Schlafhorst Celebrates The Groundbreaking For A New 3.5 Million Euro Assembly And Logistics Hall

ÜBACH-PALENBERG, Germany — September 8, 2014 — Schlafhorst, the textile machinery manufacturer, started construction of a 6,000 m² logistics hall on September  3,2014. The successful long-established company is investing around 3.5 million euros in the Übach-Palenberg site.

Schlafhorst celebrated commencement of the construction work together with high-ranking guests from politics and industry. Representatives from the community, from the business development initiative, from the state North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) as well as employees of the building authorities and construction companies involved were expected to attend the reception. Daniel Lippuner, CEO of the Saurer Group, Jan Röttgering, Managing Director of the Schlafhorst Business Unit Spinning, and Mayor Wolfgang Jungnitsch cut the first sod together at 1 pm.

“In the new logistics hall we can pick, store and send our machines which are ready for dispatch centrally and efficiently,” says Jan Röttgering from Schlafhorst. “Three loading ramps will be available in the future, upon which up to 15 large freight containers can be loaded every day. The pre-assembled machine units come directly from the neighbouring assembly halls. Decentralised warehouses in the surrounding area are unnecessary. This saves time and money.”

The hall is, however, not only intended for dispatch purposes. It also provides enough space to assemble up to four fully functional machines for test runs and performance tests, thereby also expanding the performance capabilities of Schlafhorst’s recently inaugurated Technology Center.

At its site in Übach-Palenberg Schlafhorst mainly manufactures its flagships, the rotor spinning machine Autocoro 8 and the winding machine Autoconer X5, which are exported around the world from here. “The markets have stabilised at a high level following the turbulences of the recent years,” says the CEO of the Saurer Group, Daniel Lippuner. “We are on course for expansion and therefore investing in our most important site here in Übach-Palenberg.” The new assembly and logistics hall should be ready in May next year.

Posted September 23, 2014

Source: Saurer AG
 

Zünd Opens Web Shop, Offering Customers Online Access To Consumables

ALTSTATTEN, Switzerland — September 23, 2014 — Zünd Systemtechnik AG has opened a new web shop at shop.zund.com, offering customers the option to order consumables directly from Zünd, 24 hours a day, for 48-hour delivery anywhere in the European Union.

The Zünd web shop offers an intuitive, well-organised storefront. Numerous search functions and an interactive tool selector help customers choose the perfect product every time, quickly and efficiently. Based on material specifications, a few mouse clicks take the customer straight to the correct blade, bit or other Zünd consumable. The search results are matched to Zünd’s latest processing methods and cutting technologies, and reflect years of experience in digital cutting.

The Zünd web shop is the result of close cooperation with end users, who emphasise the importance of quick access to quality consumables in day-to-day operations.
 
Zünd CEO Oliver Zünd explains: “Using original Zünd consumables offers measurable benefits to customers, including optimal cutting and finishing results with consistent and reproduceable cutting quality, and reduced waste from miscuts and rejects. The fact that Zünd consumables are designed specifically for use with Zünd cutting equipment means that the parts are a perfect fit with the machine, extending blade/bit life and guaranteeing highest performance levels from the equipment.“

Only raw materials of highest quality are used in the manufacture of Zünd consumables.  Design and construction are application-specific and based on close cooperation with end users. Zünd uses customer feedback to continually fine-tune and expand its product offering.

Web shop orders over 400€ are shipped free of charge, and payment can be made easily via Visa, Mastercard or by direct bank transfer.

Posted September 23, 2014

Source: Zünd
 

ITG Introduces Hendry Bishop Lifestyle Collection For Menswear

GREENSBORO, N.C. — September 22, 2014 — International Textile Group (ITG) is excited to introduce Hendry Bishop, a unique one-stop collection of fabrics that combines fabrics from the Burlington® and Cone Denim® brands ranging from worsted wools to denim to performance fabrics, and blends designed for the modern active lifestyle.

The Hendry Bishop collection presents clothing from a unique point of view, with no traditional paradigms or preconceived ideas. Drawing from the comfort of cotton, elegance of wool, and performance of synthetics, the Hendry Bishop collection combines these substrates with advanced chemistries and sustainable processes to give apparel designers freedom of choice, function and creativity.

“Gone are traditional boundaries,” said Peter Baumann, senior vice president merchandising, Burlington Menswear.  “Today’s consumer wants his clothing to make a statement about how he lives his life, not be defined by other people’s ideas of what is appropriate clothing. ITG is bringing together the best of its Burlington and Cone Denim fabrics to create the Hendry Bishop lifestyle collection.”

The Hendry Bishop line offers men’s apparel and specialty brands a diverse canvas from which to create clothing using fabrics of different fibers, textures, and functions without conventional limitations. “Fabric shouldn’t limit clothing but rather open up endless possibilities for people to carry forward their lifestyle to any occasion,” said Gary Kernaghan, executive vice president global business development.  

“We designed the Hendry Bishop collection to transcend preconceived definitions of the past and open new styling and design options that fit today’s lifestyles.”

The Hendry Bishop collection is launching for Fall 2015 targeted to modern men’s lifestyle brands and specialty apparel.  The creation of the collection comes from the collaborative efforts of the Burlington and Cone Denim product development teams which bring together global leadership in worsted wool, cotton, synthetics, and innovative fabric constructions.  Samples are available for immediate viewing.

Posted September 23, 2014

Source: ITG

 

INDA, North Carolina State University’s Nonwovens Institute Team-up For Nonwovens Course Series

CARY, N.C. — September 18, 2014 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry and North Carolina State University’s Nonwovens Institute (NWI) announce a new jointly organized series of nonwovens short courses named “The Professional Development Series.” The new portfolio of six courses will harmonize and unify each organizations separate nonwoven training courses into a single series starting with the nonwoven’s basics, increasing to intermediate and capping with an advanced series of product development, nanofibers and microfibers, fabric property development and spunbond & meltblown technology. Starting in 2015, the series will give industry professionals targeted and flexible short course opportunities to impart knowledge of nonwovens and advance career development goals. Since 1998, INDA has offered it’s highly successful one-and-a half day Elementary Nonwovens Training Course and its three-day Advanced Nonwovens Training Course to INDA members and industry participants. Simultaneously, NWI has offered a series of advanced training courses from three to five days in duration, with one course quite similar to the INDA Advanced course.

The Professional Development Series starts Jan. 21, 2015, and offers Continuing Education Units to Intermediate and Advanced Series participants. The full series includes:

  • Elementary: With a focus toward professionals who are new to nonwovens, this one-and-a-half day course conducted by INDA, at INDA’s headquarters in Cary, NC reviews the basic nomenclature, production processes, fabric attributes, market uses and trends of nonwovens. To be held Jan. June, and Sept. 2015.
  • Intermediate Nonwovens Training: Designed for industry professionals familiar with nonwovens or those with a more technical background, this new three-and-a-half-day course combines INDA’s Advanced Course with elements of NWI’s Introduction to Nonwoven Products & Processes and will now include sessions at both INDA’s offices in Cary, NC and NWI’s state-of-the-art pilot lines and science/analytics labs at the NC State University campus in nearby Raleigh, NC. NWI’s instructional staff and industry guest speakers will contribute to the educational content scheduled for March, Aug. and Nov. 2015.
  • Advanced Series: Created for industry participants looking for deeper knowledge in specific nonwoven areas, the Advanced Series will be located at the NWI at NC State University and be taught by NWI instructors. The Advanced Series will consist of three-and-a-half day courses in Fabric Property Development and Characterization, Introduction to Spunbond & Meltblown Technology, and Nonwoven Nanofiber & Microfiber Fundamentals and Characterization. There will also be a five-day Capstone Course on Nonwoven Product Development led by NWI instructors. All Advanced Series courses are offered once a year. The Advanced Series Introduction to Spunbond & Meltblown Technology starts Feb. 2-6., 2015.

Dave Rousse, President of INDA said: “We are delighted to partner with the Nonwovens Institute at NC State University to combine our training course offerings into a single Professional Development Series that is easily understandable for members of INDA, members of NWI, and industry participants from the nonwovens and related industries. Combining INDA’s course content with NWI’s pilot lines and labs enriches the experience for attendees. This collaboration removes doubt and confusion about which courses fit best, and should enable more efficient and assured use of these well designed courses to meet the professional development needs of our industry.”

Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Ph.D., Executive Director of The Nonwovens Institute and Associate Dean of the N.C. State University College of Textiles, said: “Our primary mission is as a teaching institution training future leaders. We have assembled the best facilities, faculty and staff to do just that. INDA has a great reach into the industry that can generate awareness of the resources available to educate and advance nonwovens. Therefore, combining the strengths of each and eliminating duplication will result in a superior experience for all. This harmonized series of courses will appeal to a broad group and well serve a significant need in this industry. We are very excited to be able to do this together”.

Posted September 23, 2014

Source: INDA
 

Bulwark Is Adopting FR Tencel® And Cotton Denim Jeans From Mount Vernon FR

TRION, GA — September 15, 2014 — Mount Vernon FR continues to expand its selection and variety of flame resistant (FR) denim fabrics with the introduction of Phoenix TC denim. Phoenix TC denim is a new Tencel® and cotton blend, developed to enhance the softness and comfort of FR jeans without a tradeoff in durability. Bulwark, a leading manufacturer of FR apparel, is adopting this new technology in upcoming denim jeans.

Tencel and cotton are ideal partners for denim. Tencel is a cellulosic fiber like cotton, yet it is the strongest cellulosic fiber available and is used to make fabrics softer and more comfortable without sacrificing performance. Despite the added strength, denim made with Tencel feels lighter than its true weight. The smooth surface of Tencel makes fabrics inherently softer and more comfortable without the reliance on chemical softeners, which may not be durable.

“We are committed to designing, developing and distributing the best FR garments, without compromise,” said Robert Grimes, Managing Director for Bulwark. “Phoenix TC denim adds a greater level of comfort to the durability and protection that are expected in our FR denim jeans. Bulwark garments made with Phoenix TC denim will be a great option for our electric utility and oil and gas customers, and they will provide real solutions to some of the challenges being faced by safety professionals.”

According to a recent study of 400 environmental, health and safety professionals, conducted by Mount Vernon FR in conjunction with the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), 91 percent of all respondents rated the combination of comfort and durability as important to their purchase of FR fabrics. However, only 58 percent of respondents say that they are satisfied with the comfort of the FR fabrics they are currently purchasing, and only 57 percent are satisfied with the durability. The results of the survey represent nearly a half-million employees that wear flame resistant clothing (FRC) on the job.

“Our research shows that safety managers may be making some compromises when it comes to the comfort and durability of FR apparel, which they shouldn’t have to do,” said Mike Woods, vice president of FR fabrics for Mount Vernon FR. “Phoenix TC denim gives them more of what they want in FR jeans – both comfort and durability, without having to make any tradeoffs. FR jeans made with Phoenix TC denim may well be the most comfortable pair of jeans workers will wear.”

Phoenix TC denim is component certified to NFPA 2112 standards and is ASTM F1506 compliant.

Posted September 22, 2014

Source: Mount Vernon FR
 

AEC Narrow Fabrics Welcomes Charles R. Adams as President

ASHEBORO, N.C. — September 17, 2014 — AEC, a worldwide supplier of narrow fabrics to major apparel, medical, home furnishings and industrial markets, announced the appointment of Charles R. Adams as the company’s President. In his new role, Adams will focus on strategically positioning the company for growth in existing markets and opportunities in new markets. He will at based in AEC’s Asheboro, N.C., headquarters.
 


Adams

In his extensive career within the textiles and fibers industries, Adams has led business development, manufacturing, quality, marketing, sales, design and operations initiatives for worldwide companies, supplying fabrics for commercial, residential, apparel, automotive and industrial use. As vice president and general manager for Milliken & Company, Charles Adams capitalized on his experiences working in many different areas of the company, to build significant new business in the commercial fabrics division. In his most recent work, he reset the strategic direction of Polyester Fibers LLC.

Larry Himes, AEC’s CEO commented: “Charles Adams has the vision to see where AEC has opportunities to expand within the markets we currently address and manufacture products for new markets. His understanding of what it takes to provide the innovative fabrics and services customers seek will strengthen AEC’s business development. And his experiences with creating fabrics for so many different products, augments AEC’s ability to supply expanded markets.”

“AEC has a great history and reputation within the narrow fabrics sector,” noted Adams. “I look forward to collaborating with their team and developing the products and services that will position AEC on a trajectory for sustainable and significant growth.”

Posted September 18, 2014

Source:
 

Lectra Appoints Edwin Ingelaere As Director, Lectra Northern Europe

PARIS — September 18, 2014 — Lectra, the world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials — fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials — is pleased to announce the appointment of Edwin Ingelaere as Director of Lectra Northern Europe. Based in Destelbergen, Belgium, Edwin Ingelaereis in charge of a team of 35 peoplespread across nine countries: Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands), Scandinavia (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) and the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania).

A truly transnational company, Lectra has developed privileged relationships with numerous customers in more than 100 countries over the past 40 years. It contributes to their operational excellence, in the fashion and apparel, automotive and furniture industries, as well as a wide variety of others.

Lectra Northern Europe is composed of a mosaic of countries with a large variety of cultures, languages, industries and markets. Such diversity is an exciting challenge for Edwin Ingelaere. With help from his team, he will support Lectra customers in the region with their production optimization, quality improvement, cost reduction and go-to-market acceleration.

“Lectra recently invested 50 million Euros in a global transformation plan for the future, including a 60% headcount increase in marketing, sales and consulting, and an accelerated R&D plan” stated Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO. “Edwin’s mission is to accelerate our development in Northern Europe, a region where we have been market leader for more than 35 years, thanks to our experienced and multi-lingual team.”

“My aim is to support our customers in the optimization of their design, product development and manufacturing processes”, said Edwin Ingelaere. “Today, Lectra has several assets: its consulting activity based on lean manufacturing principles, intelligent industrial equipment, integrated software covering the whole production cycle, and unparalleled customer service”.

With 20 years’ experience, Edwin Ingelaere began his career with Telindus Group, an IT solutions integrator. He then joined Vasco Data Security as Strategic Marketing Director, before being recruited by telecommunications company Verizon as Key Account Director. More recently, the Belgian company Option, specialized in Wi-Fi communications networks, offered him various sales responsibilities. Before joining Lectra, Edwin Ingelaere was Business Development Director for the machine-to-machine (M2M) market. Edwin Ingelaere is a graduate of Artesis University College, Anvers (telecommunications and electronic engineering), and Vlekho Brussels (business management). He also attended strategic management courses at Vlerick Business School in Leuven.

Posted September 18, 2014

Source: Lectra
 

VF Appoints Leader Of Its Global Jeanswear Innovation Center

GREENSBORO, N.C. — September 18, 2014 — VF Corporation today announced that Sudhakar Puvvada has joined the company as Vice President, Global Jeans Innovation Center. In this newly created role, Puvvada will oversee VF’s recently established Jeanswear Innovation Center in Greensboro, N.C., where the company focuses on denim advancements to benefit its jeanswear brands, including Wrangler®, Lee® and 7 For All Mankind®, and other brands throughout its portfolio.
 
“Sudhakar will work closely with leaders throughout our global jeanswear business to combine existing VF knowledge with the expertise and insights from our external partners to build commercialization opportunities for our brands,” said Scott Baxter, Vice President, VF Corporation and Group President, Jeanswear, Imagewear and South America. “His background in both technology and consumer goods will help to empower our innovation agenda and lead to sustainable, breakthrough innovations for consumers globally.”
 
Puvvada joins VF from Ashland, Inc., where he served as Vice President, Technology Platforms. Also, he has worked in a number of research and product development roles in the home and personal care categories, including 14 years at Unilever.  Puvvada holds Master of Science and doctorate degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
 
VF introduced its Innovation Center strategy in 2013 and began to elevate innovation initiatives with existing teams to support key projects. Now, under Puvvada’s leadership, the company will assemble teams of chemists, scientists, engineers and designers for the Innovation Center who will combine their expertise in technology and new materials with VF’s proprietary insights and deep understanding of consumer needs.

The knowledge acquired throughout VF’s three Centers, and the innovations that result, intend to enable VF to drive greater brand equity and value, and achieve long-term growth for its portfolio of consumer-centered lifestyle brands.

VF’s two additional Innovation Centers are the Performance Apparel Innovation Center in Alameda, Calif., and Footwear Innovation Center in Stratham, N.H.

Posted September 18, 2014

Source: VF Corp.
 

The Rupp Report: 53rd Dornbirn Man-made Fibers Conference

The 53rd Dornbirn Man-made Fibers Congress (MFC) took place in Dornbirn, Austria, Sept. 10-12, 2014. The congress is without any doubt still the most important event for the global man-made fibers (MMF) community. It is organized by the Austria-based Man-made Fibers Institute and supported by the Brussels-based European Man-Made Fibers Association (CIRFS).
 
The MFC’s goal was to “communicate the future of man-made fibers.” With the current economical and political environment in mind, organizers were afraid that the number of attendees would be much lower compared to the past five record-posting years. However, attendance wasn’t that bad with more than 700 people gathering in Dornbirn. The main topic of the conference was “Innovation – Efficiency – Competitiveness,” which should “reflect the necessary evolutionary constraint for renewal in the transition to a new industrial era.” The European man-made fibers industry thinks that: “interdisciplinary cooperation along the processing chain will be the recipe for success. Still, the Europeans are committed to the European production sites and claim from the European Union the creation of a favorable political/economic ambience.”
 
One can say that the level of the presentations were – as is typical in Dornbirn — mostly very good. However, the author would prefer to hear speakers present in their native language rather than in English if they are not completely comfortable speaking in English.
 
Fibers Demand And Long-term Perspective
One of the highlights of the conference was certainly the presentation from Peter Driscoll, director, PCI Fibers, United Kingdom. Driscoll’s presentation was titled “Fibers Demand: Mid-term Direction/Long-term Perspective.” He first covered world fiber volumes as mill demand. In addition to the increase in demand in 2013 — a total of 83.5 million metric tons (mt) with an increase of 4.4 percent — 85.7 million mts are estimated for 2014; which is an increase of 2.7 percent. According to Driscoll, the forecast for 2015 is some 88.3 million mt with an increase of 3.0 percent. He pointed out that from 2002-07, the five-year average growth was 5.6 percent year annum; and for the period 2010-15 it is only at 3.2 percent per year. Driscoll said, “the market is still struggling, with a generous monetary policy as the big factor.”
 
Asian Fiber Demand
Looking at the world fiber demand by region, the situation is quite critical. On the one hand, textile activity in China grew by 4 percent in 2013, but activity is estimated to edge up just 2 percent this year. In contrast to this, activity in the rest of Asia grew by 7 percent in 2013, and Driscoll expects that Asia will add another 4-percent-growth in 2014. China’s share of the global textile industry peaked in 2012-13 at 52 percent; however, its loss of share long-term is very gradual. On the other side the forecast, its share is estimated to be 49 percent in 2030. Over the five-year-period from 2010-15, mill demand in China is estimated to grow 3.2 percent per year, but in the rest of Asia it will be 4.4 percent, even though countries such as Japan, Korea and Taiwan will show further decline. The growth in the rest of the world is estimated at just at 1.8 percent per year.
 
European Fiber Demand
Mill demand in Western Europe — the EU15 plus European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — with annual growth of 2.0 percent from 2010-15 is by “no means dead” according to Driscoll. In 2014, Western Europe’s share of polyester staple fibers is forecasted at 26 percent, and polypropylene — continuous filament, spunbond and staple fibers — is expected to be 23 percent.
 
The mill demand for East Europe — the Russia-led Commonwealth of Independent States, plus middle Europe, now mainly in the EU — is unstable. This region has stronger, but irregular growth, supported by a transfer of textiles from Western Europe, and also, for example, by initiatives like the cotton textiles project emerging in Uzbekistan. The growth in the 2010-15 period is estimated at 2.7 percent. For polyester, the staple share in 2014 is put at 23 percent, and cotton at 35 percent.
 
Turkey
The mill demand in Turkey still shows a strong marketplace. This market is considered to be maintaining its considerable growth; with an average increase of 5.6 percent for the period 2010-15. Reflecting the domestic textile industry and its products, in 2014, the polyester staple share is put at 11 percent, polyacrylic at 8 percent, cotton at 41 percent, and polyester textile filament at 23 percent. In this context, polyester textile filament is seen as a bigger threat to cotton than polyester staple. This product sector comprises 25 percent local polyester filament and 75 percent imported yarn; with the proportion evolving to 15/85 percent by 2030.
 
One of the global top players in fiber consumption is polyester textile filament. However, there is plenty of spare polyester around, especially in China. This means there is no need for Turkey to increase its own capacity. China had 35 percent of the global capacity in 2000, in 2010 it was 7.0 percent, and is estimated to be 77 percent by next year since China continues to install a new plant.
 
Too Much Polyester Capacity
The consequences of this new plant – and others – is that there is a polyester capacity surplus compared to demand. Where the capacity surplus is 25 percent or less, then operations are probably feasible, but above 40 percent, they can be considered to be in real trouble. In the case of polyester staple however, according to Driscoll, a distinction has to be made between large-scale modern plants aimed at producing short-staple for yarn-spinning, and the smaller batch plants using polymer chip or recycled bottles as feedstock. These smaller plants could be stopped in times of low demand and started depending, for example, on seasonal demand for fiberfill. Driscoll mentioned that it could well be that the larger plants might currently be running at 70-75 percent, while the smaller ones, at least in China, would only run at 50-60 percent of capacity. The second part of Driscoll’s paper from Dornbirn will be highlighted in the next Rupp Report.
 
Papers from PCI Fibers are an excellent source of information. The Rupp Report: “PCI Fibres Conference In Istanbul,” informed readers about the next PCI Fibres Conference, which will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, November, 6-7, 2014, at the Hotel Hilton Istanbul Bosporus. This is an event that shouldn’t be missed!

September 17, 2014

Garmatex Signs Deal With The Largest Headwear Brand In The World

VANCOUVER, British Columbia —September 17, 2014 — Garmatex Technologies Inc., an inventor of intelligent fabric and apparel technologies, has announced the start of a two year supplier agreement with New Era Cap, an international lifestyle brand that is best known for being the official on-field cap for Major League Baseball and the National Football League. The partnership will see a new generation of fabric technologies from Garmatex incorporated into an upcoming line of New Era headwear.

“We are very excited to announce that we will be working with New Era,” said Martin Doane, Garmatex’s CEO. “This agreement marks our first step into headwear and really demonstrates that there are a number of market segments for our unique fabric technologies besides just apparel. We look forward to working with the global leader in this industry and towards providing ingredient solutions that will enhance wearer performance.”

This partnership marks Garmatex’s first foray into the headwear industry — a segment that boasts estimated US revenues of over $2 billion annually.

Look for New Era headwear featuring fabrics powered by Garmatex to be available next year.

Posted September 17, 2014

Source: Garmatex
 

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