American Roller Acquires C.R.E.W.

UNION GROVE, Wis. — February 8, 2016 — On the heels of American Roller Company’s early January announcement of acquiring Nordson’s XALOY DuraShell™ and EquaTherm® chill roll product lines, the Company announces today the acquisition of C.R.E.W www.crewinc.net located in Oshkosh, WI. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

The C.R.E.W acquisition adds engineering depth and additional manufacturing capability and capacity in support of recent product line acquisitions and the company’s overall web processing business.

“We are excited to add the C.R.E.W brand, reputation and capability to the American Roller team,” explains Steve Russell, Vice President and General Manager. “With Troy Sommerfeld’s leadership of our corporate core engineering process and the machining investment we are making in our Rock Hill, SC facility, we are strengthening and investing in our industry leading position in web processing.”

The C.R.E.W. facility is located 5 minutes from its newly acquired ARC Engineered Products, www.arcengineer.com, creating world class team and talent of machining experts within the Oshkosh and Appleton, WI area.

Posted February 9, 2016

Source: American Roller

NTPT Wins JEC World 2016 Innovation Award For World’s First Thin Ply Quartz Prepreg

PENTHALAZ, Switzerland — February 8, 2016 — North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) has won a JEC World 2016 Innovation Award for its TPT® Quartz thin ply prepreg, which was engineered to enable the manufacture of intricately-shaped watch cases for prestigious Switzerland-based brand Richard Mille. This 52 g/m2 material — the world’s first thin ply quartz fiber prepreg — made its debut in the RM 27-02 Rafael Nadal watch.

NTPT developed the prepreg in close collaboration with Saint-Gobain Quartz, which supplied its Quartzel® fused quartz fibre reinforcement for this project; Reichhold, which developed an ADVALITE hot melt, monomer-free vinyl hybrid resin for the matrix, and Richard Mille, which led the design and validation work for this highly demanding end use.

To earn its place in the exclusive watch, the new prepreg had to meet an extensive list of performance specifications, starting with a high strength to weight ratio. The project team had to demonstrate that the material was non-allergenic, would not yellow in sunlight (UV) and was resistant to a range of chemicals that the watch could encounter during its lifetime. The prepreg also had to enable the manufacture of an intricately-shaped watch case that is lightweight, extremely strong and impact resistant, and watertight. An unusual design driver is that the aesthetic properties require a white, contamination-free composite.

Using its proprietary spread tow technology NTPT manufactured unidirectional (UD) quartz fibre prepreg tapes of 300 mm width with a fiber areal weight of 52 g/m2. The tapes were then transformed into 2D prepreg preforms using NTPT’s automated tape laying (ATL) equipment. The preform is cured to produce a densified composite block, which is machined into the watch components by Richard Mille. The use of thin ply prepreg enables machining into extremely complex shapes without delamination, which ensures that the watch case is watertight.

“The RM 27-02 Rafael Nadal Tourbillon wristwatch is a prime example of the myriad possibilities unlocked by NTPT and their TPT Quartz technology,” says Julien Boillat, Technical Director at Richard Mille. “The dedication of all the participants in the development of this new material allowed us to continue extending our knowledge of composite materials for applications in watchmaking.”

“We are delighted to have won this award,” comments James Austin, CEO of NTPT. “This project is an excellent example of the way we work with customers to develop a material that answers their specific challenges. Collaborating with Saint-Gobain Quartz and Reichhold we have pushed the boundaries of thin ply technology even further to create a truly unique prepreg which meets Richard Mille’s demanding performance specifications.”

TPT Quartz prepreg is initially exclusive to Richard Mille luxury watches, but NTPT has developed unique know-how in the processing of quartz fibres and can now offer quartz prepreg materials ranging from thin ply UD tapes of 50 g/m2 through to multiaxial preforms. Quartz prepreg could also be applied in aerospace, telecoms, defence and other specialised applications, where a combination of properties such as low weight, excellent electromagnetic transparency and resistance to impact or an aggressive environment is crucial. NTPT is currently in discussions with a number of companies interested in employing this new material.

NTPT’s quartz prepreg won the Luxury category of the JEC World 2016 Innovation Awards. The project team from NTPT, Richard Mille, Saint-Gobain Quartz and Reichhold will be presented with the award during the JEC World composites exhibition in Paris on 8-10 March 2016. Created in 1998, the JEC Innovation Awards identify, promote and reward the most innovative composite solutions worldwide.

Posted February 9, 2016

Source: NTPT

NCC Survey Suggests U.S. Producers Plant 9.1 Million Acres of Cotton In 2016

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — February6, 2016 —  U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 9.1 million cotton acres this spring, up 6.2 percent from 2015, according to the National Cotton Council’s 35th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey.

Upland cotton intentions are 8.9 million acres, up 5.7 percent from 2015, while extra-long staple (ELS) intentions of 208,000 acres represent a 31.2 percent increase. The survey results were announced today at the NCC’s 2016 Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Jody Campiche, the NCC’s vice president Economics & Policy Analysis, said, “Planted acreage is just one of the factors that will determine supplies of cotton and cottonseed. Ultimately, weather, insect pressures and agronomic conditions play a significant role in determining crop size.”

She said that with abandonment set at 11 percent for the United States, Cotton Belt harvested area totals 8.1 million acres. Using an average U.S. yield per harvested acre of 831 pounds generates a cotton crop of 14.0 million bales, with 13.4 million upland bales and 595,000 ELS bales.

The NCC questionnaire, mailed in mid-December 2015 to producers across the 17-state Cotton Belt, asked producers for the number of acres devoted to cotton and other crops in 2015 and the acres planned for the coming season. Survey responses were collected through mid-January.

Campiche noted, “History has shown that U.S. farmers respond to relative prices when making planting decisions. During the survey period, the cotton December futures contract averaged just under 65 cents per pound, which is very similar to year-ago levels. However, corn and soybean prices are 8-12 percent below year ago levels, so price ratios of cotton to competing crops are a bit more favorable than in 2015.”

Posted February 9, 2016

Source: NCC

Cotton Council International Elects 2016 Officers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — February 5, 2016 —  Keith T. Lucas, Garner, N.C., cooperative official, will serve as president of Cotton Council International (CCI) for 2016. He and other CCI officers were elected at CCI’s board meeting in Dallas today during the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) 2016 Annual Meeting. CCI is the NCC’s export promotion arm and carries out programs in more than 50 countries globally under the COTTON USA trademark.

“The cotton industry is operating in an uncertain environment, with international policies and the ongoing challenge from man-made fiber affecting cotton consumption,” Lucas said. “CCI’s COTTON USA promotion efforts take on even greater importance this year, as consumer demand and exports continue to be critical to maintaining U.S. cotton’s profitability. I’m excited to lead CCI as its president and support its global initiatives aimed at instilling a preference for U.S. cotton and cotton products at every point along the marketing chain.”

Lucas, who moves up from CCI first vice president, succeeds Dahlen K. Hancock, a Ropesville, Texas, producer, who becomes CCI board chairman. A South Alabama native, Lucas attended Auburn University where he earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration in 1985. He came on board with Carolinas Cotton Growers Cooperative in 2001, serving as vice president of marketing. He is responsible for all of its member-grower relations including forward contracting, spot purchases and managing the day-to-day operations of cotton services.

Lucas has been active in industry organizations including current service as chairman of the NCC’s Public Relations and International Market Development Committee and as a member of the NCC’s Quality Task Force. He is a past member of the NCC’s Joint Cotton Industry Bale Packaging Committee. He has served in multiple leadership positions with CCI and currently is a member of CCI’s Export Promotion Committee.

Other 2016 CCI officers elected include: first vice president, Eduardo L. Esteve, Jr., merchant, Dallas, Texas; second vice president, Ted Schneider, producer, Lake Providence, La.; and treasurer, Hank Reichle, cooperative, Greenwood, Mississippi. In addition, Gary Adams, Cordova, Tenn., was elected as secretary and Bruce Atherley, Washington, D.C., was elected as assistant secretary.

Elected as 2016 CCI directors were: Jarral T. Neeper, a cooperative official from Bakersfield, Calif.; Carlos C. Garcia, a cooperative official from Lubbock, Texas; Davis Warlick, a manufacturer from Charlotte, N.C.; James L. Loeb, Jr., a merchant from Montgomery, Ala.; and Richard Gaona, a producer from Roby, Texas.

Re-elected as 2016 CCI directors were: Producers – J. Lee Cromley, Brooklet, Ga.; Craig A. Heinrich, Lubbock, Texas; Richard Kelley, Burlison, Tenn.; Cannon Michael, Los Banos, Calif.; Taylor Slade, Williamston, N.C.; and Gregory C. (Greg) Wuertz, Casa Grande, Ariz.; Ginners – Thomas S. (Sid) Brough, Odem, Texas; and Kent D. Fountain, Surrency, Ga.; Merchants – E. Hope (Hopie) Brooks, III, and Steven (Steve) Dyer, both of Cordova, Tenn.; Philip R. (Phil) Bogel, II, Dallas, Texas; and Ernst D. (Ernie) Schroeder, Jr., Bakersfield, Calif.; Cooperative Official – Frederick Barrier, Greenwood, Miss.; Cottonseed Handler – James C. Massey, Harlingen, Texas; Warehouser – Vance C. Shoaf, Milan, Tenn.; and Manufacturer – Robin Perkins, Sanford, N.C.

Posted February 9, 2016

Source: CCI

AATCC Announces Program For 2016 International Conference

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — February 3, 2016 — AATCC’s 2016 International Conference is a “must attend” event, with a pre-conference functional finishing tutorial and presentations featuring industry leaders, plus opportunities to build and expand your professional network.

A major industry event, the 2016 IC, will be held April 19-21 in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA, and features a keynote presentation, educational tracks, a poster session, the Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Student Paper Competition, networking receptions, and the Awards Luncheon, where AATCC’s most prestigious awards will be presented.

Keith Hoover, Vice President of Material Process & Color Innovation, Under Armour, will provide the keynote presentation entitled “Made Here, Made Possible – Building a Local-for-Local Apparel Manufacturing Model”.

Three concurrent educational tracks reflect the Association’s three Interest Groups:

  • Concept 2 Consumer® (C2C)

Sessions in the C2C track will focus on comfort & performance insight; global impact: concept to consumer; product research & development; print & technology; and color management & LED lighting update.

  • Chemical Applications

The Chemical Applications track will address sustainable applications, advances in wet processing, innovative technologies, and also include the Herman and Myrtle Goldstein Student Paper Competition.

  • Materials

Presentations in the Materials track will include protective textiles, functional textiles, and materials analyses/bio-based materials.

Tabletop exhibits and sponsorship opportunities are available to promote a company’s presence at this event. The sponsorships include sponsoring a morning break, carving station, Welcoming Reception, educational track, exit drawing giveaway and more.

The conference, which will be held at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, is open to anyone who would like to attend.

Posted February 9, 2016

Source: AATCC

New Datacolor® 850 And 550 Spectrophotometers Now Available For Purchase

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — February 2, 2016 — Datacolor®, a global leader in color management solutions and color communication technology, today announced the availability of the Datacolor 850 and 550 spectrophotometers. The new benchtops offer color professionals in the paint, plastics and textile industries unparalleled performance for both reflectance and transmission measurement. The Datacolor 850 and 550 join the Datacolor 800 and 500 spectrophotometers released in October 2015.

The Datacolor 850 is the market’s only true-close tolerance spectrophotometer for both reflectance and transmission measurement, ensuring customers can confidently communicate color digitally throughout their supply chain. It features a built-in digital camera for precise sample placement and is fully backward compatible with Datacolor’s prior generations of instruments. The Datacolor 550 is an economical addition to the series of benchtops, offering accurate transmission and reflectance measurement.

The Datacolor 850 and 550 feature color LCD screens that display instrument settings and calibration status, offering user’s superior confidence in measurement results. In addition, an Ethernet port now allows for simultaneous connection of multiple computers to the same instrument. With an embedded processor, diagnostic data can now be easily shared with Datacolor Support, resulting in faster issue resolution. Measurement speed within a global Citrix or Terminal Server environment is also substantially improved.

“Through our commitment to provide customers with the highest quality color measurement instruments, we developed the Datacolor 850 and 550 spectrophotometers to give customers enhanced ease-of-use and unrivaled performance,” said Diane Geisler, Global Director of Product Management, Datacolor. “With the embedded processor and advanced algorithms, users see at least a 25 percent reduction in measurement time and a quantifiable improvement in throughput.”

Posted February 9, 2016

Source: Datacolor

 

NTPT Expands European Distribution Network With Appointment Of Bodo Möller Chemie

PENTHALAZ, Switzerland —  January 22, 2016 — To support its ambitious growth strategy, North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a world leader in lightweight prepreg materials, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bodo Mӧller Chemie GmbH as its distributor for the France, Spain and Benelux regions.

The distribution agreement covers NTPT’s complete range of prepreg materials and engineered composite products, including thin ply prepregs in weights down to 15 g/m2, conventional prepregs of 100-300 g/m2, multiaxial preforms and highly uniform carbon fibre tubes and machineable composite blocks. NTPT’s products are used in a wide range of high-performance composite applications in the marine, motorsports, aerospace, sports and luxury goods sectors.

Bodo Mӧller Chemie is a leading supplier of speciality chemicals to the composites, plastics, adhesives, coatings and other industrial sectors. NTPT’s products are complementary to Bodo Mӧller’s composites portfolio and the experience and technical expertise of Bodo Mӧller’s team will support the continued expansion of NTPT’s business in Europe.

Headquartered in Switzerland, with manufacturing facilities in Poland, NTPT is preparing for significant growth in 2016.

“We’ve seen strong demand for our products over the past two years and as a result we will put into place a number of initiatives during 2016 designed to cope with this demand and expand our business globally,” reports James Austin, CEO of NTPT. “With its expertise in our target markets Bodo Mӧller is the ideal partner to support this growth strategy.”

“The composites market is demanding high performance solutions and continuous weight reduction,” comments Lionel Breuilly, Managing Director of Bodo Mӧller France. “With the NTPT product range, we will propose innovative technologies to our customers in order to achieve their goals. We are delighted to promote NTPT’s unique composite solutions.”

Posted February 9, 2016

Source: NTPT

Medical Device Apparel Innovator Vestagen Completes Financing And Hires New CEO

ORLANDO, Fla. — February 8, 2016 — Vestagen Technical Textiles Inc., a medical technology company developing and marketing high performance apparel for healthcare and other demanding applications, today announced it has named Bill Bold CEO. He replaces Dr. Dale Pfost, who was serving as interim CEO and remains Chairman. Bold is also joining Vestagen’s Board of Directors.

The company also reported that it has completed a $7.0 million financing, which was a planned extension of its previous financing. Advent Life Sciences and HealthQuest Capital led the financing, and other Vestagen investors also participated. The proceeds will support commercialization of VESTEX®, the first in a new class of active barrier technologies that combines fluid repellent, antimicrobial and breathability properties. VESTEX is the only daily-use textile proven in a hospital setting to reduce harmful contaminants on garments, with the aim of reducing the risk of spreading dangerous pathogens.

Pfost noted: “Bill has an outstanding record of successfully developing and commercializing novel medical devices that address new markets, including navigating the FDA review process and winning adoption of new technologies by large customers. He will be ably assisted by the highly experienced team we have assembled, including newly hired senior sales executive Jim Beyer, who has generated exponential growth for innovative medical devices in his previous positions.

“We want to thank our investors for their continuing support. We will soon be expanding our product line and filing for FDA review of VESTEX as a protective medical device,” Pfost continued. “These are exciting times for Vestagen, and we look forward to rapid progress going forward.”

Bold commented: “Healthcare uniforms have been linked to the potential spread of dangerous pathogens. Vestagen is addressing the unmet need for better worker and patient safety with its game-changing VESTEX products and technologies, which transform everyday healthcare apparel into a protective medical device. Our scrubs are also comfortable, attractive and affordable. Vestagen’s commitment to evidence-based marketing and regulatory review distinguishes its strategy and provides us with a key competitive advantage. I look forward to working with the talented Vestagen team.”

Bold was formerly president and CEO at Vascular Pathways, where he headed a turnaround that resulted in its successful acquisition by CR Bard. During his tenure Bold developed and commercialized three FDA-approved products for new markets. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at catheter securement device maker Venetec International, where he helped grow revenues ten-fold in five years, and at vascular device firm Access Scientific and healthcare supply chain exchange Medibuy.com.

Jim Beyer is an accomplished medical device sales executive with established industry relationships at major hospitals, group purchasing organizations and health systems. He most recently was vice president of Corporate Sales at Masimo, a developer of noninvasive patient monitoring technologies, where he led the development of multiple new channels that helped increase sales from $45 million to $600 million in eight years. Previously, Beyer held sales and marketing positions of increasing responsibility in the medical device industry. He began his career at VHA/Novation and Columbia/HCA.

Posted February 8, 2016

Source: PRNewswire

Reshoring In Textiles —True Trend or Anecdote? : The Textile Market Returns To The Southern States

LONDON — February 8, 2016 — The research provides an insight into the trend for reshoring in the textile industry. It evaluates the market opportunity for growth, especially within the United States as reshoring is gaining momentum in the textile industry. The research provides an impact mapping of the key growth drivers and restraints. The research also discusses the market dynamics of the textile industry. The base year of the study is 2014, with forecasts provided up to 2018.

Key Findings

  • The North American market for textiles is expected to witness a new wave of growth, fostered by a returning market shaped by multiple levels of cost reduction.
  • In the total value chain for textiles, it is evident that the negligible cost reduction of outsourcing is balanced by the high quality and easy logistics in the domestic market.
  • Cost has played a critical role in outsourcing the industry to the far East. In recent years, as costs of labor in outsourced regions have increased, the US textile industry is showing signs of recovering from a decade long exodus.
  • Although the primary reason that spearheaded the outsourcing was the high cost of labor, the US is now cost comparable with other attractive regions primarily due to increased automation in the mill.
  • With the established industry already present in the Southern states, the US is attracting several manufacturers to source domestically, thereby offering several advantages such as flexibility of design and shorter lead times to get the product to market.
  • The trend is expected to gradually ramp up over the next to years. While some of the largest yarn mills are in China, India, and Mexico, the US continues to regain much ground in enabling growth of the textile industry.

Posted February 8, 2016

Source: PRNewswire

Shane Stephens To Lead The National Cotton Council In 2016

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — February 8, 2016 — Shane Stephens, a Greenwood, Miss., warehouseman, was elected National Cotton Council (NCC) chairman for 2016. Named during the NCC’s annual meeting held in Dallas, Texas on February 5-7, he succeeds Sledge Taylor, a Como, Miss., producer and ginner.

Stephens is vice president of Staplcotn’s cotton services and warehouse divisions. With 11 offices throughout the Mid-South and Southeast, the cotton services division is responsible for recruiting and servicing the cooperative’s grower/members. The warehouse division is responsible for 14 warehouse locations in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

An active industry leader, Stephens was a member of the NCC’s 1994-95 Cotton Leadership Program and has served as president of the Program’s alumni association. He previously served as the NCC’s vice president representing the warehouse segment from 2007-12 and served on the NCC’s Board of Directors from 2001-05 and 2013-14. He has served on numerous NCC committees having chaired its Packaging and Distribution and Membership and Credentials committees. Currently the vice president of the Cotton Growers Warehouse Association, Stephens served previously as that organization’s chairman.

Stephens holds a B.S. degree with honors in agricultural economics from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He and his wife, Janet, live in Greenwood, and they have two daughters and one son. They are active members of First Baptist Church in Greenwood.

The NCC’s vice chairman for 2016 is Ronnie Lee, a Bronwood, Ga., producer. Elected as the NCC’s secretary-treasurer was Barry Evans, a producer from Kress, Texas.

Elected as NCC vice presidents are: Robert Lacy, a cottonseed processor, Lubbock, Texas; Mike Quinn, a cooperative official, Garner, N.C.; and Kent Fountain, a ginner, Surrency, Georgia. Re-elected NCC vice presidents are: Coalter Paxton, III, warehouseman, Wilson, N.C., Joe Nicosia, merchant, Cordova, Tenn.; and David Hastings, textile manufacturer, Mauldin, South Carolina.

NCC staff officers include: Dr. Gary Adams, NCC president and chief executive officer; Reece Langley, vice president, Washington Operations; Craig Brown, vice president, Producer Affairs; Dr. Jody Campiche, vice president, Economics and Policy Analysis; Dr. Bill Norman, vice president, Technical Services; Harrison Ashley, vice president, Ginner Services; and Fred Johnson, vice president, Administration and Program Coordination.

Posted February 8,2016

Source: NCC

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