Germany-based Kelheim Fibres GmbH has developed Umberto, a viscose fiber that features a variety of
letter-shaped cross sections and is showing promise for both nonwovens and textile applications.

Umberto’s parameters can be tuned during the spinning process to create various shaped cross
sections. For nonwovens applications such as wet wipes, fibers of a certain length have been shown
to provide dispersibility. In a textile yarn, the different cross sections form air pockets that
can provide thermal insulating properties for apparel applications. Kelheim reports the Hohenstein
Institute, Germany, is currently testing such effects in apparel.

October 16, 2012

Fong’s National Engineering Co. Ltd., Hong Kong, reports that Saffron Philippines Inc. — a
Philippines-based dyer, printer, finisher and producer of apparel — has installed eight sets of
Fong’s TEC Series high-temperature piece-dyeing machines at its production facility within an
eight-month period.

Saffron has been in business for more than 18 years and employs 438 people at its facility,
which dyes and finishes 40 to 45 tons of fabric, prints 10,000 yards of fabric and produces 10,000
apparel pieces each day. Fong’s reports the company — whose clients include Abercrombie &
Fitch®, Ralph Lauren®, Jockey®, Hanes® and Wal-Mart — plans to increase its daily capacity.

According to Saffron Chairman Tomas de los Santos, the company already had been using Fong’s
Jumboflow dyeing machine in its operations for a few years prior to the launch of Fong’s TEC series
at ITMA in 2011. In November 2011, Saffron ordered its first TEC Series set including 300-kilogram
(kg) Jumbotec2-1T, 750-kg Miditec2-3T and 400-kg Minitec2-2T models.

Following installation of the first unit, Saffron conducted trials on various fabrics that
were dyed using the machinery. Santos reported the TEC Series offers benefits including a reduced
liquor ratio; shortened salt preparation and injection time; an efficient and consistent rinsing
process; reduced effluent and energy costs; increased flexibility in attaining improved loading
efficiency, resulting from a range of machine capacities; easy-to-use controller; and ground-level
machine operation.

Saffron subsequently placed three more orders for Fong’s TEC Series.

October 16, 2012

Fairless Hills, Pa.-based textile recycling company Community Recycling and Newtown, Pa.-based
waste hauling company George Leck and Son Inc. have partnered to launch a curbside textile
recycling program in Pennsylvania.

The program provides residents in the Bucks County, Montgomery County, Northeast Philadelphia
and Southern Lehigh County areas with a convenient way to recycle gently used apparel, shoes, bags
and belts. Residents simply package textiles to be recycled in any plastic or paper bags and then
place the bags in the provided Community Recycling reusable carryalls at their curbs. George Leck
and Son picks up the carryalls and leaves the residents with additional carryalls for the next
pickup. All collected textiles are sold inexpensively to be reused by people around the world,
according to the companies.

“Involving our residential customers in a convenient and easy solution to textile recycling
is important,” said Tina Leck, George Leck and Son. “Our ultimate goal is to offer our clients the
complete spectrum of services for all of their waste and recycling needs.”

October 16, 2012

Bekaert Textiles NV — a Belgium-based developer and manufacturer of woven and knitted mattress
fabrics and bed covers — acquired Enbasa Laval, a producer of woven and knitted mattress ticking as
well as home and automobile textiles.

Enbasa currently employs approximately 80 people at its plant and offices in Spain and its
sales office in France. Going forward, the company will serve as a production and distribution
center for Bekaert’s products in southwestern Europe, in addition to continuing its existing
business operations.

Bekaert reports the acquisition will shorten lead times, improve order flexibility and
enable smaller deliveries, resulting in improved service for its southwestern European customers.

October 16, 2012

Carter’s Inc., Atlanta — a manufacturer and retailer of branded infants’ and young children’s
apparel and accessories — has announced plans to relocate its Shelton, Conn.-based retail store and
financial operations to its headquarters, adding 200 jobs in Georgia in the process.

The new positions will be primarily in the retail merchandising and store operations,
finance, and information technology fields. The company is assessing its long-term space needs and
expects to finish the consolidation by the end of 2013.

“We have a long and successful history of doing business in Georgia,” said Michael D. Casey,
chairman and CEO, Carter’s. “We look forward to bringing our Connecticut-based operations to
Atlanta, which will strengthen our collaboration and ability to provide consumers with the best
value and experience in young children’s apparel.”

Carter’s was established in 1865, and its brands — which include Carters, OshKosh B’gosh,
Child of Mine, Just One You and Genuine Kids — are now sold at more than 600 company-owned retail
stores in the United States and Canada as well as at department stores and other retailers
worldwide.

The company has been active in Georgia since 1925 and currently employs approximately 1,200
people in the Atlanta area. In April 2012, Carter’s announced it would invest more than $50 million
over the next three years to build a one-million-square-foot multi-channel distribution center in
Braselton, Ga., to support its e-commerce, retail, and wholesale businesses, and create 250 jobs.
It recently opened the facility, and plans to employ more than 1,000 people there by 2015.

October 16, 2012

Gerber Technology — a Tolland, Conn.-based supplier of integrated software and hardware automation
systems to the apparel and flexible materials industry, and a business unit of South Windsor,
Conn.-based Gerber Scientific Inc. — now offers its GERBERcutter® GTxL automated cutting system in
a wide version. The system is designed to cut materials up to 2.2 meters wide, and is suitable for
manufacturers of fashion knitwear, specialty technical textiles and furniture.

The Gerbercutter GTxL Wide is a low-ply conveyorized system with the ability to cut up to
2.5 centimeters of compressed material using Gerber’s reciprocating knife technology. It features a
powerful vacuum system with variable regulation to create material stability during the cutting
process, thereby enabling production of accurately cut parts while reducing energy consumption. It
also features a cutting head that can be fitted with up to two optional drills. Options include a
knife chiller to keep the blade cool during cutting, and a lateral travel kit that moves the cutter
among multiple spreading tables.

October 16, 2012

The management team of Vita Nonwovens LLC, High Point, N.C., has completed its buyout of the
business from its parent company, United Kingdom-based The Vita Group’s Vitafoam Inc. division. The
team partnered with private equity enterprises Capital South Partners and Crutchfield Capital, both
based in Charlotte, combined with Source Capital Mezzanine Fund and PNC bank.

Vita Nonwovens manufactures nonwoven materials for automotive, construction, filtration,
furniture, hygiene, and mattress applications. The company operates three facilities in the United
States: a 130,000 square-foot (ft
²) facility in High Point that houses senior management and three high-speed thermal
bond carded crosslapped lines; a 78,000-ft2 manufacturing facility equipped with one thermal bond
line in Schertz, Texas; and a 108,000-ft2 manufacturing facility equipped with one thermal bond
line and one high-speed dual-card with high-speed needling in Fort Wayne, Ind.

“We have built a solid foundation and forged strong partnerships over the years which are
critical for our future,” said Kevin Womble, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Vita
Nonwovens. “We want to enhance our customers’ experience and continue to find ways to bring value
in support of their initiatives. Our new structure will allow us to achieve these objectives with
an entrepreneurial flair.”

October 16, 2012