AAFA Names Rick Helfenbein Next President and CEO

WASHINGTON — January 11, 2016 — The American Apparel & Footwear Association Board of Directors today announced that Rick Helfenbein, an experienced apparel and footwear executive and current AAFA Chairman, will take on the role of president and CEO starting February 15.

“It is a great honor for me to have been selected to lead AAFA,” said Helfenbein. “Having worked in the industry my entire career, I understand the important issues that we face and will continue the fight to expand and protect opportunities for all our member companies.”

Helfenbein served as AAFA Chairman for the last two years and has served on the AAFA board since 2008.

During his time on the AAFA board, he has spent countless hours on Capitol Hill helping to secure several legislative victories including the passage of the Generalized System of Preference Update legislation, the first significant change to the GSP program in 40 years.

“When the opportunity came to select a new CEO for AAFA, we wanted a seamless transition and chose someone who could build on the momentum we’ve created,” said Rob DeMartini, incoming chairman of AAFA. “Rick’s leadership, passion, and dedication to AAFA is clear, and that made his appointment an easy and strong choice.”

For the past 16 years, Helfenbein has directed the USA operations for Hong Kong-based apparel and footwear giant, Luen Thai (HK 311), and was one of the key executives that helped grow the company into the largest publicly listed apparel, accessory, and footwear manufacturer on the Hong Kong Exchange. Prior to Luen Thai, he has had extensive experience in USA apparel manufacturing, USA Textile Mills, and Central American sourcing.

Helfenbein has been active in all of AAFA’s key events, including AAFA’s annual Executive Summit in Washington, D.C. and the American Image Awards, the industry’s fashion, policy, and business gala in New York City. He has also been active in promoting AAFA’s global presence, appearing several times on national television with commentary about international trade and other industry related issues.

“As a board member, former chairman, and active member of AAFA, I know the caliber of the work at AAFA,” Helfenbein said. “I look forward to working closely with the AAFA team to enhance our leadership position on trade issues, protect our members’ intellectual property, and to be the number one trade organization for our industry, where members can discuss and act on our most important issues.”

Helfenbein will take on role of CEO, currently held by Juanita Duggan who announced her resignation in November. Duggan is leaving to take on a new role and remains CEO until February 8.

Helfenbein holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from The Wharton School and participates annually in the Consortium for Operational Excellence in Retailing (COER) at Wharton and Harvard. He lectures frequently on the subjects of supply chain and international trade at industry events, and prestigious business schools including Wharton, Harvard, Cornell, and Columbia.

Posted January 12, 2016

Source: AAFA

Champion Thread To Market Vipac Vinyl Packaging In Bedding And Fashion Market

GASTONIA, N.C./EDISON, N.J. — January 7, 2016 — Champion Thread Company LLC (CTC) and Vipac Inc. announce a new marketing alliance that enables the treads, trims and components supplier to sell the Vipac line of vinyl zipper bags and packaging to bedding, home fashions, apparel and other soft goods manufacturers. The alliance promises to enhance the market reach of Vipac, already one of the world’s largest providers of vinyl packaging, while extending the range of value-added solutions that CTC offers in the textile, sewn products and soft goods markets.

According to Vipac President Morris Abraham, “With their strong reputation and expertise in the bedding and home fashion markets, we are excited to be working with the Champion Thread team. We look forward to seizing the opportunities this alliance brings for both of our companies and the industries we serve.”

Matt Poovey, CTC Vice President of Sales and Operations noted, “We are proud to be able to offer the popular Vipac line to our diverse customer base. Their packaging products fit nicely with our strategy of matching a broader range of products with our recognized service and support capabilities to help our customers streamline and accelerate their processes and supply chain.

“We have already begun marketing the Vipac line and are seeing immediate strong demand in both basic and fashion bedding, added CTC Director of Sales and Marketing Jim Lee. “We look forward to sharing these quality products with all our clients across the textile, home fashion, apparel, and other soft goods markets we serve.”

Posted January 11, 2016

Source: Champion Thread Co.

USTER® QUANTUM 3 Anniversary Edition: Better Yarn For Better Fabrics

USTER, Switzerland — January, 2016 — Exclusive new features to improve fabric quality are being introduced in a special version of the USTER® QUANTUM 3 yarn clearer. Launching at ITMA 2015, the USTER® QUANTUM 3 Anniversary Edition celebrates 50 years of yarn clearing on automatic winders. Only 300,000 of the new clearers are available, on a first-come-first-served basis from November 2015.

In line with the continuing global trend for higher quality, the USTER® QUANTUM 3 Anniversary Edition includes extra defect classes, correlated to the USTER® CLASSIMAT 5. These classes can be customized by users to cover specific faults that are no longer acceptable today. The clearers will then identify, remove and report on these defects.

Yarn Clearers For Fabric Quality
The USTER® QUANTUM 3 Anniversary Edition incorporates unique innovations to help spinners achieve better yarn for better fabrics.

The Core Yarn Clearing option was developed for yarns used in stretch fabrics. These yarns have an elastane core within an outer sheath. Unique USTER® sensors automatically identify areas in the yarn where the core component is either missing or off-center at a significant level and over long lengths. This enables a potential cause of fabric rejects to be effectively eliminated.

For fabrics made of mélange and colored yarns, variations in color and shade are critical. USTER’s advanced foreign matter sensor now avoids such defects with its Shade Variation feature, available with USTER® QUANTUM 3 Anniversary Edition. Even very small divergences from the base yarn shade can be detected and cleared.

Hairiness variations in yarn can lead to a ‘cloudy’ appearance in finished fabric, and this is another quality factor secured by the USTER® QUANTUM 3 Anniversary Edition. These clearers incorporate online measurement of true yarn hairiness, so that outlier bobbins can be removed. Additionally, mills with linked spinning and winding can now monitor the condition of rings and travelers.

Leverage of yarn clearer for mill management
A further advance with the USTER® QUANTUM 3 Anniversary Edition is its connection to the Total Testing Center of the USTER® TESTER 6. This is facilitated by integration with the USTER® QUANTUM EXPERT 3 data collection and analysis system. Information from the winding machine is combined in the Total Testing Center with accurate laboratory data. This is then interpreted to present management with practical improvement advice. Spinners can create their own tailored quality network, extending the analysis options as new instruments are connected. The resulting data can be targeted to provide valuable knowledge – such as predicting exactly how a yarn will perform in weaving.

The connection between the USTER® QUANTUM 3 and the Total Testing Center enables a total overview of mill operations. The analysis of the data will guide to better quality fabrics.

 

Posted January 12, 2016

Source: Uster Technologies

Sustainable Down Source Launches Down Decor Rebrand

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Down Decor®, the supplier of the original hydrophobic down, DownTek™, has today announced a new corporate name in conjunction with a rebrand of the company’s bulk down division. Sustainable Down Source will now be the corporate trade name of the bulk down division of the Cincinnati-based, fifth-generation, family-owned home textiles business.

“We recognized that our corporate purpose for some time now — from moving to a vastly more energy-efficient headquarters to introducing non-perfluorocarbon hydrophobic down — has been oriented toward creating a more sustainable practice. We are excited to rebrand as Sustainable Down Source, reflecting our dedication to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and evolution in the industry,” said Daniel Guigui, President of Sustainable Down Source. “Our aim is to remain the preeminent bulk down supplier for both home textiles and the outdoor industry, setting the benchmark high both in performance and best business practices.”

Sustainable Down Source has become the leading supplier of bulk down in both home textiles and the outdoor industry, with the introduction of the first DWR treated down, DownTek, in 2012 and their revolutionary perfluorocarbon-free treated down, DownTek™ ZeroPFC™, in 2014. Sustainable Down Source, DownTek and DownTek ZeroPFC are fully committed to the values of the Responsible Down Standard.

The branding change reflects the company’s continued dedication to responsible down sourcing and chemical management, and its active participation in the Higg Index.

Andy Payne, principal of Sustainable Down Source, said, “The journey of sustainability is about continually making progress. We are particularly excited to be working with Zero Discharge Of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) to help set best practice standards for chemical management of the bulk down industry.”

Sustainable Down Source names over 20 brands in its outdoor industry brand partner portfolio, including Big Agnes, L.L.Bean, Dynafit, Salewa, Kathmandu, Enlightened Equipment, Brooks Range and more.

Posted January 12, 2016

Source: Sustainable Down Source

Optitex Joins IEEE Standards Association Initiative

NEW YORK CITY — January 11, 2016 — Optitex, a provider of integrated 2-D CAD and 3-D digital product solutions for the textile industry, has joined the IEEE Standards Association Initiative to collaborate, research and build technology standards for 3D body processing.

As consumers seek more personalized shopping experiences, brands are seeking to incorporate 3-D scanning, modeling and visualization into their businesses to further enhance their customer’s experience. This includes creating customized, tailor fitted garments, but also better products with improved 3-D capabilities.

Optitex, as an innovative thought leader in the future of 3-D and fashion, has joined the initiative to help create standards to implement these technologies into the fashion industry. Such standards will included privacy, communication, quality specifications, and sharing protocols.

In a fast-fashion market, it’s all about getting the best products out for the consumer needs, as quickly as possible. “As a software provider in 3D virtual clothing, we are interested in pursuing standards in body processing technology to enable consistency and ensure quality during virtual clothing try-on sessions,” said Dr. Rony Goldenthal, CTO, Optitex. “Working with IEEE will promote interoperability of virtual clothing and virtual bodies from different sources, and allow Optitex, as well as the other stakeholders, to focus on innovation in their respective areas of expertise.”

While there are still obstacles and more research to be done in the field of body scanning, Optitex is honored to be part of the team pushing these standards forward, and looking to create standards that will create better products and a more satisfied customer experience.

Posted January 12, 2016

Source: Optitex

PA Group USA Acquires Cloud Nine Solutions To Boost CRM Software Services

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — January 6, 2016 — PA Group USA, a Gold Certified Partner for Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP, announced that it has acquired Cloud Nine Solutions, a Certified Partner for Microsoft Dynamics CRM. This merger will bolster PA Group’s software consulting business in the Customer Relationship Management software category, which Gartner Inc. projects to grow faster than any other enterprise software category over the next year.

“I’m very excited about the acquisition because it gives us entry into key public sector verticals such as economic development and education that are very strategic to our growth,” said PA Group CEO Jon Buchan. “As we continue to learn what truly amazing customer experiences mean, we realized that systems of record are not getting the job done and systems of engagement are required in order to build customer loyalty and optimize profit margins.  Cloud Nine has exemplified what innovative systems of engagement mean and we look forward to working with them.”

PA Group has also been accepted into the new Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider (CSP) program, empowering select Microsoft Partners to provide a deeper level of customer service. Microsoft CSP Partners serve as a one-stop shop for subscriptions, value-added services, support, and billing for all Microsoft Cloud products such as Office 365, Azure, and Dynamics CRM Online.

The Cloud Nine Solutions team is globally recognized for their work with economic development organizations in addition to working with the manufacturing industry. “We’ve done some tremendous work with federal, state, regional, and local government agencies including Tennessee Valley Authority and the City of Mesa, Arizona,” said Tom Wengler, Partner with Cloud Nine Solutions and newly appointed Vice President of Sales for PA Group.

“We have some exciting new CRM releases coming for a unique mix of other vertical markets including higher education, small business development centers, membership associations, real estate development, and fashion brands and retailers. The ability to deliver all of our software as part of the Microsoft CSP program provides us with a huge advantage,” said Mr. Wengler.

PA Group USA is best known for its work in manufacturing implementing machine monitoring systems, also known as Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) software. The PA Group Factory Services division installs terminals on machinery that extracts machine production data which can then be used to increase efficiency in machine operation, production planning, and order fulfillment. PA Group’s systems are currently in use at major manufacturing organizations such as Phifer, Inc., Mohawk, and The Dixie Group.

Posted January 111, 2016

Source: PA Group USA

Sciessent Partners With TANATEX Chemicals For Odor Control In Europe, The Middle East, And Africa

WAKEFIELD, Mass. — January 6, 2016 — Sciessent, the leading provider of antimicrobial and odor absorption solutions for the textile and apparel industries, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with TANATEX Chemicals. TANATEX will act as exclusive EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) agent for Sciessent’s LAVA product. This partnership will streamline exchanges between technology and market intelligence within the EMEA textiles processing industry.

Created with zeolites — a mineral-based substance born from volcanic ash — Sciessent Lava traps odors, helping to keep textiles smelling fresh. The non-biocidal LAVA odor control regenerates with each wash/dry cycle for the expected life of the product. It is also fast acting and color-stable.

With growing customer and industry demand for safer products, this partnership helps grow a more responsible and sustainable textile future. LAVA is bluesign® approved, helping to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry supply chain.

“Our product is unique, providing textile producers and consumers with an environmentally-friendly option for odor control. We look forward to TANATEX’s experience and knowledge within the EMEA textile processing industry helping us to reach this market,” said Paul Ford, CEO of Sciessent. “This partnership represents a big step forward for Sciessent as TANATEX will take our product to their extensive portfolio of customers. We look forward to a successful partnership in the years to come.”

“This is a unique partnership for TANATEX Chemicals as this is the first time we will present an external product to our customers. Sciessent’s LAVA product fits in our functional finishing portfolio and matches perfectly into the mineral technologies for which TANATEX is known,” said René Hermse, BU Manager Functional Finishing TANATEX Chemicals.

Posted January 11, 2016

Source: Sciessent

Improved eco friendly denim finishing from Monforts

MONCHENGLADBACH, Germany — January 4, 2016 — Monforts Monfortex compressive shrinkage ranges for denim finishing are now even more cost-efficient and eco-friendly.

Stretching and skewing functions for the denim fabric can be performed by a modified Thermex Thermo stretch unit. This configuration allows fabric speeds of up to 40 m/min to be achieved with 14.5 oz/yd² denim on the single rubber version.

A ‘double rubber’ version comprises two compressive shrinkage units and two felt calenders in line. Together with the innovative Thermex Thermo Stretch, fabric speeds of up to 80 m/min can be achieved with 14.5 oz/yd² denim.

On both range versions, the denim fabric is stretched and skewed far more gently than with conventional range combinations.

With the larger diameter of the shrinkage cylinder in combination with the automatic rubber belt grinder, the standard is determined in shrinkage technology for minimum residual shrinkage values and optimum fabric hand.

With a quick-change facility available only from Monforts, the shrinkage belt can be changed in the shortest possible time and standstill times are absolutely minimised.

Eco Applicator For Denim Finishing

The proven, energy saving, Eco-Applicator soft coating process from Monforts for the application of liquors and functional chemicals is now available for denim fabric applications.

The Eco-Applicator offers significant energy savings with reduced liquor application. The multi-functional and multi-purpose process ensures the lowest energy input for consecutive drying to its minimal liquor application.

Posted January 11, 2016

Source: Monforts

CONWED Celebrates 50 Years Of Netting Innovation

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — January 11, 2016 — Conwed, the leading plastic netting manufacturer in the world, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016. Led by the campaign theme “Celebrating our Past, Engineering our Future”, Conwed plans to communicate the collaborative approach and thirst for innovation that have made them the partner of choice in diverse industries. Since 1966, Conwed has developed netting solutions for hundreds of industrial and consumer products worldwide. Founded in Minneapolis, MN, Conwed has now 5 manufacturing locations on two continents, more than 400 employees and a global distribution network.

During the last 50 years, Conwed netting has been a key component in diverse market applications. Netting is used to reinforce, protect, contain, separate, laminate and stretch a wide range of materials and substrates in various industries. “Our netting helps make products lighter, stronger and more durable. Netting sometimes may not be easily visible, but it hides behind the scenes in products we all use on a daily basis”, said Ivan Soltero, Strategic Marketing Manager at Conwed.

Enjoying rapid growth in its first three decades of existence, Conwed introduced reinforcement netting to bedding products, became essential in reinforcing carpet cushion and provided separation, containment and support to diverse air and liquid filtration products. Then, the erosion control industry boomed and Conwed netting became a key material in erosion control blankets, turf reinforcement mats and wattles. Conwed also thrived creating netting for hay and forage containment, turf harvesting and crop protection. “When someone asks what Conwed does, it might be complex to explain as netting can be found in many different industries; people buy turkey or produce at a supermarket contained in a netting bag, walk on their living room carpet supported by carpet cushion reinforced with netting, run on a backyard lawn harvested with netting, wear disposable diapers with elastic netting waistbands, or use industrial wipes reinforced with our netting. You can find us in the most unexpected places”, added Soltero.

In the last decade, Conwed has expanded into porous pavers, rug liners, reverse osmosis feed spacers, elastic hygiene composites, packaging multilayer netting and high-temperature netting for automotive, oil, hydraulic and liquid filtration applications. “Our netting innovation relies heavily on our customers’ product development needs. We pride ourselves on customizing each netting design to the point where we rarely have an off-the-shelf netting solution for our customers. Netting is so versatile that we encourage customers to share what their challenges are before assuming they can’t be solved”, said Soltero.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration, Conwed prepared a new video where company milestones and history are highlighted. “Our audience will be surprised with this new video. We wanted to bring some fun and excitement to our 50 years of netting innovation across industries. So we asked the question – 50 years ago, could you have predicted an entire world of netting?” shared Soltero.

Posted January 11, 2016

Source: Conwed

IVL To Acquire Aromatic, PTA And Specialty Business In United States

BANGKOK, Thailand — January 7, 2015 — IVL has agreed to acquire BP Chemical’s Decatur, Ala.-based business that has a total capacity of ~1.8 million tons/year consisting of integrated Paraxylene and PTA manufacturing as well as the world’s only commercial plant to manufacture NDC, a specialty chemical used in performance polymers and films for application such as smart-phone screens. The transaction is expected to complete in the first half of 2016 and is subject to the usual regulatory approvals.

Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said: “2015 was a truly transformative year for IVL and the transactions signed up are a game changer for the industry. Our industry faces continually new challenges and IVL has taken these times as an opportunity to remain focused and surge ahead to deliver a distinct and compelling investment platform with scale advantages, technology ownership and innovative products which our customers can rely upon, creating the IVL differentiation.”

IVL is firmly on track to fulfill on its 2015 capital day announcement, which was re-affirmed in its mid-year strategy review in July 2015, to achieve double-digit EBITDA margins and 2X core EBITDA growth by the end of 2018 compared with 2014, which saw a core EBITDA of $600 million. At the same time IVL aspires to achieve 4X core EPS growth by end 2018 over 2014. The below-mentioned transactions will be major accelerators in IVL’s ongoing transformation, through which we are creating significant growth and portfolio enhancement to each of our three powerful verticals: PET, Feedstock’s and High Value Add (HVA) businesses that are interlinked and are synergistic to deliver enhanced value for all our shareholders and our customers.

  • BP Alabama, United States — Feedstock independence and HVA growth
  • MicroPet, India — Core business entry in the fastest growth market with the largest population.
  • CEPSA, Spain — Feedstock independence, EU wide coverage of PET and maiden entry into IPA, an HVA business enhancement.
  • Ethylene Cracker, Louisiana, United States — Feedstock independence and leverage on shale gas economics.
  • CEPSA, Canada — Feedstock independence in North America.
  • Bangkok Polyester, Thailand — Consolidation of core PET business and supply chain integration with captive PTA.

Posted January 9, 2016

Source: IVL

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