August 2016
Sluggishness Continues
By Jim Phillips, Yarn Market Editor
“Lackluster.” That is how one spinner characterizes the continued sluggishness of business through the end of July. “We’re getting business, staying busy, but it is week to week.”
Added another spinner: “We are getting small orders that need very quick turnaround, but, compared to this time last year, we have very little backlog.”
Orders for yarn through the first seven months of the year have fallen well below the expectations of many spinners. “In the first part of the year, I think most of us thought a slowdown was the result of inventory adjustment,” said one spinner. “We knew that at the end of year, a lot of customers had a more yarn on hand that they needed. We were expecting that situation and believed that orders would return to normal once the inventory correction was over, so we weren’t too concerned. However, now it is months later and things have not appreciably changed.”
The feeling of one spinner is that the volatility of the current U.S. Presidential campaign has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among consumers and businesses alike. “A lot of people are concerned about who is going to be the next President and how it is going to affect the economy and the relationship of our country with the rest of the world. Many people are not happy with either candidate, and they are just adopting a wait-and-see attitude.”
Another spinner agreed: “There are a lot of variables that could change the whole sales picture for the remainder of the year. Election years always make me nervous, because you never know what to expect from people. Will they like what they hear and be confident about the future? Or will the scare tactics of some politicians make them close their purses until they are more secure about the direction of the economy?”
Another reason cited by an industry observer cites consumer confidence as a reason for reduced spending on textiles and apparel. “It is not that consumers are saving money; it is just the opposite. After a steady and consistent recovery from the recession, Americans are now actually spending money again on big-ticket items. Those dollars that last year were going to clothes, sheets, towels and such are now going to automobiles, home improvements, appliances, luxury vacations and things along those lines.”
An industry executive noted that a considerable difference in the business climate today, as opposed to five years ago, is that the position of the industry in the marketplace is now much more robust. “In the past, it was always either boom or bust. We were either running flat out or closing plants. Today, that is not happening. There is enough business to go around. Our complaint isn’t that business is terrible. It isn’t. It just isn’t as good as it was last year.”
Cotton Prices Increase
Cotton prices have begun to increase for the first time in over a year. As of August 12, spot quotations for the base quality cotton (color 41, leaf 4, staple 34, mike 35-36 and 43-49, strength 27.0-28.9, uniformity 81.0-81.9) averaged 72.06 cents per pound, down slightly from the 72.75 cents of the previous week, but up substantially from the 60.92 cents reported during the same period last year.
August 2016
Jakob Müller AG Expands Its Business Operations; Takes Over Benninger AG
FRICK/UZWIL, Switzerland — August 16, 2016 — On August 15, JMBT Beteiligungen AG acquired 100-percent of the share capital of Benninger AG from Benninger Holding AG. With this acquisition Jakob Müller AG is expanding its position in the textile finishing sector.
As a result of its integration in the Jakob Müller Group, Benninger will benefit from the sound structures and common ground with regard to technology, production and sales and can therefore extend its operations.
With this acquisition, Jakob Müller AG will be able to expand into an associated business field and profit from Benninger’s know-how in respect to textile finishing.
In 2015 the Benninger Group workforce totalled around 330 employees, 110 of these in Switzerland.
As the technological and market leader, the Swiss company develops, produces and sells textile finishing systems as well as systems for tire cord production around the world. Its cus- tomers are active in the premium segment. Benninger offers integral solutions, which include not only the plant engineering but also the required chemical processes. The products are very well positioned for fulfilling current and future demands with regard to quality and re- source conservation. The company also has a process automation division including switch cabinet assembly, supplying third parties as well.
JMBT Beteiligungen AG is a 100% subsidiary of Jakob Müller Holding AG and an affiliate of Jakob Müller AG in Frick.
Jakob Müller AG is the parent company of various companies that operate exclusively in the field of narrow fabric looms. In this sector Jakob Müller AG is the global leader with produc- tion facilities in Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, India and China as well as sales offices in all major textile markets.
Jakob Müller Holding AG is family owned and does not publish any figures. Head office is Frick, Switzerland.
Posted August 16, 2016
Source: Benninger AG
Trützschler And EREMA Cooperate On Inline BCF Systems For R-PET
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — August 16, 2016 — After having worked successfully together during the past year, both companies have signed an agreement on the cooperation in the area of reclycled materials, especially of recycled polyester (R-PET). The cooperation covers BCF lines which produce carpet yarns by spinning recycled polyester or blends of virgin PET chips and recycled flakes.
The overall spectrum of products offered includes a VACUREMA Basic Line and secondary components from EREMA which feed the inline connected symTTex spin positions of Trützschler Man-Made Fibers with a high-quality polymer melt.
For cost reasons, recovered secondary raw materials, such as flakes from used PET bottles, have long been a popular commodity in both the plastic and in the fiber industry. Since the quality of the raw material plays a decisive role when spinning thermoplastic polymers, the bottle flakes have to be treated with special care.
Erema’s VACUREMA technology offers modular solutions with a vacuum reactor, a directly connected single-screw extruder and a high-performance filter for this process step. The high quality of the melt with respect to viscosity (IV value) and purity lays the foundation for top-quality filaments. The upstream processes have little impact on the directly following spinning process, since only small pressure fluctuations occur during backwashing or screen changes.
Trützschler’s R-PET-spinning technology is based on the proven system components for spinning primary chips. The process involves the well-known spin packs and the double-shell godets, the HPc-texturing system and the fully automatic winder.
Existing customers will appreciate the use of the same key components for operation of the R-PET plant. The support of process and product development for recycled polyester through process engineering in Winterthur is part of the package.
Last year, Trützschler and Erema jointly developed a carpet yarn plant for BCF yarns from recycled PET on customer demand. While the reactor, the extruder and the polymer filters were delivered by Erema, Trützschler Man-Made Fibers was responsible for spinning, drafting and winding. The plant is very flexible, so that both yarns from 100% recycled material or blends with PET primary granules can be spun.
Posted August 16, 2016
Source: Trützschler
Archroma Pakistan Wins ‘Employer of the Year’ And ‘CEO of the Year’ Awards
REINACH, Switzerland — August 15, 2016 — Archroma has announced that its Pakistan affiliate has been named Employer of the Year in the multinationals segment in a nationwide contest organized by the Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP).
EFP granted the award in recognition of Archroma’s best practices in human resource management, industrial relations in maintaining excellent relations with workers’ unions, providing employees with their legal rights as per applicable laws and regulations, observing labor standards, and encouraging workers’ participation in management. Archroma always strives to maintain the highest standards in occupational health and safety, to ensure the work environments are safe and congenial at all it sites. The award helps to underscore the company’s focused commitment on corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The efforts of Archroma Pakistan Limited in this area also earned its CEO, Mujtaba Rahim, the ‘Best CEO of the Year 2015’ award.
Speaking at the award ceremony held on August 2, 2016, and attended by corporate heads, government officials and ILO representatives, Rahim commented: “Archroma’s success is driven by our employees first and foremost. We strongly encourage them to continuously challenge the status quo in the deep belief that we can make our industry sustainable. Our best practices in human resource management are built with this attitude in mind, and have resulted in high motivation amongst our diverse teams, working as a strong unifying force that lead to strengthen Archroma’s market position in Pakistan.”
Posted August 15, 2016
Source: Archroma
Crypton® Expands Design And Merchandising Team
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — August 15, 2016 — The Crypton Companies — a provider of performance fabrics in the contract, home furnishings and apparel markets — has announced the expansion of its fabric design and merchandising team. Janna Sendra has been hired as the new Director for Fabric Design and Merchandising for Crypton. She will be based in the company’s Bloomfield Hills office.
Sendra joins Crypton from Arden Companies where she was a Senior Stylist and Director of Textiles responsible for fabric line product and trend presentations to some of the nation’s largest retailers. Prior to Arden, she worked at companies such as Robert Allen Design and Wearbest, where she focused on collections for high end fabrics sold to interior designers. Sendra earned her B.A. from Michigan State University and her M.S. in Textile Design from Philadelphia University.
“Being able to flawlessly integrate client retail goals and the end consumers desires are a must in this industry,” said Randy Rubin, Chairman of Crypton. “Janna’s proven track record as a commercial and trend driven designer and merchandiser makes her a natural fit to our growing company.”
Sendra’s responsibilities at Crypton include working with all stakeholders including mills, retailers, designers and end consumers to advance Crypton’s various products to market.
Posted August 15, 2016
Source: The Crypton Companies
Advanced Exhaust Air Cleaner Module From Monforts
MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — August 11, 2016 — A new advanced exhaust air cleaning module, suitable for fitting with the latest Montex 8500 Stenter, is optionally available.
The Eco Cleaner can be directly linked to the Montex 8500 integrated duct system extracting smell and visible particles in the air. VOC`s (volatile oxygen compounds) can be filtered out with an additional UV-C system.
Built to a proven design by the German Company KMA Umwelttechnik GmbH featuring a steel housing, the cleaner is fully integrated on top of the Montex stenter ensuring a space saving modular feature.
It is able to fulfil most limitations referring to hydro carbon, aerosol and smoke emissions; ensuring a minimum volume of filtered remainders. Oil remainders from oil recovery can be re-used as fuel where appropiate.
The highest efficiency operation with the heat recovery system is assured thanks to the fully integrated hydraulic heat exchangers at the inlet and outlet of the stenter.
The self-cleaning system requires an absolute minimum of maintenance.
Posted August 11, 2016
Source: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG
New Air Monitoring System By KEMPER: AirWatch Captures Nanoparticles
VREDEN, Germany — August 11, 2016 — Clearly verify the presence of dust in production: Companies check the hall air quality efficiently with the new air monitoring system AirWatch. KEMPER GmbH’s sensor technology is able to determine and document the number and weight of nanoparticles and then analyze it with smartphone, tablet or PC and compare it to limit values. A traffic light display visualizes permanently the status of air quality. The system is suited for any workplace in production facilities, warehouses and logistics halls. With AirWatch, Kemper wants to raise awareness of the dangers behind fine dust.
“With our new air monitoring system AirWatch, we introduce for the first time a system on the market that is in a position to efficiently measure the number of fine dust particles,” emphasizes Björn Kemper, managing director of Kemper GmbH. For this purpose, the highly sensitive sensor technology is essential as it can capture particles right up to the nano range.
Checks are not depending on the workplace
Whether industrial production facility, warehouse or logistics operation: AirWatch continuously monitors the air quality regardless of the type of workplace. The air monitoring system measures fine dust particles in a radius of up to 30 meters using a laser-powered sensor. An integrated fan draws in ambient air.
It is possible to save individual limit values for hazardous substances. A traffic light shows the current air quality level measured against these values. At the same time, the system saves the data across a long time period. Users access the data simply using a smartphone, tablet or PC. A trend display for day, week, month or year also allows companies to analyze concentration of hazardous substances in more detail.
Verify the presence of fine dust according to WHO standards
AirWatch captures particles in the range of 100 nanometers up to 16 micrometers. This area includes the fine dust categories PM2.5 for alveolar common dust (A dust) and PM10 for all inhalable dusts (E dust) as defined by WHO. AirWatch automatically classifies the captured particles accordingly.
In addition to checking the air quality, AirWatch also monitors the effectiveness of ventilation measures. Companies can independently check their compliance with regulations issued by professional associations apart from official checks made by professional associations.
Highlight the value of employee health
With the system, KEMPER aims to raise awareness of the fine dust risk. “Companies are wise to continuously check air quality with regards to employee productivity.” Yet, dust in warehouses is also a threat to the quality of products and can develop into a tremendous cost factor.
A best-practice example shows how it is done: Once the Airwatch traffic light jumps to red at the workplace of a metal processor, the employees ask the welder to switch on the extraction and filter plant. “Not only employees consider their health more thanks to AirWatch,” explains Kemper. Employers show that they consider their employees’ health as important. “Within the framework of a successful recruitment of specialists, they place themselves as a sustainable business.”
Verify hazards despite adherence to limit values
Counting fine dust particles has great advantage compared to applicable limit values, which analyze the weight of fine dust: If coarse dust particles in the production move around then a limit value is surpassed quickly.
Kemper explains that the invisible fine dust on the other hand often remains undetected — with fatal consequences: “Millions of fine dust particles which do not reach the weight of the specified limit value make employees sick.”
Even if the limit value is adhered to, a permanent exposure to fine dust can lead to serious health problems. Current studies show that fine dust is the cause of increased heart attack risk, accelerates dementia, causes cancer and may even lead to death. The WHO classes fine dust as a direct cause of lung cancer.
Posted August 11, 2016
Source: KEMPER GmbH
SPGPrints To Highlight Sustainability, Productivity, Vibrancy Of Digital Textile Workflow At SGIA Expo 2016
BOXMEER, the Netherlands — August 11, 2016 — SPGPrints will demonstrate its ground-breaking JAVELIN® — the digital inkjet printer with a two million-meter annual production capacity — in the USA for the first time at SGIA Expo (Booth 3381), September 14-16, Las Vegas. Furthermore, at the show, the company will emphasize the superior runnability, color richness and environmental benefits of its new-generation NEBULA® inks, suitable for a wide range of textile applications.
Introducing the Javelin digital inkjet textile printer to the United States
SGIA Expo marks the first showing in the United States of the Javelin digital inkjet printer for companies printing up to two million meters of textiles annually. Throughout the show, the printer will be operational, giving visitors a real-time experience its quality, flexibility and ease of use. Print samples will be available for evaluation. Additionally, the live demonstrations will be accompanied by video presentations, showing the sustainable, quality-controlled processes SPGPrints employs to manufacture and test its high-performance inkjet inks.
The JAVELIN printer features SPGPrints’ unique Archer® print head technology. The nozzles are 4mm from the substrate, compared with the more usual 1.5mm nozzle-fabric distance. This means a wider range of substrates can be run, a reduction of the chance of print head damage. Using only six colors, Archer technology enables a gamut wider than the HD-gamut of other digital textile printing solutions. In addition, SPGPrints’ ‘Archer Print Head Program’, provides a two-and-a-half year guarantee on the print heads in combination with the use of accredited inks.
The Javelin printer uses a scanning action with an array of Fujifilm Dimatix Samba print heads to cover the 1850mm width with sharp image production. Fine line details, smooth gradients, blotches and geometrics can be accurately printed thanks to Javelin’s variable drop-size capability (2pL – 10pL) at resolutions up to 1200 x 1200dpi.
Javelin is ideal for companies wanting to take the first step into digital textile printing, or with a need to supplement their existing capabilities. JAVELIN complements SPGPrints’ PIKE digital printer that is capable of printing up to 13 million meters per year. Its fixed-array printing bar comprises 43 print heads for single-pass printing in a width of 1850mm. The print head jetting-distance, together with the anti-misting properties of the machine’s inks, makes Javelin ideal for printing on sublimation papers.
“The launch of the Javelin printer provides another powerful tool for companies operating in this highly competitive market”, said Jos Notermans, commercial manager digital textiles, SPGPrints. “With the color range and print quality combined with digital’s fast-turnaround, fast time-to-market, this technology delivers what brand-owners want and what textile printers need for a competitive edge.”
“The Javelin’s capabilities integrate well with screen printing for trial, fast-turnaround and limited edition runs,” he concluded. “As a result, it is a valuable tool for attracting and maintaining business from fashion brands.”
Expanded NEBULA textile inkjet ink range
SPGPrints will present its complete portfolio of NEBULA inkjet inks for textile applications that offer a broad color gamut, optimized drying and excellent runnability with all digital printers that use Kyocera print heads. Developed and manufactured at SPGPrints’ recently expanded, dedicated facilities in the Netherlands, the four ink chemistries in the NEBULA range are suited for the widest range of textile applications and fabrics.
“At SPGPrints, we have enabled textile printers around the world to achieve success not only by developing inks that offer outstanding quality advantages, but by supporting them with long-term support, too,” stated Notermans. “With our intimate knowledge, we collaborate closely with each customer to ensure the ink delivers optimum performance with their application. We will also help customers recalibrate their color profiles when they make the transition to our new high-density inks.”
Nebula Sublimation inks, for polyester fabrics, eliminate the need for post-processing by steaming or washing. They offer vibrant colors with the best deep black available on the market, as well as superior print quality and enhanced manufacturing costs, notably through high ink yields.
Nebula Reactive HD (high density) inks, for printing on all natural fibers offer a color density that is 20 percent higher than industry alternatives, as well as superior ink yields.
Nebula Acid HD inks have been introduced for Polyamide (PA) Lycra swimwear, luxury silk items like fashion scarves and neck ties, and wools. Offering increased color depth, they meet all industry standards for color and water-fastness, as well as the specifications for all major swimwear manufacturers. The new high-definition inks replace SPGPrints’ existing acid ink range.
Nebula Disperse inks for polyester and blended fabrics are specially formulated to provide both mist-free production that enables crisp, clean printing, and contamination-free drying. They cover the widest color gamut available for textiles today and offer high brilliance.
Nebula Sublimation inks, for polyester fabrics, eliminate the need for post-processing by steaming or washing. They offer vibrant colors with the best deep black available in the market, print quality and reduced manufacturing costs.
Posted August 11, 2016
Source: SPGPrints
Shopfloor Advances Innovation With New R3 Capabilities & Enhancements
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — August 10, 2016 — Shopfloor Support LLC announces Release 3.0 (R3) of its breakthrough Shop Floor Control (SFC) solution for sewn products and other discrete manufacturers. The major new software and supporting technology upgrade delivers both new and enhanced capabilities that extend the value and benefits of SFC for its fast growing and diverse client and partner community.
“R3 brings so much more than a typical software update,” explained Shopfloor Partner Justin Hershoran. “Over the past three years, we have been honored with the trust and collaboration of so many customers and partners that now represent the driving force in our ongoing development efforts. This community has inspired the many new capabilities, usability enhancements, analytics and supporting technologies that make up this powerful new release.”
Key among the new capabilities of the Android™-based Shopfloor Eye™ app are:
- Visual Communication – of construction details, operational methods, quality standards and other information on tablets empower workers to more quickly and accurately perform tasks.
- Smart Sequencing – eliminates significant non-productive time by automatically selecting the operation type for as workers begin each new bundle or unit of production.
- Operator Switch – a tap of the tablet supports self-measurement and pacing of individual units or bundles for production workers.
Most notable new business analytics and cloud-based management capabilities include:
- Data Rollups – companies using multiple servers, e.g. across multiple plants/facilities, can automatically roll-up information from all servers to gain operation-wide visibility and control.
- WIP Calculation – enables businesses to immediately visualize the economic value and throughput time of the current level of work-in-process inventories.
Technological enhancements include:
- HTTPS Security – provides encryption and enhanced security for information shared outside of your secured internal network through industry standard Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure.
- Pay Rate Variances – small bundle premiums and product size incentive piece rate variances are now supported.
- Power Options – simplifying the supply of power to tablets, Shopfloor now supports direct connection to USB-equipped equipment (e.g. sewing machines) and through the Power over Ethernet (PoE) protocol.
Shopfloor R3 is now being deployed as part of the company’s standard service level agreement across current customers and is now integrated into the standard feature set for all future implementations.
Posted August 11, 2016
Source: Shopfloor Support LLC
