Next Level Apparel Names Brett Bjorkman As CEO, Ushering In The Next Chapter Of Premium Blank Apparel

TORRANCE, CA — October 31, 2025 — Next Level Apparel – a family-founded leader in supplying premium, ethically sourced blank apparel––today announced Brett Bjorkman as its new Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of the founder and former CEO, Joe Simsoly.

Brett Bjorkman

Bjorkman brings 30 years of experience across brand and wholesale, including roles at Nike, Boardriders, Augusta Sportswear, and, most recently, as Chief Operating Officer at Next Level Apparel, navigating everything from factory floors to boardrooms. His expertise spans operations, sourcing, risk management, and sustainability, with a track record of turning complex supply chains into lean, reliable, and ethical engines of growth.

“After decades of building Next Level Apparel, I’m proud to pass the baton to Brett, who brings the perfect balance of brand insight and operational rigor to this role,” said Joe Simsoly, Founder and former CEO. “Over the past 18 months, he has immersed himself in every part of the company and is ready to lead us forward—continuing our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence. As I step into retirement, I do so knowing the company is in capable hands, and that Brett will honor our legacy while taking Next Level Apparel beyond what we ever imagined.”

Bjorkman has already made an impact at Next Level Apparel, strengthening operational efficiency, streamlining processes, and reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality and traceability. His focus ensures that every product meets the brand’s high standards—delivering consistency, reliability, and transparency to distributors and customers.

“Premium is a behavior,” added Bjorkman. “It’s about doing things right, making products that last, and proving it. That philosophy guides every part of Next Level Apparel—from sourcing fabrics responsibly to serving customers—and will continue to shape the company as it grows, ensuring it remains the most trusted and responsive platform for premium blank apparel worldwide.”

Under Brett’s leadership, the company will continue expanding its footprint internationally, diversifying its supply chain for resilience, and strengthening partnerships with compliance and provenance organizations such as FLA, Altana, and Oritain.

With more than 500 employees across the U.S., Central America, the Dominican Republic, the EU, and Asia, Next Level Apparel has strengthened its leadership teams and operational capabilities, building a flexible, resilient supply chain and robust customer experience to support its global partners at every level.

Learn more at nextlevelapparel.com.

Posted: October 31, 2025

Source: Next Level Apparel

ITMF And IAF Conclude Successful Joint Convention 2025 In Yogyakarta, Indonesia

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia — October 29, 2025 — The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) and the International Apparel Federation (IAF) have successfully concluded their second joint convention, held this year in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

In close collaboration with the host Indonesian Textile Association (API), the event gathered over 400 delegates from around the world from across the entire textile and apparel value chain.

The conference program was met with great enthusiasm and featured a diverse range of high-level discussions on topics shaping the future of the global industry — including technology adoption, evolving legislation, fibre innovation, audit fatigue reduction, decarbonisation, AI applications, and the transformation of the Indonesian textile and apparel sector. The event also showcased innovation, sustainability, and collaboration through inspiring presentations by the winners of the ITMF Awards.

Beyond the conference sessions, ITMF and IAF continued their tradition of hosting memorable and culturally rich social events. Delegates were welcomed by the Sultan of Yogyakarta at a distinguished opening dinner, while the Gala Dinner held in front of the iconic Prambanan Temple provided a spectacular setting for networking and celebration. This special evening also marked the beginning of the tenures of ITMF President Juan Parés and IAF President Stefano Festa Marzotto.

The convention program also included company visits showcasing Indonesia’s dynamic textile and apparel ecosystem. Delegates visited PT Dan Liris, PT Pan Brothers, PT Ambassador Garmindo, Gallery Batik Jawa, PT Golden Tekstil Indonesia (GTI), and PT Ungaran Sari Garment, gaining firsthand insights into the country’s manufacturing excellence, innovation capacity, and commitment to sustainability.

The success of the 2025 convention was made possible through the strong support of the Indonesian Textile Association (API) as well as PT Dan Liris and PT Pan Brothers, both ITMF and IAF member companies. Together, they showcased Indonesia’s vibrant and forward-looking textile and apparel industry — projecting a positive and ambitious image of the country as a premier location for both textile and garment production.

Posted: October 30, 2025

Source: The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) an/ International Apparel Federation (IAF)

Textile Machinery Industry: On Display At ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2026

SINGAPORE — October 30, 2025 — 100 Italian companies will exhibit at ITMA ASIA + CITME Singapore 2025, taking place from October 28 to 31. With an area of around 4,000 square meters, Italy ranks among the top exhibiting Countries, as in previous editions. 53 Italian exhibitors will show their innovations within the National Sector Groups, organized by ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) and Italian Trade Agency.

ITMA ASIA + CITME show has always been the main showcase for textile machinery manufacturers in Asia, which absorbs 50% of global exports for a value of 8.8 billion euro in 2024.

The main world market for textile machinery are China and India, importing textile machines for a total value of 4.3 billion euro.

For Italian manufacturers as well, the Asian market is the top foreign destination. In 2024, Italian exports to Asia amounted to 664 million euro, while in the first six months of 2025 Italian sales to this geographical area grew at 1% rate on the same 2024 period, reaching a value of 317 million euro. China, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are the main Asian destinations for Made in Italy machinery.

ACIMIT President Marco Salvadè says: “ITMA ASIA+CITME Singapore is a further occasion for Italian textile machinery manufacturers to display its updated technological supply. The choice of Singapore allows Italian exhibitors to engage with many Southeast Asian markets, which are becoming increasingly important manufacturing hubs.”

Marco Salvadè ACIMIT President

“Despite geopolitical uncertainties, the significant presence of Italian exhibitors in Singapore confirms the vitality of the Italian textile machinery sector.” confirms Salvadè. “Italian manufacturers at ITMA ASIA+CITME Singapore will show a wide range of advanced solutions, covering the entire textile value chain. Visitors will see digitalization tools that can improve process efficiency and connectivity, automation systems for smarter production and innovations able to reduce environmental impact.

“In addition, there will be a strong focus on sustainable technologies, with machinery designed to optimize energy and water use, while ensuring high-quality results. Italian manufacturers are committed to combining tradition in textile knowledge with cutting-edge innovation.”

Giorgio Calveri, Director Italian Trade Commission Singapore

On his side, Giorgio Calveri, Director of ITA Singapore, states: “With 86% of its 2.1 billion euro production exported, Italy’s textile machinery industry confirms its strong international orientation, with Asia as its main market. ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 in Singapore is a strategic opportunity to strengthen Italy’s presence in this key region.

“With 100 exhibitors coordinated by ACIMIT and supported by ITA, Italy stands as a trusted partner for advanced, sustainable, and competitive technologies.”

Posted: October 30, 2025

Source: The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT)

From Reactive To Proactive: Four Ways To Manage Supply Chain Disruptions Before They Happen

TW Special Report

Small to mid-sized manufacturers are facing mounting pressure from unpredictable supply chain disruptions. From fluctuating customer demand to reshoring operations and diversifying suppliers, maintaining efficiency and protecting cash flow have never been more critical.

Global instability, shifting market demands, transportation delays and supplier shortages are no longer rare exceptions; they’re recurring realities. For smaller manufacturers without the luxury of deep financial reserves or massive supply networks, even minor disruptions can have significant ripple effects.

To navigate these challenges, you need more than just reactive strategies. You need proactive, data-driven solutions, and that’s where ERP software proves indispensable.

Four Strategies For Managing Disruptions With ERP

To effectively respond to ongoing supply chain volatility, you must move beyond reactive firefighting and embrace strategic, ERP-enabled approaches. Here are four strategies that demonstrate how ERP can help make informed decisions quickly, maintain optimal inventory levels and ensure timely deliveries — all despite external disruptions.

1. Proactive Demand Forecasting
Accurate forecasting is critical in turbulent markets. ERP systems help by analyzing historical data, seasonal trends and market shifts to anticipate future demand. With built-in scenario planning tools, you can simulate various outcomes and prepare accordingly. This proactive stance reduces the risk of stockouts or excess inventory, stabilizing production and improving cash flow.

2. Smarter Supplier Diversification and Management
ERP supports supplier diversification by centralizing vendor data, including performance metrics like quality, cost and delivery reliability. This makes it easier to assess and compare suppliers, identify risk-prone vendors and onboard new partners quickly when disruptions strike. Automated workflows also ensure consistent communication and streamlined procurement processes, reducing delays and minimizing production downtime.

3. Strategic Reshoring with Enhanced Operational Control
ERP systems enable you to evaluate the full impact of reshoring — bringing production closer to home — by offering insights into total landed costs, lead times and compliance requirements. With visibility into domestic supply chains, your company can coordinate logistics, optimize production schedules and adapt quickly to local market changes. ERP makes the reshoring process more transparent, strategic and sustainable.

4. Dynamic Inventory Optimization
Inventory management is a balancing act, especially during supply chain disruption. ERP software tracks real-time inventory levels, usage trends and reorder thresholds, allowing maintenance of ideal stock levels without overcommitting capital. Features like ABC classification and automated replenishment help prioritize high-value items and avoid shortages, while reducing waste and holding costs.

These strategies show how ERP transforms disruption into opportunity by equipping manufacturers like you with the agility, visibility and control needed to outperform in an unpredictable world.

Case Study: Improved Inventory Accuracy and Reduced Lead Times

Cardinal Systems, a leading manufacturer of in-ground swimming pool components, encountered major hurdles in managing inventory and lead times as the company scaled its operations across more than 300,000 square feet of facilities. Their outdated system and fragmented Microsoft Access database created data silos separating sales and inventory management from accounting. This led to inefficiencies, delays and inaccurate stock levels. Feeling the pressure to better manage their supply chain and any disruptions on the horizon, Cardinal Systems turned to Global Shop Solutions ERP software. The investment quickly paid off and just months after implementation, they achieved:

Improved inventory accuracy,  which enabled Cardinal Systems to respond to supply chain disruptions with confidence. By eliminating manual tracking and gaining a real-time view of inventory, the company could proactively address shortages, avoid overstocking and better align inventory with fluctuating demand.

Shorter lead times,  which helped mitigate delays caused by supplier and transportation disruptions. With faster data entry and clearer insight into parts availability, Cardinal Systems could streamline scheduling, reduce production bottlenecks and accelerate order fulfillment.

Enhanced operational efficiency,  which minimized the impact of disruptions across the production floor. Barcode-driven processes reduced costly errors, accelerated workflows and improved coordination between departments, allowing the company to adapt quickly when supply or demand shifted unexpectedly.

A fully documented workflow,  which protected institutional knowledge and ensured process continuity during times of change. With a consistent and standardized workflow in place, Cardinal Systems was better equipped to maintain stability and performance even as experienced workers retired and roles shifted.

These targeted improvements show how Cardinal Systems used ERP not just to digitize operations, but to build resilience into their supply chain — mitigating disruption, maintaining productivity and preparing for future growth. Download the case study to learn more.

The ERP Advantage

ERP software serves as the central nervous system of your operation. By integrating key business functions — from procurement and production to inventory and customer service — ERP provides the tools necessary to manage disruptions head-on with:

  • End-to-end visibility: ERP offers a complete, transparent view of operations, enabling you to monitor every stage of the supply chain, from raw material sourcing to final product delivery. With clear insights into supplier performance, production status and inventory levels, you can identify potential issues before they escalate.
  • Real-time tracking: Timing is everything. ERP continuously updates data in real time, allowing for immediate response to demand fluctuations, delivery delays and supply shortages. This quick responsiveness can help maintain optimal inventory levels and ensure timely customer fulfillment.

ERP empowers manufacturers to anticipate challenges, respond swiftly and keep operations running smoothly — even amid supply chain disruption.

Take Control Of Your Supply Chain With ERP

In manufacturing, disruptions may be unavoidable, but chaos doesn’t have to be. By leveraging ERP software with powerful features like end-to-end visibility and real-time tracking, you can simplify operations, reduce waste and stay resilient. Whether you’re managing complex supply networks, reshoring production or navigating demand shifts, ERP gives you the clarity and control you need to protect your bottom line.

Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Global Shop Solutions, The Woodlands, Texas

 October 28 2025

Powering Smart Textiles With Body Heat, Sunlight And Movement  

By Ellie R. Gabel

Smart textiles are no longer passive wearables that track steps or monitor vitals. They are transforming into energy-active fabrics capable of generating power on their own. This evolution is driven by a growing demand for self-powered systems in health care and performance wear, where reliability and independence from bulky batteries are critical.

These advanced fabrics open new opportunities for enhanced functionality and improved user comfort by capturing energy from body heat, sunlight or movement. For industry professionals, the shift signals innovation and a redefinition of what these products can achieve in modern applications.

Smart Textiles As Energy-Harvesting Platforms

Smart textiles extend beyond consumer wearables, finding advanced applications in industrial and medical fields where performance and reliability are critical. At their core, e-textiles serve five major functions — sensors that capture data, actuators that trigger responses, processors that handle information, integrated energy supplies that replace bulky external batteries and communication systems that connect devices.

The industry is rapidly shifting from dependence on external power sources to integrated micro-energy systems woven directly into fabrics. Current research is heavily focused on thermoelectric, photovoltaic and piezoelectric solutions, which offer unique pathways to harvest and store energy within these structures.

Harnessing Body Heat With Thermoelectric Materials

Thermoelectric textiles harness the Seebeck effect. They convert temperature differences between the body and the environment into usable electricity, turning heat into a steady power source. Advances in flexible thermoelectric polymers and nanocomposites make it possible to embed this technology into fabrics without compromising comfort or mobility, which creates opportunities for seamless integration into everyday wear.

These materials are already being tested in health care for continuous biosignal monitoring, defense for soldier performance gear and consumer wellness for managing chronic conditions. Research shows that patients using monitoring devices powered by these textiles were 5% less likely to return to hospitals for additional care. The biggest hurdle for the industry lies in boosting power density while keeping them durable, lightweight and comfortable enough for real-world use.

Capturing Sunlight With Photovoltaic Textiles

Photovoltaic (PV) textiles are gaining momentum as researchers integrate organic photovoltaics and perovskite coatings directly into fibers, creating fabrics that capture and convert sunlight into usable energy. Several approaches are being explored, including weaving PV fibers into textiles, laminating ultrathin solar films onto fabric surfaces, and developing dye-sensitized products that remain flexible and lightweight.

These innovations open the door to practical applications such as charging communication devices, powering location trackers, and providing energy autonomy in remote or off-grid environments. However, the industry faces the ongoing challenge of balancing high conversion efficiency with flexibility and long-term stability, which ensures solar-powered fabrics remain functional and durable in real-world conditions.

Generating Power Through Movement

Kinetic energy-harvesting textiles generate electricity when fabrics bend, stretch or compress, producing charge through piezoelectric or triboelectric effects that transform movement into usable power. A hybrid approach combining both methods has shown strong potential, as piezoelectric and triboelectric systems work well under mechanical stress without interfering with one another.

Materials like advanced nanogenerators and electrospun meshes offer flexibility and adaptability for integration into wearable fabrics. These innovations are already being applied in self-charging motion sensors, performance wear for athletes and durable military gear designed for extended field use. However, the biggest challenge is scaling up energy capture to provide enough power for a growing range of connected devices while ensuring the products remain lightweight and comfortable.

Hybrid Approaches and Integrated Systems

Hybrid smart textiles push the boundaries of energy harvesting by combining thermoelectric, photovoltaic and piezoelectric elements to deliver around-the-clock power coverage. For example, layered fabrics can generate electricity from body heat when the wearer is at rest and capture energy from movement during activity, creating a seamless power flow. This innovation carries significant weight in an industry responsible for up to 10% of global carbon emissions, as it highlights how textiles can reduce reliance on external batteries and promote sustainability.

Early prototypes already achieve energy self-sufficiency for low-power electronics, which proves the concept is more than theoretical. The vision is to create smart textiles that act as decentralized microgrids for wearables, capable of powering sensors and devices in a way that aligns with performance needs and environmental responsibility.

Challenges and Industry Path Forward

Before reaching full-scale adoption, smart textiles face several challenges, starting with material-level hurdles such as wash resistance, energy conversion efficiency and biocompatibility. The development of biosafe and less irritating materials is especially critical. These fabrics are designed for continuous use near or directly on the human body, where long-term comfort and safety cannot be compromised.

On the manufacturing side, the industry must solve issues related to scalable weaving processes, fiber durability and overall cost reduction to make energy-harvesting textiles commercially viable. Compliance is also central, with strict safety standards and performance certifications shaping how products move from research labs to the market. The biggest opportunity lies in fostering collaboration among material scientists, engineers and device makers to bridge the gap between technical innovation and practical, real-world deployment.

Smart Textiles Redefining Energy Through Heat, Sunlight And Movement

Body heat, sunlight and motion form the three core pillars driving energy harvesting in smart textiles. They enable fabrics to power devices without external batteries. The convergence of materials science and advanced manufacturing accelerates progress, which makes textiles more functional and sustainable. These forces redefine the role of fabrics, positioning them as active energy systems for the next generation of wearable technology.

Editor’s Note: Ellie R. Gabel is an associate editor at Revolutionized, a digital transformation magazine.

October 28, 2025

Fruit Of The Loom Appoints Scott Daley Senior Vice President – Brands

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — October 21, 2025 — Fruit of the Loom Inc. announced today that Tony Iannuzzi, senior vice president of Apparel, will retire at the end of the year after an impressive 36-year career with the company. Succeeding him, Scott Daley will join Fruit of the Loom Inc. as senior vice president – Brands, effective November 3. He will report directly to Jeff Cohen, CEO.

In his new role, Daley will oversee brand strategy, execution, and profitability for Fruit of the Loom®, Vanity Fair Lingerie®, Russell Athletic®, and Jerzees® in the U.S. and Canada, as well as Global Spalding®.

“Over his three decades with the company, Tony has played a pivotal role across various departments and with our customers, vendors, and employees alike. His customer empathy, strong leadership, and business acumen have been pivotal to the company’s success. Scott’s experience will build on Tony’s legacy, and we are excited about the future he will build for our brands,” said Jeff Cohen, CEO.

Daley brings nearly three decades of experience from Reebok, where he held a series of leadership roles culminating in his position as general manager for USA. His previous roles included vice president of Global Footwear, general manager of the Running Business, and head of Basketball Products and Apparel. A Boston native, Daley holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University and an Executive MBA from Northeastern University

Posted: October 28, 2025

Source: Fruit of the Loom, Ltd.

Microban International Launches Ecofresh Odor-Capture Technology For Active And Outdoor Lifestyles

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — October 21, 2025 — Microban International, supplier of odor-control solutions, announced the launch of EcoFresh™, a cutting-edge odor-control technology that captures a wide spectrum of body, environmental and other offensive odorants.

Developed with active and outdoor enthusiasts in mind, this comprehensive technology targets and captures odors on the surface of and within treated fabrics, delivering powerful odor reduction and lasting freshness, even in challenging environments.

EcoFresh captures a diverse set of odorants, including sweat/foot/body odor (carboxylic acids), aging body odor (aldehydes), smoke odor (aromatics), fish odor (amines and sulfides) and more. It provides fast-acting odor capture, working in real time to prevent treated materials from becoming saturated or overwhelmed by odorants. This technology outperforms activated carbon fabrics while offering unmatched fabric types and color options, creating lasting performance and extending use of polyester, polyester-rich blends, spandex, nylon, cotton, nonwovens, polypropylene and more.

“We’re proud to introduce a comprehensive technology that represents the broadest offering in our odor-control portfolio,” said Souvik Nandi, Vice President of Technology & Innovation at Microban International. “EcoFresh is designed to deliver exceptional odor-capture performance for end consumers while ensuring seamless integration for our manufacturing partners across a wide range of applications.”

The EcoFresh technology features two main offerings: EH1000, which is compatible with wicking aids, and ER1000, which is compatible with durable water repellents and customer-added binders. The technology can be applied during normal manufacturing processes, including exhaust, padding and spray applications, with no additional steps required. EcoFresh’s nonionic makeup and customizable compatibility enables use within a range of applications, including activewear, hiking and camping gear, uniforms, filtration and upholstery while preserving the fabric’s original comfort and performance.

EcoFresh is currently undergoing OEKO-TEX® certification and bluesign® approval, marking a key step in validating its performance and commitment to meeting the highest industry benchmarks.

Microban International will debut EcoFresh™ technology at two upcoming events: Performance Days in Munich, Germany (October 29–30, booth H42), and Functional Fabric Fair in Oregon, USA (November 11–13, booth 784). Attendees are invited to visit Microban’s booths to discover how EcoFresh is redefining odor-control innovation. To learn more ahead of the shows, visit https://www.microban.com/odor-control/technologies/ecofresh.

Posted: October 28, 2025

Source: Microban International — Part of Barr Brands International

REI Co-op And Ambercycle Reach Three-Year Agreement To Scale Regenerated Polyester

SEATTLE & LOS ANGELES — October 28, 2025 — REI and Ambercycle today announced a three-year offtake agreement for cycora® regenerated polyester. This agreement will help Ambercycle scale up their production of next-generation materials and advance REI’s commitment to bringing the best outdoor gear to its members while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

Every year, the fashion industry generates over 92 million tons of textile waste, most of which ends up landfilled or incinerated, driving greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Polyester, the backbone of technical and outdoor apparel, makes up roughly 57% of global fiber production — the vast majority of which is still derived from fossil fuels.

As the nation’s largest specialty outdoor retailer, REI is uniquely positioned to help mature the market for regenerated polyester. Many popular REI Co-op brand products contain polyester, including the Magma Sleeping Bag, XeroCloud Rain Jacket, and Road Tripper Duffel Bag. Beyond its own products, the co-op further engages its thousand brand partners to advance more sustainable and inclusive business practices via its Product Impact Standards. Taken together, the purchasing power of the co-op’s customers and members can help mainstream the use of lower-carbon materials across a huge variety of outdoor gear and apparel.

Since 2020, REI has increased fivefold the portion of recycled polyester that goes into its Co-op brand products. As of 2024, over 50 percent of the polyester used in REI Co-op brand products came from recycled sources. This partnership with Ambercycle will help REI build on this progress, while helping “close the loop” by creating new textile products made from waste textile feedstocks.

“At REI, we see next-generation materials as critical to building a decarbonized future for outdoor gear,” said Ajay Chadha, director of Materials Innovation at REI Co-op Brands. “As we work toward our 2030 goals, REI Co-op Brands is investing in science-driven solutions like textile-to-textile recycling to cut emissions at the feedstock level and reduce reliance on virgin polyester. This is one of the initiatives that reflects our long-term commitment to scaling low-carbon materials and delivering real impact for our members and the broader industry.”

This agreement establishes a phased pathway for cycora integration at REI Co-op Brands: initial adoption in priority performance categories, followed by broader material integration as supply scales. In parallel, Ambercycle is expanding molecular regeneration capacity to recapture end-of-life textiles and return them to fabric supply chains — building the backbone of a lower-carbon material system.

REI believes taking climate action creates an incredible opportunity to innovate, enabling us to make products that perform better, last longer, and reduce impacts on the planet. Through its agreement with Ambercycle, the co-op seeks to continue to incorporate innovative low-carbon materials into its products as part of its broader goals to minimize its environmental impact.

“REI’s influence extends far beyond its own brand — as a co-op, it brings together a thousand outdoor brands and millions of members under one vision,” said Shay Sethi, CEO and co-founder of Ambercycle. “That makes them a uniquely powerful partner in scaling decarbonized materials. By integrating cycora, REI is helping to set a new standard for the entire outdoor industry, proving that high-performance gear and circular systems can go hand in hand.”

Posted: October 28, 2025

Source: Ambercycle

Acme Mills Named U.S. Distributor Of Ahlstrom’s New Optipad™: A High-Performance, Sustainable Filter Pad For Extended Cooking Oil Life – Powered By Durafry

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — October 28, 2025 — Great Lakes Filters a division of ACME MILLS LLC, a North American manufacturer and converter of high-performance textiles and filtration products, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Ahlstrom — the global company combining fibers for innovative and sustainable specialty materials.

Pads and envelopes to fit your existing fryers

Acme Mills will serve as a distributor of Optipad™ leveraging its decades of filtration and textile converting expertise to bring this high-value product to market with efficiency and scale.

Optipad is a pre-impregnated filter pad designed to simplify the frying oil filtration process while significantly extending oil life — by up to 50%. Combining advanced fiber-based filtration material, Optipad removes impurities more effectively, improves oil quality, and reduces waste and operating costs for foodservice operations.

Optipad also maintains lower TPM-% (Total Polar Materials) levels for longer durations than conventional methods, ensuring higher oil quality and better-tasting food.

“We’re excited to partner with Ahlstrom to bring Optipad to customers across North America,” said Jim Colman, CEO of Acme Mills LLC. “This product perfectly aligns with our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and delivering smarter filtration solutions to our customers. The ability to extend oil life, reduce consumption, and improve operational efficiency is a true game changer for the foodservice industry.”

Acme Mills offers a full range of converting services, including cut and sew, slitting, sheeting, rewinding, die cutting, and custom packaging. These capabilities enable Acme to deliver highly tailored textile and filtration solutions, providing customers with both performance and convenience.

Posted: October 28, 2025

Source: Acme Mills Corporate Headquarters

Levi Strauss & Co. Unveils Ambitious 2030 Water Strategy To Build Supply Chain And Community Resilience

SAN FRANCISCO — October 23, 2025 — Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) today released its 2030 Water Strategy – Beyond the Blue, a new roadmap to reduce water use, improve water quality, and help suppliers and communities become more resilient to climate change. The strategy builds on LS&Co.’s legacy of water leadership and is an element of its Climate Transition Plan.

“We know climate change is the existential challenge of our time—and water is where many of its impacts are felt most acutely,” said Michelle Gass, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. “Our 2030 Water Strategy outlines how we’ll continue to lead on water stewardship, not just by reducing our own impact, but by helping build resilience in the places that need it most.”

Three Pillars for a Water-Resilient Future

The 2030 Water Strategy is centered on three key pillars:

    • Improve Our Foundation: LS&Co. will use science-based insights to improve its performance and deepen its understanding of the impacts and dependencies on water and nature. This work will inform how and where the company prioritizes actions in the areas of high-water stress to address the water impact of manufacturing and raw material usage.
    • Reduce Our Impact: By 2030, building on progress made to date, LS&Co. aims to:
      • Reduce absolute freshwater use by 15% across its apparel and textile manufacturing suppliers, compared to a 2022 base year.
      • Ensure 40% of water used in manufacturing is recycled or reused.
      • Publish an open-source industry guide on water recycling and reuse.
      • Ensure that 100% of direct discharge supplier facilities achieve the “Foundational” performance level of water pollution compliance and 25% reach “Progressive” level, as defined by the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation.
  • Foster Resilience: LS&Co. will also:
    • Support suppliers with training and tools to strengthen their water resilience.
    • Launch watershed restoration projects in areas of high-water stress, aligned to its 2030 biodiversity goal, such as the Sutlej and Indus basins in Pakistan and the Meghna basin in Bangladesh.
    • Expand water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects, including its participation in WaterAid’s Women + Water Collaborative in India, which aims to reach 150,000 people with access to clean water in its first two years.

“A reliable supply of clean water is essential for health, dignity and a life full of opportunity. But 2.2 billion people in the world still do not have access to that life-saving resource. In Levi Strauss & Co., we’ve found a partner that values the power of collaboration to address the water crisis, one of the most challenging, but solvable, problems of this generation,” said Kelly Parsons, CEO, WaterAid America.

Looking Ahead

LS&Co.’s new strategy builds on its current water goals, which run through the end of this year. It also connects the company’s water goals with its broader climate and nature strategies, emphasizing transparency and focusing on the communities most affected by water stress. The targets are aligned with leading global frameworks, including the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD).

“This strategy is about more than water savings — it’s about resilience and supporting business continuity for the long-term,” said Jeffrey Hogue, chief sustainability officer. “We’re working to ensure that our supply chain and the people within it are equipped to adapt to some of the most acute impacts of climate change.”

LS&Co. will report annually on progress toward its 2030 water goals and continue to collaborate with industry peers, NGOs, and local stakeholders to drive systemic change. The water strategy complements other steps the company is taking to build supplier resilience, like its recently launched Energy Accelerator Program (LEAP) in India, which supports suppliers’ transitions to renewable electricity.

“Levi Strauss & Co’s leadership in advancing water availability, quality, and access for communities shows what’s possible through adoption of the Water Resilience Coalition’s Positive Water Impact framework,” said Jason Morrison, Head, CEO Water Mandate and President, Pacific Institute. “Their 2030 Water Strategy embodies the ambition needed for a water-resilient future.”

To learn more about LS&Co.’s 2030 Water Strategy and its sustainability strategy, visit levistrauss.com/sustainability.

Posted: October 28, 2025

Source: Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.)

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