The war of words over China’s currency policies is escalating, as members of Congress step up their
pressure on the U.S. and Chinese governments to address the issue, which they say amounts to an
illegal trade subsidy.

The latest development is the introduction of tough new legislation by 14 senators directing
the Treasury and Commerce secretaries to act if it is determined that China is a currency
manipulator. The key provisions of the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act are as follows:

• The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to take “priority action” when it finds an
  undervalued currency.
• Using international guidelines, Treasury is directed to issue a biannual report that states if
  a country is “fundamentally misaligning” its currency.
• If that is determined, Treasury must immediately engage the foreign government to resolve the
  problem, and if the problem is not resolved within 90 days, the bill triggers punitive measures
  such as preventing the federal government from buying goods and services from the offending
  nation.
• If, after a year, the problem is not resolved, the U.S. Trade Representative is directed to
  bring a case to the World Trade Organization against that country.
• The bill requires the Department of Commerce to act when a U.S. company is hurt because of
  undervalued currencies.
• Commerce also is directed to investigate charges and impose penalties for other types of
  subsidies.

One of the new legislation’s sponsors, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., who has sponsored
similar but weaker legislation that has gotten nowhere in the past, said: “Our workers are losing
their jobs because countries like China continue to place artificial discounts of up to 40 percent
on their products and then sell them here at a cheaper price.  This unfair practice puts our
manufacturers and businesses at an extreme disadvantage and costs us jobs.”

The Senate legislation comes on the heels of a letter sent to the secretaries of Treasury and
Commerce last week by 130 House members urging Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to levy countervailing
duties on Chinese imports and calling on Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to brand China a
currency manipulator in a report due out April 15 dealing with currency manipulation throughout the
world. Both the Bush administration and the Obama administration have preferred negotiations with
China instead of legislation, and Geithner told the Associated Press last week he has not yet made
up his mind as to what he will do with China in the upcoming currency manipulation report.

The Chinese government has reacted sharply to all of these actions, saying it is not about to
be “bullied” into taking any action on its currency other than what it already has done voluntarily
and in China’s own self interests. The yuan has been pegged to the U.S. dollar since 2008, rather
than being permitted to float.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao says the Chinese yuan is not undervalued, and he warned that
politicizing the issue will not help in fighting the world economic crisis. “It would be unfounded
and meaningless for some people in the United States to back their calls for China to be labeled as
a currency manipulator by citing China’s trade surplus and U.S. deficit [and their effect on the
United States and] recovery needs.” He added that calling China to raise its currency rate in order
to help U.S. exports “would be an egotistical practice,” and that he hopes the United States will
be “an advocator of free trade rather than an obstructer.

In a dispatch from Beijing, the Washington Post quoted Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming
as saying that the United States will be the loser if it and China engage in a “trade war.” Chen
said: “If some congressmen insist on labeling China a currency manipulator and slap punitive
tariffs on Chinese products, then the Chinese government will find it impossible not to react. If
the United States uses the exchange rate to start a new trade war, China will be hurt, but the
American people and U.S. companies will be hurt even more.”

Charles Blum, executive director of the Fair Currency Coalition, which includes textile
lobbying organizations, said he believes the new Senate legislation will “enhance and reform” the
U.S. government’s oversight of foreign currency practices and “bring us one step closer to leveling
the playing field and … increase domestic production and put millions of Americans back to work.”

March 23, 2010

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk reports that what he says was an “extremely productive”
first round of negotiations on an eight-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been concluded.
The five days of negotiations in Melbourne, Australia, were conducted with representatives of the
United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

At the conclusion of the negotiations, Kirk said: “TPP members have exchanged views openly
and started thinking creatively about how to best ensure a high-standard, regional agreement.”

President Barack Obama has strongly endorsed the TPP as a key element in his efforts to
double U.S. exports and create two million jobs in the next five years.

Because the agreement is in its earliest stages of formation, trade lobbyists in Washington,
for the most part, have held off on taking positions on it, except that the National Council of
Textile Organizations (NCTO) is strongly opposed to including Vietnam, which NCTO says “will be
another China” because of its non-market government-managed economy. NCTO President Cass Johnson
says it is too early to evaluate the proposed agreement, because key elements have not been
negotiated, but he said his association will seek a yarn-forward rule of origin, as it has in other
agreements. “This rule is important,” he said, “because it ensures that the benefits of the trade
agreement will stay within the region itself and not be given to third party countries.”

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has filed a statement with the USTR
saying it supports the TPP and outlining some advantages the association sees, including the
creation of markets for inputs and finished goods as well as the encouragement of new partnerships
with other countries. AAFA says the agreement should provide for “robust and transparent” short
supply provisions and protect the Berry Amendment that requires the Defense Department to buy
U.S.-made textiles and apparel.

Kirk said he will now be seeking further input from Congress and U.S. stakeholders on
negotiating objectives and approaches to key issues as the TPP members prepare for another round of
negotiations in June.

March 23, 2010

At the end of 2009, Korea-based Hyundai Engineering placed an order with Germany-based Oerlikon
Neumag for a complete staple fiber spinning plant. Oerlikon Neumag will supply two 200 ton-per-day
staple-fiber spinning lines and associated equipment, as well as install and commission the
machinery. The construction and installation is expected to begin this year, with production
beginning mid-2011.

“For this important project, we opted for Oerlikon Neumag as this company offers large
technology know-how and the expertise for our high demands,” said Beom Seob Sim, general manager,
Hyundai Engineering. “In addition, Oerlikon Neumag often showed that this company is a reliable and
competent partner for the development, production and installation of major staple fiber plants.”

March 23, 2010

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based apparel manufacturer Hanesbrands Inc. has received an Energy Star 2010
Partner of the Year award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its accomplishments in
strategic energy management. The company, which was selected from among 17,000 program
participants, has significantly reduced its energy and water usage as well as carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions after beginning to track its carbon footprint in 2007.

“Working in partnership with Energy Star to manage our energy use is good business,” said
Richard A. Noll, chairman and CEO, Hanesbrands. “Using sustainable practices and conserving natural
resources to help mitigate our environmental footprint and to reduce costs are strategic ways we
are creating business value.”

Hanesbrands has increased its renewable energy usage to 30 percent and has announced a goal
to reduce CO2 emissions by 15 percent. The company also has reduced water usage per product
produced by 18 percent.

In addition to its comprehensive corporate global energy program, Hanesbrands has made
commitments to responsible manufacturing practices, introducing more eco-friendly products, and
reducing packaging waste. The company is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and is seeking
certification of its new buildings under the council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED), with three facilities already LEED-certified and four additional facilities in the
process of becoming certified.

March 23, 2010

Camas, Wash.-based Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) — a third-party product safety testing and
certification organization — and Chicago-based Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC — a provider
of weathering instruments and weathering testing services — have entered into a strategic alliance
in order to expand global testing in accelerated aging performance and to shorten testing and
certification turnaround times for solar energy product manufacturers.

Outdoor and aging tests for long-term durability help determine product compliance with
safety and performance standards and give manufacturers the data needed to show long-term
durability for substantiation of warrant and performance claims. According to the companies, the
collaboration already has shortened cycle times for some companies applying for UL certification
for solar modules and power systems accessories equipment.

“We are excited to partner with a well-respected worldwide standards organization and
together we will help to meet the global needs of the solar industry,” said Rick Weiler, CEO, Atlas
Material Testing Technology. “Our combined resources generate the synergies to provide much needed
laboratory and outdoor testing capacity for solar panels and equipment.”

“One of the great benefits that are available through this alliance is the geographical
diversity of existing and new testing sites that allows us to minimize project delays that
otherwise might occur due to natural weather conditions,” said Jeff Smidt, vice president and
general manager, UL’s global energy business. “Atlas has 21 outdoor weathering sites globally
including the Atlas Solar Test Center and exposure facility in Arizona, a benchmark for outdoor
exposure testing possessing high levels of solar radiation and elevated temperatures.”

March 23, 2010

Pfäffikon SZ, 23 March 2010 – Oerlikon Group’s negotiations with its lending banks on the
restructuring of the Group’s finances are progressing. The Company has submitted to its lenders a
recapitalization plan to ensure long-term and sustainable financing for the Company. The
cornerstones of the plan provide for a reduction of the Company’s capital to approximately 5% of
today’s share capital and a subsequent increase to the original amount. The new shares according to
such plan would be issued for a total consideration of approximately CHF 1bn with subscription
rights for the present shareholders. The Company’s plan furthermore foresees that some debt be
cancelled and other debt to be converted into equity. The Coordination Committee of the Lending
Banks, Non Bank Lenders and Renova Group indicated their support of the recapitalization plan. The
Company’s recapitalization plan is subject to approval by all Lenders and also has to be approved
by the Company’s shareholders meeting.



Press Release Courtesy of Oerlikon Group

Posted on March 23, 2010

Obertshausen – March 18, 2010 — Technical progress in the warp knitting sector bears all the
hallmarks of KARL MAYER. With their increased performance, quality and flexibility, the machines
produced by this traditional manufacturer have enjoyed considerable success for many decades all
over the world. One of the most important chapters in the company’s history was the integration of
carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFP) bars into the machines and modifying the design of the
machines accordingly. These high-precision composite components are up to 25% lighter than the
conventional version. They are also more rigid, thus enabling speeds to be increased considerably,
for a simultaneous optimisation of the machine availability. The high temperature stability of the
CFP materials has enabled the window for problem-free machine operation to be increased from +/-
2ºC to +/- 5ºC, and subsequently even to +/- 7ºC.

The company’s tricot machines were the first to profit from this lightweight construction
technology, and have been available with CFP bars since the ITMA fair in Munich in 2007. Once the
gradual changeover of this machine series had been completed, work began on adapting the raschel
machines. The first machine with CFP components, the RSE 4-1, will appear on the market at the
beginning of April 2010. With its revamped bar and shaft concept, KARL MAYER has optimised the use
of this technology and made it easier to operate.

The developers and engineers have recently come up with a solution which has made the high
temperature stability, which is now a standard feature of this new warp knitting technology, to be
achieved more easily and efficiently. The lynchpin of this increased efficiency was to substitute
the old continuous, tempered shafts for controlling the bars with components that have been divided
up into high-precision segments. The shaft is divided into segments according to specific machine
parameters, and it is no longer necessary to carry out the heating-up stage that was previously
required following a machine stoppage. This has reduced the time-consuming heating-up phase, cut
down on energy costs, and dispensed with the need to specifically adjust components during the
start-up phase.

In addition to the short starting-up times, machines equipped with second generation CFP
technology are more stable to ambient temperatures when operating, and thus guarantee a high gauge
accuracy. Even when producing fine fabrics and at large working widths, the production machine runs
smoothly at top speed to produce top-quality textiles.

The changeover of the high-speed knitting machines to second generation CFP components will
start again soon, and will be carried out gradually over the course of the year.

A patent has been applied for to protect this innovative system.

Press Release Courtesy of Karl Mayer

Posted on March 23, 2010

Tolland, Conn. (March 23, 2010) – Gerber Technology, a business unit of Gerber Scientific, Inc.
(NYSE: GRB) and a world leader in automated CAD/CAM and PLM solutions for the apparel and flexible
materials industry, is helping the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) to both expand and upgrade
the college’s software tools to ensure its students are best prepared for careers in fashion. The
expanded relationship with FIT is part of Gerber Technology’s ongoing educational alliance program
that reflects its commitment to help expose students to the latest technology by providing software
and hardware solutions that meet the rapidly changing needs of the apparel industry.

With Gerber Technology’s underwriting assistance, FIT is increasing the number of AccuMark
seats by 67% and upgrading to version 8.4. With nearly 50,000 installations worldwide, AccuMark has
long been the industry’s leading software for pattern design, grading, and marker generation.
Launched in February 2010, AccuMark 8.4 provides users with enhanced capabilities to work more
efficiently and with great accuracy across geographic borders and language barriers.

“As a leader in the industry, we at Gerber Technology have a responsibility to help ensure
that today’s students are well-prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders in an industry as demanding as
the world of fashion,” said Bill Brewster, VP of Gerber Technology and head of Gerber’s Software
Systems Group. “We’re proud of our long-standing relationship with FIT and the role that Gerber
Technology’s hardware and software products provide in preparing its students for successful
careers,” he added.

In addition to instructing its students on AccuMark, FIT leverages many other Gerber
Technology solutions, including the GTxL GERBERcutter®, the XLs125 GERBERspreader™, the Silhouette™
Drafting Table, the Infinity™ Plotter and webPDM™.

“Here at FIT, we teach and inspire emerging leaders through a curriculum that reflects what’s
happening every day in corporate offices, showrooms and studios around the world,” said Robin
Sackin, Acting Dean of FIT’s Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology. “Our strong
relationship with industry leaders like Gerber Technology enable us to provide state-of-the art
hands-on training, and we are grateful for the decades of support and generosity from the Gerber
team,” she added.

Gerber Technology’s Educational Alliance Program works with more than 1,000 educational
institutions across 82 countries worldwide to help them provide hands-on experience to integrate
Gerber’s latest software and hardware technology into their curriculum.

About the Fashion Institute of Technology

FIT, a leader in career-oriented education, is a selective college of art and design,
business and technology of the State University of New York (SUNY), with 44 majors leading to the
AAS, BFA, BS, MA, and MPS degrees. The college serves more than 10,000 students annually and offers
courses in a wide range of fields, among them fashion design, toy design, packaging design,
interior design, fine arts, advertising and marketing communications, home products development,
fashion merchandising management, and international trade and marketing. Visit
http://www.fitnyc.edu/.

About Gerber Technology

Gerber Technology, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, develops and manufactures the world’s
leading brands of integrated software and hardware automation systems for the sewn products and
flexible materials industries. These systems automate and significantly improve the efficiency of
information management, product design and development, pre-production and production processes.
The company offers specialized solutions to a variety of end-user markets including apparel,
composites, industrial fabrics, transportation interiors and home textiles. Gerber Technology’s
world headquarters are located in Tolland, Connecticut, U.S.A. with regional offices, agents and
distributors in more than 126 countries serving over 22,000 customers through 16 Customer Solutions
Centers on six continents. The company engineers and manufactures its products in various locations
throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information about Gerber Technology,
connect with us on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Through innovation and commitment to our customers, Gerber’s products have become industry
standards as well as benchmarks by which all others are measured. By continuing to explore emerging
technologies and to build strategic relationships, Gerber intends to continue the pace of setting
new standards for innovation and productivity.

Established in 1968, Gerber Technology is one of four businesses of Gerber Scientific, Inc.
of South Windsor, Connecticut, U.S.A., a corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the “GRB” symbol. For more information, visit
http://www.gerberscientific.com/.

Press Release Courtesy of Gerber Technology

Posted on March 23, 2010

CARY, NC – March 18, 2010 – Nominations are now open for the coveted WOW Innovation Award, one of
the many highlights of the upcoming 2010 World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference in Chicago
in June.

The WOW Innovation Award will honor the most innovative advances within the entire wipe value
chain, including raw materials and ingredients,roll goods, machinery, packaging and finished
products.  Finalists will make presentations during the Conference and attendees will vote on
the recipient of the 2010 WOW Innovation Award.

The deadline for nominations is April 15.

Organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, the fourth annual World of
Wipes (WOW) International Conference, set for June 21-23, 2010 at the InterContinental Chicago, in
Chicago, Ill, will focus exclusively on the business and technology of wipes – from raw materials
to substrates to converting and end-use applications – during three days of seminars and
networking. Sessions will concentrate on Sustainability, Market Statistics, Product Development,
EPA Programs and Raw Materials.

The WOW Innovation Award recognizes and rewards industry members who bring new and
value-added processes and products to the wipes’ marketplace. Created to encourage innovative
processes and products anywhere along the wipes’ value-chain, the WOW Innovation Award is open to
all nonwoven fabric manufacturers, raw material and packaging suppliers, converters and end-product
producers.

Anyone may nominate a wipes-related product for consideration for the2010 WOW Award. To
nominate a product, send a short abstract describingthe innovation along with a product sample to
Misty Ayers, Suite 115,1100 Crescent Green, Cary, NC 27518,
mayers@inda.org.

Six finalists will give a 15-minute presentation at the conference and the finalists will
have table-top space to display their nominated product. Attendees will vote for the best
innovation.

To download a nomination form, go to:
http://www.inda.org/events/wow10/WOW2010_NominationForm.doc

For more information on the fourth annual World of Wipes (WOW) International Conference, set
for June 21-23, 2010 at the InterContinental Chicago, in Chicago, Illinois;
http://www.inda.org/events/index.html

Press Release Courtesy of INDA

Posted on March 23, 2010