Icahn Prevails In Bidding Contest For WestPoint Stevens

New York City-based financier Carl C. Icahn has submitted the winning bid in an auction for West
Point, Ga.-based textile giant WestPoint Stevens Inc. Icahn’s $703.5 million offer – tendered
through an indirect subsidiary of American Real Estate Partners LP (AREP), which he controls – won
out over a lesser bid by Wilbur L. Ross, also of New York City, and a steering committee comprised
of a group of the company’s first lien holders.

Icahn holds a majority of WestPoint Stevens’s second lien debt as well as a portion of its
first lien debt. His offer includes a $187 million cash investment for 17.5 percent of the equity
of WS Textile Co. Inc., a new company to be formed to take indirect ownership of WestPoint
Stevens’s assets; a $125 million rights offering for 47.5 percent of said equity; and an issuance
of new stock to the company’s first lien holders for 35 percent of the equity. AREP is expected to
be WS Textile’s majority owner, possibly owning up to 79 percent of the company.

Icahn is chairman of the board of AREP’s general partner, American Property Investors Inc.
Commenting on his successful bid, he stated, “We look forward to continuing to earn the trust of
WestPoint’s customers, employees and vendors.”

“Court approval of the sale agreement for WestPoint Stevens brings us closer to the
successful conclusion of our reorganization process,” said M.L. “Chip” Fontenot, president and CEO,
WestPoint Stevens. “Going forward, we will seek to take advantage of global opportunities.”

July/August 2005

Duff Norton Offers HPMC Series Rotary Union

Duff Norton Co., Charlotte, reports its HPMC Series MultiPort Rotary Unions designed to provide a
rotating seal between fluids and a revolving roll or drum are suitable for applications requiring
high pressures and multiple media including water, hot oil, steam, air and chemicals. Standard
models feature nickel-plated steel construction and up to eight individually sealed ports. Special
configurations are available upon request. Once the slotted rotating disk is clamped into position,
the body of the device remains in place regardless of rotation, according to the company.

July/August 2005

Chinese Uncertainties Persist


T
 he battle to stem the Chinese import tide continues — with moves and countermoves on both
sides still making it hard to pinpoint the final outcome. Complicating the issue: Chinese textile
and apparel companies have clearly overinvested in new factories and have hired large numbers of
workers to run these operations.

Beijing cutbacks could prove quite painful financially and politically. On the other hand,
most analysts remain convinced some accommodation eventually will be reached that will help reduce
some of the pressure on our domestic textile and apparel mills.

It’s in the interest of both parties to avoid any major confrontation.

A possibility: something in the order of the recent China-European Union deal, whereby both
sides agreed to set limits on 10 categories — with annual shipment gains of these products set
between 8 and 12.5 percent a year. Other options include Beijing moves toward higher export
tariffs, reduced industry subsidies and upward revaluation of the yuan.

The big question is, just how much revaluation? It’s highly unlikely China will agree on the
25-plus-percent figure many feel is needed. On the other hand, some action seems certain. US
Treasury Secretary John Snow feels Beijing will make a long-anticipated move on this score by
mid-October, when the US Treasury is expected to deliver a report on world currency manipulation.
Many feel the yuan may be boosted by as much as 10 percent before the end of the year. Such an
upward move could well be accommodated by Beijing. One recent study by the Asian Development Bank
suggests such action would show China’s willingness to compromise and would help stabilize China’s
overheated economy.

But, on a more sobering note: Don’t expect miracles from a 10-percent currency move. It
probably would have only a minor impact on our overall trade deficit, because US imports of all
products from China make up only about 15 percent of total incoming shipments, and any Chinese
import slippage would probably lead to increases from other countries.

p20_Copy_13


China: Here To Stay

Nor are Chinese textile imports likely to be cut much by a US-Beijing agreement. US buyers
continue to emphasize China’s role as a sourcing location will simply be too attractive to ignore —
and trade barriers aren’t going to stop that country from being the top garment-maker in the world.
Indeed, despite all the current uncertainties, many buyers are already laying the groundwork for
more Chinese gains — noting that World Trade Organization safeguard rules expire in 2008.

What’s more, importers could have more leeway as early as next year — since quotas imposed in
2006 would be calculated from a larger base that takes into account sharp early 2005 Chinese
increases.

In any case, China’s sourcing advantages are overwhelming. Not only are its average labor
costs 90 percent under US costs, but new investment (some $3.5 billion in new textile equipment was
shipped last year) means its manufacturers can stitch garments faster than those in other low-cost
countries such as India and Vietnam. Then, too, the country’s sheer size makes it a desirable base
for garments that need to be produced in large volume.


A Few Bright Spots

Second-half 2005 may not turn out to be all that bad. Consumer confidence and spendable income
levels are still on the rise, suggesting recent gains in overall textile and apparel purchases will
continue. Also encouraging is the fact that current industry import increases haven’t been much
greater than last year — with year-to-date gains put at only 8 to 10 percent above comparable 2004
levels. If nothing else, it indicates the huge Chinese influx is being offset considerably by a
drop-off in incoming shipments from other overseas suppliers. As well, domestic textile shipment
totals this year have pretty much been holding at comparable 2004 levels. Even if some second-half
declines are factored in, the year isn’t likely to turn out to be a total disaster. Backing this
up, projections by economic forecasting firm Global Insight call for a modest 4-percent real
decline in basic mill product shipments for 2005. Even this will be partially offset by a
0.7-percent gain in textile mill products.


July/August 2005

Two Of A Kind


A
 t the most recent Expofil and Indigo events, it was noted that many buyers attended
multiple shows – Première Vision for fabrics, Expofil for yarns, Indigo for surface design and
Mod’Amont for trimmings and accessories – all of which happen in Paris at the same time and at the
same venue. Organizers of these international trade shows – plus a fifth, Le Cuir à Paris (leather)
– announced they have joined forces and will work together under the banner Première Vision
Pluriel.

Although each show will maintain its own identity, a single administration will allow
visitors access to all without having to register separately for each, according to Daniel Faure,
president, Première Vision. Organizers have set up a website – www.premierevision-pluriel.com – to
supply simple, easy access to all five shows.

shirtskirt
Hermann Bühler AG supplies organic Supima® cotton yarn to Patagonia Inc. for use in its
line of apparel.


Expofil


There were more than 31,000 visitors looking at yarns for Spring/Summer 2006 and Fall/Winter
2006-07 at the most recent Expofil. Exhibitors showed yarns for flat and circular knitting, and
weaving. Buyers asked for yarns with a luxurious hand and high performance. Fine yarn counts,
subtle luster and a soft touch are selling.

For fall, tweed and bouclé yarns are spun with mohair, cashmere, angora or microfibers for
lightness and softness. Technological developments include new fibers, yarns with therapeutic
properties and added performance.

At Switzerland-based spinner Hermann Bühler AG, a company that has been in business for
about 200 years, the most accepted yarn is SwissCotton Silver®. It contains X-Static®, a polyamide
fiber coated with pure silver and blended with extra-long-staple cotton. Hosiery, underwear,
therapeutic clothing and bandages are major end-uses. It is antimicrobial, antiodor, antistatic and
temperature-regulating.

Other Bühler yarns are spun using organic, extra-long-staple cotton. They are available in a
variety of counts.  Patagonia Inc., Ventura, Calif., is a customer.

Most of the company’s yarns are ring-spun or compact-spun combed cotton. Others contain
MicroModal®. Specialties are high-twist and crepe yarns. Much of its extra-long-staple cotton is
purchased in the United States.

Another Switzerland-based company, Spoerry & Co. AG, spins extra-long-staple US Pima
cotton on a compact system it calls Nobletwin. Two rovings are joined, compacted and twisted to
form a yarn similar to a two-ply yarn. The yarn has little hairiness, high tear resistance, an
elegant sheen and a soft touch.

Spoerry Sensual yarns are spun using extra-long-staple Pima cotton twisted around a core
yarn of Lycra® using the Com4 spinning process. Other yarns contain baby alpaca, cashmere, soy or
silk, usually in blends with cotton. There are yarns containing aloe vera or aroma capsules that
have functional properties. One called Swiss Shield® is spun with a metal monofilament. Fabrics
made of this can be fine or heavy. They are flame-retardant and water-repellent.

Portugal-based spinner Textil Tearfil S.A. is the exclusive producer of dri-release® yarn
for the European market. Most of these yarns contain micropolyester and cotton. Linen and wool are
sometimes used as well. Fabrics made with dri-release transport moisture to their surface, and they
dry four times faster than traditional fabrics.

Other technical yarns at Tearfil are spun with Viloft or SeaCell® fibers. Viloft is a fiber
made from wood pulp. The lightweight, easy-care yarn has thermal, moisture management and
antistatic properties.

SeaCell also is a cellulose-based fiber. Seaweed is added to lyocell to give yarns nutrients
such as calcium, magnesium and vitamin E that are released with the aid of natural body moisture
when fabrics containing this fiber are worn next to the skin. Underwear, sleepwear and bed linens
are some of the target markets.

Pozzi Electa S.p.A., Italy, introduced its line of yarns called Crabyon® about four years
ago. Made from crab shells, this yarn also has therapeutic properties. It is antibacterial; and
clinical tests show that it prevents bedsores, relieves the pain of sunburn and – when used in
socks and rubber glove liners – is an aid to diabetics.

A new yarn that is still in development comes from flower stems. It is ultrafine and soft.

Fashion yarns at Pozzi Electa are spun with stainless steel, dyed metal, linen, bamboo,
cotton, viscose, wool and cashmere. The company specializes in fine counts and dyed yarns. Some of
its technical yarns are spun with Kevlar®.

Ojo, Japan, has a yarn made from Manila hemp that is first made into paper and then cut into
fine strips and twisted into thread. It is eco-friendly, dyes well and can be blended with other
natural or man-made fibers. The fiber is strong and smooth, and has thermal properties.

Kurabo Industries Ltd., Japan, is spinning Supima® cotton into a variety of yarns that
provide different looks and performance characteristics.

Wavy Magic, a 100-percent cotton yarn with the look and feel of linen,  was developed
to recreate the cool feel of the traditional banana cloth of Okinawa, Japan. Fanon is described as
cotton with the touch of cashmere. Lunafa – wool enveloped by cotton – is lightweight, bulky,
heat-retaining and easy-care. Spinair – a hollow-core yarn spun of 100-percent cotton – is soft,
bulky, absorbent and fast-drying.

Condamin & Prodon Schwarzenbach, France, spins fine-filament nylon yarns – some blended
with wool, silk, viscose or Lycra. There are high-twist, thrown, novelty and high-tech yarns.
Becool® – a nylon yarn developed for sportswear – is breathable, and has excellent
moisture-management and thermal properties.

Cotton is the major product of  France-based Robert Blondel. It is dyed, combed, plied,
compacted and mercerized. For intimate apparel, the company has developed low-pill yarns with a
soft hand. Some are spun with MicroModal or Tencel A100, a non-fibrillating lyocell. Some yarns
contain aroma capsules or carotins that are released to the skin when fabrics are rubbed. Bamboo is
another fiber the company uses.

Novelty yarns at France-based Emile Tardy/Chavanoz Industrie are selling for fine-gauge
jersey and home furnishing markets. There are polyester space-dyed bouclés, yarns with iridescent
sheen, ultrafine metallic yarns, bicolored twisted yarns, slubbed yarns and technical composite
yarns. Along with polyester, there are acetate, viscose, silk and nylon.

Best sellers at A-Dress, France, are spun with silk used alone or blended with bamboo,
cashmere, alpaca, camel hair or cotton. There are bouclé yarns, chenille yarns and fur yarns spun
with animal hair. Dyed yarns and fine yarn counts are a specialty. One new yarn is a blend of
bamboo and cashmere that combines the brightness of bamboo with the softness of cashmere.

Inwool Jersey S.r.l., Italy, produces carded Shetland, merino and lambs wool yarns and
blends with cashmere, mohair, angora or silk. There are tweed, bouclé, thick-and-thin, fancy plied
and twisted, nubbed, slubbed, soft fleece, velvet and classic yarns.

Turkey-based fancy yarn producer Ulusoy Tekstil showed a range of chenille and novelty yarns
for circular, flat-bed and hand knitting. Some are selling for upholstery fabrics. Most are blended
yarns containing combinations of acrylic, cotton, viscose, wool, nylon or metal. The firm noted
there is a return to hand knitting.

H. Stoll GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, a manufacturer of electronic flat knitting machines and
pattern preparation systems, introduced a new on-line database. Pattern ideas with instructions are
available at the company’s website,
www.stollpattern.com. It is updated monthly. Users can
stipulate machine types, gauges, widths and other information.

At Expofil, Stoll displayed a variety of garments, including knit-and-wear® seamless
sweaters produced using its machinery.

Italy-based OT-LAS S.p.A. displayed high-tech laser marking systems. Along with cutout
patterns and perforations, equipment can create shadow effects, blisters and the look of jacquard
patterns. The systems are fast and work on almost any fabric.

stoll_Copy_4
H. Stoll GmbH & Co. KG has introduced a pattern database at
www.stollpattern.com, from which visitors may access
patterns to apparel such as the outfit above.


Indigo


Five thousand visitors and 160 exhibitors attended Indigo, where designs for prints, woven
patterns and application treatments covered the same two seasons as Expofil. Most of the business
done at this show was for spring.

It is not unusual for printed fabrics exhibitors to shop at Indigo when there is increased
interest in a specific trend. This season, it was African ethnics, vintage and paisleys. Flowers
always sell.

At Amanda Kelly Ltd., London, ethnics are small in scale. Application treatments include
vintage lace insets and heavily beaded patterns.

Westcott Design Ltd., also based in London, sold tonal and monotone African tribal designs.
They are not as colorful as they were last season. Chunky wooden beading and vintage embroideries
are popular treatments.

Bernini & C. S.a.s., Italy, sold florals. Tropical summer flowers had a lot of depth.
There was little interest in flat florals. For fall, ethnics continue and paisleys are strong.
Variations include patchwork paisley designs.

Another Italy-based company, Avantgard S.r.l., had a bit of everything. Paisleys are classic
and sober. Patterns that have the look of old tapestry designs are beginning to sell. Ethnics come
from Africa and the Middle East. Lurex® is popular.

Tom Cody Design Inc., New York City, had one of the most crowded stands at the show. The
firm has opened offices in London to handle European markets.

“Almost anything ethnic is selling,” Cody said. “We are doing well with bright colors and
beaded application treatments, especially wooden beads.” He also pointed out ikats.

Karen Moller, Paris, said buyers come to her for small, sophisticated geometric print ideas.
Retro florals are another popular look. She showed graphic designs reminiscent of Pucci in the
1970s and was surprised at the strong reaction.


RadiciSpandex Graduates

From High School And Goes To College


This year for the first time, Gastonia, N.C.-based RadiciSpandex Corp. presented its
“Stretch to the Future” student design awards to undergraduates at New York City-based Pratt
Institute College of Art and Design’s department of fashion design. In years past, recipients were
students at New York City’s High School for Fashion Industries. In making the change, the company
noted that Pratt – founded in 1887 – is the oldest college for fashion design in the United States.

Stan Herman served as designer judge and honoree. President of the Council of Fashion
Designers of America, Herman designs loungewear and uniforms for such companies as Avis, TWA and
McDonalds.

radiciwinners
Left to right: Kristina Paulsen; Stan Herman; Sheena Murai; Bill Girrier, vice president,
sales and marketing, RadiciSpandex Corp.; and Beryl Crocker

Most of the RadiciSpandex entrants, who comprised a field of students from the junior and
senior classes, showed swimwear designs, all in black and white combinations.

Along with apparel design, prints and patterns were created by the students. Their work was
judged for originality, best use of fabric, design interpretation and construction.

The grand prize winner was Sheena Murai. First prize went to Kristina Paulsen, and second
prize to Beryl Crocker. Their designs were shown at Pratt’s 106th annual fashion show.

July/August 2005

New EdgeBanding Machine Seams And Seals In One Pass

The EdgeBanding machine from Sonobond Ultrasonics, West Chester, Pa., uses ultrasonic energy and
Sonobond’s SoftSeam process to seam and seal in just one pass, producing soft, smooth edges without
using thread or glue. Designed for lingerie and other intimate apparel, the bonder is suited for
100-percent man-made fabrics and blends that contain up to 40-percent natural fibers, microfiber,
stretch, tri-action and high-performance materials.

The machine includes a specially designed guide, metering and tension device, binding tape
dispenser, and interchangeable roller patterns for edge banding and hemming.

July/August 2005

China’s Currency Modification Will Have Little Impact

Despite China’s announced plans to permit its currency to float, textile and other manufacturers
don’t see much of an impact on what they see as a major international trade subsidy as a result of
China’s currency manipulation. Even Chinese government officials have warned the action will not
have much of an effect on trade. China’s central bank issued a statement saying, Certain foreign
media have misled the public and even wrongly speculated that the revaluation by two percent was
only the first step in a series of adjustments. The action does not in the least imply an initial
move which warrants further actions in the future.

Although conceding that the move was a step in the right direction, South Carolina Rep. John
Spratt, the assistant House Democratic leader and ranking member of the House Budget Committee,
said the small percentage change is not enough to affect the US $162 billion trade deficit with
China. Spratt is one of the sponsors of legislation that would levy tariffs of 27.5 percent on
goods from China if the Chinese government does not allow its currency to float on the open market.
He said China’s currency is undervalued at between 15 and 40 percent, and as a result, China’s
exports to the United States area cheaper and US exports to China are more expensive. The result,
he said, is that We do not have a level playing field for our manufacturing firms and we are going
to lose the manufacturing sector and some of the best jobs in our economy. On the other hand,
retailers said they hoped the move would ease concerns in Congress over the currency discrepancy.
Eric Autor, vice president of the National Retail Federation, said: To the extent that this
alleviates concerns on Capitol Hill, retailers may feel more comfortable about ordering merchandise
from China. A number of major retailers have limited orders in recent months because of the
unpredictability brought by safeguards cases, pending legislation and other moves to restrict trade
with China. Retailers are looking for stability and predictability. Knowing that a major order wont
be blocked by political decisions is more important than minor fluctuations in price brought by
currency revaluation.



July 2005

SML Garners Order For Wide-Web Coextrusion Line

SML, Austria, has received a contract from a Korea-based company to build a wide-web coextrusion
coating and laminating line for its operation in China. The 4,400-millimeter-wide line, billed by
SML as the most advanced such line worldwide, will feature an overhead mounted coextrusion unit;
fully automated, shaftless unwinding and rewinding stations with high-speed splicing capabilities;
automated profile-controlled die with motorized deckles; automated thickness control with multiple
gauge frames for differential measurement; and customized Corona treatment stations; among other
features.

The line, expected to be installed by the end of 2005, has been designed to allow upgrading
to a second-phase tandem version. It will be used in the manufacture of wide tarpaulins with shiny,
dull or embossed surface patterns; and sandwich laminates having up to five layers.

July 2005

Second UCMTF-Students Forum Covered French Manufacturers And Globalization

The second Forum organized by UCMTF, the French Textile Machinery Manufacturers’ Association, was
an opportunity to further enhance relations with the students of the four colleges which train
engineers for the textile-related industries, to address their concerns about the geographical
changes in this sector, and to review the careers offered by the textile machinery industry.

More than 250 manufacturers, teachers and students were gathered at UCMTF’s invitation in the
new facilities of ITECH (Lyon Textile and Chemical Institute) on the Lyon university campus.
ITECH’s students had been joined by those from ENSAIT in Roubaix, ENSITM in Mulhouse and ESTIT in
Lille. The great number of questions that were asked showed that this year’s theme, “French
Manufacturers and Globalization”, was a crucial issue.

The French manufacturers’ dynamism is obvious. The forty or so companies in membership of
UCMTF achieve a turnover of nearly 1 billion, ranking fifth in the world. They employ more than
4,000 people and over 90 percent of their sales are exported to more than a hundred countries all
over the world. When giving these figures, Bruno Ameline, President of UCMTF, stressed that the
textile machinery market was dominated by the European manufacturers for historical reasons of
course, and also mainly because of their commitment to those customers who formulate the most
requirements both for the development of new products and in terms of reliability, productivity and
versatility. To meet these requirements and provide services beyond the mere sale of machines is
the best way to cater closely for the market needs and, as a result, to maintain positions of world
leaders.

Gildas Minvielle of IFM (French Fashion Institute) put in perspective textile globalization
and the shift of manufacturing to Asia, and was asked a great number of questions by the students.
They expressed their realism about challenges, and their hopes for new products, in particular
industrial fabrics, for the opening of Asian markets to upmarket products, and for the Paneuromed
area, a credible alternative to faraway production.

Four panel discussions, led by Michel Sotton, the former Director-general of IFTH (French
Textile-Clothing Institute), and including students for the first time to pass questions on, were
then organized on the various textile technologies :

– Combing-Spinning-Yarn processing Companies represented: Laroche (Jean-Christophe Morel),
NSC Fibre to Yarn (Alain Etancelin), ECC Platt (Paul Verbecke), Rieter FYT (Marc Desrayaud,
Jean-Yves Dussaud), Fil control (Jean-Marc Balois).

After presenting their companies, the speakers answered questions and showed how they were
able to achieve global business development by setting up service centres in a first stage, then
commercial companies, before succeeding in producing locally. It was necessary to hire young
graduates at each stage of this process.

– Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Companies represented: NSC Nonwoven (Benoit Gallais),
Laroche (Jean-Christophe Morel, Benoit Rombaut), ECC Platt (Paul Verbecke), Rieter Perfojet (Cic
Laurent).

For nonwovens, the speakers highlighted the high commitment to producers of finished products
and the need to offer “turnkey” solutions, and therefore the need to develop close partnerships
with manufacturers of complementary machines to propose complete lines.

– Weaving-Printing-Cutting Companies represented: Stli (Max Michel and JoJu), Ateliers de
Belmont (Gregory Calandry), Lectra ( M. Costa).

Beyond technological questions, the major challenge is to help customers resolve their own
challenges, and in this respect consultancy and training are now essential services. They offer
real opportunities for students and the possibility of making a career via different jobs within
the same company.

– Finishing and nanotechnologies Companies represented: Alliance (Jean-Paul Bkian), Superba
(Jean-Pierre Ummenhover), Rousselet (Luc Buisson), ITECH ( Fabien Roland).

In this sector, commitment to customers is all the more necessary because, besides the
development of specific machinery and processes whereby the machine becomes a key factor of product
innovation, the buying decision is now taken on the basis of an economic analysis, hence long and
extensive studies requiring total mutual trust.

Bruno Ameline concluded the event by thanking Jean-Pierre Gallet, Director-general of ITECH,
for hosting the Forum; he announced another edition, and pointed out four major qualities to make a
successful career in the textile machinery industry, i.e. to have a taste for industry (factories,
men), for international business (languages and travels), for (long-lasting) service, and for
continuous creativity.

Press release courtesy of UCMTF

July 2005

HighRoller Fashions Teams Up With First2Print To Decrease Time-To-Market

HighRoller Fashions, a New York City-based manufacturer of lifestyle and gambling-theme shirts,
selected New York City-based digital fabric printer First2Print Inc. to aid the company in
decreasing time to market of its 2006 product line.First2Print used pretreated silk fabric,
large-format color printers, custom software and specially formulated inks to make the HighRoller
shirts.With First2Prints textile print services, we get beautiful, crisp, clear fabrics in less
than a week, said Brian Smith, CEO, HighRoller Fashions. That gives us a competitive edge.
Otherwise, this sampling process would take 30 to 45 days or longer.The final sample goods are
large-format, digitally printed, dye-based, non-washable prototype fabrications that are suitable
for showroom and retail sales development.

July 2005

Summertime Blues


S
 pinners appear to be seeing demand slack off a bit this summer. One multisystem spinner
admitted his capacity is not completely sold up, but his company’s plants are still running five
and six days a week.

“I’ve got yarn to sell,” he said. “Business is not any weaker than it has been. We’ve just
haven’t been able to put it together.”

Multiple sources agree the man-made yarn segment of the business is not as strong as cotton
or cotton blends. Weaving is considered to be weaker than knitting right now, although there is
considerable variability among weavers, depending on the market served. Upholstery is hot and cold.
Home furnishings appear to have slowed a bit.


Hosiery Heats Up


Spinners expect the hosiery business to pick up this summer. China reached its hosiery quota
in mid-May and cannot import more until late October, due to imposed safeguards for hosiery. This
could be an opportunity for domestic spinners to gain some volume, particularly for specialty yarns
designed to give superior wicking performance.

“I’m not expecting our business to weaken over the summer months as it has a tendency to do,”
said a spinner. “[T]here may be enough [Chinese socks] still in warehouses to take retailers all
the way to the first back-to-school round. It may be July or August when we see increased hosiery
business.”


Fiber And Yarn Prices Stable


Spinners expect the hosiery business to pick up this summer. China reached its hosiery quota
in mid-May and cannot import more until late October, due to imposed safeguards for hosiery. This
could be an opportunity for domestic spinners to gain some volume, particularly for specialty yarns
designed to give superior wicking performance.

“I’m not expecting our business to weaken over the summer months as it has a tendency to do,”
said a spinner. “[T]here may be enough [Chinese socks] still in warehouses to take retailers all
the way to the first back-to-school round. It may be July or August when we see increased hosiery
business.”


Burlington HQ Imploded


Recently, 200 pounds of explosives reduced the former Burlington Industries Inc. headquarters
in Greensboro, N.C., to rubble in about 10 seconds. The 430,000-square-foot building opened in 1971
and won several design awards. More than 1,000 people once worked there. Spinners took note of its
demolition with some sadness.

“[T]he building that used to be the headquarters of what was once the largest textile company
in the world was torn down to build a shopping center and some condos,” one spinner said. “To some
degree, we all followed on the coattails of Burlington because they had money, size and public
awareness of their brands. Whether you were one of their customers or suppliers, I don’t think you
could have seen [the broadcast of the implosion] without thinking that a piece of textile history
imploded with it.”

“In the old days, when you got out of school, you went to work for Burlington, J.P. Stevens
or Milliken,” said a former Burlington manager. “Now, only Milliken is still in place, but it’s
very different. Looking back on my experiences [at Burlington], what I got out of it was an
appreciation of the people in the mills and what they did. I got a great learning experience about
the machinery and the processes.”



July/August 2005

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