ANN ARBOR, Mich. — November 15, 2017 — The University of Michigan’s Tauber Institute for Global Operations presents the Fall 2017 Integrated Product Development Trade Show, featuring innovative products created by art & design, business, engineering, and information students.

Event:  Fall 2017 Integrated Product Development Trade Show

When:  Wednesday, December 6, 6:30-8:30 pm

Where:  U-M STAMPS Gallery, 201 Division St., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Who:  Free and open to the ublic

Taught jointly by faculty of the Ross School of Business and the Stamps School of Art & Design, the annual Integrated Product Design course challenges cross-disciplinary student teams from the College of Engineering, Ross School of Business, Stamps School of Art & Design, and School of Information to design, build, and market a brand new product, and then to face free market competition through the IPD Trade Show.

The Fall 2017 IPD challenge: Efficient & Satisfying Use of Small Living Spaces

In addition, the student-designed household product must be suitable for use by people living, studying and working in a hyper urbanized environment that enables more efficient and satisfying use of their living spaces; and be profitable at a consumer cost of less than $250.

Members of the University of Michigan community and the general public are invited to meet the student design teams, test out prototypes of their new household products, and vote for the “best of the best” at the Fall 2017 Integrated Product Development Trade Show, December 6 at the new U-M STAMPS School Gallery in downtown Ann Arbor.

The Tauber Institute for Global Operations is a joint venture between the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and the College of Engineering, working together with industry partners to facilitate cross-disciplinary education in global operations management.

Posted November 15, 2017

Source: The University of Michigan’s Tauber Institute for Global Operations

NEW YORK CITY — November 2017 — After the success of Texworld USA in July, the important global sourcing show will be returning to the Javits Convention Center January 22-24, 2018. Texworld USA is a dynamic industry event and business platform bringing together the best apparel fabric, trims and accessory suppliers in the heart of New York City from around the world. Over its 10-year history, Texworld USA continues to provide industry experts, designers, fabric buyers, merchandisers and sourcing professionals a unique opportunity to meet directly with a wide range of manufacturers and global suppliers from Asia, the Middle East and North America.

Texworld USA is where professionals and experts come for affordable apparel fabrics, trims and accessories for every product line for today’s modern consumer  women’s, men’s, juniors and childrenswear. The fair showcases textiles of innovative structures, material mixes and surprising color palettes across 14 product categories.  Attendees and visitors stay updated on the latest trends in textiles, and have an exclusive opportunity to network and meet designers and suppliers from around the world while taking advantage of complimentary educational seminars, all under one roof.

“It’s no secret that consumer buying patterns are changing quickly and that the customer is looking for more value than ever when purchasing apparel.” said Jennifer Bacon, show director, Fashion & Apparel. “This is impacting brands and our buyers and therefore, we are focused on curating a group of exhibitors that offer a wonderful product at a great price. Ultimately, our buyers can visit other textile or apparel shows to network and get inspiration on trends, but Texworld USA is the show to find in-demand, on-trend fabrics at realistic and affordable prices. We’re an order writing show, now more than ever.”

More than 240 exhibitors and new manufacturers will be showcasing their latest fabrics for Texworld USA’s Winter Edition 2018 in NYC. The show floor will feature exhibitors specializing in cotton, denim, embroidery, lace, functional fabrics and more.

Texworld‘s educational seminar series, organized by Lenzing Fibers will return for Winter 2018 featuring sessions hosted by curated panels of industry experts, discussing the global textile and sourcing landscape. Be inspired as Texworld USA’s trend display area will feature fabrics from over 14 product categories. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take a peek at the newest color and textile offerings for spring/summer 2019.

Last winter’s Texworld USA show boasted over 225 exhibitors representing 12 countries, including: Canada, USA, Colombia, India, United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and more. Turkey, Korea and Taiwan returned with dedicated country pavilions. The Lenzing Pavilion also returned to the show floor with 17 exhibitors focused on integrating sustainable fibers into a wide range of product categories. From cotton to functional fabrics and knits to lace, Lenzing Pavilion exhibitors showcased the best use of TENCEL® and Lenzing Modal®.

Apparel Sourcing USA Winter 2018, occurring in conjunction with Texworld USA, will say hello to exhibitors specializing in womenswear, menswear, children’s, accessories, etc. and will spotlight a true style icon: denim.  As one of the only events on the east coast to focus on sourcing finished apparel, contract manufacturing and private label development, Apparel Sourcing USA is a long-term joint venture partnership between Messe Frankfurt and CCPIT-TEX and provides attendees direct access to suppliers all over the globe. The January 2017 show showcased 107 suppliers from 9 countries including: China, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Taiwan, USA and Sri Lanka. In addition, Mexico and Peru represented western hemisphere sourcing options with 12 suppliers present on the show floor.

Posted November 15, 2017

Source: Messe Frankfurt

NEW YORK CITY — November 15, 2017 — Airweave, a sleep solution brand in Japan, forges into a new product category in the United States and unveils another innovative technology with the airweave Hyperdown Duvet.

With its unique composition and intelligent design, the Duvet features a proprietary synthetic fill (Hyperdown) that, thanks to its molecular makeup, is ultra-lightweight and has the ability to convert moisture into heat. In addition Hyperdown is antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and odor-resistant. The Duvet is encased in luxurious 449 thread count of cotton sateen, expertly finished so that it conforms to your body to stay in place while you sleep and provide maximum heat retention.

“We strive to create technologically advanced products for the most comfortable sleep environment possible,” said airweave Founder and CEO Motokuni Takaoka. “The Hyperdown Duvet is the perfect wintertime complement to our line of mattresses.”

The Hyperdown Duvet joins airweave’s line of mattresses and cushions including the Mattress, Top Mattress, and Ritz Paris Travel Collection in the US. It first debuted in Japan in 2016 where it is sold in 150 retailers across the country and online at airweave.jp. Total sales of the Hyperdown Duvet in Japan for 2017 are projected to hit $2 million. Passengers flying first class on Japan Airlines can enjoy the comfort of the Duvet on select international flights. The Hyperdown Duvet has been recognized by the Omotenashi Selection — a curation of products made in Japan awarded for their exceptional, thoughtful design and shared all over the world.

The Airweave Hyperdown Duvet is the new-school solution for warmth this winter.  Say goodbye dirty down, heavy comforters and electric blankets. With unparalleled warmth and comfort, you stay in a deeper state of sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed when you wake up … and longing to get back into bed.

Posted November 15, 2017

Source: airweave

ALEXANDRIA, Va — November 15, 2017 — Visits to four industry facilities distinguish the agenda for TRSA’s Production Summit and Plant Tours, February 21-22, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. Now in its fifth year, the twice-yearly Summit enables linen, uniform and facility services operators to take home a wealth of ideas for improving performance and production management by meeting with peers and viewing high-productivity plants,.

Three of the four facilities to be visited are on the same site: Magic Laundry Services’ 7-acre campus in Montebello, where these operations, each with washer-extractors and tunnel washers, share newly expanded loading docks. Otherwise the three are separate operating plants, dedicated to distinct workflows for hotels’ customer-owned goods (COG). Summit attendees whose companies serve any market (F&B, healthcare, hospitality, industrial) will recognize how wider use of such “cells” might more effectively address the industry’s ever-growing number of textile products requiring separate processing.

The other destination will be the MODRoto manufacturing plant in La Mirada, where you’ll get acquainted with the variety of molding techniques that distinguish cart designs as MODRoto personnel describe and demonstrate processes. You’ll see how carts are engineered to pack big loads with minimal tare weight and provide other ergonomic benefits.

Summit general sessions and breakouts examine current industry productivity trends and help attendees hone management and technical skills. These presentations and lessons learned from plant tours enable you to improve everyday production management decisions immediately following your Summit participation.

Meeting agenda highlights include a keynote presentation by Lisa Rosser, a military hiring and retention strategist, providing techniques and tips to attract veterans with valuable skills and training. A retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, her military career spanned 22 years (active and reserve) including roles in performance management, recruiting, staffing, training and skills development.

Other topics to be presented:

How Certification Inspection Assesses Hygiene. You’ll become familiar with the checklist for Hygienically Clean certification, learn to identify critical control points throughout the laundry process and prepare to upgrade plant quality management documentation.

Contributing to Positive Company Culture. Speakers presented by TRSA’s Women in Textile Services Committee will discuss how to foster your company’s core values and develop your team around them, a must for creating shared and personal accountability for achieving department and corporate goals.

Preventive Maintenance to Protect Your Bottom Line. Tactics will be shared to improve PM to generate significant savings, including best practices for plants of all sizes, communication tactics that keep PM on schedule, and guidelines for Production’s role in PM.

Breakout sessions on the Anaheim agenda include:

• Effective Inventory Control for Production Departments
• How Smart Phone Apps Enhance Your Business
• Maximizing Return on TRSA’s Apprenticeship & Internship Programs
• New OSHA Fall-Protection Rule Compliance

Designed to offer the greatest benefits to general, plant and production managers, engineering and maintenance personnel as well as others responsible for production supervision, inventory control and product quality, the Production Summit and Plant Tours series maximizes participants’ continuing collaboration with experienced professionals from TRSA member companies, the industry’s most productive and profitable organizations. One hundred percent of the attendees who evaluated the October 2017 Summit indicated they would return to another Summit.

Posted November 15, 2017

Source: TRSA