Ciba Introduces Carpet DyesSwitzerland-based Ciba Specialty Chemicals has introduced ERIOFAST
reactive dyes for the carpet industry. Ciba claims the dyes offer outstanding wet-fastness
properties, even when subjected to repeated shampooing and washing at temperatures of 140°F. The
dyes are suitable for dyeing solid shades or for direct, displacement, resist or spray printing
applications on polyamide carpet styles. The line contains three trichromatic metal-free dyes that
are fully compatible with one another.
September 2002

TYAA Celebrates30th AnniversaryFiber producers, texturing companies and suppliers to the textured
yarn sector all were on hand to celebrate the Textured Yarn Association of Americas (TYAA) 30th
anniversary during its Summer Conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Invited speakers covered a range of
topics. Keynote speaker Mary ORourke, Jassin-ORourke Group, provided an overview of global sourcing
dynamics and compared costs of sourcing from the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) region to those
from China. ORourke said U.S. apparel firms should further develop full-package sourcing in the CBI
region currently the number-one source of apparel sold in the United States. She compared cash-flow
benefits in CBI transactions with Asian dealings. ORourke also noted apparel brand managers are
increasingly techno-savvy. Therefore, U.S. manufacturers must promote the value-added qualities of
their products with downstream retailers/consumers.Alasdair Carmichael, Carmichael International,
and TYAA vice president, publicity, noted increased texturing machinery sales to China and the
growth of Chinas domestic machinery manufacturing base. Carmichael also said a dramatic increase in
textured yarn imports since quotas were dropped January 1 and increased domestic output indicate
overall U.S. consumption has grown. While exports are down from 2001, he predicted these markets
will open up as the dollar drops in value. He stressed the need for the U.S. textile industry to
follow the examples of the European and Japanese textile industries and focus on specialty products
to improve its competitive position.Allison Carwile-Wilson, Carwile-WilsonandAssociates, addressed
the need for companies and their personnel to use one another as resources to survive todays
challenges.Nylstars presentation of its Meryl® nylon included a fashion show offering a range of
styles using the fiber. Other presentations covered elastomeric yarn testing, automatic vision
inspection and the use of polypropylene in textured yarn. TYAA also elected officers for 2002-2003
(See People,
TW, this issue) and launched its new website, www.tyaa.org, with member login access
enabling on-line payment of dues and conference registration fees.
September 2002

Sulzer Textil ChangesName To SultexSwitzerland-based Sulzer Textil Group is changing its name to
SULTEX Group. The change applies to all business units within the company, whose purchase by the
Italy-based Itema Group was approved in July by the European Commission. SULTEX will continue to
operate as an independent company. All products and services will continue to be marketed under the
brand name Sulzer Textil (See Range of Opportunities,
TW, August 2002).
September 2002

Milliken, Gensler LaunchOxygen Modular CarpetsLaGrange, Ga.-based Milliken Carpet, Commercial
Markets, has launched Oxygen, a modular carpet tile collection designed by Gensler, an
architectural and design company with operations worldwide.The collection features eight design
groups that can be used alone, mixed and matched, checkerboarded, or turned in 90- or 180-degree
angles to create graphic art on the floor.Oxygen celebrates technologys influence on fashion, as we
see the melding of traditional textiles and fabrications with innovative, new man-made materials
and methods, said Collin Burry, Genslers lead designer.
September 2002

 The Lectra USA facility in Marietta, Ga. played host to the Atlanta Textile Club (ATC) at its
monthly luncheon meeting on September 9th. More than 30 ATC members, as well as six guests,
attended the luncheon. After welcoming remarks from Lectra’s President David Siegelman, attendees
were treated to demonstrations of Lectra’s technology, including digital fabric printing and
cataloging; body scanning and marker-making for mass customization; and a tour of the intelligent
cutting room equipped with automatic cutters. 

David Siegelman, president, Lectra USA (left) and Mike Todaro, president, Atlanta Textile
Club

Siegelman gives tour of different kinds of automatic cutters 

Automatic cutters

Mohawk Announces RecordSecond-Quarter EarningsCalhoun, Ga.-based Mohawk Industries Inc. announced
record net earnings and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter of 2002. Net
earnings totaled $75,518,000, which was 63-percent higher than earnings for the same quarter in
2001. EPS of $1.10 were 25 percent above last years figures. Net sales for the quarter increased by
42 percent to $1,227,747,000. Mohawk attributes the improvements to increased sales and operating
earnings and to its merger with Dal-Tile. Growth in home and residential products resulted in an
8-percent increase in Mohawk segment net sales, which totaled $938,446,000. The Dal-Tile segments
net sales of $289,301,000 grew 9 percent, which primarily resulted from residential products.
September 2002

American FibersandYarns Looks AheadChapel Hill, N.C.-based American FibersandYarns Co. (AF and Y)
reports it has met the targets set by its financers and exceeded its own goals, including achieving
its year-to-date revenue and manufacturing goals. It also has expanded its customer base. Earlier
this year, AF and Y reorganized its debt and received significant financing from its majority
owner, Monitor Clipper Partners, Cambridge, Mass.The textile industry has been attempting to adapt
to the ever-growing import market, said Mike Apperson, president and CEO. We at AF and Y believe we
have an edge in our service, flexibility, yarn fiber technology development and enhanced color
services over foreign markets.
September 2002