DAK Fibers Develops Antibacterial Polyester Staple Fiber

DAK Fibers LLC, Charlotte, has developed an antimicrobial polyester staple fiber, SteriPur® AM.
Created in conjunction with Spartanburg-based MillikenandCompany, the fiber contains Milliken®
Chemicals AlphaSan® antimicrobial resin. AlphaSan is a zirconium phosphate-based ceramic ion
exchange resin that contains silver, which slows the growth of a broad spectrum of microorganisms
in textiles.AlphaSan is incorporated into the fibers during the polymer stage of manufacturing,
creating permanent antimicrobial properties.This innovation provides customers with another
opportunity to differentiate their products in the marketplace, said Jim Netzel, director of sales
and marketing, DAK Fibers. The end-uses for SteriPur are truly innumerable.SteriPur applications
include apparel, hosiery, home furnishings and nonwovens.

December 2003

A Mixed Fourth-Quarter Picture


T
 here’s good news and bad news on the textile and apparel front. On an upbeat note, the
worst of the industry’s prolonged downturn seems to be over. Some of today’s red-ink numbers are
expected to shrink and perhaps even disappear around mid-2004 as the economy begins to pick up
steam. Helping this along will be Washington’s move to impose new Chinese quotas limiting that
nation’s growing exports of knitted fabrics and a handful of other products.

But all this can’t erase the fact that most fourth-quarter industry indicators remain mired
in negative territory. Add this to the results of earlier quarters, and 2003 will likely turn out
to be another very disappointing year. Indeed, lump the last three years together, and figures are
quite scary. Over this extended period, production declined by more than 20 percent, with mill
shipments down by 25 percent. Not surprisingly, industry employment has nosedived. Prices, too,
haven’t been going anywhere — with some areas like greige goods off more than 10 percent from their
late-1990s peaks.

bfchart


Cotton Tabs Climb

The recent increase in raw cotton procurement costs will also bear close watching. At latest
report, quotes were up around 70 cents per pound — 20 cents-per-pound above year-ago levels.

Blame this all on a global consumption production shortfall. A recent Department of
Agriculture estimate sees world usage exceeding new supply for the fourth time in five years. This
has significantly reduced stock levels from more than 37 million bales last year to 32.2 million
currently. That’s the lowest reading in 9 years, and some 16 million bales under the 48.1
million-bale record set back in 1998-99.

Much of this year’s tightness can be traced to China, where the supply demand gap has widened
spectacularly. Chinese consumption in 2003 is forecast to run to more than 30 million bales — not
even within shooting distance of that country’s production figure, now put as low as 22.5 million
bales. Bottom line: No near-term price relief is likely — with perhaps even some further creep-up
as the global economy improves.


But Profits Remain In The Black

On a rosier note, earnings have for the most part remained in the black — though at drastically
reduced levels.

In the second quarter of 2003, the industry managed to eke out a $56 million after-tax profit
— suggesting that for the year as a whole, the number could approach $200 million.

After-tax margins are also positive — but just barely — sporting a small 0.4-percent return.
Credit all this avoidance of actual losses to mills’ continuing cost-cutting drives — those
focusing on both improving management techniques and farming out production to cheaper overseas
locations.

Another factor helping to keep the industry afloat could be still-increasing worker
productivity. True, industry production is way down. But mill employment is off even more sharply,
suggesting ongoing increases in individual worker output.


Help From An Expanding Economy

The increasingly upbeat US business picture also has to be regarded as a positive indicator.
Predictions for near 4-percent annual gross domestic product growth rates over the next few
quarters are almost certain to have a positive impact on domestic textile and apparel activity,
even after allowing for further import advances.

Indeed, there already are signs of picking up. The latest monthly report of purchasing
executives shows an increase in textile orders. Factors behind the projected economic uptrend would
have to include: rising consumer confidence as employment picks up; the wealth effect stemming from
a stronger stock market; little or no appreciable rise in interest rates; the continuing absence of
inflationary pressures; and a second round of tax benefits as 2004 refund checks reflect lower
rates retroactive to early 2003.

Another plus for future consumer spending: the large cash flows coming from housing in the
form of more refinancings, house sales and equity loans. Totals here next year could come to $300
billion — on top of 2003’s estimated $600 billion.


December 2003



Phoenix To Distribute Bayer Products To Wet Finishers

Calhoun, Ga.-based Phoenix Chemical Co. has been appointed exclusive distributor of
Pittsburgh-based Bayer Chemicals Corp.s products to wet finishers of denim and apparel in the
United States. Bayer will continue its direct support of garment dyers.

December 2003

People December 2003


Stewart Intagliata
 has joined St. Louis-based
UniSpot as vice president.

intagliata

Intagliata


M. L. “Chip” Fontenot
 has been elected CEO of West Point, Ga.-based
WestPoint Stevens Inc.

Woolrich Inc., Woolrich, Pa., has appointed

Lederle Eberhardt
 vice president, merchandising and design; and

Tim Joseph
 , director, marketing and media. In addition to his role as sourcing specialist,

Brian Miller
 has been named quality assurance manager.

Rob Scarborough
 has been promoted to quality assurance supervisor.

IRO AB, Sweden, has named

Paul Karlsson
 general manager, Weaving Division.

karlsson

Karlsson

Jones Apparel Group Inc., Bristol, Pa., has appointed

Heather Pech
 president of its Polo Jeans Co. division. The company has promoted

Susan Metzger
 , president of sales and marketing for Jones New York Signature, to group president with
expanded responsibility for Jones New York Sport, Jones New York Country, Easy Spirit Apparel and
Rena Rowan.

Susan Rieland
 , president of casual design for Jones New York Signature, has assumed additional
responsibilities for Jones New York Country, Easy Spirit and Rena Rowan.

Keene, N.H.-based
Markem Co. has appointed the following to its Aellora™ Digital management team:

Michael D. Stoudt, Ph.D.
 , COO, Aellora Digital;

Richard J. Larson, Ph.D.
 , chief technical officer, Aellora Digital Chemistries;

Joseph P. Parisi
 , chief technical officer, Aellora Digital Systems;

Alan H. Boyer
 , manager, research and technology development;

Ann E. G. Reitnauer
 , senior staff scientist; and

Mario K. Carluccio
 , manager, marketing and business development.

At the recent Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) Expo, the
Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF), Potomac, Md., presented

William Joseph Conner
 , University of Tennessee, with the 2004 IFAI Member Scholarship Award; and

Collins Landon Dukes
 , Auburn University, with the 2004 IFF Student Scholarship Award.

Kellwood Co., St. Louis, has named

Barbara Cavanagh
 president of its Kellwood New England Division.

High Point, N.C.-based
Tietex Interiors has appointed

J. Scott George
 vice president of sales and marketing for its contract fabric operations.


Crystal Howard
 has joined Derby, N.Y.-based
New Era Cap Co. as the company’s first corporate communications manager.

Greenville-based
Dunlop Sports Group Americas has appointed

Todd Johnson
 vice president, licensing.

johnson

Johnson

The
Screenprinting & Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) International, Fairfax,
Va., elected the following officers at SGIA ‘03, its recent annual convention and exposition:

Nick Maccaroni
 , Max Graphics, chairman;

Kerry Gillespie
 , Gillespie Graphics, first vice chairman;

David Van Veldhuizen
 , The Mitographers Inc., second vice chairman;

Duke Zimmerman
 , Globe ScreenPrint, third vice chairman;

James Gill
 , VUTEk, associate vice chairman;

Larry Kleiboeker
 , Kansas City Poster Display Co., treasurer; and

Scott McLean
 , Decals Inc., secretary.

Lynn Krinsky
 , Stella Color;

C. Y. Lee
 , C Y International Co. Ltd.; and

Kent Yunker
 , Yunker Industries, were elected to fill three-year terms on the Board of Directors.

Scott Fresener
 was elected to the board to represent SGIA supplier members. The Howard Parmele Award was
presented at SGIA ‘03 to

Harold Johnston
 in recognition of his lifetime contributions and achievements to the association.

Liz Claiborne Inc., New York City, has named

Sara Dennis
 vice president, product development, Liz Claiborne Apparel.

Seminole, Fla.-based
Superior Uniform Group Inc. has named

Michael Benstock
 CEO.



Bal Dixit
 , founder, chairman and CEO of Victor, N.Y.-based
Newtex Industries, has been inducted into the
Rochester Business Hall of Fame.


baldixit


Dixit


Paula Correri
 has joined
Bernardo Fashions, New York City, as national sales manager, sportswear.

Analise Hellman
 has joined the company as head sportswear designer.


December 2003

Lifescience Products Expands Water-King Line

Canada-based Lifescience Products Ltd. now offers a new and improved line of Water-King fully
computerized electronic water softeners to treat systems in buildings that use from 2,000 liters to
200,000 liters of water per day, eliminating process downtime, labor costs and the need for
chemical treatment. The Water-King line also includes a low-cost electronic scale inhibitor for
localized water treatment.

December 2003

GGST Completes Pillowtex Purchase

GGST CompletesPillowtex PurchaseGGST LLC, Charlotte, completed its purchase of certain assets of
Kannapolis, N.C.-based home textiles manufacturer Pillowtex Corp., which filed for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection and closed its doors July 30
(See Textile World News, TW, September 2003). GGST a partnership comprised of used textile
machinery merchant Gibbs International Inc., Spartanburg; Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, Boston;
SB Capital Group, Great Neck, N.J.; and Tiger Capital Group, Westlake Village, Calif. paid $121
million for textile equipment; some of Pillowtexs mills and warehouses; and product brand names
including Cannon®, Charisma®, Fieldcrest® and Royal Velvet®. GGST plans to sell off the assets in
its possession.The purchase does not include Pillowtexs headquarters and plant in Kannapolis, nor
facilities located in Eden, N.C., Dallas, Hanover, Pa., and Tunica, Miss. Pillowtex has enlisted a
broker to assist in marketing these facilities to interested parties, according to a Pillowtex
spokesperson.
December 2003

INVISTA Increases Nylon 6 6 Capacity In China England

In order to meet the growing demand in automotive airbag and other inflatable restraint devices
markets, Wilmington, Del.-based INVISTA Inc. has increased its industrial nylon 6,6 production
capacity by 7.5 kilotons at two plants one in China and one in England. According to Invista,
market projections over the next five to eight years point to a tripling in demand for airbag
modules.The production increases are expected to occur in three phases: Phase one is scheduled this
month at the facility in Gloucester, England; phase two in mid-2004 at Invistas Qing Dao, China
plant; and phase three before the end of 2004 in Gloucester.This addition of high-quality
industrial nylon 6,6 capacity is a demonstration of Invistas commitment to grow with the automotive
airbag market, said Dan Stone, global airbag business director. Asia Pacific is projected to grow
in this market and we are excited to have the first nylon 6,6 airbag-capable manufacturing facility
in China as an important initial step.

December 2003

Glen Raven Renames Division To Reflect Broader Capabilities

Glen Raven Renames Division To Reflect Broader CapabilitiesGlen Raven Inc., Glen Raven, N.C., has
changed the name of its Burnsville, N.C.-based Filament Fabrics division to Glen Raven Technical
Fabrics LLC. We felt Technical Fabrics more aptly captured what we are all about, said T. Scott
Gillam Jr., division president. Through our internal and external partnerships, we are capable of
providing solutions for most fabric requirements.We have a state-of-the-art fabric mill capable of
producing fabrics in deniers [d] from 30d to 2,500d. Obviously we have plain weaves, but also offer
our customers patterns in a full spectrum of tightness from mesh to very low air permeability, he
added.

T. Scott Gillam Jr., president, Glen Raven Technical Fabrics LLCFabrics are available in more
than 300 fiber formulations. Fibers include acrylic, nylon, polyester and polypropylene. In
addition, the companys research group will engineer fabrics to customer specifications.Glen Raven
has launched a new website, www.glenraventechnicalfabrics.com, for the renamed division. It can be
accessed from www.glenraven.com.
December 2003

Comez Celebrates 50 Years With Expansion

Italy-based Comez S.p.A. recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in the business of crochet
machinery and needle loom production.Founded in 1953 by current President Luigi Omodeo Zorini,
Comez now employs more than 200 associates and exports more than 85 percent of its production to
such countries as the United States, Canada, China and Mexico.In conjunction with its anniversary,
Comez is expanding its 17,000-square-meter manufacturing facility by adding 8,000 square meters of
space.

December 2003

Ramtex Yarn Production Returns To 24-7 Schedule

Ramtex Yarn ProductionReturns To 24/7 ScheduleAn improving sales picture has helped restore
full-time production at Ramtex Inc.s yarn plant. The Ramseur, N.C.-based spinner and weaver, which
reduced the size of its weaving operation and also reduced the hours of operation in its yarn plant
earlier this year, is now operating four shifts around the clock and has added two new salespeople
to its staff to handle yarn sales, according to Walter Bosch, executive vice president.Currently,
the yarn plant accounts for 75 percent of the companys business and employs twice as many workers
as the weaving plant. Ramtex makes cotton and cotton/polyester-blend yarns to use in its own
shirting, pocketing and workwear fabrics, and for sales to other manufacturers. Yarn is spun using
ring spinning, Murata Jet Spinning and Murata Vortex Spinning (MVS) machinery. Ramtex is one of the
biggest MVS spinners in the United States, Bosch said.
December 2003

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