Drexel To Host Pennsylvania’s Center For Advanced Fabric Manufacturing Innovation

PHILADELPHIA — November 14, 2017 — The Department of Defense’s effort to bring America to the forefront of textile technology manufacturing and innovation is gaining a strategic foothold in the region. Drexel University, in collaboration with DoD-supported Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), is establishing a statewide center that will help companies, entrepreneurs and innovators take their advanced-textile concepts from prototype to product and prepare America’s workforce for the quality jobs this growing sector is generating. Called the “Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery Center,” this statewide resource is the first hub located outside of AFFOA’s home state of Massachusetts. It will be part of a national network intended to lower the barrier to commercialization for functional fabrics, resulting in advanced textiles that do things like see, hear, sense, communicate, generate and store energy.

“The Fabric Discovery Center will build upon Pennsylvania’s rich textile history and bring together academic and industrial expertise statewide to create an ecosystem that supports innovation, collaboration and education,” said Genevieve Dion, an associate professor in Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, founder of the Shima Seiki Haute Tech Lab at ExCITe and director of Drexel’s Center For Functional Fabrics. “The Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery Center will help promote the growth of advanced manufacturing in the region.”

As part of the Advanced Functional Fabrics of America strategy, Fabric Discovery Centers will open across the country to stimulate economic growth in the functional fabrics sector. Similar centers are now in place in Massachusetts: the AFFOA Fabric Discovery Center Headquarters, in Cambridge, Massachusetts; the Defense Fabric Discovery Center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Lab; and the University of Massachusetts Lowell Fabric Discovery Center, which will open in early 2018.

Pennsylvania’s Fabric Discovery Center will have a physical home at Drexel’s innovation-driven economic development venture with Brandywine Realty Trust, called Schuylkill Yards, in 2018. It will provide an end-to-end advanced manufacturing facility capable of developing functional fabric prototypes for pilot-stage production. It will also bring together research and expertise from universities across the state that are also members of AFFOA, including Carnegie Mellon, Penn State University and Jefferson University.

The Center will work closely with industry partners and regional organizations that foster innovation and economic growth such as Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships in Pennsylvania, including Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center. These partnerships will accelerate the development of new products and manufacturing processes by established companies, startups and entrepreneurs in the functional fabric space. Workforce training and startup incubation are important elements of the Center’s mission.

“Advanced fabric manufacturing is undergoing a supply chain renaissance,” said Drexel President John Fry. “Industry verticals, such as information and communications technology, digital health and transportation that were never previously textile-related now have the opportunity to connect in new and meaningful ways. Pennsylvania can become a leader in this next generation cluster by ensuring the adoption of targeted initiatives that will enhance regional competitiveness.”

One of the first projects to be developed at Drexel as part of the Fabric Discovery Center is a functional fabric touch sensor. The fabric touch sensor is like a textile version of the touch pad on a smartphone that uses fluctuations in its electric field, call capacitance, to detect position, pressure and movement of touch. The “Capacitive Touch Sensor & Interface” is an AFFOA-funded collaboration between Drexel’s Center For Functional Fabrics and Apex Mills, a textile manufacturing partner from Inwood, New York. The sensor will be produced as a maker kit, like the Lilypad Arduino, at the Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery Center and Apex Mills will develop the manufacturing methods to integrate and mass-produce the fabric sensor for other markets and applications.

AFFOA launched a digitally connected, programmable backpack as one of its first advanced fabric projects this summer.

The Massachusetts-based Fabric Discovery Headquarters, opened in June 2017, has already unveiled two advanced fabric product platforms. This summer, AFFOA launched the world’s first digitally connected, programmable backpack and a fabric light-based communications system dubbed “Fabric LiFi.” Both product platforms, developed through AFFOA’s industry partners and prototyping network, are enabled by advanced fabrics made in America. The Fabric Discovery Center program along with exciting product platforms exemplifies the future where U.S. manufacturing innovations enable breakthrough products that benefit consumers and offer service-based business models.

“President Fry’s vision and leadership; have been a cornerstone of AFFOA’s success from its conception. It is only fitting that Drexel University and the State of Pennsylvania would be at the forefront of establishing the first Fabric Discovery Center outside of Massachusetts,” said Yoel Fink, CEO of AFFOA. “The Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery center is an important milestone for all of us in our mission to accelerate startups, develop the workforce of the future and enable advanced fabric prototyping facilities. We are excited to work collaboratively with Drexel, local manufacturers, educational institutions and the State of Pennsylvania to facilitate the creation of this center.”

Drexel has served as a regional anchor institution for AFFOA since its establishment in April 2016 as the DoD’s sixth manufacturing innovation institute and a member of the Manufacturing USA network. This investment in advanced American textile manufacturing comprises over 110 members including academic institutions, small and medium manufacturing companies, product companies and close to 50 startups. “The Pennsylvania Fabric Discovery Center will help attract new ventures and industry to our state, which will stimulate economic growth and create new jobs,” said Debbie Buchwald, Drexel’s executive director for Corporate Relations.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source: Drexel University

ASTM International Seeks Partners To Launch Additive Manufacturing Center Of Excellence

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — November 14, 2017 — In an organizational first, ASTM International announced today that it will establish a center of excellence in the field of additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing. The organization called for industry-university proposals aimed at creating a global innovation hub that advances AM technical standards, related R&D, education and training, and more.

“Over the last decade, hundreds of the world’s top experts in additive manufacturing have pioneered the development of new standards through ASTM International,” said Katharine Morgan, the organization’s president. “We are thrilled to take this next bold step to bridge standards development with R&D, while also meeting the growing demand for related services in this field.”

The center will be supported with up to $250,000 annually for up to five years, provided from funds and in-kind contributions. In-kind support could increase the award amount beyond $250,000.

Letters of intent are due Nov. 24 with full proposals due shortly thereafter on Dec. 15. The winning proposal will be announced in early 2018.

The new center will serve as a focal point for standards-related R&D activities, helping address pressing industry needs and gaps. It will also be a global hub for innovation, with capabilities that support testing, education and training, and more. In addition, the center will serve as a consortium in attracting stakeholders from the aviation, automotive, medical, and other industries that are increasingly engaged in AM applications.

Applicants are expected to emphasize approaches that maximize coordination and collaboration among academia, industry, and governments.

ASTM International’s committee on additive manufacturing technologies (F42) was formed in 2009. The committee, in conjunction with the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) Technical Committee 261, has worked and continues to work closely with the Additive Manufacturing Standards Collaborative to identify and fill a variety of gaps across multiple industry sectors.

ASTM International could select up to two awardees as part of this initiative.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source: ASTM International

UCLA Anderson School Of Management Honors Under Armour Chairman And CEO Kevin Plank

LOS ANGELES — November 14, 2017 — UCLA Anderson School of Management honored Under Armour founder, chairman and CEO Kevin Plank Monday with the 2017 John Wooden Global Leadership Award at a gala dinner at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.

Now marking its 10th year, the award is named for legendary UCLA basketball coach, author and leadership expert John Wooden (1910–2010). It is given each year to an exceptional U.S. business leader whose leadership style and service to the community reflect the same high standards of performance, integrity and ethical values set by Wooden.

Plank was selected as this year’s Wooden Award recipient in recognition of his business leadership, philanthropic activities and commitment to community, which includes plans by Under Armour to help reinvigorate parts of Baltimore, where the company has its headquarters.

“Kevin Plank was daring enough to challenge an industry, with a vision to build a sportswear company that enables athletes to perform better,” said UCLA Anderson Dean Judy Olian, who presented the award. “He’s not just an enormously successful entrepreneur. Taking a page out of Coach Wooden’s playbook, he’s a leader who seeks to empower men and women around the world to follow their dreams and excel as confident, passionate competitors.”

At Monday’s banquet, Peter Guber, a Hollywood executive, co-owner of the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Dodgers, and a lecturer at UCLA Anderson, held an on-stage conversation with Plank about leadership, values and the Wooden legacy.

“Just know that you can start something in the trunk of your car, in a basement and make something great,” Plank said in accepting the award. “What you need is a team.”

Former UCLA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (B.A. ’69), a six-time NBA champion and six-time MVP who played for Coach Wooden on three national championship teams, also made a special appearance.

Abdul-Jabbar spoke movingly of Wooden, his former coach, mentor and longtime friend: “I’m glad I got the chance to play for this man. He was all about excellence.”

Plank founded Under Armour in 1996 while serving as special teams’ captain of the University of Maryland football team. Tired of repeatedly changing the cotton T-shirt under his jersey as it became wet and heavy during a game, he set out to develop a next-generation shirt that would remain drier and lighter. He created the high-performance answer to the sweat-drenched cotton dilemma, and built Under Armour into a leading athletic apparel, footwear and equipment company, outfitting athletes around the world.

Previous John Wooden Global Leadership honorees include:

  • W. James (Jim) McNerney, Jr. (retired chairman, president and CEO, The Boeing Company)
  • Ursula Burns (chairman and CEO, Xerox)
  • Paul E. Jacobs (executive chairman, Qualcomm)
  • Robert Iger (chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company)
  • Indra Nooyi (chairman and CEO, PepsiCo)
  • Peter Ueberroth (managing director, Contrarian Group, and president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee);
  • Frederick Smith (president and CEO, FedEx)
  • Kenneth Chenault (chairman and CEO, American Express Company)
  • Howard Schultz (chairman, president and CEO, Starbucks).

Net proceeds from the annual event support fellowships for UCLA Anderson students who embody Coach Wooden’s leadership ideals and commitment to improving the lives of others. Each of the four 2017 John Wooden Global Leadership Fellows will receive a $25,000 fellowship:

  • Evan Barnes (EMBA ’18)
  • Anna Goldberg (MBA ’18)
  • Sana Rahim (FEMBA ’19)
  • Brandon Scott (MBA/M.D. ’18)

The John Wooden Global Leadership Award

As the most successful coach in U.S. men’s college basketball history, Wooden’s legacy of leadership transcends athletics and spans generations. As a coach, prolific author and inspiring speaker, he dedicated his life to motivating people to achieve their highest potential. Wooden instilled in others a sense of pride, a commitment to ethics and a respect for teamwork. UCLA Anderson extends these fundamental principles and Wooden’s famous Pyramid of Success into the classroom through the Wooden Global Leadership Program.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source: UCLA Anderson School of Management

Cotton & Care Quickly Making A Name For Itself With American-Made Bedding

LAS VEGAS — November 14, 2017 — Cotton & Care is the newest brand to enter the growing online direct-to-consumer bedding market, but with a notable difference. Using premium cotton that is grown in California, spun to yarn in the South, then woven, cut, and sewn in the Carolinas, Cotton & Care’s product line is made entirely in the USA.

The brand was formed earlier this year in Las Vegas by business partners with a background in consumer banking. Co-founder Evan Feldman explains: “It was important to build a brand that we could be proud of. To us this meant going with the ethical choice each step of the way. Understanding the differences in labor conditions and environmental standards between the United States and abroad, we knew that manufacturing here was the way to go. We found that this also gave us the ability to have increased oversight into the quality and authenticity of our product. With recent testing showing that much of the Egyptian cotton bedding on the market is truly mislabeled, poor quality substitutes, this was another key advantage.”

While American-made apparel has gained attention in the last few years, American-made bedding is practically non-existent. Worse, it’s missing from the shelves of the big box stores entirely; if you want Made in USA bed sheets, the only option is online retailers like Cotton & Care.  However, as Feldman points out, “even the high-end internet bedding labels that have been gaining popularity are manufacturing in India, Europe, or South America, and still charging steep prices for their products.”

Cotton & Care’s initial product line consists of a sheet set or pair of pillowcases made of ultra-premium Supima® cotton, the US-grown equivalent of extra-long staple Egyptian cotton. The color selection is currently limited to classic white, though expanded options are slated for next year. Prices for the complete sheet set start at $119 and Cotton & Care pledges to donate 50 percent of its profits to a worthy cause.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source:  Cotton & Care

Valley Forge Fabrics Acquires Contract Decor International, CDI

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — November 10, 2017 — Valley Forge Fabrics announced today the acquisition of the premier window treatment manufacturer, Contract Decor International (CDI), as part of a strategic move to support their continued growth in the Hospitality Industry. The acquisition will expand Valley Forge Fabrics’ offerings to include vertical window fabrication solutions from decorative textile to install.

“Becoming a more vertical supplier and creating value for our industry is a critical piece of our company strategy. Manufacturing and installing hospitality window products and services is a natural evolution and the Valley Forge Fabrics family fits together perfectly with the CDI family,” said Diana Dobin, CEO of Valley Forge Fabrics.

CDI is best in class and has a reputation for quality, dependability and flexibility. CDI compliments Valley Forge Fabrics’ strategic goals, core values and culture. With the acquisition of CDI Valley Forge Fabrics will be able to leverage their position in the hospitality industry with greater merchandise innovation, new product offerings and design leadership. Going forward CDI will be known as CDI a Valley Forge Company.

Based in Massachusetts, the experienced and well respected CDI team will remain in place under the leadership of industry veteran Mike Handler, who is retaining partial ownership of the new company.

“Our clients have voiced 2 major pain points in regards to the window, and CDI a Valley Forge Company, will provide new solutions to the marketplace. First, we will be able to move from PO receipt of the textile, to installation of the finished product, at a faster pace than the market has experienced in the past. Second, we will offer one accountable party in charge of the whole process. This will cut down on excess communication and make for a better customer experience,” said Michael Dobin, CEO of Valley Forge.

Mike Handler, said: “It is unique to find two companies that share such similar roots and core values. Two successful 2nd generation family businesses with common goals of providing our clients with the best experience possible. This opportunity will allow us to be better in every way. To be more pro-active and to respond to our clients’ needs in a faster, more complete manner. It will truly allow us to become the absolute best that we can be. I am excited to partner with the Dobin Family and their entire team, and even more excited for what the future holds.”

About Contract Decor International, CDI, a 23 year old company is the hospitality industry’s most respected source for high-quality, custom-manufactured window treatments and bedcovers. CDI’s expertise includes complex specialty window treatment design development as well as installation and maintenance services. The company is renowned for its superior customer service and best-in-class seasoned team with deep industry knowledge, product know-how and skills. CDI’s headquarters is located in Massachusetts and has approximately 120 employees.

Valley Forge Fabrics Inc. is a 40 year old family owned and operated company and the world’s largest supplier of decorative textile products for the hospitality industry. Valley Forge Fabrics focuses on innovation and design through performance textiles, custom textile design, finished bedding, decorative sheers, coated blackouts, and most recently, digitally printed fabrics and fabricated decorative roller shades and draperies. Valley Forge Fabrics is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source: Valley Forge Fabrics

Cotton Growers Deserve A Ton Of Credit: FiberMax® One Ton Club™ Supports High Yielders

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. —  November 14, 2017 — Big yields deserve big recognition. Now in its 13th year, the FiberMax® One Ton Club™ has recognized more than 1,000 elite cotton growers, and signups are now open. Qualified growers who attend the annual banquet in Lubbock, Texas, also can enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a two-year lease on a Ford F-350 Super Duty King Ranch truck.

To qualify for the FiberMax One Ton Club, growers must produce an average of 2,000 pounds per acre on 20 or more acres planted to FiberMax varieties. Additionally, growers must plant 100 percent FiberMax cotton seed on qualifying acres from January 1-December 31, 2017.

“Growers need an advanced skill-set and elite germplasm to produce excellent yields,” said Kerry Grossweiler, Bayer campaign manager. “The FiberMax One Ton Club allows us to celebrate a grower’s knowledge and accomplishments and applaud them for a job remarkably well done.”

If you’re a grower in any of the 17 cotton-producing states who meets the four-bale yield requirement, learn how to sign up for the One Ton Club by visiting with your sales rep or Bayer Agronomic Services Team member. Gin recap sheets are required for verification.

Qualifiers will be recognized at the One Ton Club grower awards banquet in Lubbock, Texas, on April 5, 2018, where they will have the opportunity to enter to win the truck lease. Growers must be present to enter and win the sweepstakes.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source: Bayer

Sappi North America Invests $5.94 Million In Cloquet, Minn., Mill

CLOQUET, Minn. — November 14, 2017 — Sappi North America, a producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, today announced a $5.94 million capital investment in its Cloquet, Minn., mill to replace the headbox on Paper Machine 12 (PM12). This investment enabled Sappi to maintain its capacity by adding a state-of-the-art, dilution profiled headbox that produces excellent basis weight profiles. A headbox is an integral part of the paper machine responsible for spreading the pulp fibers evenly to form the sheet.

“This investment shows Sappi’s unwavering commitment to its graphic papers and packaging customers,” said Mark Gardner, president and CEO, Sappi North America. “The new headbox will ensure that we’re fulfilling orders to the highest quality standards that Sappi’s customers have come to expect. This project will not only improve upon our longstanding history with the graphic papers market, but also support our growing paper-based packaging business.”

This investment follows a $170 million capital investment in 2011 to enable the Cloquet Mill’s kraft pulp operations to also produce chemical cellulose used in textile and consumer goods markets. Through this product diversification, along with investments in renewable energy and waste reduction, the mill has stayed profitable and competitive in a challenging market. The Cloquet Mill was recently awarded for its investment in the state of Minnesota from the Minnesota Office of Foreign Direct Investment. The award highlighted the company’s contributions to the economic vitality of local communities, and its commitment to keeping Minnesota a world-leading business destination.

The PM12 Headbox project was recently completed in October.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source: Sappi North America

Aéropostale Brings On IHL Group As New Intimates Partner To Drive Category And Distribution Strategy

NEW YORK CITY — November 14, 2017 — IHL Group today announced its exclusive multi-year license agreement with teen apparel powerhouse Aéropostale. This partnership marks a milestone in Aéropostale’s strategic efforts to extend the brand into new categories and distribution channels in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

“We are honored to be partnering with such an established brand in the teen category as Aéropostale,” said Sami Souid, president, IHL Group. “We are thrilled to bring our quality and trend-driven offerings to the Aéropostale’s fashion conscious teen customers nationwide.”

Debuting its first collection for Holiday 2018, the line will retail from $18 for bras, sports bras, babydolls, bodysuits; and $10 for panties. Materials used in the collection will include premium fabrics and detailing such as lace, microfiber, appliques and seamless cuts.

“There are many synergies between IHL Group and Aéropostale,” explained Ken Ohashi, EVP of Lifestyle Brands at ABG, an owner of Aéropostale. “We are excited to be working together to grow the brand and expand distribution with a trendsetting collection of intimates and undergarments.”

Posted November 14, 2017

Source:  IHL Group

American Apparel Launches New Pencils Of Promise Collection To Support Literacy In Developing Countries

MONTREAL — November 14, 2017 —  American Apparel has launched a capsule collection of hoodies, T-shirts and bags in support of Pencils of Promise (POP) to fund the construction of schools and provide support for teachers in developing nations. POP is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization that works to increase access to education and raise global awareness of child illiteracy as there are 250 million children worldwide who lack basic reading, writing and math skills.

“We are a proud supporter of Pencils of Promise, who have already helped over 70,000 students to gain access to quality education through infrastructure projects and literacy programming,” said Mike Hoffman, president, Gildan’s Printwear division, owner of the American Apparel® brand. “As the surest path out of poverty, education opens up possibilities for these children to move towards a better life and a more hopeful future. It is one of the most powerful weapons that we can use to change the world.”

With the message “250 million kids can’t read this,” American Apparel’s new capsule collection represents a commitment of $200,000 to build new educational infrastructure, improve classroom environments and provide support for teachers. The goal of this initiative is to foster a conversation around the need for better quality education, inciting consumers to take a position on child literacy and become passionate about increasing children’s opportunities for a brighter future.

The collaboration between American Apparel and Pencils of Promise is designed to raise awareness and support for child literacy, inspiring generations of globally conscious and impact-oriented consumers to help students in developing countries have the same access to quality education that they received.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source: Gildan

Teijin Aramid Introduces Endumax Shield XF33

ARNHEM, The Netherlands — November 14, 2017 — Teijin Aramid today announced the introduction of Endumax Shield XF33, an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), that enables weight reduction, leading to enhanced mobility and increased armor protection level with no increase in overall weight. It is the answer to the ever growing lethal threats in the world that global security forces face.

The new and increasingly lethal threats globally demand enhanced protection at preferably lighter weights to increase user mobility. New armor systems not only have to provide protection to security professionals, but also to the various ground vehicles, maritime platforms, and aircrafts used in carrying out the required mission. Endumax Shield XF33 can be used for high-performance hard body armor plates, helmets and rigid panels for vehicle and maritime protection.

Endumax Shield XF33 will help to achieve superior performance-to-weight solution for body armor inserts, e.g. NIJ III standalone as well as in conjunction with ballistic vests. Thanks to the structural integrity achieved even with low processing pressures, the use of Endumax Shield XF33 enables easier processing of larger panels with minimum or no seams for vehicle and maritime protection. As a result, this minimizes potentially vulnerable joints and increases design freedom for optimum panel cuts, thereby making the solution more cost-efficient.

Manon Schuurmans, Teijin Aramid’s Business Department manager Ballistics, said: “For over 30 years, Teijin Aramid has been developing high-performance ballistic protection solutions that have saved countless lives. Thanks to the uniquely engineered properties the new Endumax Shield XF33 is the material of choice for an exceptional performance to weight ratio for body armor and weight sensitive vehicles and vessels armoring.”

The new Endumax Shield XF33 will be shown at Teijin Aramid’s stand 6-D172, at the upcoming Milipol show, held from November 21-24 in Paris, France.

Posted November 14, 2017

Source: Teijin Aramid

1...1,4841,4851,486...2,534Page 1,485 of 2,534

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2025 Quarterly Issue Number II

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.