Milliken Receives Three Awards, Redefines The Role Of Flooring At NeoCon 2017

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — June 28, 2017 — Two Milliken flooring solutions took three accolades at NeoCon 2017: a Metropolis Magazine’s #MetropolisLikes Award, a BUILDINGS Product Innovations Grand Award and an Interior Design HiP at NeoCon Honoree Award. Spanning a range of audiences, the honors illustrate how Milliken flooring solutions provide both innovative design and unparalleled performance with meaningful advantages for architects, designers and end-use facility managers.

The Encryption collection, which premiered at NeoCon 2017, won a #MetropolisLikes Award and was a finalist for Interior Design’s HiP at NeoCon Award for Workplace: Carpet.

The Moraine collection won the BUILDINGS Product Innovations Grand Award for Flooring, highlighting its unique approach to subfloor moisture management as an added benefit for facility managers.

“We’re proving how building materials can move beyond surface-level aesthetics—and how doing so significantly benefits architects, designers and facility managers alike,” said Mark Strohmaier, vice president of marketing for the Milliken floor covering division. “It’s an honor to be recognized at NeoCon for elevating flooring’s role in design and functional problem-solving.”

Encryption Collection

#MetropolisLikes winner, HiP at NeoCon honoree

A technological exploration of shadows and highlights, Encryption explores the increasingly blurred line between people and technology. The aesthetic is both timeless and unmistakably modern—balancing maximalism and minimalism, and forming the foundation for commercial environments where technology enhances the form and function of our lives.

Layered pixelated color blocks interplay shadows and highlights for familiar yet novel floor structure. Digital texture is encoded through a pseudo-random pattern for elevated dimensionality. Two complementary patterns—Block Code and Linear Code—in twenty color options and 25 cm x 1 m plank carpet tiles can be used individually or in conjunction with one another.

At first glance, tiers of block structures convey a sense of connectivity. Upon closer examination, extraordinarily intricate layers of many colors begin to reveal themselves. Only achievable through Milliken’s high-definition Digital Dye Injection (DDI) technology, the nuanced layering results in a dynamic tertiary read of color. This technology-enabled design nods the now fundamental role of connectivity in the 21st-century lifestyle.

Benefits of Encryption include:

  • Features 39.3 percent total recycled content to minimize raw materials consumption without compromising performance;
  • Constructed with high-performance Milliken-Certified WearOn® nylon type 6,6;
  • Free of all 21 Red List Chemicals with a Red List Compliant Declare label;
  • Available with TractionBack® bio-based, adhesive-free installation to reduce or eliminate VOC off-gassing;
  • Manufactured with zero process waste sent to landfill and up to 51 percent renewable energy derived from landfill-harvested methane; and
  • Contributes to LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard and other green certifications.

Moraine Collection

BUILDINGS Product Innovations Grand winner

A contemporary celebration of the earth’s contrasting contours, Moraine depicts the varied topography of the earth’s surface. Four patterns—Explorer, Navigator, Relief and Regions—offer a range of geometric abstractions and line densities to create new planes and textures for the floor.

Designed by the Milliken Asia Pacific Design Team, Moraine showcases the capabilities of Milliken’s global design studio, regionalizing a cartography-inspired collection for the Americas. Doing so allows global companies to create and maintain interior brand standards in locations worldwide.

Moraine features a unique PVC-free, open-cell cushion backing that provides a myriad of performance benefits, including unparalleled moisture control built into the carpet construction. Created with performance and longevity in mind, its moisture management properties provide assurance for facility managers.

Subfloor moisture is an estimated $1 billion issue and a leading cause of flooring failure. It is a result of rising water tables and/or improperly cured concrete subfloors—issues that often arise when trying to meet tight project deadlines.

Milliken’s moisture vapor-wicking, open cell cushion-backed carpet enables water vapor to evaporate before it ever turns into damaging liquid water—solving the root cause of costly subfloor moisture issues. Instead of viewing floor preparation as a prerequisite of installation, Milliken modular carpet eliminates the cost and time of flooring prep.

Additional benefits of Moraine include:

  • Features a total recycled content of 41 percent;
  • Constructed with a durable tufted, textured loop of Milliken-Certified WearOn® nylon;
  • Protected with StainSmart® stain and soil resist and repel to extend the life of the carpet;
  • Carries an Environmental Product Declaration and Declare Label – LBC Compliant;
  • Contributes to LEED, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard and other green certifications; and
  • Manufactured by Milliken using renewable energy and with zero process waste sent to landfill,

Posted June 28, 2017

Source: Milliken

Bolger & O’Hearn Marches Toward Zero-Carbon Future With Solar Array

FALL RIVER, Mass. — June 2017 — In its continuing effort to go green, Bolger & O’Hearn outfitted it’s manufacturing facility and headquarters with a state-of-the-art solar array. This advanced array will produce an outstanding 87 kWh of energy a day or 2,610 kWh a month.

“The decision to implement solar panels is really emblematic of our commitment to sustainability,” said Shaun O’Hearn, president, Bolger & O’Hearn.

Within the textile chemical industry, Bolger & O’Hearn has been a leading innovator. Its latest innovations include Altopel F3, a durable water repellent that’s free of fluorine. The result is a textile finish that enhances durability and waterproofing without creating toxic fluorocarbon byproducts or harmful bio-accumulation.

“Bolger & O’Hearn is moving towards a zero-carbon future,” said Shawn Honeycutt, sales manager, Bolger & O’Hearn. “We have continued to make considerable investments in being the leader in em-friendly sustainable manufacturing processes not only because that is what our customers want but more importantly it is what our organization wants.”

“Brands want to know that their vertical partners are as committed to sustainability as they are,” said O’Hearn. “We have continued to show we are equally if not more committed and these common goals have forged incredible relationships with those brands.”

Posted June 28, 2017

Source: Bolger & O’Hearn

Hygienically Clean Healthcare Certification Commands APIC Attendees’ Attention

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — June 28, 2017 — More than 175 attendees of the recent Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) annual conference visited the Hygienically Clean exhibit at the conference’s trade show. Visitors learned the value of doing business with a Hygienically Clean Healthcare certified launderer and how the certification verifies laundries’ best management practices (BMPs) and quantifies laundered product cleanliness.

It was the certification’s second such exhibit at an APIC annual conference, capitalizing on infection preventionists’ interest in the importance of linen service cleanliness. The vast majority of the visitors to the exhibit indicated their employers (mostly hospitals, some outpatient facilities) outsource laundry. Most of these could state the name of the linen service they use. Many told Hygienically Clean staff they have toured such laundries and said they would discuss certification with their launderers.

“Infection preventionist” was the listed job title for about two-thirds of visitors to the Hygienically Clean exhibit. Other types of professionals who stopped by included:

  • Chief Nursing Officer;
  • Epidemiologist;
  • Nurse Practitioner;
  • Public Health;
  • Quality/Process Improvement; and
  • Registered Nurse.

Several visitors to the Hygienically Clean exhibit expressed concern about the product and service quality of their uniform and linen services providers. Using a Hygienically Clean certified launderer addresses this, they were told, as inspectors focus on a facility’s quality-assurance manual as the hub of control measures (BMPs) that minimize potential for error. In addition, unlike Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) certification, Hygienically Clean microbial testing measures finished product quality, enforcing a total microbial content ceiling and detecting absence of yeast, mold and bacteria.

Visitors received copies of the Hygienically Clean Healthcare standard and the brochure that explains benefits of using such a certified launderer. They also were welcome to a copy of “The Six C’s: Handling Soiled Linen in a Healthcare Environment,” a training video for personnel provided on a flash drive. Both represent Hygienically Clean Healthcare certified laundries’ commitment to sharing textile product management expertise with customers so they make more effective and efficient use of linen and uniform services.

The conference, which took place June 14-16 in Portland, Ore., drew nearly 5,000 healthcare professionals interested in the latest science, technologies and best practices for creating a safer world through prevention of infection. The event is recognized as the largest gathering of its kind in the world.

In January, Hygienically Clean Healthcare joined APIC in launching “Industry Perspectives,” a new online platform to expand clinical knowledge related to infection prevention product usage, the science supporting specific methodologies, and best practices to keep patients safe. The mobile-friendly web platform features white papers, background articles, product guides, videos and more.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare’s first campaign on the site enabled visitors to receive a copy of “The Six C’s.” The certification’s second Industry Perspectives campaign, “Handling Clean Linen in a Healthcare Environment,” enables visitors to the site to download a whitepaper that guides them in establishing site-specific guidelines for such handling. Both campaigns are scheduled to run through early July.

Posted June 28, 2017

Source: TRSA

INDA’s World Of Wipes 2017 Conference Keeps Industry Informed And Connected

CARY, N.C. — June 28, 2017 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, wrapped up its 11th annual World of Wipes® (WOW) International Conference June 12-15 with participants and board members giving the program content, speaker presentations, and networking high praise.

“This year’s WOW conference offered one of the best combinations of networking opportunities, conference content, quality of attendees, and meeting venues of all  WOW events,” said Nick Santoleri, vice president of Operations, Rockline Industries.

WOW 2017, held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, Tenn., attracted 476 participants from companies representing the entire wipes supply chain to discuss issues and advance business in this important and growing sector. Topics on tap included industry insights on natural opportunities in ingredients, emerging technologies, new regulations, consumer insights, market trends, and flushability from the most forward leaders in each category.

“This year’s strong turnout reinforces the dynamic growth in this segment,” said David Rousse, president INDA. “Wipes professionals from 20 countries convened for three days to make valuable business connections and keep up on the exceptional technology and continued innovation in this industry.”

Kicking off the conference was a blue-ribbon panel of sustainability experts from Walgreens Boots Alliance, Suominen, The Sustainability Consortium, Burt’s Bees, Rockline Industries and the Procter & Gamble Co. with global perspectives on wipes sourcing, communications, R&D, manufacturing, and environmental stewardship.

“It was great to get a summary of regulatory and legal issues in a few hours of talks … it probably saved me days of reading and tracking down information,” said John F. Poccia III, associate R&D director, Platform Research Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.

Speaker highlights included the keynote presentation “Marketing Across Generations” by consumer psychologist Dr. Kit Yarrow, professor emeritus, Golden Gate University, who described the psychological differences by generation as a strategic aid in marketing wipes products more effectively.

“The World of Wipes conference has become a nexus for professionals in wipes markets to meet, discuss, share, and enjoy the camaraderie in this important and growing global market,” said Janet O’Regan, director Nonwovens Marketing, Cotton Incorporated.

Participants connected face-to-face with hundreds of wipes professionals during the Kimberly-Clark sponsored Welcome Reception on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Live music provided an informal atmosphere to connect with fellow wipes professionals.
Evening receptions, table top displays, networking breaks, and Dining with Industry Thought Leaders facilitated the face-to-face interactions that underpin business success.

Preceding the conference, INDA’s Wipes Academy was conducted by instructor Rob Johnson, PE, Principal, Smith, Johnson & Associates. The Academy is the first and only comprehensive wipes training for the entire wipes supply chain.

Berry Plastics’ Chicopee® Microfiber Floor Care System was the recipient of this year’s World of Wipes Innovation Award®. Other finalists were Elsner Engineering’s Glueless Tail Tie for rolled wipes and Kimberly-Clark Corporation’s Huggies® Natural Care Extra Sensitive Baby Wipes. The annual award recognizes the product that most expands the use of nonwovens and demonstrates creativity, novelty, uniqueness, and technical sophistication within the entire nonwovens wipes value chain.

INDA announced that WOW 2018 will be held June 5-8, at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Illinois.

Posted June 28, 2017

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

U.S. Producer Of Low Melt Polyester Staple Fiber Files Trade Petition Against Two Countries

WASHINGTON — June 27, 2017 — Today, one of the largest U.S. synthetic fiber producers, Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America, filed a petition alleging that dumped imports of low melt polyester staple fiber (PSF) from Korea and Taiwan are causing material injury to the domestic industry. Nan Ya has asked the U.S. government to investigate dumping by the subject imports and injury to the domestic industry, and to impose anti-dumping duties on the imports of low melt PSF from Korea and Taiwan.

The petition alleges that producers in Korea are dumping low melt PSF in the U.S. market at margins of 32.95 to 45.84 percent. The petition further alleges that producers in Taiwan are dumping low melt PSF in the U.S. market at margins of 30.24 to 62.52 percent.

The petitions were filed concurrently with the United States Department of Commerce and the United States International Trade Commission.

The filing is in response to surging volumes of aggressively-priced low melt PSF imports from Korea and Taiwan. Subject import volume increased from 151.4 million pounds in 2014 to 199.1 million pounds in 2016, or by more than 31 percent over that three-year period, and continued to rise in the first quarter of 2017. The imports undersold the domestic industry, taking sales from and exerting considerable downward pricing pressure on U.S. producers.

As a result of increasing volumes of low-priced imports, the condition of the domestic industry has suffered. The domestic industry has experienced declining production and shipment volumes and deteriorating financial performance as a result of the lost sales and price depression caused by the imports. Korean and Taiwanese producers of low melt PSF also continue to threaten the domestic industry with additional injury due to their large and growing production capacity and extensive unused capacity that will be used to export large volumes of unfairly low-priced and subsidized product to the United States. The injury to the domestic low melt PSF industry is likely to continue if duties are not imposed to offset these foreign producers’ unfair trading practices.

“The U.S. companies producing low melt polyester staple fiber have suffered for years against rising volumes of dumped imports from Korea and Taiwan,” said Paul Rosenthal of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, counsel for Nan Ya.  “The domestic industry needs trade relief from unfair import competition so that the business can thrive and continue providing critical manufacturing jobs in the United States.”

FACT SHEET

Antidumping and countervailing duties: Antidumping duties are intended to offset the amount by which a product is sold at less than fair value, or “dumped,” in the United States. The margin of dumping is calculated by the Commerce Department. Estimated duties in the amount of the dumping are collected from importers at the time of importation. Countervailing duties are intended to offset unfair subsidies that are provided by foreign governments and benefit the production of a particular good. The USITC, an independent agency, will determine whether the domestic industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of the unfairly traded imports.

Next steps: The Commerce Department will determine whether to initiate the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations within 20 days of today’s filing of the petitions and the USITC will reach a preliminary determination of material injury or threat of material injury within 45 days of today’s filing. The entire investigative process will take approximately one year, with final determinations of dumping, subsidization, and injury likely occurring by the middle of 2018.

Product description: The product covered by the petition is low melt polyester staple fiber, which is a bi-component staple fiber having a polyester fiber component that melts at a lower temperature (approximate melt point of 90° C to 220° C) than the other polyester fiber component (approximate melt point of 250° C). The two components of a low melt fiber can be produced in a core/sheath configuration or a side-by-side configuration. Low melt PSF is generally produced in a range of two to 15 denier (a measure of density expressed in terms of weight per unit length). Low melt PSF is similar in appearance to cotton or wool. It is typically used in non-woven applications in conjunction with other natural or synthetic fibers. The bonding feature of low melt PSF is used to fuse various fiber types together to create batting or shaped, felt-like insulation for uses such as automotive headliners, floors, and trunks, and soundproofing.

Petitioning company: The petitioning company is Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America, Lake City, S.C., represented by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.

Posted June 27, 2017

Source: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

Under Armour Announces Patrik Frisk As President And COO

BALTIMORE, Md. — June 27, 2017 — Under Armour Inc. today announced Patrik Frisk will become the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective July 10. In conjunction with Frisk’s appointment, the company also announced strategic executive changes to align its organizational structure to better leverage its digital business, support its move toward category management, and drive greater operational efficiency across the organization.

As President and COO of Under Armour, Frisk will have responsibility for the company’s go-to-market strategy and the successful execution of its long-term growth plan. He will report directly to Chairman and CEO Kevin Plank. The following executives will report to Mr. Frisk: Charlie Maurath, Chief Revenue Officer; Kevin Eskridge, Chief Product Officer; Andy Donkin, Chief Marketing Officer; Colin Browne, Chief Supply Chain officer; and, Kevin Haley, President of Strategy.

“Patrik’s global experience in brand building, including a proven and disciplined record of driving growth, while enhancing profitability and efficiency, will be instrumental as we work to transform our business model to deliver long-term value for our consumers, customers and shareholders,” said Plank. “The opportunity to leverage our strengths — innovative product, brand strength, premium sports marketing assets and unparalleled consumer connections — within an increasingly more digital ecosystem has never been greater.”

Mr. Frisk has nearly 30 years’ experience in the apparel, footwear and retail industry. Most recently, he was CEO of The ALDO Group, a global footwear and accessories company. Previous to that, he spent 10 years with VF Corp. where he served as the Coalition President of Outdoor Americas with responsibility for The North Face®, Timberland®, JanSport®, lucy® and SmartWool® brands. Before that, he was President of the Timberland® brand and prior to that, was President of Outdoor & Action Sports (EMEA) where he had responsibility for The North Face®, Vans®, JanSport® and Reef® brands. Previous to that, he was Vice President and General Manager of The North Face®. Before VF Corp., he ran his own retail business in Scandinavia and held senior positions with Peak Performance and W.L. Gore & Associates.

Additional Management Changes
Paul Fipps has been named Chief Technology Officer with responsibility for overseeing all aspects of engineering that support Under Armour’s web and mobile applications, as well as its information technology and real estate functions. Additionally, he will lead Under Armour’s Connected Fitness business with Chief Digital Officer and head of Connected Fitness Michael Lee reporting to Fipps directly. This realignment integrates the company’s digital ecosystem including its single view of the consumer data and additional SAP capabilities to fuel product creation and personalization, increase speed to market and accelerate consumer value. He will report directly to Plank. Most recently, he served as the company’s Chief Information Officer and executive vice president of Global Operations after joining Under Armour in 2014 as senior vice president of Global Operations. Prior to joining the company, he served as Chief Information Officer and corporate vice president of Business Services at The Charmer Sunbelt Group.

Colin Browne has been named Chief Supply Chain Officer with responsibility for all global operations related to product sourcing and logistics. Browne joined Under Armour in 2016 as president of Global Sourcing. Prior to that, he was vice president and managing director of Supply Chain at VF Corp., where he led all aspects of the company’s sourcing and product supply organization in Asia. Before VF, Browne was the executive vice president of Footwear and Accessories at Li & Fung, CEO of Pentland Brands in Asia, and held senior leadership positions at Reebok and Bally.

Additionally, in May, Kevin Eskridge was named Chief Product Officer. Eskridge has oversight of the company’s category management model, as well as its product, merchandising, design and innovation functions. He has been with the company since 2009, and has served in various leadership roles, including establishing the company business in China as managing director, its Outdoor business, and most recently served as senior vice president, Global Merchandising.

In addition to Frisk and Fipps, continuing to report to Plank will be the following executives: Kip Fulks, Strategic Advisor; Kerry Chandler, Chief Human Resources Officer; John Stanton, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary; and, David Bergman, Chief Financial Officer (Acting).

“Today’s leadership appointments and the streamlining of our organizational structure are transformative steps focused on a sharper, consumer-led approach and go-to-market strategy through our category management lens,” continued Plank. “With the stated goals of accelerating our innovation agenda, optimizing our product assortment and creating a merchandising center of excellence, this underscores our work toward evolving from a great brand with good operations – to a great brand with great operations.

Posted June 27, 2017

Source: Under Armour

Lectra’s Fashion 4.0 Event Looks Ahead To Tomorrow’s Digital Future

PARIS — June 27, 2017 — Lectra recently gathered more than 100 industry professionals from around the world at its state-of-the-art technology center in Bordeaux-Cestas, France, to look at how Industry 4.0 is shaping and transforming the global fashion and apparel business.

The conference brought together brands and manufacturers to discuss the major challenges fashion businesses are facing in today’s digital marketplace, and identify practical steps companies can take to digitalize their value chain. During two days of in-depth presentations and workshops, Pr Céline Abecassis-Moedas and Pr Valérie Moatti, ESCP Europe shed light on innovative new retail models; Liz Doupnik, associate editor, Women’s Wear Daily, shattered myths and set straight misconceptions about the millennial generation; and Fred Lemoine, Vice President, Weave Services, delved into the advantages of a digitalized supply chain. Among the attendees were some of today’s most prominent fashion brands, such as H&M and Shanghai-based Dayang Group, one of the world’s largest suit manufacturers.

Lectra took advantage of the occasion to announce the launch of Lectra Fashion PLM 4.0, proof of its commitment to empowering its customers with the best technology possible as they take their first steps towards Industry 4.0. With the widest functional scope on the market, the modular PLM solution acts as a connected, intelligent nerve center for today’s digital supply chain, from planning through design to production, ensuring a consistent flow of error-free data between processes, technologies and people, and providing companies with the agility to adapt to different business models and jump on trends quickly.

In keeping with this theme, Lectra customers were on hand to share their own experiences with digital transformation. Manuel Castaldo, business analysis and sourcing operations manager for leading Italian fast-fashion retailer OVS, underlined the importance of identifying key collaborators to facilitate the transition to digital: “When you decide to make digital changes in your company, you are not only selecting the right tool, you are selecting the right partner to help you make those changes in your daily – and future – work.” Thanks to Lectra’s PLM solution, Manuel Castaldo explained, OVS has improved the quality of information shared throughout their process, positively impacting product development and quality.

Fred Walck, director, project management for Mexico-based clothing supplier Grupo Kaltex, also outlined their reasons for choosing Lectra: “In the spirit of Industry 4.0, what interests us as a vertical manufacturer is connecting our physical supply chain with our virtual supply chain–our software, ERP, and WRMS. For us, Lectra offers the most comprehensive solution: an end-to-end system designed specifically for fashion and apparel.”

During the event’s keynote speech, Edouard Macquin, Chief Sales Officer, Lectra, explored mega trends that are turning the fashion industry on its head, and demonstrated how Lectra’s vision–and fashion-specific digital solutions–are helping fashion companies adapt to this ‘fourth industrial revolution’.

“Industry 4.0 is not only revolutionizing how manufacturers operate, but also how brands and retailers need to function. Lectra’s goal is to provide its customers with the technology and support they need to thrive and succeed in this new digital marketplace,” concluded Edouard Macquin.

Posted June 27, 2017

Source: Lectra

Jason Mills Celebrating A 10-Year Milestone

MILLTOWN, N.J. — June 27, 2017 — Textile convertor Jason Mills LLC will celebrate a 10-year anniversary this month as a provider of knit industrial textiles. Incorporated originally in 1976, the current incarnation of the company was purchased in 2007 by long-time employee Michael Lavroff. The company has grown and changed in many ways since its early days of manufacturing fabrics for laundry bags.

Materials are going through tectonic changes with the growth and use of nano textiles. The goals, and ultimately the mission of Jason Mills today is to harness the power of these changes and apply them in practical manners to best supply the industries it serves.

Combining product design and engineering along with finishes and inherent fibers are the key drivers for the company’s expansion into areas such as personal/occupational safety, automotive, aeronautical and healthcare textiles.

The company’s objective is to continue to improve upon current processes and materials so that corporations with fabric needs — both now and in the future — will have a supplier-partner to turn to. To borrow the mantra from Apple, Jason Mills wants to be where the puck is going, not where it’s been.

The next 10 years are right around the corner. We’ll see you there.

Posted June 27, 2017

Source: Jason Mills

NCTO CEO Testifies At USTR NAFTA Hearing, Outlines U.S. Textile Renegotiation Objectives

WASHINGTON — June 27, 2017 — National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President & CEO Auggie Tantillo testified at the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) hearing on Negotiating Objectives Regarding Modernization of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico held in Washington on Tuesday, June 27.

In his remarks as prepared for delivery, Tantillo outlined the U.S. textile industry’s NAFTA negotiating objectives:

“On behalf of the National Council of Textile Organizations, thank you for the opportunity to provide input as USTR develops its objectives for modernizing NAFTA. NCTO represents the full spectrum of the U.S. textile sector, from fibers to yarns to fabrics to finished products, as well as suppliers of machinery, chemicals, and other products and services with a stake in the prosperity of our industry. The entire U.S textile manufacturing chain, from fiber through finished sewn products, employs 565,000 workers nationwide. In 2016, the industry manufactured over $74 billion in output, while exporting more than $26 billion of our production.

We strongly support President Trump’s intention to reopen NAFTA and agree that it can be updated and improved to significantly enhance U.S. textile production, exports, and employment. The NAFTA region enjoys vibrant fiber, yarn, and fabric sectors in addition to cut and sew capabilities. As a result, NCTO supports building on the successes of NAFTA through seeking reasonable improvements to the agreement, but not a cancellation thereof, due to the high level of supply chain integration that exists today.

This partnership is evidenced by robust trade flows. The U.S. textile sector has a demonstrated capability of developing export markets within the NAFTA region. In fact, Mexico and Canada are our two largest export markets, where U.S. textile and apparel exports topped $11 billion in 2016. Furthermore, we maintain a positive trade balance in the sector with our NAFTA partners, achieving a $3.5 billion surplus last year.

NCTO does not foresee a need to reinstate tariffs on NAFTA-qualifying trade. Instead, we recommend a thorough review of the rules of origin to ensure that lucrative tariff benefits are appropriately reserved for manufacturers within the region. NAFTA is based on a yarn-forward rule of origin for textile and apparel trade, a main driver for the integration that has developed among the three countries. Yarn forward was originally devised under NAFTA and is the accepted rule for the industry and the U.S. government in every free trade agreement (FTA) since because it reserves key benefits for manufacturers within the signatory countries. It is also easier to enforce than a value-added rule.

Despite the logic of the yarn-forward structure, most U.S. FTAs, including NAFTA, also contain damaging loopholes in the textile rules of origin. The most egregious example is tariff preference levels. Tariff preference levels (TPLs) allow for products to be shipped duty free despite their components, representing the bulk of the value, being sourced from outside countries. For example, a cotton top, made from Chinese yarn and fabric, can be cut and sewn in Mexico and shipped duty free to the United States. Consequently, TPLs undermine benefits for NAFTA textile manufacturers, transferring them to non-signatories, such as China, who often use predatory trading practices and have made no market-opening concessions themselves.

Altogether, Mexico and Canada may ship nearly 236 million square meter equivalents of apparel, made-ups, and fabric and 12.8 million kilograms of yarn containing third-party inputs annually under the TPLs. It is our strong recommendation that the NAFTA TPL regime be eliminated.

Beyond TPLs, there are other yarn-forward derogations, including assembly-only rules for certain garments. These additional loopholes warrant analysis to determine whether they should be eliminated or adjusted to enhance the benefits for U.S. textile manufacturers under the agreement. We also believe that there should be a review of certain buy-American concessions that were unnecessarily granted to our NAFTA partners.

As a final point, it is our view that there has been a systematic deemphasis of commercial fraud enforcement at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the past 30 years.  CBP suffers from both a lack of resources and focus particularly considering the layering of new trade agreements and significant increase in imports over this time. As a result, the benefits of NAFTA are being siphoned off by those willing and able to circumvent U.S. trade laws. Our sector is especially prone to fraud, noting that textiles and apparel represent 40 percent of all U.S. duties collected, or $14 billion a year. Clearly, improving NAFTA customs enforcement should be a major focus of this renegotiation.

In conclusion, we fully agree with President Trump that NAFTA can be improved through a set reasonable adjustments to the current text designed to enhance U.S. textile manufacturing and exporting. Further, we believe that by closing unnecessary loopholes in the agreement and placing a greater emphasis on customs enforcement, all parties throughout the NAFTA region will benefit. Doing so will help to build on the vibrant textile and apparel production chain in North America that has evolved under NAFTA.

Thank you for your consideration of our views, and NCTO looks forward to working with the Trump administration as the NAFTA modernization effort progresses.”

Posted June 27, 2017

Source: NCTO

Cotton USA Backs Future Industry Leaders As University Partnership Draws To A Close

LONDON — June 2017 — Cotton USA is pleased to announce the successful close to its first Innovation Competition in the United Kingdom, in partnership with the world-renowned textiles innovation and design school at Loughborough University. The Cotton USA Innovation Competition was designed to give students a real-world industry brief to excite and inspire, and provide the opportunity to work innovatively with high-quality U.S. cotton fabrics.

Running in partnership with the esteemed university’s Textiles: Innovation and Design program, which was recently rated the leading university for Fashion and Textiles in The Guardian University Guide 2018 for the third time in four years, the competition worked with second year students who specialized in both textiles and fabrics.

The competition gave them guidance on how to develop new and innovative ways of working with U.S. cotton, while encouraging them to be as creative as possible within an allocated budget. After six weeks of exemplary work, Cotton USA is proud to announce that the winner of the Innovation Competition is Lucy Dennis, and the three runners-up are Emily Brennan, Alice Charter and Sophie Tresadern.

The winning submissions were judged and announced by a panel of experts from Cotton USA and Loughborough University at a dedicated special ceremony. In addition to the support provided by Cotton USA throughout the competition, it will continue to work with the winner and runners-up to promote their talents to a network of professionals across the industry. The competition has given all participants a number of opportunities to demonstrate their technical knowledge, while also elevating the profile of their creative designs.

Stephanie Thiers-Ratcliffe, International Marketing Manager for Cotton USA, commented: “The students and team at Loughborough University have been the perfect partners for our first Cotton USA Innovation Competition in the UK. The talent we’ve seen has been enormously impressive, and more than lived up to the high standards the textiles department produces year after year. The level of talent and passion shown by students at the school has been a pleasure to witness throughout the initiative. Cotton USA is thrilled that we have been able to provide a platform for the students’ work and we are so pleased to be able to announce the winner and runners-up.”

“Helping students to enhance their unique and individual abilities by working with high-quality fibres, such as U.S. cotton, has been at the heart of this competition, and Cotton USA is so glad to provide the future of the industry with an opportunity to work with such a versatile and trustworthy material.”

Kerry Walton, Programme Director of Textiles: Innovation and Design at Loughborough University said: “We are delighted to have worked with Cotton USA on the Innovation Competition. We’re committed to providing our students with the right opportunities to help them thrive, and outstanding, relevant insight into the world of contemporary textiles. This competition has done exactly that.”

“Working with U.S. cotton has given students the opportunity to develop vital skills for the future and learn first-hand how integral quality materials are to innovative designs,” she added.

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching and strong links with industry. It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Starsuniversity rating scheme, putting it among the best universities in the world.

Posted June 26, 2017

Source: Cotton USA

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