WEINHEIM, Germany — October 29, 2025 — With effect from January 1, 2026, the Freudenberg Performance Materials brand will replace the Filc brand, and the name of the company will also change from the same date.
The new brand presence concludes the successful integration of Filc in Freudenberg Performance Materials. For customers and suppliers, the only changes relate to the company address and the name of the bank account holder.
Filc joined Freudenberg Performance Materials in 2020 and this shared identity will now also be reflected in the joint brand presence: the Freudenberg Performance Materials brand will replace the Filc brand.
“The joint brand presence is the final step in the successful integration of Filc. It not only underscores our shared identity, but also brings a decisive advantage, in that Filc will be able to benefit even more from the strength of the Freudenberg brand. Our unchanged goal is to reinforce the sustainable success of our customers through innovative products,” Anže Manfreda, senior vice president at Filc, explained.
Change in the company’s name
The name of the company will also change effective January 1, 2026: “Filc d.o.o.” will in the future operate under the name of “Freudenberg Performance Materials Filc d.o.o.” For customers and suppliers, the only changes relate to the company’s address and the name of the bank account holder.
BALLY, Pa. — October 31, 2025 — Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM) — a designer, developer, and manufacturer of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics — announces that it will showcase its high-quality, high-performance webbing designs at the Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 from November 5–7, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. At booth E1600, BRM experts will be available to discuss the company’s award-winning materials, tapes, webbings, and specialty textiles, including high-performance webbings, E-WEBBINGS®, and other narrow fabrics featuring the latest in advanced fiber technologies.
This year, BRM will proudly feature Kevlar® EXO™, a next-generation aramid fiber that redefines performance and comfort for demanding applications. The company has incorporated this revolutionary material into its narrow fabrics to enhance strength-to-weight ratio and deliver superior performance in defense, deep space, and parachute systems.
BRM’s fabrics feature custom weave designs and high-performance fibers or fiber combinations. These patterns are created for specific end-use applications and can be customized for various industries, including aerospace, medical, safety, and commercial sectors. The technology and capabilities can also be adapted for new applications.
Among the materials to be showcased are E-WEBBINGS, which are woven fabrics of traditional fibers combined with functional elements like conductivity, light transmission, and sensors. These narrow woven fabrics integrate embedded electronic components for power and data transmission and can be tailored to meet specific structural and conductive requirements. Composites, fabrics containing multiple unique fibers to leverage the different inherent properties of each component fiber, will also be featured. These multi-fiber fabrics are engineered for optimal performance in aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.
Tapes and Webbing with Superior Properties such as high strength-to-weight ratio, abrasion resistance, and low elongation will be on display. Additionally, BRM will highlight its Materials on Planet Mars, which includes engineered fibers and fabrics used by NASA, ESA, and commercial contractors for near and deep space applications. This includes the 3D Orthogonally woven 3DMAT Quartz Material developed for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) compression pads, named the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year.
BRM continues to push the boundaries of textile innovation by designing custom weaves and combining high-performance fibers tailored to specific end-use needs. Whether developing standard solutions or one-of-a-kind textiles, the BRM team collaborates closely with customers to meet the most challenging requirements.
The Advanced Textiles Expo is the premier event for the textile industry, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and professionals to showcase cutting-edge products, technologies, and solutions. For more than a century, the Expo has been the industrial fabrics industry’s flagship event, where stakeholders and leaders connect, discover, and source to grow their businesses.
For more information, connect with experts at BRM booth E1600 at the Advanced Textiles Expo or visit https://www.ballyribbon.com/
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — October 29, 2025 — TRSA, the association for linen, uniform, and facility services, successfully wrapped up its 2025 Regional Production Summit series with the Northeast Production Summit, held October 22–23 in Philadelphia.
The two-day event brought together industry professionals for a robust program of education, networking and operational insight.
The summit featured a full day of educational sessions followed by a networking reception and concluded with a plant tour showcasing advanced automation in textile services.
Driving Operational Excellence
The event opened with a keynote by Lisa Ryan, CSP and founder of Grategy®, titled “The Fabric of Success: How Engaged Employees Drive Business Excellence in Textile Services.” Ryan emphasized the importance of building a workplace culture that values and motivates employees — key to improving productivity and reducing turnover.
Attendees explored a range of production-focused topics, including:
Employee engagement strategies;
Linen selection, handling, and maintenance;
Quality-assurance tools and techniques;
Dashboard-driven safety insights; amd
Trends in production automation and digitalization.
Facilitated roundtable discussions allowed participants to dive deeper into regional challenges and share best practices with peers, fostering collaboration and actionable takeaways.
Industry Leaders Endorse the Experience
Nick Palermo of Morgan Services praised the summit, saying: “This was a very informative and value-added program. I would definitely attend again and plan to send others from my plant.” His feedback reflects the summit’s impact on driving practical improvements and professional development across operations.
Facility Tour Showcases Innovation
The summit concluded with a tour of Single Source Plus Laundry’s 18,000-square-foot facility in Bellmawr, N.J. The plant processes more than 200,000 pounds of textiles weekly for luxury hospitality clients, utilizing advanced automation to ensure efficiency and quality.
President Brian Beere, who acquired Single Source Plus in 2013 when it served just six clients, welcomed attendees and shared the company’s growth journey. Under his leadership, the operation now processes over 10 million pounds of hotel laundry annually, exemplifying innovation and scalability in the industry.
Looking Ahead
The Northeast Production Summit capped off TRSA’s 2025 regional summit series, reinforcing the association’s commitment to advancing operational excellence through education, peer exchange, and industry innovation.
For more information on upcoming TRSA events and initiatives, visit https://www.trsa.org/events-education/.
Posted: October 31, 2025
Source: TRSA, The Association For Linen, Uniform, And Facility Services
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — October 30, 2025 — World Emblem, the world’s largest emblem and patch manufacturer, today announced the launch of Custom Genie to provide custom stickers, labels, pens, pencils, name badges, and other promotional products to clients under one unified brand. The new Custom Genie website features cutting-edge technology, offering clients an enhanced user experience.
Custom Genie encompasses the operations of World Emblem brands Stickers International, Fast Pens International, and Name Badges International. The combined company will manufacture close to 2 million products per year for clients throughout North America. As part of the restructuring, World Emblem has reshored all Custom Genie positions to its Norcross, Georgia plant to provide more flexible shipping options, improved package tracking, and faster delivery times.
Randy Carr
“Reshoring jobs to the U.S. and unifying the operations of Stickers International, Fast Pens, and Name Badges International under the Custom Genie brand and website will enable us to increase our product categories, improve the customer experience, and make our operations more efficient,” said Randy Carr, CEO of World Emblem. “Furthermore, we believe the enhanced delivery options available through our Georgia facility will lead to improved customer satisfaction along with significant cost savings for our company.”
Stickers International offers multiple types of stickers and labels to clients in a wide range of industries from hospitality, retail, personal, and professional services to medical offices and the travel industry. Fast Pens International provides pens, pencils, notebooks, and other writing tools to businesses in several industries including hospitality, retail, and education. Name Badges International features custom name badges made with polished metal or injection molded plastic for durability.
“Our customers are asking for a holistic, easy, and fast solution for promotional items to help bring their brands to life. With Custom Genie, we are replacing three separate sites with a new website that will provide improved design tools utilizing AI, simpler reordering, more payment and shipping options, better delivery notifications, and more products available for sale,” said Oz Barhama, Brand manager of Custom Genie and Senior Director of Ecommerce at World Emblem.
World Emblem recently announced plans to reshore 50 jobs to its new Houston factory opening in December. The company has 1,200 employees and 1 million square feet of manufacturing space at its plants located throughout Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
HELSINKI — October 29, 2025 — Suominen has appointed Francois Guetat, M.Eng., as COO, and member of Suominen Leadership Team effective November 3, 2025.
Francois Guetat
Guetat brings over two decades of global experience in operations, supply chain, and manufacturing excellence. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of Integrated Supply Chain at Kalmar, where he led business across sourcing, manufacturing, logistics and strategy. His leadership has been shaped by 22 years at Volvo, where he held key roles in Sweden, the United States and Poland.
“I’m pleased to welcome Francois to our team. He has consistently driven results through transformational programs, systematic continuous improvement deployment, strong commitment to total quality, safety and sustainability, and great people leadership skills”, said Charles Héaulmé, president and CEO of Suominen.
Suominen’s COO Darryl Fournier has decided to leave the company to pursue other professional endeavors. He will continue with Suominen until end of January 2026, focusing on strategic projects.
“I want to thank Darryl for his dedication and commitment to Suominen and wish him all the best going forward”, Héaulmé said.
LONDON — October 30, 2025 — Coats Group Plc, a Tier 2 supplier of critical components to the apparel and footwear industries, announced today that it has completed its acquisition of OrthoLite, a producer of footwear materials and premium insoles.
The acquisition marks a major milestone in the company’s long-term growth plans and strengthens its existing footwear division through expansion into the attractive, high-growth premium insole segment. Both companies already have a similar customer base, a complementary global footprint and a commitment to industry-leading innovation and sustainability practices.
“OrthoLite is one of the world’s most innovative manufacturers in footwear materials. With our combined capabilities, we’ll now be able to offer our customers more future-focused solutions for more of the shoe — without compromising on the trusted quality both companies stand for,” said David Paja, Group CEO. “We’re delighted to officially welcome Glenn and the OrthoLite team to the Coats family.”
Coats first announced its intention to purchase OrthoLite, and its sustainable materials brand, Cirql, on July 16, 2025, for an initial enterprise value of $770 million. Following previous footwear acquisitions, this is the latest step in the Company’s ambition to shape the future of the global apparel and footwear supply chain through innovation, sustainability, and digital technologies that improve quality, efficiency and performance.
“I’m confident this move will bring even more value and opportunity for our customers and our people, while still delivering the great partnership and collaboration we’ve taken pride in over the years,” said Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of OrthoLite. “After 28 years leading the way in premium insoles, I look forward to this next era of growth with Coats.”
To better reflect its increased scale and expanded footwear capabilities, Coats will also move from a three-division organizational structure, previously Apparel, Footwear and Performance Materials, toward a simplified two‑division structure focused on Apparel and Footwear. Existing Performance Materials businesses will be folded into the two new divisions.
The divisions will be led by Pasquale Abruzzese, Footwear CEO and Group COO, and Adrian Elliott, Apparel CEO and Group chief commercial officer. Glenn Barrett will continue to lead the OrthoLite business. External reporting will transition to this structure for the financial year ending December 2026.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — October 30, 2025 — Anyone who wants to contribute to shaping the future of the textile industry can submit a presentation for the Techtextil and Texprocess Forum by December 15, 2025. Both stages represent innovation and practical solutions and promote exchange between research and industry. An international Programme Committee selects the contributions and curates a program on key future topics in the textile sector. From 21 to 24 April 2026, the two leading trade fairs will once again be the center of global business dialogue in Frankfurt.
Photo: Messe Frankfurt / Thomas Fedra
Progress happens where people share their knowledge and work together on new solutions. Those who present here play a part in shaping this progress — visibly, connected, with access to decision-makers and direct influence on the topics of tomorrow.
Textile developments are becoming more complex: research, application, and production are increasingly intertwined; production processes are changing, and aspects such as automation through AI and circular economy are gaining in importance. Formats that promote dialogue and connect different perspectives are particularly valuable. The Techtextil and Texprocess forums offer such a space, enabling networking and knowledge transfer on a global level.
“Those who participate not only help shape the program but also actively contribute to the professional exchange within the industry“, says Sabine Scharrer, director Brand Management Technical Textiles & Textile Processing at Messe Frankfurt. “The forums are among the content highlights of Techtextil and Texprocess, once again demonstrating how much textile expertise, innovative strength, and commitment drive this industry.“
The forums address key topics of the future textile industry — from material development and production to sustainability and digitalisation. This generates new insights and impulses that have an impact far beyond the days of the trade fair.
Programme Committee
Experts from industry, research, and development can submit their contributions now. An international Programme Committee of experienced experts will review the submissions for relevance and quality and compile a versatile range of presentations.
Manufacturing Intelligence – Digitalization, Automation, and AI
Resilient Textiles – Solutions for an unstable World
Pushing Boundaries – Interdisciplinary and disruptive Innovations
Submit your application: https://solutions.techtextil.com/
Categories Texprocess Forum 2026
Sustainable solutions
CAD/CAM
Digitalisierung und KI
Legal requirements
Design Tools
Submit your application: https://solutions.texprocess.com/
Participate now and submit your contributions by 15 December 2025
Participation in the Techtextil and Texprocess Forums 2026 is free of charge. Short presentations should be written in English and supplemented with visualisations. The selected speakers will be announced at the beginning of February 2026. Their contributions will be part of the four-day programme of Techtextil and Texprocess 2026.
Further information on the Techtextil Forum 2026:
Techtextil Forum – https://techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/programme-events/techtextil-forum.html
Further information on the Texprocess Forum 2026:
Texprocess Forum – https://texprocess.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/programme-events/texprocess-forum.html
Techtextil and Texprocess will be held from April 21 to 24, 2026
TORRANCE, CA — October 31, 2025 — Next Level Apparel — a family-founded compay in supplying premium, ethically sourced blank apparel — today announced Brett Bjorkman as its new CEO, following the retirement of the founder and former CEO Joe Simsoly.
Brett Bjorkman
Bjorkman brings 30 years of experience across brand and wholesale, including roles at Nike, Boardriders, Augusta Sportswear, and, most recently, as COO at Next Level Apparel, navigating everything from factory floors to boardrooms. His expertise spans operations, sourcing, risk management, and sustainability, with a track record of turning complex supply chains into lean, reliable, and ethical engines of growth.
“After decades of building Next Level Apparel, I’m proud to pass the baton to Brett, who brings the perfect balance of brand insight and operational rigor to this role,” said Simsoly. “Over the past 18 months, he has immersed himself in every part of the company and is ready to lead us forward — continuing our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence. As I step into retirement, I do so knowing the company is in capable hands, and that Brett will honor our legacy while taking Next Level Apparel beyond what we ever imagined.”
Bjorkman has already made an impact at Next Level Apparel, strengthening operational efficiency, streamlining processes, and reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality and traceability. His focus ensures that every product meets the brand’s high standards — delivering consistency, reliability, and transparency to distributors and customers.
“Premium is a behavior,” added Bjorkman. “It’s about doing things right, making products that last, and proving it. That philosophy guides every part of Next Level Apparel — from sourcing fabrics responsibly to serving customers — and will continue to shape the company as it grows, ensuring it remains the most trusted and responsive platform for premium blank apparel worldwide.”
Under Bjorkman’s leadership, the company will continue expanding its footprint internationally, diversifying its supply chain for resilience, and strengthening partnerships with compliance and provenance organizations such as FLA, Altana, and Oritain.
With more than 500 employees across the U.S., Central America, the Dominican Republic, the EU, and Asia, Next Level Apparel has strengthened its leadership teams and operational capabilities, building a flexible, resilient supply chain and robust customer experience to support its global partners at every level.
YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia — October 29, 2025 — The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) have successfully concluded their second joint convention, held this year in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
In close collaboration with the host Indonesian Textile Association (API), the event gathered over 400 delegates from around the world from across the entire textile and apparel value chain.
The conference program was met with great enthusiasm and featured a diverse range of high-level discussions on topics shaping the future of the global industry — including technology adoption, evolving legislation, fiber innovation, audit fatigue reduction, decarbonization, AI applications, and the transformation of the Indonesian textile and apparel sector. The event also showcased innovation, sustainability, and collaboration through inspiring presentations by the winners of the ITMF Awards.
Beyond the conference sessions, ITMF and IAF continued their tradition of hosting memorable and culturally rich social events. Delegates were welcomed by the Sultan of Yogyakarta at a distinguished opening dinner, while the Gala Dinner held in front of the iconic Prambanan Temple provided a spectacular setting for networking and celebration. This special evening also marked the beginning of the tenures of ITMF President Juan Parés and IAF President Stefano Festa Marzotto.
The convention program also included company visits showcasing Indonesia’s dynamic textile and apparel ecosystem. Delegates visited PT Dan Liris, PT Pan Brothers, PT Ambassador Garmindo, Gallery Batik Jawa, PT Golden Tekstil Indonesia (GTI), and PT Ungaran Sari Garment, gaining firsthand insights into the country’s manufacturing excellence, innovation capacity, and commitment to sustainability.
The success of the 2025 convention was made possible through the strong support of the Indonesian Textile Association (API) as well as PT Dan Liris and PT Pan Brothers, both ITMF and IAF member companies. Together, they showcased Indonesia’s vibrant and forward-looking textile and apparel industry — projecting a positive and ambitious image of the country as a premier location for both textile and garment production.
Posted: October 30, 2025
Source: The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) an/ International Apparel Federation (IAF)
SINGAPORE — October 30, 2025 — 100 Italian companies will exhibit at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025, taking place from October 28 to 31. With an area of around 4,000 square meters, Italy ranks among the top exhibiting Countries, as in previous editions. 53 Italian exhibitors will show their innovations within the National Sector Groups, organized by ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) and Italian Trade Agency.
ITMA ASIA + CITME show has always been the main showcase for textile machinery manufacturers in Asia, which absorbs 50% of global exports for a value of 8.8 billion euro in 2024.
The main world market for textile machinery are China and India, importing textile machines for a total value of 4.3 billion euro.
For Italian manufacturers as well, the Asian market is the top foreign destination. In 2024, Italian exports to Asia amounted to 664 million euro, while in the first six months of 2025 Italian sales to this geographical area grew at 1% rate on the same 2024 period, reaching a value of 317 million euro. China, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are the main Asian destinations for Made in Italy machinery.
ACIMIT President Marco Salvadè says: “ITMA ASIA+CITME Singapore is a further occasion for Italian textile machinery manufacturers to display its updated technological supply. The choice of Singapore allows Italian exhibitors to engage with many Southeast Asian markets, which are becoming increasingly important manufacturing hubs.”
Marco Salvadè ACIMIT President
“Despite geopolitical uncertainties, the significant presence of Italian exhibitors in Singapore confirms the vitality of the Italian textile machinery sector.” confirms Salvadè. “Italian manufacturers at ITMA ASIA+CITME Singapore will show a wide range of advanced solutions, covering the entire textile value chain. Visitors will see digitalization tools that can improve process efficiency and connectivity, automation systems for smarter production and innovations able to reduce environmental impact.
“In addition, there will be a strong focus on sustainable technologies, with machinery designed to optimize energy and water use, while ensuring high-quality results. Italian manufacturers are committed to combining tradition in textile knowledge with cutting-edge innovation.”
Giorgio Calveri, Director Italian Trade Commission Singapore
On his side, Giorgio Calveri, Director of ITA Singapore, states: “With 86% of its 2.1 billion euro production exported, Italy’s textile machinery industry confirms its strong international orientation, with Asia as its main market. ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore is a strategic opportunity to strengthen Italy’s presence in this key region.
“With 100 exhibitors coordinated by ACIMIT and supported by ITA, Italy stands as a trusted partner for advanced, sustainable, and competitive technologies.”
Posted: October 30, 2025
Source: The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT)
WEINHEIM, Germany — October 29, 2025 — With effect from January 1, 2026, the Freudenberg Performance Materials brand will replace the Filc brand, and the name of the company will also change from the same date.
