ADEC Innovations And MAS Holdings Make A Cleanchain Connection In Journey Toward Elimination Of Hazardous Materials

IRVINE, Calif./COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — June 13, 2018 — ADEC Innovations announces today that MAS Holdings (MAS) — a manufacturer of intimate apparel, sports, swim and performance wear — has invested in software solution CleanChain, an ADEC Innovation, in its quest to be a zero toxic manufacturer. CleanChain will be used by the group to manage chemical use throughout MAS’ global manufacturing operations and supply chain.

As part of its zero toxic commitments, MAS needed a process and reporting system that provided inventory registration and management, usage tracking and dashboard views for each of their facilities spread around the globe. After reviewing a number of different solutions, MAS selected CleanChain because it offered a number of unique features not offered by other software companies and allowed them to create the solutions its manual approach had not delivered.

Working together, MAS and ADEC Innovations implemented CleanChain to fulfill its specific reporting needs. MAS has since facilitated the adoption of CleanChain at 20 chemical intensive manufacturing facilities in Australia, Bangladesh, China, Germany, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.

“We needed to more proactively and systematically manage the vast amounts of chemical information across our global operations,” said Sharika Senanayake, director environmental sustainability, MAS Holdings. “Since implementing CleanChain and collaborating with the ADEC Innovations team, we have transformed our inefficient and labor-intensive processes into a comprehensive system that helps us better understand and reduce risks, and reduced our manual burden and the associated costs of aggregating supply chain data.”

MAS attributes significant improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of chemical management across their supply chain to CleanChain. An early adopter of the platform, MAS joined in 2016 and has since played an important collaborative role in improving ADEC Innovations’ pioneering chemical information management solution.

“ADEC Innovations is thrilled to partner with MAS Holdings in the deployment of CleanChain within their organization and across the supply chain,” said Robert A. Francisco, president, ADEC Innovations. “Our collaboration supports MAS Holdings’ continued commitment to being a proactive and forward-thinking organization with products, plans and strategies that focus on sustainability. Their core ideals are in direct alignment with ADEC Innovations’ mission of developing solutions like CleanChain, which accelerate positive, global impact, resulting in a more sustainable future.”

CleanChain is a secure online chemical information management system, built for manufacturers and supported by many of the major brands they supply. It provides partner businesses with a library of over 32,000 chemicals, the results of analyses conducted on those chemical products by approved labs, custom tools to compare how different products comply across multiple Manufacturing Restricted Substance Lists (MRSLs), detailed questionnaires to help users share data on the products they use and an intuitive connections system to facilitate simple sharing of this data. More than 500 users have joined the platform.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: ADEC Innovations

Interface Agrees To Acquire Nora Systems

ATLANTA — JUNE 14, 2018 — Interface Inc. today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire nora systems in a stock purchase transaction valued at approximately $420 million. Nora, a producer of performance flooring and worldwide share leader in the rubber flooring category, is a privately held company that is majority owned by investment firm Intermediate Capital Group (ICG). Nora’s annual revenues are approximately $280 million. Interface expects to close the transaction during the third quarter of 2018, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

This acquisition will expand Interface’s rapidly growing resilient flooring portfolio and increase its penetration into high growth segments including healthcare, life sciences, education and transportation. Nora is the leader in the nearly $1 billion rubber flooring category of the $34 billion global commercial flooring industry. Rubber flooring is ideal for applications that require hygienic, safe flooring with strong chemical resistance, and it is extremely durable compared to other flooring alternatives. Nora is considered the leading premium brand and has built a specified selling organization that provides reach into approximately 80 countries around the world.

“We believe our value creation strategy is working in the marketplace as we better serve our customers with an expanded product portfolio and an enhanced selling system. Customers want a single flooring solution provider that can deliver a range of options that meet their requirements in different commercial applications. The nora acquisition is expected to accelerate our growth strategy by expanding our product portfolio and extending our reach in the performance flooring category of resilient flooring,” said Jay Gould, CEO of Interface. “More importantly, we believe the nora team has put the right focus on design, sustainability, and performance of their products, which aligns with Interface’s brand, purpose, and values. We are excited to combine the nora team with the Interface family so that together we can continue to create value for our key stakeholders including our customers, employees, investors, and the environment.”

The nora acquisition, when completed, is expected to be accretive to Interface’s margins and adjusted earnings per share. Nora is anticipated to increase the company’s adjusted EPS, a non-GAAP measure, $0.03 to $0.06 in 2018, and $0.15 to $0.20 in 2019.

Bank of America has committed to finance the transaction through a term loan facility. “We will expand our net debt leverage ratio to approximately 3x EBITDA at closing, and our goal is to decrease that ratio to 2x EBITDA by mid-2020,” said Bruce Hausmann, CFO of Interface.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: Interface Inc.

Shandong Wonfull Petrochemical To Produce On-Purpose Propylene With Honeywell Technology

DES PLAINES, Ill. — JUNE 14, 2018 — Honeywell announced today that Shandong Wonfull Petrochemical Co. Ltd. will use Honeywell UOP’s C3 Oleflex™ propane dehydrogenation technology to produce 250,000 metric tons per year of polymer-grade propylene at its facility in the Huantai Economic Development Zone in China’s Shandong Province.

Honeywell will provide licensing, the process design package, proprietary and non-proprietary equipment, on-site operator training, technical services for startup and continuing operation, and catalysts and adsorbents for the project. This is the 34th award in China for Honeywell’s Oleflex technology.

“The tremendous growth in propylene production in China is being driven by surging demand for polypropylene and other propylene derivatives that are used to make resins, fibers and plastics,” said John Gugel, president of Honeywell UOP. “The Oleflex process converts propane into high-quality propylene that meets the strict purity requirements for these products.”

Honeywell UOP’s C3 Oleflex technology uses catalytic dehydrogenation to convert propane to propylene and is designed to have a lower cash cost of production and higher return on investment among competing technologies. Its low energy consumption, low emissions and fully recyclable, platinum-alumina-based catalyst system minimizes its impact on the environment. The independent reaction and regeneration sections enable steady-state operations, improved operating flexibility, and a high on-stream factor and reliability.

Honeywell UOP also licenses C4 Oleflex technology, which converts butanes to butylenes, the primary ingredient for making high-octane fuel additives and synthetic rubber. Including this project, Honeywell UOP’s Oleflex technology has been selected for 52 out of 64 propane and isobutane dehydrogenation projects globally since 2011.

Since the technology was first commercialized in 1990, Honeywell UOP has commissioned 29 Oleflex units for on-purpose propylene and isobutylene production. Global production capacity of propylene from Oleflex technology now stands at approximately 6.8 million metric tons per year.

Shandong Wonfull Petrochemical Group manufactures and distributes gasoline, diesel, liquefied gas, petroleum coke, sulfur, propylene, and other petrochemicals. Located in Guoli Town, Zibo City, Shandong Wonfull Petrochemical Group also conducts heating, logistics, international trade, and retail terminal businesses.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: Honeywell

Eddie Bauer Names Damien Huang President

SEATTLE — JUNE 14, 2018 — Eddie Bauer today announced that Damien Huang has been named president. Huang was most recently Eddie Bauer’s senior vice president of Merchandising & Design, leading the company strategy and execution for design, merchandising, product line management and product development. In his role as president, Damien will oversee the Design, Merchandising, Marketing, Retail, Ecommerce, Licensing, International, and Wholesale functions of the business. He will report to Mike Egeck, CEO of PSEB, a new operating company composed of Eddie Bauer and PacSun.

Huang joined Eddie Bauer in March 2010 as senior vice president of Outerwear, Accessories, and Gear. During his tenure, he led the categories to deliver against Eddie Bauer’s “Best at Outerwear” initiative, and oversaw the successful transition of the product assortment to activity-specific performance and outdoor lifestyle product. He has held multiple senior product positions while at Eddie Bauer.

Mike Egeck, CEO of PSEB, said, “We are pleased to name Damien president of Eddie Bauer. He has played a pivotal role in the transition of the Eddie Bauer business into a performance outdoor brand — and it comes as no surprise that performance product has grown at a double digit rate over the last five years under his leadership. His passion for the outdoors and his knowledge in building award-winning product will ensure that Eddie Bauer continues its strong momentum.”

Huang said, “It’s been very exciting to take part in building this business over the last eight years. We have made great strides in building better outdoor product, elevating our customer experience, using consumer insights to drive marketing and welcoming new customers to Eddie Bauer at a rapid rate. I look forward to leading the next chapter of our growth as President.”

Eddie Bauer also announced that Mike Africa has been named Eddie Bauer’s Vice President of Commerce, having responsibility for both the retail and ecommerce businesses, and Mike Schulam has been named vice president of Merchandising, overseeing both Channel and Product Line Merchants. Africa and Schulam will report to Huang.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: Eddie Bauer LLC

3M Introduces Elastic Blend Nonwoven Tape For Improved Conformability, Skin Breathability

ST. PAUL, Minn. — JUNE 12, 2018 — 3M today announced it has expanded its lineup of advanced adhesives for medical devices with the addition of 3M™ Single Coated Medical Extended Wear Adhesive Nonwoven Tape on Liner (3M™ 4077), a pressure sensitive adhesive that offers omni-directional stretch for superior conformability and breathability. The thin, water-resistant tape offers excellent initial skin adhesion and a 14-day wear time, as well as improved conformability during long wear times compared to other tapes in the product line.

“Durability is important to medical device wearers, which is why we don’t limit participants’ contact with moisture in our wear time studies,” said Marcello Napol, global business director in 3M’s Critical and Chronic Care Solutions Division. “Now we’re able to offer a product that takes functionality to the next level — 3M 4077 is water-resistant, stretchy, breathable and offers the longest wear time in our current portfolio.”

3M 4077 features an extended wear adhesive combined with a white meltblown elastic nonwoven backing on a silicone release liner. It is EtO, E-beam and gamma sterilization compatible.

Compliant with ISO:10993 sections 5 & 10, 3M 4077 is approved for use on intact skin. The tape is part of the extensive adhesives product line 3M offers the medical device manufacturing, design and supply industries. Through the company’s diversity of technologies – paired with its 55 years of experience in the medical adhesive business and team of experts – 3M provides medical device professionals with the tools they need to satisfy their project requirements and confidently navigate their way to market.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: 3M Company

Express Appoints Winnie Park As New Independent Director To Board

COLUMBUS, Ohio — JUNE 14, 2018 — Express Inc., a specialty retail apparel company, announced that Winnie Park was appointed to its Board of Directors as a Class III director, following the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 13, 2018. Park is currently CEO for Paper Source Inc., a role she has held since September 2015. With this appointment, the size of the board has been expanded from seven to eight directors.

Park is a seasoned business executive, with leadership experience across marketing, e-commerce, merchandising, and strategy at global retail and apparel brands. Prior to joining Paper Source, she held the titles of executive vice president, Global Marketing and eCommerce and Global vice president, GMM, merchandising during her nine year tenure at Hong Kong-based luxury retailer, DFS, a division of LVMH. Additionally, Park served as senior director, Women’s Merchandising and Director, Strategy for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss and Co. Earlier in her career, she worked at McKinsey and Co., focusing on eCommerce, Apparel, and Retail. Park earned a BA from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.

“We are excited to welcome Winnie to the Board. She is a talented, strategic leader who brings relevant and complementary skills in the areas of retailing, merchandising, e-commerce, and brand strategy. She will be a great addition to our board,” said Mylle Mangum, Chairman of the board.

“Winnie’s considerable experience supporting globally recognized brands will be an asset to Express,” said David Kornberg, president and CEO of Express. “She joins Express at an exciting time and we look forward to benefiting from her insight and expertise as we continue to transform into a leading omni-channel retailer.”

“I am honored to join the Express Board,” said Park. “Express has been a fashion authority for several decades and I look forward to collaborating with the board and management team to drive future growth.”

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: Express Inc.

Gap Inc. Appoints Neil Fiske New Global Head Of Gap Brand

SAN FRANCISCO — JUNE 13, 2018 — Gap Inc. today announced the appointment of Neil Fiske as president and CEO of Gap brand. Fiske will begin his new role on June 20, 2018, and will serve on the company’s senior leadership team, reporting to Art Peck, president and CEO of Gap Inc.

“Neil brings significant retail and apparel experience to Gap Inc. and a track record of transforming and repositioning brands,” said Peck. “He is an experienced leader who deeply understands the mechanics of this business, the value of an omnichannel strategy, and the need to build a progressive and relevant brand. I believe Neil is the right leader to strengthen Gap brand.”

“Gap is a truly iconic brand that is loved by its customers across the globe, and I am excited about the significant opportunity ahead for us,” said Fiske. “The brand has made some important progress and I look forward to working with the team to drive improved performance, operational excellence, great merchandising, and distinctive and powerful marketing.”

Fiske has 20 years of brand building and turnaround experience in specialty retailing. Most recently, he served as CEO at Billabong International, where he restored the flagship Billabong brand to a position of market leadership and multi-year share growth. Prior to that, Fiske spent five years as president and CEO at Eddie Bauer, repositioning the company to focus on its heritage as America’s original outdoor outfitter. Fiske was also CEO at Bath and Body Works, where he led a complete brand transformation, reversing a multi-year trend of negative comp store sales. Fiske began his career at Boston Consulting Group, focused on consumer goods and retail. He graduated from Harvard Business School with a Masters of Business Administration and received a B.A. in Political Economy from Williams College.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: Gap Inc.

APIC Attendees Support Hygienically Clean Stance On Healthcare Uniforms In Public

MINNEAPOLIS— JUNE 13, 2018 — Linen, uniform and facility services operators certified Hygienically Clean Healthcare presented evidence today to members of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) that medical care facilities should more carefully control public wearing of employee uniforms.

Engaging visitors to the Hygienically Clean exhibit at APIC’s 2018 expo, certification staff had a receptive audience for the data. Most attendees interviewed indicated they support preventing employees from wearing scrubs and other healthcare apparel outside medical facilities. Many said they have policies to this effect but find these difficult to enforce.

The 3-day APIC exhibit is building awareness of Hygienically Clean certified providers among infection preventionists: individuals who recommend what linen and uniform service their facilities should use. Discussing issues with them such as uniform hygiene positions certified operators as the foremost laundry science experts with an unprecedented commitment to educating healthcare professionals regarding linen and laundry.

Visitors to the Hygienically Clean exhibit received Curbing the Infection Risks of Healthcare Garments, a brief compendium of studies and journal articles that point to the risk-reduction value of professionally laundering employees’ garments, worth the additional cost to a healthcare facility that currently makes employees responsible for washing them.

Hygienically Clean staff noted that TRSA, the global association for the linen and uniform industry that administers the certification program, has begun planning to raise the issue’s profile with healthcare industry stakeholders. TRSA’s Healthcare Committee has formed a task force on the matter. Staff has contacted TRSA associate members (suppliers to the industry) who manufacture scrubs, lab coats and other healthcare employee garments to explore promoting a new voluntary standard that would urge medical providers to prevent wearing these in public.

An Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) standard currently performs this role regarding garments worn in surgical suites. TRSA will weigh the possibility of supporting creation of a much broader measure, covering all clinical functions with discernible risk of pathogen transmission from healthcare garments to patients and the public.

The Hygienically Clean research compendium quotes healthcare stakeholder groups including APIC, AORN, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Association of Surgical Technologists and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Access this document at www.trsa.org/scrubhelp.

As TRSA investigates courses of action, hoping to involve such stakeholder groups, Hygienically Clean certified providers will continue to point to the mounting evidence of the risks of garments carrying pathogens out of healthcare facilities and inadequate domestic laundering bringing them in.

In contrast, contracting with a Hygienically Clean provider, whose processes (laundry practices) are verified and outcomes (product cleanliness) are quantified by third parties, provides maximum confidence that all garments used in a healthcare setting have diminished presence of harmful bacteria. It’s a cost-effective way to essentially eliminate this single risk of infection transmission, unlike so many others that require preventionists to constantly guard against.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: TRSA

International Textile Manufacturers Federation: Yarn And Fabric Production Decreased In Q4/17

ZURICH, Switzerland — June 14, 2018 — Global yarn production decreased by 23 percent between Q3/17 and Q4/17. Output reductions in Brazil (-23 percent), Asia (-14 percent), and the U.S.A. (-4 percent) have balanced out the increase in Africa (+12 percent) and Europe (+15 percent). All surveyed countries, apart from Brazil and Germany, expect a decrease in yarn output in Q1/2018. Global yarn stocks were stable between Q3/17 and Q4/17. A reduction in Brazil (-11 percent), Egypt (-9 percent), and Europe (-4percent) was cancelled out by a 3 percent increase in Asia. Altogether, yarn stocks reached 96 percent of their previous year level for the same quarter. Yarn orders increased on average between Q3/17 and Q4/17 (+7 percent). The order contraction in Korea Rep. (-8 percent) has been compensated by positive trends in the other reporting countries.

Global fabric production decreased from Q3/17 to Q4/17 by -2 percent. A respective -12 percent and -2 percent contraction in Brazil and Asia drove the world average in the negative range. Fabric output, however, increased by 6 percent and 10 percent in Africa and Europe respectively. The world output level reached 95 percent of its Q4/16 level. Europe and Brazil are expected to increase production in Q1/18. In Q4/17, the global fabric stock level slightly grew (+3 percent). This increase was driven by Brazil (+15 percent) and brought the index of fabrics stocks 3 percent above the Q4/16 level. In 2017, stocks have been stable in Asia and the U.S.A. They increased steadily in Europe and Brazil and constantly decreased in Egypt. On average, fabric orders have reduced by -23 percent between Q3/17 and Q4/17 in the countries under review. The growth of +11 percent and +2 percent in Egypt and Europe was not sufficient to compensate for the reductions of -31 percent in Brazil. The global index for fabric orders decrease by 3 percent since Q4/16.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: ITMF, International Textile Manufacturers Federation

INDA’s World of Wipes 2018 International Conference Creates, Connects And Congratulates Industry Success

CARY, N.C. — JUNE 14, 2018 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, reports its 12th annual World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference June 5-8 successful in connecting 440 participants advancing their business in wipes.

The event was highlighted with an industry and committee majority vote announcing Diamond Wipes Internationals’ Hero Wipes as the recipient of this year’s World of Wipes Innovation Award®. The innovative new wipe removes toxic, cancer-causing carcinogens from firefighters’ skin. Other finalists were Solugen Inc.’s Ode to Clean Wipes made entirely from plant starch, and National Wiper Alliance’s Rhino Wipe™ Tote System, a portable container for easy dispensing of heavy duty Rhino Wipes.

The annual award recognizes the product that most expands the use of nonwovens and demonstrates creativity, novelty, uniqueness, and technical sophistication within the entire nonwovens wipes value chain.

Held at the Sheraton Grand, Chicago, the event attracted participants from 22 countries representing the entire wipes supply chain to examine issues and advances in the growing multi-billion dollar growing wipes sector.

Opening the conference was consumer psychologist Dr. Kit Yarrow, Professor Emeritus, Golden Gate University, presenting psychological insights and strategies for marketing to Gen Z. The program also included sessions centered on consumer trends and market data, sustainability, substrate innovation, challenges with preservatives, regulations, packaging, institutional wipe trends and progress on flushable wipes testing procedures.

Participants connected face-to-face with hundreds of wipes professionals during the Welcome Reception atop the 95th floor in the John Hancock Building. Stunning views and live music provided an informal atmosphere to connect with fellow industry professionals.

Preceding the conference, INDA’s Wipes Academy was conducted by instructor Rob Johnson, PE, Principal, Smith, Johnson & Associates. The Academy is the first and only comprehensive wipes training for the entire wipes supply chain.

“This year’s program content hit the mark in addressing key issues facing wipes producers and marketers. WOW serves as the hub for international wipes professionals to convene and connect, and the buzz this year indicates this happened in abundance,” said Dave Rousse, INDA president.

Other presentation highlights included:

  • Status Quo: Innovation, and Actual Sustainability – Annie Weisbrod, Ph.D., principal scientist, The Procter & Gamble Co.;
  • Product Stability and Preservation of Wipes – David Steinberg, president, Steinberg & Associates;
  • A Paradigm for Sustainable wipes – Martin Wolf, director of Product Sustainability & Authenticity, Seventh Generation;
  • Packaging for the Future of Wet Wipes – John Wilson, marketing manager, Bemis Company Inc.;
  • Global Wipes Marketplace: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities in Retail and Institutional settings – Siana Jannesari, Tissue and Hygiene analyst, Euromonitor International; and
  • The Future of Fragrance: Functional Sustainability – Tom Meyer, vice president, Innovation & Sustainability, Chemia Corp.

WOW networking events included two evening receptions amid 52 tabletop displays, daily breakfasts, networking breaks, and the option to Dine with Industry Thought Leaders.

Posted June 14, 2018

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

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