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
Milliken Gensler Launch Oxygen Modular Carpets
Hills Develops MEMS Manufacturing Method
West Melbourne, Fla.-based Hills Inc. has developed a method for producing micro electromechanical
systems (MEMS). Using patented, micro-precision,multicomponent polymer extrusion, Hills has
succeeded in producing a continuous MEMS strand of unlimited thickness at speeds of 200 meters per
minute. The strand is then cut to the desired length to produce individual MEMS. According to the
company, the process is suitable for the production of a wide variety of MEMS.Hills collaborated on
the project with MCNC, a Research Triangle Park, N.C.-based research company. MCNC has patented the
micro actuators, which have possible uses in nanotechnology and micromachinery applications,
including medical and computing devices, as well as for radios and heart monitors in soldiers
uniforms.
September 2002
Lectra Hosts Atlanta Textile Club September Luncheon
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 Record Second-Quarter Earnings
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 Ahead
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
DyStar To Acquire Remaining MDB Shares
DyStar, Germany, has agreed to acquire the remaining shares of Mitsui BASF Dyes Ltd. (MDB), Japan,
pending approval by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission.DyStars acquisition of BASFs textile dyes
operations in October 2000 gave it a 50-percent interest in MDB. Upon completion of the
acquisition, the Japanese textile dyes company will be integrated into the DyStar Japan
organization.Acquiring MDB and its production site in Omuta strengthens our market position and
competitiveness in Japan, said Alfred X. Rad, CEO, DyStar. It also expands our market leadership in
disperse dyes.
September 2002
RadiciSpandex Offers High-Temperature Resistant Fiber
RadiciSpandex, Fall River, Mass., has developed Type S 45, a multi-purpose elastane fiber
engineered specifically to resist the damaging effects of high-temperature dyeing.It is now
possible to dye blends of polyester and spandex to deep, dark shades without disintegrating the
elastane at the elevated temperatures needed to dye polyester.RadiciSpandex collaborated on the
project with the fabric converter Cyberknit. The New York City-based company said Type S 45 has
surpassed its expectations, allowing the firm to offer its customers the rich colors they have been
seeking in polyester microfiber/spandex blended fabrics.
September 2002
FloorTek Space Filling Up
FloorTek Space Filling UpExhibit space for FloorTek 2003 is filling up, according to Wanda Ellis,
executive director, American Floor Covering Alliance (AFA), Dalton, Ga.AFA expects 150 companies to
exhibit and hopes to have more than 3,000 attendees at the show to be held at the NorthWest Georgia
TradeandConvention Center in Dalton, April 22-24, 2003.The enthusiasm of this community truly
drives the continued success of FloorTek, and we are pleased to see so many companies signing up to
ensure their participation, said Ellis.
September 2002
Spectrum Elca Form Honduras Joint Venture
Spectrum Dyed Yarns Inc., New York City, has joined with Elasticos CentroAmericanos S.A. de C.V.
(Elca), Honduras, to form Spectrum Central America S.A. de C.V. The new yarn-dyeing facility is one
of the first investments by a U.S.-based textile company in the Caribbean Basin. It will provide
dyed cotton, polyester/cotton, filament polyester, spun polyester and nylon yarns to companies
located in Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean.With the combined technical expertise
and market knowledge of Spectrum and Elca, yarn dyed product will now become a sourcing reality
from vendors located in the area, said Doug Blanchard, president, Spectrum; and Juan M. Canahuati,
president, Elca; in a joint announcement. The market has been anxious for this to happen.The new
facility is scheduled to begin operations in the third quarter 2002.
September 2002
InterfaceAR Syndesis Strike Deal
InterfaceAR, Syndedis Strike DealSyndesis Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., has granted Grand Rapids,
Mich.-based Interface Architectural Resources (AR), a division of Interface Inc., exclusive use of
its Syndecrete® technology in the raised-access flooring market.InterfaceAR will use Syndecrete in
its TecCrete and TecFloor access flooring products, the first such products to use
Syndecrete.Syndecrete process technology, developed by architect David Hertz, utilizes hard carpet
waste as feedstock to create a precast, lightweight, cement-based composite. InterfaceAR will use
reclaimed carpet fiber from another company division, Interface Flooring Systems, in its flooring
panels. Topical colors can be applied to the surface of Syndecrete, giving InterfaceAR the
opportunity to create decorative, exposed concrete panels that are also functional. Santa
Monica-based investment banking firm C.Y.G. advised Syndesis on the transaction.
September 2002
