SPARTANBURG, S.C. — October 25, 2024 — Spinning sliver can producer JUMAC, and US-based textile machinery representative SYMTECH, have formed an agreement for SYMTECH to introduce and promote the JUMAC products throughout the US & Canadian markets.
JUMAC with its long experience, in-house manufacturing capability and complete range of products of spinning cans, together with SYMTECH’s knowledge of the US & Canadian textile market is a strong partnership where SYMTECH will also offer local assembly and repairs of cans.
The legacy of JUMAC started in the year 1973, is all about an unwavering vision and commitment to create a smarter, better, stronger, spinning ecosystem. Under the expert stewardship of late founder Shyam Sundar Fogla, they made rapid strides through the initial years. With an ‘innovation first philosophy’ right at the core, they have steadily increased their global presence, catering to the requirements of top mills worldwide. For five decades and counting, they have been the flagbearers of the proud legacy of Fogla Group – one of the leading business conglomerates in Eastern India.
SYMTECH is a U.S.-based textile machinery representative for the U.S. and Canadian markets. With an extensive knowledge of the textile industry and an unwavering commitment to both customers and suppliers, SYMTECH offers a comprehensive suite of services. The SYMTECH team not only sells high-quality textile machinery but also takes full responsibility for installation, warranty, repairs, and service while maintaining an extensive inventory of spare parts to ensure continuous support and efficiency for our customers.
Founded in Spartanburg in 1984, SYMTECH has grown to employ 21 dedicated professionals, primarily based in its original Spartanburg location. The company’s core belief is that providing the highest quality machinery, paired with exceptional service, maximizes the benefits for its customers’ investments.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — October 25, 2024 — Coating line manufacturer ISOTEX and US-based textile machinery representative SYMTECH, have formed a partnership effective October 1, 2024. SYMTECH will represent all existing ISOTEX installations for support and service, as well as the sale of new equipment.
With its renowned coating line technology, ISOTEX, along with SYMTECH and its strong local presence in the U.S. and Canada, will offer all current and new ISOTEX customers a new level of service and support, featuring locally trained and skilled technicians for faster assistance.
With more than 50 years of experience, ISOTEX not only offers a wide range of products but also provides innovative and customized solutions. Founded in Italy in 1957 as a manufacturer of machines for the textile printing process, ISOTEX produced the first coating head for application on fabrics in 1959, along with the very first direct coating line in Italy.
The continuous development of advanced coating and laminating systems based on wet coat technology for synthetic leather, airbags, and other technical applications has earned ISOTEX a worldwide reputation.
SYMTECH is a US-based textile machinery representative for the U.S. and Canadian markets. With extensive knowledge of the textile industry and an unwavering commitment to both customers and suppliers, SYMTECH offers a comprehensive suite of services. The SYMTECH team not only sells high-quality textile machinery but also takes full responsibility for installation, warranty, repairs, and service while maintaining an extensive inventory of spare parts to ensure continuous support and efficiency for its customers.
Founded in Spartanburg in 1984, SYMTECH has grown to employ 21 dedicated professionals, primarily based in its original Spartanburg location. The company’s core belief is that providing the highest quality machinery, paired with exceptional service, maximizes the benefits of its customers’ investments.
NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. — October 24, 2024 — The Brickle Group, operating as Hyman Brickle and Son Inc., announces the acquisition of Family Yarns in Etna, Maine, effective April 2024.
Founded in 1936, Brickle is a provider of high-quality berets, blankets, and cold weather gear to the Department of Defense, as well as offering industrial nonwovens, recycling of waste fiber, and trading of raw materials.
This strategic acquisition significantly enhances Brickle’s production capabilities, adding one million pounds of woolen spinning capacity to support their growing yarn needs in both the industrial sector and the Department of Defense.
The newly acquired woolen spinning facility specializes in creating yarns in coarser count ranges, utilizing a diverse array of fiber types. This expansion not only meets internal demands but also opens the door for Brickle to supply yarns to external textile companies.
In addition to the Family Yarns acquisition, The Brickle Group has made further investments in its textile division by establishing a yarn plying operation at its North Smithfield, RI facility in July 2024. This new operation offers commission 2-for-1 twisting up to 4-ply, catering to companies that require specialized plied yarns.
“Our commitment to vertical integration and enhancing our value-added services continues with these investments,” said Max Brickle, company President. “We are excited about the opportunities that the Family Yarns acquisition and our new plying operation will bring to our clients and partners in the textile industry.”
The Brickle Group remains dedicated to supporting its diverse textile businesses and meeting the evolving needs of its customers. For inquiries regarding yarn spinning or plying services, please contact customerservice@hbrickle.com
Posted: October 24, 2024
Source: The Brickle Group, DBA Hyman Brickle and Son Inc.
CHICAGO — October 24, 2024 — The Call for Programming for the 56th edition of NeoCon, the leading event for the commercial interiors industry, opens on October 30. NeoCon invites thought leaders and influential industry experts to submit proposals for Continuing Education Units (CEUs), workshops, and NeoCon Talks for the 2025 show. Held June 9-11 at THE MART in Chicago, NeoCon offers a dynamic platform for showcasing product innovations and exploring the latest ideas and trends shaping commercial interiors. The event annually draws a global audience of architects, designers, manufacturers, dealers, end-users, media, and prominent design organizations.
“NeoCon’s programming provides unparalleled access to new ideas while offering the space to form meaningful conversations and connections with the trailblazers of the commercial design industry and beyond,” comments Nubia Henderson, Director of Programming for NeoCon. “Our community has a wealth of expertise, and we look forward to seeing fresh perspectives on the trending topics shaping our industry.”
Submissions will be considered for both virtual and in-person CEU sessions across a wide range of educational categories including Workplace, Healthcare, Hospitality, Wellness, Technology, Sustainability, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). All CEU sessions will be pre-recorded and offered on-demand via the NeoCon Program Library. Onsite Workshops will offer attendees a more in-depth and hands-on educational experience. Selected CEUs and workshops will be submitted for CEU approval through IDCEC and AIA. Now in its 3rd installation NeoCon Talks in partnership with Work Design Magazine, invites emerging influencers with fresh ideas and timely topics to offer proposals for 20-minute talks. Submissions will be accepted through January 20, 2024. More details and guidelines can be found at neocon.com/programming/call-for-programming.
For showroom, exhibitor, and general NeoCon news, images, and real-time information, follow NeoCon on: Instagram (@NeoCon_Shows), LinkedIn (@NeoCon-Shows), and Facebook (@NeoConShows).
NEW YORK CITY — October 24, 2024 — Designtex, designer and manufacturer of applied materials for the built environment, announces Wool Library, four foundational textiles that deliver all the benefits of wool as a biobased material to deliver high quality and performance paired with a soft, luxurious hand. These four constructions are expertly woven in Italy and created to be a staple in style and durability for a long time to come, just like your favorite sweater.
“Designtex has a legacy of bringing hard wearing natural fibers to the market. One of our very first materials (60 some years ago) was a Mohair Velvet that is still in the line today and wool has long been a staple fiber in our offering and industry. Wool is great because it’s natural and naturally hard wearing, thermoregulating, and renewable,” says Catherine Stowell, VP Design, Designtex.
The collection’s four styles – Basket, Checker, Micro Tweed, and Heather – are high on flexibility and impact, and just like wool itself, are classics. Their individual personalities emerge when paired with Wool Library’s color palette of 190 hues, providing options from vibrant and bold to subtle neutrals. Wool Library offers the perfect tonality for every project.
Given a second chance at life, Checker, Basket, and Micro Tweed each contain a high content (70%) of postconsumer recycled material from the fashion industry. Reutilizing discarded wool garments to create new yarn preserves resources and places less stress on the environment. These three products can contribute to the LEED Materials and Resources credit for recycled content and have been certified by the mill to GRS, the Global Recycled Standard 4.0. This collection is free of added chemistry, including finishes, PFAS, flame retardants, and antimicrobials.
Preparing postconsumer recycled wool for its next life involves a few steps: discarded, reclaimed, and gathered clothing is sorted by fiber, color, content, and quality. The garments are broken back down into colorful fibers that are washed, blended together, and spun into a new yarn. These fiber blended yarns are woven and finely milled into soft, deeply colored new fabric for upholstery. In the case of Wool Library, this process occurs in Prato, Italy, which has a long history of recycling clothing from the fashion industry dating back to the 12th century.
Stowell shares, “The craft that the suppliers bring to the recycling process is impressive, I love that you can see the evidence of the raw materials in each heathered yarn. The plain weaves with expert milling give the product a luxurious, soft hand that I just love. This recycled and renewable collection introduces three new styles and recolors a longtime favorite in 190 fantastic, fiber-blended colors that add to the Designtex line.”
Design Details
Wool Library will become an essential part of designers’ go-to working palette, bringing together sustainably sourced postconsumer recycled wool and an abundance of color and texture with which to mix, match, and experiment.
Wool Library textiles are soft, durable, renewable, and postconsumer recycled.
Choose from a robust colorway of 190 colors.
The collection’s four weave structures provide flexibility and impact.
Wool Library has no added finishes, PFAS, flame retardants, or antimicrobials.
The collection is biobased, biodegradable, thermoregulating, and naturally flame retardant.
Checker, Basket, and Micro Tweed have the added benefit of being 70% post-consumer recycled.
Checker, Basket, and MicroTweed can contribute to the LEED Materials and Resources credit for recycled content and have been certified by the mill to GRS, the Global Recycled Standard 4.0.
These products have publicly available transparency documents (Health Product Declarations).
Products:
All of the textiles in Wool Library blend beauty, utility, and sustainability. They can stand up to the demands of high-traffic environments and have no antimicrobials, no flame retardants, no PFAS, no added finishes, and are naturally flame retardant.
Basket: Basket is a solid textile with a tactile basket-like texture and visible weave structure that delivers immense versatility and impact, available in 31 colorways.
Checker: Checker is a small-scale, 2-color traditional checkerboard pattern, woven with beautiful heathered yarns. Its 49 colorways allow for combinations that range from sophisticated to surprising and whimsical.
Micro Tweed: Micro Tweed uses two distinct heathered yarns with a small-scale texture that discreetly reveals subtle color variations highlighted across the pattern. Available in 50 colorways.
Heather: Heather is a Designtex classic – soft, supple, and reminiscent of classic suiting fabric. It has been recolored, refreshed, and expanded to 60 colors.
RALEIGH, N.C. — October 24, 2024 — The Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) hosted its 2024 Executive Conference Tuesday, October 8 through Thursday, October 10, in Montréal bringing together leaders in sewn products, textiles, and technology for productive and insightful discussions on the future of the industry. The event, which was hosted at Le Mount Stephen hotel, featured attendees and speakers from three Canadian Provinces, 12 U.S. States, and eight countries.
Michael McDonald, SPESA President.
“Montréal was the perfect host city for our 2024 SPESA Executive Conference,” said Michael McDonald, SPESA President. “One of the highlights of this event being held in different markets each year is that we get the opportunity to meet new people, learn about new companies, and garner a better understanding of both local and regional efforts to support the industry. We took it one step further in Montréal by expanding our outreach to include not only sewn products equipment suppliers and manufacturers, but also experts in the spaces of textiles, energy, and mathematics. The more we learn about different industry segments — and the challenges and opportunities they face — the better we can work together as a cohesive ecosystem.”
The SPESA Executive Conference is one of the cornerstone events hosted by SPESA annually. As the global sewn products industry continues to evolve, so too does the Executive Conference and its agenda. The 2024 SPESA event was no exception, as it featured a wide array of topics, including a conversation on how to leverage nuclear energy as a new sustainable power source for manufacturing, a case study on crowdsourcing consumers to combat overproduction, and insightful exchanges with Canada-based business leaders and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Mark Hatton
“The subjects covered during the 2024 SPESA Executive Conference revealed just how complex and intricate our industry is,” said Mark Hatton, SPESA Chairman and managing director of Threads America at American & Efird. “It showcased a tangible passion to make our diverse but connected industries more efficient, more sustainable, and better equipped to tackle both current and future challenges. Seeing speaker presentations turn into engaging and productive audience dialogue was very exciting and exemplifies the need for events like this that prioritize forward-thinking learning.”
The first full day of the 2024 SPESA Executive Conference (October 9) launched with a keynote from seasoned industry advisor Krista Schreiber, an accomplished leader with 25+ years of expertise in apparel and textile development, product operations, supplier strategy, and quality production for world-renowned brands such as Nike, Lululemon, Cotton Incorporated, and Arc’teryx. It was followed by a first-of-its-kind conversation with Rickey Ruff, Founder of Global Nuclear Concepts, who shared his vision for nuclear-powered manufacturing; a fireside chat with Holli Markwald, Prairie Wear CEO, who discussed her brand story and drive to create a more versatile and sustainable bra; and, a panel of young entrepreneurs — featuring Michael Mayr, Founder of silana; Jessica Ramey, Founder of Mercantilia Consulting; and Lila Rousselet, CEO of Montloup — who shared their efforts and visions for the future of the industry.
Afternoon sessions on October 9 kicked off with a panel of local textile industry experts — including Navi Cohen, Vice President of Advanced Materials at SRTX; Carlos Agudelo, Ph.D., Co-founder at Tengiva; and Valerio Izquierdo, Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at Groupe CTT — who offered insight into their respective industry segments, including software and digital solutions, textile engineering, and materials development. That panel was followed by a conversation on manufacturing in Canada with Bob Kirke of the Canadian Apparel Federation (CAF), and Gabe Elberg and Leslie Schachter of Montréal-based Cansew, Inc., which just celebrated its centennial milestone. SPESA members Leonard Marano, President of the Americas at Lectra, and John Robinson, Senior Strategic Account Manager of Apparel at Aptean, took to the stage next where they discussed how new technology is driving change on the factory floor and the tools needed to build competitive production capabilities.
The day wrapped with entrepreneur Diarra Bousso, the founder of fashion brand DIARRABLU, who presented on how she used her background as a creative mathematician and multidisciplinary artist to create a unique design and manufacturing process that thoughtfully merges the worlds of craftsmanship and algorithms with the goal to reduce waste in fashion.
In addition to a packed day of panels, keynotes, and conversations with industry experts, SPESA also arranged a full second day of industry tours in Montréal and the surrounding region, including stops at INNOTEX, an innovative manufacturer of turnout gear, Tech Rescue gear, Energy gear, Airflow 3D Technology, and more; the Cirque du Soleil costume workshop at its International Headquarters; and, Groupe CTT, a nonprofit organization specializing in applied research, development, and analysis in the field of technical textiles, geosynthetics, and advanced textile-based materials.
SPESA will soon announce dates for its 2025 Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies (Austin, TX) and 2025 Executive Conference (Chicago, IL). SPESA will also co-host the Texprocess Americas trade show May 6-8, 2025, in Atlanta, GA.
To learn more about SPESA and its events, visit www.SPESA.org. To learn more about Texprocess Americas, visit https://texprocess-americas.us.messefrankfurt.com/atlanta/en.html.
Posted: October 24, 2024
Source: The Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA)
PORTLAND, Ore. — October 24, 2024 — Dovetail Workwear brings to market its latest innovation featuring CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics with the all new D-Fender Pant. Addressing the unique needs of women with strong thighs, this stretchy canvas pant features reinforced protection using CORDURA fabrics in high-wear areas for superior durability and comfort for hard-working women.
“We’ve heard firsthand from women with powerhouse legs about the frustration of ‘chub rub’ in their work pants,” explained Sara DeLuca, co-founder and vice president of Product at Dovetail Workwear. “So, we took action and revamped our signature crotch gusset and reinforced high-wear areas, and put the D-Fender Pant to the test with the women who inspired its design. The response was clear — this is the solution they’ve been waiting for.”
The D-Fender pants are made with tough CORDURA fabric, bringing military-grade strength to eight high-wear areas: belt loops, reinforced front pocket, tonol loops, crotch gusset, device pocket, nested right pockets, front overlay panels, and back cuffs. Beyond durability, the D-Fender Pant brings a modern edge to workwear style. Zonal reinforcements offer striking color-blocking and texture contrasts, while the fabric’s water and stain-resistant finish keeps the pants looking fresh, even after heavy wear. With 10 pockets strategically placed for maximum functionality, these pants ensure there’s plenty of storage for tools and personal items.
“We’re excited to partner with Dovetail on the D-Fender Pant,” said Cindy McNaull, Business Development Director at CORDURA Advanced Fabrics. “Our fabrics are engineered to endure the toughest conditions while delivering flexibility and comfort – making them the perfect choice for workwear that has to perform as hard as the women who wear it.”
To bring it full circle, the D-Fender Pant isn’t just made for women – it’s made by women. In partnership with Pakistan-based Sapphire Finishing Mills, where 90% of the workforce is women, the pants are produced with a commitment to empowerment and sustainable practices.
The D-Fender Pant is now available on the Dovetail Workwear website and through select retailers nationwide. For more information please visit DovetailWorkwear.com.
HOLMDEL, N.J. — October 24, 2024 — The New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has successfully reinvented its annual trade show, now titled a Design Expo. This year’s event on Tuesday, October 8 at Bell Works featured a DJ, a panel with LuAnn Nigara of A Well-Designed Business® and Designer and HGTV host Noel Gatts on how to attract the luxury client, a raffle and a CEU on global design trends by Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove. The lively, interactive event drew crowds of designers and dozens of exhibitors encompassing the breadth of the design trade.
A key part of the Design Expo was the “passing of the gavel” of the ASID NJ Board where Marina V. Umali, ASID, CID, and President from 2023 to 2024, officially transferred responsibilities to incoming ASID NJ President Marilyn LaVergne, Associate ASID, and the outgoing Board of Directors welcomed the new.
“The ASID NJ Design Expo was outstanding with a wonderful chance to experience the latest in today’s products and be inspired,” said LaVergne. “The panel on how to attract the luxury consumer offered valuable insights as well, and of course, there was an abundance of networking opportunities.”
Echoing the sentiment, Umali said, “Months of thought and planning culminated in this very successful Design Expo. I commend the many volunteers who devoted their time and
efforts to make this happen and our terrific sponsors as well.”
Blinds to Go and Capitol Lighting were Gold Sponsors of the event and California Closets, Metropolitan Window Fashions and Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove were Silver Sponsors. Chapter Sponsors are Design NJ and Room & Board.
The setting, the ballroom at Bell Works, formerly Bell Labs, by acclaimed architect Eero Saarinen added to the appeal with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a small lake and verdant landscape.
Posted: October 24, 2024
Source: The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
COLOGNE, Germany — October 24, 2024 — To mark the company’s 60th anniversary, the lubrication-free and low-maintenance igus:bike will spend 12 months traveling through 16 countries to raise awareness of the “circular economy of plastics”
From Cologne to the whole world: the first stop took the igus:bike from the igus factory in Cologne Porz-Lind to Cologne Cathedral. Photo — igus GmbH
The starting signal has been given, the igus:bike® is on a world tour. To celebrate igus’s 60th birthday, the innovative, bright orange bicycle made from recycled plastic will be traveling the world for a whole year. The aim: to familiarize industry partners, media representatives and consumers with a new form of urban mobility that combines a fun ride with sustainability. The urban bike represents many of the advantages of igus products, the “motion plastics”: it does not rust, requires no oil and is virtually maintenance-free. The ball bearings, drive and freewheel also do not need lubricating as they are made from high-performance plastics. At the same time, the igus:bike is an example of how the transformation to a sustainable circular economy of plastics can succeed.
The igus factory premises in Cologne Porz-Lind, Tuesday morning, 11a.m. The igus:bike starts its birthday tour right before igus employees and representatives of the press. For one year, the plastic bicycle will be on display on the streets of 16 countries across the globe, including Germany, Italy, the US and China. The mission: to show industrial customers, recycling partners, media representatives and consumers that plastics don’t have to end up in incineration or landfill, but can be used as a raw material to shape the mobility of tomorrow. The igus:bike visits various customer applications and partners in stages. With this worldwide tour, the motion plastics specialist is once again demonstrating its pioneering spirit, bringing igus and customer stories to life at every stage.
Turning fishing nets into bicycles
“As a company that has been manufacturing industrial components for movement from plastic for 60 years, we are committed to driving forward the transformation to a sustainable circular economy for plastic. The igus:bike is a milestone on this journey,” says igus CEO Frank Blase. “On this trip, we hope to inspire many companies and end consumers to also commit to sustainable solutions when using plastics.”
Plastic waste from landfill sites around the world could become a raw material for the igus:bike in future. igus manufactures the individual components using rotational and injection molding – from the frame to the bearing to the drive. The material researchers have succeeded in gradually increasing the proportion of recycled plastic since the start of development to 50% – and the trend is rising. This makes it possible to process used fishing nets, shampoo bottles and other plastic waste into regranulate for the rotational-molding machines and turn it into a valuable resource.
A fun ride combined with easy maintenance
On the world tour of the igus:bike, interested parties can see for themselves that a bicycle made of plastic is fun to ride and particularly easy to maintain at the same time. As the bike is made almost exclusively of plastic, it is weather-resistant and corrosion-free. For example, you can hose down your bike to clean it or leave it outside overnight – not only on your own doorstep, but also at campsites, harbors, festivals and company premises. In addition, the high-performance plastics allow for low-friction dry operation without additional lubricants, which often become dirt magnets on conventional bicycles. This also eliminates the need for time-consuming relubrication and cleaning. Riding comfort is guaranteed as well as the material provides cushioning due to its damping specifications. The bicycle thus symbolizes the many advantages of igus motion plastics, which everyone can experience during the world tour.
NEUMÜNSTER, Germany — October 24, 2024 — The Chinese carpet yarn manufacturer Zhejiang Sitong New Material Technology Co. Ltd. is expanding its polyester capacities with the commissioning of an Oerlikon Neumag BCF system of the BCF S+ type. This will enable the company to ensure a balanced production of polyester, polyamide and polypropylene yarns.
The three-end BCF system BCF S+ is extremely flexible: even in the design optimized for polyester yarn production, the system produces excellent polyamide 6 yarn.
With a total capacity of 50,000 tons per year, Sitong is one of the largest BCF yarn manufacturers in Asia. With the additional four BCF S+ positions for polyester yarn, the company from Hangzhou is responding to the trend towards polyester carpet yarns. In the future, Sitong will use them to produce balanced BCF yarns made of polyester, polyamide 6 and polypropylene. “Our strategy is a broad portfolio; this makes us more robust in the face of trends and market fluctuations,” says Tang Liang, president and owner of Sitong. The decision in favor of Neumag was based on the good experiences. “Since our foundation in 2002, we have relied on technology from Europe; for polyester production, we only consider Oerlikon Neumag plants. We have established ourselves with our quality products in both the local and international markets; this shows that we have made the right investment decisions.”
BCF S+ is flexible
The new BCF S+ Monocolor plant is designed for polyester yarn production, but it also produced excellent data during the production of polyamide 6 yarn during the commissioning process. The ability to quickly switch to the cost-effective production of high-quality PA6 yarn gives Sitong a significant competitive advantage. “Trends are becoming increasingly short-lived. However, investing in a plant is a long-term decision. So it’s a strong argument if I can spin different polymers with the same system without sacrificing the quality of the end product,” Tang Liang sums up.
Carpet market in Asia is gaining in importance
The Asian carpet market is currently experiencing noticeable growth. While the focus of carpet yarn production has been in the US and Turkey so far, Chinese BCF yarn production in particular is experiencing a real boom in the post-corona years. This is due, on the one hand, to the strengthening of the Chinese automotive sector and, on the other, to the resurgence in travel. “Many hotels are currently being renovated and new ones are being built. During the pandemic, many hotels were closed, but now there is a significant backlog demand,” says Sun Peng, Sales Director at Oerlikon Neumag in China, assessing the increased demand.
Posted: October 24, 2024
Source: Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions Division / Oerlikon Group
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — October 25, 2024 — Spinning sliver can producer JUMAC, and US-based textile machinery representative SYMTECH, have formed an agreement for SYMTECH to introduce and promote the JUMAC products throughout the US & Canadian markets.
