It’s getting close to the end of the year, and therefore, it’s getting close to the summit of the
global home textiles industry: Heimtextil. The gathering will take place at the Messe Frankfurt
fairground in Frankfurt Jan. 9-12, 2013.

Increased Turnover In 2011

At a recent press conference, show organizer, Messe Frankfurt GmbH, revealed some interesting
facts: The German textile industry recorded a turnover of 11.7 billion euros in 2011 — a plus of
7.7 percent compared to 2010. The sector enjoys a good atmosphere generated by increased exports
and a recuperation of jobs. Furthermore, the home textiles producers are profiting from positive
developments in the construction sector.

On the European side, the turnover rose 5 percent to 88.8 billion euros compared to 2010.
However, imports from non-European Union countries jumped by 13.9 percent to 25.4 billion euros.
Exports to these non-EU countries totaled 20.3 billion euros — 8.23-percent more compared to 2010.
For 2012, Messe Frankfurt is rather convinced that there will be a further increase of 3 percent,
compared to 2011.

Since its beginnings, Heimtextil has been the first event of the new year and season for the
home textiles industry, as producers, the processing industry and the trade. The event has reported
impressive figures: At the 2012 show, there were more than 2,600 exhibitors and approximately
70,000 visitors from 132 countries.

Heimtextil 2013

For next year, the organizers report there will be many new as well as returning exhibitors.
A trend to notice is a revival of mattresses. It seems that many mattress-producing exhibitors from
IMM Cologne — another home and contract furnishings trade show that takes place in Cologne,
Germany, later in January — are coming back to Frankfurt instead of exhibiting in Cologne.

Further trends include a comeback for wallpaper and a strong increase of exhibitors that are
producing furniture and decorative fabrics.

A key factor of the success of Heimtextil is always the number of lectures and presentations
that are given during the exhibition. Main topics will be luxury living, future hotels and
sustainability.

From one side, it is quite significant that this sector of the textile industry is also
fostering sustainability. According to a Messe Frankfurt survey, 78 percent of all German consumers
are interested in buying sustainable fabrics and products. In this context, another issue is
gaining importance: upcycling, referring to new, higher-value products made with recycled material.

Trends 2013-14

From the beginning, the trends from Messe Frankfurt have played an important role for the
home furnishings sector. The show organizers ask the manufacturers to send samples to be presented
in a wonderful array of fabrics. However, some visitors note that the producers do not show every
new design, which is quite understandable. The trend presentation serves as a teaser for the
visitors — first, to give some information on new design and color trends; and secondly, to lead
the visitors to the exhibitors’ booths for further discussions.

For 2013, Messe Frankfurt hired a complete new team of international designers to define the
trends for 2013-14. Rarely, in the last 20 years or so, has better and more precise trend
information been presented than at this year’s press conference. The pictures and colors are
superb. Here are the four basic trends, as abstracted from the descriptions by Messe Frankfurt’s
designer team:

The Historian

This personality sets great store by enduring values and discovers new ways of bringing the
past into the present. He gains inspiration from the late 16th and the 17th century. Expressive
ornaments, luxuriant decorations and wonderful details radiate an aristocratic dynamism. The
historian likes luxury with a sense for quality. Thus, textiles with a layer look are part of this,
as are net fabrics and artistic embroidery. The home is brightened by shimmering gold, bronze and
copper, as well as sophisticated reflections from material surfaces. The colors in rooms tend to be
subdued and dominated by mysterious shadings.

The Eccentric

His passion is for extravagant discoveries combining timeless qualities with decorative
character. The eccentric searches for unique items, curiosities and original articles distinguished
by exotic or ethnic influences. At all events, what he finds must be traditional and authentic. The
modern Dandy and Bohemian loves elegantly made textiles, such as hand-colored silk, extremely
lustrous artificial snakeskin, upholstery fabrics inspired by suit fabrics or oriental jacquards.
In his home, we find patterns with ethnic blossoms. The wall coverings take their inspiration from
textiles. The dominant colors have an Asian touch and interact in an extraordinary way.

The Inventor

To develop things that make life exciting — that’s the inventor’s challenge. He works on
concepts that combine function and fun, as well as wellness and pleasures. Fabrics are literally
brought to life: they sway, flutter and grow as flowery ornaments — extremely sensuous and tactile.
The inventor experiments with extraordinary upholstery fabrics, openwork weaves and meshwork.
Foamed textiles create an airy depth and give rooms and furniture a new look. Technical veils,
iridescent films and latex are also used. Feather-light constructions play with light and
reflections. Lively colors ensure extraordinary contrasts and awaken curiosity.

The Geologist

The nature lover appreciates and protects the earth and all its treasures. He knows the
quality and origins of a product. He is fascinated by the irregularities of geological surfaces. In
his environment, natural structures are upgraded by colorful marl aspects and winding, viral
patterns, as well as rough graininess, bark-like textures and rustic leather, skin or natural cork.
Blotch effects bring otherwise sober surfaces to life. Broken, mysterious brightness flashes from
the materials. The color series reflects the enigmatic dark side of nature. Intensive colors are
rounded off by shades of virulent intensity and metallic luster.

Contract Creations And Coupons

Two other offerings that are very important for the textile furnishings industry are Contract
Creations and the Coupon Business Finder. Through Contract Creations, the target group of
architects, hotel managers, interior designers and such may also attend lectures and podium
discussions during the event.

Also important for the trade is the possibility to buy in small quantities. More and more, it
is becoming very difficult to find manufacturers that are able — and, even more, willing — to sell
small quantities, for example, one piece of a design or color. Visitors will have the possibility
with the Coupon Business Finder to find such exhibitors.

More information is available at www.heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com.

October 9, 2012

Dalton, Ga.-based floor covering designer and manufacturer Tandus Flooring Inc. has been acquired
by France-based Tarkett Group, a global manufacturer of sustainable flooring and sports surfaces,
for an undisclosed price.

Tandus, with roots going back to 1803, when the company began to import woven carpet to North
America, in 1969 became the first carpet manufacturer in North America to produce modular carpet.
In 1994, it became the first company in the industry to provide a closed-loop recycling program. In
addition to being recognized for its technologically innovative product lines and its environmental
and sustainability initiatives, it has earned numerous design awards. With annual revenues totaling
$340 million, the company currently has some 1,400 employees, five manufacturing sites in the
United States and Canada and one in China, and serves commercial markets in North America and Asia.

Tandus is now a stand-alone entity within Tarkett’s North American division and continues its
current manufacturing and business operations as well as distribution channels. Tandus President
Glen Hussmann remains in charge of the business and foresees expansion opportunities for the carpet
manufacturer.

“Tarkett is a true global company with sizeable exposure in high growth developing
countries,” Hussmann said. “This can provide Tandus a solid base for international expansion.”

Tarkett reported 2011 revenues totaling 2.1 billion euros and approximately 9,200 workers in
100 countries, including in 32 manufacturing sites. The company is co-owned by the Deconinck family
and private equity funds affiliated with KKR. The acquisition of Tandus enables Tarkett’s expansion
into North American and Asia Pacific commercial carpet markets.

“Together, Tarkett and Tandus will reach $1 billion of total sales in North America,” said
Jeff Buttitta, president, Tarkett North America. “We will now offer a broad commercial portfolio of
soft and hard surfaces, have a deep and experienced field organization and hold strong positions in
the education, corporate and healthcare segments. In the future, we will leverage our combined
resources for accelerated product innovation, integrated design activities and joint sustainability
initiatives that will provide our customers with greater choice in products and services with
worldwide capabilities.”



October 9, 2012

Greenville, S.C.-based fiber manufacturer Poole Co. has launched the EcoSure® Full-Circle Program
to take back any item made 100-percent using the company’s EcoSure 100-percent post-consumer
recycled (PCR) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) staple fiber and recycle it again into new fiber.

“The remarkable part about Poole’s EcoSure Full-Circle Program is that we are able to take a
recycled fiber product — such as apparel, linens, or household wipes — and recycle it again,” said
David Poole, CEO, Poole Company. “This means we have not only diverted material from a landfill
once — but twice.”

The process can be repeated over and over, theoretically keeping the materials out of
landfills forever. EcoSure fiber has been certified for its recycled content under Emeryville,
Calif.-based Scientific Certification Systems’ SCS Recycled Content Certification Program.
According to the National Association for PET Container Resources, Sonoma, Calif., the use of PCR
polyester fiber lowers energy consumption by 84 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 71 percent
compared to the use of virgin polyester fiber.

Poole Co. notes that Full-Circle is a flexible, no-revenue-driven-strings-attached program
targeted to textile distributors and manufacturers.

October 9, 2012

Switzerland-based specialty chemicals manufacturer Clariant International Ltd. has introduced One
Way — a tool to help textile mills, brands and retailers measure the ecological and economical
impact of their chemical products and process solutions.

The environmental impact of textile processing has become a global issue, as an estimated 6
million tons of textile chemicals are used each year, according to the O’Donnell, Texas-based
Textile Exchange’s 2010 Global Market Report on Sustainable Textiles. The report reveals that 1
million tons of textile waste are sent to landfills annually, taking up almost 5 percent of
landfill space; textile treatment and dyeing contributes to 20 percent of industrial freshwater
pollution; and the global textile industry uses 1 trillion kilowatt hours of energy annually,
equivalent to 10 percent of the global carbon impact.

“With increasing consumer awareness of these issues, brands and retailers today are under
growing pressure to set and enforce sustainability policies, as well as monitor and measure the
environmental impact of their textile dyeing and finishing processes,” said Emrah Esder, head of
marketing, Textile Chemicals, Clariant. “However, a long-time headache has been the difficulty of
measuring the overall ecological impact of any textile process. Clariant’s One Way will address
this gap by providing fast and reliable information on the economical and ecological impact of each
textile solution.”

One Way presents a systematic methodology based on a three-step process. First, customers
select products from Clariant’s One Way database of products that have been pre-tested by the
company against more than 15 environmental and consumer standards including bluesign®, Oeko-Tex®,
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the 11 priority chemical groups of the Joint Roadmap:
Toward Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, and 20 major items on the Restricted Substances List
(RSL). Clariant’s database has more than 200 products thus far.

Second, customers narrow their selection of potential products to the process group that
best fits their environmental focus using One Way’s system, which screens dyes and chemicals and
groups them based on environmental focus.

Third, customers select the appropriate textile solution using a sophisticated calculation
software tool that provides the overall cost and performance profile – including dyes, chemicals,
water, energy and time – and the impact of each textile solution against key ecological performance
indicators. The tool currently is in the final testing phase and will be released by January 2013.

October 9, 2012

JEC Group — a France-based association that provides networking and information services for
composite — has announced the program for its Innovative Composites Summit (I.C.S.) Conferences
& Forums, which will take place as part of the JEC Americas Composites Show and Conferences
Nov. 7-9, 2012, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

The I.C.S. Conferences & Forums will gather experts from 60 companies in the composites
community to offer insights on new advances in composites materials. The I.C.S. program will offer
end-user industry forums on aeronautics, automotive, wind energy, and construction and building;
cross-industry forums on biobased composites, thermoplastics and automation; strategic forums on
regulations and carbon fiber; and a technical forum on composites design.

October 9, 2012

The American Textile Machinery Association (ATMA®), Falls Church, Va., will hold its Fall 2012
Meeting on Wednesday, November 14, at the Myers Park Country Club in Charlotte. The organization is
inviting both ATMA members and friends to attend the event to receive updates about upcoming trade
shows, hear insights about the state of the manufacturing sector and the overall economy, and take
advantage of networking opportunities with industry colleagues.

According to ATMA President Clay D. Tyeryar, the organization’s membership has seen the
textile industry grow stronger over the past year compared to previous years, and there is optimism
about the opportunities for 2013 and beyond.

“We had a very well-received ATME-I® this year, followed by a very strong ITMA Asia + CITME
in Shanghai, and our members are reporting increases in business, which could lead to a strong
2013,” Tyerar said. “We are looking forward to bringing the whole industry together to catch up on
the past year and talk about how we can do more next year.”

The general meeting will kick off at 5:00 p.m. with a welcome reception, at which ATMA
Chairman Will Motchar, Navis Global, will present the ATMA Officers’ and Financial reports and
outline activities planned for 2013. Then, Tyeryar and Messe Frankfurt North America President John
Gallagher will provide information about ATME-I® 2014, which will take place as part of Techtextil
North America 2014 in Atlanta; ITMA Asia + CITME 2014, which will be held in Shanghai June 16-20,
2014; and ITMA 2015, which will be held in Milan Nov. 12-19, 2015.

Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m., after which Steven A. Menaker, assurance partner in
assurance, tax and consulting services provider McGladrey LLP’s Charlotte office, will discuss the
state of the manufacturing sector and the impact of the 2012 election results. Menaker’s
presentation also will include results from the 2012 McGladrey Annual Survey of Manufacturing and
Distribution Companies as well as a look at what manufacturers in different industries are doing in
challenging economic times to maximize their return.

Following a question and answer period, the meeting will adjourn at 8:15 p.m.

The registration fee for a company’s first executive is $95, which covers the reception,
dinner, speaker fees and meeting materials. ATMA is encouraging companies to send multiple
executives to the meeting and has set a reduced fee of $75 for subsequent registrants from the same
company.

October 9, 2012

HIGH POINT, N.C. — October 8, 2012 — Culp, Inc. (CFI), today announced that the United States
Copyright Office has granted copyright protection for Culp’s Palance fabric design. The effective
date of Culp’s copyright registration is August 8, 2011.

Culp continues to be a market leader for fabrics that encompass the essence of natural
leather without actually being leather. Like many designs before it, the design, format, layout and
shading used in the Palance fabric design combine to create a one-of-a-kind design unique to Culp.
Culp is the owner of copyright rights in other popular fabric designs as well, including its
Palomino, Wrangler, Stampede, Congo, and Gunslinger fabrics, all of which are protected by
copyright registrations.

Since Culp first introduced its Palance fabric design, its overall popularity has been
outstanding. Unfortunately, certain of Culp’s competitors and others in the industry have copied
Culp’s design. With the issuance of its copyright registration for the Palance design, Culp intends
to seek all available remedies against infringers, including monetary damages for past sales and
injunctive relief against future sales of infringing fabrics.

Culp is also in the process of recording its copyright registration with the United States
Customs & Border Protection, so that U.S. Customs can target and seize imports of fabrics and
furniture that infringe Culp’s Palance design.

Frank Saxon, president and chief executive officer of Culp, Inc., stated, “We are pleased
with the Copyright Office’s decision to issue a registration for our Palance design. Culp will
continue to protect its rights. We have invested valuable resources so that Culp can introduce new
and unique designs to our customers.”

Rob Culp, chairman of Culp, Inc., added, “Culp is committed to protecting its fabric designs
and views the rights afforded by copyright law as a vital part of fabric innovation and development
in our industry. We value our loyal customers who have continuously purchased Culp’s authentic
fabrics, and believe that those in the industry who take short-cuts through copying must be held
accountable.”

Culp, Inc. is one of the world’s largest marketers of mattress fabrics for bedding and
upholstery fabrics for furniture. The company’s fabrics are used principally in the production of
bedding products and residential and commercial upholstered furniture.

Posted on October 9, 2012

Source: Culp Inc./Business Wire

ANN ARBOR, Michigan — September 13,  2012 — CIMdata, Inc., the leading global Product
Lifecycle Management (PLM) strategic management consulting and research firm, announces the
formation of its newest PLM member service — the CIMdata PLM Industry Consortium. The Consortium
will focus on providing research on top PLM issues, and to define and set the direction for the PLM
industry on topics that matter most to consortium members.

Peter Bilello, President of CIMdata, stated, “PLM solution providers continually deliver new
products, architectures, and solutions to market, while their industrial customers are dealing with
their own product launches and attempting to realize the value from their existing PLM investments.
The CIMdata PLM Industry Consortium will define and perform research on these industrial customers’
key areas of interest, be it current challenges with PLM related implementations, best practice
research, or looking forward to help define what the PLM solution providers should be offering.”

This consortium enables members to make more informed business decisions by providing timely and
valuable information, insights, and advice, while networking with other industrial companies that
are experiencing similar challenges with PLM and its use. In addition to participation in the
Consortium, the CIMdata PLM Industry Consortium provides:

• Access to ongoing research, analyses, insights, and advice.
• Participation in the identification of the top industry-specific PLM topic areas that will
  influence CIMdata research.
• Participation in CIMdata PLM Certificate programs at reduced rates.
• Direct access to specific CIMdata PLM Knowledge Council deliverables.
• Current information on industry news and trends.
• Access to CIMdata’s PLM experts.
• An interactive and collaborative environment for accessing and sharing PLM related processes
  and best practices used by other industrial participants.
• Participation in the CIMdata-sponsored global PLM Community, an active group that includes both
  leading industrial companies and providers of PLM solutions from around the world.

CIMdata also announces that Robert A. Hellow, bringing 25 years of industrial and PLM practice
leadership, has joined CIMdata and will lead the Consortium as CIMdata’s PLM Consortium Practice
Manager.

For more information about joining the PLM Community Industry Consortium contact CIMdata at
info@cimdata.com or at +1 (734) 668-9922.

Posted on October 8, 2012

Source: CIMdata