MEMPHIS, Tenn. — April 23, 2015 — Twelve U.S. cotton industry members have been chosen to participate in the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) Emerging Leaders Program for 2015-16.

Participants include: PRODUCERS — Rafe Banks, Clarkedale, Ark.; Brandon Brooks, Phoenix, Ariz.; Matt Coley, Vienna, Ga.; Paul Minzenmayer, Rowena, Texas; Sutton Page, Avoca, Texas; and Brad Williams, Burlison, Tenn.; GINNERS — Phillip Kidd, Edmonson, Texas; and Todd Waters, Pantego, N.C.; MERCHANTS — Cory Barnes, Cordova, Tenn.; and Ken Burton, Montgomery, Ala.; WAREHOUSER — Joe Cain, Bakersfield, Calif.; and MARKETING COOPERATIVE — Vicki Dorris, Lubbock, Texas.

Now in its third year, the NCC’s Emerging Leaders Program is supported by a grant to The Cotton Foundation from Monsanto
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NCC Chairman Sledge Taylor, a Como, Miss., producer and ginner, said, “The Council recognizes that sound leadership continuity is essential for U.S. cotton’s health. We are grateful for Monsanto’s ongoing support of this initiative that is helping to identify and equip industry members and encourage them to take on important leadership roles and duties.”

Overall, the Emerging Leaders Program provides participants a better understanding of how the NCC carries out its mission of ensuring the U.S. cotton industry’s seven segments can compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.

Specifically, participants get an in-depth look at: 1) the U.S. cotton industry infrastructure and the issues affecting the industry’s economic well-being; 2) the U.S. political process; 3) the NCC’s programs as well as its policy development and implementation process and 4) Cotton Council International’s activities aimed at developing and maintaining export markets for U.S. cotton, manufactured cotton products and cottonseed products.

The Emerging Leaders Program also provides participants with professional development and communications training such as presentation and business etiquette, instruction for engaging with the news media, and utilizing social media tools and tactics.

Class members will participate in three sessions. The first session, set for the week of June 21, 2015, in Memphis and St. Louis, will provide an orientation to the NCC, professional development and communication skills training and an agribusiness briefing. Class members will see policy development at the NCC’s 2016 Annual Meeting in February during the second session while the third session in Washington, D.C., will provide a focus on policy implementation and international market development.

Posted April 28, 2015

Source: NCC
 

CARY, N.C. — April 27, 2015 — INDA is warmly remembering its former president Theodore “Ted” Wirtz, who died peacefully on March 29 at the age of 81.
 
Wirtz headed INDA from 1996 until his retirement in 2004 from a successful career in the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry spanning nearly four decades. Prior to INDA, he spent most of his professional career in sales, marketing, strategic planning, and business development positions with Dexter Corp. (now part of Suominen) in Connecticut.
 
“INDA is saddened by the loss of one of our most dear past presidents, Ted Wirtz, who will be remembered for his leadership and many contributions to our association and the industry,” said INDA President David Rousse. “He was an advocate who tirelessly promoted the global growth of nonwovens and helped chart INDA’s future strategic direction.”   
 
Wirtz was recognized with the INDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 for his many contributions to the association, including modernizing technology, expanding corporate membership and increasing revenue, and adding new services, research, and member communications.   
 
Wirtz was a frequent speaker at nonwoven and other industry conferences worldwide.    He served on the Executive Committee of the Nonwovens Cooperative Research Center at North Carolina State University and on the External Advisory Board of the School of Textile and Fiber Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology.
 
Born in New York, Wirtz graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Industrial Management in 1956 and served in the Army reserve. He was an avid golfer, a world traveler, coach, mentor, guitar player and singer, and Civil War buff.

Posted April 28, 2015

Source: INDA
 

WASHINGTON — April 15, 2015 — The National Council of Textiles Organizations is hosting a meeting on May 13 at the Kimbrell Campus of Gaston College in Belmont, NC for the industry to meet with organizations that plan to submit competitive proposals for the Revolutionary Fiber and Textiles Institute for Manufacturing Innovation (RFT-IMI). The meeting will begin at 9:30 am and conclude once all potential proposers have completed their sessions. Registration opens at 9:00 am, and a schedule is attached with more information.
 
Background  
On March 18, President Obama announced the intent of the Federal government to seek competition for creation of the RFT-IMI, and ManTech funding to support this Institute for five years is $75 million. The Institute is designed to accelerate innovation by investing in manufacturing technologies with broad technical applications and ManTech requires that it be Industry Driven. The intent is for the Institute to bridge the gap between basic research and product development.
 
The RFT-IMI will address both military and commercial markets and it applies to the entire supply chain from design to end products. The Institute will be managed by a CEO and a Board of Directors or some other form of governance. Eligible applicants must have 501(c) (3) status with the IRS, and institutions of higher learning are ineligible to submit proposals. After the five years of ManTech funding, the Institute is expected to be self- sustaining. Total funding, including matching funds over the five year period, is expected to be at least $150 million.
 
Our goal is for textile companies and organizations that supply the textile industry with equipment & machinery, chemicals, energy, etc. that might have interest in the IMI but have not yet “teamed” with a RFT-IMI proposal group to meet with potential proposers to gain a better understanding of the approaches being taken. Since the proposals are competitive, each proposal organization will meet individually with the industry group.
 
Based on the discussions with proposers, textile companies may wish to “team” with one or more proposal groups as the process moves forward. Companies or organizations can “team” with all proposers which might have special advantages. “Teaming” decisions will be made individually by organizations that wish to participate.
 
The RFT-IMI solicitation is expected to be released later in April and a “Proposer’s Day” will be announced by ManTech which will follow soon after the solicitation. The Proposer’s Day will be for “informational purposes only” and attendance is not a prerequisite for submitting a proposal. Anyone with interest may attend.
 
Registration  
Textile companies and organizations who wish to attend this event should register at RFT-IMI Registration and pay a $30 registration fee designed to off-set expenses. Proposer Groups, including all team members who wish to participate, should identify themselves on the registration form and also pay the $30 fee. Proposer groups who wish to meet with industry to discuss their plans should contact Hardy Poole right away at hpoole@ncto.org.
 
If questions arise regarding this event, please contact Hardy Poole of NCTO.

Posted April 21, 2015

Source: NCTO
 

WASHINGTON — April 17, 2015 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) endorses the introduction of legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority as introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and House Way and Means Chairman Paul Ryan, R, Wis. The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015) would establish congressional negotiating objectives and consultation mechanisms involving international trade agreements currently being negotiated by the U.S. government.

“We are pleased to lend our support to this renewal of Trade Promotion Authority,” said NCTO President Augustine Tantillo. “We look forward to working with both the Executive Branch and Congress as we advocate for trade agreements that fully incorporate the interests of U.S. textile manufacturers. It is critical that these trade agreements help to level the international playing field and boost American exports, create manufacturing jobs, and strengthen the U.S. economy.”

Among the various negotiating objectives included in the bill is textile-specific language adressing the need for fair market access in trade negotiations.

Subparagraph 2(b) (18) of the bill reads:

Textile Negotiations: The principal negotiating objectives with respect to trade in textiles and apparel are to obtain opportunities for U.S. exports of textiles and apparel in foreign markets substantially equivalent to the competitive opportunities afforded foreign exports in U.S. markets and to acheive fairer and more open conditions of trade in textiles and apparel.

Posted April 21, 2015

Source: NCTO