Dyersburg And Noble Form Alliance To Market X-Static

Dyersburg Corp., New York, has formed a strategic alliance with Noble Fiber Technologies Inc.,
Scranton, Pa., to market antimicrobial fabrics. These fabrics, known as Hydrologic, features
X-Static® fibers.X-Static has a layer of 99.9-percent pure silver permanently bonded to the surface
of the fiber, this provides sustained antimicrobial and anti-static properties. The new offerings
were introduced at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Marker in August.
Circle 307.

November 1999

Xorella

 Xorella
For Its Contexxor Compact LTC-S Yarn Conditioning System Xorella AG, Wettingen,
Switzerland, tops its success in the industry with the introduction of its award-winning Contexxor
Compact LTC-S yarn conditioning system, a revolutionary cubical design that deviates from any other
design on the market. There were not always such easy times, when one listens to Fredy Wanger,
founder of Xorella. There was a lot of skepticism when Xorella presented its first yarn
conditioning system to the textile industry, and there was negative publicity from individuals who
either did not understand what yarn conditioning can do, or from competitors envious that they had
not thought the principle in the first place.Today, if any weaving or knitting mill wishes to
achieve optimum production efficiency, there is just no way around a well conditioned yarn. Xorella
does not have to prove the principle anymore; its the mills themselves who have seen the positive
differences first-hand on ever faster running textile machinery. Compact LTC-S

The new generation of Compact LTC-S type Yarn Conditioning System Contexxor has been
developed based on the conventional Xorella system that is successfully in operation in several
countries around the world. Xorella is the founder of the cold saturated steam technology by
applying a state-of-the-art treatment processes for high yarn pallet conditioning. Together with
significant energy savings the new ECO-system offers reduced production cost based on lowest
possible energy consumption for waxed and unwaxed yarns, and natural and synthetic yarn
qualities.The Compact LTC-S line provides absolutely new dimensions in yarn conditioning and
heat-setting for very high pallets up to 13 package layers. The main advantages are: optimal
utilization of inside space; smaller outside space requirements shorter processing time; treatment
temperature up to 110 degree Centigrade; and lowest energy consumption ever. Yarn Conditioning
At Its BestThe Contexxor cold saturated steam conditioning system is the backbone for highest
knitting and weaving efficiencies.Xorella emphasizes that a large percent increase in mills is not
a rarity. In knitting this is achieved through reduced yarn unwinding tension, and reduced needle
wear through softer yarn. Contexxor conditioned yarns usually show up to 10-percent higher
strength, up to 30-percent higher elongation, and a 1.5 to 4-percent increase in moisture level.In
any application, much better friction values can be observed from start to finish of the package.
This reflects a more even loop formation during knitting. In weaving the size pick-up can be much
more equal and often no additional humidification is required.Further, electrostatic is practically
eliminated and up to 40-percent less fiber-fly and lint accumulation is the result. An
Industry PacemakerWanger and the Xorella team did it once again, proving that a square yarn
conditioning system will be more efficient than a round one. This is just another example of
Xorella setting the pace for yarn conditioning.

November 1999

DuPont And Haci Omer Sabanci Form Joint Venture

DuPont, Wilmington, Del., and Haci Omer Sabanci Holding AS, have signed a definitive agreement to
sell polyester filament, staple, resins, intermediates and related products for markets throughout
Europe, the Middle East and Africa.DuPont and Sabanci will be equal partners in the joint venture.
Operation will begin after approval from the European Commission and Turkish Competition Board.The
joint venture will have revenues of $1 billion annually and will employ approximately 4,500
people.This venture will combine the two leading producers of polyester in the world. Omer Sabanci,
president of Sabanci Group Chemicals, will become chairman of the board, and P.W. Kerry Kehoe,
former managing director, apparel, for DuPont Asia-Pacific Nylon, will become CEO of the joint
venture.

November 1999

BBA InterSpun Line Adds Fleissner AquaTex System

Fleissner GmbH and Co. Maschinenfabrik, Germany, has announced that through an agreement with BBA,
Fleissners AquaTex hydroentanglement process will be available for InterSpun Fabric Enhancement to
finish fabric.According to the company, when AquaTex is used with the InterSpun system, which uses
water under high pressure from microjets to finish fabrics, bleaching and sanforizing, steps can be
shortened.
Circle 306.

November 1999

National Starch And Chemical Announces Price Increase

National Starch and Chemical Co., Bridgewater, N.J., has announced it will increase price for base
resin emulsion due to a substantial increase in the cost of raw materials.Prices for polyvinyl
acetate homopolymer, vinyl acrylic copolymer and thylene vinyl acetate copolymer emulsions will
increase by 1.5 cents per wet pound. Acrylic emulsions will increase by 3.0 cents per pound.

November 1999

WestPoint Stevens Announces Stock Repurchase

WestPoint Stevens Inc., West Point, Ga., has announced that its board of directors has approved the
repurchase of up to 4 billion additional shares of the companys common stock. This brings the total
aggregate number of shares remaining to be repurchased under the existing stock repurchase program
to approximately 6.4 million shares or 12 percent of the 55 million outstanding shares. The
repurchases shares will be acquired for general corporate purposes.WestPoint Stevens also reached
an agreement with its bank lenders to amend the companys bank revolver to permit the company to use
up to $100 million of available funds in support of the expanded stock repurchase program. The
board of directors has authorized the repurchase of these shares because it believes the stock to
be an attractive investment at this time. The company continues to enjoy substantial growth in its
home fashion business, and we remain positive about the outlook for the future, said Holcombe T.
Green Jr., chairman and CEO, WestPoint Stevens.The company also announced that its board of
directors approved the companys filing an application to list the companys common stock on the New
York Stock Exchange.

November 1999

Financial

GenCorp., Fairlawn, Ohio, reported a third-quarter earnings improvement in 1999. Earnings were at
$0.53 per diluted share, compared to $0.42 per diluted share in the third quarter of 1998.Sales for
the third quarter totaled $459.4 million as compared to $443.1 million in 1998. Operating profit
totaled $43.9 million for the third quarter of 1999. This is a 22-percent increase from $36 million
in 1998.For the nine months ended August 31, earnings were at $1.56 per diluted share. This is an
increase of 24 percent over the $1.26 per diluted share in 1998. Sales for the nine months totalled
$1.39 billion, a 16-percent increase from $1.2 billion in 1998.With unusual items, earnings for the
third quarter totaled $0.48 per diluted share. This included the $2.8-million expense related to
the spin-off of the companys decorative and building products and performance chemical business
units into a separate publicly traded company, OMNOVA Solutions Inc. (See Dyeing,
PrintingandFinishing News, in this issue.)JPS Industries, Greenville, S.C., has announced the
results of the third quarter and nine months ended July 31, 1999.For the third quarter, net income
was $3.5 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, on sales of $69.5 million compared to a net income of
$939,000, or $0.09 per diluted share, on sales of $74.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal
1998.For the nine months, the company reported a net loss of $22.9 million, or $2.29 per diluted
share, on sales of $212.1 million compared to a net income of $5.5 million, or $0.55 per diluted
share, on sales of $249.1 million for the first nine months of 1998.NedGraphics Holding N.V., the
Netherlands, recently reported that net profits increased to EUR 769 thousand in the first half of
1999. This was a 48.7-percent increase from EUR 517 thousand in 1998.Revenue for the first half
1999 was EUR 9.7 million as compared to EUR 6.6 million in 1998. Gross margin increased by 61.9
percent to EUR 7.7 million. For the first half of 1999, earnings per share were EUR 0.41, an
increase of 32.3 percent from 1998.Speizman Industries Inc., Charlotte, N.C., recently reported the
results of its fourth quarter and its fiscal year, ended July 3, 1999.Revenues for the fourth
quarter were $30 million compared to $24.4 million in the fourth quarter of 1998.Earning for the
quarter totaled $610,000, or $0.19 per basic and diluted share. This is a decrease from $686,000 or
$0.21 per basic and $0.20 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 1998.For the fiscal year,
revenues were $101.4 million as compared to $90.9 million in the prior fiscal year. The company
lost $253,000 or $0.8 per basic and diluted share. This was a decrease from earnings of $1,933,000
or $0.59 basic and $0.56 diluted per share.

November 1999

OMNOVA Spin-Off Finalized

GenCorp, Fairlawn, Ohio, has announced that its board of directors finalized the approved spin-off
of OMNOVA Solutions Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary. GenCorp will transfer its
DecorativeandBuilding Products and Performance Chemicals businesses to OMNOVA.GenCorp will continue
to operate Aerojet, its aerospace, defense and fine chemicals segment and its Vehicle Sealing
operation.Its exciting to have this long process behind us so that we can begin to take advantage
of the opportunities made possible by the spin-off, said John Yasinsky, former chairman and CEO of
GenCorp, and current chairman and CEO, OMNOVA.Operating as two focused, independent companies, we
believe both GenCorp and OMNOVA will be better able to tailor capital investments and resources to
particular business requirements, more aggressively pursue growth and operate more efficiently. The
potential to create greater value for our shareholders, customers and employees was the driving
force behind the spin-off and will lead our efforts to succeed going forward.OMNOVA Solutions is
headquartered in Fairlawn, and will have annual sales of approximately $766 million. The company
will also have 2,600 employees worldwide.GenCorp will move its headquarters to Sacramento, Calif.,
where its Aerojet business is based. Aerojet President Robert Wolfe has been named chairman and CEO
of GenCorp. GenCorp will now have sales of over $1 billion and 7,300 employees worldwide.
(See “Dyeing, PrintingandFinishing News,” ATI September and October 1999.)


November 1999

Levi39 S Creates Unique On-Line Shopping Experience

Levi Strauss, San Francisco, has created a unique on-line experience that combines advertising and
experiential e-commerce on its website, www.levi.com.Consumers will be able to watch a commercial,
click on the featured clothing to view, learn more about the product and make a purchase while the
spot runs.This internet experience, created by Convergence Mediagoup®, San Francisco, uses a
variety of innovative e-commerce capabilities, including interactive questions and reward
elements.Allowing consumers to interact with a commercial empowers them to explore the advertised
products in a whole new way, said Barth Ballard, digital marketing manager, Levis brand.Along with
accessing product information, consumers can play an interactive game. If they find the invisible
Levis jean Red Tab with their mouse, and answer questions about the commercial, they have a chance
to win $1,000 in Levis jeans Red Tab product.As people get more accustomed to making transactions
on the Web, they will start to demand more from their brands,” said Azi Tabachnik, founder and CEO
of Convergence Mediagroup.

November 1999

Kermel To Supply 30 000 Fire-Resistant Uniforms

Kermel, France, will supply 30,000 sets of fire-resistant bunker jackets and over-trousers made
from Kermel HTA fabric to the Italian fire services by the end of the year. The gear was tested
under real-life conditions from 1997 to 1998 by 350 Italian firemen.Kermel HTA fabric is designed
for outer shell use in fire-resistant jackets or splinter-proof vests. It is produced using a core
spinning technique that optimizes the advantages of the two fibers used (64-percent Kermel and
36-percent paramide). Kermel fiber is a polyamid-imide polymer with excellent mechanical strength
along with exceptional heat resistance.The Kermel HTA outer shell fabric combines an impermeable,
breathable membrane, a 100-percent Kermel felt and a Kermel/Viscose FR lining to form an
anti-static, fire-resistant fabric.

November 1999

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