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)

Back To School With Uster® Quality University

USTER, Switzerland — May 10, 2016 — Leading spinners are being invited to go back to school in a unique concept to promote high-level independent analysis of the problems facing the industry in the years to come. USTER® Quality University offers a platform for discussion of the complex procedures involved in the profitable production of quality yarns.

When top spinning mill owners and directors come together with the leading manufacturer of quality testing and monitoring systems, expectations are bound to be high. And the three-day Uster Quality University events always live up to that prospect, with a carefully-planned program of discussions designed to share expert knowledge on the major issues facing yarn producers.

Sales talk is strictly off the agenda, so those expecting a series of product presentations from the Uster representatives are the only ones likely to be disappointed. Uster Quality University has maintained this policy since the inaugural event in China in May 2009, determined to deliver valuable practical information to assist participants in their future business operations.

The typical format involves about 25 invited guests — owners and top managements from the host country’s foremost spinning mills. They are joined by selected specialists from major downstream customers, as well as Uster experts — a unique alliance of knowledge focused on the textile industry’s challenges.

Key topics are covered in detail, via presentations, workshops and discussions. Participants gain valuable knowledge based on real experiences: for example, a mill which saves $20,000 in a single year simply by reducing its average level of yarn clearer cuts by one in a 600,000-spindle mill. That’s the kind of information which is sure to impress. The use of the word University in the event title is also pertinent, as the learning process will remind many participants of their own higher education studies in previous years.

Shared knowledge brings valuable insights

Attendees at Uster Quality University will each benefit in different ways, but one factor is always common to everyone: an appreciation of the amazing collective know-how within the group, and the deep insights gained by sharing it. Outside the university sessions, almost all the participants will be competitors in their business activities. Yet they will also be aware that all of them, mill owners and directors, face similar problems, which the mutual education process can only help to solve.

“The value for our customers is that they become aware about the important issues and curious on their implications,” said Thomas Nasiou, new CEO, Uster Technologies. “When focusing on managing a spinning mill with quality in mind — which is not strictly about quality or only about productivity — we share best practices on how to do it sustainably and with consistency. The pragmatic approach to discuss challenges together has been proved correct as well as providing an open platform — something the participants haven’t enjoyed since their own university days.”

Inspiring the industry’s future leaders

A deliberate objective of Uster Quality University is to attract younger participants from the top management of spinning mills, the ones who will shape the future of the industry. This was evident at the recent edition of the university, held in Goa, India, in February 2016. This was attended by 25 mostly new mill directors and promoters from all over the country. The theme was ‘Roadmap to the Future of the Spinning Industry in India’ — designed to inspire the next generation of industry leaders, by setting out performance, quality and economic recommendations. A series of workshops and presentations focused on how to work within the heritage of India’s historic textile sector and adapt to the demand of modern global competitiveness.

The Uster Quality University concept is widely praised in feedback from spinners and most are eager to return for future sessions. This aspect was demonstrated recently at the first Uster Quality University to be arranged specifically for alumni — those who attended earlier editions. There was a high demand for places at this event, held in Suzhou, China, in March 2016. Nasiou emphasized in his opening speech that Uster always appreciates close cooperation with the spinning mills: “We will continue to listen and take every chance to learn about issues and needs in order to provide practical help and guidance to yarn producers and to create value as a company,” he said.

Uster power attracts the big names

The Uster Quality University is now well-established in both China and India. In future, Uster would like to open this platform to more spinners and will consider requests from other markets, to provide additional opportunities to discuss the future of their home textile industry.

“We are proud that Uster is respected as a neutral, trusted and knowledgeable partner by the spinners, and by some of the biggest global names among the downstream customers for textiles. The fact that these groups are ready and willing to take part in Uster Quality University is confirmation of its value as an independent source of vital intelligence for spinning mills and of the power of USTER in bringing this concept to fruition,” said Nasiou.

Posted May 10, 2016

Source: Uster Technologies Ltd.

Apparel Industry Veterans Introduce Hi-Tech Natural Clothing Line Ably

SEATTLE — May 9, 2016 — Apparel industry veterans Raj Shah and Akhil Shah, along with Stanley Hainsworth, former creative director at NIKE, Lego and Starbucks, announced the launch of a clothing line, Ably. Ably is activated by a proprietary, patent-pending technology called Filium™, which allows natural fabrics to be WhateverProof. The applications and implications around performance and sustainability are significant.

People prefer to wear natural fabrics. The challenge, however, for active people has been a lack of performance with natural fabrics, like cotton, wool or silk. They stain easily, become heavy with sweat and take a long time to dry. That fact gave birth to synthetic fabrics and brands like Dri-Fit™, Silverescent®, and others. The problem with synthetic fabrics is sustainability — they take hundreds of thousands of years to break down in a landfill — and smell. They stink. Even after they’re washed. Synthetic fabrics often make the claim that they wick away sweat from the body. That is good in theory, but in practice anyone that has worn a synthetic fabric when exercising knows that wicking actually does the opposite; the clothing feels like a wet towel uncomfortably sticking on their body when they sweat. Which, ultimately, makes them sweat more.

Ably’s clothing line activated by Filium lets the wearer enjoy the benefit of a natural fabric while repelling everything. Filium-activated clothes have been tested on professional athletes, travelers, weekend warriors, moms and their toddlers. The athletes experienced less chafing; the travelers packed considerably less; the weekend warriors didn’t worry about offending their teammates with the smell of their shirts; and moms simply brushed away potential stains. The result is fewer loads of laundry.

“We’re excited about the increased performance across so many applications of wearers,” said Raj Shah, co-founder of Ably and co-creator of Filium technology. “But ultimately, we are excited for the long-term ramification for the planet. We don’t use nanoparticles or harmful chemicals that break down and leach into your skin or the environment. Less washing, less packing, longer use. Typically, clothes don’t lose performance and looks because you wear them. They breakdown because of how much you wash them.”

Posted May 9, 2016

Source: Ably/Filium

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