Inventa-Fischer Supplies Plant To Taiwan-Based Firm

Germany-based Inventa-Fischer has been selected by Taiwan-based Zig Sheng Industrial Co. Ltd. to
supply a nylon 6 plant. Inventa-Fischer will be responsible for design and engineering work, as
well as delivery of process equipment and delegation of plant erection and commissioning
specialists. This is the second such plant Inventa-Fischer has supplied to Zig Sheng since 1998.
The current project, scheduled to begin production in mid-2005, will have an annual capacity of
more than 60,000 tons.

March 2004

Karl Mayer Develops SMR-B Sizing Machine

Karl Mayer Rotal S.r.l., Italy, a subsidiary of Germany-based Karl Mayer Textilmaschinenfabrik
GmbH, has engineered the new SMR-B – (OH -) sizing machine, which features the MPC-PW prewetting
system. At just 2 meters long, the machine can carry out prewetting and sizing in a small space.
The unit features a linear roller arrangement for ease of use, quick loading, and easy correction
of yarn breaks or winds.

karlmayer
The MPC-PW prewetting unit features seven rollers.

The MPC-PW prewetting unit features seven rollers.One or two MPC units can be fitted on the
machine, depending on the number of yarns processed and the width of the machine. According to the
company, prewetting increases sizing performance and also reduces the hairiness of the yarns,
facilitating processing of more yarns.

During sizing, the yarn is dipped and squeezed twice to improve sizing agent adhesion and to
maximize yarn hairiness reduction. To ensure the yarns are treated as gently as possible, a guide
roller between the MPC prewetting unit and sizebox has been eliminated, and the number of rollers
on the MPC has been reduced from 13 to seven. The SMR-B – (OH -) can be computer-controlled and
monitored by touch-screen controls.

March 2004

Mills Running Full, Prices Still Tight


S
 pinners are busy on all fronts including ring, open-end, air-jet and Vortex systems. Ring
spinning in particular is very strong. One spinner called it “the market trend that hasn’t gone
away.” Both carded and combed ring-spun yarns are in demand. Fine counts appear to be the hot spot,
especially combed Ne 40s moving toward Ne 50s for new, very lightweight apparel fabrics. Open-end
appears to be the weakest segment, although it isn’t doing too badly.

The Murata Vortex system is coming into its own, targeted to the ring-spinning market,
especially in fine counts such as Ne 40/1 and finer. The system’s ability to produce spandex core
yarns with strong cost advantages also is a factor.

Running conditions are the good news. The bad news is that there is still a lot of pressure
on margins, even with the mills running full — although at least one spinner reported holding onto
decent pricing in the carded segment as cotton prices decrease.

One industry observer suggested business has picked up for domestic spinners because world
cotton prices recently spiked higher than US prices, compelling some customers that had been
sourcing overseas to scramble for domestic production.


2003-04 Cotton Production

In its February report, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) gauged US 2003-04 cotton
production at 18.2 million bales. Both mill use and exports were unchanged at 6.2 million bales and
13.2 million bales, respectively. The USDA also projects China’s total cotton imports from all
sources at 7 million bales. The projected US total offtake now stands at 19.4 million bales,
generating ending stocks of 4.25 million bales.

The estimated ending stocks-to-use ratio is 21.9 percent. World production for 2003-04 was
estimated at 92.7 million bales, up 450,000 bales from the USDA’s January report. World mill use is
estimated at 97.2 million bales. Consequently, worldwide ending stocks are projected at 32.5
million bales, a stocks-to-use ratio of 33.4 percent.

Cotton prices in 2003 were up by 37 percent relative to the five-year average. The USDA
expects the stronger prices will lead to increased cotton acreage.

Man-mades prices are rising, and domestic demand is strong. Rising oil prices are the culprit
here. One fiber executive noted polyester volume is stronger than forecast, up from a year ago and
up from the fourth quarter 2003. Some of this, he feels, is economic replacement because of the
relatively high price of cotton, and some is because of a strong market for man-made yarns.

Charles McMillion, MBG Information Services, has called attention to a recent Federal Reserve
report that shows seasonally adjusted production of textiles rose 1.2 percent, but remained 3.0
percent below year-earlier output levels. Textile capacity utilization rose from 71.8 percent in
December to 72.9 percent in January, reflecting increased output and reduced capacity.

Apparel production declined by 1.0 percent in January to levels 11.7 percent below one year
ago. Apparel capacity utilization fell slightly to 64.2 percent. These figures may change
significantly because of seasonal adjustment.


CBI Still A Positive

One spinner reported Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) business has slowed after a brisk fourth
quarter, and he expects a pickup in CBI orders in the second quarter. Another source reported
steady CBI bookings throughout the same time frame.

One example of how the yarn-forward rule is working for the domestic industry is a
100-percent performance polyester T-shirt made in the CBI region from US yarn that offers a
dollar-per-garment cost advantage over the same shirt sourced from Asia.

Because almost everyone seems to agree that the Central American Free Trade Agreement has
little to no chance of getting through Congress as is, and at least one mill owner is out stumping
for a refined version of the agreement, maybe it’s time to see if some of CBI’s best features could
be some of those refinements.

Editor’s Note: Alfred Dockery, editor of The HunTex Report — a newsletter for industrial
textiles — has been covering the textile industry for more than a decade. He is a graduate of North
Carolina State University’s College of Textiles and resides in Clemmons, N.C.


March 2004



AF & Y Signs Distribution Agreement Sells Yarns

American Fibers and Yarns Co. (AF and Y), Chapel Hill, N.C., has increased the size of its European
distribution network by signing a reciprocal agreement with Spain-based Polisilk S.A. Under terms
of the agreement, Polisilk has hired a representative to market and sell AF and Y yarns in Europe,
and AF and Y will sell Polisilk yarns in the United States.

“Our product lines complement each other nicely,” said Jim Morelli, executive vice president,
AF and Y. “[W]ere very confident the Polisilk yarns will give us significant advantages as we
expand our offerings in the industrial marketplace.”

In other AF and Y news, its Innova® brand apparel yarns have been selected by Textiles
Internacionales Riza S.A. de C.V., Mexico, for use in a new line of junior sweaters.

March 2004

AATCC Approves Standard Liquid Laundry Detergent

In response to the increased market presence of liquid detergents which now account for 60 percent
of all detergents sold the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Research
Triangle Park, N.C., has expanded its line of detergents for the textile industry with the approval
of the Standard Reference Liquid Laundry Detergent. Available with and without brighteners, it is
designed for use in applicable consumer testing, and is similar to nationally marketed liquid
cleaning, color care and fabric appearance products.

March 2004

Spring 2005 Forecast Is Sunny


W
 ith temperatures in the single digits and snow on the way in New York City, buyers
shopping the fabric shows for their Spring/Summer 2005 apparel collections were warmed by the sunny
colors, bright conversational prints, diaphanous fabrics, sateens with subtle luster and romantic
embroideries. The six shows, which took place over a 10-day period, presented new colors, designs,
techniques and marketing tools – all crafted to bring a fresh look to a new season.

Direction and Printsource New York were the first to herald Spring 2005 with showcases for
surface design. Both shows have expanded in the last several years. According to Lisa Mainardi,
Direction producer, the number of exhibitors has increased by 25 percent and attendance has tripled
in the past year and a half. At the most recent Direction show, 110 booths representing 120
companies presented prints, embroideries, beading and other application treatments, designs for
knitted fabrics, yarns, color resources, CAD equipment and trend services. Pantone Inc., Scotdic
Colours Ltd., Yarn Mavens Inc., Pointcarre USA and Meadowbrook Inventions Inc. were new exhibitors
at the show.

directiondisplay
Direction surface design trend display

At Printsource New York, Massimo Iacoboni, show director, said there is a waiting list for
new exhibitors, and attendance has been steadily going up. “Along with major print converters,
apparel manufacturers and retailers who come to our show, we are seeing more people from the home
furnishings trade, and hosiery and accessories companies,” he said.

Five days later, the city hosted European PreView, the Turkish Fashion Fabric Exhibition
(TFFE), and Innovation Asia, as well as the Italian Trade Commission, which showed trends developed
for the Moda In show in Milan. Although the focus of all the shows was on Spring/Summer 2005, a lot
of mills had their Fall 2004 collections on hand for late selling.

Attendance figures for European PreView, Direction and Printsource New York came in at more
than 2,500 at each event. Daniel Faure, chairman, European PreView, said the market is changing
rapidly. “Our database in France is constantly updating,” he said. “In order to be of service to
our exhibitors, we must bring the right level of buyers to this show.”

Of the 123 exhibitors at European PreView, 43 came from Italy, and an equal number from
France. Others are based in Portugal, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, England,
Scotland and Ireland.

floralprint
A large floral print from Seterie Argenti S.p.A.


Color Is In Demand


Buyers at all of the shows were enthusiastic about what they saw. At European PreView, Jerry
Dellova, design director for Barry Bricken,  Owings Mills, Md., was shopping for fabrics from
the Spain-based mill Pasarela S.L. “I am so glad to see so much color, and in woven fabrics,”
Dellova said. “Our customers are clamoring for color. I used to be the king of beige, stone and
putty. After the reaction we had to a hot pink jacket, I am shopping for more color.”

Pasarela showed vibrant colors, bright prints and textured tweed suitings. The line is woven
using polyester and blends with viscose, cotton and Lycra®. One of its best sellers is stretch
cotton sateen. Conversational prints and bold geometrics are popular as well.

Camille Block, designer for Q-T Foundations Co. Inc., Norwood, N.J., a company that makes
private-label intimate apparel, said: “Our customers love color. And I am seeing more prints than
ever before that look right for the missy and full-figured woman.” She liked stretch satin
conversational prints and jacquards at La Industrial Sedera S.A., Spain.

Among the fabrics mentioned by Angelo Uslenghi in his Spring/Summer 2005 forecast developed
for Moda In are satins, sateens, crepes, piqués, seersuckers, crepons, voiles, georgettes,
honeycombs, hopsacks, slubbed linens, jacquards and mesh.

glitterfabric
Fabrics featuring Lurex® from Marioboselli Jersey S.p.A.


Linens


With stretch and care-free finishing treatments, linen is increasingly popular. At European
PreView, Northern Ireland-based Ulster Weavers showed traditional Irish linen that was updated in
style and technology. Twills with lustered finishes contain Lycra, rugged basket weaves are dyed in
jungle colors, and linen bouquets are reminiscent of Chanel.

Scotland-based weaver Robert Noble showed linen blended with silk and cotton. Sheer, open
gauze weaves have been adapted from its curtain line. Tweeds in classic patterns have a dry hand.

Isoule Textile, France, has multi-colored yarn-dyed tweeds with lustered yarns running
through them, for a look that is young Chanel.

Italy-based Solbiati has two-ply crepes, chintz linen that is soft and drapable, thick open
weaves, rustic hopsacking and tie-dye effects.

Bright, fresh colors in romantic pastel shades or sunny brights from Libeco-Lagae, Belgium,
turned up in a variety of space-dyed stripes. They are woven with ultra-fine yarns; the fabrics
have a crisp touch and slightly crinkled surface. Other fabrics are woven in a blend of
linen/stainless steel. The metal gives luster and memory to the fabrics. There are Panama weaves
with tone-on-tone shadings, crepe weaves and blends with Lycra.

At TFFE, Bossa was selling linen/cotton blends to the menswear market. There was high
interest in summer tweeds for jackets and trousers in blends of linen/viscose/polyester. Other
fabrics in this line include dobbies woven with fancy yarns and classic stripes.

BTD, also at TFFE, had linen/viscose blends with a soft touch. Kenneth Master of New York
City-based Club Monaco, said, “Here I can find novelty at our price points.” He was looking at
textured stripes woven with fine yarns, cotton/Lycra sateens and casual fabrics with silicone
finishes that give them a cool touch.

G-Vision International, an exhibitor at Innovation Asia – facilitated by England-based Tencel
Ltd. – had linen blends with metallic stripes. The Korea-based knitter has a variety of fabrics
ranging from silky matte jersey to jacquards, mesh and crochet looks. Also at the show, Japan-based
Toyoshima had Tencel®/linen blends that have a lot of stretch, and are machine-washable and
-dryable.

pastelfabrics
A pastel rainbow-striped sheer silk fabric from Weisbrod Zürrer AG


Knits


Crepe-stitch knits are making a comeback. At Italy-based Marioboselli Jersey S.p.A., a
European PreView exhibitor, they are knitted in silk/viscose and have a soft hand. After all of the
shine, buyers are starting to look for soft, matte crepes. Jacquards with splashes of Lurex® and
silk/copper stripes and squares also were popular. And, with buyers looking for more individuality,
Marioboselli is selling fabrics prepared for printing, and also will print a customer’s exclusive
designs.

Open crochet patterns in nylon and nylon/Lycra blends, engineered stripes with coordinating
jacquard patterns and yarn dyes were the early best sellers at France-based Billon Frères, another
European PreView exhibitor.

Tencel knits at Innovation Asia tended to have a soft hand and natural stretch. Fountain Set
(Holdings) Ltd., Hong Kong, Dainong Corp., Korea, and Willgold Industrial Co. Ltd., Taiwan, showed
them in blends with cotton, nylon or polyester.

At TFFE, Gulle Tekstil San A.S. sold knitted fabrics to intimate apparel and activewear
markets in blends of cotton or viscose with Lycra. A lot contain metallic yarns as well.

threeshirts
Tom Cody Design exhibited romantic designs at Printsource New York.


Prints


If buyer reactions at these shows are a criterion, Spring 2005 will see a lot of printed
fabrics. Studios showing at Direction and Printsource New York all reported that scenic
conversationals are the number-one seller. At The Colorfield Design Studio, retro scribbles,
tropicals and small-scale geometrics also were popular. Colors and combinations of bright with
neutral, coral and green shades were cited. The company also offered ethnic figuratives, romantic
florals, softer graphic and geometric designs and retro patterns reminiscent of the 1920s.

Tropicals, geometrics and skin patterns were top sellers at Marilyn Kern Textile Designs
Inc., New York City. Amanda Kelly Design Studio, England, described its flower prints as “1930s tea
dress florals.” Textured looks and conversationals also sold well. Bold, high-energy stripes,
large-scale geometrics, cowgirl conversationals and watercolor flowers were popular themes at
Westcott Design Ltd., London.

Tom Cody Design, New York City, reported romantic and sexy designs sold well. A lot of Cody’s
prints have a feeling of movement, and many are going on tie-dyed backgrounds. At Splash Ltd., New
York City, retro patterns are updated using vivid colors. There are butterflies in this line as
well, and a lot of hand-crafted looks.

Last August, Direction started selling print designs from its website,
www.directionmarketplace.com. “It is completely
safe and private,” said Mainardi. Vendors can control who looks at their lines, and there is no way
a pattern can be copied or downloaded without the consent of the seller.

europeanpreview
European Preview attracted more than 2,500 visitors.


Prints At European PreView


A lot of the same ideas turned up at European PreView. Italy-based Segalini Manifatture
S.p.A., Italy, showed African ethnic and jungle designs in earthy colors, graphic florals in warm
bright shades, small sweet flowers in baby pastels, and stripes and checks that have a feeling of
movement. Silk crepon, chiffon, georgette and satin are some of the base print cloths. Others are
cotton canvas and drill.

Ronald Sheridan, agent for France-based Chaine et Trame S.A., said the focus of the company’s
line is young and trendy. Conversational and figurative prints are going on both top- and
bottomweight fabrics. Stretch cotton sateen, stretch poplin, rayon/spandex jersey and polyester
mesh are some of the most popular fabrics. Tropicals and sparkle prints are other popular designs.
Black-and-white turns up with touches of red.

Italy-based Miroglio S.p.A. called its collection Pre-Spring. Piqué, mesh and cotton stretch
are some of the base cloths. There are flocked butterflies, mosaic designs, flat florals and
engineered patterns. One floral print is worked with stripes so a shirt can be made with stripes on
the sleeves and flowers on the front and back.

At TFFE, conversational prints shown by Confetti Textile took on the form of faces, shoes or
bags with a 1950s quality to them. There are dots of different sizes and placements, graffiti, and
designs reminiscent of Pucci. Saydam Tekstil showed prints on satin and taffeta for eveningwear;
the casual line turned up on linen, cotton and blends. Some designs are printed on linen/Lenpur®.
Shantung, sheers and metallic glitter are in this line.


Silk Sector


Tina Wilson, designer for Donna Karan Intimates, was looking for soft, cozy robe fabrics with
a good hand. She found microfiber stretch terry and embroideries at Atelier Scarabee, France. She
also mentioned prints at Italy-based Clerici Tessuto & C. S.p.A. Brightly colored jungle
prints, large engineered floral prints with striped borders, silk/cotton soft satins and matelassés
are some of the highlights of this line.

Switzerland-based Weisbrod-Zürrer AG said Summer 2005 will be a silk season. The company’s
early line includes fringed jacquards with a retro look, and pastel rainbow-striped sheers in a
blend of silk/cotton/linen available with random tucking. Black-and-white tweeds have a dimensional
look to them.

At France-based Bianchini Férier, there are flocks and printed georgette of silk/viscose.
Big, flat florals or butterflies are printed on faille. Shiny lacquer prints on crisp, transparent
fabrics also are available for Spring.

Leslie Potter, design director, Susan Bristol Inc., Boston, looked at prints at Seterie
Argenti S.p.A., Italy. She liked overprinting and flocking on textured fabrics, large florals and
new geometrics. Argenti showed cotton voile and sateen, stretch jacquards, jacquards with
coordinating patterns, washable viscose georgette and silk chiffon.

Mantero Seta S.p.A., Italy, showed five groups. Fabrics in the Summer Frost category include
florals and geometrics in fluorescent colors with gray. Some have a shiny, frosted finish. Essence
of Nature colors include dark and acid greens and blues. Prints are large, blurred abstracts and
jungle looks. There are feminine florals in shades of yellow and melon in a group called Blush
Garden. Cirque du Soleil colors are strong. There are mixed dot patterns, multicolored zig-zags and
combinations of rectangles. Batiks and paisleys in shades of pink turn up in Nativa, a group
reminiscent of India.

March 2004

Galey & Lord Emerges From Chapter 11, Names Heldrich To Lead

Following confirmation of its reorganization plan by the US Bankruptcy Court, Greensboro,
N.C.-based Galey & Lord Inc. has emerged from Chapter 11 protection. The manufacturer of woven
sportswear fabrics filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2002.

“This has been a long and arduous process, but the new Galey & Lord [has emerged] with a
strong balance sheet that will enable it to execute both its long-term and short-term strategies,”
said Arthur C. Wiener, the company’s retiring chairman and CEO.  “I would like to thank the
company’s customers, suppliers and employees for their continued support during this most difficult
period. Without their loyalty, it would not have been possible to reach this point.”

news_Copy_1The
company’s Board of Directors has elected John J. Heldrich president, CEO and a member of the board.
Heldrich previously was executive vice president of Galey & Lord and president of its Swift
Denim subsidiary.

In trimming its operation, Galey & Lord is reconfiguring Swift Denim’s manufacturing at
its Drummondville, Quebec, facility — discontinuing denim fabric production there, but continuing
ring-spun yarn production for other Swift Denim plants. It also sold its London-based subsidiary,
Klopman International Group
(See “
Textile
World News,”
TW, January 2004).

Galey & Lord and its  joint venture companies operate facilities in North America,
Europe, Asia and North Africa. Its employees total approximately 3,500 in the United States and its
wholly owned foreign operations.

March 2004

Weaving At ShanghaiTex


W
 ith sales in Asia growing, many weaving companies are reaching out to China and
establishing divisions or distribution points in various regions of the country. In addition,
attendance at local exhibitions is more important than ever before. At the recent 10th
International Exhibition On Textile Industry, or ShanghaiTex as it is more commonly known, many
weaving machine companies displayed their latest-generation machines to the Asian market.

Some held openings for new divisions, including the ITEMA Group – parent company of
Italy-based Promatech S.p.A. and Switzerland-based Sultex Ltd. – which recently established ITEMA
(Shanghai) Textile Machinery Co. Ltd.
(See ”
ITEMA
Opens Shanghai Operation,”
TW, January, 2004).

This new ITEMA facility will become the center of Promatech and Sultex sales and after-sales
activities in the region. The company made an initial investment of 10 million euros and will
produce 2,000 looms per year. The new site allows for expansion in both office and production space
when warranted.

sulzer_Copy
Sultex Ltd. demonstrated a 3.9-meter-wide P7300 projectile weaving machine at
ShanghaiTex.


Dornier Opens Shanghai Operations


Cheers erupted when Peter D. Dornier, managing director of Germany-based Lindauer Dornier
GmbH, handed a meticulously decorated cow bell – a reference to Dornier’s proximity to the Alps –
to Franz Miesbauer, sales manager of the newly opened Dornier Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. The
crowd, which included Dornier executives and representatives from the company’s clients and
vendors, as well as members of the press, gathered to celebrate the opening of Dornier’s new
subsidiary in China, located on the outskirts of Shanghai at the Wai Gao Qiao Tax Free Zone.

With China generating almost 18 percent of Dornier’s global business, the new Chinese
operation will play a key role in bringing the company closer to one of its fastest-growing
customer bases. The new facility will house, under one roof, a spare-parts warehouse, training
facilities, a 760-square-meter test weaving shop, and distribution and service facilities for
specialized machine construction.

“With the new facility, we can provide really good service to customers in the Chinese and
East Asian markets,” said Egon Wirth, marketing communication manager. “The test weaving room for
rapier and air-jet machines makes decision-making easier for our customers.”

The office in Shanghai, which replaces the company’s facility in Beijing, has 15 employees
now engaged in both sales and technical capacities. However, Wirth expects the number to grow very
soon. “First, we want to see how it goes, but we expect the number of technical people to
increase,” he said. Wirth also noted that the local employees will be training with their European
peers to ensure that the service the company provides is the same everywhere around the world.

dornierbell
Left to right: Egon Wirth, marketing communication manager, Lindauer Dornier; Linda H. M.
Lai, general manager, Dornier Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; and Peter D. Dornier, managing
director, Lindauer Dornier, celebrate the opening of Dornier’s new subsidiary in China.


Tsudakoma Unveils New Concept Loom


Japan-based Tsudakoma Corp.’s big presence at ShanghaiTex was matched by the constant crowd
gathered around its three main attractions: the ZW408 water-jet loom, the ZAX-N (Navi) air-jet loom
and the yet-to-be-named air-jet concept model.

The ZW408 is the company’s widest water-jet loom to date. With three nozzles, it is capable
of weaving a wide range of fabrics, from general apparel fabrics to thick, value-added fabrics to
double fabrics. The unit at the show was set up to weave curtain fabrics. The machine runs at 800
revolutions per minute (rpm).

Originally scheduled to make its first appearance during ITMA 2003, Tsudakoma’s newest model
– the ZAX-N air-jet loom equipped with the Weave Navigation System – had its first public showing
at ShanghaiTex. Takeshi Kokura, deputy general manager of the sales department, said the loom is
designed for denim and runs at a speed of 1,000 picks per minute (ppm). The Weave Navigation System
has a new algorithm that automates settings and monitors looms in operation for the best weaving
conditions. Other new features of the ZAX-N include completely new electrical components, as well
as a land-area network for networking with a host computer.

The concept air-jet loom, shipped directly from the company lab to the show floor,
represents Tsudakoma’s next-generation products. Features of the loom include high productivity
(1,900 ppm), low energy consumption and versatility. “We want people to see what point we are
aiming at and toward what direction we are developing [our products],” Kokura said.

picanolguy
Patrick Steverlynck, chairman of Picanol’s Board of Directors, poses with the
OMNIplus-2-P280 air-jet weaving machine on display at ShanghaiTex.


Picanol Group Continues Growth In Asia


Belgium-based Picanol NV is no stranger to the Asian market’s demand for advanced weaving
technology. With the recent announcement of a memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam-based 8
March Textile Co. for 150 weaving machines, last summer’s celebration of the manufacture of the
10,000th OMNIplus air-jet weaving machine – sold to Chinese customer Jiangxi – and the sale of 126
rapier weaving machines last December to Vietnam-based Vinatex, Picanol continues to expand its
presence in that marketplace.

“We are looking to the Chinese market to understand its needs,” said Patrick Steverlynck,
chairman. “An emerging-style machine for an emerging market. China is estimated to have 200 rapier
loom manufacturers with approximately 30 high-technology (300-400 ppm) [manufacturers], and an
additional five water-jet and five air-jet [manufacturers] of reasonably high-technology [looms].”

But Picanol’s interest goes beyond sales analysis. It established Picanol of China, which
has offices in Beijing and Guangzhou, in 1992, and a technical service station in Shanghai.
Additionally, Picanol has established Picanol Korea and Picanol Turkey to grow and support the
region.

“China and Asia are growing,” said Steverlynck, “but we at Picanol believe in a world
market, and the whole situation will develop a commercial balance over time. This is the middle of
a growing process. The machinery today reflects the execution of today’s technology – as
intellectual property protection improves, more technology will follow, and more companies will
invest in new ideas.”

Picanol adheres to a strategy based on the three pillars of systems, services and
technology. Picanol has some 80,000 individual weaving machines in 2,600 weaving mills worldwide.


ShanghaiTex A

Resounding Success For Sultex


Sultex sold a number of projectile and rapier weaving machines at the show. According to R.
Feucht, sales division manager for Asia and the Pacific region, from its beginnings as a regional
show, ShanghaiTex has become an international show. Sultex had the opportunity to make contact with
key decision makers in China and other Asian regions and expects future business in that area of
the world.

Sultex displayed its Sulzer Textil P7300 projectile weaving machine weaving a dense cotton
twill fabric at a weft insertion rate of 1,250 meters per minute. The company says the machine is
flexible and capable of weaving a wide variety of fabric types.

The company also presented its G6200E rapier machine, which is geared towards technical and
industrial fabrics including air bags. The machine, also suitable for producing apparel and
decorative fabrics, was shown weaving a fine menswear worsted fabric at a speed of 600 rpm.

(Editor In Chief Jim Borneman, Senior Editor Carmen Pang and Managing Editor Rachael Dunn
contributed to this feature.)

March 2004

DAK Introduces DelCron HydroPur

Combining the benefits of its antimicrobial SteriPur® AM fiber with its moisture-management
Delcron® Hydrotec fiber, Charlotte-based DAK Americas LLC has created Delcron HydroPur, a new
antimicrobial, moisture-management staple polyester fiber.

“Combining moisture-management and antimicrobial properties creates endless opportunities to
improve the existing products, as well as to create new and exciting offerings,” said Jim Netzel,
marketing director, DAK Fibers.

Spartanburg-based Milliken & Companys AlphaSan®, a silver-containing zirconium
phosphate-based ion exchange resin, provides antimicrobial properties to DAK’s Delcron HydroPur.

DAK claims both the antimicrobial and moisture-management properties are durable and will
perform safely for the life of the product.

March 2004

Sun Chemical Upgrades BPM Solution

Fort Lee, N.J.-based Sun Chemical Corp. recently upgraded its business performance management (BPM)
solution to the Cartesis Magnitude BPM solution supplied by Paris-based Cartesis. The printing inks
and coatings manufacturer decided to implement the updated version to better streamline and
automate its financial reporting, consolidation and planning processes.

“Cartesis Magnitude allows Sun Chemical to collect, consolidate and deliver more data
faster,” according to Jim Kelly, manager, financial reporting and analysis, Sun Chemical. Kelly
added that the new solution uses automated control features to validate data before Sun Chemical
receives it, and then stores it in a single repository.

March 2004

1...2,3412,3422,343...2,522Page 2,342 of 2,522

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2025 Quarterly Issue Number II

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.