Citing rising global costs of raw
materials and energy, Charlotte-based DAK Americas LLC will increase its polyester staple fiber
prices by 3 cents per pound on February 15, and again on March 15 by 2 cents per pound.
Both price increases will affect products sold to home furnishings, apparel, industrial,
carpet and fiberfill markets.
February 1, 2006
While the Bush administration has negotiated 13 free trade agreements and has at least
another half a dozen in various stages of negotiation, most of them involve small countries. An FTA
with South Korea would be a major development for US international trade.
In a recent meeting with reporters, US Trade Representative Rob Portman cited South Korea as
an example of how trade can be a significant factor in helping a country become a booming economy.
Portman said: “After the Korean War, the North Korean economy was stronger than South Korea. In the
interim, North Korea has closed down to trade, taken a self-sufficiency point of view as South
Korea has done just the opposite, They’ve opened up to trade. The beneficiaries have been the
citizens of the Republic of Korea. It’s an amazing story to go from a truly poor developing country
to a country which is now one of the stronger economies in the world.”
A South Korean FTA could be in for some rough sledding. South Korean farmers do not like the
idea, and the latest US FTA — the Central American Free Trade Agreement —barely squeaked through
Congress.
January 31, 2006
Anver Corp., Hudson, Mass., has
introduced two new attachments as part of its VT-Series vacuum tube lifting systems.
The company reports its stainless steel curved pad attachment can lift rolls measuring up to
5 feet long and weighing up to 200 pounds, and features a manual tilt mechanism that enables
vertical stacking of rolls and loading of mandrels.
Another new attachment allows one person to load and unload pallets of tall, narrow boxes
weighing up to 200 pounds without bending or stretching, the company claims. Features include a
guide handle, two pivoting vacuum suction pads and quick-connect coupling.
VT attachments are custom-designed and interchangeable. The systems also feature a conical
flow valve to allow smooth vacuum operation and unlimited starts/stops per minute with instant
attach/release mechanism, and an extended ergonomically designed handlebar.
January 31, 2006
In an effort to increase capacity at its Portugal plant, Somelos Group, Portugal, has ordered a
Bensizetec sizing system and four Ergotec sectional warpers from Switzerland-based Benninger Co.
Ltd.
The international textile group expects the Ben-sizetec system will provide a controlled and
reproducible sizing process, leading to improved quality and efficiency in weaving. The Ergotec
installations are expected to improve warp quality and increase productivity. Somelos already owns
several Benninger warpers, sectional warpers and sizing ranges.
January/February 2006
Philadelphia-based Avery Dennison Retail Information Services (RIS) and Subli Impresos, Murr
S.A. de C.V. (SIMSA), Mexico, have signed an agreement that provides Avery Dennison RIS with SIMSA’s
advanced heat-transfer technology for tag-free labeling of apparel and footwear. The technology
may be used to create text, security characters, images and bar codes.
Custom heat-transfer producer SIMSA was looking for — and found in Avery Dennison RIS — an
international company capable of distributing the technology and providing customers with service
and support, according to Rodolpho Murra, president, SIMSA.
“Our agreement with SIMSA will benefit quality-conscious apparel and footwear manufacturers
worldwide,” added Kevin Young, vice president and general manager, Avery Dennison RIS.
January/February 2006
Covercraft Industries Inc., Pauls Valley, Okla., is adding to its computerized, ceiling-mounted
Eton 4000 conveyor system from Eton Systems Inc., Alpharetta, Ga. — a subsidiary of Eton Systems
AB, Sweden — at its manufacturing facility in Wichita Falls, Texas.
The Eton upgrade will enable the custom vehicle cover manufacturer to add more loading,
sewing and packing stations to its existing system. Additionally, Covercraft is automating its
silk-screen printing process by installing a new sorting and handling system as part of the Eton
4000.
“With Eton, we have been able to double our operators’ productive needle time,” said Marty
Lichtmann, president, Covercraft. “This translates into an average increase in overall productivity
of 50 percent to 60 percent.”
January/February 2006
DSM, The Netherlands, has begun
construction on a new Dyneema® high-performance polyethylene fiber production line at its
Greenville, N.C., plant. The new line, which will cost tens of millions of dollars, is expected to
be fully functional by mid-2007.
The plant’s expansion to four lines is the third such recent increase, bringing DSM’s total
fiber lines to nine. Strong demand coupled with a focus on supplying the US Army and law
enforcement agencies led to the decision, according to DSM.
“This additional investment fully
supports our growth and innovation strategy while contributing to improving the balance between our
sales by origin and by destination,” said Jan Zuidam, deputy chairman, DSM Managing
Board.
January/February 2006
The 2006 Department of Defense (DOD)
Authorization bill, passed by Congress at the end of 2005, includes a provision introduced by Rep.
Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) that strengthens domestic sourcing requirements for DOD procurement of
textiles and apparel.
A “Buy American” provision for textiles included in the 1941 Berry Amendment allows waivers
to be issued when certain products are not available from domestic makers. Under the new rule, the
DOD must notify Congress and the US textile and apparel industry within seven days of plans to
purchase textile and apparel items from foreign sources, and all components of textiles and apparel
for DOD use must be sourced domestically.
January/February 2006
Sonobond Ultrasonics, West Chester,
Pa., has designed its new Filter Collar Bonder™ — a single-module version of the company’s
three-module RingMaster™ unit — to ultrasonically attach rigid plastic collars to nonwoven filter
bags. Suitable for assembling bag filters for chemical and industrial liquid applications at the
rate of 50 to 80 bags per hour, the machine uses SureWeld 20™ technology and special tooling to
attach the collars, and requires minimal training to operate.
“Ultrasonic bonding eliminates the
need for adhesives,” said Janet Devine, president. “It speeds production because no time is needed
for drying glues or other solvents [and] also eliminates the problems inherent with stitching. For
example, there are no perforations to adversely affect the durability of the product.”
January/February 2006
