Bullet Proof Vest False Claims Act Case Ends In Victory For Whistleblower

WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that Japanese manufacturing company, Toyobo Co., Ltd., agreed to pay $66 million to settle allegations that it conspired to sell defective body armor to American police departments, federal law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military.  The settlement was reached as part of a False Claims Act initiated by a whistleblower, Aaron Westrick, Ph.D.

As required under the False Claims Act, Dr. Westrick will obtain a qui tam whistleblower reward of $5.77 million.  This award is designed to compensate Dr. Westrick for the damages he suffered and to incentivize other whistleblowers with evidence of fraud to report these crimes.

A detailed discussion on the national importance of this case is posted on The Whistleblower Blog.

Dr. Westrick, now employed as a tenured professor at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and an active Michigan Deputy Sherriff, issued the following statement:

“I only wanted to stop the sale of unsafe Zylon vests to police officers, federal agents, and members of our Armed Services. I tried to convince my company to stop selling these vests.  They refused. I lost my job and career.  I have no regrets. I would blow the whistle again. The defective Zylon product was taken off the market and Toyobo (along with other companies) were held accountable.

“I am proud that the United States joined in my False Claims Act case, and aggressively sought justice in this matter.”

In a statement released today by the DOJ, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said:

“Bulletproof vests are sometimes what stands between a police officer and death. Selling material for these vests that one knows to be defective is dishonest, and risks the lives of the men and women who serve to protect us. The Department of Justice is committed to the protection of our law enforcement officers, and today’s resolution sends another clear message that we will not tolerate those who put our first responders in harm’s way.”

Stephen M. Kohn, a partner in the law firm of Kohn, Kohn and Colapinto – who served as Dr. Westrick’s lead counsel said:

“Dr. Westrick is a true American hero. He lost his job and career in the body armor industry by exposing Zylon safety risks. He provided the crucial documents and testimony justifying the removal of Zylon from the market, and compensation to states and the federal government due to the immoral sale of Zylon vests.

“The False Claims Act is America’s most important tool to fight fraud in government contracting.  It was enacted to protect and reward whistleblowers like Dr. Westrick, who sacrifice for the public interest, save taxpayers millions of dollars, and ensure that products sold to front-line responders are safe.”

Mr. Kohn also serves as the pro bono Executive Director of the National Whistleblower Center.

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, LLP

Tommy Hilfiger Announces Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton as Global Brand Ambassador for TOMMY HILFIGER Men’s

AMSTERDAM — March 15, 2018 — Tommy Hilfiger, which is owned by PVH Corp., announces that British Formula One racing driver and four-time Formula One® World Champion Lewis Hamilton will appear as the new global brand ambassador for TOMMY HILFIGER men’s, including HILFIGER COLLECTION, TOMMY HILFIGER TAILORED and TOMMY HILFIGER Menswear, Underwear and Swimwear, starting Spring 2018. The partnership reflects Tommy Hilfiger’s strategic commitment to build on its strong menswear heritage and further drive the global growth of its men’s business, bringing the next generation of fans to the brand.

“I have always admired Lewis’ incredible endurance during the race, as well as his unique style off the track, which speak to the new generation of Tommy Guys,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “He has built his incredible career as a racing driver with passion, dedication and extremely hard work – values that I embraced when founding my brand. We have a history with Formula One, and this partnership builds on our heritage of collaborations within the world of motor sport.”

Lewis Hamilton’s career achievements have put him in an elite group of global athletes, and he is regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers in history. He holds the record for all-time most pole positions, career points and most wins at different circuits. He has won at least one Grand Prix in every season he has competed in. Lewis Hamilton connects with more than 17 million fans through the incredible reach of his social media channels, offering his audience a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Formula One racing world and his personal life.

“I believe in the power of fashion and innovation to celebrate individuality and break conventions, like Tommy Hilfiger,” said Lewis Hamilton. “Tommy’s designs inspire me to be bold in every outfit that I put together outside of the racing track, expressing my creativity and eclectic style with confidence. His groundbreaking TOMMYNOW experiential events are one-of-a-kind, and I’m very excited to partner with such visionary brand.”

The integrated men’s campaign was photographed by Mikael Jansson at the Pocono Raceway, also known as the Tricky Triangle, in Pennsylvania, U.S. and will break globally in Spring 2018. It features exclusive video teasers, print, online, and out of home media placements, and will be supported by unique consumer activations that continue to bring the brand’s unique perspective on pop culture to life around the world. The TOMMY HILFIGER men’s campaign will run alongside the brand’s dedicated women’s advertising, featuring global womenswear brand ambassador and international supermodel Gigi Hadid. The campaigns fused when Lewis Hamilton and Gigi Hadid took the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG GT S car at the Pocono Raceway, and recorded their first drive together around the track in a dash cam shot video, directed by Matt Baron, that shows their reactions to the other’s driving skills.

The Spring 2018 TOMMY HILFIGER men’s offering celebrates Tommy Hilfiger’s love of motor sports, where speed and immediacy fuse with a touch of vintage nostalgia. The collection, which premiered at TOMMYNOW “DRIVE” during Milan Fashion Week on February 25th, gives nod to the Formula One racing pit crew, with heritage work wear and a strong focus on denim. Street styles are born from the iconic shapes, bold colors and streamlined graphics of speed racers. Looking at the traditional American automobile culture, clothing is reinvented for a collection that fulfills the needs of today’s fast-paced lifestyle.

The brand heritage of TOMMY HILFIGER is closely linked with pop culture and sports icons. In the ‘90s, Hilfiger was one of the first designers to blend fashion and celebrity, and he became a pioneer in the industry by dressing young artists such as Aaliyah, Mark Ronson and Usher; and featuring musicians such David Bowie and Beyoncé in his advertising campaigns. In recent years, Tommy Hilfiger has established inspiring partnerships with international tennis champion Rafael Nadal, international supermodel Gigi Hadid, and award-winning musician/producer duo The Chainsmokers, reflecting the brand’s commitment to broaden its reach and connect with the next generation of consumers. Tommy Hilfiger also has a history with Formula One, most recently announcing a multi-year strategic partnership as the Official Apparel Partner for the four-time World Champions Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. The brand previously sponsored the Lotus Formula One team from 1991 to 1994, and was the first non-automotive brand to sponsor Ferrari’s Formula One team, including uniforms created by the designer himself, in 1998.

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: Tommy Hilfiger

Dick’s Sporting Goods Relaunches Iconic Tommy Armour Golf Brand With Renewed Focus On Innovation

PITTSBURGH — March 15, 2018 — DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), the largest U.S.-based, full-line omni-channel sporting goods retailer, announced today the relaunch of the iconic Tommy Armour golf brand, with a renewed focus on innovative golf club technology that promotes both forgiveness and distance. Men’s, women’s and senior drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters are all included in the new offering. Tommy Armour will be available online and in-stores exclusively at DICK’S and Golf Galaxy starting March 18.

DICK’S partnered with Designworks, a subsidiary of BMW Group, to develop a premium set of game improvement woods and irons for mid-to-high-handicap golfers that are offered at a lower price point than comparable products. One standout innovation is the TA1 Driver, featuring a DAT 55G titanium face, which is a high tensile strength material that provides longer distance and more forgiveness and is not widely available in the US market.

“We set out to honor the history of the Tommy Armour brand and build a product that golfers at any level would want to use,” said Scott Hudler, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “From the early feedback we’ve received, these clubs are ones that you’re just going to have to try to really experience the difference they deliver in both distance and feel. We think this brand will be a game-changer for any player looking to improve their game.”

Named after World Hall of Fame golfer and instructor, Thomas Dickenson Armour, the return of the brand is nostalgic for players of any generation. First launched in the 1970s, Tommy Armour achieved significant recognition in the 1980s with the introduction of its 845s line of irons – selling more than 600,000 sets.

“Participating in the re-launch of an iconic brand is an exciting and inspiring opportunity,” said Laura Robins, Director at Designworks LA Studio. “Drawing on our experience working across a number of industries on a wide range of performance-based products enabled us to deliver unique design and technology insights for the new Tommy Armour clubs, resulting in a product which provides golfers with a truly premium experience.”

With the addition of Tommy Armour, DICK’S continues to focus on the expansion of its in-house private label brands like CALIA by Carrie Underwood, Field & Stream, Top Flite, Maxfli, Walter Hagen and many others.

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.

Sears Expands Exclusive Apparel Lines With Celebrity Brand Icon Jaclyn Smith

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — March 15, 2018 — Sears has strengthened its appeal as a fashion destination for the modern, sophisticated woman with the introduction of the Jaclyn Smith Ready to Wear collection from celebrity branding pioneer Jaclyn Smith. The collection – inspired by Smith’s everyday life with all women in mind, and perennially popular for decades at sister retailer Kmart – is available now with top items in select Sears nationwide and the full assortment at Sears.com/Jaclyn.

Smith was one of the first celebrities to develop a fashion brand, launching her Kmart collaboration and clothing line more than 33 years ago. Ever since, more than 100 million women have purchased clothing or accessories bearing the Jaclyn Smith name. Awareness of the Jaclyn Smith brand for women 35-60 years old is above 80 percent, making it one of America’s most recognized brands.

“It’s a privilege to work with a hands-on business partner like Jaclyn Smith, whose savviness and ability to anticipate women’s fashion trends for so long in the constantly evolving fashion world is remarkable,” said Greg Ladley, president of apparel and footwear at Sears Holdings. “More than five million Shop Your Way members have purchased Jaclyn Smith collection products in Kmart over the last 12 months alone, so we look forward to building Jaclyn’s current brands and extending her powerful reach and brand loyalty across to the Sears community.”

The Jaclyn Smith Ready to Wear collection is known for its elegant, on-trend design and offers women affordable and timeless styles with print and color that feels cheerful, tasteful and occasionally bold.

“From sleek silhouettes to bold prints, my Ready to Wear pieces are designed for every woman looking to express her personalized style,” said Smith. “That’s what makes my collaboration with Sears the perfect fit. Like me, Sears understands who its members are and genuinely cares about what they want – to look their best, whether at work or enjoying a night out, with statement-making looks, great details, quality, comfort and style for women of all sizes.”

The Jaclyn Smith Ready to Wear collection is curated of classic, sophisticated clothing, with quality fabrics, and ease of fit – all starting at $10.00. The collection features elegant essentials – from comfortable knit separates to woven staples like her best-selling blouses that are must-haves for transitioning from daytime to evening. Other highlights include a stylish selection of celebration dresses featuring silhouettes like curvy sheaths and classic A-lines, as well as jeans, tees, swimsuits and more available online.

Complementary line extensions like accessories and handbags are available online at Sears.com. The line joins the Spencer by Jaclyn Smith layette collection, which was introduced at Sears stores last fall. Spencer by Jaclyn Smith was created in partnership with Smith’s daughter, Spencer Margaret, in 2017 with inspiration from Smith’s granddaughter, Bea. Spencer by Jaclyn Smith features ultra-soft 100 percent cotton and cotton blends, affordably priced from $19.99 to $29.99. For a limited time, Shop Your Way members will receive $10 CASHBACK in points when they spend $25 or more on Jaclyn Smith’s new line in-store at select Sears.*

*Valid 3/14/18-3/17/18, in-store only, at select stores where her new clothing line is sold. See store for full details.

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: Sears, Roebuck and Co.

KBS Fashion Group Limited Announces A New Long Term Contract

SHISHI, China — March 15, 2018 — KBS Fashion Group Limited (“KBS” or the “Company”), a vertically-integrated casual menswear company in China, today announced that its China-based subsidiary, Anhui Kai Xin Co., Ltd (“Kai Xin”) entered into a long term strategic cooperation agreement with Hangzhou Zhi Yin Apparel Clothes Co., Ltd., a major producer of children’s apparel in China (“Zhi Yin”), under which, Kai Xin will act as a long term supplier of down jackets to Zhi Yin.  It is estimated that pursuant to the agreement, KBS will generate an additional RMB 25 million (approximately US$ 4 million) of revenue in fiscal year 2018.

Located in Hangzhou China, Zhi Yin is a leader in the design and online sale of baby and children’s apparel, with a focus on down jackets.  Owning the Marc & Janine brand, Zhi Yin is one of the three largest down jacket online sellers in China.

Mr. Yan, Chairman and new CEO of KBS, commented, “The cooperation with Zhi Yin, one of China’s largest apparel companies is consistent with our company’s business strategy of offering high quality products and services to our customers. We have a highly experienced team at our factories in Anhui that produces high quality clothing.”

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: KBS Fashion Group Limited

Nester Hosiery Promotes Jason Nester To Vice President Sales

MT. AIRY, N.C. — March 15, 2018 — Nester Hosiery, a U.S. manufacturer of performance merino wool socks, announced that it has promoted Jason Nester to vice president, Sales.

“In the thirteen years Jason has been with Nester Hosiery he has managed various facets of our business, and the skills and experience he has acquired have positioned him well for this leadership role.”,” said Kelly Nester, Nester Hosiery CEO.

Nester joined the family business in 2005 as a sales associate.  In 2014, he was promoted to director of Key Accounts handling the company’s private label business.  As vice president, Sales, Nester will continue to manage existing customers while also overseeing demand planning for the company.

“Nester Hosiery is a true 21st century manufacturing company,” added Jason Nester.  “We develop propriety software tools for manufacturing and continuously improve our efficiencies for the world’s best brands. I enjoy playing my part.”

Nester Hosiery currently produces socks for over two dozen leading brands and retailers and holds the sock license for the Woolrich brand and Rocky Brands’ divisions of Rocky Outdoor, including Georgia Boot and Durango.  In 2013, Nester Hosiery launched its Farm to Feet brand.

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: Nester Hosiery

GST Achieves Sustainable Competitive Advantage Through Unique Partnership With Lectra

PARIS — March 14, 2018 — A unique partnership enabled Lectra to test its revolutionary laser-cutting technology in a real production environment while delivering sustainable competitive advantage to the world’s leading supplier of airbag cushions.

Reaching The Next Level Of Growth And Performance

Global Safety Textiles (GST) is the leading independent producer of airbag fabric and airbag cushions and supplier to the majority of airbag manufacturers. Recognized for its long tradition of research and development, GST uses state- of-the-art technology to manufacture technical textiles for a variety of passive safety applications.

With operations on four continents, the German group has a workforce of more than 5,000. The company’s worldwide operations and resources enable it to fulfill high volumes of orders promptly, providing the global automotive industry with a steady supply of airbag fabrics and cushions.

To address GST’s main business challenges and meet their demanding manufacturing specifications, the group evaluated the performance of FocusQuantum OPW for one-piece-woven (OPW) airbag fabric together with Lectra in the pre-launch phase of the advanced laser airbag cutting solution. Following successful testing of Lectra’s advanced airbag cutting technology in a real production environment in Poland, the group then decided to acquire FocusQuantum OPW for implementation in China.

A One-Off Joint Testing Collaboration On Customer Premises

The result of a mutually beneficial collaboration between Lectra and its longstanding customer, specifications for laser OPW airbag cutting solution FocusQuantum took into account GST’s exacting requirements. Once the development of FocusQuantum OPW was completed, both companies agreed to conduct joint testing. “We came to the idea of joint testing when we visited Lectra’s R&D center in Bordeaux,” says Uwe Zimmermann, COO, GST. “We discussed taking validation of our specifications to the next level. The idea came up to do it directly in a manufacturing environment.”

The extensive testing enabled GST’s experts to certify FocusQuantum as a proven technological platform for the mass production of airbags. “Process capability was a formal part of validations at GST Poland,” recalls Piotr Siwek. Manufacturing Engineering Manager. “It was verified and confirmed that FocusQuantum meets GST’s targets. The biggest improvement over the previous solution was the software, which we also helped Lectra develop. FocusQuantum Suite is one of the biggest advantages.”

Worldwide Standardization And Rollout In China

As a result of the successful joint testing, GST decided to proceed with implementation in China. “Because GST aims to become a major player in Asia, implementation of FocusQuantum in China is the next logical step for us,” explains Zimmermann. “Standardization of all our equipment worldwide is mandatory for us. That’s why we decided to work with a global player like Lectra.”

With more than twice the productivity of the previous solution, FocusQuantum has exceeded GST’s performance targets. The significantly higher level of process capability has both improved cutting quality and reduced the number of defective cut parts.

“When we compare the unit output and unit cutting cost, we see a real improvement over the previous generation, so we are quite satisfied with the machine,” notes Sky Yang, General Manager, GST China. “It’s more reliable and productivity is significantly higher.”

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: LECTRA

Texas Tech Advanced Materials Expert Awarded Prestigious Fellowship, Oration

LUBBOCK, TX — March 14, 2018 — Seshadri Ramkumar, a professor in the Texas Tech University Department of Environmental Toxicology and lead investigator in the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory, has recently been awarded two of the most prestigious honors in the textiles field: a fellowship with The Textile Institute in the United Kingdom and the 2017-18 Professor W. B. Achwal Oration from the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India.

“These two international honors are based on my research activity carried out over 19 years at Texas Tech University,” Ramkumar said. “This showcases the collective effort of students who have worked in my laboratory and the continued support Texas Tech has provided me all these years. I feel it is a recognition for all of us involved.”

Steve Presley, chair of the Department of Environmental Toxicology, said the awards recognize Ramkumar’s significant contributions to the textile industry at the national and international levels.

“The importance of such international recognition of Dr. Ramkumar’s career-long scientific achievements and contributions to the textile industry are far-reaching and reflect the world class innovative faculty of the Department of Environmental Toxicology at Texas Tech University,” Presley said.

Fellowship

Founded in 1910, The Textile Institute, located in the United Kingdom, is the oldest chartered professional body in textiles and fiber science and, to this day, maintains an international reputation for excellence.

“Fellowship is one of the highest professional recognitions for scientists/technologists,” Ramkumar said. “The honor from this century-old, well-established body is an endorsement of the research and academic efforts at Texas Tech, which our global peers have considered worthy.”

To become a fellow, each applicant’s work is first verified by three references. A committee of academics and industrialists then reviews the application and makes the award, which is ratified by the institute’s governing council.

“The Textile Institute was founded to promote professionalism and disseminate knowledge within textiles,” said Rebecca Unsworth, executive director of The Textile Institute. “Fellowship is the highest professional qualification that can be awarded by the institute’s governing council and is reserved for those members who have made a major personal contribution to the textile industry. Professor Ramkumar was awarded the fellowship for his outstanding achievement in innovation and academic research.”

Oration

On Feb. 20, Ramkumar delivered the Professor W. B. Achwal Endowed Oration, titled “An Odyssey with Technical Textiles,” at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, which is recognized as an elite institution by the Maharashtra Government of India. His lecture focused on the status of the emerging technical textiles sector and highlighted the research of two doctoral students in the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory who are alumni of the Institute of Chemical Technology.

“In the fiber science field, this oration is deemed most coveted, as it is named after the now-deceased Professor Achwal, a most famous textile chemist,” Ramkumar said.

Ramkumar attributes the award not only to his research contributions, but also to a longstanding partnership between his laboratory and many institutes in India.

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: Texas Tech University

Unicharm Honored With The OUTLOOK™ Asia Award 2018

SINGAPORE — March 14, 2018 — EDANA, the leading association and voice of the nonwovens and related industries, is pleased to announce Unicharm of Japan as the winner of the OUTLOOK™ Asia Award.

During the OUTLOOK™ Asia conference, companies shortlisted for the award were invited to present their innovation to delegates and the winner (selected by attendees) was announced during a walking dinner on the first evening of the conference. Unicharm were recognised for their latest diaper designed for premature babies, the Moony Preemie. Specifically designed to provide a gentle but snug fit for any baby, regardless of the size, the Moony Preemie is a true world first in infant absorbent hygiene.

Takahisa Takahara, President & CEO of Unicharm was honored by the recognition of his peers “We are delighted to receive this award for the Moony Preemie baby diaper, as we have worked very hard with our entire team for a long time to develop it, and this is adding even more recognition to a very strong market approval of this specialty product designed for a small but very critical segment of the new born population in Asia. This product brings enormous emotional relief to the parents of preemies, and also complements medically-sound solutions for them”

“With this award, we sought to showcase the commitment to innovation in our industry across the region. And we believe producers appreciate this as an indispensable requirement to thrive in the marketplace – and consumers expect it,” said Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA

The awards were organised within the framework of the 4th edition of OUTLOOK™ Asia held at the Parkroyal on Pickering Hotel 14 – 15 March 2018 in Singapore. Asia’s premier nonwoven personal care and hygiene products conference is recognized as the ideal platform for key professionals around the globe to network, do business and catch-up on the exciting potential of the Asia Pacific region.

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: EDANA

ITM 2018 Exhibitor Preview: Baldwin

ST. LOUIS — March 15, 2018 — Baldwin Technology Company Inc. is pleased to showcase the TexCoat G3 for the first time in Turkey during the ITM tradeshow, held in Istanbul from April 14 to 17, 2018. This groundbreaking Precision Application Technology product—which will be demonstrated in hall 12 at booth 1213—enables a sustainable textile and nonwoven finishing process, with low energy consumption, reduced water and chemistry waste, and substantial savings of production time and costs.

Launched in 2017, the innovative TexCoat G3 already has been installed at major textile finishing facilities worldwide, with proven positive results, including:

  • Reduced water and chemistry usage, up to 50 percent
  • Reduced total changeover time, up to 85 percent
  • Reduced chemistry waste, up to 95 percent

“We are immensely proud to showcase the TexCoat G3 in Turkey, one of the leading markets for innovation and productivity in the textile industry,” said Simone Morellini, Baldwin Sales Manager-EMEAR. “We see great potential for our Precision Application Technology products in this region, and our goal is to help customers improve productivity, while saving valuable resources and contributing to a sustainable future.”

Baldwin’s Precision Application Technology product line provides customers with more flexibility, fewer production steps and increased uptime. With individual nozzle control and automatic volume adjustment, the TexCoat G3 ensures precise and uniform application in various process conditions and capacities. Adjustments can be set in relation to cloth width, g/m2 and textile characteristics, allowing for complete control of the amount of water and chemistry applied.

Furthermore, the TexCoat G3 is versatile, managing a wide range of low-viscosity chemistries—such as water-repellent, softener and anti-microbial finishing—as well as single- and dual-sided applications, various textile characteristics and wet-on-wet applications. Plus, it significantly reduces changeover times to less than five minutes, thanks to fully automatic flushing, and its mist containment covers encapsulate and prevent aerosols from escaping, securing a healthy working environment.

Leading apparel producer HanesBrands recently invested in 19 TexCoat G3 systems from Baldwin. “We have had outstanding results in productivity increase, and we can clearly see that this technology will make a great contribution to our future efficiency and sustainability savings,” said Mike Abbott, HanesBrands Global Director of Research and Innovation.

Spot Ltd., under the leadership of Cengiz Kahraman, has been representing Baldwin’s Precision Application Technology product line for the textile market in Turkey since 2016. The two companies collaborate closely and are committed to revolutionizing the textile finishing industry.

Posted March 15, 2018

Source: Baldwin Technology Company Inc.

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