Brother International Corp. — a Bridgewater, N.J.-based provider of industrial and home appliances
and business products — has updated its GT-3 Series of direct-to-garment printers.

The three printers in the GT-3 Series — formerly named GraffiTee™ — now offer a 20-percent
savings reduction in 380-cubic-centimeter ink cartridge costs. Other benefits include: a white ink
agitation feature that reduces ink waste by up to 60 percent; an enhanced maintenance process that
provides for improved efficiency; a built-in enlarged print area of up to 16 by 18 inches; and
increased data downloading speeds resulting from built-in LAN/Ethernet connectivity.

The GT-3 Series includes a CMYK-only printer; a CMYK with two white print heads; and a CMYK
with four white print heads and single-pass printing for increased speed and improved performance.

October 1, 2013

Germany-based H. Stoll GmbH & Co. KG has introduced Stoll Software Solutions to bring its
customers software tools to simplify production and improve productivity. Tools include Stoll-knit
report®2, M1plus®, Connectivity Tool, and Machine Update.

Stoll reports the Stoll-knit report2 management tool gives users the ability to control and
manage a group of knitting machines in a fast, efficient and flexible manner using a smart phone or
tablet device on the plant floor. Order management software allows the operator to send immediate
orders to machinery.

Stoll’s established M1plus is a component of the Design Software solutions series of products
for fast and efficient design and pattern creation. M1plus supports all of Stoll’s knitting
applications including Fully Fashion, Stoll-knit and wear®, Intarsia, Stoll-Multi gauges®, plating,
Stoll-devoré knit® and plush.

All Stoll knitting machines are furnished with a USB interface, Ethernet and Stoll-KnitLan.
The new Connectivity Tool harnesses these features allowing the machines to communicate with one
another. Machine data may be transmitted and centrally stored in the network data storage unit.

The final application, Machine Update, facilitates machine operating system updates so that
efficient machine operation and innovative knitting techniques are maintained.

A new website, stoll-software-solutions.com, provides a detailed overview of the new tools
broken out into five application areas: Management Tools; Flexibility; Pattern Design Software;
Connectivity; and Operating Systems.

October 1, 2013

Anderson, S.C.-based Chomarat North America — the regional division of France-based textiles and
composites manufacturer Chomarat Group — is building an additional 58,500-square-foot plant in
South Carolina for manufacturing advanced composites.

The facility, which is expected to begin production in mid-2014, will be fully equipped with
new equipment, including a LIBA Max5 100-inch variable width machine. The Max5 will be used to
produce the company’s C-PLY™ spread-tow carbon multiaxial reinforcements.

C-PLY is an unbalanced thin-ply biaxial carbon reinforcement non-crimp fabric (NCF) made
with unidirectional layers that are mechanically sewn together. Chomarat developed the fabric in
collaboration with Stanford, Calif.-based Stanford University’s Department of Aeronautics &
Astronautics and Korea-based Hanyang University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. The company
won a JEC Innovation Award in the carbon category for C-PLY at JEC Americas 2012
(See ”
Chomarat
Wins JEC Innovation Award For Carbon Reinforcement,”
TextileWorld.com, Oct. 30, 2012).

October 1, 2013

Alliance Machine and Engraving LLC — an Ashland, Va.-based manufacturer of turnkey calendering
systems for nonwovens and textiles, and a provider of calender roll engraving services — announced
recent sales of calendering equipment.

Fiber Dynamics Inc. — a High Point, N.C.-based manufacturer of engineered nonwovens for
industrial, filtration, automotive and other applications — has purchased a calender for use in
meltblown media production. The machine is fitted with two steel rolls, is oil-heated, and is
capable of deflection control over a range of pressure settings, Alliance reports.

Crown Resources LLC — a Toccoa, Ga.-based producer of woven and nonwoven geotextiles — has
purchased a calender featuring a combination of steel and Syncast™ nylon roll technologies for
geotextile production.

Both machines will be commissioned this fall.

Alliance Machine and Engraving is represented by textile equipment and systems distributor
Ford, Trimble & Associates Inc., Burnsville, N.C.

October 1, 2013

Trion, Ga.-based Mount Vernon FR, a division of Mount Vernon Mills Inc., Mauldin, S.C., has
introduced a collection of flame-resistant fabrics featuring blends of cotton and TENCEL®. Called
AMTEX® TC, the collection includes 7.9-ounce and 8.4-ounce twill workwear fabrics designed to be
durable but also comfortable and lightweight. Mount Vernon reports the fabrics meet standards for
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E and ASTM F1506, and is currently in the process of
obtaining NFPA 2112 certification for the fabrics.

“Innovation is key to success in this industry as our customers continue to demand more from
their FR garments,” said Craig Tutterow, technical director, Mount Vernon FR Fabrics. “That means
we have to continue to develop new fabrics – such as our AMTEX TC collection – that improve optimum
physical performance and provide our customers with value-added products and benefits.”

“We’re always aiming to provide new fabrics and finishes to our customers that provide
solutions to industry demands, but as a manufacturer of flame resistant fabrics, our number one
priority always has to be protection,” said Mike Woods, vice president of FR Fabrics, Mount Vernon
FR. “We’re excited to launch AMTEX TC because it not only meets protection needs, but also
maximizes comfort, which is often overlooked in protective garments.”

October 1, 2013

Wilmington, N.C.-based Guilford Performance Textiles will team with Red Bank, N.J.-based Concept
III Textiles to generate business opportunities with U.S. outdoor and activewear apparel brands.
The companies note that Asian supply chains still are important to U.S. brands, but in the light of
rising global transportation and manufacturing costs, garment production in the United States is
gaining some traction. Guilford and Concept III want to become an “Americas” solution for quality
knit fabrics offering Guilford’s bread and butter premium smooth surface knits, as well as
newly-developed unique knits featuring finishes for performance and appearance enhancements.

“Outdoor and active apparel has become everyday street wear around the globe,” said Chris
Parkes, partner and director of sales, Concept III Textiles. “Much of the volume is in poly/spandex
or nylon/spandex which Guilford offers in a collection of ‘top-of-the-line’ knits and has done so
here in the U.S. for over 65 years.”

“This partnership makes great sense,” said Devin Warren, director of sales and product
development, Guilford Performance Textiles. “Concept III brings with it decades of strong
relationships and performance fabric expertise, while Guilford is uniquely positioned to help
customers continue their trend of shifting sourcing back to this hemisphere.”

October 1, 2013

Lawrence, Mass.-based Polartec LLC has added a high-performance yarn blend to its flame-resistant
(FR) layering system to incorporate flash fire and arc flash dual-hazard protection. Originally
developed with the U.S. military and workwear markets and introduced in 2009, the second-generation
layering system features FR knits made using the high-performance yarn blend including a 25-percent
lighter Polartec® Power Dry® FR baselayer fabric; Power Stretch® High Efficiency grid fleece;
Polartec Thermal FR® double-velour fleece; and wind-, rain- and soil-resistant Polartec Wind Pro®
FR outerwear sweatshirt fleece. The system meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2112
Flash Fire and NFPA 70E Arc Flash protection standards. Polartec reports all of its FR fabrics are
tested in state-of-the-art laboratories, with results confirmed by independent testing.

The same patent-pending technology also will be incorporated into Polartec Power Shield® FR
woven and soft shell fabrics currently in the late stages of development.

“After three years of research and development, we’re launching this new collection which we
feel offers the best combination of inherent flame resistance, performance, comfort and value on
the market,” said Michael Batson, senior business manager, Polartec, Professional Workwear and
Military.

October 1, 2013

GENEVA — September 30, 2013 — SGS provides a technical update on common water vapor permeability
testing methods and procedures for rainwear and other functional fabrics or textiles.

Many outdoor jackets or rainwear may be labeled with functional claims such as waterproof
breathable. The shell fabrics may be treated with finishes, coating or lamination to achieve the
waterproof breathable function. However, if an improper treatment is applied, it may reduce the
breathability and therefore inhibit the evaporation of sweat from skin, which may cause discomfort.
There are various methods used to assess the water vapor permeability of textiles. The tables below
summarize the common methods and their differences.



Comparison of Testing Methods for Water Vapor Permeability

ASTM E96

– Cup methods

– Upright cup for water permeable fabric

– Inverted cup for water impermeable fabric

JIS L 1099

– Cup methods

– Upright cup for water permeable fabric

– Inverted cup for water impermeable fabric (for single membrane method)

– Inverted cup for water permeable or water impermeable fabric (for double membrane method)

ISO 15496

– Cup method

– Inverted cup for water permeable or water impermeable fabric (double membrane method)

BS 7209

– Cup method

– Only upright orientation

– Cup is moving on a turntable

ISO 11092 / ASTM F1868

– Sweating hot plate method

– Simulate sweating skin

– Commonly applied to water impermeable fabric

Various Water Vapor Permeability Testing Methods and Procedures

Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E96, JIS L 1099,ISO 15496, Water Vapor Permeability (WVP), BS
7209 and differences between BS 7209 and other cup methods as well as differences between cup
methods and sweating hot plate methods are summarized within the latest Safeguards bulletin.



Posted October 1, 2013

Source: SGS

HELSINKI, Finland — September 30, 2013 — Suominen Corp. reshaped its corporate and management
structure and reorganized its operations to further accelerate the implementation of its strategy.
Through the changes, Suominen aims to achieve a more focused, transparent and agile operating
model, which enables the company to further strengthen its ability to generate new business.

“Reshaping the structure and operating model is an essential and at the same time logical
step in the strategic path we have chosen. To implement our strategy, and particularly its “In the
Lead” cornerstone, a significant change in our way of working is required. Among other important
objectives, we seek to speed up our capability to create new business and launch new products with
higher value add to the market. With the more focused and customer derived operating model, we
further enhance our ability to cater for specific customer needs and thereby accelerate both our
own and our customers’ business; and ultimately improve our profitability”, says Nina Kopola,
President & CEO of Suominen Corporation.

Nonwovens business unit will be divided into two business areas.

Suominen’s largest business unit, Nonwovens, will be divided into two new business areas,
Convenience and Care, as of 1 January 2014.

Convenience business area will focus on serving customers in wiping, travel and catering
businesses. Based on 2012 sales, the annual net sales of Convenience were approximately EUR 322
million. Care business area will focus on customers in medical and hygiene businesses. Based on
2012 sales, the annual net sales of Care were approximately EUR 36 million. Both Convenience and
Care will be reported under Nonwovens segment as of 1 January 2014. Factually, the content of the
Nonwovens segment is equal to that of the current Wiping segment.

Suominen’s other business unit, Flexibles, has been restructured in order to strengthen its
ability to serve its customers better and in a more efficient way. Flexibles will focus on four
businesses: bread packaging, tissue wrapping, retail carrier bags and special products. Flexibles
business area continues to be reported under Flexibles segment. The net sales of Flexibles were EUR
53 million in 2012.

Changes in the management model and in the Corporate Executive Team

The structural changes will have an impact on Suominen’s management model and to the
composition of the Corporate Executive Team of Suominen Corporation (CET), whose primary task is to
support the President & CEO in her responsibilities. As of 1 January 2014, the CET will include
the following members:

• Nina Kopola, President & CEO and Senior Vice President, Care (acting); Chairman of the
  CET;
• Tapio Engström, Senior Vice President, CFO;
• Timo Hiekkaranta, Senior Vice President, Convenience; new member;
• Olli E. Juvonen, Senior Vice President, Flexibles;
• Larry Kinn, Senior Vice President, Operations North America*; new member;
• Mimoun Saim, Senior Vice President, Operations Europe* and Sourcing (acting); new member; and
  
• Hannu Sivula, Senior Vice President, Human Resources.

The new members of the CET all have a long and versatile experience in the nonwovens
business and are promoted from within the current Suominen Nonwovens business unit. Timo
Hiekkaranta acts currently as the Vice President, Sales. Mimoun Saim acts as the Vice President,
Operations Europe and Sourcing and Larry Kinn as Vice President, Operations Americas and HSE.

A new body in the Suominen management model is the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), which
will act as of 1 January 2014 as an extended management team supporting President and CEO in the
execution of strategic programs and creating functional expertise. In addition to the members of
the CET, the CLT will include the following persons:

• Anu Heinonen, Vice President, Corporate Communications & IR;
• Margareta Huldén, Vice President, R&D*;
• Roberto Pedoja, Vice President, Technology*;
• Timo Rautakorpi, Vice President, CIO; and
  
• Saara Söderberg, Vice President, Marketing & Product Management*.

The members of the CLT will report to Nina Kopola, President & CEO. The members marked
with an asterisk (*) will focus on Convenience and Care business areas.

In accordance with the company’s plans, Mr. Jean-Marie Becker would step aside as Executive
Vice President of Suominen Nonwovens and would, consequently, no longer be a member of the
Corporate Executive Team as of 1 January 2014. Suominen has already presented Jean-Marie Becker new
alternatives for his future career within the company.

Posted September 30, 2013

Source: Suominen Corp.