Janesville Acoustics — a Southfield, Mich.-based producer of acoustical and thermal fiber
insulation, decorative trim and molded fiber products for automotive applications — will invest
$1.5 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Old Fort, N.C., adding 40 jobs to its current
workforce of 111. The company plans to add 7,200 square feet of manufacturing space, and has
received a $120,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund to help finance the expansion.

“With the new expansion and additional equipment we will be able to create greater
operational efficiencies and reduce our costs, enabling us to better serve our customers as we grow
our business and create new opportunity for employees,” said Roy Heeralall, plant manager,
Janesville Acoustics.

The company recently expanded its manufacturing capabilities to include complete molded
carpet/floor and trunk systems. In addition to its U.S. operations — including manufacturing
facilities in Michigan, Ohio and Mississippi as well as the Old Fort facility — it has
office/manufacturing facilities in Mexico and Germany; and a sales office in Paris. 

May 17, 2011

U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.; Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; and seven
co-sponsors have introduced the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of
Intellectual Property Act of 2011 (PROTECT IP Act) targeting the illegal online sale of counterfeit
goods.

The act, which comes in the wake of bipartisan legislation that was introduced in 2010 and
was supported unanimously by Senate Judiciary Committee members, provides a narrower definition of
a so-called rogue website that sells copyright-infringing or counterfeit products including
consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and new movie and music releases. It also sets down tools and
authorizations to facilitate enforcement of the act’s provisions. It is estimated that the sale of
infringing and counterfeit goods has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs as
well as billions of dollars in sales and tax revenues.

“This legislation will protect the investment American companies make in developing brands
and creating content and will protect the jobs associated with those investments,” said Leahy, who
is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “It will also protect American consumers, who should
feel confident that the goods they purchase are of the type and quality they expect. The PROTECT IP
Act targets the most egregious actors, and is an important first step to putting a stop to online
piracy and sale of counterfeit goods.”

The original legislation introduced last year garnered the support of numerous interested
organizations including labor unions, media organizations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and
others. The American Apparel & Footwear Association, (AAFA), Arlington, Va., has expressed
strong support for the newest legislation; and together with the Boulder, Colo.-based Outdoor
Industry Association and the Washington-based  International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition has
sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee recommending further measures that would strengthen
the legislation.

“Footwear, apparel, and fashion accessories are some of the most counterfeited goods in the
world. As U.S. consumers continue to embrace e-commerce as a key shopping method, rogue Web sites
have emerged as a popular way for counterfeiters to get fake goods into the United States,” said
Kevin M. Burke, president and CEO, AAFA.

“This bill sets us in the right direction to providing us with a full arsenal of tools that
will be helpful in fighting these rogue Web sites,” Burke continued. “We look forward to working
with Senator Leahy and his Senate colleagues, along with their House counterparts, to ensure that
the final legislation is as strong as possible to bring about meaningful intellectual property
protections for the U.S. apparel and footwear industry.” 

May 17, 2011

Tukatech Inc. — a Los Angeles-based provider of product development solutions for the apparel and
sewn goods industry — has introduced Styku™, a true-to-life online fitting room that enables
consumers to virtually try on a garment via an avatar. According to the company, the technology
will increase retailers’ online sales, reduce returns and remove customers’ hesitancy to purchase
apparel online.

When viewing garments on a retailer’s website, consumers click “try it on” to launch the 3D
application. The user is then prompted to create an avatar or to sign in to access an avatar
previously created from user-provided measurements. Users may view garments on their avatars, post
images on Facebook to get feedback, view multiple sizes simultaneously, and view a color map to
detect differences among sizes across brands. Tukatech is working with body scanning companies to
facilitate avatar creation.

As a hosted, service-based technology, Styku can be customized and scaled as needed, and its
use is free of charge to consumers. Retailers do not need to invest in hardware, software or
infrastructure, and payment is required only when sales increase and returns are reduced. Exclusive
Tukatech clients will receive a private beta version of Styku in fall 2011; and the company will
officially launch the technology in early 2012.

May 17, 2011

The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT) reports a delegation from
Uzbekistan comprising government authorities and textile manufacturers recently visited its
headquarters in Milan. During the visit, ACIMIT and the Uzbek Textile Association signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which ACIMIT will provide Uzbek textile manufacturers with
textile technology; and members of the organizations also signed a number of sales agreements.

ACIMIT reports that in 2010, Italian textile machinery manufacturers exported machinery worth
2.4 million euros to Uzbekistan. Knitting machinery accounted for 66 percent of exports; other
machinery, 17 percent; spinning machinery, 9 percent; and accessories, 8 percent.

“Uzbekistan has a centuries-old tradition in the processing of raw materials, and it is the
world’s sixth largest producer of cotton,” said Sandro Salmoiraghi, president, ACIMIT. “The country
is currently undergoing a strong phase of industrialization, and in recent years its textile
industry has begun a profound restructuring process for the transformation of raw materials
domestically. Many current projects regard the building of industrial complexes requiring
technologically advanced machinery.” 

May 17, 2011

Dayton, Tenn.-based TenCate Grass Americas — a manufacturer of synthetic turf system products, and
a division of the Netherlands-based Royal Ten Cate — reports the first synthetic turf field
featuring TenCate Monoslide Ultra™ with XQ™ technology turf blades is to be installed at the
Christian Unified School District in San Diego. Hellas Construction Inc. — an Austin, Texas-based
sports turf supplier and constructor of sports facilities — is installing the field.

TenCate Monoslide Ultra monofilament turf blades feature a 3D ribbed crescent shape that
bolsters turf resilience. The ribs are positioned in such a way as to avoid thin spots in the
fiber, making the blades more durable and split-resistant than conventional turf fibers. Concave
surfaces between the ribs deflect light in multiple directions, which reduces glare and offers a
more natural look. TenCate reports the proprietary XQ technology provides strength to withstand
significant material stresses found in structurally shaped turf blades.

According to TenCate, Hellas selected the technology for its Insurrection™ turf system
because of its durability and natural appearance. The San Diego installation is expected to be
completed at the end of this month, and several other installations will follow, TenCate reports.

May 17, 2011