Alcantara’s Annual Sales And Profits Have Shown Major Gains

LOS ANGELES — November 30, 2017 — Alcantara, the manufacturer of Italian-made luxury material, has seen its annual sales triple and operating profits increase more than five-fold since the recession.

The company will have a major presence at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, as well as at auto shows in Detroit, Chicago and New York over the next six months. The U.S. market currently accounts for about 10 percent of Alcantara’s global sales.

The company’s net sales have risen from 64.3 million euros in 2009 to more than 187 million euros in 2016. Operating profits have jumped from 7.9 million euros to 45.1 million euros during the same period. The company’s Chairman and CEO Andrea Boragno notes that Alcantara’s automotive business has experienced especially strong growth in China and the United States as a result of an increase in brand awareness among automakers and consumers.

Major automakers, such as Acura, Audi, BMW, Dodge, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Maserati, Nissan and Porsche are expected to have cars equipped with Alcantara at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

“As you can see from our strong business results, our emotive, high-tech artisan approach to luxury resonates well with automakers and consumers alike,” says Boragno. “Our relationship with the design community in the automotive industry, as well as throughout the fashion, home furnishings, consumer electronics and marine industries, has helped us significantly increase sales and brand awareness over the last decade.”

Partnerships Equal Growth

Alcantara’s CEO adds that the company sees an unrivaled potential for growth through partnerships with the world’s leading brands.

Premium fashion brands such as Adidas and Swarovski, for example, have launched exclusive collections in collaboration with Alcantara. The material’s versatility extends to some of the world’s most prestigious furnishing brands, including Torre, Cappellini and Ligne Roset, which have featured Alcantara on their product lines.

In the consumer electronics market, Microsoft utilizes Alcantara on its Surface Pro laptops and Sennheiser has incorporated Alcantara in the design of its on-ear headphones.

Investment to Double Production Capacity by 2022

To meet growing demand for its material, the company plans to significantly increase its production capacity. Boragno reports that a five-year investment program totalling 300 million euros is expected to double Alcantara’s overall production capacity.

The five-year expansion plan calls for annual sales to reach 300 million euros, compared to 187 million euros last year. Brand value also is expected to triple from Interbrand’s 2015 value estimate of 100 million euros to 300 million euros over the same period. The number of employees is expected to grow from 598 to around 800, as well.

Sustainability: A Key Value of the Alcantara Brand

Alcantara’s CEO believes the company’s strong commitment to sustainability is a key part of Alcantara’s competitive strategy. A commitment to sustainability is consistent with the long-term goal of increasing the company’s financial value.

“Alcantara is the first Italian industrial company and among the very first companies in the world to have achieved the status of Carbon Neutrality,” Boragno noted. “Since 2009, we have published our own Sustainability Report, which provides transparency for everything we do. We also have worked very hard to build a supply chain that focuses on responsible procurement.”

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: Alcantara S.p.A.

SEAMS Launches New Website And Visual Brand Identity

WAKE FOREST, N.C. — November 30, 2017 — SEAMS, the National Association and voice for the U.S. Sewn Products Industry for over 50 years, announced today the launch of its newly revamped website and visual brand identity. This redesigned website offers quick and easy access to essential information for the resurgence and growth of Made in America initiatives. The new visual branding and logo elevates the company’s corporate identity while preserving its rich heritage and supports its unique network of manufacturers, suppliers, vendors and retailers/brands.

The website also delivers stronger brand storytelling for the new digital world with a comprehensive member search, extensive resource section, news and events, and industry educational best practices. The new website is live today and is located at the same address: www.seams.org

“We are excited about the launch of our updated brand, new website and the robust information it provides the industry,” said Jeremy Wootten, president of SEAMS. “SEAMS is dedicated to promoting sound economic growth for our members and leading the resurgence of “Made in America” on the world stage. We believe that this new site will allow our visitors to have a very informative experience as we continue to grow and increase our member’s market presence.”

“The new site features the industry’s only ‘Make Something/Source Something Power Search’ to quickly find its U.S. member base,” stated Will Duncan, executive director, SEAMS. “And the new brand reflects who we are as an association and giving back, the market we serve, and the innovation that comes from the members.”

“This fresh new look for the Association with its mobile-responsiveness and easy-to-navigate design, improved design features and educational resourcefulness, really adds business value for our membership and sewn products industry at large,” added Wootten.

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: SEAMS

Teijin Produces New Knitting Material Laminated With Breathable Film

TOKYO — November 30, 2017 — Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., the Teijin Group’s fiber-product converting company, announced today that it has developed a polyester high-gauge knitting material laminated with a breathable film to produce thin, lightweight and breathable textiles. Teijin Frontier will sell its new material mainly for spring/summer 2019 sportswear.

Textiles laminated with breathable film are widely used for high-functional sportswear due to their breathability, waterproofness, lightweight and stretchability. Soft, stretchable knitting materials laminated with film will meet an increasing demand for comfortable and functional wear for multi-use, but conventional double layered knitting materials using crimped thread have limitations when relatively light or and thin materials are sought. But now Teijin Frontier has solved these problems with new dyeing and lamination technologies to produce a high-gauge knitting material using non-crimped thread.

Teijin Frontier’s new material is thin, lightweight and compact as well as stretchable, form-stable and moisture-permeable. Its glossy, translucent appearance and smooth texture drape beautifully.

Diverse Teijin Frontier technologies incorporated in the new material include:

Filament

  • Polymer technology
  • Ultra-fine denier filament extruding technology
  • Dyeing and fluffing control technology

Knitting

  • High-gauge knitting technology with non-crimped thread

Processing

  • Dyeing technology for thinness and lightness
  • Technology for laminating knit fabric with stretchable film

Teijin Frontier is now exploring sport and fashion marketing opportunities for two versions of its new material: a high-function type that using PASMO® high-tenacity polyester and an eco-friendly type adopting recycled polyester. Annual sales are expected to reach 300,000m by the fiscal year ending in March 2021.

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: Teijin Ltd.

CSI Launching Color Insights 2018

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — November 30, 2018 — Color Solutions International (CSI), a member of the DyStar® Group and global provider of color standards for design industries, today introduced the Color Insights 2018 report. This multi-platform forecast offers seasonal inspiration, key color by trending hue and valuable color data to support product development within women’s and men’s fashion, active wear, kids and lifestyle, as well as home and commercial design.

The CSI team of color experts manages the seasonal color palettes of over 100 Brands and Retailers on an annual basis. Colors are selected from CSI’s Color Wall, Color Library or created through custom dyeing which represents over 10,000 colors. CSI’s color management process has created an extensive database of historical color usage information. This year CSI supported the development of approximately 900 color palettes. Utilizing their historical color data, CSI launched in 2017 a proprietary color validation process called relative color popularity (RCP) index in their seasonal trends.

“Our Color Insights 2018 report is a unique color forecast based on market research, historical color data and our RCP index. We decided that our customers would benefit from receiving a palette of must-have colors for creating their 2018 seasonal color palettes rather than an individual color” stated Ron Pedemonte, Vice President Americas.

The report highlights key colors that play an important role across categories. Blues remain classic, yet in 2018, they are expanding into cobalt blues from the depths of Indigo to bright bold accents with a red cast, giving it a new perspective against relevant workwear blues seen as washed down mid-tones. Softer shades of purple become more sophisticated by evolving into a redder casted tone seen in lilac and mauve and warm muted blush tones to rich copper oranges; a modern twist to deep reds. Tinted neutrals emerge, becoming a solid foundation to a palette. Greens are complex, with nature’s influence giving a renewed interest in rich saturated emerald greens to dark forest pine with levels of youthful acidic tones crossing into gold yellows. “There is a delicate balance with these colors. They are inspired by urban dwelling and nature’s forest, bringing our environment into our mindset and lifestyle.” Heather Sandwall, Color and Trend Director.

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: DyStar® Group

Archroma Partners With Fashion Institute Of Technology On Color Center

REINACH, Switzerland/ NEW YORK CITY — November 30, 2017 — Archroma announced today that its Archroma Color Management service business has partnered with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and its Textile Development and Marketing Department to create the first Archroma Color Center. The Archroma Color Center @FIT is a facility where FIT students can utilize leading-edge industry color management tools for their design projects, gaining hands-on expertise that equips them for successful careers in the fashion and textiles industries.

FIT students designed the space under the direction of Sean Cormier, an associate professor at the college’s Textile Development and Marketing program. Key components for the room were donated by Archroma.

The Archroma Color Center @FIT includes a large-scale color reference that recreates the 4,320 hue Color Atlas by Archroma® as a wall-hung, flip-through display. A complete six-set Color Atlas – featuring an easy-to-use system of detachable fabric swatches – has also been donated to the lab, which students use to select hues for their design projects. Colors from the physical Color Atlas library are easily found using the cutting edge online Color Search tool. A set of color design tools representing each shade in Color Atlas has also been donated for students to incorporate into their individual class presentations.

Students use the Color Atlas as a guide in developing color stories for various projects that are done in the FIT textile program, including a ‘color pitching’ assignment where they must create two new colorways, one warm and one cool, for a chosen print. Students are also asked to use the library to research colors, then they dye sample fabrics and matching trim materials. The students also use the on-line color matching system, visiting retail stores where they spot trends and capture color info on their phones. Students have asked to use color chips from the Center for projects they have in other classes, like product development, or for developing mood boards for vocational club presentations.

“It’s key that FIT students not only graduate with the theoretical knowledge about how our industry works, but that they are exposed to the most advanced design libraries, tools, software and equipment,” says Sean Cormier. “With Archroma’s generous donation of materials, our students are actually using and becoming familiar with a modern color selection system that they will encounter when they walk into the marketplace after graduation.”

“We’re giving the students a realistic environment to learn in,” says Brad McClanahan, Global Head of Service Businesses at Archroma. “These are the same tools that they will use in industry, assembling color palettes for seasonal design presentations and production specifications. We want the next generation of industry professionals to have hands-on experience with the next generation of tools.”

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: Archroma

Devan Launches New Antimicrobial Brand Line

RONSE, Belgium — November 30, 2017 — Devan Chemicals, a provider of finishing technologies, recently launched a new multifunctional antimicrobial brand line. The brand line consists of its well-known, but recently rebranded quat-silane antimicrobial solution, combined with extra features. This enables textile manufacturers to apply multiple functionalities via one single treatment.

BI-OME®, Devan’s recently rebranded antimicrobial solution, has been launched with interesting extra features. The specialty chemical provider has combined its antimicrobial technology with other functional finishes in its product range and now offers a variety of combinations:

  • BI-OME Quick dry combines the antimicrobial properties (for odour control) with advanced moisture management properties to promote efficient and faster evaporation to aid cooling and comfort;
  • BI-OME Stretch combines the antimicrobial solution with stretch recovery properties for better fit;
  • A more revolutionary variation is BI-OME AV, which has an antiviral activity in addition to its antimicrobial properties; and
  • Of course, BI-OME, the antimicrobial solution without any extra features, remains available.

Devan’s experience with antimicrobial technology goes back a long time. More than 25 years of research led to the creation of the BI-OME product range. Thanks to the combination of a cross-border support package (mill training, quality control, etc.) and unique product excellence (non-migrating, no use of silver), Devan’s antimicrobial technology is widely chosen across the globe.

BI-OME is fully BPR and EPA compliant, Oekotex and Bluesign registered, can be delivered worldwide and is applicable for apparel, home textiles, bedding, transport & mobility, etc.

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: Devan Chemicals

Ardian Enters Into Exclusivity To Become Majority Shareholder Of Drt Alongside Founding Families And Tikehau Capital

PARIS — November 30, 2017 — Ardian, an independent private investment company, has entered into exclusivity with some family shareholders and Tikehau Capital to acquire a controlling stake into Les Dérivés Résiniques et Terpéniques (DRT). The proposed transaction values DRT at approximately 1 billion euros and is fully supported by DRT’s management team which will remain in place and is headed by its CEO Laurent Labatut. This transaction would be a further step in the company’s development path as many individual shareholders and Tikehau Capital have decided to reinvest part of their proceeds alongside Ardian.

Created in 1932 and headquartered in Dax (France), DRT is a global leading producer of ingredients derived from plant-based chemistry, mainly from pine trees. In that respect, DRT fits perfectly within two of Ardian’s core verticals, namely ingredients and fine chemical. With a turnover estimated at 500 million euros in 2017, DRT is a truly international company with more than 80 percent of its business made outside of France, of which around 25 percent in the Americas and more than 10 percent in Asia. The group employs close to 1,300 people and is operating through a global footprint with four production sites located in France, two in the United States, three in India and one in China.

The two main families of ingredients produced by DRT are terpenes and rosins derivatives. They provide mainly olfactory or tackifying/stickiness properties and are used in various resilient and growing end-markets like Flavors & Fragrance, Health & Nutrition, Adhesives & Coatings, Agriculture, Chemical Intermediates and Energy. DRT has built strong positions on each of those markets thanks to its advanced innovation capabilities (more than 50 people dedicated to R&D), its close partnership with customers, its industrial process know-how with constant investment into extraction and distillation capacities, and its long-term secured sourcing of natural & renewable resources.

DRT is at the forefront of sustainable growth and development. This is a key value for Ardian, acting as a responsible investor. Through a sustainable forest management sourcing, DRT is a green-impact best-in-class player. DRT industrial processes valorize renewable resources and adhere to principles of environment-friendly practice. DRT has also invested significantly into green energy, with a biomass cogeneration plant in France satisfying the vast majority of its energy needs.

DRT has enjoyed a rapid development phase over the past few years with a strong support from Tikehau Capital. In particular, in 2016, DRT made two significant steps in the USA with the $140 million acquisition of Pinova Inc. from Symrise and the construction of a complementary new greenfield plant. Overall, over the past three years, the group has invested more than 85 million euros in organic growth projects.

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: Ardian

Itema Exhibits Best-In-Class Weaving Innovations At ITMACH INDIA Hall 6 / Stand A33-34 & B1-2

COLZATE, Italy/AHMEDABAD, India — November 30, 2017 — Itema — a privately-owned manufacturer of best-in-class weaving machines, spare parts and services — is exhibiting at ITMACH India (Hall 6 / A33-34 & B1-2) from December 7-10 at The Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The Italian based company is participating for the second time in a row at ITMACH, considering this event as the best opportunity to showcase its technological prowess and worldwide organization to the renowned Gujarat textile industry. Gujarat is in fact one of the largest textile Regions in India and, more widely, in all Asia, with numerous textile manufacturing companies and with the biggest cotton production in the country.

Itema is present in India since 2002, counting more than 50 employees, with sales and after-sales teams, technical support and advanced repair centers in Mumbai, Coimbatore, New Dehli and Ichalkaranji to ensure the highest possible standard of weaving solutions, with a complete offering and service to its valuable Customers in the Indian market.

Itema is uniquely positioned to offer textile manufacturers the top three weft insertion technologies: Rapier, Airjet and Projectile, in what is the most comprehensive portfolio on the market today to weave the widest range of fabrics. During the 2017 edition of ITMACH, Itema will exhibit its best-in-class airjet weaving machine A9500p, in an execution tailored to weave the most popular fabric in the basin, denim.

Airjet weft insertion technology is the most diffused to weave denim, due to the highest possible production speed achievable. Especially when it comes to weaving simple denim fabric constructions, airjet machines ensure the best ratio between productivity and fabric quality.

Itema developed and implemented advanced technical innovations on its airjet machines to easily overcome this limit and to meet the growing trend of weaving stretch denim. Moreover, Itema patented and highly innovative solutions allow denim mills to benefit from a significant reduction in energy consumption.

The Itema airjet A9500p launched in the market in 2014, still inspires the curiosity and sparks the interest from real technology buffs and has already amassed important references in many segments, ranging from denim to medical fabrics.

What makes the Itema A9500p the most innovative airjet weaving machine in the market is a winning duo of crucial advantages: the highest production speed and the lowest power consumption in the market.

The popular recent trend to weave stretch and super stretch denim fabrics with dedicated weft yarns inspired Itema to create and patent the innovative BLC – Brush Lycra Clamp – nozzle to weave elastic weft yarns. Thanks to the BLC nozzle, the weft is held without movable parts to ensure superior fabric quality and reliability. The device is simple and yet ingenious: the BLC is fixed into the main nozzle performing the valuable task of keeping the elastic weft yarn avoiding defects due to the continuous air flow. The Itema iREED® – already a benchmark for the industry – significantly reduces the air consumption and guarantees a higher efficient weft insertion. The new reed tunnel shape and new position of the relay nozzle which optimize the air flow in the reed channel for a higher efficiency weft insertion. The saving is also due to a reduced air pressure and to the single hole relay nozzle, which, at the same time, greatly reduces the need for maintenance of your Itema airjet weaving machine.

Cost saving and superior fabric quality are the keywords of another important innovation available on the Itema A9500p: the double tandem nozzles. The double tandem nozzles guarantee a perfect distribution of the pushing force on the weft using lower air pressure, thus leading to multiple benefits: reduced stress on the yarn allowing top fabric quality and the possibility to weave with lower pressure ensuring energy saving.

The Itema A9500p, featuring these advanced and denim-dedicated devices, ensures the weaver the possibility to weave faster, producing better fabrics and with a smarter usage of resources and will be running live during the exhibition days for your direct experience.

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: Itema

INX Implements Certified Business Management System With Integrated ISO Systems

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — November 30, 2017 — INX International Ink Co. has created an instrumental Certified Business Management System after successfully earning certification for three key safety standards.

Eight INX properties achieved certification for the latest ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 safety standards, in addition to establishing first-time certification to the OSHAS 18001:2007 safety standard. The eight facilities include the corporate office and Research & Development Center at separate locations in Chicago’s western suburbs, as well as manufacturing complexes in Appleton, Wis.; Charlotte, N.C.; Edwardsville, Kan.; Dunkirk, N.Y.; and two in Illinois – Homewood and West Chicago.

“The OSHAS 18001 standard will automatically carry over to ISO 45001 in 2018, and INX will have the OSHAS 18001 certification transferred during the next re-assessment cycle,” remarked David Maternowski, INX VP of Business Management Systems. “This process began in mid-2016 and was important for us to achieve. The safety standard is desired by manufacturing facilities looking to implement legitimate systems to enhance employee safety.”

OHSAS 18001 was developed to be compatible with ISO 9001:2008 (for quality), and ISO 14001:2004 (for environmental) in order to facilitate the integration of quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems by organizations. Some advantages of an effective OHSAS management system include: establishing and maintaining a commitment to occupational health and safety; demonstrates a strong commitment to safety excellence; and having organizational structures in place with clear roles and responsibilities.

The Certified Business Management System comes at an opportune time. INX recently broke ground on new construction at the Research & Development center in West Chicago that will double its space when completed in July 2018. The project is part of a multi-year capital improvements program. INX opened a new manufacturing facility in Lebanon, Ohio, in 2015, expanded the metal decorating plant in Charlotte in 2016, and doubled the size of the Edwardsville manufacturing facility earlier this year. Parent company Sakata INX in Japan continues to build new or expand facilities throughout Asia.

“Continuous improvement has always been the goal, not just gaining certifications. Our mission remains that to make a quality pound of ink, we will provide an environmentally sound facility and keep our employees safe every time,” continued Maternowski. “Going forward, our work has just begun. The detailed external audit we performed has produced a number of improvement recommendations that our Quality Group will address in a timely manner. This includes root cause analysis, planning and the implementation of real solutions.”

Posted November 30, 2017

Source: INX International Ink Co.

CEOs Gather At TRSA Healthcare Conference

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — November 29, 2017—Nearly 25 CEOs and senior executives from North America’s largest healthcare linen, uniform and facility services companies participated in a roundtable during the recent TRSA Healthcare Conference in Salt Lake City. Facilitated by TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci, the CEOs, representing organizations responsible for processing more than 70 percent of healthcare linens, scrubs, uniforms, garments and other reusable textiles, discussed issues and trends including:

  • Processing hygienically clean healthcare textiles (HCTs) and infection control;
  • Improving crisis/disaster planning and response;
  • Opportunities to grow the market including Long-Term Care facilities;
  • Competition from OPLs and non-profit laundries; and
  • Consolidation of the healthcare sector.

Reflecting on media attention questioning laundry cleanliness and natural disasters across the country, TRSA Chair David Potack, Unitex, emphasized that “it is important to develop relationships and plans before a crisis. The process begins with a discussion of self-assessment and contingency planning including identifying stakeholders and communications.”

“There is a growing gap between purchasing and customer service,” said TRSA Healthcare Committee Chair Liz Remillong, Crothall. “Healthcare consolidation is forcing vendors to increasingly negotiate and contract with purchasing departments often removed from daily operations, creating confusion between customer requirements and expectations and contract stipulations. It is our job to educate and bridge this gap.”

The CEOs also discussed the importance of managing linen and minimizing its loss from theft and abuse, as well as recapturing market share of reusable textiles lost to disposables, particularly incontinent pads, barrier gowns and surgical scrubs. To recover, reusables’ value can be leveraged based on life-cycle assessments measuring environmental impact, waste reduction and costs.

“We must take every opportunity to proactively communicate and educate our customers,” observed Randy Bartsch of Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service, who chairs the Advisory Board for Hygienically Clean laundry certification. Linen, uniform and facility services operators are well versed in “infection prevention and other issues related to our proven laundering processes, safety and certifications,” Bartsch noted, with environmental services and nursing staff among primary targets for such communication.

Participating CEOs/Executives

  • Randy Bartsch, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service, Seattle-Tacoma;
  • Bob Brill and Greg Shames, Medico Linen Service, Los Angeles;
  • Brad Goldstrom, Ameritex Services, Omaha, Neb.;
  • Christian Luneburg and Ron Seaman, Florida Linen Services, Pompano Beach, Fla.;
  • Karl Fillip, NOVO Health Services, Atlanta;
  • Ben Fox, Alsco Inc., Salt Lake City;
  • Ed Hazard, Kleen Laundry, Lebanon, N.H.;
  • Tim Higdon, Faultless Healthcare Linen, Kansas City, Mo.;
  • Jesse Jassny, MediCleanse Linen Service, Seattle-Renton;
  • Leonard McCullough, Linen King, Tulsa, Okla.;
  • Tim Montague, Foussard Montague Associates, St. Paul, Minn.;
  • Brain Polatsek, EcoBrite Linen, Skokie, Ill.;
  • David Potack and Michael Potack, Unitex, Elmsford, N.Y.;
  • Judy Reino, Reino Linen Service, Gibsonburg, Ohio;
  • Liz Remillong, Crothall Healthcare, Chesterbrook, Pa.;
  • John Shoemaker, General Linen & Uniform Service, Detroit;
  • David Stern, Paris Cos., DuBois, Pa.; and
  • Cary Wood, Angelica Corp., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.

Posted November 29, 2017

Source: TRSA

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