You may recall the outgoing chairman of the National Council of Textile Organization’s (NCTO’s) address this past spring where Milliken’s Jeff Price spoke of the organization’s efforts to rebrand the textile industry.
NCTO engaged public relations firm Wray Ward to assist in correcting the image of U.S. textiles. The industry has long been framed as non-competitive and antiquated, particularly by those who oppose NCTO’s policy agenda and think there is no significant textile industry in the United States.
According to Price, “… it is our responsibility to paint a picture for opinion leaders and consumers that displays the textile industry’s true technical and innovative prowess.”
The editors of Textile World could not agree more. It always has been frustrating to explain and defend the industry to those who have little concept of how textiles impact their daily lives. Whether automotive, medical, aerospace or traditional home furnishings and apparel products — few understand the depth to which textiles affect their lives.
It is not an intentional slight. The industry was central to the industrialization of the United States, and it does carry a lot of baggage associated with those early days. But as global competition rose, the industry’s only defense was to retool technologies and increase its focus on innovation.
TW has celebrated the industry’s innovation by recognizing significant achievements through the TW Innovation Award and the TW Innovation Forum, which is an event that sheds light on the latest and greatest developments the industry has to offer.
The U.S. textile industry never has focused on self-promotion. Often, industry members avoid attention and suspect prying eyes. But the silence encourages and assists others to frame the industry as they see fit to suit their own agenda.
Over the coming months TW’s magazine, website and e-newsletters will feature stories from NCTO’s “American Textiles: We Make Amazing™” campaign. The editors ask that you share these stories with opinion leaders, friends, and the press — anyone who needs to grow their knowledge of the modern U.S. textile industry.
The industry needs to excite young people and plant the seed to encourage careers in high-tech textiles or aligned industries like robotics, automation or nanotechnology. U.S. policymakers need to hear about the investments made in technology and the contributions made to the military and other government services. The media and press might find it interesting to learn that a plant in their own town is “making amazing.”
TW editors would like to thank the NCTO and Wray Ward for their assistance in this project and hope the exposure in TW will increase the impact of the campaign with TW’s readership reach.
The NCTO has expressed its gratitude for financial contributions from its partners in the project: the American Fiber Manufacturers Association; the National Cotton Council; the Industrial Fabrics Association International; and Glen Raven Inc.
Carolina Nonwovens, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Spinning Co. Inc,. recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of its new facility in Maiden, N.C. The 11-acre site features a 92,000-square-foot facility that houses nonwoven production lines as well as ancillary processes. Carolina Nonwovens selected processing machinery for the new facility from France-based Laroche S.A. and Italy-based Technoplants S.r.l. — both represented in the United States by Cornelius, N.C.-based Allertex of America Inc. The plant will add approximately 30 jobs to the company’s current staff of 35.
National Spinning Chairman and CEO James Chesnutt, National Spinning’s Board of Directors, and the staff of Carolina Nonwovens were joined at the opening ceremony by guests that included North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory, Maiden Mayor Robert Smyre and Catawba County Board of Commissioners Chair Randal Isenhower.
“This state-of the-art plant gives us a platform for divisional growth and further economies of scale for our entire corporation,” said Jim Booterbaugh, president, National Spinning.
“Carolina Nonwovens has made tremendous strides since we acquired it in 2012,” said Chesnutt. “We appreciate the support of all those whose efforts have built a strong future for the division. The assistance provided by the N.C. Economic Development Partnership, N.C. Department of Commerce, Catawba County Economic Development Corporation, County of Catawba, Town of Maiden, The Stump Companies, and Matthews Construction Company significantly contributed to the successful opening of this Maiden site.”
Fruit of the Loom donated items to The Louisiana Salvation Army for Baton Rouge area flood victims.
Bowling Green, Ky.-based Fruit of the Loom Inc. reports it has donated more than 55,000 packages of T-shirts, shorts and underwear to The Louisiana Salvation Army to support victims of the flooding in Baton Rouge and the surrounding communities.
“In times of adversity, we recognize the need to step in and help our neighbors as they recover from one of the worst floods our nation has seen in years,” said Rick Medlin, president and CEO, Fruit of the Loom. “While there is so much loss, we only hope that our donation can provide some relief as these victims overcome such tragedy.”
Fremont, Calif.-based Electronics For Imaging Inc. (EFI) has announced plans to move its ink-jet business to a new 250,000-square-foot facility in Londonderry, N.H., in early 2018. The EFI™ Inkjet center will consolidate research and development, manufacturing, warehousing, training, and service for EFI VUTEk® and wide format printers into one facility. Sales and marketing management for EFI’s full portfolio of narrow, wide- and superwide-format industrial ink-jet printers and presses also will be housed at the center. In addition, the center will feature a briefing and demonstration center for customers.
“EFI’s annual ink-jet revenues are closing in on $500 million, and it is happening because our customers are capitalizing on new market opportunities using our expanding portfolio of industrial ink-jet printers,” said Scott Schinlever, senior vice president and general manager, EFI Inkjet.
EFI cites the proximity of the center to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport as well as the pool of talent in the greater Boston metropolitan area as reasons for the site’s selection.
Switzerland-based JMBT Beteilgungen AG — a 100-percent subsidiary of family-owned Jakob Müller Holding AG and affiliate of Jakob Müller AG, Switzerland — has acquired 100-percent of the shares of Benninger AG from Benninger Holding AG, thus expanding the company’s offerings into a related business segment.
Benninger develops, manufactures and sells textile finishing systems, tire-cord production systems, and process automation equipment. The company employs approximately 330 people; 110 of the associates are located in Switzerland.
This is the second purchase by Müller in recent years that has expanded its product range. In 2012, Müller acquired Italy-based Comez S.p.A.
The first seven months of 2016 have been well below the hopes and expectations of many spinners.
“We’ve been really disappointed in the activity so far this year,” said one spinner. “Business is coming in small chunks. There seems to be no consistency at all. One week we see signs that things are beginning to loosen up, then the next week we see very little come in. We have enough business to keep everything running, but our pipeline is thin — a whole lot thinner than we would like it to be.”
Added another spinner: “It’s just week-to-week. We have orders coming in, but few of them are big. Our backlog is not nearly what it needs to be. I keep hearing there are some big programs out there that are going to come our way, but I haven’t seen any evidence of it.”
“The strong dollar certainly isn’t helping us right now,” added one yarn broker. “It is a hard sale, especially when competing on price with countries that artificially devalue their currencies. We talk a lot about imports in this country. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that the United States is among the largest exporters of textile products in the world. And when our prices start going up because the dollar is so strong, we start losing business.”
Not every spinner, however, is disappointed. Specialty yarns continue to move well. “We’re selling everything we can make,” said one specialty spinner. “The keys for us are innovation, communication and delivery. We make a unique product and we stay in touch with our customers so that we can anticipate and meet their needs. A critical part of our success is lead time. We know we have to get our product our customer faster than anyone else can. If we fail, someone else can step in. It used to be we talked about quotes and turnaround in weeks. Now we talk in days.”
Is It The election?
Going forward, some spinners expect business to remain stagnant until after the election. “It’s not unusual to see drop-offs in election years,” said one spinner. “After the election, depending on who is elected and what the message is, things could change. That is certainly what happened four years ago, and I am optimistic it will happen again.”
Another spinner agreed: “Maybe it is just uncertainly about the upcoming election. We have been expecting business to pick up every month this year, and it just hasn’t happened so far. We have a few solid weeks and then a few slow weeks. At first, we thought it was an inventory correction and that things would be back to normal by mid-year. Consumer confidence doesn’t seem to be terribly low. Unemployment is low, and new jobs are being created. So maybe everyone is now just taking a wait-and-see attitude. There have been a lot of things in the campaign for President that have made a lot of people nervous — and that goes for both sides.”
Final TPP Battle Looming?
Under the Trade Promotion Authority legislation passed last year, the White House is required to give a 30-day advance notice to Congress before submitting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement for approval.
In mid-August, President Obama did just that through a Statement of Administrative Action. However, Congressional leaders have indicated they will not consider TPP until after the election because of its widespread unpopularity among the American public. Both major party candidates for President, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, oppose TPP as it is now written.
Cotton Prices
As of the week ended September 1, spot-market cotton prices for the base quality of cotton (color 41, leaf 4, staple 34, mike 35-36 and 43-49, strength 27.0-28.9, uniformity 81.0-81.9) in the seven designated markets measured by the USDA averaged 65.30 cents per pound.
The weekly average was up from 60.64 cents reported during the corresponding period a year ago. Spot transactions for the week totaled 2,630 bales. Total spot transactions for the season were 10,996 bales, compared to 18,729 bales for the corresponding week a year ago. The Intercontinental Exchange October settlement prices ended the week at 68.01 cents.
Alexium International CEO and Executive Director Nick Clark
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Alexium International is an environmentally responsible company that provides safe flame retardant chemistries for the defense industry and consumer markets.
Nick Clark has two decades of business experience, most recently in his role as CEO and executive director of Australia-based Alexium International. Clark is responsible for the overall management and leadership of the business in Australia, the United States and Europe. He is a Law and Economics graduate with a postgraduate MBA and has attended Columbia University as well as the Yale CEO College.
Textile World: Why are flame retardants so important in the textile industry? How have they evolved over the years?
Clark: Flame retardants are a critical safety component, particularly in the textile industry, because they help protect bedding, decorative fabrics, automotive fabrics and outdoor fabrics, as well as military and workwear. Each type of fabric needs a unique chemistry in order to maintain its unique features without compromising safety. Flame retardants can help to prevent furniture fires, provide protection to the skin should clothing catch fire, and help prevent the spread of flames for automotive fabrics, to name a few uses.
Flame retardants have been used for centuries; however, only recently have they undergone extensive changes. In the late 1970s, a National Cancer Institute study showed that the flame-retardant chemical tris (2,3,-dibromopropyl) phosphate — commonly used in children’s pajamas at the time — could cause cancer, leading the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban the use of this chemical in children’s clothes. This action, among a few others, helped pave the way for a newer and more environmentally conscious set of chemicals. Alexium was able to create a variety of products that would not negatively impact the environment while continuing to provide fire safety.
TW: What about Alexium’s new flame retardant chemistries helps prevent originally feared health problems?
Clark: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), certain chemicals found in some flame retardants may cause reduced IQ scores, learning disorders, reduced fertility, thyroid disruption and cancer. The evidence of toxicity and bioaccumulation in some halogenated compounds and carcinogens has led to a demand for a new product that can still act as a flame safety tool without compromising health. This is why Alexium is intent on providing an environmentally friendly alternative. Alexium’s flame-retardant formulations are unique and are differentiated from existing treatments. Both our processes and products are intentionally designed to meet our own exacting requirements for safety and environmental sustainability, often exceeding industry standards.
While our products feature an environmentally friendly mix of chemicals, they remain lightweight and durable. For example, one of our products, Alexiflam NF, is a reactive, halogen-free, phosphorus-based product that can stand up to 50+ washes and is specifically designed for cotton and cotton blends often found in products such as workwear, apparel and upholstery.
TW: Alexium has a strong focus on the military textiles sector. How do Alexium’s chemicals help to keep those in active duty safe?
Clark: Alexium’s relationship with the U.S. Armed Forces dates back to our first partnership with the U.S. Air Force in 2009 to help improve Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) technology.
The chemical solution that we have specifically designed for our military division is called Alexiflam FR, which is both durable and ecofriendly. This chemical formulation works well with nylon/cotton blends, which are typical for products like military uniforms. In addition to uniforms, Alexium’s chemistries have been developed to protect military tents, backpacks, tactical gear and accessories.
TW: With the recent passing of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, how might Alexium’s environmentally friendly product fit into the new restrictions?
Clark: The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act makes important amendments to the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) as a result of an increasingly apparent need for further evaluation of existing chemicals. According to the EPA, the new law includes requirements such as mandatory evaluation of existing chemicals, a new risk-based safety standard and improved public transparency for chemical information. With this new power, the EPA can evaluate many of the chemicals that exist in everyday products. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are about 85,000 known chemicals — many of which are no longer being used — and about 1,000 of those chemicals need to be reevaluated to determine if they are safe.
At this time, it is hard to determine specifics about manufacturing, since this law is still very new and being analyzed. However, the amount of funding the EPA receives will play a large role in determining when they take action to review and potentially ban certain chemistries. According to the EWG, chemicals that should see early action for safety review include flame-retardant chemicals such as chlorinated phosphate esters and brominated chemicals like TBB and TBPH. A strong area of focus for this new legislation is to change its original emphasis on cost-benefit analysis when reviewing chemical safety and focus more on health and safety. With health and safety as governing factors, the EPA will likely review the use of certain halogenated flame retardants and possibly ban if not heavily regulate them.
Companies like ours that have the goal of creating environmentally friendly solutions should see this law as a welcome development because we can already produce compliant chemistries.
TW: Alexium has seen substantial growth and international expansion. What do you attribute these achievements to?
Clark: We attribute a lot of our success to having a simple and unified goal — providing products that keep consumers and the military safe with as minimal an impact on environmental health as possible.
Our international expansion has also helped us grow by opening us up to new clients. Right now, we have partnerships with distributors in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia, and we expect additional expansion. Our client base is rapidly growing both in the commercial and defense sectors. Most recently, we reached agreements with a textile finisher and major tent supplier that supplies tents to the United Nations.
Additionally, Alexium’s cost and performance advantages over existing formulas have helped us capitalize on the market. Currently, there are few competitors that have environmentally friendly flame-retardant chemistries with minimal impact to other properties while still meeting unique customer needs. Our ability to achieve this has helped us to stand out as a reliable and effective option.
IFAI Expo 2016 will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center. Photo courtesy of Visit Charlotte
IFAI Expo 2016 offers educational events, tours, workshops and roundtables geared to the industrial fabrics sector.
TW Special Report
IFAI Expo 2016, organized by the Roseville, Minn.-based Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), will be held October 18-21, 2016, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte.
IFAI expo serves all aspects of the industry, and features segments targeted to specific markets including:
Specialty fabrics — featuring traditional market suppliers from fabric and equipment to hardware and services needed to manufacture end products;
Advanced textiles — covering supply chain relationships in technical textile markets including medical, automotive, wearable, safety/protective, performance wear and aerospace; and
Shade and weather protection — highlighting end products such as retractable awning systems, shade structures, canopies and other weather solutions.
The expo features a show floor with more than 400 anticipated exhibitors, equipment workshops, an Advanced Textiles Lounge, the IFAI TechStop, IFAI Membership Lounge, Fabric Sourcing Center, an updated ShowStoppers competition, and the IFAI International Achievement Awards, among other attractions. The opening night reception will be hosted at the NASCAR Hall of Fame (See “Schedule At A Glance” for a complete listing of events). As the schedule illustrates, the four-day event offers a varied and jam-packed lineup for expo attendees.
Organizers also will continue the format implemented last year where classroom education sessions are held prior to the show floor’s open hours to avoid conflicts in schedules. Super Tuesday features the Advanced Textiles Conference as well as educational programs for the specialty fabrics and shade and weather protection markets.
In addition, IFAI will host triple the number of educational campfire sessions on the show floor during the expo.
New Testing Program
IFAI has partnered with the Raleigh, N.C.-based North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Textiles in 2016 to offer an expanded three-part testing program featuring two certificate options as well as demonstrations hosted by experts on the show floor. The Advanced Textiles Conference Testing Track includes classroom sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday presented by industry experts and NCSU professors, in addition to lab time. Participants can earn a NCSU Textile Testing Essentials Certificate, which may be credited towards NCSU’s Textile Technology Certificate Program.
The NCSU Intro to Testing Certificate seminar features both classroom and lab time to teach the basics of textile testing. Participants also will earn a certificate upon completion of this seminar.
Throughout the expo, the Testing Demo Zone will give attendees the chance to interact with testing experts during live and video demonstrations on the show floor. NSCU will conduct the demonstrations along with a variety of companies and organizations including Advanced Testing Instruments, FITI Testing and Research Institute, Hohenstein Institute, Instron, Manufacturing Solutions Center, Netzach, Product Investigations, Textile Technology Center/Gaston College, Thermetrics, and Weber & Leucht.
Keynote Speakers
Three keynote speakers will feature at this year’s IFAI Expo. On Super Tuesday, the keynote speaker Chuck Gallagher — an entrepreneur, speaker and author — will talk about setting the stage for ethical success. The Wednesday Opening Session will feature Linda Kaplan Thaler, an advertising and non-fiction writer, and chair of the ad agency Publicis Kaplan Thaler. Dennis Snow, a 20-year veteran of the Walt Disney World Co., will present the keynote speech on Thursday on the topic of creating perfect customer experiences.
“We are happy to return to the Southeast and the home of the American textile industry in Charlotte,” said Mary Hennessy, president and CEO, IFAI. “We have more than 400 exhibitors ready to show their products and we are ready for the biggest and best IFAI Expo show ever.”
For more information about IFAI Expo 2016, visit ifaiexpo.com
FloorTek returns to the Dalton! Convention Center with technologies and educational events targeted to the flooring industry.
TW Special Report
After a short hiatus because of a downturn in the floor covering sector, FloorTek Expo has settled in to a new triennial schedule and will return to the carpet capital’s Dalton! Convention Center, Dalton, Ga., October 18-20, 2016. The state-of-the-art venue overlooks the scenic North Georgia mountains, and is in close proximity to hotel and dining options.
FloorTek Expo 2016 is produced by the Dalton-based American Floorcovering Alliance Inc. (AFA). The event is targeted exclusively to the floor covering industry, and will highlight machinery, technology, suppliers and services specific to the sector. FloorTek Expo will feature demonstrations and select educational opportunities in addition to the trade show exhibitors. As of TW’s press time, more than 70 exhibitors have registered to participate in the show.
Educational Opportunities
AFA has partnered with the Floor Inspectors Educational Guild to offer educational events to FloorTek attendees. On Thursday, the Flooring Professional Education Sessions will host a Shaw Day presented by technical experts from Shaw Industries Group Inc. Friday’s lecture will be presented by Forensic Concrete Engineer Inspector Robert Nunez.
In addition, the National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI) and National Academy of Floor Covering Training (NAFCT) will collocate their events during FloorTek. NICFI will host its Annual Educational Conference October 17-19; while the NAFCT Technical Conference and Trade Show will be held October 20-22.
“FloorTek promises to be a very exciting event for both attendees and exhibitors this year,” said Wanda Ellis, executive director, AFA. “With a very impressive group of exhibitors signed on for 2016, there is every reason for the decision makers from the industry to make certain that they make time to visit the show. Add to this the other supporting seminars, workshops and technical trade show joining us for the week, it will only bring more focus onto North Georgia and our industry.”
Registration is free for attendees, and is now open at the FloorTek Expo website.
For more information about FloorTek 2016, visit floor-tek.com.
By James M. Borneman, Editor In Chief
