said Lauren LaViola, executive director of CORE. “The donation to CORE will help to fulfill grants for qualifying children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances.”

“I feel truly inspired by TRSA’s continued commitment to the support of our industry’s community of families. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of such great association,” said Pablo Lucchesi, managing partner of Crown Linen, in whose name TRSA made the CORE contribution.

An additional contribution was made to ConPRmetidos, an organization that specializes in matching Puerto Rico’s diaspora — people who settle away from their ancestral homeland — with companies there to help them grow.

“We don’t have words to say thanks for all your generosity,” said Michael Shulevitz, President of Cadillac Uniform & Linen Supply in Puerto Rico. “Thank you for helping Puerto Rico to rise up again.”

The $80,000 donation follows an immediate TRSA charitable effort that took place just after the conference, when several hundred homeless residents were given welcome boxes that had been packaged for conference attendees at the time of the cancellation.

Posted February 9, 2018

Source: TRSA

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