Huntsman To Acquire DuPont™ Zonyl® Fluorochemical Product Line

The Switzerland-based Textile Effects business of Salt Lake City-based Huntsman Corp. has agreed to
acquire Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont’s global fluorochemical business — comprising its DuPont™
Zonyl® product line for nonwovens applications including automotive, construction, filtration and
medical applications; among others — for an undisclosed price. Zonyl products are used as
repellents for alcohol-, oil- and water-based fluids.

The agreement provides for a short transition period to ensure a smooth changeover, after
which DuPont will supply finished products and intermediates to Huntsman, which will handle all
future business-related activities but will not take over DuPont’s employees or manufacturing
assets. The two companies also agreed to jointly develop new products and technologies for the
nonwovens sector.

“We are delighted with this transaction, as we believe that DuPont’s technology and product
stewardship, with its focus on sustainability, will significantly enhance our product offering in
the technical textile market, which is strategically important for our Textile Effects business,”
said Paul Hulme, president of Huntsman’s Materials and Effects division.

House Approves Special Import Quotas And Payments For Cotton Textile Manufacturers

Farm legislation approved by the
House of Representatives on July 27 contains a provision designed to replace the cotton textile
competitiveness program outlawed in 2005 by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and also permits US
mills to import raw cotton under certain circumstances. The competitiveness program is designed to
assist US mills that are prohibited by law from importing more than roughly one day’s consumption
of raw cotton. As a result, the mills are at a competitive disadvantage when the price they pay for
domestic cotton exceeds the world price.

The legislation, which runs through July 31, 2013, extends a special import quota when the
price for US cotton in a four-week period exceeds the Far East price. It permits importation of one
week’s consumption above the mandatory quota level.

The new system of payments to mills when the domestic price is higher than the world price
provides payments of 4 cents per pound in cash or certificates, but it has a provision that the
funds must be used for “acquisition, construction, or expansion of land, plants, buildings,
equipment, facilities or machinery.” Industry officials believe this approach would not violate WTO
rules.

For further information, mill and merchants may contact Gary Adams, vice president of
economics and policy analysis, at the National Cotton Council (901) 274-9030.


July 31, 2007

Committee Approves Anti-Currency Manipulation Bill

The Senate Finance Committee, by a
vote of 20-1, has approved legislation designed to provide a counter-attack against those countries
that undervalue their currencies in order to gain an advantage in international trade. Acting
against currency manipulation has been high on the agenda of US textile manufacturers who contend
that China’s currency policies amount to as much as a 40-percent trade subsidy. While the bill does
not specifically mention China, that country clearly is the target, but the act could be applied to
other countries as well. Retailers and other importers of textiles and apparel are opposed to this
type of legislation, as are companies that want to do business with the Chinese.

The bill would target the Treasury Secretary to identify “fundamentally misaligned”
currencies and enter into negotiations with the offending countries. If that does not produce
acceptable results, the secretary would be required to take the issue to a World Trade Organization
dispute panel. The legislation also would permit the United States to levy anti-dumping penalties
on imports based on currency manipulation.

As the bill was reported out of committee, the Treasury Department issued a statement saying
it could not support the legislation and it believes that “direct, robust discussions with the
senior Chinese leaders, not legislation, is the best means of achieving progress.” The statement
further said: “Treasury recognizes that members of Congress wish to send a strong message through
this bill and others. Secretary Paulson will be delivering a strong message to President Hu and
others next week in China. It is vital to the health of the global economy, including the US
economy, that China reforms its currency and takes other steps to reduce imbalances.”

Enactment of the bill could be delayed by a jurisdictional dispute in the Senate. The Senate
Banking committee feels it has jurisdiction over the matter and has a bill of its own. The two
committees likely will eventually enter into negotiations that would result in a merger of the two
bills. The overwhelming vote in the Finance Committee is an indication of the strong sentiment to
do something about the currency issue, but it may not be all that easy. President George W. Bush is
strongly opposed to the legislation. His supporters in the Senate could block it with procedural
tactics, and it would require a two-thirds majority to pass it over their objections.


July 31, 2007

ATC Opens New Facility, Doubles Showroom Space

Duquesne, Pa.-based American Textile Co. (ATC) — a manufacturer of such bedding products as pillows
and pillow covers, and mattress pads and covers that offer a range of performance-based treatments
focusing on allergies, stain prevention and protection and waterproof protection — has opened a
55,000-square-foot manufacturing and shipping facility in Salt Lake City.

The company also will move to a new showroom in the home textile building on Fifth Avenue —
double the size of its current showroom — in New York City next month. ATC also recently doubled
the size of its bed pillow operation through the expansion of its Duquesne facility
(See “American Textile Celebrates Expansion,” www.
TextileWorld.com, Feb. 13, 2007).


July 31, 2007

Lectra Introduces Kaledo Software For Fashion Design

Paris-based Lectra has developed the Kaledo suite of software solutions targeted to fashion
designers. The new software — which includes Kaledo Collection, Kaledo Print, Kaledo Knit and
Kaledo Weave for designing prints, knits and yarn-dyed woven fabric collections, respectively.

The user-friendly textile software enables fashion designers to produce more designs and
authenticate collections faster by making all necessary data available throughout the design
process. Designs, along with combinations of styles, components and materials are saved
automatically; any subsequent changes to those characteristics are reflected throughout the
collection.

“In a competitive environment, our clients need to strengthen their brand image and increase
their ability to innovate,” said Daniel Harari, CEO, Lectra. “Thirty of our best engineers and
technicians and over 10 million euros have been devoted to developing the new Kaledo range over the
past six years. By making design easier and integrating it into the product life cycle very early
on, we allow our clients to take a great step forward in speeding up their collection development
and strengthening their competitiveness at the same time.”

Kaledo also enables datasharing in real time, enabling more efficient communication amongst
design teams and faster product development cycles, according to Lectra. The software also is
closely linked to Lectra Fashion PLM, allowing collection developers direct access to designers’
data.

“With Kaledo Collection, our teams can free themselves from repetitive, time-consuming tasks
to focus on designing,” said Philippe Cornillot, CEO of France-based PMC Lingerie — the first
company to use the new software in its design office. “Our company’s added value is design. We show
our clients our exclusive designs based on documents developed with Kaledo Collection, and
consequently, we can sell without having to make samples and take orders even before the products
are actually finalized.”


July 31, 2007

TrapTek Receives Patent For Fabric Technology

The US Patent and Trademark Office has issued Patent # 7,247,374 to Longmont, Colo.-based TrapTek
LLC for technology to keep particles active in fibers, films and coatings. The patent is the third
of several patents TrapTek and Dr. Gregory Haggquist, a company founder, have applied for in
connection with fabric technologies the company is developing using natural sources.

TrapTek is using the patented technology in its award-winning Cocona™ branded coatings,
fibers, yarns and fabrics. Cocona fibers are embedded with activated carbon particles derived from
recycled coconut shells to provide evaporative cooling as well as trap ultraviolet light and odors
in the particles’ pore structure. The technology encapsulates the activated carbon during fiber
extrusion to prevent the pores from being filled with polymer. A finishing process removes the
protective layer from the yarn and allows the particles to function as intended.

“This patent recognizes the innovations of Dr. Haggquist, an outstanding scientist who has
uniquely added active particles to increase the performance of fibers, fabrics and films,” said
Brad Poorman, president, TrapTek.

Licensees of Cocona products include more than 40 North American and European brands
including Champion, Cutter and Buck, Dockers, Eddie Bauer, Haggar, Marmot, Oakley and VauDe, among
others.


July 31, 2007

Joan Fabrics Completes Sale Of Assets

Tyngsboro, Mass.-based specialty textiles manufacturer Joan Fabrics Corp. has completed the sale of
company assets as part of the liquidation of its business under the guidance of New York City-based
Carl Marks Advisory Group LLC (CMAG). CMAG took over management of the company in March 2007 and
helped restore it to a state of operational health to enable it to be sold as viable operation.

The company has sold its Circa 1801/Doblin, Home Fabrics and Mastercraft Contract/Guild 360
product lines to Valdese, N.C.-based jacquard upholstery fabric manufacturer Valdese Weavers LLC.
Texel, Joan Fabrics’ Mexico-based operation, along with intellectual property related to the
Mastercraft residential business, have been sold to Joan Fabrics Chairman Elkin McCallum.
Boston-based Gordon Brothers Group LLC has acquired non-operating machinery and equipment, and Fred
Godley of North Carolina has acquired non-operating plants and warehouses in North Carolina. The
Mastercraft residential business was not sold, and its inventory has been sold off separately.

In the case of Circa 1801/Doblin, the deal includes all assets, including design and
manufacturing equipment. The Circa 1801 facility in Connelly Springs, N.C., will continue to house
that operation, and the established management team including John Lenox, Margaret Coffin and Bill
Garner will continue to lead the business. Valdese Weavers will support Circa 1801 with its own
vertical operations and financial resources. Parts of the Home Fabrics business, which was part of
Circa 1801, will be carried forward and merged with the Wesley Mancini by Valdese Weavers brand as
Home Fabrics by Wesley Mancini. Valdese will merge the Mastercraft Contract/Guild 360 business into
the Valdese Weavers Contract brand, with the existing management team led by Blake Millinor. The
manufacturing operation will be housed in the Valdese Weavers and Circa 1801 facilities.

“The swift reinvigoration and sale of Joan Fabrics’ assets was an immense accomplishment. We
are confident the transactions were well targeted and executed with the right buyers,” said Rick
Heller, partner, CMAG. “The US textile industry is experiencing exceptionally difficult times as a
result of much manufacturing moving offshore. To be able to sell Joan Fabrics’ assets in such a
short period of time is a real victory and very good for the company and its stakeholders.”


July 31, 2007

Ironclad Signs Outsourcing Agreement With AMS

El Segundo, Calif.-based Ironclad
Performance Wear Corp., a designer, manufacturer and retailer of performance apparel and
task-specific gloves, has signed an outsourcing agreement with Advantage Media Services (AMS)
Fulfillment Inc., a Valencia, Calif.-based provider of warehousing, assembly and fulfillment
services.

As part of the agreement, Ironclad next month will consolidate inventory from two separate
sites into AMS’s facility in the Los Angeles area. AMS will provide all warehousing, assembly,
packaging and fulfillment services. The move will occur around the same time Ironclad receives the
first inventory shipment of its new line of expanded performance-oriented work apparel, set to hit
retail shelves on September 1.

“Fulfillment is an integral part of our operations, and the move to outsource this function
to AMS Fulfillment will augment our infrastructure by providing scalable warehousing and improved
vendor compliance,” said Ed Jaeger, president and CEO, Ironclad. “As we transition from a glove
manufacturer to a true apparel brand, there is the potential to add another 7,000 to 10,000 retail
locations in our distribution network. The expanded capabilities afforded by outsourcing will allow
us to handle additional accounts, as well as strengthen our customer service as we move from
24-hour shipping to same-day shipping.”

Ironclad plans to convert its warehouse in Los Angeles to workspace for product development
and marketing, as well as a showroom.


July 24, 2007

Sun Capital Partners Affiliate Completes Acquisition Of InterfaceFABRIC

 
An affiliate of Boca Raton,
Fla.-based investment firm Sun Capital Partners Inc. has completed its acquisition of
InterfaceFABRIC, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based interior contract fabrics business, from Atlanta-based
floor covering manufacturer Interface Inc. for an undisclosed price.

InterfaceFabric manufactures interior fabrics and upholstery products for office,
healthcare, hospitality and automotive markets; and has manufacturing facilities in Grand Rapids;
Elkin, N.C.; Guilford, Maine; Lancaster, S.C.; and Ningbo, China. The company recently expanded its
operation with the purchase of jacquard looms from Richloom Fabrics in Lancaster.

The company, which is committed to the use of environmentally sustainable manufacturing
practices and materials, markets its fabrics under the InterfaceFABRIC™, Chatham, Guilford of
Maine, Infinity, Teknit and Terratex® brands. Its automotive textile solutions include an
environmentally friendly body-cloth fabric to be used in the Ford Escape Hybrid beginning with 2008
models.

“We are pleased to have entered into an agreement with an affiliate of an experienced
financial sponsor,” said Chris Richard, president and CEO, InterfaceFabric. “This transaction will
provide InterfaceFabric with the operating and financial resources to execute on its existing
strategic plan to penetrate new market segments, make capital investments … and continue on our
path of offering environmentally sustainable fabrics.”


July 24, 2007

ITEMA To Acquire BarcoVision

Italy-based Itema Group has agreed to
acquire BarcoVision, a division of Belgium-based Barco NV, for 72 million euros (US$99.4 million).
The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close before the end of this year.

BarcoVision, a manufacturer of sensors and manufacturing execution systems for the textile
machinery market, will become part of Itema’s Electronics business unit, joining industrial
electronic solutions provider Eutron S.p.A. in that unit. BarcoVision maintains operations in
Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, England and the United States; and sells its products —
including YarnMaster, WeavingMaster and Sedomat — under the Loepfe, Sedo and Treepoint brands. The
company recorded 2006 sales totaling 55.5 million euros (US$76.6 million) and employed 350 people
at the end of 2006.

“BarcoVision’s entry in the Itema universe boosts our world leadership in the textile
machinery industry, especially in terms of technology and innovation,” said Miro Radici, CEO,
Itema. “We now have some very interesting opportunities for future growth, especially in terms of
our possible IPO [initial public offering], something we expect to complete within the next two
years.”

Itema, which comprises four business units in all — Weaving, Spinning, Knitting and
Electronics — reported sales totaling 667 million euros (US$920.7 million) in 2006 and employs some
2,500 people in more than 90 countries. The addition of BarcoVision will boost the group’s annual
sales to more than 700 million euros (US$966 million).


July 24, 2007

1...2,3252,3262,327...2,642Page 2,326 of 2,642

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2026 Quarterly Issue II

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.