COLUMBUS, Ga. — November 15, 2013 — Swift Spinning, Inc. (“the Company”) is pleased to announce
that it has sold 100% of the Company’s stock to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) as of
October 24, 2013.  An ESOP is a federally regulated retirement plan under ERISA that invests
in the stock of an employer on behalf of its employees.   Under the plan, eligible
employees will earn shares of the Company’s stock over time.  As a result of this transaction,
there will be no changes in the company’s management, client services, operations or business
strategy. 

Swift Spinning has been in the textile industry in Columbus, GA since 1906 manufacturing
high-quality 100% cotton ring-spun yarns for the hosiery, niche/specialty weaving and knitted
apparel markets.  The company has approximately 300 employees all located in
Columbus.   Management believes it is the talent, commitment and passion of our people
that drive the success of the Company.  The ESOP allows the Company to acknowledge the
employees’ contributions to the Company’s success by investing more deeply in our employees. 
Further, management feels that the employee ownership will be a meaningful competitive advantage
for attracting and retaining talent in the manufacturing environment. 

Research has shown that an ESOP has an overwhelmingly positive effect on the company,
fostering an environment in which everyone understands his or her role in helping the company
achieve its bottom line.  The result, on average, is stronger companies, more innovation and
more jobs.

“It is extremely rare for a manufacturing company to be in business for more than 100
years.  In addition, it is even more unique for that company to have remained in the same city
and produced the same product for those 100 plus years” said Trey Hodges, President and CEO. 
“This would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our employees.  I am glad
to see that this gives us the ability to keep the business in Columbus and the opportunity to
reward those employees who have contributed to our success.   I believe this is a win-win
situation for all the employees, the local community and, of course, our customers.”

For additional information, please contact Charles Harp, Vice President of Human
Resources:  charp@swiftspinning.com.   



Posted December 3, 2013

Source: Swift Spinning             
        

It seems that the status quo in the Bangladeshi textile industry hasn’t changed that much. However,
the increasing pressure from some international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) through social
media and newspapers has caused some changes in the minds of the responsible people in this
country.

Important Industry Sector …

The same pressure comes from the International Labor Organization (ILO), which just presented
a study on Bangladesh focusing on growth with equity, titled “Seeking better employment conditions
for better socioeconomic outcomes.” The big study takes into consideration that the textile sector
in general, and the apparel sector in particular, is one of the pillars of the country’s gross
domestic product (GDP). As the study reports: “Average annual GDP growth rates rose from an average
of 3.2 percent in the 1980s to 4.8 percent in the 1990s and then to 5.8 percent in the past decade.
This improved economic growth performance stems from a series of economic reforms carried out in
the late 1980s and early 1990s in an effort to achieve economic integration with the global
economy, mainly through the intensification of export-oriented production.”

… Specializing In Apparel

With its increased specialization in the apparel sector, ILO reports the country became “one
of the main exporters of ready-made garments (RMG). As a result, in 2011, Bangladesh accounted for
4.8 percent of global apparel exports, compared with only 0.6 percent in 1990. Over the same
period, total exports as a share of GDP increased from around 5 percent in 1990 to over 23 per cent
in 2011. Even during the financial and economic crisis, exports remained rather resilient, only
falling by 2 percentage points at the height of the crisis, i.e. between 2008 and 2010. This was
mainly due to the fact that consumers in the advanced economies substituted towards lower-priced
apparel goods.”

Growth At Any Price …

“The growth in the last two decades has created jobs, but with harsh working conditions and
low pay, including in export-related industries,” ILO reports. “This expansion has brought a lot of
problems in the country, with two fatal events: first, in November 2012, a factory fire in which
117 workers died; and second, in April 2013, the collapse of a building that housed a number of RMG
manufacturers, leaving 1,129 workers dead.” The rest is history. This year, the Rupp Report has
informed in different articles about the severe labor conditions of the textile workers, the
unacceptable housing situation and their implications on the global textile industry. Promises have
been made here and there; however, not many things have changed since the Rupp Report started this
series earlier this year
(See ”
The
Rupp Report: Cheap Textiles Paid For With Human Lives,”
TextileWorld.com, April 30, 2013).

… But With Low Wages …

The ILO further reports: “Bangladeshi workers earn some of the lowest wages in the world. For
example, as of August 2013, the monthly minimum wage for entry-level workers in Bangladesh’s
garment sector was US$39 per month — about half of the lowest applicable rate in other major
garment-exporting countries, such as Cambodia (US$80), India (US$71), Pakistan (US$79), Sri Lanka
(US$73) and Viet Nam (US$78). And while other countries revise their minimum wages on an annual
basis, Bangladesh has adjusted the RMG minimum wage only three times since it was first set in
1985.”

… And No Social Protection

“Bangladesh’s social protection coverage is among the lowest in the region. Even among the
poorest quintile, less than 40 per cent are covered by social assistance. Urban poor tend to be
left out of social assistance,” the report continues. “In fact, a large fraction of social
assistance goes to non-poor households. (close to 10 percent of the social assistance spending goes
to the richest quintile).”

What Is One To Do?

The ILO gives some suggestions for how to get out of this virtually vicious circle: It
writes: “The most important objective of labour market and social policies in Bangladesh in the
short run should be to focus on improving employment prospects and working conditions at home. If
concrete measures are not taken in this direction, the country risks losing its main source of
export-led growth — namely, the RMG sector. For example, the United States recently suspended trade
privileges for Bangladesh (breaks on tariffs under the Generalized System of Preferences of the
WTO), other countries could follow suit. The severity and frequency of industrial accidents in the
sector has increased to the point that it may be acting as a deterrent to international buyers and
investors. The establishment of a National Tripartite Plan of Action on Building and Fire Safety in
the Ready-Made Garment Sector (NAP), negotiated during a high-level mission by the ILO to Dhaka
after the Rana Plaza building collapse, and the ‘Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh,’
signed by international retailers and trade unions could begin to address these challenges if they
are fully and promptly implemented. The objective of these agreements is to ensure a safe garment
sector where workers can work without fear of fire, building collapse, or other such accidents.”

Relocate Production Sites

Furthermore, the ILO writes: “There is an urgent need to inspect all existing factories in
the RMG sector. As the ILO’s high-level mission to Dhaka pointed out, some of the factories will
need to relocate to safer buildings while the existing ones are being inspected and repaired to
ensure safety and reliability. … [M]any factories in Bangladesh are unprepared to deal with fire
or other potential dangers. The National Tripartite Committee established to carry out the NAP will
establish a technical sub-committee to focus on the structural integrity of buildings and fire
safety.”

The study also mentions the need for a strengthened capacity by the Bangladeshi government to
inspect the factories: “The ILO negotiated agreement calls for 200 labor and factory inspectors to
be appointed by the end of 2013 and the recruitment of another 800 inspectors in 2014; the
upgrading of the Department of Chief Inspector of Factories and Establishments to a Directorate
with an annual budget to run its regular activities; and the necessary infrastructure for its
proper functioning.”

International Standards

Most of all, as the ILO states: “The country should adopt international labor inspection
standards, particularly allowing inspectors to initiate civil proceedings against violators.
Countries in the region such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, where the inspectors are trained
and can initiate civil proceedings and levy fines against violators, could serve as models for
Bangladesh.”

As mentioned above, compared to other major RMG exporting countries, Bangladesh has the
lowest wages in that sector. “Wage adjustments in recent years have remained infrequent and
unpredictable. In the interim, inflation erodes the purchasing power of workers’ wages,” the ILO
reports. As the past few months revealed, “In the garment sector, in particular, adjustments are
usually adopted only after mass protests and strikes that disrupt the industry. Both workers and
employers would gain from more regular and predictable revisions that bring wages in line with
workers’ needs and industry standards world-wide,” the ILO concludes.

Pressure Needed

The list of suggestions could be easily extended. However, as has been demonstrated in the
past months and years, all the suggestions and advice don’t help if there is no strong pressure
from the outside world. There is an old saying: “People only start to move when it hurts their
wallet.” In the very end, it is only the market that dictates success and failure. On the one hand,
the big purchasing companies should put more pressure on the local governments instead of sticking
their head in the sand and proclaiming “this is not our business.” They shouldn’t squeeze the local
producers, but should pay fair prices and communicate with their customers about all these
problems. Then, perhaps, all those people from Main Street and the NGOs shouting against the
retailers would stop canting their accusations. It is exactly these people who are buying the
cheapest apparel, which is produced by workers earning US$39 per month.

November 26, 2013

Glen Raven Inc., Glen Raven, N.C., has promoted Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC President Leib Oehmig
to corporate COO as part of its long-range strategy to bolster its global operations. In his new
position, Oehmig will work with Glen Raven President and CEO Allen E. Gant Jr. and the company’s
Executive Committee to establish strategies including a leadership succession plan under which
Oehmig will assume the role of President and CEO upon Gant’s retirement in four years, at which
time Gant will continue as chairman of the company’s Board of Directors.

“The breadth and complexity of our business has increased steadily during recent years, which
will benefit greatly from Leib taking on the responsibilities as COO,” Gant said. “Our goal will be
to assure that Glen Raven’s associates have all of the resources they need to continue creating and
delivering innovative products and services for our customers.”

Gant, who joined the family-owned company in 1971, became president and CEO in 1999 and
represents the third generation of leadership of Glen Raven, which was founded in 1880 as Altamahaw
Mills. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into Europe, Asia and South America; and its
Sunbrella® and Dickson® fabric brands have become well-established brands in the outdoor furniture,
marine and awning sectors.

Oehmig Joined Glen Raven in 1989 after receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Clemson
University, Clemson, S.C. He helped plan and build Glen Raven’s Sunbrella manufacturing facility in
Anderson, S.C., and served as the plant’s site manager before his promotion to president of Glen
Raven Custom Fabrics in 2009.

Oehmig is the first non-family member to serve as Glen Raven’s president and CEO. “It is a
distinct honor to be selected as chief operating officer and to work with Allen and the Executive
Committee and Directors in providing strategic direction and leadership succession for our
company,” he said. “From my career at Glen Raven, I have developed a deep appreciation for how our
family-owned company has been built and sustained through the commitment of shareholders and the
dedication and hard work of associates.”

Glen Raven also has announced several changes at Glen Raven Custom Fabrics. Dave Swers,
current vice president and assistant general manager, has been promoted to president of the
business unit. Suzie Roberts, vice president-business manager for decorative fabrics, has been
named vice president of sales, Glen Raven Custom Fabrics – Americas, focusing on awning, marine and
furniture markets; and Alexis Maklakoff, business manager for casual fabrics, has been named
business manager for decorative fabrics.

November 26, 2013

Berghaus, a United Kingdom-based performance apparel, footwear and equipment manufacturer, has
selected New York City-based Alvanon Inc.’s AlvaForm technical fit mannequins to help it
standardize the sizing and perfect the fit and design lines of its men’s and women’s clothing.
Berghaus initially will supply the full-body fiberglass forms to its product development and design
teams at its headquarters and then to its office in Hong Kong and its international supply base.

Alvanon created its EU series of AlvaForms from 3D body scans of more than 50,000 20- to
40-year old men and women in France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom;
as well as from World Health Organization and National Health data from 17 other European
countries.

The AlvaForms supplied to Berghaus will feature the Berghaus logo. They also will feature
collapsible shoulders and hips and removable left legs, shoulder caps and arms; and will have soft
bellies to represent the yielding properties of the human waist.

November 26, 2013

Richmond, Va.-based DuPont Protection Technologies, a business unit of Wilmington, Del.-based
DuPont, has introduced two DuPont™ Kevlar® products for the military, police and security markets.

DuPont Kevlar AS450X provides anti-stab, anti-spike and combined ballistic protection in
armor applications. The material is a lightweight laminate film that provides improved flexibility
and comfort, and was designed specifically for use in ballistic vests. DuPont notes the material
also offers enhanced mobility and comfort to those driving patrol vehicles.

DuPont Kevlar XP™S104 — the latest addition to DuPont’s Kevlar XP line of products — offers
water repellency in addition to improved bullet-stopping power and reduced back-face deformation.
DuPont reports the fabric is especially suitable for wear in tropical climates and other
challenging, wet environments.

November 26, 2013

BIRKENHEAD, England — November 22, 2013 —  Adjustments to Cotton Outlook’s world supply and
demand estimates during the past month imply an addition to world stocks of 1,669,000 tonnes at the
end of the 2013-14 season, little altered from the 1,661,000 indicated a month ago.

A rise of 85,000 tonnes in the Indian production number was more than offset by decreases for
China, Australia and others.

The global consumption figure for 2013-14 was reduced by 30,000 tonnes. This was attributable
to a reduction in India, mitigated only partially by improved prospects for the United States and
Vietnam.

A retrospective adjustment was made to Indian production in the 2012-13 season, resulting in
an increase of 252,000 tonnes to the world production umber, and therefore larger carryover into
the current season.

Click
here to
view a larger version of the table in a new window.

Posted November 26, 2013

Source: Cotton Outlook

CARY, N.C. — November 22, 2013 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, had a busy
Fall in China advancing its global partnerships to enhance member access to new markets. INDA was a
sponsor of the Asia-Pacific Nonwovens Symposium held October 22 in Shanghai. INDA President Dave
Rousse delivered an opening welcome to the group and spoke individually with several of the
Asia-based senior executives attending the Symposium from North American companies. The event was
organized by RISI and WTiN. INDA’s strategic partner in China, CNITA, the China Nonwovens &
Industrial Textiles Association, was also a sponsor and speaker.

 

INDA had a presence at the Shanghai International Nonwovens Convention & Exposition,
SINCE, in Shanghai. Rousse participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony and then walked the show
floor with event organizer Wang Yangxi of CNTA Science & Technology Co. Ltd. INDA exhibited at
the show with multiple Chinese firms desiring to learn more about INDA.

 

Later that week, INDA co-organized with CNITA the China International Nonwovens Conference
2013 in the Chinese textile hub city of Shaoxing. Over 230 Chinese nonwovens executives attended
this event that included a report from Rousse on Worldwide Nonwoven Statistics & Trends. Li
Lingshen, President of CNITA also spoke on The Development of the Nonwovens Industry in China. In
addition, presentations were given by the leaders of EDANA, the European-based Nonwovens
Association, the Taiwan Nonwoven Fabrics Industry Association, and the Association of the Nonwoven
Fabrics Industry of Hong Kong. Formal dinners followed the Conference where relationships were
further strengthened among INDA and the Asian associations. INDA and CNITA entered discussions on
advancing the relationship to a strategic alliance with associate membership opportunities for
certain Chinese nonwoven companies expressing interest in aligning with both associations.

 

INDA then conducted a three-day Advanced Nonwovens Training Course for over 50 Chinese
nonwovens attendees in Shaoxing. INDA instructors Steve Ogle, Technical Director of INDA, and Dr.
Ed Vaughn, Professor Emeritus from Clemson University, conducted the course through an interpreter.
Students were exposed to the various nonwoven production processes, raw materials, fabric samples,
and end-uses of these versatile materials.

 

Dave Rousse commented on the success of the trip, “INDA has a strong brand in China and
southeast Asia as a leading source of information and services that advance the nonwovens industry
globally. Partnering with CNITA to co-sponsor one symposium in Shanghai and co-organize another in
the heart of their textile industry area in Shaoxing demonstrates to the Chinese nonwovens industry
that we are helping them advance the industry there. It should provide confidence to INDA members
that we are well positioned to connect and expedite INDA member business initiatives in China. It
was also positive to personally connect again with our association counterparts from Hong Kong,
Taiwan and Japan and share with them the knowledge of our product stewardship activities in areas
of mutual interest.”

Posted November 26, 2013

Source: INDA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — November 20, 2013 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) praises
the reintroduction of the Textile Enforcement and Security Act (TESA) in the 113th Congress.
Congressmen Tom Graves (R-GA-14) and Mike McIntyre (D-NC-7) reintroduced the bill in the House of
Representatives on November 20.  The bill seeks to increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection
enforcement activities as well as improve trade facilitation through enhanced targeting, increased
resources, and greater authority. 

“We commend Representatives Tom Graves and Mike McIntyre for their leadership in
reintroducing TESA in the House,” stated NCTO President Auggie Tantillo. “Proper enforcement of our
agreements and trade obligations is a basic necessity, not a luxury, in regard to U.S. trade
policy.   Enforcing these agreements must serve as a prerequisite in U.S. trade policy to
preserve nearly 500,000 U.S. jobs which rely on the domestic textile and apparel industry. As we
approach the finalization of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the beginning of the Transatlantic
Trade and Investment Partnership, legislation such as TESA will help ensure that U.S. workers and
manufacturers have an opportunity to fairly compete in markets both at home and abroad.”

Due to the high-risk nature and the prevalence of fraud in textile and apparel imports, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) designated the textile industry as a Priority Trade Issue — yet
the industry continues to experience serious fraud, particularly in the CAFTA and NAFTA
regions.  As the third largest exporter of textile products in the world, with nearly $23
billion in exports in 2012, the U.S. textile industry depends on strong customs enforcement for its
livelihood. 

The TESA legislation addresses many of the industry’s key concerns by providing CBP with
expanded authority to better target fraudulent textile and apparel goods coming into the U.S.,
while also implementing additional tools and resources to increase the agency’s commercial
enforcement efforts and reduce the prevalence of fraud that creates an uneven playing field for the
U.S. textile industry.  

Reps. Graves and McIntyre  introduced TESA with the support of twenty-four total
members of Congress, three of whom sit on the House Ways and Means Committee, including Rep.
Sanford Bishop (D-GA-2), Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC-6), Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA-9), Rep. Renee Ellmers
(R-NC-2), Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC-5), Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC-4), Rep. George Holding (R-NC-13),
Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-8), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA-4), Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC-3), Rep. Dan
Lipinski (D-IL-3), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA-2), Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10), Rep. Mark Meadows
(R-NC-11), Rep. Mike Michaud (D-ME-2), Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-9), Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC-9),
Charlie Rangel (D-NY-13), Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA-38), Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13), Rep. Lynn
Westmoreland (R-GA-3), and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC-2).

Posted November 26, 2013

Source: NCTO