Columbia Sportswear Activates Microsoft Cloud To Strengthen Consumer Engagement

PORTLAND, Ore./REDMOND, Wash. — January 30, 2018 — Columbia Sportswear Co. and Microsoft Corp. have announced plans to collaborate on enhancing Columbia Sportswear’s global consumer experience and drive its digital transformation using intelligent cloud technology.

As consumers continue to change the way they engage with brands, Columbia Sportswear is working to deliver a more personalized, seamless experience to those consumers by leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365 and the Microsoft Azure cloud platform for its retail, call center, customer relationship management and merchandising operations. With a single, holistic view of its consumer and improved omnichannel capabilities, Columbia Sportswear will be able to personalize engagement at every touchpoint by providing employees with enhanced digital tools and information across its global customer relationship management database. Columbia Sportswear also intends to use Dynamics 365 and Azure to gain greater consumer insights and business intelligence through every consumer interaction, whether through its wholesale businesses, brick-and-mortar retail stores, ecommerce experiences or mobile channels.

“At Columbia, we have a long history of leveraging innovative technologies to help connect active people with their passions,” said Michael Hirt, chief information officer at Columbia Sportswear. “This practice extends not just to our products, but across every aspect of our business. Through our collaboration with Microsoft, we’re implementing intelligent cloud technology to streamline our global operations and provide additional flexibility and convenience to our consumers.”

In addition, Columbia Sportswear will be able to manage merchandise globally and streamline operations with increased efficiency, providing the ability to garner valuable insights and improved business intelligence through customized reporting and analytics. Columbia Sportswear is implementing these innovations through Microsoft’s flexible, agile development platform, Visual Studio Team Services, and creating revolutionary data platforms at scale with Azure data services and integration platforms.

“Established in 1938, Columbia Sportswear is setting itself up to be an industry leader for another 80 years,” said Judson Althoff, executive vice president, Worldwide Commercial Business, Microsoft. “Columbia Sportswear will leverage Microsoft’s intelligent cloud to connect data, people and processes globally to deliver personalized shopping experiences for its customers.”

Posted January 30, 2018

Source: Microsoft Corp.

SAS Enriches AI Offerings With New Machine Learning And Natural Language Processing Software

CARY, N.C. — January 30, 2018 — SAS is making it easier for customers to build artificial intelligence (AI) solutions by leveraging machine learning, deep learning, text analytics, forecasting and statistics. Its latest SAS® Platform release includes a new offering, SAS Visual Text Analytics, and significant enhancements to SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning. They both take advantage of the new capabilities available in SAS Viya®.

Recent adopters of SAS Viya analytics products include the American Red Cross; Cisco; Klingel Group, the second-largest traditional online fashion and apparel company in Germany, represented in 12 European countries; and Munich Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurers.

What’s New?

SAS Visual Text Analytics extracts value from unstructured data using the combined power of natural language processing (NLP), machine learning and linguistic rules. It addresses business challenges across industries, including managing and interpreting notes, assessing risk and fraud, and using customer feedback for early detection of problems. Capabilities of SAS Visual Text Analytics include text mining, contextual extraction, categorization, sentiment analysis and search within a modern and flexible framework. The software allows users to prepare data for analysis, visually explore topics, build text models and deploy them within existing systems or business processes. Users can quickly analyze large volumes of data using predefined templates and integrate the output of text analytics with other machine learning and forecasting techniques.

The new release of SAS Visual Data Mining and Machine Learning offers an end-to-end visual environment that covers all aspects of machine learning and deep learning — from data access and data wrangling to sophisticated model building and deployment. In-memory, distributed processing provides faster answers to critical business questions and more efficient use of valuable data and skilled staff. It also supports programming from popular open source languages like Python and R.

One of the hallmarks of this release of the SAS Platform is a web interface that unifies the entire analytics life cycle, helping cross-divisional teams collaborate. Now, all activity — from data preparation, to interactive discovery and exploration to model building and deployment — is supported from a single, visual interface. This tightly integrated environment speeds the production of modern machine learning algorithms that can, for example, build more profitable customer relationships, fight fraud and effectively manage risk.

“With SAS combining advanced analytics, model deployment, data preparation and visualization into one platform, users are now able to go through all the stages of the analytics process without the need to switch from software product to product,” said Dan Vesset, group vice president for Analytics and Information Management Research at IDC. “After previewing the SAS Platform updates, incorporating the latest statistical, machine learning, deep learning and text analysis algorithms and supporting open source languages, it’s apparent that SAS is going to continue as a leading analytics as well as cognitive/AI platform provider for years to come.”

Munich Re enables more users, expands deep learning capabilities 
”As an early adopter, Munich Re has played a key role in helping us shape our new solutions and platform,” said Saurabh Gupta, director of Analytics Products at SAS. “While working with them, we heard that the new release unifies their analytics infrastructure and enables users of varying skill sets to collaborate to solve the organization’s challenges faster. Customer feedback has always been instrumental in helping SAS release world-class products.”

As a reinsurer with worldwide operations, Munich Re has access to massive amounts of data that are pulled into a centralized environment. Being able to use SAS to run sophisticated machine learning algorithms on big data within a collaborative user interface will allow the company to gain analytic insights to quickly address business challenges and serve clients. Plus, having access to embedded AI capabilities and the latest deep learning algorithms helps the company to stay at the leading edge of what is possible with analytics.

“The newest version of SAS allows all our users to quickly get started and collaborate with a unified and visual interface,” said Wolfgang Hauner, chief data officer at Munich Re. “We like that it allows those who aren’t as familiar with SAS to code in Python and R and run the same actions in the same platform. It is both in tune with the end-to-end needs of an advanced data scientist and is also convenient for beginners. This ability to appeal to data scientists and non-coders will allow multiple users and teams to explore and analyze the same data, making the data discovery and model-building process more collaborative.”

Posted January 30, 2018

Source: SAS

Arvinyl To Undertake A Strategic Acquisition

CORONA, Calif. — January 30, 2018 — Arvinyl Laminates, a premier manufacturer of custom laminate products and solutions in North America, has launched a process to supplement current organic growth momentum with strategic acquisitions.

Arvinyl is a Corona Calif.-based, privately held independent company with a 40-year history producing adhesive laminates that enhance and protect interior and exterior finishes. With its strong pedigree in the automotive industry, Arvinyl sells into the heavy-duty truck market, commercial roofing and marine markets.

“Arvinyl is ready to take advantage of a well-capitalized balance sheet to successfully expand our core business with strategic acquisitions that will further evolve our product portfolio and allow us to enter new markets,” said CEO Andrew N. Paskin. W”e recognize that acquisitions will strengthen our already-vibrant business and lead to opportunities for companies interested in participating in an accelerated growth trajectory.”

Arvinyl is an ISO 9000:2008 certified company and continues to grow and develop new materials and eco-friendly, innovative adhesive technologies. Arvinyl materials are very durable with a superior bond strength and are available in a variety of colors, patterns and textures. In recent years its product suite has expanded, penetrating new markets. These markets include healthcare, architectural, retail and hospitality. Focused on best-in-class quality, combined with outstanding on-time delivery figures, Arvinyl continues to exceed customer expectations.

Posted January 30, 2018

Source: Arvinyl Laminates

Grupo Antolin Establishing Three Separate Facilities In Spartanburg County

COLUMBIA, S.C. — January 23, 2018 — Grupo Antolin, a designer and manufacturer of components for the automotive industry, is launching new operations in Spartanburg County by establishing three separate facilities. The $50 million investment is expected to create more than 150 new jobs over the next five years.

Grupo Antolin offers high-value-added solutions for vehicle interiors, including overhead systems, doors, lighting, cockpits and interior trim. Headquartered in Spain, Grupo Antolin is an international automotive supplier with 149 plants in 26 countries.

With three different locations across Spartanburg County, the company’s new operations will manufacture doors and hard trim for several automotive firms. Hiring for the new positions is currently underway, and interested applicants should visit the company’s careers page online.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project.

“This investment strengthens Grupo Antolin’s commitment to the U.S., one of the world’s most important markets for the automotive sector,” said Pablo Baroja, NAFTA regional president, Grupo Antolin. “In 1994, Grupo Antolin founded its first production facility in Chicago; and, currently, the company has 13 production centers and a workforce of 4,500 people in the country.”

“Today’s announcement, and the 150 new jobs that come with it, will change the lives of South Carolinians in Spartanburg County,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “I’m proud to congratulate Grupo Antolin and look forward to watching them grow and thrive here for many years to come.”

“The automotive sector continues to be a real driver of our state’s manufacturing industry and our economy as a whole,” said S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “When companies like Grupo Antolin choose to locate here, it not only creates jobs and wealth for South Carolinians, but also enhances our reputation as a global automotive powerhouse.”

“Grupo Antolin represents another great example of a local expansion contributing to the automotive supply chain and manufacturing ecosystem of Spartanburg and the region,” said David Britt, Spartanburg County Economic Development Committee chairman and Economic Futures Group Board Member. “Their continued success is a testament to the strength of the company and the strength of the Spartanburg business environment.”

FAST FACTS

  • Grupo Antolin is establishing three separate facilities in Spartanburg County;
  • $50 million investment to create more than 150 new jobs;
  • Grupo Antolin is a designer and manufacturer of components for automotive interiors; and
  • With three different locations across Spartanburg County, the company’s new operations will manufacture doors and hard trim for several automotive firms.

Posted January 29, 2018

Source: South Carolina Department of Commerce

President Of Perry Ellis, Melissa Worth Joins Bottomless Closet Board Of Directors

NEW YORK CITY — January 29, 2018 — Bottomless Closet today announced that Melissa Worth, president of Perry Ellis at Perry Ellis International, has joined its Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to have Melissa join our Board,” said Bottomless Closet Executive Director Melissa Norden. “To have a woman in such an esteemed leadership role at a major fashion brand is an incredible source of inspiration for us. Combined with her passion for empowering women, we know she will be an invaluable resource for our organization.”

Worth became the President of Perry Ellis in 2017, where she is responsible for driving the overall brand strategy by leading sales, merchandising, planning and other divisions that factor into the brand’s growing success. In her eleven years at Perry Ellis, Worth cultivated the brand’s relationships with key retail partners and built a team that shares the same drive and passion she holds for the menswear company.

“Inside and outside of the workplace, I’ve always strived to be an advocate for women. It’s an honor to join Bottomless Closet in their mission to provide women with the tools they need to succeed,” said Worth. “I am eager to work with the many talented and dedicated women already serving this distinguished organization.”

Prior to joining Perry Ellis, Worth held leadership positions at Puma and TJX, which included an immersive executive training program. An industry veteran, Worth first discovered her inherent passion for retail when she held positions as Store Manager at Esprit and Filene’s.

Worth holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami and sits on its President’s Council. She is also a sponsor for the New York Fashion Tech Lab, which connects women-led fashion focused technology companies with leading fashion retailers and brands. She is also a mentor for WOMEN Unlimited Inc., as well as a judge for the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund.

Posted January 29, 2018

Source: Bottomless Closet

Epson Robots to Demonstrate Innovative and Highly Efficient Robotics Solutions For The Factory Automation Industry At ATX West

CARSON, Calif. — January 29, 2018 —Epson Robots will be showcasing unique, innovative, high precision robotics solutions designed for maximum efficiency and productivity for a wide variety of applications in factory automation at the Automation Technology show, ATX West.

The showcase will feature the new T3 All-in-One SCARA robot, the Flexion™ N2 6-Axis robot as well other high precision robots for small parts assembly in industries ranging from automotive and medical development, to lab automation, consumer electronics, electronic components and industrial.

Epson will also lead a discussion on how to get started on automation.

The new T3 All-in-One SCARA robot comes with a built-in controller, a new technology feature that reduces space requirements and simplifies setup at an ultra-low cost. It offers an easy-to-install and fast integration solution perfect for simple applications such as pick and place, assembly, parts handling and dispensing. It is ideal for customers looking to automate their factory without wasting time or money on complex slide-based solutions.

The Flexion N2 6-Axis space-saving robot features the world’s first compact folding arm design which reduces required workspace up to 40 percent compared to standard 6-Axis robots similar in size and payload capability. It meets the increasingly high demands for efficient movement and precise placement and offers a tight-space motion capability for applications in advanced manufacturing that need smaller robots and workcells.

The G6 SCARA robot delivers fast cycle times, perfect for applications that require high speed and/or high precision. It features a high-rigidity arm design, which helps reduce vibration and deliver fast speeds and high precision with no overshoot or ringing. The Max-E envelope design delivers maximum motion range, allowing the robot to do jobs that normally require much larger arms. The smaller footprint translates to less factory space requirements and lower overall factory costs, helping manufacturers to stay competitive.

The C8 6-Axis provides high performance in a slimline design. Compact, yet powerful, with high repeatability and fast cycle times, C8 robots are ideal for demanding applications requiring 6-Axis dexterity. Featuring a compact wrist for efficient motion in tight spaces, a long arm for greater reach, and a compact elbow for optimum workcell layout, these robots have a wide range of motion, so parts can be accessed from virtually any angle.

Center Stage Presentation

Rick Brookshire, Group Product Manager Epson Robots, will present “The Starting Point for Robot Automation: A Beginner’s Tour.” This presentation will serve well as a starting point for those new to automation. Attendees will come away with a good understanding on how to get started with robotics in automation and the key aspects to consider.

ATX East takes place from February 6-8, 2018.

Epson’s presentation takes place on Wednesday February 7 from 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m. on the Center Stage.

Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif., Epson booth 4109

Posted January 29, 2018

Source: Epson America

Saturnian I® Introduces High Tech Carbon Fiber Design In A New Grip Zone® Line Of Sport Balls

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — January 29, 2018 — New! 2018 Spring Outdoor & Active play! Saturnian I® is adding to our ever popular Fun Gripper® sport ball line by launching the new Grip Zone® Carbon Fiber Design Series — Footballs, Soccer Balls and Soft Flying Disc.

Grip Zone Carbon Fiber series includes two size footballs 8.5 inch or 10.5 inch with black Carbon Fiber design composite material and our foam matrix surface that makes this football the easiest to grasp, throw and catch! Perfect spirals every throw. Also comes in an 8 inch Soccer Ball Size (4) and 9 inch Soft Flying Disc. The unique materials make this football non-threatening and safe for team sports or recreational play. Proper hand placement is easy with this unique traditional design! These footballs are very durable and easy to grip with small hands when learning to throw and catch a football. Perfect size balls for family recreation and athletes of all levels.

Suggested retail $14.99 to $24.99

Features:

  • NEW! Carbon Fiber Design By: Saturnian I;
  • Provides excellent ball control;
  • Double-laces;
  • Tactile Grip Zone® covering allows easy throwing and catching;
  • Buytl Bladder provides maximum air retention. Waterproof plays anywhere;
  • Ages: 6 to Adult.

Posted January 29, 2018

Source: Saturnian I Inc.

ascena retail group Announces President Of dressbarn

MAHWAH, N.J. — January 29, 2018 — Ascena Retail Group Inc., announced today that Erin Stern has been promoted to president of Dressbarn.

“Erin brings extraordinary strategic, branding and merchandising capabilities that will complement our current leadership team,” said Gary Muto, president and CEO of ascena Brands. “I’ve known Erin from our work together at ascena, but also when our career paths crossed at Gap Inc. She is an extremely talented leader with a passion for product, brand and our customer.”

Stern spent the majority of her career at Gap Inc. where she held senior leadership roles across multiple product categories. She was also the chief merchant for Juicy Couture and president of bebe Sport. Prior to naming her president of Dressbarn, Stern served as executive vice president-chief merchandising officer for Maurices. Stern received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Tulane University in New Orleans, La.

“It’s always energizing to promote from within, especially with a candidate who has Erin’s drive, tenacity and product expertise,” said David Jaffe, chairman and CEO of the ascena retail group.

“I’m excited to work alongside this talented team,” Stern said. “The combination of this brand’s strong history, combined with its niche in the market, make us uniquely positioned to play a more meaningful role in our customer’s lives.”

Posted January 29, 2018

Source: ascena retail group

Applied DNA, GHCL And Reliance Industries, Launch CertainT® Recycled PET In Bedding Products At New York Home Fashions Week March 2018

STONY BROOK, N.Y. — January 29, 2018 — Applied DNA Sciences Inc. today announced it is collaborating with GHCL Ltd., a global manufacturer of home textiles, and Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), India’s largest private sector company and the first to feature in Fortune’s Global 500 list of “World’s Largest Corporations,” to launch CertainT® verified recycled PET (rPET) bedding products at New York Home Fashions week, to be held from March 19-22, 2018.

Fully source-verified, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET post-consumer) is the clear plastic best known for packaging bottled water, and is the most widely recycled plastic in the world. GHCL will use Applied DNA’s CertainT platform in connection with PET- and/or recycled PET-blended bed sheets, pillowcases, and shams sold in-store or online in the United States. RIL is collaborating with GHCL and Applied DNA as the preferred fiber-manufacturing partner to use the CertainT platform for authenticity of recycled PET in bed sheets, pillowcases, and shams.

RIL, the largest integrated producer of polyester fibre and yarn in the world, manufacturers the most ecofriendly fibers in the world, Recron® Green Gold fibers and Recron® Green Gold Dope-Dyed (EcoD) Fibers & Tow, which are manufactured via ecofriendly processes of the highest standard. These fibers have been granted the “Global Recycle Standard” from the internationally recognized Control Union Certificates, Netherland.

Hemant Sharma, sector head – Polyester, RIL said: “RIL is the only company that has created a complete circle from creation of PET resin for making bottles, collection of discarded PET bottles, and converting them to Recron Green Gold Eco Friendly Polyester fibres for use by the downstream textile value chain that converts the fibers in to apparel and home textiles.”

Sharma continued: “Recron® Green Gold fibers and tow demonstrate the lowest carbon footprint number and meet the most stringent environmental criteria for being a green fiber. The collaboration with Applied DNA and GHCL for making forensic science based Recron® Green Gold fiber further bolsters our thrust on quality and persuasion for highest standards.”

“Consistent with global sustainability and the circular economy, we provide the first fully source-verified recycled PET bedding product line using CertainT, Applied DNA’s proprietary traceability system that tags, tests, tracks the original r-PET pellets to finished products,” said Manu Kapur, president and CEO, GHCL Home Textiles. “We produce a wide range of synthetic yarns from polyester, viscose and other high-end yarns which now utilize the CertainT system for full traceability. The ability to source and buy CertainT yarns made from verified recycled PET fiber is a unique offering that GHCL can provide to customers globally.”

GHCL operates its home textiles facility in Vapi in the state of Gujarat, India. The facility overseas the production process from spinning to weaving to finished processed fabric, which is then made into duvet sets, sheet sets, comforters, to name a few. As one of the leading manufacturers in home textiles in India, the plant boasts an annual production capacity of 36 million meters of finished fabric per annum. GHCL’s home textile products are predominantly exported worldwide to USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and other European Union countries as well. On October 25, 2017, GHCL was presented with the Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance in London.

“CertainT does what no other system can do – we can tag every single fiber and verify them through a defined and secure supply chain through systematic sampling, testing and tracking,” said Dr. James Hayward, president and CEO of Applied DNA. “Momentum with retailers and manufacturers across a variety of textiles is growing; we are pleased to see the CertainT platform and trademark now making its way onto retail shelves this year, giving consumers what they want.”

Posted January 29, 2018

Source: Applied DNA Sciences

PPG Foundation Invests More Than $600,000 In Science And Engineering Programs At 11 Universities In 2017

PITTSBURGH — January 29, 2018 — PPG today announced that the PPG Foundation completed grants totaling more than $600,000 to 11 universities considered premier institutions in the disciplines of polymer science and engineering, chemical engineering, materials science and synthetic organic chemistry. The 2017 grants were made on behalf of PPG’s corporate science and technology function.

The grants supported an array of programs and initiatives, including graduate student fellowships, symposiums and conferences, scholarships, mentorship programs and other initiatives at the following universities:

  • California Polytechnic State University;
  • Carnegie Mellon University;
  • North Dakota State University;
  • Northwestern University;
  • Penn State University;
  • University of Michigan;
  • University of Akron;
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
  • University of Massachusetts, Amherst;
  • University of Pittsburgh; and
  • University of Wisconsin.

“PPG and the PPG Foundation are committed to supporting the development of the next generation of chemists and engineers, who will create tomorrow’s innovative technologies,” said Mike Makowski, PPG senior research associate.

PPG and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested more than $10.5 million in 2017, supporting hundreds of community organizations across 29 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today’s skilled workforce and develop tomorrow’s innovators in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving.

Posted January 29, 2018

Source: PPG

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