VDMA: Successful Textile Machinery Symposium In Colombia

FRANKFURT, Germany — August 8, 2017 — In July, seven VDMA member companies presented their technologies to the representatives of the Colombian textile industry. More than 100 Colombian textile manufacturers used the symposia in Bogotá and Medellín as an opportunity to gain first-hand information about German technology.

The VDMA member companies Trützschler, Groz-Beckert, AUTEFA Solutions Germany, Brückner Trockentechnik, Mahlo, Interspare and Saueressig participated in the business delegation trip organized by the German-Colombian Chamber of Commerce (AHK) and actively supported by the VDMA. All the companies could establish contacts with potential customers and representations and even partially conclude orders.

Furthermore, the visits to the two large multi-level textile manufacturers Artextil (design, textile printing, finishing) and FABRICATO (spinning, weaving preparation, weaving, finishing) provided insights on the state of the Colombian textile and apparel sector.

Currently, the Colombian textile industry employs 114,322 people, contributing 6.5 per cent to the gross domestic product of the country. In addition to the import surplus of almost $1.2 billion, the Colombian textile and apparel sector is struggling primarily against illegal imports from Asia, which are countered by the government. The import of textile raw materials should be reduced through local production with the goal to increase quality, productivity and ultimately also export. In 2016, the export ratio was a mere 15 per cent. The security situation in the country has improved in recent years.

Posted August 8, 2017

Source: VDMA

Awards Entry Deadline Extended For INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement And Hygienix Innovation Award™

CARY, N.C. — August 7, 2017 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, is extending the nomination application deadline for two of its awards — the Lifetime Technical Achievement Award and the Hygienix Innovation Award™ — to the new date of August 30, 2017. Both awards will be presented at the third edition of Hygienix – the premier event for absorbent hygiene & personal care markets, Nov. 6-9, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, in Austin, Texas.

INDA’s Lifetime Technical Achievement Award is presented to individuals who have a long established technical career in the nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry. This professional will possess a history of technical innovation resulting in new products and processes. The Award information is available online.

In 2016, the INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award was presented posthumously to nonwovens educator, and consultant, Edward A. Vaughn, Ph.D.  Professor Vaughn was also the recipient of the IDEA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, having served as Managing Editor for the Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics and Department Head and then Director of the School of Textiles at Clemson University from 1977 through 1989.

The Hygienix Innovation Award™ recognizes a new product or technology innovation in the absorbent hygiene and personal care industries that uses nonwoven and engineered fabrics in novel, technically sophisticated, and uniquely creative and expansive ways. Award information is available online http://www.inda.org/awards/hygienix-innovation-award.html

Last year’s Hygienix Innovation Award™ was presented to Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE) for their Go! Pads, a banana fiber-based, low-cost feminine pad that sustainably delivers affordable hygiene for women and girls in Rwanda.

In 2016, the Hygienix event attracted more than 500 industry professionals to advance their business with the newest developments in the important, growing, and largest of the nonwovens segment — absorbent hygiene and personal care.

The conference will explore compelling content in these relevant areas: Brand Disruptors, Incontinence Perspectives: Consumer & Institutional, Product & Positioning Opportunities, Diapers: Smart & Sustainable, Feminine Hygiene Disruptors, Thin/Pulpless Absorbent Products, Odor Control, Game Changers in Machine & Technology Development, Retail and Demographics, and Material Science Developments. The event also includes tabletop exhibit displays, dining with industry thought leaders, an absorbent hygiene products workshop, and the presentation of the INDA Lifetime Service Award.

Posted August 7, 2017

Source: INDA

Prime Medical’s Chlorine-Shielded Textiles Now Available To 44 Hospitals In Illucient Purchasing Alliance

LARGO, Fla. — August 7, 2017 — Prime Medical — a manufacturer of chlorine-shielded privacy curtains, apparel and bed linens for healthcare — announced today it has joined the Illucient Purchasing Alliance, and will now be available to the 44 member hospitals throughout North Carolina and South Carolina that utilize the aggregated purchasing power of the Illucient Portfolio for negotiated discounts for their facility’s supply chain needs.

Illucient is a collaboration between Coastal Carolinas Health Alliance and the Southern Atlantic Healthcare Alliance and has generated millions of dollars in annual savings for its hospital members since joining forces in 2015.

“Illucient is pleased to expand its portfolio with proven, next-generation healthcare products at a valuable price point for our members,” said Lindsay Maher, associate director of Operations. “We are excited to add Prime Medical’s line of chlorine-shielded privacy curtains, apparel and bed linens to our catalog so hospitals in our network can have access to innovative technologies that support a healthier, safer environment for patients, visitors and staff.”

The SAF-T™ product line is made with a patented fabric technology that binds chlorine molecules from each laundering in EPA-registered bleach. The retained chlorine on the fabric kills bacteria and viruses while the products are in use and the chlorine-shield is fully reactivated with each wash, as directed.

In today’s healthcare environment, the risk of acquiring an infection during a hospital stay has remained relatively constant despite the best practices of increased hand hygiene and improved cleaning and disinfection methods.

“While much effort and attention is placed on handwashing and cleaning the hard surfaces around the patient, what is often overlooked as a source of contamination are the fabrics that patients and staff are in direct contact with 24-7,” says Jim Sampey, Prime Medical CEO. “With our products, we’re able to transform the surface area of the privacy curtain, bed linens and patient gown with chlorine molecules that kill germs. Those three products alone represent approximately 330 sq. feet of surface area that can actively fight pathogens, rather than allow them to flourish. If you’re the patient in the bed, we want you to be surrounded in fabric is fighting germs, instead of harboring them.”

Posted August 7, 2017

Source: Prime Medical

Up-To-Date Laundry Recertified Hygienically Clean Healthcare

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — August 4, 2017 — Up To Date Laundry, Baltimore, has again achieved Hygienically Clean (HC) Healthcare certification, reflecting their commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and their capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing.

Up-To-Date was first certified in 2014. Recertification confirms the organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

  • Employees are properly trained and protected;
  • Managers understand regulatory requirements;
  • OSHA-compliant; and
  • Physical plant operates effectively.

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and zero presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

“Congratulations to Up To Date Laundry on their recertification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their ongoing commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry facilities take every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Posted August 4, 2017

Source: TRSA

Unifi Announces Executive Team Additions And Promotions

GREENSBORO, N.C. — August 4, 2017 — Global leader of innovative and sustainable textile fiber solutions Unifi Inc. today announced the appointments of Richard E. Gerstein as executive vice president, global branded Premium Value Added (PVA) products and chief marketing officer; and John Vegas as executive vice president, global chief human resources officer, effective August 14th and 21st, respectively.

Commenting on the appointments, Unifi’s CEO Kevin Hall said: “Together Richard and John bring over 50 years of strategic experience to the team. We look forward to the insight they’ll provide as we continue to expand globally.”

Gerstein brings to Unifi thirty years of P&L and marketing expertise, and an ability to attract and build strong teams. He has served in executive roles for global companies including Procter & Gamble, Alberto Culver, Hewlett Packard, and Sears Holdings. Gerstein also sits on the advisory board of Motista, and served on the board of Lands’ End.

“Richard brings leadership experience in the U.S. and internationally as both a manufacturer and retailer,” said Hall. “He has a diverse skill base across strategic planning, marketing, digital, and partnership development, as well as valuable expertise driving growth in consumer products, technology, e-commerce, and retail.”

Vegas has over twenty years of global business experience, with his career encompassing multifunctional roles in human resources, general management, sales and retail operations for three Fortune 1000 companies. He is a skilled strategist who proactively builds and organizes teams to solve problems and accelerate business growth. Vegas serves on the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

“John has a strong track record of value creation through innovation, P&L management, and organizational development, as well as a diverse skill set across HR, sustainability and retail management,” said Hall. “We are excited by his ability to recruit and retain top talent, while also building scalable talent platforms in complex labor markets.”

Adding to Hall’s comments, Unifi Chairman James Mead stated: “Richard and John are excellent additions to our executive leadership team. Their experience will be invaluable as we continue to execute our strategic growth plan.”

Concurrent with these additions, Unifi announces the promotion of Mark McNeill to executive vice president, global innovation. Commenting on McNeill’s promotion, Hall said: “This promotion reflects Mark’s outstanding contributions and leadership in technology and innovation efforts at Unifi for the past 20 years.  Mark will also continue to lead the expansion efforts of our Asia business unit as he has done so successfully over the past two years.”

The Unifi sales organization will continue to be led by Jay Hertwig on the global PVA business, and Allen Smith on the regional polyester, nylon, and dye operations.

The Company is proceeding with its search for a CFO to round out the executive leadership team and expects to announce that appointment shortly.

Posted August 4, 2017

Source: Unifi

For The Most Demanding Applications: New High- Performance Dispersion From Jowat For The Lamination Of Interior Vehicle Parts

DETMOLD, Germany — July 21, 2017 — Jowat now supplies a new high-performance dispersion for the lamination of interior car parts: The special formulation of the dispersion based on polyurethane has been developed especially for the high requirements in real leather lamination applications and supports the manual positioning and repositioning of the sewn leather covering. In addition, the new PU dispersion 158.97 can also be used for lamination with thermoplastic foils and textile composites.

During the development of the new PU dispersion 158.97 from the Jowapur® product series, Jowat focused on the very high requirements for lamination processes with real leather, as they are used for instance in the manufacture of dashboards or door side panels. Due to the special formulation which ensures a permanent adhesion of the thermally reactivated dispersion to the carrier part and to the laminating material, the sewn covering can be positioned and repositioned as often as necessary without any risk of delamination. The new dispersion provides significant advantages compared to previous products, especially in manual edgefolding operations. Of course, Jowapur® 158.97 also fulfils the requirements for demanding lamination applications with all kinds of thermoplastic decor foils as well as textile foam and nonwoven composites.

The crosslinking time can be reduced considerably in combination with the new Jowat® Crosslinking Agent 197.65. Additionally, this crosslinker is effective in lower concentrations. The bond strength necessary for transport is build up in a shorter time and the parts are ready much faster for downline processing and delivery. The result is a more efficient manufacturing process without the need for big buffer stocks. When processed together, the new dispersion and the new crosslinking agent also provide a reduction in VOC and fogging values.

Posted August 4, 2017

Source: Jowat

NC Specialty Fabrics Set To Launch At IFAI 2017

NEWARK, N.J. — August 3, 2017 — NC Netting & Upholstery Machines is pleased to announce the launch of a new NC Specialty Fabrics Line. The company has purchased a textile mill and added capabilities that include fabrication of binding tapes, seatbelts, straps, harnesses, hides, twill tapes, and more. Stocked lines are already in place and all new lines will launch throughout 2017 and 2018.

Custom Manufacturing 

View samples and various color lines at IFAI in booth A629. NC’s cutting edge fabrics will elevate your offerings and provide cost effective solutions. The company’s business model focuses on a wide array of in-stock lines and custom fabric orders. Submit your requests and ideas at IFAI 2017.

Posted August 3, 2017

Source: NC Netting & Upholstery

Mayer & Cie. Reassigns U.S. Representation To Fi-Tech Inc.

ALBSTADT, Germany — August 3, 2017 — From September 1, 2017, Fi-Tech Inc. will take over as Mayer & Cie.’s sales and service representative in the United States. Fi-Tech replaces Mayer Industries. Founded by Mayer & Cie. (MCT) in 1970, Mayer Industries has represented the German circular knitting machine manufacturer in the U.S. since 1975 but is now specialized in manufacturing braiding machines. Mayer & Cie. expects the handover of representation to Fi-Tech to boost its presence in the United States and to provide easier access to new customers.

“We collaborated for a long time and successfully with Mayer Industries,” says Wolfgang Müller, sales director, Mayer & Cie. “Today, Mayer Industries’ main focus lies in another area. So now is the right time, especially with several employees in the circular knitting department leaving the company as retirees, to hand over our U.S. representation to a well-established, professional agency.”

New Representatives, Familiar Faces

Fi-Tech, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, will take over as Mayer & Cie.’s U.S. sales, spare parts and service representative. Preliminary talks have been under way for over two years. Initial contacts took place at the 2015 ITMA in Milan. The contracts were signed in Albstadt in mid-July 2017.

The new Mayer & Cie. representation has engaged with two senior members of the Mayer Industries circular knitting team to ensure knowledge and expertise are maintained for several years and to assure the smoothest possible transition.

Mayer & Cie. And The American Market

In recent years, the American market has been challenging for Mayer & Cie. for different reasons. “From our perspective, the U.S. market has been very fragmented,” Müller explained. “There are unique challenges in the Los Angeles market, caused by consolidation and the success of imported equipment, especially from South Korea. Whereas in the traditional apparel markets on the East coast, customers have looked primarily to a domestic supply base and service. With our new sales representation and technical service structure, we look forward to once again actively competing in both markets”.

Opportunities For Both Sides

Fi-Tech was founded in 1972. Its initial focus was on man-made fibers and nonwovens, but Fi-Tech has since expanded its portfolio substantially and now represents European equipment manufacturers in dyeing, finishing and surface finishing. The geographical focus of its business is on the United States and the NAFTA member-states.

In Mayer & Cie., Fi-Tech now has the first greige goods manufacturer in its portfolio. Ian Mills, market development manager at Fi-Tech, is convinced that this is an opportunity for both sides. “With a circular knitting machine manufacturer we are expanding our portfolio,” Mills explained. “With our wide-ranging networks, we will be able to introduce Mayer beyond the traditional circular knitting machine market.”

Todd Bassett, co-owner and managing director of Fi-Tech, also takes a highly positive view of the collaboration. “Mayer & Cie. is definitely a flagship in the list of our partners,” Bassett said. “We are impressed by the company’s leading position in both the technology and the market. Also its long history, its investment in its employees, all of that makes Mayer & Cie. something special.”

Posted August 3, 2017

Source: Mayer & Cie

Three Finalists Compete For RISE® Innovation Award

CARY, N.C. — August 3, 2017 — Three finalists will present innovative solutions for the prestigious RISE™ Innovation Award during the seventh edition of Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics Conference (RISE®) Sept. 12-14, 2017, at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, in Raleigh, N.C.  The award recognizes innovation within and on the periphery of the nonwovens industry that uses advanced science and engineering principles to creatively solve challenges within the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry.

Meet the Finalists for the 2017 RISE® Innovation Award

Club Coffee’s PurPod100™ Compostable Pods: PurPod100™ is the first certified 100-percent compostable pod for the Keurig single serve coffee format. Proven to break down in large-scale composting, the pod’s mesh filter is a polylactic acid-based product. It is the first successful thermoformable PLA nonwoven filter application and its filtering delivers consumer satisfaction for many coffee brands.

Mogul’s Madaline®: Madaline microfilament fabrics fill the gap in nonwoven technologies for textile applications with advanced attributes for use in finishing, dyeing, printing, cutting and stitching. The long-lasting microfilament fabrics help reduce environmental impact and is manufactured without binders, solvents or PVC. The fabric properties include thermal insulation, wind resistance, absorbency, quick-drying, breathability and UV protection with an inherent barrier against bacteria and dust mites.

Revolution Fibres’ Xantu.Layr®: Revolution Fibres has developed Xantu.Layr®, the first commercially available nanofiber interleaving veil used in carbon fiber reinforced composite materials. Produced using a proprietary production method, it is a nonwoven web consisting of kilometer long thermoplastic nanofibers. Xantu.Layr® has been shown to improve the fracture toughness, strength after compression and fatigue resistance of composite laminates.

Technical executives in the nonwoven/engineered fabrics industry who are charged with finding new technical ideas to help grow their businesses will vote for the recipient of the 2017 RISE® Innovation Award, following afternoon presentations by each of the finalists on Wed. Sept. 13. The winner will be named on Sept. 14.

The finalists were selected by technical industry experts and members of the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, Technical Advisory Board. In 2016, the RISE® Durable Product Award was presented to Suominen for Fibrella™ Lite, a nonwoven product for absorbent hygiene products.

The RISE conference program will cover these relevant industry topics: opportunities and challenges, manufacturing technologies, moisture management, 3D nonwoven structures, inventing the future, advanced materials: performance, wetlaid nonwovens, technology and money hurdles, advanced biomaterials, advanced machinery, and industry updates.

“The RISE® Conference embraces INDA’s mission to stimulate, and recognize innovation,” said Dave Rousse, INDA’s President. “Without doubt there will be occasions in the program when like-minded, forward-thinking technology professionals have a collective ‘A-ha’ moment as the potential impact of a new approach to a material science challenge is revealed. For Technology Scouts and New Product Innovators this will truly be an event not to be missed.”

Posted August 3, 2017

Source: INDA

Pindler Celebrates 70 Years Of Decorative Fabric Design

MOORPARK, Calif. — August 3, 2017 — Pindler, an industry leader and international wholesaler of decorative fabrics, achieved a major milestone celebrating 70 years of producing high-quality decorative fabrics for the residential and hospitality design trade.

The company, which first began as a one-man operation run by Matthew M. Pindler, has grown tremendously since Matthew and his son, Carl Pindler, joined forces to form Pindler and Pindler Inc., launching its first showroom in 1947. Now, the third-generation family-owned business is led by Chairman & CEO Curt Pindler, who took the reins in 1975 to build the company into a highly successful fabric leader. The fabric wholesaler has 16 owned and operated showrooms in major markets, dedicated and professional field sales representatives, and is represented nationally through 10 agent showrooms, in addition to having two international representatives.

“Since our founding 70 years ago, our mission and focus has been to serve the design trade,” Curt Pindler said. “To achieve this, we strive to deliver inspired products, best-in-class customer service and superior inventory management. Additionally, Pindler is proud to provide our clients with a comprehensive network of showrooms, focused on excellent service while delivering an extremely efficient self-service memo program.”

Pindler is a trusted resource in the industry, known for its knowledgeable staff, unparalleled customer service, state-of-the-art website and loyalty to the interior designer. Most of the company’s collections are exclusive, including a few of the latest high-end exclusive collections such as Platinum, Atelier and Hearst Castle, which have already proven to be very successful. In addition, Pindler has launched a plethora of exclusive Indoor/Outdoor Collections, which have been gaining speed in the marketplace, making Pindler a category leader in Indoor/Outdoor fabric.

As proud of its past as it is excited about the future, Pindler anticipates continued growth. The leading fabric company has innovative ideas on the drawing board which include a newly redesigned website and beautiful, new decorative fabric collections in addition to the other range of products which have made Pindler a one-stop shop for designers searching for not only foundational fabrics, but also inspirational decorative pieces. In addition to acknowledging its growth over the decades, Pindler has recently made some senior management changes in order to pave the way for continued expansion, promoting its CFO, Sean Quinn, to president this past January. If history is any indication of Pindler’s potential, the company will have many future anniversaries to celebrate.

Posted August 3, 2017

Source: Pindler

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