ISTANBUL, Turkey — June 7, 2024 — Bringing together the world’s textile technology leaders in Istanbul, ITM 2024 Exhibition has achieved a great success by hosting thousands of visitors from 94 countries in its first 3 days. Professional visitors and investors from countries such as Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Rwanda, Mauritius, Mongolia, Tuvalu, Taiwan, Singapore, Rwanda, Mauritius, Mongolia, Tuvalu, Taiwan, Singapore once again demonstrated the global attraction power of the exhibition.
Organized by Teknik Fuarcılık A.Ş. and Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım A.Ş. in partnership with TEMSAD, ITM 2024 International Textile Machinery Exhibition opened its doors to its visitors on 4 June. Hosting the innovative technologies of textile technology leaders, ITM 2024 Exhibition offered unique opportunities to exhibitors by providing an excellent platform for world launches and new collaborations. ITM 2024 Exhibition attracted attention with thousands of visitors from 94 countries who flocked to the exhibition to see the innovations in the field of textile technologies from the first day. ITM 2024 Exhibition, which hosts visitors from a wide geography from Asia to Europe, Africa to America, Middle East to Turkic Republics, is preparing to break new records with both the number of exhibitors and visitors and the diversity of countries.
ITM 2024 Exhibitors Satisfied with Country Diversity
Organising ITM 2024 in Istanbul provided an ideal environment for global collaborations by increasing visitor diversity. While Turkey stands out as an important market in the textile industry, this diversity further reinforced the strategic importance of the exhibition. Exhibitors welcomed visitors from all over the world during the exhibition and expressed their satisfaction for meeting their customers from countries that cannot go to exhibitions in Europe due to visa problems at ITM 2024 Exhibition. Many company executives said that they hosted visitors from countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Bangladesh, Egypt and Iran, realised machinery sales and signed strong collaborations since the first day of the exhibition
Posted: June 7, 2024
Source: Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım A.Ş. and Teknik Fuarcılık A.Ş.
PARIS — May 30, 2024 — TextileGenesis, offers a pioneering platform for fashion and textile players to ensure the traceability of the materials they use. The Lectra Group company today announced a major new collaboration with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®). It will enable the implementation, via the TextileGenesis platform, of new solutions to ensure the traceability of cellulose fibers from responsibly managed forests.
In fashion, many textiles such as viscose, lyocell and modal use man-made cellulose fibers. These fibers are themselves made from wood pulp, the production of which can contribute to deforestation.
Founded in 1994, FSC is an international NGO whose mission is to promote responsible forest management worldwide. In particular, the organization offers certification for products and raw materials which have been obtained from wood grown in responsibly managed forests, and comes from supply chains where social rights of workers, communities and indigenous peoples have been safeguarded.
Amit Gautam, founder and CEO of TextileGenesis, explained: “We’ve already been working with Man Made Cellulosic Fiber Producers for several years to facilitate, thanks to our blockchain-inspired technology, the traceability of fibers manufactured by the most virtuous producers, and we’ve integrated their analysis criteria into our platform. By also becoming an FSC® partner today, we’re taking things a step further. This new collaboration will support companies in the traceability of FSC certified fibers and support the administration and data management of FSC Chain of Custody certification. All players in the value chain will benefit from increased transparency and much more reliable upstream data. Fashion brands will be able to demonstrate much more easily that their garments use textiles made from responsibly sourced man-made cellulose fibers.”
Fabian Farkas, FSC International chief commercial director, added: “We are seeing a rapid increase in interest in FSC certification from the textile industry, marking a very positive trend. Through this collaboration with TextileGenesis, we aim to simplify the administrative part of FSC certification for companies within the textile supply chain by automating many required data processes. Our goal is to empower brands to identify opportunities for seamless progress in meeting their FSC procurement policies.”
Following the signature in October 2023 of a memorandum of understanding with the International Cotton Association (ICA) and the launch last January of two consortiums with footwear and leather players, and more recently the announcement of its partnership with the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), the initiator of The Good Cashmere Standard® (GCS), TextileGenesis confirms, with this new collaboration with the FSC, its central place in the ecosystem of players mobilizing for more sustainable and responsible fashion.
CHICAGO — June 6, 2024 — JLA — a supplier of textiles, décor and furniture — is thrilled to announce the addition of Brett Rife as president of Sales and Divisional Leader of Hospitality. Reporting directly to CEO Edmund Jin, Rife will spearhead the company’s efforts to build and grow its presence in the hospitality sector. Jin commented, “Brett’s extensive experience in textiles and hospitality, along with his deep product knowledge and esteemed industry reputation, make him the ideal choice to lead this new venture.”
The hospitality industry has long been a target for many textile companies. JLA is uniquely positioned to thrive in this space thanks to its established businesses and robust e-commerce platform. Rife will oversee the Hospitality division, acting as a conduit to all avenues of hospitality, from international brands to small independent hotels, and the distribution networks that serve them. He will also explore innovative ways to integrate hospitality with JLA’s other businesses. Extending into the hospitality category is a natural progression for JLA. “We are excited to have Brett Rife join the JLA Home family to build and lead this new division with the strong backing of JLA’s financial and sourcing capacity. We will give 100% support to ensure its success,” said CEO Edmund Jin.
Rife brings nearly 25 years in textiles and 23 years in hospitality to his new role, having most recently served as VP of Sales for Keeco. He successfully led the hospitality division through Keeco’s merger with Hollander in late 2022. Additionally, Rife has been an active board member for the Home Fashion Products Association (HFPA) and Chairman of the American Down and Feather Council (a subsection of the HFPA). Rife remarked, “The hospitality industry is dynamic, showing resilience and growth across various product categories as it recovers from the pandemic. There are numerous unexplored intersections between hospitality and retail, institutional, healthcare, e-commerce, and more. I look forward to exploring these avenues with JLA.”
Continuing to be based in Chicago, Rife will collaborate with JLA’s global offices to develop the business. He expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Joining JLA combines my passions for product development and knowledge, with the opportunity to deepen relationships with industry experts and leaders. JLA’s innovation and growth across categories are impressive, and I am excited to join their journey.”
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — June 5, 2024 — HanesBrands (HBI), a global supplier of iconic apparel brands, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell the intellectual property and certain operating assets of the company’s global Champion business to Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) for a transaction value of $1.2 billion, with the potential to reach up to $1.5 billion through an additional contingent cash consideration of up to $300 million based on achievement of performance thresholds.
This agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the HanesBrands board of directors, is the successful conclusion of the company’s previously announced evaluation of a range of strategic options for the global Champion business.
HanesBrands has made significant progress in recent years to reignite its innerwear business, increase market share, attract younger consumers, and strengthen its operating model. Upon completion of the transaction, the Company intends to focus on extending its leadership position in the innerwear category and generating above-market growth through continued consumer-centric product innovation and increased investment across its portfolio of leading brands, including Hanes, Bonds, Maidenform and Bali.
Bill Simon, chairman of the board, said: “Following a thorough review of options for the global Champion business with the support of our financial and legal advisors, we are pleased to have reached this agreement with Authentic Brands Group that we believe maximizes value for Champion and best positions HanesBrands for long-term success. Importantly, we believe this transaction will enable the Company to accelerate its debt reduction while positioning HanesBrands to deliver consistent growth and cash flow generation through a focused strategy on advancing its leading innerwear brands and optimizing its world-class supply chain.”
Steve Bratspies, CEO, said: “Today’s announcement is the culmination of significant effort by our teams to position all of our brands on the optimal path for the future. Over the past three years, we have taken necessary actions to enhance the Company’s operations and financial performance — returning to historical gross margins, reducing our cost structure, lowering our debt levels, and generating consistent cash flow. The successful completion of this transaction further simplifies our business, deleverages our balance sheet and enhances the Company’s operations and financial performance. As we begin the next chapter for HanesBrands, we believe we’re in an even stronger position to further extend our leadership in innerwear, pursue new cost reduction opportunities as we ensure we have the right operating structure in place, and advance our multi-year flywheel to drive strong shareholder returns.”
Transaction Details and Use of Proceeds
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2024. Subsequent to the closing, HanesBrands will provide certain transition services for Champion, including operating the business in select regions through a transition period.
HanesBrands expects net proceeds from the transaction of approximately $900 million, including working capital adjustments and other customary transaction costs and excluding the contingent cash consideration. In line with HanesBrands’ commitment to debt reduction, the Company will utilize all net proceeds from the transaction to accelerate its reduction of debt and expects meaningful deleveraging on a net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA basis.
On a trailing 12-month basis as of the end of the first quarter 2024, the global Champion business generated approximately $75 million of adjusted EBITDA, which is net of approximately $60 million of stranded costs. The company has specific plans to remove all stranded costs within a year of the transaction closing as it completes the transition of the business.
The Company intends to classify Champion as discontinued operations in the second quarter of 2024 and as a result, expects to update its full-year 2024 guidance in conjunction with the release of its second-quarter earnings results.
Advisors
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Evercore are serving as financial advisors to HanesBrands, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Jones Day are serving as its legal advisors.
LOS ANGELES — June 5, 2024 — Pioneering medical apparel brand Jaanuu has appointed Michael Alexander as its new CEO. Alexander brings more than fifteen years of leadership experience and a proven track record to Jaanuu as the company moves into its next phase of growth.
JAANUU’s newly appointed CEO Michael Alexander brings a sharp focus on product evolution that’s healthcare-professional centric, a company culture that empowers employees and unwavering customer satisfaction. Photo – Business Wire
In the last decade, Jaanuu has earned its reputation as a disrupter in the fast growing, multi-billion-dollar medical apparel market. The company’s focus on fashionable styles has resulted in a product line with exceptional fit, fabrics and functionality.
In his new role, Alexander will focus on primary objectives including product evolution that’s healthcare-professional centric, strengthening company culture by empowering employees and unwavering customer satisfaction.
“Jaanuu has made tremendous strides in its first ten years and I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead such a strong brand,” Alexander said. “We’re excited to build on that momentum and further leverage the advantage we have of being a physician-founded company. That gives us a unique understanding of what healthcare professionals need while working with patients.”
Alexander comes to the Los Angeles-based company after serving as president of Next Level Apparel (NLA), a wholesale producer and seller of premium quality blank apparel. At NLA, he provided leadership to sales, marketing, and product management, with a focus on implementing strategic initiatives that delivered a cohesive, cross-functional go-to-market approach aimed at growing the company’s top line. Previously, he was executive vice president at Careismatic Brands Inc. where he worked for more than 10 years in various leadership roles responsible for profitable revenue growth across all channels.
Shaan Sethi who co-founded Jaanuu along with his sister, Dr. Neela Sethi, helped lead the search for his successor and remains on the company’s board.
“It’s been an amazing journey for Jaanuu and I couldn’t be more excited for Mike to take the company even further,” Sethi said.
Jill Granoff, senior advisor of Eurazeo and lead investor said, “Shaan has been instrumental in building the brand and we’re confident Mike’s leadership, vision and strong connections in the apparel space will elevate Jaanuu to even greater heights.”
Alexander graduated with an MBA from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, after earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration from National University in La Jolla, Calif.
ATLANTA — June 6, 2024 — Interface Inc., a global flooring solutions company, today unveiled its latest global carpet tile and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) collections. The Etched & Threaded™ carpet tile and Earthen Forms™ LVT collections push the boundaries of design while continuing the company’s commitment to creating flooring solutions made for purpose and without compromise. The products offer innovative, modular tiles that fit together effortlessly and combine eye-catching textures, natural patterns, and neutral tones that can be mixed and matched, offering more ways to create high-performing, beautiful spaces.
“We’re challenging how we think about flooring and its role in creating amazing spaces. Flooring can and should be Made for More™ — made to do more, made to support more, and made to stand for more,” said Kelly Simcox, head of Global Design at Interface. “Interface designed these two global collections with this thinking in mind, helping architects and designers create dynamic spaces that encourage end-users to use the space to support their specific needs, from focused work to a moment for relaxation, and beyond. We created these collections to stand out and match the performance and sustainability needs of any space.”
Etched & Threaded: Carpet Tile Crafted for Comfort
Designed to bring the warmth of luxury textiles into commercial spaces, Etched & Threaded provides textured carpet tile products that fit together effortlessly. The collection features seven styles available in 12 neutral colorways that take cues from the geometric flow of natural stone to create serene environments.
Etched & Threaded includes:
Two bold, geometric styles that draw inspiration from natural stone formations and polished pebbles. They are offered as 50 cm x 50 cm formats in four colorways.
Two timeless, textured styles, featuring large geometric patterns to create movement and pattern. They are offered as 25 cm x 1 m formats in eight colorways.
Three texture-heavy products in cable knit, tweed, and threaded patterns that are perfect for large-scale use in commercial settings. They are available as 25 cm x 1 m formats in eight colorways.
Interface has a 30-year history of taking the necessary steps to restore the planet and make progress toward its bold sustainability targets. Through innovations across its products, factories, and supply chain, the company has achieved the lowest carbon footprint carpet tile in the industry.
Earthen Forms: LVT Designed for More
Tapping into the warmth of natural woodgrain and the cool textures of travertine stone, Earthen Forms helps bring the outdoors in. With three styles available in a range of neutral hues and modular tile shapes, the collection features on-trend aesthetics with all the performance benefits designers expect from Interface LVT.
The Earthen Forms styles include:
Hearth, the collection’s stone and travertine-inspired style, adds soft texture to any space. It is offered in a 50 cm x 1 m format in four colorways.
Crossroads, featuring a fusion of woodgrain and concrete aesthetics, provides a distinct, mixed material look to interiors. It is offered in a 25 cm x 1 m format in four colorways.
On Grain, the true woodgrain style of the collection, features a warm, resilient design in a variety of light oak to rich wood hues. It is offered in a 25 cm x 1 m format in eight colorways.
All three styles of the Earthen Forms collection feature Interface’s Ceramor+® ceramic bead coating, which minimizes everyday scratching and scuffing and provides enhanced slip resistance. This is the first Interface LVT collection with Ceramor+ available in all markets globally. In addition, as part of the company’s commitment to decarbonizing the built environment through product and supply chain innovation, Earthen Forms, like all Interface LVT, is made with 39% recycled content.
Experience Why Interface Flooring is Made for More
With Etched & Threaded and Earthen Forms, Interface continues its commitment to creating flooring solutions that never compromise on innovation, design, sustainability, and performance. The collections are complementary, offering choice and flexibility to designers looking to define space through texture, pattern, or color. Both are available now and can be experienced in Interface showrooms and at leading design industry events globally.
Etched & Threaded and Earthen Forms will be featured in Interface’s Chicago showroom at 345 North Wells Street during NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days. Visitors are invited to explore the space for a curated design experience where flooring applications, textures, and patterns are explored to spur creativity and excitement. The showroom features the new collections, plus products from FLOR and nora® rubber flooring, showing how Interface solutions are made for more inspiration, more climate progress, more performance, and for more ways to create purposeful spaces.
NEW YORK CITY — June 6, 2024 — FibreTrace®, a real-time verification solution for fiber integrity, today announces an innovative partnership with Target Corp. and Cargill.
Cotton ginning is the initial stage of cotton processing, where FibreTrace integrates luminescent pigments into the raw cotton, creating a unique signature where the pigments are then tracked and identified across the global supply chain. By leveraging FibreTrace’s technology, Target Corp. can trace and verify the origin of fiber in real-time, promoting accountability throughout the global textile supply chain, and increasing the value of digital-only traceability solutions.
The partnership will mark 50,000 metric tons of U.S. and Brazilian raw cotton in the first year, after first marking U.S. cotton in November 2023. This collaboration is set to pave the way for real-time verification of U.S. and Brazilian cotton, ensuring trust and credibility throughout the entire production lifecycle.
“FibreTrace is thrilled to partner with Target and Cargill to deliver innovation, transparency, and fibre integrity for U.S and Brazilian cotton,” said Mitch Standen, head of Americas for FibreTrace.
“We hope that this partnership will inspire a ripple effect of change, demonstrating to other companies what is possible,” said Danielle Statham, founder & managing director of FibreTrace. “We encourage the level of traceability this partnership provides to customers for other brands to follow our lead.”
The partnership between FibreTrace, Target, and Cargill underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and transparency in the apparel and home products industries.
“Achieving full visibility to where the cotton used to produce our products is grown is among the top priorities of our sustainability goals,” said Bill Foudy, senior vice president, and president, Owned Brands, at Target. “Our partnership with FibreTrace and Cargill is an important step to improve traceability for the industry and will enable us to accelerate those efforts with our suppliers.”
FibreTrace uniquely connects physical and digital traceability to provide unparalleled results, starting with the integration of patent luminescent pigments into the raw cotton at ginning, imparting a unique signature on the fiber. Pigments are then scanned and tracked at each point across the supply chain, with real-time onsite identification and verification. Data is securely uploaded to Blockchain and shared through the FibreTrace platform, or a digital platform of the brand’s choice.
“Cargill plays a crucial role as the supply chain partner, ensuring FibreTrace is implemented in our process at the gin and then delivering that specific cotton to Target,” said Matt Dunbar, managing director, Cargill Cotton. “We are excited to have the opportunity to build a traceable supply chain that helps Target pinpoint where their cotton is sourced building on the technology provided by FibreTrace.”
The three-way collaboration represents a significant milestone for the cotton and textile industries, opening a pathway for brands to gain access to real-time verification, enabling substantiation of U.S. and Brazilian cotton claims, authenticating the origin of the fiber, and instilling trust and confidence in consumers.
ECOHUES™, an waterless dyeing technology developed by technology start-up Exponent Envirotech, features a recyclable non-aqueous solvent that reduces water usage and dye usage by 95 percent and 40 percent, respectively.1
TW Special Report
Lenzing Group, a global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, has partnered with technology start-up Exponent Envirotech to introduce ECOHUES™, a waterless dyeing technology to wood-based cellulosic fibers. The technology, regarded as a possible alternative to conventional water-based dyeing, can be applicable to cotton and linen yarns. Through collaboration with Lenzing, for the first time, ECOHUES is applied to cellulosic fibers, namely TENCEL™ branded lyocell and modal fibers, as well as LENZING™ branded viscose fibers, which are certified with the EU Ecolabel for environmental excellence2. Joining forces with Hong Kong-based innovative knitwear manufacturer Cobalt Fashion, the dynamic trio is setto bring the scientific breakthrough to the mainstream textile market.
“At Lenzing, we are constantly collaborating with partners to identify innovative solutions that not only ensure product quality but also strive to reduce usage of our planet’s resources. The collaboration with Exponent Envirotech and Cobalt Fashion is a testament to such dedication, as we bring scalable innovations to the textile value chain,” said Rex Mok, director of Technical Marketing and Development, Global Textiles Business, Lenzing. “We are excited to incorporate ECOHUES a revolutionary dyeing technique, to lyocell, modal and viscose fibers for the first time. With the availability of such technology, we are taking a crucial step towards systematically reforming conventional practices within the textile value chain.”
ECOHUES™: an innovative solution that improves resource efficiency and ensures color vibrancy3
For every ton of yarn, 120 tons of water is required in the traditional dyeing process. This usually involves pretreatment, water-based dyeing, washing, and finishing under a chemically intensive environment. ECOHUES technology effectively replaces the use of water in the dyeing process with a non-aqueous solvent that is 99.8 percent reusable and streamlines the pretreatment and finishing processes by nearly removing the need for soap washing after dyeing. This helps to reduce the overall water usage by 95 percent compared to traditional dyeing methods. The simplified process not only lowers water and energy consumption but also boosts cost-effectiveness and production efficiency by significantly reducing the traditional dyeing duration from 12 hours to 6-8 hours.
Additionally, ECOHUES eliminates the use of salt as a common dyeing assistant to address the industry’s long-standing issue of high salinity in textile wastewater. With a 40 percent dyestuff saving, ECOHUES greatly reduces the amount of dye required while ensuring a color fixation rate of over 97 percent which outperforms the average rate of traditional water bath dyeing by more than 30 percent, maintaining a stable color performance of the yarn. Complementing the use of yarns made of TENCEL and LENZING ECOVERO™ fibers which are made with at least 50-percent less carbon emissions and water consumption4 and further reduce the overall energy and chemical usage compared to cotton by skipping the bleaching process with its natural white color, it offers a more responsible choice for customers and brand partners.
“As a company dedicated to sustainable and energy-optimization solutions for the industry, Exponent Envirotech has been a champion of environmental-friendly innovation since day one,” said Wesley Choi, chairman, Exponent Envirotech.
“This project integrates sustainable production practices with responsible materials, forging a new standard for resource-efficient and environmentally friendly fashion production within the industry.”
Power Of Collaboration To Systematically Reform To Conventional Practices Within The Textile Value Chain
While the ECOHUES technology could be applied to almost all segments including innerwear, ready-to-wear, activewear and footwear in which cellulosic fibers are widely used, knitwear has been chosen as the application to bring the results of the collaboration to life. Produced by Cobalt Fashion, the knitwear collection is crafted with yarns made with Lenzing fibers dyed with ECOHUES technology demonstrating how Lenzing’s cellulosic fibers, when combined with the technology, can enhance the performance of knitwear, meeting the demands of consumers who seek both style and sustainability.
“As we strive to lead in sustainable fashion, Cobalt Fashion relentlessly pursues innovative yarns that reduce carbon emissions and water usage while maintaining performance and affordability,” remarked Andrew Dixon, senior vice president, Merchandising, Cobalt Fashion. “Non-water dyeing methods often require less energy when compared to conventional dyeing techniques. This energy efficiency can lead to cost savings for textile manufacturers and contribute to a more sustainable industry. This partnership is an important first step as we join hands to create far-reaching impact and bring systematic change across the textile industry.”
1 When compared to conventional water-based dyeing processes.
2 EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001).
3 https://ecohues.earth
4 Compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell, modal and viscose. The results were calculated according to LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and are made available via the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (Version 3.7).
PHILADELPHIA — June 5, 2024 — Patricia McCaul, AIA, LEED AP, and Principal at architecture and interior design firm Rottet Studio, was inducted into Drexel University’s Drexel 100 on May 10, 2024.
The Drexel 100 award has been bestowed upon distinguished Drexel University alumni every two years since 1992 (the Centennial celebration of the founding of Drexel University). It recognizes Patricia’s remarkable contributions to the field of architecture and design as well as Rottet Studio’s ongoing dedication to nurturing future talents through the Drexel Co-Op program.
Drexel 100 inductee Patricia McCaul standing with John Fry, President of Drexel University, at left, and Drexel University Trustee and Drexel 100 Chair, Angela Dowd-Burton, at right.
McCaul has been with Rottet Studio since its inception in May 2008, following a 14-year career with DMJM Rottet in Los Angeles where she served as a Senior Associate and worked alongside Rottet Studio Principals Lauren Rottet and Richard Riveire.
“Patricia has been highly influential in Rottet Studio’s success over the past decade and especially in the last couple years, devoting her time and extreme diligence to the details of our projects from coast to coast, while keeping our clients happy and mentoring her team with a positive attitude that is simply unmatched,” said Rottet. “All of us at Rottet Studio congratulate her for this significant professional accomplishment.”
BURLINGTON, N.C. — June 4, 2024 — Glen Raven Inc., a global supplier of performance fabrics, announced today that Joseph “Joey” Davis, a seasoned executive with more than 30 years of experience in consumer products, sales and supply chain, has been named the next president of Glen Raven Material Solutions Group. Davis, who most recently served as president and general manager of Jacuzzi Luxury Bath, succeeds Dave Swers, who is retiring after a 35-year career at Glen Raven.
Joey Davis
“Joey’s extensive experience in business strategy, business model design, supply chain and sales leadership will serve him well as the next president of our Material Solutions Group,” said Glen Raven CEO Leib Oehmig. “His career has been defined by creating a customer experience that is second to none, and most recently, Joey oversaw major transformation of a company business model resulting in new growth platforms that continue to deliver significant results.
“We are eager to add Joey’s perspective, skills and experiences to our collective team at Glen Raven,” Oehmig added.
Prior to joining Glen Raven, Davis led Jacuzzi Luxury Bath, part of the Jacuzzi Group Worldwide, for nearly 11 years. He previously served in sales and supply chain leadership roles at Stanley Black & Decker Inc., and Price Pfister.
“I am very humbled to join Glen Raven Material Solutions and play a part in elevating some of the most iconic performance fabric brands the world over,” Davis said. “I consider myself a custodian in this role and am honored to serve, help expand our brands and make our customers’ lives better. I can’t wait to see what we do together.”
In his role as president of the largest division in Glen Raven’s portfolio, Davis will oversee go-to-market strategies and manufacturing operations for Glen Raven Material Solutions Group’s Furnishings, Shade & Marine and Protective business units, as well as its European business and Asia operations. This includes Sunbrella, the flagship brand of Glen Raven; Dickson, a French-based brand acquired by Glen Raven in 1998; GlenGuard, a global leader in high-performance protective fabrics; and Glen Raven Asia, a state-of-the-art manufacturing center established to meet the demands of a global consumer base.
“At Glen Raven, we pride ourselves on supporting our customers, and our ability to serve them and measure and track results is on display every day,” Davis said. “I look forward to helping our team weave tight connections with our customers and stay abreast of market and technology changes that impact their businesses.”
Swers, who joined Glen Raven in 1989, was instrumental in establishing the leadership position of Sunbrella fabrics within the casual furniture industry. Under his leadership, his team elevated Sunbrella from its roots as a sturdy canvas fabric to a fashion-forward global brand that is now known for both fabric performance and market-leading design. He also led Sunbrella into new applications and channels, encouraged Glen Raven to create differentiation in indoor furniture by leveraging the Sunbrella performance story and was pivotal in Glen Raven’s efforts to globalize the Sunbrella brand in the furniture and marine markets.
Swers was named president of Glen Raven Material Solutions Group (formerly Custom Fabrics) in 2013 and was also a driving force and executive sponsor for the creation of the new Glen Raven Consumer Solutions Group, part of the company’s move closer to the consumer.
“Throughout his career, Dave has led with integrity and a vision for the future,” Oehmig said. “I will miss his wise counsel and am grateful that he dedicated more than three decades of his career to Glen Raven. I also appreciate Dave’s willingness to have worked alongside Joey to ensure a seamless transition prior to beginning his much-deserved retirement.”
ISTANBUL, Turkey — June 7, 2024 — Bringing together the world’s textile technology leaders in Istanbul, ITM 2024 Exhibition has achieved a great success by hosting thousands of visitors from 94 countries in its first 3 days. Professional visitors and investors from countries such as Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Rwanda, Mauritius, Mongolia, Tuvalu, Taiwan, Singapore, Rwanda, Mauritius, Mongolia, Tuvalu, Taiwan, Singapore once again demonstrated the global attraction power of the exhibition.
