IMPRIMA Strenghtens Its Operations In The United States, Acquires City Prints And Premier Fabrics

MILAN — February 14, 2018 — IMPRIMA S.p.A., the holding company of the multinational group dedicated to textile printing and finishing, has announced the acquisition of City Prints and its twin company Premier Fabrics, both U.S.-based companies specialized in printed textiles.

Imprima, controlled by Wise SGR through the Italian private equity fund Wisequity, now strengthens its strategic positioning, consolidating its global presence as a leading player in the field of printing and textile finishing for international retailers and fashion brands.

City Prints and Premier Fabrics, founded in 1997 and headquartered in New York and Los Angeles respectively, are specialized in textile printing for the programmed collection market. The companies supply printed fabrics, based on proprietary design, to major American retailers such as Walmart, Target and Macy’s; to fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger; and to online retailers such as Amazon. The companies serve retailers and brands through leading private label intermediaries, currently sourcing prints and garments mainly from China.

As in the case of the previous acquisitions, the brothers Jason and Ryan Borg, co-founders of City Prints and Premier Fabrics, will maintain a leadership role in the management of the companies and become shareholders of Imprima.

“Our entry into the Imprima group is an excellent opportunity to consolidate and increase our commercial positioning in the market, through the introduction of Imprima Group’s brands in the U.S. market and the opening of a digital production facility within the U.S. territory, relying on the technology know-how in digital printing and the financial support that Imprima provides,” said Jason and Ryan Borg co-owners of City Prints and Premier Fabrics, which currently show a consolidated turnover of over $23 million.

“With this acquisition, Imprima deals with the U.S. market with the goal of becoming the first textile converter with full digital printing capability in this local market,” said President Valentina Franceschini, and Executive Vice President Gianluca Boni. “The current deep crisis of American apparel retailers is pushing the industry to reshape its current supply chain strategy, mainly based on sourcing from Far East, towards a European-like fast fashion model. Imprima, through City Prints and Premier Fabrics, will allow local retailers to leverage the “Made in USA” banner to deliver a great creative experience through a local, reliable partner.”

This acquisition of the U.S. companies follows the recent acquisition of the Italy-based print converters SET, Guarisco and B-Blossom and Germany-based print converter KBC.

Posted February 13, 2018

Source: IMPRIMA S.p.A.

Durst Launches P5 Next-Generation Technology Platform

LIENZ, Austria — February 14, 2018 — Durst, a manufacturer of  digital printing and production technologies, has launched a new printing platform — the P5 series. The first member of  the family is the large format printing flagship, P5 250 HS, with shipping starting from April.

The P5 250 HS is targeted towards high volume industrial production, as well as one-offs in offset quality. P5 relates to five core features at the heart of this technology: productivity, reliability, workflow, versatility and print quality.

The P5 technology consists of a series of new generation printers along with newly, in-house developed software and workflow solutions. The family also has state of the art, touch operation based userinterfaces and leading-edge remote service capabilities. Everything is aimed and streamlined to maximize performance and uptime of the printing family, along with unparalleled flexibility in media and job handling.

Durst’s iconic industrial design, which was originally developed by the famous Ottl Eicher, has gone a further step with the P5. A design studio from Munich canvassed opinions from many customers and operators with a view to integrating their wishes into a new concept. This has been achieved for the P5 — and feedback will be incorporated into many Durst product lines in the future.

When compared to the industry benchmark — Durst P10 250 HS — the new P5 is 70 percent more productive. Featuring latest MEMS nozzle plates powered by Durst proprietary data-path and electronics, the result is a high-speed printing system with ultra precise drop placement and industrial level reliability.

Durst P5 technology features:

  • Print volume capability in two-pass mode up to 240 sqm/h and high resolution modes of 1200 dpi;
  • Offset printing quality with a drop-size of 5 pcl;
  • Durst Analytics information platform for pre-emptive maintenance and detailed machine and consumption data to guarantee maximum uptime; and
  • Durst Workflow, which provides an in-house developed suite of applications custom tailored for Durst printers and with unique features beyond ripping.

Christoph Gamper, chief executive, Durst Group, said: “The new P5 platform, including workflow software and advanced service tools, represents our key strategy to further invest into large format printing technology and further afield. We believe that there is a lot to explore in this market space and the P5 250 HS is our first statement. In an integrated world, printers need to change as well. With the P5 family we provide tools for change and profit – and our firm commitment to continue to lead the innovation in the large format market.”

Posted February 13, 2018

Source: Durst

Devotion Dresses Revolutionizes Wedding Industry

PRAGUE, — February 13, 2018 — Devotion Dresses is an innovative European marketplace that has brought a fresh new insight to a rather traditional wedding dress manufacturing industry. It is an exclusively online platform that offers a vast variety of tailor-made wedding and evening dresses from leading European manufacturers. www.DevotionDresses.com presents more than 1,500 unique dresses, all hand-sewn upon each order by the top European designers, tailors, and technologists.

“We aim to transform the industry and challenges the concept of current price-quality relationship,” said Mari, Devotion Dresses. While brides have to compromise quality over price, Devotion Dresses offers them tailor-made dresses for only a fraction of the usual boutique prices. Affordability is a key to their success and is achieved through the elimination of supply-chain costs by direct collaboration and purchasing from leading European dress manufacturers under the Devotion brand. These manufacturers have over 50 years of experience in the wedding dress manufacturing industry and only use materials of the highest European quality.

All of the dresses presented at www.DevotionDresses.com are sewn upon each individual order, which means that the company does not hold any stocks. Such an individual approach enables Devotion Dresses to offer its customers a unique opportunity of ordering a dress in two sizing options: Standard and Custom sizes. Custom-made dress means that a wedding dress is sewn based on client’s individual measurements, ensuring a perfect fit. This also allows for the dresses to be customized not only in terms of a size but other options such as colours, sleeve and train length and much more.

Ordering a wedding dress in Custom Size through an online store is revolutionary, especially since this option does not come at any additional cost. A step-by-step video guide is present on every page of the dresses and demonstrates how to take accurate measurements.  In order to ensure that everything is done according to the highest European standards, each of our customer’s measurements are passed on for a revision and confirmation.

Posted February 13, 2018

Source: Devotion Dresses

Gerber Strengthens Management Team, Scott Schinlever Joins As COO

TOLLAND, Conn. — February 13, 2018 — To build upon its legacy of leadership in providing technology solutions to help its customers address market challenges and opportunities to achieve optimum results, Gerber Technology announced today the hiring of Scott Schinlever as president and COO leading the Automation Solutions business.

“Scott brings a great track record of driving significant growth across multiple industries and end markets,” stated Mohit Uberoi, president and CEO, Gerber Technology. “His leadership and strategic planning skills combined with his deep knowledge of production workflows and digital printing will help us advance our integrated Digital Solutions and intensify our customer focus.”

Many of Gerber’s customers are exploring technology options that can help them to address key trends like industry 4.0 and on-demand manufacturing to improve their efficiencies and productivity. The addition of Schinlever increases the company’s focus on driving product innovation and continued leadership in its automation solutions portfolio to meet these needs with its hardware and software solutions.

Schinlever joins Gerber from EFI, where he was senior vice president and general manager of EFI’s inkjet business, which offers production digital printing systems, inks and services to the display graphics/signage, textiles, ceramics, and packaging/corrugated markets.  Scott joined EFI in 2005 with their strategic acquisition of VUTEk, where he had been vice president of marketing since 2001. At EFI he was increasingly given additional general management responsibilities, culminating in taking over all of EFI’s inkjet business in 2011. Under Scott’s leadership, EFI’s inkjet business grew from $207 to $570 million in revenue. Scott was vice president of strategic marketing for Xerox Corporation’s Office Systems division from 1999 to 2001, prior to which he held positions of increasing responsibility in product marketing and strategic planning at Xerox.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in managerial economics from the University of California at Davis and an Master of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Posted February 13, 2018

Source: Gerber Technology

The $13 Billion Intimate Apparel Business Is being disrupted By Niche Brands, Customer Demands And Color

NEW YORK CITY — February 13, 2018 — CURVE presents the Fall/Winter 2018 edition with a focus on the rapidly changing industry and a diversified show schedule packed with compelling events, industry expert discussions, innovative techniques in lingerie and swimwear fitting. CURVE will showcase over 350 Apparel, Swimwear, and Men’s Underwear brands.

Niche Brands are Changing the Market

Category leading brands earnings have slipped and padded bras, the segments most stocked item have fallen while new brands are on the rise.

“Push-up bras have fallen by 50 percent compared to a year ago while sell outs of bralette, or triangle bras, have rocketed by 120 percent. That’s based on a sample of 80 lingerie retailers across the US, UK and Europe.” (Edited, 2017)

CURVE is a springboard for emerging and innovative lingerie, loungewear and swimwear brands including Adina Reay, Coco de Mer, Chris Arlotta, Else Lingerie, Fleur of England and Ginia.

Lingerie stores are reinventing themselves

Retail is changing and so are the lingerie stores. For the first time CURVE will be launching a new area: The Concept Lounge is presenting its vision for creative retail. It is meant to inspire visitors while showcasing a curated mix of products along with intimate apparel fashion trends and retail merchandising ideas!

The curator of this area and designer Samantha Chang hand-picked 12 unique brands to exhibit. From haute couture lingerie manufactured in France to artisanal fragrances made in Italy, here is her selection for this season: Cadolle, Carol Workinger, Danielle Welmond, Gibson & Dehn, i Profumi di Firenze, Keep it Silky, Kent, Stretch, Swedish Stocking, Undress Code, Velvette and Yes Master.

Customers Want a Level of Service

Listening to their customers and conquering new consumer targets, lingerie houses are telling new stories, choosing new muses with strong characters and are sending strong messages.

Customers want an increase level of service and tailored knowledge to learn what is the best option for their body type. CURVE will showcase Eveden Fit School during the New York and Las Vegas shows which will provide attendees with key insights on all of their fitting needs for Lingerie and Swim.

Continuing to educate retailers to better serve their customers, this year CURVE is hosting 3 events, each addressing very hot topics around retail and trends, including the future of retail and the current body positivity movement. Additional topics of discussion will highlight how to attract millennials to a store and social media brand strategy. The entire intimate apparel industry will be gathered to listen to professionals like Tracy Taylor, Style Director of Net-a-Porter or Anne Slowey brand consultant and former fashion director of ELLE.

A New Language of Color

Lingerie is breaking the classic codes of black and white, to become more vibrant and colorful with designers like Chantelle, Cosabella, Empreinte, Hanky Panky, Lise Charmel, Huit, Lou and Timpa showcasing lilac, green, ruby red and violet plum. The world of beauty has become a source of inspiration for lingerie with pieces in ‘makeup’ tones. Brands like Eberjey, Nubian Skin, Passionata and Undress Code use contrasts of nude with intense blocks of color; Cadolle, Curvy Kate, Ellipse, Hanro, Lonely and Oh lala Cheri favor powdered colors or smoky effects in their designs.

Designer of the Year

CURVE is honoring WACOAL as the 2018 Designer of the Year for its creative and innovative lingerie. An iconic, leading name in the lingerie market, this Japanese brand has been crafting pieces that make women feel beautiful for over half a century.

CURVELASVEGAS

February 12-14 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center

CURVENEWYORK

February 26- 28 at Javits Center, Hall 1A

The CURVE shows are produced by Eurovet Americas, a Eurovet company.

EUROVET is a leader for lingerie and swimwear, with international events in Paris, New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Cannes, and Moscow.

Posted February 13, 2018

Source: CURVE

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)

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