Shima Seiki Changes Leadership

WAKAYAMA, Japan — June 30, 2017 — Flat knitting machine manufacturer SHIMA SEIKI Mfg., Ltd. changed its leadership at its annual shareholders’ meeting on June 28, 2017, replacing its former president and company founder Masahiro Shima with his son, former vice president Mitsuhiro Shima. Mitsuhiro succeeds Masahiro as president, representative director and director of sales headquarters, while Masahiro becomes chairman of the board of directors. The change in management is a strategic move by the company to further strengthen and improve its management system.

Shima Seiki was founded in 1962 and soon became an industry pioneer with Masahiro’s invention, the fully automated glove knitting machine and the fully automated seamless glove knitting machine. The seamless glove became inspiration for the eventual development of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology for which the company is now best known. Meanwhile Shima Seiki became an industry leader through its continuous innovation and consistent renewal of benchmark technology which more often than not has become the reference standard for the industry.

The charismatic chairman is described by many as “the Edison of (his hometown of) Wakayama,” referring to the inventor of the light bulb who is also renowned for the number of patents he held. Masahiro in fact owns patents in excess of 1,000. Considered by many as a genius of mechanical engineering as well as business management, the notion of filling his proverbial shoes can certainly be quite overwhelming. However at a press conference held for the Japanese press in May, Mitsuhiro humbly stated, “I may not be up to par with the likes of Thomas Edison or my father, but I do hold about 10 patents.” Upon drawing laughter his expression turned serious as he addressed possible skepticism in his role as president after so many years of growing up in his father’s shadow.

“My father was a genius who founded the company and every one — especially I — am aware of that. It was his company and he did what he pleased, and he took the helm without looking back. Fortunately for the rest of us he was competent enough to lead this company to success, but it created within the company a passive culture that relies on a single leader to issue commands. I wish to change that and nurture a company culture that encourages individual creativity and exchange of ideas with a common goal to make this organization succeed. That mechanism is already in place. Shima Seiki will continue as an innovation leader. From now, however, innovation refers not only to discrete mechanical inventions, but to creative collaboration in both hardware and software technology that yields synergistic benefits.”

Mitsuhiro Shima joined the company in 1987. He became a director in 2002, and executive director in 2007. He has been in charge of system development, machinery production, material purchasing and corporate planning before becoming vice president in 2012.

The transition takes place during financially favorable times, just as Shima Seiki announced one of its best fiscal years in its 55-year history, with record-setting figures posted in its fiscal report as of March 31, 2017. This includes a 25.9 percent increase in net sales, a 94.8 percent increase in operating income, and a 121.6 percent increase in net profit over the previous fiscal year. This despite exchange losses incurred due to a rise in the value of the Yen during the course of the year.

Posted June 30, 2017

Source: Shima Seiki

Top Value Fabrics Acquires Pacific Coast Fabrics

CARMEL, Ind.  — June 29, 2017 — Top Value Fabrics has announced the acquisition of Pacific Coast Fabrics. The acquisition expands the company’s product offerings and strengthens its West Coast distribution network for printable textiles.

“TVF is known throughout the industry for outstanding customer service and quality products, and the Pacific Coast Fabrics team shares that same dedication to the customer,” explained Chris Fredericks, president, Top Value Fabrics. “Both companies are growing because we pride ourselves in listening to customers and utilizing their input to develop market leading fabrics and media that help customers succeed. We are delighted to welcome Pacific Coast Fabrics to the TVF team and we look forward to a continued bright future in this growing industry.”

Both companies enjoy a rich history of textile success. Pacific Coast Fabrics was established in Gardena, Calif., in 1995 after Brian Vieweg and Michael Sanders, executives from Cal-Pacific Dyeing & Finishing Corp., formed a new company to supply high quality textile goods. Cal-Pacific Dyeing & Finishing Corp. was founded in 1967, and the new company became Pacific Coast Fabrics. Brian was elected president and Michael was elected vice president.

“Michael and I have worked together to lead our team to great heights at Pacific Coast Fabrics,” Viewed said. “It’s rewarding to have built our company, and to have this incredible opportunity to keep doing all we do for our customers along with the support and resources of a stronger, combined company with TVF. We’re excited for our team to join together with TVF’s team as we deliver even more options for our customers and even greater innovation for the industry.”

TVF, headquartered in Carmel, Ind., was founded in 1974, and opened its West Coast Sales and distribution center in Carson, Calif. in 1987. The textile leader has added remote offices, sales and support teams, and a nationwide network of shipping locations to add convenience for customers over the years.

“Both teams are comprised of tenured fabric experts who understand that our customers’ success is our success,” shared Karen Stuerenberg, marketing director, Top Value Fabrics. “To offer the most continuity to our customers, all existing products will remain part of our combined product line for the foreseeable future. As pressures continue to intensify for customers to consistently raise the standard, access to this incredible depth of textile options with one supplier will enhance the customer experience.”

Combined, the companies contract manufacture and source fabrics and media worldwide, both domestically and in international locations from Asia to Europe.

“Our exceptional lines of fabrics, vinyl and mesh offer customers an unprecedented selection of quality fabric options for markets including activewear apparel, signage and advertising, and more,” said Robert Hinsch, vice president, Top Value Fabrics. “Top Value Fabrics has a wide selection of industrial and apparel fabrics, many of which are specifically for printing. Adding Pacific Coast Fabrics to our team broadens our printable fabrics offering and related expertise immensely. This positions us to support customers who require printable fabrics even more effectively.”

Top Value Fabrics became 100-percent employee-owned in 2010. “TVF is proud to be employee-owned and as we move forward together, we will include the entire Pacific Coast Fabrics team in our employee ownership plan,” said Fredericks. “Additionally, while integration planning is underway, to make this easy for our customers, both companies will operate with business as usual through the transition. As of November 1, 2017, we will unite and operate as one Top Value Fabrics.”

Posted  June 29, 2017

Source: Top Value Fabrics

Adalberto Estampados Expands Design Offering And Reduces Fast-Fashion Supply Chain Costs With SPGPrints’ PIKE® Digital Textile Printer

BOXMEER, the Netherlands — June 29, 2017 — Textile printer and supplier Adalberto Estampados, Rebordões, Portugal, has installed a PIKE® digital textile printer from SPGPrints to offer new standards of quality and production efficiency to its international customer base.

Among the benefits delivered by the company’s Pike digital printer are reductions of lead-times by up to 50 percent, reduced stockholding costs, faster time-to-market, and improved print quality, including the ability to print micro patterns, broadening the scope for new designs.

Installed in late 2016, the Pike digital printer complements Adalberto Estampados’ four existing screen printers. Ideal for volumes of more than two million linear metres per year on substrates up to 1850-millimeters (mm) wide, the Pike uses single-pass technology with fixed-array piezo-electric print heads. Using SPGPrints’ Archer® technology, fine details and bright, saturated blotches can be produced with variable drop sizes ranging from 2 to 10 pico Liters. Archer technology Pike unparalleled substrate versatility.

“Two major trends are affecting us: the growth of fast-fashion, and more challenging designs,” said Mário Jorge Machado, CEO, Adalberto Estampados.

“SPGPrints’ Pike printer addresses both these challenges, and offers scope for future developments.”

Fast-fashion has revolutionized every aspect of the fashion industry.

“With the demand for new designs to appear in stores several times a month, the pressures on textile printers are enormous,” Machado said. “The whole business model has changed. Not only must there be fast printing and delivery, but run lengths are shorter. This means that job changeovers must be fast, and with minimal waste. Deliveries need to be on time, and stock-holding by suppliers and retailers reduced to a minimum, to save costs. Price sensitivity adds to the pressure.”

The decline in run lengths that results from frequent design changes is another pressure. Printing digitally eliminates screen preparation time, as well as chemical and water waste. Job changeovers require only the digital files to be loaded, and, possibly, the substrate changed.

“Another trend that is challenging textile printers is more complex designs,” Machado continued. “More colours and finer detail are increasingly requested by fashion brands, and the desired results are simply not possible with screen printing. High-performance digital printers, like the Pike, can deliver the designers’ concepts.

“At present, we are running the Pike on a single-shift basis,” he explained. “Even at that level, it accounts for 25 percent of our production. That means a single shift with Pike is as productive as three shifts with a rotary screen printer, in our situation.

“Printing digitally with Pike reactive inks enables a much broader gamut of colour than is possible with 10 or 12 color screen printers,” Machado continued. “Designers are also pleased that we can now print very fine lines, strong color blotches, sharp geometric designs — and even the micro-floral patterns, which are currently growing in popularity.

“We regularly print on knits and wovens of viscose, lyocell, cotton, linen, and blends of these,” he said. “The Pike handles wovens from 60-70 grams per square meter (g/m2) and knits of 200 to 240 g/m2.

“Our customers become more interested in printing digitally when they hear we were able to print a 100,000m2 order in two weeks on the Pike. That job previously took four weeks using rotary screen,” Machado said. “For brand-owners, this represents a significant jump in responsiveness. It means that their digitally-printed garments could be in the shops when, if screen printed, the textiles would just be headed for finishing. This is game-changing technology, addressing the quality, colour, volume and speed requirements of today’s retail industry.”

Speaking for SPGPrints, Jos Notermans, commercial manager digital textiles, said: “For companies like Adalberto Estampados, digitally producing high-volume, fast-turnaround textiles for big brands is a powerful competitive advantage. Using the SPGPrints Pike to complement the work of its existing screen printers means textiles can be produced by the method best suited to the individual job, and deliver benefits of speed, quality and price to the customer.”

Posted June 29, 2017

Source: SPGPrints

Caulfeild Apparel Group To Drive Social Change With New Partner Outland Denim

TORONTO — June 29, 2017 — Caulfeild Apparel Group Ltd. is excited to announce its new partnership with Outland Denim, the profit-for-purpose premium Australian brand using jeans as a vehicle for social change.

In two transactions, Caulfeild Apparel has invested as a minority shareholder in Outland, and signed on as the North American distributor launching for fourth quarter 2017.

“I am very excited to be involved in this brand personally and corporately,” said Michael Purkis, president of Caulfeild.

“Outland is a one-of-a-kind brand, a game changer, and like nothing I have seen before in the premium denim world. I know the North American consumer will appreciate the premium product and fit, and that the product will earn its place in the market on its own merits, but it will also earn its place into the hearts and minds of our partners and customers as they all participate in changing lives around the world.”

Outland jeans are crafted in the brand’s own manufacturing facility in Cambodia by young women seeking sustainable employment and a tangible skill set after experiences of human trafficking, sexual exploitation and other human rights abuses. The seamstresses are trained in the craft of jean making while earning a living wage and engaging in other educational, life-enhancing opportunities to further protect them from vulnerability and exploitation.

Outland Denim began its jean-making journey when founder James Bartle had a fortuitous encounter with an anti-trafficking group at a music festival in Australia. With interest sparked, he then traveled to Asia and saw firsthand how human traffickers prey on vulnerable young girls in order to service the sex industry. With a desire to combat the problem, James and his wife soon learned that economic solutions provided more long-term success than charitable ones. They determined that if a girl had been rescued and control of life restored, that a sustainable career path is the key for securing a stable and safe future. James created the “Denim Project,” which enabled the rescued girls who demonstrated an interest in sewing to put their new skills to use manufacturing denim jeans.

“I’ve always lived in jeans,” Bartle said. “If you were going to produce anything, why wouldn’t you produce the most staple part of a person’s wardrobe? Jeans aren’t a throw-away item, but something you keep for years.”

After years of development, James took the denim project to scale in 2016 and launched Outland Denim with the intent on creating a sustainable business that could create opportunity and rescue women from slavery for years to come. The partnership with Caulfeild marks the next exciting chapter for the young brand.

“Our chance encounter with Caulfeild in New York City last October has led to a strong alignment between our companies,” Bartle said. “We are excited to partner with a company that has a great historical record in the apparel industry and believe this alliance will be crucial in our endeavor to provide more employment opportunities and combat slavery.”

Outland Denim is committed to sourcing the most ethically and environmentally sound raw materials in alignment with the world’s best sustainability practices with a vision to create a long-term position in the premium denim market for the consumer who loves denim and wants to contribute to a better world.

Posted June 29, 2017

Source: Caulfeild Apparel Group Ltd.

Three Years Of BST eltromat International: Strategically Focused On Quality, Customers And Innovation

BIELEFELD, Germany — June 28, 2017 — In June 2017, BST eltromat International is celebrating the three-year anniversary of the merger of the former BST International GmbH and eltromat GmbH. Time to take stock: What has been achieved since the merger? Where does the company, with its more than 600 employees, stand today? How is the high-tech company for quality assurance systems performing on the global market? And how are its customers benefiting from the development that has taken place over the last three years?

“The merger has made BST eltromat a global market leader in the fields of quality assurance and automation in web-guided production processes,” observed Kristian Jünke, managing director for Sales and Service at BST eltromat International. “No matter where in the world our customers are based, if they are facing complex issues related to our products, they can rely on experienced local contacts to provide comprehensive long-term support. This support extends from consulting and system selection to installation, set-up, and service issues.”

Thanks to its global presence, especially in geographical terms, BST eltromat is distinguished by a great proximity to its customers. The company has eleven subsidiaries working at the local level — six of which have their own production facilities. Its newest subsidiary — BST eltromat South East Asia Co., Ltd., in Bangkok, Thailand — was established just one and a half years ago. More than 50 representatives around the world support the BST eltromat sales team, offering further points of contact for customers. The number of installations is also worth noting: BST eltromat systems are currently used by more than 10,000 customers in over 100 countries.

“We supply our customers with extensive possibilities for getting the most out of their production processes. Our services are tailored to customers’ specific requirements – with close cooperation between our staff members in the consulting, sales, development, and service ranges. Comprehensive service is a key component of what we offer and is one of the main reasons why our customers on all continents rely on long-term cooperation with our companies – now more than ever,” added Jünke. “We propel the market’s growth together with our customers, by involving them in what we do and responding to their individual requirements.” BST eltromat’s financial stability is also a big plus, enabling the company to support customers even in large-scale projects — and to serve as a reliable partner along the path to future success.

Evolution of a Distinct Corporate Culture

“Since the merger, we’ve been working hard on defining our strengths and fostering new possibilities. At our international sales meeting in Wiesbaden at the beginning of May, attended by over 70 employees from around the world, we started seeing the first concrete signs of a distinct corporate culture and identity,” explained Dr. Gunter Tautorus, managing director for HR and Finance at BST eltromat. “As a globally positioned team that has built itself up with a clear purpose, our corporate successes and new projects have set us on a good track for the future.”

For Dr. Carsten Kipp, managing director for Technology at BST eltromat, the merger of BST and eltromat was a logical step in response to market requirements for companies’ innovative strength. “With increasingly shorter innovation cycles for new products, today’s manufacturers have to be able to cope with substantial advance payments and quickly generate high product volumes through their international sales right after bringing a product to market.” The challenges that came with Industry 4.0 also demanded strategic partnership between major customers and system manufacturers.

The expertise resulting from this merger of two former competitors shows that the companies perfectly complemented each other. According to Kipp, “This expertise is the ideal foundation for the further development of innovative systems that are freely scalable — from their individual components to comprehensive solutions — and that meet the requirements of tomorrow’s markets.” This expertise also enables BST eltromat to develop new industry-specific solutions and applications.

“Our sales team now provides greater market coverage in North America, and we have doubled our capacities in the area of service. Both of these advantages allow us to support our customers better,” emphasized Mark Lambrecht, president, BST North America, in explaining how the regional subsidiaries’ customers are benefiting from the merger.

“Many customers see us as a strong partner that is at the forefront of technological development, thereby enabling them to stand out among the global competition. This, too, is a major reason why customers choose BST eltromat as a long-term partner,” adds Jünke, summarizing the strategic motivation behind many of the company’s customers.

Posted June 28, 2017

Source: BST eltromat International

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

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