MINNEAPOLIS — February 9, 2012 — Zepol Corporation, the leading trade intelligence company, reports
that U.S. import shipment volume for January, measured in TEUs, increased 13.4% from December, and
rose 5.8% from January of 2011. The total number of inbound shipments also increased 12% from
December and 6.4% from January of last year. The rise in January 2012 imports is similar to 2011’s
data which also saw a significant increase in January from December of 8.5%. However, this trend
was opposite in 2010 and 2009 which both fell in January from December numbers. 

Key Statistics from this Month’s Update:

1. TEU imports from China rose 20% in January from December, while Japanese imports dropped
11.7%. Total TEUs for Asia in January increased by 17%. Imports from Europe were also up 3% in
January with significant rises from the countries of Spain and Turkey, which posted TEU increases
of 12% and 34% respectively from December.

2. All of the top-ten ports increased in TEU imports in January. The number one port for
January was Los Angeles, which saw a 12.5% rise in TEUs. The port of Savannah, GA witnessed a
notable increase of 26% in January, as well as the port of Seattle which increased 19% from
December.

3. For master carriers, the overall rise in shipments was seen in every top carrier for
January. Specifically Maersk Line, which had a 17.5% growth from December. APL also had a large
increase from the previous month of 22%, a happy spike compared to APL’s 13% drop from November to
December. The Mediterranean Shipping Company saw a lull in November to December as well, but a
13.5% increase in January, which is the common trend for overall U.S. imports from 2011 to 2012.



Methodology:

Zepol’s data is derived from Bills of Lading entered into the Automated Manifest System. This
information represents the number of House manifests entered by importers of waterborne
containerized goods. This is the earliest indicator for trade data available for the previous
month’s import activity. The data excludes shipments from empty containers, excludes shipments
labeled as freight remaining on board, and may contain other data anomalies.



Posted on February 14, 2012

Source: Zepol Corp.

ROSEVILLE, Minn.— February 2, 2012 — The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI)
announced today that its Geosynthetics 2013 conference and trade show will co-locate April 1-4,
2013 at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA, with the Southwest Geotechnical Engineers
Conference (SWGEC), and the Geosynthetics Institute’s GRI-25 Conference. 

According to conference chair Sam Allen, Vice President/Division Manager of TRI
Environmental, “This industry event is unique in its ability to gather the manufacturing,
engineering, installation and academic communities for in-depth technical discussion, professional
advancement and maximum business growth. These key opportunities increase exponentially with direct
involvement and contribution. An excellent investment and return is realized.”  

The Geosynthetics 2013 conference theme is Geosynthetics for Water Energy Challenges, and
attendees will see a large array of all the major new developments in geosynthetics engineering and
technologies. The conference spans four days of technical programming, including short courses,
panel discussions and papers, plenary lectures and receptions. Professor Bob Holtz, Ph.D, P.E.,
University of Washington praises the value of IFAI’s Geosynthetics trade event: “With one
exception, I’ve attended every biennial Geosynthetics conference since 1987, and each one of them
was technically excellent and professionally rewarding. I always learned something new and exciting
from the technical sessions, short courses, exhibition, and special events.”  

Geosynthetics 2013 is organized by IFAI, which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in
2012. IFAI’s support of the industrial fabrics industry includes numerous contributions
specifically to the world of geosynthetic materials. IFAI has been a linchpin organization in this
regard, supporting and growing the geosynthetics industry.

• As a not-for-profit organization, IFAI has invested millions of dollars back to the
  industry though its conferences, publications and programs.
• Organizing successful geosynthetics industry events since 1982, IFAI conferences have provided
  networking opportunities and exposure to the industry for engineers, specifiers, contractors,
  government agencies and academics.
• At the request of a fledgling industry more than four decades ago, IFAI started a geosynthetic
  division to help build the industry and provide a forum for the development of specification
  and standardization.
• IFAI’s geosynthetic division (now GMA, Geosynthetic Materials Association) has put a total
  of more than $4 million into programs for the industry, including the development of
  education, specifications and standardization, and government relations.
• IFAI’s publications arm has published geosynthetics journals and nearly three decades of the
  industry-leading magazine,
  Geosynthetics magazine (formerly GFR), totaling almost 200 issues.
• IFAI has worked collegially and professionally with other geosynthetic organizations including
  IGS (International Geosynthetics Society), NAGS (North American Geosynthetics Society), and
  GSI (the Geosynthetic Institute).
•  

An esteemed advisory conference committee has been established and includes:

• Sam Allen, Vice President/Division Manager, TRI Environmental, Co-chair
• Prof. Robert Holtz, University of Washington, Co-chair
• L. David Suits, NAGS Executive Director, Education Chair
• Stan Boyle, PhD, PE, Vice President, Shannon Wilson, Technical Paper Co-chair 
• Shobha Bhatia, PhD., Syracuse University, Technical Paper Co-chair
• Mark DeSalvatore, Geotechnical Services, California DOT, Member at Large
• Andrew Aho, GMA Managing Director, IFAI
• Ron Bygness, Editor,
  Geosynthetics magazine
• Barbara Connett, Technical Program Manager, IFAI
• Deb Stender, Event Director/Secretary General, IFAI 

Exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities are available to companies that market geotechnical
products and services. More information can be found on the event website or by contacting
Elizabeth Welsh at eawelsh@ifai.com. 

Geosynthetics 2013 is supported by the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS); the
Geosynthetics Institute (GSI) and Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA); under the auspices
of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS); and is organized by the Industrial Fabrics
Association International (IFAI).

Online registration will be available soon at event websites for Geosynthetics 2013, GRI-25
and SWGEC. For more information visit www.geosynthetics2013.com.

Proposal information is available on the event website and submissions are being accepted
online at www.geosynthetics2013.com/Topic_Proposal_Submission.cfm through Feb. 8, 2012. Abstract
submissions begin Feb. 15. Questions? Contact Barbara Connett, Technical Program Manager, at
bjconnett@ifai.com.

Posted On February 6, 2012

Source: IFAI

MILAN — February 2012 — In spite of an increase in production for 2011 by Italian textile machinery
manufacturers, forecasts remain cautious for the current year.

 

Provisional figures for 2011 for Italy’s textile machinery sector show a further increase in
manufacturing production and exports, following a good recovery in 2010 — this, after a 2009 during
which machinery manufacturers were hit hard by the recession.

 

The value of Italian textile machinery production for 2011 registered a 9% increase compared
to 2010, from 2.4 to 2.6 billion euros. A similar increase was recorded for exports (+10%), which
reached a value of just over 2.1 billion euros.

 

Exports remain the driving force behind the sector growth in Italy. The dynamism of major
textile markets combined with the ability of Italian machinery manufacturers to assert themselves
on a global scale, has contributed to sustaining Italian exports. Fully 25% of the sector’s sales
abroad are directed to China, with Asian markets generally accounting for 50% of all foreign
sales. 

 

The latest National Institute of Statistic data on Italian exports for the first 10 months
of 2011 show significant growth in all markets, whether European (France +44%, Germany +56%); non-
European (Russia +88%, Turkey +83%); American (United States +81%, Brazil +15%, Peru +15%); and
Asian (Bangladesh +49%, China +11%, South Korea +53%, Japan+30%, India +22%, Indonesia +58%). These
are all countries towards which Italian exports had already experienced strong growth in 2010 as
well.

 

On the other hand, demand has remained especially weak from the domestic market. In Italy,
as throughout the European Union in general, current economic uncertainty is hindering a recovery
in investments, even in the textile industry. 

 

In spite of the growth experienced in 2011, Italian machinery manufacturers remain extremely
cautious for the current year. “Global demand for textile machinery began slowing last summer. The
latter months of 2011 and the beginning of this year have confirmed a  setbac k in  new
orders  for many  producers.  This is  a consequence of the current difficult
economic conditions,” affirms Sandro Salmoiraghi, president of ACIMIT.

“The positive outcome of ITMA Barcelona, the industry’s primary trade fair held last
September, provided us with some reasons to be optimistic. However, many deals which had been
initiated at the trade fair have not yet been finalized, given the state of uncertainty hovering
over the future outlook of the markets. Let’s just say 2012 hasn’t started off with the best of
prospects. The evolution of the economy over the course of the next quarter will provide a more
accurate description of what the future holds for us: whether to expect a recovery or renewed
stagnation.”

 

“The economic slowdown has also affected and currently affects developing Countries as well,
including their textile sectors. The drop in consumer spending in developed markets has penalized
major garment exporting countries — above all China. In 2012 it will be difficult to find markets
capable of significantly increasing their installed production capacity,” predicts Salmoiraghi.

 

In hard times such as these, institutions must be as supportive as ever. “Roughly 80% of
production in our sector is directed at foreign markets,” attests Salmoiraghi. “This high
propensity towards exports, combined with the comparatively small size of our manufacturers, means
that they absolutely must be supported in order to face up to international competition.” 

 

Salmoiraghi’s appraisal for the reconstruction of the ICE – Italian institute  for
foreign trade, is accompanied by the hope that the agency will rapidly return to full scale
operations. He concludes, “The ICE is an essential element in a mosaic that must be completed with
a greater level of support from the banking system, which many Italian SMEs have called upon to
ease access to credit during these difficult times.”  

Posted on February 6, 2012

Source: ACIMIT