Delta Apparel Reports Fiscal 2016 Second Quarter and Six-Month Results: Initiating A Manufacturing Realignment

GREENVILLE, S.C. — May 12, 2016 — Delta Apparel Inc.  today reported that for its fiscal 2016 second quarter ended April 2, 2016, expanded gross margins drove net income to $3.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share.  Net sales, impacted to some degree by the bankruptcy of a large retail customer, were $109.2 million for the quarter compared with sales of $109.6 million in the prior year second quarter after adjusting for sales of $5.4 million in the since-divested The Game business and under the Kentucky Derby license that the Company did not seek to renew for 2016.  Overall gross margins expanded 510 basis points over the prior year period and 270 basis points sequentially.  Operating profit was $5.9 million, or 5.4% of sales, resulting in earnings of $0.43 per diluted share compared with $0.03 per diluted share in the prior year second quarter after adjusting to exclude the gain on the sale of The Game business realized during that quarter.  Prior year second quarter earnings including that gain were $0.46 per diluted share.

For the first six months of fiscal 2016, net sales increased to $199.3 million from $197.6 million in the prior year period adjusted for sales attributed to the since-divested The Game business and the since-discontinued Kentucky Derby license.  Net income was $4.1 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in the first six months of fiscal 2016 compared with a net loss in the prior year period of $565 thousand, or $0.07 per diluted share.

Manufacturing Realignment
During the past two years, the Company has been expanding its manufacturing capacity and improving its flexibility to better serve its customers while also focusing on process improvement and cost reduction to remain competitive in the apparel marketplace.  In furtherance of these goals, the Company is initiating a manufacturing realignment that will result in the closure of its textile manufacturing operation in Maiden, North Carolina and the transition of production to its Honduran textile facility. This realignment is intended to maximize production at the Company’s lower-cost facility and eliminate duplicative fixed costs.  The Company expects to support its Mexicosew and screen-print production with in-country sourced fabric. In addition, the Company will source domestic fabric with current suppliers that will be sewn in the Company’s Rowland, North Carolina plant to support its Made in the USA programs.

Once completed, the realignment is expected to significantly lower production costs, thereby improving gross margins and increasing earnings by up to $0.70 per diluted share.  The Company is investing approximately $7 million in new equipment for its offshore manufacturing operations that should be installed this quarter to expand output in those facilities. Expenses of approximately $3 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, are expected in fiscal 2016 as part of this realignment, including severance, shutdown and start-up inefficiency and other expenses, with the majority of this expense in the fiscal 2016 third quarter.  The realignment should be completed by the end of fiscal year 2016 and the Company expects to begin realizing the associated cost benefits in the first half of fiscal 2017, with the savings in the back half of fiscal 2017 expected to annualize at approximately $8 million.

Basics Segment Review
Basics segment gross margins in the fiscal 2016 second quarter expanded by 810 basis points over the prior year period resulting from a stronger product mix, continued manufacturing efficiencies, and lower raw material costs.  Net sales in the basics segment were $69.8 million, off 2.2% from prior year second quarter net sales of $71.4 million. Activewear sales were down 1.5% from the prior year period due to a 7% decline in unit sales of basic tees that was partially offset by strong growth in fashion basics, which exceeded 250% year-over-year growth, and catalog full-package growth of 15%.  Private label sales improved 4%, with growth coming from regional, trendy brands as well as new customers acquired in 2015.  Art Gun experienced solid year-over-year growth in March but an overall sales decline of approximately $500 thousand for the full second quarter as it made necessary adjustments to correct inefficiencies that surfaced during the extremely high-volume 2015 holiday season.

Branded Segment Review
Adjusted for The Game and Kentucky Derby sales in the prior year second quarter, branded segment net sales grew 2.8% to $39.3 million in the fiscal 2016 second quarter while achieving margin expansion of 110 basis points.  Salt Life experienced year-over-year sales growth of 23% in the second quarter and nearly 120% sequentially, with its ecommerce website, www.saltlife.com, growing 48% over the prior year second quarter and 68% year-to-date.  Strong demand for the Salt Life brand continued with a robust sell-through of the Spring 2016 product line. Salt Life’s new distribution center is functioning well and proven capable of handling the record shipment volumes Salt Life is experiencing.  The Salt Life store in San Clemente, California is progressing and scheduled to open in mid-Summer this year.

The Soffe business was negatively impacted by a large customer bankruptcy and otherwise would have achieved sales growth of 5% over the prior year period.  Soffe has enhanced its service levels to the independent sporting goods channel and recently launched a new business-to-business website that should further strengthen Soffe’s recent double-digit sales growth in that channel.  Soffe’s new products and improved customer service and in-stock position should also help fuel growth across other sales channels going forward.  While the www.junkfoodclothing.com ecommerce website achieved growth of 26% for the second quarter, overall Junkfood sales were down $1.9 million from the prior year period.  The decline is primarily attributed to unsettled conditions in the retail marketplace and management changes at several specialty apparel customers that led to more deliberative buy decisions and slower order placement during the transitions.

Robert W. Humphreys, Delta Apparel, Inc.’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The strength that Delta Apparel has shown in the first half of this fiscal year is a testament to the effectiveness of the strategic initiatives we announced 18 months ago and the ability of our team to successfully implement them. While conditions in the retail apparel marketplace have shown little improvement, we have made significant progress both financially and operationally.  Delta Apparel is now more streamlined and focused on areas that offer the greatest potential for profitable growth.  We have significantly upgraded our manufacturing capabilities, improved customer service and expanded our product offerings.  As a result, we have seen higher demand for Delta Apparelproducts, lower manufacturing costs, and significant margin expansions in each of the last four quarters, along with increased profitability.

“Over this time, we have made changes to our manufacturing platform that have reduced costs significantly and give us the ability to produce open-width fabrications that should lessen our reliance on sourced fabric. Our manufacturing realignment and the expansion and modernization of our facilities should allow us to further increase efficiency, reduce fixed costs and ultimately better serve our customers through shorter lead times.  The decision to close the Maiden plant and eliminate the jobs of approximately 160 employees who have contributed significantly to our growth and success over the years was extremely difficult.  However, we believe these steps are necessary to be cost-competitive with other global competitors.

“We also recently entered into a new loan agreement that extends our current $145 million credit facility for five additional years and lowers our interest expense by approximately 50 basis points.  We believe this underscores the excellent financial and operational positioning of Delta Apparel and the recognition of that strength by the financial community.

“Looking ahead to the second half of our fiscal year, even with continued sluggishness in the retail marketplace we expect continued gross margin expansion and modest top line growth driven by anticipated market share gains and trends we are seeing toward a more profitable sales mix.  We also expect to build on the high double-digit growth of our B2B and B2C sites in our second quarter and see continued strong growth in our ecommerce business.  These expectations, combined with our ongoing fixed-cost reduction efforts, point us toward a solid second half of the year and a bright future for Delta Apparel.”

Posted May 12, 2016

Source: Delta Apparel, Inc.

Valdese Weavers Becomes A 100-Percent Employee-Owned Company

VALDESE, N.C. — May11, 2016 — In the year following the company’s 100 YEAR Centennial celebration, Valdese Weavers is proud to announce today another extraordinary milestone — becoming a 100-percent employee-owned company, through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Michael Shelton, President & CEO of Valdese Weavers, said “One hundred years after our company was founded, and eighty years after Harley F. Shuford and his family acquired the company out of receivership during the Great Depression, Valdese Weavers is now a 100-percent employee-owned company. This process began in 1996, when the Shuford family sold a minority interest in our parent company, CV Industries, to our associates through a newly established ESOP. The family’s decision to sell their remaining interest to the ESOP marks the continuation of the commitment of Valdese Weavers and the Shuford family to our associates, our community, and our values. This change from a minority ESOP to a 100 percent ESOP creates a platform for ownership that will propel Valdese Weavers into the future. It is truly a wonderful opportunity for all of our associates who come here to work every day, and through their efforts have made our company the special place that it has become.”

Snyder Garrison, a grandson of Harley Shuford, said on behalf of the Shuford family, “There are many options for charting the future of a privately owned, closely held company like ours. The 100 percent ESOP achieves our family’s objectives for Valdese Weavers to remain an independent, privately owned company with a strong commitment to our local community. In keeping with our values, the ESOP is a great way to recognize the dedication from each of our associates toward achieving a successful, lasting legacy. Employee-owners know that their efforts can help them gain a benefit for their families that is greater than wages alone.”

Shelton further said, “I particularly want to express our appreciation to Snyder Garrison, who as our longtime CFO has led our financial and administrative teams for many years. It is with personal regret but warm wishes that I announce Snyder’s decision to transition to retirement from his executive role as CFO, and concentrate his future efforts on his strategic role as a member of our Board of Directors. I have had the distinct privilege of working as a team with Snyder and our COO Carson Copeland for almost three decades. Snyder’s leadership and influence have left an everlasting impact on me and everyone in our company.”

“On behalf of the nearly 1,000 associates who, through the ESOP, now own 100 percent of Valdese Weavers, I want to collectively thank the generations of the Shuford family who have given us their support, and have displayed confidence in our stewardship of the company they have owned since 1935,” Shelton added.

Posted May 12, 2016

Source: Valdese Weavers

Lectra’s Automotive Leather Conference Ushers In The New Paradigm Of Leather Cutting Room Digitalization

PARIS — May 12, 2016 — Lectra recently hosted a global conference on the future of automotive leather. More than 60 attendees, including decision-makers from more than 20 countries, gathered at Lectra’s International Advanced Technology and Conference (IATC) center in Bordeaux-Cestas to discuss the impact of digital transformation on the automotive leather value chain.

Under the banner “Go Digital: Increasing Flexibility in the Automotive Leather Value Chain,” the event brought together expert analysts and high-profile market leaders to deliver industry insight on the new paradigm of leather cutting room digitalization. Presentations covered wide-ranging topics, including worldwide light vehicle production forecasts, the sustainability and short-term market outlook of bovine leather, and the benefits of leveraging technology to stay apace of automotive interior design trends.

The automotive leather industry is currently undergoing significant change as it catches up with other areas of vehicle manufacturing well on their way to Automotive Industry 4.0, the digital transformation of manufacturing processes. By sharing industry insight and facilitating dialogue, the event aimed to deliver additional value to Lectra’s customers and all of the stakeholders in the automotive leather ecosystem.

For Giancarlo Dani, CEO of the Italian tannery Dani, making the transition to digital processes requires a reliable partner with the right expertise and keen understanding of the business. “At Dani, we cut up to 1,080 hides per day,” remarks Giancarlo Dani. “Fifty percent of our revenue comes from our automotive leather business. Lectra’s automotive solutions are a major business enabler. We consider Lectra to be the most innovative, professional partner in leather cutting solutions, with a fully dedicated team of experts.”

According to Gérard Payen, Program Director, New Espace, Renault, carmakers now need to view leather interiors as a source of value instead of a cost center. “Consumers today expect more amenities, styling and comfort than ever before,” he observes. “To remain competitive, carmakers need to keep up with the design trends fueling steadily growing demand for high-end leather interiors. Technology can therefore play a pivotal role in boosting leather value creation.”

In his leather market forecast, Ronan Noizet, Senior Analyst, European Light Vehicle Production Forecasts, IHS Automotive, pointed out that automotive supply business opportunities abound not only in mature markets, but above all in emerging markets with high potential for growth despite uncertain economic prospects. These include India, Southeast Asia and China. In his view, aligning with the right OEMs will be key to remaining competitive in such quickly changing markets. “The mega-platform manufacturing trend will continue to concentrate the markets, meaning that a greater number of high- volume orders will go to a smaller number of players. It’s therefore crucial to grow alongside the OEMs and cover the entire production footprint.”

In addition to bringing attendees face-to-face with leading industry figures, the conference enabled professionals from all areas of the automotive leather Industry to gather with their peers and exchange views on business challenges and manufacturing issues.

The discussions clearly articulated the value creation made possible by digital technologies in an industry still characterized by labor-intensive, predominantly manual processes. “The automotive leather industry has reached a turning point,” observes Céline Choussy Bedouet, Chief Marketing Officer, Lectra. “Given the increasing prevalence of digitalization throughout every phase of the automotive manufacturing value chain, OEMs, suppliers and tanners have every interest in meeting the challenges of business transformation head-on by embracing digitalization of the automotive leather value chain.”

Posted May 12, 2016

Source: Lectra

JEC Group Strongly Showcased End Users Markets During Atlanta Event, Announces Opening Of New Offices In Atlanta

ATLANTA — May 11, 2016 — JEC Americas Composites Show and Conferences kicked off on May 3 with this year’s focus on the automotive and aerospace composites industries. Atlanta was as an ideal location to host the fifth annual international conference as an established leader in the global composites business sector.

“The landscape of the composites industry is constantly evolving to develop more sustainable solutions,” said Frédérique Mutel, president and CEO, JEC Group. “During the three-day event, participants witnessed the latest technological developments in the growing composites industry. Focuses have been made on buying industries such as aerospace and automotive, following the JEC strategy towards end users initiated on JEC World March in Paris,” she adds.

“This year’s show was a strong representation of the progressiveness emerging in composites manufacturing,” said Nicolas Baudry, Americas Event Director at JEC Group. “I am looking forward to our other 2016-2017 upcoming events in America in Knoxville, Newport Beach and Chicago.”

The event was colocated with Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas at the Georgia World Congress Center. Participants were given exclusive access to the three exhibit halls with thought leaders in composites manufacturing and textile innovation. The synergies of the shows also offered a joint conference session ‘Connecting Technical Textiles and Composites’ which was a great success.

Major General Jocelyn M. Seng, Mobilization Assistant to the Commander and President, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, delivered the keynote presentation on opening day, examining how technology, particularly composites affects the military and civilians. She discussed emerging innovations and increased collaboration in composite materials design, analysis and manufacturing. Dr. Keith Young, composites director at Boeing, discussed implementing aerospace composites fabrication and materials at Boeing. While Dr. Hendrik Mainka, engineering specialist of product innovation at Volkswagen, delivered a keynote speech on the final day of the conference focusing on opportunities and challenges in automotive composites.

The attendees also toured Georgia Institute of Technology’s world-renowned composites facilities at the conclusion of the conference.

The exhibitors’ feedback was very positive. Robert Gamber, Product Marketing Manager at Luna Innovations (USA) comments: “It was our company’s first time exhibiting at JEC Event in Atlanta. It is a prime networking event and a great place to make meaningful connections in the composites industry. We left with a number of leads, but more importantly, we gained valuable relationships. The attendees, presenters and exhibitors at JEC Event are collegial, friendly and genuinely interested in helping you. This is what makes the environment at this event so conducive to effective networking and what sets it apart from other trade shows and exhibitions. We’ll be back.”

Steve Verschaeve, Vice President of North American Business Development at Roctool Inc. (USA) added:

“Being within a four-hour drive of our USA office, it made a great deal of sense for RocTool Inc. to attend JEC Event in Atlanta. RocTool had a booth and we were also featured in the innovation showcase. We were able to connect with many big name OEMs. These leads were from many industries including: aerospace, automotive, electronics, sporting goods and consumer products.”

As a continuation of JEC Group’s investment in the U.S. and its growing composites industry, the JEC Group opened new offices in Atlanta in 2016. Furthermore, JEC Events in Composites Innovation & Technology, will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 13-14, 2016 in partnership with Oak Ridge National Center. The forum will address challenges, current trends and innovations in the automotive industry, the largest market for composite materials in the U.S., during a two-day event consisting of workshops, live demonstrations and case studies.

Moreover, the 2nd CYCLITECH conference dedicated to Composites in Bicycles, in partnership with SPE, will take place in Newport Beach, California in December 6-7, 2016.

Posted May 11, 2016

Source: JEC Group

Successful IDEA16: Largest Turnout In Shows 45-Year History

CARY, N.C. — May 11, 2016 — Attracting more than 7,000 attendees and 555 exhibitors, IDEA16 broke all prior exhibitor and attendee records for its recently wrapped up triennial event May 2-5, 2016, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Attendees from more than 60 countries came to the City of Science for three days of exhibits, market intelligence, education, and face-to-face interaction.

“This record-setting turnout confirms IDEA as the world’s preeminent event for nonwovens and engineered fabrics,” said INDA President Dave Rousse. “We are delighted with the enthusiasm of exhibitors and visitors alike regarding the value of this show to advance their business interests. The new Boston venue was well-accepted. We are all fortunate to be in a dynamic, innovation-driven industry with continued great prospects, as evidenced by the many announcements of new products, new machinery and new capabilities during the show.”

A total of 555 companies exhibited their products and services at IDEA16, an increase of 15 percent over IDEA13. This year IDEA occupied all 500,000 square feet at the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center, about 25 percent more than in Miami Beach. “With the increase of 6 percent in registrants, this provided the larger crowd with additional space to move about and comfortably interact with each other,” said Rousse.

IDEA will return to a newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center, in Miami Beach, Florida on March 26-28, 2019 with a welcome reception on March 25.

Event Highlights

Over 700 attendees at IDEA16’s Welcome Reception were entertained with a live band, energizing dance music, and eclectic Southern cuisine at the House of Blues sponsored by Velcro Companies.

Other event highlights included the presentation of awards for outstanding achievements. Mogul, a Turkish nonwovens producer, and Diaper Recycling Technology/MobiAir, a Singapore manufacturer of modular plug-and-play air handling systems, were both presented with Entrepreneur awards by Nonwovens Industry Magazine.

The IDEA16 Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Leo Cancio, advisor at Clopay Plastic Products.

INDA’s IDEA16 Achievement Awards, presented in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, recognized the brightest innovations from the leading companies, individuals, and new products in the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry. In online voting, the following companies were selected as winners from the finalists:

  • Equipment: ITW Dynatec’s Ultra Strand Coating System — This revolutionary patent-pending strand applicator is specifically designed for the disposable hygiene market.
  • Roll Goods: Jacob Holm’s SoftLite™ lightweight nonwovens — With basis weights as low as 15 grams, SoftLite™ fabrics are lighter while also providing high performance and soft comfort for hygiene uses.
  • Raw Materials: BASF’s SAVIVA™ SAP Technology — Based on its round shaped particles, with micro-pores, SAVIVA™ has an innovative liquid distribution mechanism, making it a highly efficient superabsorbent polymer in a diaper core.
  • Short Life Converted Products: WipeMeWorld’s WipeMe® flushable wipe on a roll — These wipes can be dispensed and flushed the same way as traditional toilet paper.
  • Long Life Converted Products: Impossible Objects, LLC’s Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) 3-D printed pieces — This new, industrial 3-D printing technology uses nonwoven fabrics — such as carbon, glass, and aramid — to make strong yet lightweight fiber-reinforced composite parts.

Posted May 11, 2016

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

2016 FloorTek Expo Partners With NICFI/NAFCT/Floor Inspectors Educational Guild

DALTON, Ga. — May 10, 2016 — American Floorcovering Association (AFA) has partnered with NICFI, National Academy of Floor Covering Training (NAFCT), and The Flooring Educational Guild for FloorTek Expo 2016 and Technical Training Conference and Trade Show October 18-22, 2016, at the Dalton! Convention Center in Dalton, Ga.

For more information about FloorTek Expo 2016 please visit the website at www.floor-tek.com. For information about the Technical Training Conference and Trade Show please contact Paul Pleshek at Paul@nafct.com.

Posted May 10, 2016

Source: American Floorcovering Association (AFA) 

SPGPrints Announces Global Debut Of Javelin® Digital Printer And Presents Optimized Rotary Screen Solutions At ITM 2016

BOXMEER, The Netherlands — May 10, 2016 — At ITM 2016, to be held in Istanbul June 1-4, 2016, SPGPrints will introduce the Javelin® digital inkjet textile printer. Featuring the company’s acclaimed Archer® print head technology, this multiple-pass solution combines precision geometrics with low running costs, and is ideal for medium volume requirements. The company will also exhibit its Nebula® digital inks that offer productivity and an expanded colour gamut for virtually all textile applications. SPGPrints will also reinforce its commitment to optimising the rotary screen workflow, by showcasing the bestLEN 7412 laser engraver and its long-life, high-resolution NovaScreen® programme, including 245 mesh.

“The launch of Javelin moves digital textile printing firmly into the mainstream by enabling smaller companies to enter digital textile production while enhancing the options for larger ones,” said Jos Notermans, commercial manager digital textiles, SPGPrints. “Visitors to our stand will see that we have new solutions across the board from screen technologies, to universally compatible digital inks and printers. These developments reaffirm SPGPrints’ position of leadership in this industry.”

Javelin printer début: precision digital inkjet for medium volumes

Taking centre-stage at the SPGPrints stand, the new Javelin inkjet printer enables textile printers to take the first step into digital or for existing digital printers to enjoy exceptional quality and productivity levels. Designed for annual production levels of up to two million metres, Javelin features the same ground-breaking Archer print head technology as that of the recently launched high-volume PIKE printer. Daily live demonstrations of the Javelin will take place at the stand in English and Turkish.

The Javelin printer’s array of Fujifilm Dimatix Samba print heads are incorporated in a highly accurate but user-friendly print-bar technology, including specialized electronics as well as an ink conditioning and ink delivery system, called Archer technology.

Archer has an ink conditioning and delivery system that offers both precision and a significantly greater jetting distance than is possible with other heads widely used in current digital textile printing applications. Head plates in the Archer system are situated 4mm away from the substrate surface, compared with the typical 1.5-millimeter nozzle-fabric distance offered by alternative print heads. The longer jetting distance significantly reduces the risk of print head damage. As a result, SPGPrints offers the ‘Archer Print Head Program’, which provides a two-and-a-half year guarantee on the print heads in combination with the use of accredited inks.

In addition, Archer technology assures fine line detail, blotches, geometrics and gradients, thanks to its capability for variable drop-sizes ranging from 2 pl to 10 pl in resolutions of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi and high jetting frequencies of 32 kHz. The Javelin uses specially formulated reactive inks that eliminate mist.

Pike® sets the standard for high-volume digital inkjet textile printing

Information and samples about SPGPrints’ new Pike digital printer for textiles will be available. Featuring the same Archer technology and using the same inks as in the Javelin, the PIKE offers the same precision and operational simplicity, for the highest volume requirements. With industry-leading speeds of 40m/min, Pike® is capable of up to 13 million metres’ output per year. Its Archer print bar contains 43 print elements, giving a printing width of 1850mm.

Since its launch at ITMA Milan in November 2015, the response to this printer has been tremendous and installations are underway at a number of major textile printers. The first of these are six-colour configurations, but its modular design allows up to nine to be specified.

Universally compatible digital inks with superior density and colour gamut

SPGPrints invests heavily in developing digital inks that offer the widest colour gamut and optimised drying, compatible with all commonly used textile print head technologies.

At ITM 2016, SPGPrints will show how it provides ink solutions for all digital textile printing applications, thanks to its portfolio of Nebula inks. These comprise high-density (HD) reactive, direct disperse and sublimation inks. The range’s HD inks offer a colour density that is 20 per cent higher than industry alternatives, as well as superior ink yields and excellent runnability. Nebula Disperse Inks, for polyester fabrics, cover the widest colour gamut available for textiles today and offer high brilliance. They are specially formulated to offer contamination-free drying and mist-free production.

The latest addition to the range for sublimation printing applications offers vibrance, print quality and reduced manufacturing costs. The new SPGPrints Nebula Sublimation ink set for Kyocera heads combines bright, sparkling colours with the best deep black available in the market. In the last two years, sublimation printing has established a strong position in digital textile printing for fashion applications driven by the improved quality of polyester fabrics, making them suitable for fashion garments and acceptable to the major brands. Sublimation printing offers sustainability benefits as no post-processing by steaming and washing is needed.

Having recently doubled its production space, SPGPrints supplies ink for print heads from nearly all the world’s leading manufacturers.

The 245 mesh NovaScreen raises standard in rotary textile printing

SPGPrints sets the standard for quality and reliability in conventional textile printing with its NovaScreen programme of rotary screens.

NovaScreen screens offer high open areas thanks to a high mesh count with minimum spacing between holes. This maximises paste transfer, enabling higher printing speeds and paste yields. Because of its robust nickel construction, NovaScreen offers stability at high speed, long life and easy handling, providing a perfect complement to a cost-efficient, sustainable process.

The latest edition to the range, the NovaScreen 245 mesh, offers exceptional definition and resolution. With hole-sizes of 41 micron, it features an exceptionally high mesh count, resulting in two significant quality advantages. Firstly, it enables perfect halftones and tonal degradations, with a smoothness previously unseen in rotary screen printing.  These are possible because of fine rasters, which generate homogenous shade impressions on the printed substrate. Furthermore, fine linework and smaller dots are possible, thus widening the scope for creativity in geometric pattern and shirting design.

Thanks to its resolution and definition, the new NovaScreen presents the opportunity to switch from digital to conventional printing methods for numerous applications from sampling to bulk printing, without any compromise in quality.

SPGPrints will also exhibit its RandomScreen®, a screen that supresses moiré effects in halftones. The holes are arranged out of line with each other, thereby eliminating the risk of undesired patterns becoming visible in printed results.  Thanks to its streamlined hole-shape it is possible to print on the surface of the substrate. This can lead to paste savings of between 10 and 15 per cent compared with PentaScreen®, especially in pigment printing. RandomScreen 125 mesh has a 79 micron hole-size.

Furthermore, SPGPrints has introduced an updated version of its 155-mesh screen. Named 155 XT, this 115-micron thick screen has a higher wall thickness, resulting in improved flexibility and longer life. In addition, it has roughly 9 per cent more open area than the standard 155 mesh screen.

bestLEN 741X laser engraver: effortless, repeatable quality in screen imaging

For 30 years, SPGPrints has pioneered the development of laser engraving systems for imaging textile rotary screens. The result is a pre-print technology that offers unbeatable quality, productivity, operational cost and sustainability, compared with alternative processes. The company has developed and delivered over 400 engraving systems globally for textile applications.

Direct laser engraving is a single-step dry process: simply engrave the desired design and print. This eliminates costly consumables such as film, ink or chemicals, and time-consuming processes like exposing and washing. With minimal process steps, the chance of human error is greatly reduced.

SPGPrints’ bestLEN 741X represents the ultimate in laser engraving performance. Equipped with state-of-the-art Best Image software and automatic laser power calibration, bestLEN achieves unprecedented levels of repeatable quality and efficiency. With top resolutions of 2540dpi, it is ideal for perfect halftones; engraving cycles are complete in only 30 minutes. Two laser engravers are available: bestLEN 7412 accommodates screens up to 2.1m in length; bestLEN 7413 is suitable for all screens up to 3.5m.

SPGPrints will be located at Stand 805A.

Posted May 10, 2016

Source: SPGPrints

Cone Denim Purchases Additional Harvest Of US Grown Natural Indigo

GREENSBORO, N.C.— May 10, 2016 — Cone Denim® is pleased to announce it has purchased the most recently harvested crop of U.S.-grown natural indigo. Natural Indigo Selvage Denim was first introduced by Cone Denim in July 2015 when it partnered with Stony Creek Colors for the exclusive supply of natural indigo dye for denim fabrics. Produced exclusively at the historic White Oak mill in Greensboro, the Natural Indigo Collection has been expanded to include wide-width fabrics in both rigid and stretch. The expanded Collection will be featured at Kingpins New York May 11-12.

“Excitement continues to grow around our Natural Indigo denims,” says Kara Nicholas, Vice President Product Design + Marketing. “Response last year to the first selvage styles was tremendous leading us to expand the collection to include wide denims, and adding a new level of authenticity to contemporary denims. Smaller quantities of Natural Indigo denim are also available through the White Oak Shop online store.”

Cone Denim began scalable production of Natural Indigo denims last year for the first time in over 100 years. The partnership with Stony Creek Colors offers the pinnacle in authentic American denim bringing together the work of US farmers and heritage of White Oaks denim expertise. The supply agreement allows Cone Denim the exclusive rights to Stony Creek Colors’ US crop of natural grown indigo for the next several years.

“Stony Creek Colors continues to advance new technologies for dye crop production, benefiting US farmers while meeting requirements for scalable commercial production,” says Sarah Bellos, Founder and President of Stony Creek Colors. “Innovation in natural indigo goes beyond just developing new methods for extracting color from plants. We remain focused on advancing farming techniques that promote sustainability and efficiency both for the farmer and the mill. Our work of linking US farmers to new chemical markets while bringing renewable color sources to Cone Denim represents a promising development of viable business models across the indigo supply chain.”

Natural Indigo fabrics are now available in personalized quantities through the White Oak Shop which offers online purchasing of many of Cone Denim’s latest selvage and denim styles as well as tools and information to educate newer designers about the unique intricacies of working with authentic vintage denim.

Posted May 10, 2016

Source: Cone Denim®

Archroma Turns Color Dreams Into Reality With The Color Atlas By Archroma®

REINACH, Switzerland — May 10, 2016 — Archroma announced today its Color Management service business is launching a cotton poplin color library with more than 4,300 readily available new shades.

Archroma’s Color Management customers have come to rely on 16 years of recognized expertise in the formulation, standardization and management of custom colors along the entire textile supply chain; a service that the company pioneered when it was devised and launched by its team back in 2000.

Fashion designers, brands, retailers, and their suppliers are facing many challenges from global sourcing to ambitious deadlines. Archroma Color Management helps them to achieve accurate colors, and accelerate their time to market with color management services, unique software tools and support systems.

Color Management redefined

True to the company’s commitment to continuously challenge the status quo, Archroma’s color management experts would not settle for just developing another color library similar to what is already available on the market, they decided to change the approach altogether.

Color Atlas by Archroma®

The result is Color Atlas by Archroma, a color library created to easily bring color creativity and manageability to an entire new level for stylists and designers, brands and retailers, and their suppliers.

The Color Atlas by Archroma is a system that includes:

  • A “physical library” consisting of over 4300 colors, in 6 volumes. The new accordion-fold design of the library volumes is an innovative step away from traditional three-ring binders, for quick and intuitive browsing of the cotton poplin samples. Colorful book covers indicate the shades that lie within each volume. Secure tabs help keep the swatches neat and ordered while allowing them to be easily removed;
  • A mobile-friendly Color Atlas Online with exciting features such as “color-on-the- go” which allows you to capture an image using your smart phone, and identify the closest Color Atlas shades with the possibility to purchase a color sample instantly;
  • “Engineered Color Standards” connected to robust online technical databases via mobile communication technology (patent pending).

“With our new Color Atlas tool, we believe that we are redefining the concept of a color library for the textile industry”, says Brad McClanahan, Head of Service Businesses at Archroma Textile Specialties. “We offer what we believe is a unique set of tools – through web-based software and customized services – for color selection, color development, color standards, and the communication of seasonal color palettes.”

“Some features of the Color Atlas are already creating a lot of excitement with the designers who have had a sneak preview of the tools, such as the “color-on-the-go” feature. With this feature, you can capture images that inspire you and quickly find color options using just a smart phone,” adds Chris Hipps, Head of Archroma Color Management. “We are also very excited about our patent-pending technology that adds swatch-specific information to each Engineered Color Standard, giving retailers, brands and mills instant access to more color information than ever.”

Posted May 10, 2016

Source: Archroma

Aid By Trade Foundation And African Cotton And Textiles Industries Federation Conclude Strategic Partnership

NAIROBI, Kenya/HAMBURG, Germany — May 10, 2016 — Since 2013, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) cooperates with the African Cotton and Textiles Industries Federation (ACTIF) to promote the sustainable cotton and textile industry in Sub-Saharan Africa. To strengthen their cooperation, AbTF and ACTIF now announce their strategic partnership for more value addition in the African cotton and textile industry. The two organizations have set themselves the goal to increase productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of cotton production and to strengthen the textile production in Africa together.

“The Aid by Trade Foundation and its Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) initiative is the most important program for sustainable cotton production in Africa. With the sustainable and certified CmiA cotton we can lay a reliable foundation for our business which aims to build up an integrated textile value chain on the African continent suitable for the domestic as well as international textile market”, says Jaswinder Bedi, Chairman of ACTIF. With their cooperation both partners go a step further in their aim to strengthen Africa’s role within the cotton and textile sector worldwide. As more and more retailers and suppliers are pursuing the development of the textile market in Sub-Saharan Africa or are already moving parts of their production to the African continent – like e.g. H&M, PVH, Tchibo or Bestseller – AbTF and ACTIF cooperate to respond to the increasing demand for sustainable cotton and textile products made in Africa.

“We are pleased about the cooperation with ACTIF, which fits well with the optimism in the African textile sector. Our partner is an expert and promoter of regionally and vertically integrated textile supply chains on the African continent. Together, we offer retailers and brands that are looking for sustainable and traceable textiles from Africa, a simple solution – from raw material to finished product”, concludes Tina Stridde, Managing Director of the Aid by Trade Foundation.

Posted May 10, 2016

Source: Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF)

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