November 2003

Cranston Print Works Co., Cranston, R.I., has promoted
Nona Waters to stylist at its New York studio, and
Tiffany Jawor and
Janet Nimiroski to assistant stylists at its Rhode Island studio.

SATO America Inc., Charlotte, has named
John Bauer central regional sales manager.

john
Bauer

Paul Lavitt Mills Inc., Hickory, N.C., has named
Mark C. Albers president of its SAI® SuperSox® Division.

Eric Albert,
Skyler Burreson,
Peter Herbert and
James Reeser have joined Cleveland-based
Astrup Co. as account representatives.

At its 36th Annual Meeting, the
American Yarn Spinners Association, Gastonia, N.C., elected
Stephen G. Dobbins, Carolina Mills Inc., president; and
Werner Bieri, Buhler Quality Yarns Corp., first vice president.
Fred A. Jackson, American & Efird Inc., was re-elected treasurer; and
Michael S. Hubbard was re-elected executive vice president and secretary. The
following members were named to the Board of Directors:
Steve Johnston, Avondale Mills Inc.;
Mark Kent, The Kent Manufacturing Co.;
Willis C. “Billy” Moore III, Unifi Inc.;
John M. Smeak Jr., Parkdale Sales Co.; and
Knox Winget, American & Efird Inc. Members of the Executive Committee include
Dobbins, Bieri, Jackson, Hubbard and Moore, as well as
James W. Chesnutt, National Spinning Co. Inc.;
Bruce Lanier Jr., Wehadkee Yarn Mills Inc.; and
Bill Malloy, Cheraw Yarn Mills Inc.

Kansas City, Kan.-based
Magnum Systems Inc. has named
Virgil Smit vice president, operations.

Russell Corp., Atlanta, has made the following appointments:
Ana Elena Erroz, senior production and inventory planning analyst, Jerzees
operations group;
James Forlini, senior sourcing manager, Russell Artwear;
Betsy Goree, purchasing manager, dyes and chemicals; and
Angela Holley, director, strategic procurement.

Carter’s, Atlanta, has appointed
Robin Rice executive vice president, marketing.

Woolrich Inc. Vice President
Bruce Heggenstaller has been elected to the Woolrich, Pa.-based company’s Board of
Directors. The company also has appointed
Jerry Rinder vice president, sales and domestic licensing.

Wilmington, Del.-based
INVISTA™ Inc. (formerly DuPont Textiles & Interiors) has named
Kent Smith vice president, North America, Apparel. Reporting to Smith are:
Bob Dzielak, sales manger;
Joe Robinson, technology manager;
Edson Garcia, general director, Fielmex/DuPek, Mexico;
Bill Foster, marketing manager;
Jeff Weber, product/price manager; and
Alyssa Koontz, communications manager. Invista also has named
Jon Penrice vice president, global marketing, Apparel.

Robert Van Jones has joined
Biddeford Blankets, Biddeford, Maine, as vice president, sales and marketing.

At its 2003 International Nonwovens Technical Conference, the
Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), Cary, N.C., presented
D. K. Smith, Ph.D., with the third annual INDA Award for Lifetime Technical
Achievement.

smith
Smith

Nilit Ltd., Israel, has named
Mac Cheek to the new position of business manager, global joint ventures; and
Karen Johnson president, Nilit America Corp.

David Del Guercio has been named business director of Hopewell, Va.-based
Goldschmidt Chemical Corp.’s Textile Care business unit.

delguercio
Del Guercio

Michael Blair has joined
Vieldhouse Machinery Co. Inc., St. Peters, Pa., as vice president and member of
the Board of Directors.
Darryl Pettigrew has been named a member of the board.

The
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Research Triangle
Park, N.C., honored three textile scientists at its recent International Conference &
Exhibition.
Howard L. Needles received the Olney Medal for achievement in textile chemistry.
Neal Edward Franks received the Henry E. Millson Award for Invention for his work
in lyocell fiber development.
Nelson E. Hauser received the Harold C. Chapin Award for his service to AATCC.



November 2003

Promatech Shanghai Produces First K88 Loom

Promatech ShanghaiProduces First K88 LoomItaly-based Promatech S.p.A.s Shanghai subsidiary,
Promatech Shanghai Machinery Textile Co. Ltd., recently completed production of its first K88 Made
In China rapier loom the first in an order of 30 being produced by a team of 20 associates in its
first year of operation. Promatech Shanghai plans to produce 100 looms by the end of 2003, and to
increase output to 2,000 looms annually by 2005. The K88, designed especially for the Chinese
market, will be the only model produced during the Shanghai facilitys initial phase.The loom was
built by our Chinese personnel under the supervision of Italian technicians with the dual goal of
both beginning local production and training local staff by providing all the skills and knowledge
necessary to make the Shanghai productive unit completely autonomous in assembly and final
inspection testing operations, said Eugenio Bruletti, China project manager.
November 2003

Near-Term Sluggishness Persists


P
 reliminary indications suggest another dismal quarter for the hard-pressed textile
industry. Fourth-quarter production will be lucky to equal poor third-quarter levels, as imports
continue to gain at a double-digit clip. Even previously strong denim is impacted by the rising
tide of foreign shipments. Similar disappointing trends are noted for prices, which remain pretty
much mired at recent low levels.

Not surprisingly, profits (where they still manage to exist) continue to shrink. All the
above virtually assure that final 2003 results won’t make for a pretty reading.

According to most forecasts, domestic textile activity could be off 7 to 10 percent
vis-à-vis last year. Compare projected 2003 levels to the recent 1997 peak, and the decline has
been even more precipitous — something in the order of 25 percent. And all this has occurred at the
same time the overall US economy has continued to advance. Textiles and apparel now account for
only a miniscule 0.7 percent of overall US economic activity.

bfindex_Copy


Rising Imports Also Hurt


Nor is it realistic to expect any appreciable slowdown in import gains — certainly not over
the next few quarters. To be sure, both industry spokesmen and many lawmakers continue to press for
changes in an undervalued Chinese yuan — a move that would tend to increase that nation’s asking
prices. But little in the way of any appreciable near-term upward revaluation is anticipated. The
Chinese and many international economists fear that a significantly higher yuan could precipitate a
global financial crisis.

Moreover, it’s not altogether clear how such a revaluation (even if it could be affected)
would impact our overall import totals. Many think any slowdown in Chinese shipments would simply
be offset by increased textile and apparel imports from other cheap-labor nations.


But Not Everything Is Negative


Despite all the above, there are some positive signs that suggest some fractional textile
advances will again be possible — perhaps by as early as next summer. Much of this optimism is
based on expectations of more robust GDP growth.

Right now, business forecasts call for a solid 3- to 4-percent growth rate over the next few
quarters, as the impact of recent tax cuts spreads through the economy. This, in turn, should begin
to translate into improved textile activity.

Changing company strategies also could play a major role as most big firms continue to
solidify and expand overseas supply contacts. True, this will contribute to further import gains.
On the other hand, these moves ensure survival, allowing the domestic industry to focus on what it
does best — establishing niche markets, as well as fine-tuning product design and development,
sales and marketing, and customer relationships.

Another upbeat sign —a just-released Labor Department study shows these annual efficiency
gains over the past 15 years: fiber, yarn and thread mills — 3.7 percent; fabric mills — 3.5
percent; textile and fabric finishing mills — 1.4 percent; apparel knitting mills — 2.7 percent;
and cut-and-sew apparel — 4.7 percent.


A Longer Look Ahead


All the above suggest the worst is over, and there’s still a future for this hard-pressed
industry. Also supporting this relatively optimistic prognosis are the latest projections from
economic forecasting firm Global Insight. The company sees a bottoming out by the second half of
2004, with textile mill product activity for next year as a whole likely to be off only by about
2.4 percent in real terms. That’s a lot better than the current year’s estimated 8.4-percent
decline.

Beyond 2004, Global Insight analysts are even more upbeat, seeing relatively flat activity
through 2007 — the first non-negative numbers since 1997.

Gross operating profit margins are expected to edge ahead — rising from 18.8 percent this
year to 19.8 percent in 2004 and into the 20-percent-plus range over the subsequent three years.
Absolute gross profits are also targeted to rise — from $11.6 billion this year to $11.9 billion in
2004, with the uptrend continuing into 2007, when totals are expected to hit $12.6 billion.

November 2003

Strahm Sells Santex Shares Starts New Company

Santex
Holding AG, Switzerland, has purchased all shares held by Christian Strahm, founder and formerly
the largest single shareholder of the company. With the sale, Santex said, Strahm also has resigned
as director of the board.In related news, Strahm has announced the founding of Strahm Textile
Systems AG. The company, headquartered in Switzerland, will develop drying and thermobonding
convection ovens for textile and other industries. The company said new systems will be branded
with the name HiPer.

November 2003

Ross To Address NTA Annual Meeting

Ross To AddressNTA Annual MeetingTurnaround specialist Wilbur L. Ross Jr. will present the keynote
address at the Boston-based National Textile Associations (NTAs) 149th Annual Meeting, to be held
Nov. 9-11 in Ponte Vedra, Fla.Ross, chairman and CEO of WL RossandCo. LLC, New York City, is
expected to describe his plan for revitalizing US manufacturing industries. Following earlier
investments in the US steel industry, Ross recently has turned to textiles, having made a
successful bid to acquire Burlington Industries Inc., as well as a bid to purchase Cone Mills
Corp., which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.The meeting also will present two
panel discussions. Penetrating Markets Worldwide will feature panelists Filiep J. Libeert,
Libeltex, and president, Euratex; and Duncan Whitehead, Quaker Fabric Corp. Healthcare Cost and
Workers Compensation will feature Bonnie Brook, StephensonandBrook; and Neil Trautwein, National
Association of Manufacturers.
November 2003

Gaston International Changes Name

Gaston International LLC, Lincolnton, N.C., has changed its name to TPS Machinery LLC. According to
the company, the new name reflects its world-class technology, competitive pricing and local
support. All contact information remains the same.

November 2003

JLG Unveils Pro-Fit Electric Scissor Lifts

JLG Industries Inc., Hagerstown, Md., now offers the Pro-Fit Series of electric-powered scissor
lifts. The company says the lifts provide economical operation with longer duty cycles, higher
capacities and larger platforms than other scissor lifts.Features include an electric drive system
with two independent electric motors for the drive wheels, and a hydraulic system that has a single
assembly combining the hydraulic lift pump, reservoir and motor with the lift cylinder.

November 2003

AFA GDITT Lead Delegation To Domotex

AFA, GDITT Lead Delegation To DomotexThe American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA), Dalton, Ga., and
the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism (GDITT) are set to lead a group of companies
to Hannover, Germany, for Domotex, to be held Jan. 17-20, 2004. Any Georgia-based company that
wishes to exhibit at Domotex is invited to participate at the Georgia Pavilion, hosted by AFA and
GDITT. The pavilion, to be located in Hall 5, Stand B32, will offer a community lounge, meeting
space and exhibit space.
November 2003

Gulistan Gets New Investment Financing

Gulistan GetsNew Investment, FinancingHampton Capital Partners LLC, Roanoke, Va., has made an
equity investment and will provide mezzanine financing to support ongoing operations at Gulistan
Carpet Inc., Aberdeen, N.C. In addition, Gulistan will receive from Fleet Financial Corp.,
Glastonbury, Conn., a new credit facility, which consists of a term loan, a revolver and a capital
expenditure line. This new investment and recapitalization guarantees the long-term continuity of
Gulistan as an independent company, said Charles D. Kennedy, president, Gulistan.According to
Kennedy, Gulistan will continue to use DuPont Stainmaster® and Wear Dated® fibers in its products.
The company is set to roll out several new Stainmaster carpet styles, as well as Tactesse®
products.
November 2003

BP Introduces PolyBac Berber Primary Backing

BP Introduces PolyBac® Berber Primary BackingDalton, Ga.-based BP Carpet Backings has developed
PolyBac® Berber primary carpet backing, designed specifically for textured, low-stitch-rate loop-
and cut-pile berber carpet styles.BP works closely with our customers to develop products that add
value to the carpets they design, said John Dowdell, general manager, North American Carpet
Backings. PolyBac Berber emerged as a solution to a specific challenge. Our team created this
backing to enhance berbers unique qualities without additional costs.
November 2003

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