The Rupp Report has informed its readers in recent weeks of hope and upswings in the textile
industry, at the moment mainly in Asia. Recent discussions with some industry leaders have
confirmed this trend: Mainly China and India, but also Brazil are recovering strongly. This trend
is now confirmed by information from the Switzerland-based International Textile Manufacturers
Federation (ITMF):

Third Quarter With Strong Rebound

ITMF reports that “the third quarter of 2009 confirmed the strong rebound of global textile
production observed in the previous quarter. Both global yarn and fabric production rose modestly
in almost all regions, especially in South America, while North America recorded stagnant output.
Global yarn stocks fell slightly as a consequence of significant lower stocks in South America and
Europe and despite slightly higher inventories in Asia. Global stocks of fabrics soared driven by
Asia and South America, while Europe and North America saw inventories fall. Orders of yarn and
fabrics in Europe and Brazil jumped significantly, especially in Brazil.”

Yarn Production

In world yarn production, South America takes the lead again. According to ITMF, “the global
yarn production rose in the third quarter 2009 by +1.3 percent as compared to the previous quarter,
confirming the impressive rebound of the second quarter (+22 percent). With the exception of North
America (-2.3 percent) all regions recorded increases, especially South America (+5.0 percent),
Europe (+4.5 percent) and Asia (+1.2 percent). Nevertheless, in comparison to last year’s quarter
only Asia experienced growth (+4.9 percent), while yarn production in North America, South America
and Europe were still considerably below last year’s levels (-24.6 percent, -5.3 percent and -4.5
percent, respectively).

Fabric Production

“Fabric production also grew worldwide by +1.2 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2009. Global
fabric production increased or remained stable in all regions. In Asia and North America fabric
production was unchanged compared to the previous quarter. Europe on the other hand recorded a
slight increase of +0.9 percent, while fabric production in South America surged by +18.1 percent.
Year-on-year global fabric production was up by +4.2 percent due to higher outputs in South America
(+11.8 percent) and Asia (+6.1 percent), while North America and Europe still recorded
significantly lower production levels (-17.1 percent and -17.9 percent, respectively).

Yarn Inventories

ITMF further reports: “Global yarn inventories were almost unchanged (- 0.6 percent) in the
third quarter of 2009 as compared to the previous one. Yarn stocks plummeted in South America by
-15.3 percent and decreased in Europe by -3.2 percent but remained stable in North America and rose
by +1.3 percent in Asia. On an annual basis yarn stocks were down by -2.3 percent globally with
South America, Europe and Asia seeing reductions of -10.3 percent, -3.4 percent and -2.0 percent.

Fabric Stocks

“The level of global fabric stocks jumped in the third quarter of 2009 worldwide from its
lowest level in years by +5.3 percent. While inventories in North America and Europe continued
falling by -7.7 percent and -1.5 percent, respectively, reaching new lows, those in South America
and Asia grew by +3.3 percent and +10.5 percent, respectively. In comparison to last year’s third
quarter, inventories rose by +2.2 percent on a global scale. This increase was a result of higher
stocks in Asia only (+9.8 percent), while those in North America, South America and Europe fell by
-18.3 percent, -3.8 percent and -3.3 percent, respectively.

Increased Ordering Activities

“In the third quarter of 2009 both yarn and fabric orders experienced a strong increase. Yarn
and fabric orders in Europe grew by +5.5 percent and +5.1 percent, respectively and those in Brazil
even jumped by +19.1 percent and +10.0 percent, respectively. On an annual basis yarn and fabric
orders in Europe were still down by -2.4 percent and -12.1 percent, respectively, whereas in Brazil
they rose by +6.6 percent and +4.0 percent, respectively.”

January 26, 2010

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based athletic apparel manufacturer Champion USA has presented the prototype of
its Champion Supersuit, which the company reports will be the thinnest protective apparel for
extreme weather ever designed and tested in Mount Everest’s high-altitude environment. The
Supersuit features a nanotechnology insulation layer and a proprietary radiant warmth system, and
has insulation that is 3 millimeters (mm) thick — compared with a typical goose-down parka with
40-mm-thick insulation — but provides comparable insulating properties, increased mobility and
better wind resistance, according to the company. 

“We were given the challenge to develop a summit suit that would advance the state of
cold-weather gear, that wouldn’t look like anything else on the market, and that would protect
climbers against extreme temperatures and conditions on Mount Everest,” said Mike Abbott, director
of research and development, Hanesbrands Inc., parent company of Champion apparel. “The Champion
Supersuit uses advanced technology to conserve, capture and return heat unlike any other
extreme-weather apparel currently being used on Everest.”

In April, Champion will suit up a Mount Everest climbing team led by mountaineer Jamie
Clarke, providing socks, base layer, insulating layers, soft- and hard-shell jackets and pants, and
the Champion Supersuit. Clarke has been testing the gear and will wear a one-piece full-body
Supersuit on Everest.

“We have worked with several technology partners in and out of the apparel industry,
including Element 21 Golf Company, which supplies the nanotechnology insulating material for the
Champion Supersuit,” Abbott said. “We have made some significant breakthroughs, including the
ability to use the nano insulation in commercially viable apparel products for the first time. By
developing the Supersuit and other garment layers to be used on Everest, we have identified new
Champion products to roll out and new features and enhancements to potentially add to our everyday
line of Champion Athletic Apparel.”

January 26, 2010

France-based NSC nonwoven has received a contract from Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Rieter
Automotive North America — part of Switzerland-based Rieter Automotive Systems — under which NSC
will supply equipment for the production of velour carpet for automotive applications. Equipment
includes a Thibeau Excelle® batt formation machine with IsoProDyn®, an Asselin® needlepunching
machine and the latest-generation SDV Velour® needleloom for finishing, as well as a Laroche
opening and blending machine and Signal Machine’s auxiliary equipment.

According to NSC nonwoven, the new line will offer high production volume while minimizing
weight variation and improving fiber orientation to provide consistent strength properties. The
equipment will be installed at Rieter Automotive’s facility in Bloomsburg, Pa. NSC USA in Fort
Mill, S.C. will provide all aftersales service and support.

January 26, 2010

January 2010, Appleton, WI — Appleton Mfg Division’s S210 is an affordable and rugged fixed-knife
core cutter designed to produce clean burnished cuts at precise lengths. This economical core
cutter provides companies with quality cores cut in-house and on demand, without incurring the
costs of wasted production time or unnecessary floor space devoted to inventorying precut cores.
The S210 is ideal for the lower volume core user who cannot afford to be without a reliable and
predictable supply of quality cut cores.

Like all of Appleton’s core cutters, the S210 Core Cutter is engineered with proven features
that ensure cut quality, ease of operation, and operator safety:

* Easy to use

* Precise Cuts

* Clean Cuts

* Energy Saving

* Auto-Shutoff

* Simplified Adjustment (Instant Diameter Change)

* Installation and Training

Appleton Mfg. Division is a fully integrated engineering, design, sales, service and
manufacturing firm producing custom and semi-custom material handling solutions. Dedicated to
providing innovation and customer service, Appleton Mfg. Division offers a full line of core
cutters, core handling & finishing, roll & cart movers, safe-slabs, cleaning showers /
systems as well as parts & service.

For more information on Appleton Mfg. Division’s innovative core cutters, please call James
Nobles at 920-751-1555 or visit their website at
www.appletonmfg.com.

Posted on January 26, 2010

Press Release Courtesy of Appleton Mfg Division

January 22, 2010 — WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Hanesbrands Inc. today announced that production has
resumed at its Haitian contract sewing operations affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake, putting
hundreds of employees back to work as the country tries to rebuild its economy. 

The company also has set up a staging operation in the Dominican Republic that is supplying
food, water and basic necessities for the Haitian contract workers and has donated $2.2 million
worth of underwear to be widely distributed to those in need in the country by humanitarian aid
agency CARE and Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc. 

Hanesbrands has three primary T-shirt sewing operations in Haiti, and all three have at least
partial production under way as of today. All of the facilities have been inspected by engineers
and have been cleared for resumed production and safe occupancy. Production at one of the plants
located near the Dominican Republic was not affected by the  earthquake, and initial
production at the two operations near Port-au-Prince resumed today, with all employees expected to
be back to work by the first week of February. 

With the resumption of production in Haiti, the addition of new contract suppliers, and added
production at company-owned plants, Hanesbrands expects full pre-earthquake T-shirt production
levels as soon as mid-February. The production suspension should not have a material  impact
on sales of the company’s underwear T-shirts or casualwear T-shirts sold to the wholesale
screen-print industry. 

Haiti accounts for a small percentage of Hanesbrands’ overall production, and the sewing
disruption will not affect the company’s previously announced expectations to increase sales by 5
percent in 2010 as a result of retail shelf-space and distribution gains. 

“We are very thankful that our major contract partners have the wherewithal to resume
production, providing critical jobs for employees who are seeking to recover from the aftermath of
the earthquake,” said Gerald Evans, Hanesbrands president, international business and global supply
chain. “Our contractors are doing a great job providing employees and their families with food,
water and other assistance, and employees are eager to return to work. We were disappointed to
learn that two employees of one of our contractors died from injuries suffered in the earthquake.
We send our sympathy to their families, friends and co-workers.” 

Of the company’s three sewing contractors, one of the operations sews underwear T-shirts for
retail customers, one produces outerwear T-shirts for the wholesale screen-print imagewear
industry, and the third  produces both underwear and outerwear T-shirts. 

The company also has a fourth T-shirt sewing contractor, located near Port-au-Prince, that
produces a small quantity of outerwear T-shirts. It is expected to resume initial production on
Monday. 

Earthquake Aid 

Hanesbrands has donated more than 2 million pieces of new underwear with a wholesale value of
$2.2 million, primarily men’s and boys’ underwear bottoms and women’s and girls’ panties, to aid
agencies for distribution in Haiti. 

The company is donating approximately 1.5 million pair of underwear to CARE and is working
with other CARE partners to sort, ship, store and distribute the goods. The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints is providing assistance in sorting the basic apparel for appropriate
distribution and UPS is providing transportation logistics and shipping of the goods. CARE was able
to accept the donation because the apparel was new and it was able to garner the support of
partners to mitigate the costs of managing the distribution. 

Hanesbrands is donating approximately 750,000 pair of underwear to Fashion Delivers
Charitable Foundation, Inc. Based in New York, Fashion Delivers was founded to coordinate donations
of new products from the apparel and home industries to aid victims of disasters. 

Hanesbrands and its employees have also established a staging operation for Haiti relief
supplies at the company’s textile fabric manufacturing plant in Bonao, Dominican Republic.
Hanesbrands employees and operations from around the world are donating goods and money and the
company is purchasing supplies of water, food and basic necessities to be earmarked for the
employees of the company’s contract sewing operations in Haiti affected by the earthquake. 

Hanesbrands employees also have personally donated thousands of dollars to CARE and the
American Red Cross to aid the people of Haiti. 

“Hanesbrands has a culture of helping those in need that is driven by the generosity and
compassion of our employees,” said Chris Fox, Hanesbrands vice president of corporate social
responsibility. “We are proud of our employees who always rise to the occasion to support others in
times of crisis, no matter where it is, and to continually support those in need in our
communities. We thank them once again for being great community ambassadors.” 

Hanesbrands would also like to thank the United States and Dominican Republic governments,
the United Nations and all of the various relief agencies for supporting Haiti in this time of
crisis.

About Hanesbrands 

Hanesbrands Inc. is a leading marketer of everyday apparel essentials under some of the
world’s strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, Playtex, Bali, JMS/Just My Size,
barely there and Wonderbra. The company sells T-shirts, bras, panties, men’s underwear, children’s
underwear, socks, hosiery, casualwear and activewear produced in the company’s low-cost global
supply chain. Hanesbrands has approximately 45,000 employees in more than 25 countries. More
information about the company may be found on the Hanesbrands Internet Web site at
www.hanesbrands.com.

Posted on January 26, 2010

Press Release Courtesy of Hanesbrands Inc.

January 19, 2010 — An updated national consensus standard for high-visibility safety apparel from
the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) now includes criteria and test requirements
for high-visibility garments marked as flame- or water-resistant.

The American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA
107-2010) is the authoritative document for the design, performance specifications, and use of
high-visibility apparel, including millions of vests, jackets, coveralls, trousers, rainwear and
headwear, worn by workers in thousands of road construction, emergency response, forestry and other
industrial and business settings.

This second update since ISEA published the first edition in 1999 was developed by ISEA’s
High Visibility Products Group and approved by key stakeholders representing utility workers,
safety professionals, transportation safety experts, testing laboratories and government agencies.
Though the revision does not change the long-standing requirements for compliant garments with
respect to classification and color, it does address important issues for the wearer related to
flame-resistance and use during rainfall.

“In the past decade, the acceptance and use of high-visibility garments have become
commonplace in working environments where any kind of vehicular movement is present,” said Jim
Teigen, chairman of the ISEA High-Visibility Products Group and business manager of OK-1
Manufacturing. “Due to this widespread use, garments have evolved to address other needs of
workers, such as flame resistant properties. The inclusion of flame-resistance criteria as an
optional feature is included in direct response to end-user requests.”

Additionally, the update calls attention to the service-life guidelines for high-visibility
garments that have been established by the Federal Highway Administration.  “It is important
that the end-user be aware of a high-visibility garment’s capability to offer continued
protection,” Teigen noted. “For this reason, users are encouraged to follow guidelines put forth by
the FHWA and manufacturers to ensure that they are being seen at all times, in all situations.”

The 43-page American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear
(ANSI/ISEA 107-2010) includes examples of apparel configurations known to meet the standard. The
standard can be purchased from ISEA for $62 a copy; discounts are available on bulk orders. For
more information, contact
Cristine Z. Fargo, ISEA membership and standards
programs manager. 

Posted on January 26, 2010

Press Release Courtesy of the International Safety Equipment Association

Two veteran textile industry consultants have joined forces and will offer client services in a
wide range of product development and other technical areas. Principals in the two companies are
Hardy B. Poole, Engineered Solutions, PLLC, Charlottesville, Va.; and Clyde Canter, Rocan Inc.,
Greensboro, N.C. Poole has some 40 years of experience in the fiber, textile, apparel and military
procurement areas. He served  for 27 years as vice-president of product services with the
American Textile Manufacturers Institute and as a reserve officer at the U.S. Army Natick Soldiers
Center, Natick, Mass., the central textile research and development organization for the armed
forces. Canter was a senior technical executive with Cone Mills before forming his own company in
1989 to provide research and consulting services to the apparel and textile industry.  He has
been a consultant and expert witness in product liability lawsuits involving flammability and has
advised clients on research in connection with fabric performance.

The consultants will offer guidance and services on the performance of products, including
flammability of apparel, upholstered furniture, carpets and other home furnishings. Services in
areas that affect environmental and workplace requirements are also available.

In announcing the new arrangement, Poole said: “Textile, apparel and home furnishings
companies face many challenges, both business-related and technical, to remain competitive in
today’s climate. One option is to rely on outside resources to resolve problems on an as-needed
basis.” He also noted that the recently enacted Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act has added
“new and onerous” requirements for testing, labeling and certifying soft good components and
consumer end products.

January 26, 2010

Red Bank, N.J.-based Concept III Textiles — a developer, producer and sourcer of fabric-based
finished products for outdoor and activewear markets — is collaborating with Frederick, Md.-based
Next Fiber Technology LLC — a fiber, yarn and technology development company — to develop a range
of polyester, nylon and polyester/nylon knits featuring NanoGlide™ technology. NanoGlide involves
the incorporation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) into polyester or nylon fibers during the fiber
manufacturing process. All of the reported benefits from the PTFE additive — a high ultraviolet
rating; as well as moisture, friction, heat, and abrasion management to improve wearer comfort —
are permanently embedded in the fiber and will not wear or wash out when laundered by conventional
means.

NanoGlide already has been utilized by sock brands; the collaboration with Concept III marks
its introduction to the apparel market. Concept III will target next-to-skin, outerwear and lining
applications.

“Introducing NanoGlide first to the sock market was a slam-dunk,” said Rick Rudinger, Next
Fiber Technologies. “But using it in apparel is the obvious next move.”

“It’s a given that the consumer now expects all active lifestyle products to move sweat away
from the body via one technology or another,” said Chris Parkes, national sales manager, Concept
III. “At Concept III, we are raising the bar by taking moisture management, skin protection,
abrasion and comfort a quantum leap forward with NanoGlide.”

January 19, 2010

In response to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plan to issue a regulation
covering combustible dust in factories, the National Cotton Council (NCC) and a number of textile
organizations have urged the agency to “use caution” in regulating textile mills.

While supporting OSHA’s overall efforts to improve safety in the workplace, NCC cautions OSHA
to focus its efforts in this case to areas that have experienced problems with combustible dust and
not attempt to regulate industries such as textiles that have “no demonstrated history of
combustible dust incidents.”

NCC referred to incidents cited in OSHA’s advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and said
they were not caused by combustible dust. The council said that industries that have no history of
dust fires or dust explosions and can provide scientific backup information should be exempt from
additional OSHA regulations.

NCC says it “takes exception” to listing incidents involving cotton ginning, claiming that
“dust fires and dust explosions do not occur in cotton gins, and it would be virtually impossible
for a dust fire or dust explosion to occur.” Referring to tests performed at Texas A&M
University’s Department of Agriculture and Biological Engineering that  indicate dust from a
cotton gin `may not explode at any concentration, NCC has concluded that cotton gins, cotton
warehouses, cotton lint or cottonseed handling operations “do not present an explosion potential
because the minimum explosive concentration cannot be reached in those operations.”

With respect to textile mills, NCC and the other groups said flatly that “dust fires and dust
explosions do not occur in weaving, spinning, knitting and dyeing and finishing operations.”

NCC also points out that OSHA has standards for housekeeping and ventilation in textile mills
that reduce the potential for dust fires or explosions.

January 19, 2010