Management Buyout Of DuraFiber Technologies (DFT) In Bad Hersfeld Announced

BAD HERSFELD, Germany — October 9, 2017 — As of last week, DuraFiber Technologies (DFT) GmbH in Bad Hersfeld operates as stand-alone company. As a result of a management buyout, in combination with a strategic investor, the plant is now owned by a newly formed parent company.

The strategic investor owns the premises and buildings DuraFiber Technologies GmbH in Bad Hersfeld is operating in. Together with Ralph Van Loo, who also is shareholder, they will design the future of our esteemed plant. Ralph Van Loo will remain his position as CEO and will continue the strategic path forward which was started last year. The plant in Bad Hersfeld has now a sharper focus and greater financial strengths to keep the leading position for high quality filaments.

Since 1966, the plant in Bad Hersfeld has remained at the forefront of the industrial fibers and fabrics industry, developing next-generation technologies and products for a variety of applications with focus is on delivering the very best service to our global customers. DuraFiber Technologies Bad Hersfeld industry-leading portfolio includes high tenacity multifilament yarns manufactured from PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) and PBT (polybutylene terephalate). Our wide range of products are used in applications requiring high strength, from architectural design to seat belt yarns, from MRG to sewing threads and specialty applications.

Consequently this step will bring us into a sustainable position to fully focus on all specific activities and the potential related to our site in Bad Hersfeld. We are confident that this strategic change will further strengthen our relationship to all our partners and will be key for positioning us to manage the current and future market dynamics.

In order to position our new strategic alliance, we will change our name in the near future and will advise accordingly.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: DuraFiber Technologies GmbH

Dassault Falcon Jet Digitalizes Its End-to-End Interior Design Value Chain

PARIS — October 2017 —  Lectra is empowering Dassault Falcon Jet to exceed the expectations of its clientele with faster turnaround times and enhanced quality.

A Customer-Driven Business Transformation

Marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation building the most advanced business jets on the market, Dassault Falcon Jet has earned a reputation as the finest aircraft company in the world. The company focuses on high-quality production to personalize business jets meeting customers’ exacting requirements. The process begins in France, where the airframe, engine and avionics are assembled, ending in Little Rock, where the aircraft is finished with a custom livery and interior hand-crafted to precise specifications.

Due to their customers’ ability to change interior design specifications during completion, Dassault Falcon Jet needed greater flexibility to meet customer requests faster and more efficiently. Design for manufacturability is a major consideration due to aggressive cost targets and a chief reason behind the company’s digital specification-to-delivery process—the most advanced in the industry.

The Little Rock upholstery shop has recently undergone significant reorganization to align the production of aircraft interiors with the digital specification-to-delivery process. After first streamlining its design studio with DesignConcept® 3D design and costing software, Dassault Falcon Jet turned once more to Lectra to revolutionize its cutting room with acquisition of a Versalis® digital leather cutting solution.

A First Major Change With 3-D Design And Prototyping

Before working with Lectra, Dassault Falcon Jet used 2-D software for the design and development of aircraft seating. The upholstery shop’s highly manual prototyping process did not capitalize on the company’s use of 3-D data and often resulted in inconsistent quality.

Following a successful proof of concept, Dassault Falcon Jet progressively implemented six DesignConcept workstations, laying the foundation for a fully digital development process. Rollout of DesignConcept design and virtual prototyping solution enabled the customer to iterate into 3D designs directly, eliminating the need to make as many physical mock-ups.

FROM Digital Design TO A Full-Fledged Digital Value Chain

Following Dassault Falcon Jet’s switch to 3-D design and prototyping, the company turned its efforts to increasing efficiency and productivity in the upholstery shop. Acquisition of a Versalis has enabled the customer to extend the digital value chain from seat design through to leather cutting execution. Now Dassault Falcon Jet can develop patterns using DesignConcept prototyping software and directly export 3-D data into the Versalis digital leather cutting solution.

Powered by data intelligence and advanced cut preparation software, Versalis eliminates variation and reduces the number of over-cuts to optimize yield on expensive full-grain leather. The advanced cutting technology incorporates hide scanning and laser projection to give operators a high degree of control over the placement of parts. By eliminating the deformation of cut parts, Dassault Falcon Jet has achieved a substantial improvement in quality. Leather cut execution is now more accurate, with a rate of rejected pieces approaching zero. The upholstery shop’s leather yield has furthermore increased from 5 percent to 10 percent.

A Smoother Overall Process For The Production Of Custom Interiors

With the addition of Versalis, Dassault Falcon Jet now benefits from an end-to-end digital process, with 3D design and prototyping, direct merging of data and digital cutting. The fully automated Versalis enables Dassault Falcon Jet to deliver within budget by cutting costs, improving productivity and minimizing waste. Because flexibility is even more important to the production of one-off custom interiors than to serial manufacturing, digitalization has enabled the company to both expedite operations and reinforce its reputation as a world-class aircraft manufacturer.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: Lectra

INX International Ink Co. Begins West Chicago R&D Expansion

SCHAUMBURG, IL — October 10, 2017 — On Opening Day of the SGIA Expo in New Orleans, INX International Ink Co. announced plans to expand its iconic Research & Development complex in West Chicago, IL. When completed in July 2018, the facility will more than double its current space to 56,000 square-feet.

The new construction in West Chicago represents continuation of an aggressive, multi-year capital improvements program. INX opened a new manufacturing facility in Lebanon, OH in 2015, completed expansion of the metal decorating plant ln Charlotte, NC in 2016, and doubled the size of an existing manufacturing plant in Edwardsville, KS earlier this year. Parent company Sakata INX in Japan is following a similar path, building new or expanding facilities throughout Asia.

Since the West Chicago R&D complex opened in 1996, overall activity and the number of chemists working on site has increased dramatically as a result of significant business growth, says Rick Westrom, Senior Vice President of Sourcing and R&D.

“We have experienced sales growth and production in many areas, and a major reason for this expansion is our commitment to global digital efforts. A large portion is being dedicated to growing and supporting digital products across all product lines, as well as expanding our Energy Curable technologies.”

Westrom indicated the $7 million project construction would add 32,000 square-feet to the facility. INX currently employs 62 people in West Chicago and will be adding more chemists after the new space becomes available.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: INX International Ink Co.

Porcher Industries Acquires Entire Operation Of P-D Interglas Technologies From Preiss Daimler Group

BADINIERES, France — October 2017 — Porcher Industries has completed the acquisition of Interglas Technologies’ operation including all business operations, workforce resources, assets, infrastructure and brand rights from the Preiss Daimler Group. Interglas Technologies GmbH is a German producer of technical fabrics for aeronautic, industrial, electrical and building applications.  This transaction will reinforce Porcher Industries’ position as a leading global manufacturer of technical textiles.

Interglas Technologies GmbH has more than 50 years experience in the manufacturing and innovation of glass, carbon, basalt, aramid and other synthetic fabrics. Headquartered in Germany with production facilities in Erbach, the company is a key supplier of technical fabrics both within Germany and worldwide.

With a vast product range that complements Porcher Industries’ offering in terms of technology, region and application, this acquisition represents a strategic step in the company’s long-term plans to extend both the technical and production capacity for high quality technical textiles, particularly glass fiber fabrics.

The transition from P-D Interglas Technologies GmbH to Porcher Industries Germany, will start beginning of October, with the current highly experienced Interglas workforce of 155 moving across from this point too.

Andre Genton, CEO, Porcher Industries commented: “We are immensely proud to have completed this acquisition. As a respected competitor for over 40 years, we hold the company’s experience, technology and reputation in high regard. Porcher Industries will be even better positioned to serve and innovate and we look forward to continuing Interglas’ tradition of delivering excellence”.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: BGF Industries

PrimaLoft Inc. Partners With Victor Capital Partners To Accelerate Its Growth Strategy

LATHAM, N.Y. — October 10, 2017 — PrimaLoft Inc. — a materials science company specializing in advanced branded technical products including insulation, fabric, and yarn for outdoor, fashion, and other industries — today announced the completion of a management-led transaction to recapitalize the business and to help the rapidly growing company invest in innovative technologies to meet growing consumer demand. The new investor group is led by private equity firm Victor Capital Partners in partnership with the private equity group at Allstate. PrimaLoft management will continue to maintain a significant investment in the business. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Latham, N.Y., PrimaLoft is a leader in research and development of high performance materials for leading outdoor and fashion brands, as well as work wear, hunting, home furnishings and military applications. Originally developed in the 1980s for the U.S. army as a water-resistant, synthetic alternative to down insulation, PrimaLoft® is today recognized as a leading consumer ingredient brand.  With a focus on innovation, the company has expanded its product line into a broad array of comfort solutions that are recognized by consumers and brand partners for being lightweight, warm, water-resistant, comfortable, soft, breathable, durable, eco-friendly, and animal-friendly. The company was previously owned by Prudential Capital Group.

“This is an incredible opportunity to enhance the future of PrimaLoft,” said Mike Joyce, president and chief executive officer of PrimaLoft.  “In recent years, we have enjoyed significant growth and further established PrimaLoft as a leading consumer ingredient brand that partners with many of the best outdoor, fashion, and home furnishings companies in the world.  Our new partnership with Victor Capital will provide the capital, commitment and operating support to drive our technological innovation and market development to new levels.”

“We would like to thank Prudential Capital Group for the tremendous support they have provided the Company over the past five years,” said Joyce. “They have been an exceptional partner and a great steward of the business, helping to drive the strategies that have underpinned our growth and position us well for the future.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Mike Joyce and the talented team at PrimaLoft and bringing our experience working with valuable consumer brands to the company,” said Douglas Korn, managing partner of Victor Capital.  “The strong and growing reputation of the PrimaLoft brand and the company’s history of leadership in developing innovative technologies offer an exciting platform for continued growth.  We look forward to helping the management team propel the company to new levels of success.”

About Victor Capital Partners
Victor Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity firm that invests in branded businesses with compelling growth potential in the industrial and consumer sectors. Victor Capital’s focus areas include industrial manufacturing and technology, industrial and business services, and specialty consumer products and services. Victor Capital seeks to use its capital and resources to partner with companies that have valuable brands, solid foundations in technology, potential for add-on acquisitions, and attractive business and market trends and characteristics. The firm was founded in late 2015 by Douglas R. Korn, a private equity veteran who has been partnering with strong management teams to help build great companies since the late 1980s.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: PrimaLoft, Inc.

EFI Offers New LED, Textile And Flatbed Technology At SGIA Expo To Accelerate Competitive Advantage For Print Providers

NEW ORLEANS — October 10, 2017 — The Electronics For Imaging Inc. (EFI) exhibit at SGIA Expo shows how signage and graphics businesses can gain productivity and profitability advantages with a broad portfolio of digital production products, including the new EFI™ Pro 24f true flatbed LED printer shown for the very first time. EFI’s exhibit at the New Orleans tradeshow also includes an EFI Reggiani industrial textile digital printer making its North American debut. Plus, attendees can see a complete portfolio of production inkjet printers, workflow software and EFI Fiery® digital front end (DFE) technologies that help businesses drive a stronger competitive advantage.

Complete digital offerings for new growth opportunities

The EFI portfolio shown at SGIA Expo will help customers succeed in digital markets primed for continued growth. Customer Bill Stender, general manager of San Francisco-based graphics company SF Landmark, attended last year’s show to learn more about opportunities with textile-printed soft signage. That visit ultimately led him to acquiring an EFI VUTEk® FabriVU® 340 soft signage printer, an EFI Fiery proServer DFE, and EFI Digital StoreFront® technology for web-to-print ordering.

“I was very impressed with what EFI had to offer,” Stender said of his complete EFI production offering. “We’ve seen many of our professional customers moving into soft signage, and we believed we could bring our great reputation for quality and service to those customers to capture that volume, and that is proving to be true.”

Attendees at this year’s SGIA Expo can see how all of those technologies can be integrated — from online job submission to fast Fiery job processing, to high-end output on the 3.4-meter wide VUTEk FabriVU model — in EFI’s booth, #1501.

NEW: EFI Pro 24f LED flatbed printer

Visitors can also experience the latest advancements EFI has developed to fuel customers’ success in digital wide-format graphics production. The new Pro 24f LED flatbed printer launching at SGIA Expo is designed to give signage and graphics providers a sharp competitive edge. It contains the most powerful features, including EFI’s LED and variable drop grayscale head technology, and provides precision imaging, fine detail and outstanding image quality.

The printer, which has a 4×8-foot bed, prints in four colors plus white ink standard and is a highly strategic choice for signage, photographic backlit displays, art reproductions, membrane switches, graphic overlays, lenticular prints and other specialty applications up to 2 inches thick. Efficient hold-down with a multi-zone vacuum system eliminates masking while ensuring accurate registration for multiple over-prints or panels. EFI’s “cool cure” LED technology ensures low power consumption, minimal waste and compatibility with thinner and heat-sensitive substrates.

An EFI Fiery proServer Core DFE built into the printer features FAST RIP acceleration technology plus a host of color management and production options delivering a turnkey solution.

Affordable industrial digital textile production with the new FLEXY printer

For industrial apparel and décor textile applications, EFI is showcasing the new Reggiani ReNOIR FLEXY printer in its North American debut. The 1.8-meter wide printer delivers the high resolution and outstanding performance and results of larger Reggiani devices, yet it is affordable enough to allow nearly any business to get into industrial textile. It supports the widest variety of fabrics — from knitted to woven as well as low- and high-stretchable materials — using the printer’s new “Dynaplast” fabric adhesion device.

The printer incorporates the latest digital technologies for best-in-class performance, is easy to operate and has a low maintenance cost, making it an ideal solution for production and sampling alike. It also is the first EFI industrial textile printer to have a new green housing reflecting Reggiani’s brand heritage as well as the product line’s environmentally friendly production advantages, such an ink recovery feature that dramatically reduces ink consumption.

High-quality hybrid print for entry-level and high-volume production

The EFI Pro 16h LED wide-format hybrid roll/flatbed printer on display sets a new standard for entry-level production. This extremely affordable 65-inch wide Fiery Driven™ printer includes white ink and delivers a low total cost of ownership and superior image quality for a broad range of applications. It also has faster speeds than other EFI entry-level hybrid products, with some print modes offering up to a 30-percent higher throughput. The Pro 16h model is the winner of SGIA’s 2017 Product of the Year award for UV hybrid printers from $100,000 to $500,000, and it is available from EFI and a number of EFI partners, including two companies that are also exhibiting it at the show: Nazdar SourceOne® (booth #1545) and the Ricoh® Commercial & Industrial Printing Group (booth #1351).

Another hybrid product on display in the EFI booth, the EFI VUTEk LX3 Pro printer, is a 3.2-meter, eight-color, LED production device that helps companies perfect their premium-quality point-of-purchase (POP) business. Designed to deliver high throughput, higher volumes and shorter lead times, it prints up to 64 4×8-foot boards per hour in POP mode. Users benefit from the high image quality needed for premium retail work and, like the Pro 16h printer, its cool cure LED imaging reduces energy costs and gives access to more substrates, including heat-sensitive materials such as chipboard, foam and acrylics. Attendees can also witness a virtual reality demonstration of the EFI VUTEk HS125 Pro, a high-volume production hybrid inkjet press offering the productivity and low total cost of ownership needed to transition larger volumes of print from analog to digital printing.

Best-in-class print resolution and speed in roll-to-roll printing

EFI is also showcasing its next-generation line of VUTEk roll-to-roll printers, with the award-winning, 3.5-meter EFI VUTEk 3r LED printer on display at the show. This highly productive printer, with speeds up to 4,090 square feet per hour, has the highest resolution in its class, offering superior quality using EFI UltraDrop™ Technology 7-picoliter print heads.

Designed to be the industry’s most technically advanced LED roll-to-roll production offerings, EFI’s newest VUTEk printer line features an integrated production workflow that allows print professionals to do more work in less time. Users can choose a complete set of value-added options, including an inline finishing system for all-in-one printing, x-cutting, slitting and collecting, and additional white and light colors.

Integrated workflow in the ‘Journey of a Job’ for graphics production

EFI is bringing streamlined, simplified production workflows to the Big Easy with its advanced productivity software. Version 5 of the EFI Midmarket Print Suite, which includes EFI Pace™ as its core MIS/ERP software, drives end-to-end efficiencies for display, signage and graphics customers. Improvements include an upgrade to the Suite’s Superwide Format component database for easier estimating, planning and management in dedicated signage and graphics production printing environments, as well as a new, award-winning workbench tool and deeper integration with imposition and fulfillment components.

The end-to-end workflow possibilities shown at SGIA Expo extend to cross media marketing with EFI DirectSmile, a fully integrated marketing software solution for data-driven print, PURL, email, SMS, social media, mobile media and image personalization. The software enables customers to offer robust, customizable and flexible campaign management across multiple media, including traditional and soft signage.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: Electronics For Imaging

Green Light For A+A 2017: Sympatex And Diadora Utility To Present Their First Partner Products For Occupational Safety

MUNICH/UNTERFÖHRING, Germany — October 10, 2017 — Sympatex Technologies and Diadora Utility will present their first partner products at the A+A international occupational safety trade fair taking place in Düsseldorf from 17 to 20 October 2017. The first model series will be launched in the (occupational) safety shoes segment as the beginning of the cooperation with Diadory, the Italian shoe brand. The first occupational safety boots with the 100-percent waterproof and windproof as well as optimally breathable “guaranteed green” Sympatex membrane will be presented at the Sympatex booth (hall 11 booth A22).

Innovative Moisture-Tech® shoe technology by Sympatex

The new Italian shoe partner decided to use Moisture-Tech® by Sympatex right from the beginning of the cooperation with Sympatex. The highly functional shoe technology ensures optimal micro-climate and is in particular suitable for safety shoes. The extremely absorbent material guarantees that moisture is quickly wicked away from the foot. Due to the outward suction effect, it cannot reenter the inner lining offering the following benefits: high wear comfort and dry feet for maximum performance in all weathers.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: Sympatex Technologies

CHOMARAT Will Be At Kompozyt Expo In Crakow On October 11-12, 2017

LE CHEYLARD, France — October 10, 2017 — On October11-12, CHOMARAT will be at the Kompozyt Expo trade show in Crakow. Its carbon reinforcements will be used to build a kayak during a live demo with equipment manufacturer Magnum Venus Products (MVP). “This demonstration will prove that CHOMARAT reinforcements (fabrics and multiaxials) are effective in closed mould processes, like Flex Moulding, developed by MVP. The carbon fabric is easily laid up in a single step, with no need to reposition or cut it, which is a real advantage!” explains Vincent CHOLVY, Sales manager at CHOMARAT. (View the Demo at stand W68).

The Group’s distributor Polytor will also be exhibiting CHOMARAT products at its stand W41, where you can discover G-FLOW®, the structural flow-medium reinforcement developed for the infusion process, and “FX”, the latest range of adhesive reinforcements that facilitate reinforcement lay-up in the mould.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: CHOMARAT

DuPont Advanced Printing Highlights Additions to Ink Portfolio at SGIA

WILMINGTON, Del. — October 10, 2017 – DuPont Advanced Printing will highlight new additions to its innovative digital ink offerings this week during the SGIA show in New Orleans, Louisiana, from October 10-12, 2017.

At the show, DuPont will showcase its recently launched DuPont™ Artistri® Xite S2500 (medium viscosity) and S3500 (high viscosity) dye sublimation inks. Backed by more than 25 years of digital inkjet manufacturing and technical support, the innovative inks are now available for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and printers. They offer superior product consistency, jetting reliability and color print performance for printing on polyester textile substrates.

“We are happy to offer dye sublimation inks for a wide range of viscosities. This allows printers to enjoy the benefits of the strong black and vibrant colors that the Artistri brand offers regardless of what printhead they use,” said Sam Ponzo, regional director – Americas, DuPont Advanced Printing.

In 2016, DuPont Advanced Printing announced the launch of improved DuPont Artistri inks that will deliver brighter colors, shorter production cycles and higher production throughput for direct-to-garment and roll-to-roll digital printing.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: DuPont Advanced Printing (DuPont)

Preemie Diaper And Protective Underwear Products Are Finalists For Hygienix Innovation Award™ 2017

CARY, N.C. — October 10, 2017 – Comfort is a key benefit of the three engineered material products that are finalists for the Hygienix Innovation Award 2017 that will be selected by attendees of the premier absorbent hygiene and personal care event Nov. 6-9 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Texas.

Vying for the prestigious prize are Advanced Absorbent Technologies’ Alyne Protective Underwear, Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diaper and Procter & Gamble’s Pampers Swaddler Preemie Diapers.

Each uses nonwoven/engineered fabrics in a novel, technically sophisticated and uniquely creative and expansive way to make their products more comfortable for infants or adults wearing them.

Selected by technical industry experts and members of INDA who serve on the Technical Advisory Board, the voting will next move to the attendees of Hygienix 2017 who will choose their favorite after seeing the products and hearing presentations on Nov. 7.

The awards presentation will take place on November 9 at 12 p.m. and the event will also feature recognition of the winners of the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award and the INDA Lifetime Service Award.

Hygienix Innovation Award Finalists

The finalist products were selected from the applications submitted for their creativity, novelty of approach, uniqueness and technical sophistication. They are:

  • Advanced Absorbent Technologies’ Alyne Protective Underwear — This new product manages fluid absorption in protective underwear differently by using multiple layers of different superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) that absorb at different rates, from quick absorption to complete absorption without bulkiness. The SAP layers are diamond quilted in a pocketed structure, sandwiched between layers of polypropylene spunbond and then ultrasonically bonded together. This design can provide stability, excellent SAP absorbency management, thinness, dryness for more comfort and discretion that provides the wearer confidence through protection.
  • Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies Little Snugglers Nano Preemie Diaper — Designed specifically for babies weighing less than two pounds, each diaper is hand inspected to protect these fragile babies. To promote healthy growth and development, the product has gentle, specially-sized fasteners coupled with a narrow and flexible absorbent pad, providing a flexible fit so that baby can be comfortably and appropriately positioned. The soft, smooth liner and gentle leg gathers can keep baby dry without irritating fragile, underdeveloped skin.
  • Procter & Gamble Company’s Pampers Swaddler Preemie Diapers — The smallest babies can have the proper fit, tailored features and a soft touch with these diapers specially designed for premature infants with NICU nurses around the world. The “right-sized” diapers include customizable features that enable minimal disruption to care. The new micro-preemie P-3 is a size smaller than the P-2 micro-preemie, sized to fit babies less than 800g and includes improvements to the contour fit core, absorbency, fastening and gentle flex cuff.

Last year’s Hygienix Innovation Award was presented to Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE) for their Go! Pads, a banana fiber-based, low-cost feminine pad that sustainably delivers affordable hygiene for women and girls in Rwanda.

INDA Award Presentations

Another event highlight will be the presentation of two INDA awards. The Lifetime Technical Achievement Award will be presented Tuesday, November 7, to an INDA Member who has been in the industry for 20 years and significantly contributed to the technical advancement, commercial success or growth of the industry through technical training of groups and individuals or authoring innovative technical publications and papers. It was presented posthumously in 2016 to nonwovens educator and consultant, Dr. Edward A. Vaughn.

The Lifetime Service Award will be presented Wed., November 8, to an INDA Member with a long-established record of service to the association and the industry as a whole for over 20 years. Last year’s recipient was Bob Dale, Vice President Capital Engineering Group, Berry Global Group, Inc.

Hygienix will provide attendees with opportunities to connect with more than 500 global business leaders shaping the industry, including many who work in technical roles. This year’s event features 24 compelling presentations, two panel discussions and more than 15 hours of scheduled face-to-face informal breakfasts, coffee breaks and receptions, as well as tabletop displays.

Posted October 10, 2017

Source: INDA

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