COLUMBIA, S.C. — May 1, 2024 — The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) has elected Kevin Brown, senior vice president of Global Operations for the Textile Division at Milliken & Company, as the chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. The election took place at SCMA’s two-day annual meeting.
Kevin Brown
“I am honored to be elected by my colleagues to serve as Chair of the SCMA,” Brown said. “Manufacturing is the backbone of South Carolina’s economy, and the SCMA has served a significant role in advocating policies and initiatives that drive our industry towards continued prosperity and growth. I look forward to continuing this work and advancing our industry throughout the Palmetto State.”
Brown currently serves as the senior vice president of Global Operations for the Textile Division at Milliken & Company, where he oversees Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Supply Chain across the firm’s 26 textile manufacturing sites worldwide, leading a team of over 4,000 employees. As he steps into his 30th year with the company in 2025, Kevin takes pride in working towards enhancing Milliken’s comprehensive lean-based, continuous improvement program applied across their global network.
His journey with Milliken began in 1995 as a process engineer at the Enterprise Plant. Over the years, he has held various leadership roles, including his time as the Nonwovens Commercial Director and multiple plant leadership positions. Throughout his tenure, Kevin has been instrumental in driving cost improvements, ensuring better safety measures, and fostering diversified product development both domestically and internationally.
Brown is a proud alumnus of Clemson University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1994. He served as vice president of Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers for the SC Chapter and has served as a member and past chairman of Clemson University’s Industrial Engineering Advisory Board, contributing to his long-standing relationship with the University.
The full slate of SCMA Board Members that were elected include:
Executive Committee
Chair – Kevin Brown, Milliken & Company
Immediate Past Chair – Tommy Preston, The Boeing Company
First Vice Chair – Grant Burns, AFL
Second Vice Chair – Andrew Dill, Lockheed Martin
Treasurer – Curtis Hutto, Thompson Construction Group, Inc.
Textile Council Chair – Ellis Fisher, Inman Mills
Council Chairs
Automotive Council Chair – Matthew Hamrick, Mercedes-Benz Vans
Chemistry Council Chair – Nicole McCracken, BASF
Lowcountry Manufacturers Council Chair – Nate McGaughey, Nucor Steel Berkeley
Tire Council Chair – Chris Gullott, Bridgestone
Terms Expiring 2025
Dex Battista, Magna
Matthew Bowers, Sage Automotive Interiors
Ron Freed, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. South Carolina Manufacturing
Keller Kissam, Dominion Energy
Jason Meredith, Continental
Hunter Mottel, Sleep Number
Michael Tschantz, Ingevity
Terms Expiring 2026
Scott Craig, JTEKT
Cameron Hamrick, Hamrick Mills
Mike Lee, Nucor Steel Berkeley
Jann Moore, Caterpillar Inc.
Francesca Mosteller, Michelin
Dan Royston, A.O. Smith
Katie Yehl, Volvo Cars
Terms Expiring 2027
Bill Alexander, Celanese Polymer Products, LLC
Blair Belk, Coca-Cola Consolidated
Michelle DiMaio, Tetramer Technologies
Kate Konopasek, Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.
SEOUL, South Korea and SAN DIEGO, CA — May 1, 2024 — As part of its corporate ESG commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 and supporting the wider textile industry to meet evolving sustainability goals, Hyosung TNC, the world’s largest manufacturer of spandex, has partnered with sustainable materials leader, Geno, to start construction at its plant in Vietnam of facilities to produce BIO BDO derived from sugarcane, commencing Q2 2026.
BDO is the technical name for butanediol, a chemical traditionally made from fossil fuels and a major ingredient in the manufacture of spandex. Through proven plant-based Geno™ BDO technology, which ferments sugars derived from sugarcane to replace the fossil raw materials such as coal, Hyosung can build upon the successful launch of its extensive range of certified regen™ BIO Spandex products already adopted by leading global activewear brands.
Hyosung’s partnership with Geno establishes the world’s first fully integrated manufacturing site for bio-based spandex from renewable raw material to fiber. The project will fast track the production of BIO BDO with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons in the second half of 2026 — with the aim of expanding capacity up to a total of 200,000 tons/year to meet expected industry demands of BIO-based spandex.
“Through this vertical integration from raw material to yarn for regen BIO Spandex, our goal is to increase production efficiency, provide faster response to our customer needs, and integrate value chains to help minimize carbon footprint,” said Sora Yoo, Hyosung chief marketing officer, Textiles. “As a total sustainable textile solutions provider, we are excited about our close collaboration with Geno on our BIO BDO project to pass along significant carbon footprint reductions across the value chain so we can all make an impact towards a better future.”
San Diego, Calif.-based Geno is a biotechnology company of Materials Transition, accelerating the world’s transformation to sustainable materials by replacing fossil fuel resources with plants. Its technology enables greater supply chain resilience, performance, and sustainability impact for many of the world’s largest brands and suppliers. For more than two decades, Geno has been scaling technology to enable the production of sustainable materials derived from plant- or waste-based feedstocks instead of fossil fuels. It has commercialized sustainable alternatives to commonly used ingredients and materials across several industries to include beauty, apparel, automotive and homecare including lululemon, Unilever, Kao, and L’Oréal.
“Geno’s partnership with Hyosung marks a major step forward to accelerate our mission to create supply chains that are responsibly sourced, traceable, and transparent,” said John Gugel, president of Geno. “When our integration is operational, GENO BDO will be driving over five percent of the global market for BDO, following a rapid adoption curve much like we have seen in electric cars and renewables. Hyosung will lead this materials transition by producing more traceable, transparent, and responsibly sourced spandex.”
According to Yoo, there are no differences in the physical properties of regen BIO Spandex compared to spandex made with fossil fuels. Hyosung anticipates up to 80% reduction for its regen BIO Spandex products produced in its Vietnam plant by 2026. This number is based on industry data and internal metrics. After the product launch, the company will provide a comprehensive third-party LCA incorporating full data.
Understanding the importance of third-party certification, Hyosung has received ISCC+ international certification, a global sustainability and carbon certification system in 2023 on top of SGS certification, verifying it manufactured BIO-spandex partly using raw materials to replace petroleum-based ingredients.
Hyosung’s investment of $1 billion in its future BIO BDO business underlines its commitment to building ‘a better tomorrow’. The company will continue to supply customers with its existing range of regen BIO Spandex and help them transition to the new product in 2026
CHICAGO — April 30, 2024 — Manufacturing companies in the United States have invested heavily in more automation: total installations of industrial robots rose by 12 percent and reached 44,303 units in 2023. Number one adopter is the car industry followed by the electrical and electronics sector. These are preliminary results, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
“The United States has one of the most advanced manufacturing industries worldwide,” says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). “The first IFR outlook on preliminary results shows again strong robotics demand across all major segments of U.S. manufacturing in 2023.”
U.S. automotive industry
Sales in the automotive segment rose by 1% with a record number of 14,678 robots installed in 2023. This comes after installations in 2022 skyrocketed by 47% reaching 14,472 units. The market share of car and component makers hit 33% of all industrial robot installations in the U.S. in 2023. The United States has the second largest production volume of cars and light vehicles worldwide, following China.
“Automotive manufacturers currently invest in robotics mainly to drive the electric vehicle transition and respond to labor shortages,” says Marina Bill.
U.S. electrical and electronics industry
Installations in the electrical and electronics industry rose by 37% to 5,120 units in 2023. This number almost reached the record pre-pandemic level of 5,284 units, seen in 2018. The latest result represents a market share of 12% of all industrial robots installed in the U.S. manufacturing industry.
Demand for industrial robots in this segment is influenced by a trend to strengthen domestic supply chains and projects that drive the clean-energy transition.
Other strong U.S. sectors
Installation counts in other industries exceeding the 3,000-unit mark in the U.S. are: metal and machinery (4,123 units, +6%) and plastic and chemical products (3,213 units, +5%). They represent a market share of 9% and 7% of industrial robot installations in 2023, respectively.
Canada and Mexico
Robot installation in Canada reached 4,616 units – up 43%. The automotive industry accounts for 55% of the country´s robot installations. Sales to the automotive sector rose by 99% with 2,549 units installed in 2023. This is an all-time high.
Robot installations in Mexico´s manufacturing industry remain almost unchanged with 5,868 units in 2023. The country´s main adopter is the automotive industry which accounted for 69% of the robot installations in 2023: sales reached 4,068 units (-0%) in 2023 – the third best result since the peak level of 4,805 units, in 2017.
World Robotics 2024
Final results of the new World Robotics data will be released by IFR on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
The AUTOMATE Show in Chicago – May 6-9, 2024
Meet the IFR staff and members at North America’s largest robotics and automation event. This is the place for anyone looking for automation solutions. With over 800 exhibitors, the show floor hosts leading automation solutions from around the world. IFR booth #2790 at McCormick Place.
Posted: April 30, 2024
Source: The International Federation of Robotics (IFR)
OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — April 30, 2024 — Techtextil has been one of the most important trade fairs for the technical textiles industry since 1986 covering 20 editions. The organizer, Messe Frankfurt, took the occasion of this milestone anniversary to honor the founding exhibitors at a ceremony. The festive get-together took place on April 24, 2024, in Hall 9 and brought together a number of companies with a long tradition, including the KARL MAYER GROUP.
With this award, Messe Frankfurt is honoring the commitment of exhibitor pioneers in the technical textiles industry. “We celebrate the past, the present and the future of this dynamic industry with you,” can be read on the mini stele, which was presented by Detlef Braun, member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt, and Sabine Scharrer, director Techtextil.
Jochen Schmidt, general manager of KARL MAYER Technical Textiles, appreciates being among those honored. “We are delighted to have been involved right from the start and to have laid the foundations for the success of the trade fair. Techtextil is also today still an important platform for us to present our innovations and meet our customers”.
The KARL MAYER GROUP looks back on a successful Techtextil 2024 and is already looking forward to the next edition.
ZÜRICH, Switzerland — April 30, 2024 — TMAS, the Swedish Textile Machinery Association, has become the latest Associate Member of the ITMF, which continues to expand as the international forum for the global textile manufacturing value chain.
ITMF members already include companies responsible for approximately 90 percent of global textile and apparel production and the Federation’s reach continues to be extended through ventures such as this year’s Annual Conference, which will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 8-10, alongside the International Apparel Federation’s 2024 Fashion Convention. This follows on from the highly successful 2023 ITMF Annual Conference which took place in Keqiao, China.
TMAS members have a similar global perspective as the leading Swedish companies providing textile technology.
Expertise within the association ranges advanced systems for yarn fault detection and tension monitoring, to yarn feeding technology for weaving, automated sewing production lines, cutting machines, embroidery technology, effective material handling systems, spray application system for fabric finishing and much more.
“ITMF is delighted to welcome TMAS as its latest member, which will only strengthen our position as a unique international platform for the global textile value chain,” said ITMF Director General Christian Schindler. “Forging links with advanced textile machinery providers is extremely beneficial to our textile and apparel manufacturing members, who are always seeking the latest technologies and solutions which will help them to keep a step ahead in a very fast-changing and often challenging business environment.”
“Active collaboration across the supply chain is now vital to achieving the textile industry’s sustainable goals and we all need to work more closely together going forward,” adds TMAS Secretary General Therese Premier-Andersson. “Joining the ITMF provides TMAS members firstly with a unique set of statistics, publications and surveys that help in better understanding the global dynamics of the textile value chain. In addition, ITMF conferences and workshops provide unique opportunities for our members to meet and network with industry colleagues from around the world. ITMF’s information and networks are helping the industry to better analyze global trends and develop winning strategies.”
Posted: April 30, 2024
Source: International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)
NEWARK, Del. — April 30, 2024 — Primient Covation LLC, operating its PDO business under the name CovationBio PDO(formerly DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC), proudly announces 2024 is the 20-year anniversary of the first investment to commercialize Susterra® propanediol (known as Susterra® PDO or Susterra 1,3 propanediol) and Zemea® propanediol (known as Zemea® PDO or Zemea 1,3 propanediol), the high-performance, renewably sourced biomaterials helping to reduce global dependence on petroleum-based materials across a variety of consumer and industrial applications. CovationBio PDO is the world’s first and largest producer of 100 percent bio-based 1,3 propanediol. Now, with a 77,000t (Metric Tonnes) capacity, and plans for a future expansion on the horizon, CovationBio PDO is ready to answer the growing global demand for renewably-sourced solutions across a variety of industries including adhesives, apparel, coatings, cosmetics, foods & flavors, footwear, heat-transfer fluids, home care products, inks, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals.
Susterra PDO and Zemea PDO are innovative technologies that enhance product performance and are sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived 1,3-propanediol, 1,4 butanediol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol. Susterra PDO and Zemea PDO are made from 100-percent regeneratively grown dent corn from the Midwestern U.S. and processed in Loudon, Tenn.
For two decades, CovationBio PDO has built a legacy as a versatile, scalable, sustainable solution and trusted partner for international brands. According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal about Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), “If the global population reaches 9.8 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets will be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles. It’s in [a] businesses’ [best] interest to find new solutions that enable sustainable consumption and production patterns.”
“Susterra and Zemea 1,3 propanediol, give our customers an option to transition to a 100% biorenewable, raw material ingredient based on the C14, ASTM 6866 standard method. It also enables our customers to drive an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and lower their carbon footprint, which contributes significantly to the global 2030-2050 climate goals,” said John Hurban, vice president of global marketing and sales at CovationBio PDO. “In addition to the positive environmental impacts of Susterra PDO and Zemea® PDO, our customers have access to a multi-functional molecule that has proven performance enhancements for their products. Since our inception in 2004, our team has continuously met our customers’ needs, and the market’s needs, with science-based data and continued expansion of the plant. CovationBio PDO is in the process of planning its next 33000t expansion. We’re excited to be part of this journey with our value chain partners to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.”
In its 20 year history, CovationBio PDO products Susterra PDO and Zemea PDO have served as a responsible choice for forward thinking companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint and shift to renewable materials to meet ESG goals. They’ve also been the catalyst for many industry firsts. Highlights from the past 20-years include:
2000
DuPont, in association with Genencor, develops a patented process to create 1,3 propanediol (PDO).
2004
DuPont and Tate & Lyle enter a joint venture, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC, investing $100 million to commercialize a new, high performance, renewably sourced biomaterial.
2006
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC begins production of 1,3 propanediol at its facility in Loudon,Tennessee, USA.
2007
Zemea® propanediol becomes a key ingredient in Terra Natural’s renewably sourced, non-sticky texture deodorants.
2008
Susterra® propanediol launches into high-performance unsaturated polyester resins for use in the construction, marine, and automotive industries.
2016
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certifies Zemea® PDO and Susterra® PDO as 100% bio-based ingredients under its BioPreferred® program.
2017
Reebok announces its Cotton + Corn initiative designed to develop sustainable products “made from things that grow” and launched the first plant-based shoe utilizing Susterra® propanediol to create the sole.
2019
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products LLC increases production by 35 million pounds.
2022
Ownership change occurs. The joint venture of DuPont Tate & Lyle LLC changes its name to Primient Covation LLC and begins to operate its PDO business under the company name CovationBio PDO as the producer of Susterra PDO and Zemea PDO.
CovationBio announces its work with Truterra, LLC and Primient to support regenerative farming—specifically for farmed corn. The program currently includes over 1.2 million acres of sustainably grown row crops in the U.S. Midwest, including dent corn, the ingredient used to make Susterra PDO and Zemea PDO.
2023
Saucony launches the corn-powered Triumph RFG featuring a midsole made from 55-percent Susterra propanediol. It’s Saucony’s most sustainable shoe to date, making an immediate impact to reduce its environmental footprint.
2024
CovationBio PDO continues to be the largest global producer of 100% plant-based 1,3 propanediol and begins plans for a forthcoming 33000t expansion.
Susterra® PDO Features
A petroleum-free, high-performing, sustainable solution for a wide range of polyurethane applications
Performance polymers in automotive, fashion, footwear, and sports. Examples of Susterra PDO in action: Saucony Midsole with 55% Susterra based content in a performance running shoe under the Run For Good line; Insite® Ecocomfort® insoles with up to 60% Susterra® based content used across a variety of footwear brands and in aftermarket; Hyosung Spandex® for active wear usage adopted by Pangaia and other fashion brands
Artificial leather for shoes and car interiors
Monomer building block for coatings and resins for industrial and wood applications or as bio-solvent in architectural coatings replacing petroleum-based materials. Susterra PDO can also be used in adhesives and inks.
In functional fluids such as heat transfer and engine coolants Susterra PDO provides favorable viscosity and thermal stability characteristics
Zemea® PDO Features
Personal Care: A solution to remove petroleum from the formula while offering sensory characteristics that are gentler for the body
Home Care: A plant-based bio-solvent for household cleaning products replacing petroleum based glycols
Food & Flavors: Zemea PDO reduces bitterness and enhances sweetness in food and beverage products (limited use in USA)
Pharmaceuticals: A bio-alternative for petroleum-based glycols
LOS ANGELES — April 30, 2024 — Hologenix is announcing its inaugural product launch with DAGi, one of the leading underwear brands in Turkey. The brands have teamed up to introduce eco-friendly sleep sets that use Hologenix’s CELLIANT® Viscose, the first in-fiber sustainable viscose infrared (IR) solution that helps promote better sleep and faster recovery from physical fatigue.
CELLIANT technology converts body heat into infrared energy, increasing local circulation and cellular oxygenation. CELLIANT Viscose is a nature-based fabric, known for its sustainable raw material sourcing – one of their most environmentally responsible infrared carrier options on the market, a credit to the impressive efforts of partner Kelheim Fibres. The use of CELLIANT Viscose not only enhances the product’s comfort and wearability but also emphasizes the importance of creating environmentally responsible clothing.
“Our partnership with DAGi showcases our commitment to continuing our innovation and growth,” said Seth Casden, founder and CEO of Hologenix. “In order to support DAGi in this launch, we’ve formed a new mill partnership in Turkey. This strategic move allows us to deliver CELLIANT Viscose at the most affordable price, ensuring that our advanced textile technology contributes to the sustainability and efficiency of both local and global supply chain solutions to provide our partners with the most personalized options for their unique business needs. ”
The new sleepwear line is designed for both men and women and is available in a variety of styles and sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large. It includes sets of T-shirts and shorts, as well as T-shirts and pants, all aimed at promoting a deeper, more restorative sleep. The variety of options and use of fabrics and innovative textile ingredients make this collection a must-have for anyone seeking to optimize their sleep and overall wellness. In creating this latest product, the two companies, combining technology and sleepwear, are helping to create a transformation in the sleep industry.
“We have seen the global increase in stress levels and the profound impact this has on physical well-being,” said Erbil Yildrim, Art Director of DAGi. “We believe that CELLIANT aligns perfectly with our goal of promoting a restful night’s sleep. Better sleep leads to better energy levels and, ultimately, a higher quality of life. The unique properties of CELLIANT are known to speed recovery and increase sleep quality while also enhancing comfort, making them the right choice for anyone looking for the best sleep. We hope this is the first of many apparel products we launch with CELLIANT.”
The DAGi x CELLIANT pajama collection is available for purchase throughout Europe on the DAGi website. https://www.dagi.com.tr/catalogsearch/result/?q=celliant&personaclick_search_query=celliant&personaclick_input_query=celliant
AMSTERDAM— April 30, 2024 — Trends in fashion are ever-evolving and unpredictable. For those companies working on the manufacturing side of these dynamic sectors, being at the forefront of the evolution and able to keep up with the rapid changes is key. Among others, dye sublimation printing technology has grown to become a must-have manufacturing tool when producing fashion. Why? Arguably, it enables users to achieve top quality with vibrant, consistent colors. It’s productive, efficient, cost-effective, easy to handle, and sustainable. To sum it up in one phrase, it ticks all the boxes.
Quicksilver invested in a Tiger-1800B MkIII unit to efficiently increase the production volumes, while ensuring the high-quality standards the company is known for are met.
Digital sublimation printing is at the core of Italian company, Quicksilver. Specialized in manufacturing digital printed fabrics and garments for different textile market segments, the company has leveraged cutting-edge sublimation printing solutions to diversify and strengthen its production and achieve a leading market position. Quicksilver seamlessly moved from screen print transfer to inkjet transfer printing thanks to the extensive range of Mimaki technologies on offer. The company has now successfully built a healthy business, working side by side with fashion laboratories serving high-end fashion brands, as well as with premium sportswear brands. More recently, the company was faced with an increasingly competitive global market and all the changes and disruptions caused by COVID-19. To overcome the challenges, Quicksilver opted for a Mimaki Tiger-1800B MkIII, a cutting-edge industrial printer that brought in higher speeds, higher productivity, and unmatched quality, enabling the company to explore new opportunities and take the business to the next level.
Surfing inkjet sublimation printing technology
Quicksilver was established in 1987 in Padua (Italy) as a specialist in sublimation transfer through screen printing. Faced with this evolving market and the advent of inkjet technologies, the company quickly seized the opportunity and embraced the most advanced inkjet technologies to reshape and refresh the product portfolio and make its print applications more competitive and in line with market demand.
“We identified the opportunity inkjet printing posed and knew we needed to go in that direction. Mimaki was our first choice – the JV Series was known at the time to be one of the best transfer printing options in the market and already featured a wide format size compared to competitors. And that has proved to be the right move”, explains Plinio Cecchin, founder and owner of Quicksilver.
The company invested in its first Mimaki inkjet sublimation printers in 1997 through Bompan, an exclusive importer of Mimaki for Italy. Since then, Quicksilver has kept a keen focus on inkjet sublimation printing and continues to make further investments to this day, with Mimaki technologies at the forefront of its production processes. “Over the years we have explored all the options in the market and tried a few, but Mimaki remains the best choice for us. The innovations they constantly bring are perfectly in line with our needs and with the market demands.”
Quicksilver discontinued screen printing about five years ago and now focuses on inkjet printing exclusively. With the objective to become a more versatile business and explore different textile applications, Quicksilver installed the Mimaki TS500-1800, a high-volume sublimation printer, and two Mimaki TS55-1800 – with one unit equipped with 10-litre tanks. Leveraging those printers, the company was able to increase its competitive edge and customer reach through a strong, diverse product offering and improved customer service.
“Competing in the textile market is not easy for a mid-sized company. This is why selecting and choosing the right equipment was so crucial,” explains Mr Cecchin. “We achieved unprecedented production efficiency in the first instance, due to the extremely comprehensive firmware from Mimaki, which provides the printing information in real time, enabling extreme efficiency and reducing risk of error. Mimaki cares about every detail, and this reflects in their product performance. This way, we have elevated our own service, which is now top quality, accurate and punctual.”
Quicksilver has now consolidated its position as a leading supplier in sportswear, fashion, high-end fashion accessories market segments, as well as in the gaming and soft signage space. Its product portfolio ranges from technical sports clothing, printed apparels and garments, printed fabrics for luxury accessories like umbrellas, printed fabrics for gaming tables and soft signage applications. Besides a diverse product portfolio, the company also offers all-round services ranging from ‘print and transfer’, the supply of sublimation printed paper rolls and the transfer process only.
The Era of the Tiger
A high-speed industrial sublimation textile inkjet printer, the Tiger-1800B MkIII features Mimaki’s advanced print technology to deliver highly stable performance, market-leading print speed, and stunning print quality for both direct and transfer printing.
With a wealth of products and services on offer and a strong, reputable standing in relevant markets, Quicksilver looked to take the next step to overcome the new challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher volumes were in the company’s sights, so the management went on the hunt for an industrial, robust textile sublimation printing system.
After exploring the different options available in the market, Quicksilver turned to the Mimaki Tiger-1800B MkIII and purchased a unit in May 2021 through Mimaki Bompan Textile, a joint venture between Mimaki and Bompan specialised in providing digital printing solutions for the textile and apparel market. According to Plinio Cecchin: “The ever-evolving textile printing market requires continuous investment. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the market changed dramatically and we felt the need to strengthen our competitive edge. We needed to efficiently increase the production volumes, while ensuring the high-quality standards we are known for are met. The Tiger-1800B MkIII fits all our requirements, and so did the customer service from Mimaki Bompan Textile.”
A high-speed industrial sublimation textile inkjet printer, the Tiger-1800B MkIII features Mimaki’s advanced print technology to deliver highly stable performance, market-leading print speed, and stunning print quality for both direct and transfer printing. “Not only can we achieve consistent top quality at a higher speed, but also the printer features a robust body and an advanced conveyor belt engineered to transport the transfer paper, enabling safe loading of the jumbo rolls and higher image quality and precision,” explains Mr Cecchin. “The Mimaki Tiger-1800B MkIII proved extremely cost-effective, reliable, and efficient. In fact it has allowed us to produce higher, industrial volumes and so has completely transformed our business. We estimate that we have been able to cut the energy cost due to increased production efficiency. Additionally, using 10-liter ink tanks has generated savings of up to 25% on the costs of the inks, and likewise the jumbo rolls – which are extremely efficient to load and unload – further contributing to reducing production time.”
Looking back over the past two years since the investment, Mr Cecchin adds: “Overall, the Mimaki Tiger-1800B MkIII has allowed our company to become more competitive in high-volume productions, which means that today we can address all the markets where we were not competitive in before”.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — April 30, 2024 — Femography, a B2B apparel manufacturer specializing in solutions for feminine health and hygiene, has partnered with GenM, the menopause partner for brands and home of the MTick. Femography is the FemTech arm of MAS Holdings, the largest Apparel Tech Company in South Asia. Become Clothing, a subsidiary of Femography, is already a founding partner of GenM.
Femography creates clothing solutions to meet the unseen needs of women across all stages of the feminine journey from menstruation, maternity to menopause, and everything in between. As a pioneer in the FemTech industry, Femography works with a host of renowned global brands, developing products across intimate wear, activewear, and swimwear. Spearheading the menopause revolution together, this partnership will enable Femography to signpost the brand’s menopause-friendly products and solutions via GenM’s MTick, furthering the opportunity for global firms to carry its modern-day functional, innovative, and conscious solutions to consumers.
Overwhelming independent research from GenM shows that women are demanding more from the brands they’ve been loyal to throughout their lives:
90% menopausal women say brands should be more inclusive to menopause
87% feel overlooked by the brands they use everyday
80% of women want clear labelling of menopause-friendly products
66% of menopausal women feel brands don’t signpost menopause-friendly products clearly
Heather Jackson, GenM co-founder
In response to this, GenM is igniting manufacturers, brands and retailers to better understand, respect, and serve the needs of the menopause audience, often overlooked and underserved. GenM also created the game changing MTick – the universal symbol and signage for menopause-friendly products – delivering much-needed trust and control for consumers. Transforming products the way women search, source and shop for menopause solutions, the MTick signposts products that can ease, relieve or support any of the 48 menopause symptoms and signs.
The MTick is exclusively available to GenM Partners and only products that meet the strict qualifying criteria of this accreditation can proudly display the symbol on packaging, advertising, marketing, online shopping pages, or at point of sale. The MTick is already visible on hundreds of product SKUs and is also positioned in Boots and Tesco stores across the UK, with the likes of Morrisons soon to follow.
Powered by the Patented Anti-Flush™ Technology, Femography’s intelligent menopause clothing range is specially designed alongside women including mothers, athletes and doctors, to manage symptoms of the menopause. The Brand’s non-invasive, non-medical lifestyle solutions help manage hot flushes and night sweats, the number one symptom associated with the menopause. Femography will be working closely with GenM to normalise the conversation around menopause and to bring real change to ‘the change’.
Pilar Diaz, CEO of Femography by MAS
Pilar Diaz, CEO of Femography by MAS said, “We design to serve our core purpose of bringing greater health, comfort and confidence to all women throughout the many phases in life. Menopause is an important stage that comes with its own challenges, and we are committed to ensure women embrace such transformation with ease. Through our collaboration with GenM, we will drive more conversation about these experiences openly and expertly, extending our advanced, tested and trusted solutions to bring in a new era of empowerment for women across the world”.
Heather Jackson, GenM co-founder said, “We’re already seeing fantastic progress from working closely with Become Clothing, one of our Founding Partners, so it’s a pleasure to welcome Femography, another exciting brand from MAS Holdings, to the GenM Collective. ‘The change’ changes everything when you go through it. From activewear to nightwear and bedding, clothing and textiles play a huge role in supporting women’s lived experience throughout this life stage. Femography and MAS Holdings have been pioneers in this market, creating game-changing products that empower women to thrive through their menopause. We’re looking forward to working closely with the team to drive purposeful change and bring visibility, trust, choice, and control to women.”
CHESHIRE, England — April 29, 2024 — RSK has announced a new sustainability partnership with the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) in Malaysia.
World-renowned designer Prof Datuk (Dr) Jimmy Choo OBE with RSK Sports & Leisure Director Wayne Mumford, Dr Robert Charnock, Director of the RSK-funded Metis Institute for Climate Strategy and students from the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) in Malaysia.
This collaboration involves working on a range sustainability projects with the Sarawak Government, with RSK drawing on its network of environmental and engineering professionals in more than 200 companies and on six continents.
One such initiative is a shoe making artisanry course developed by Dodi Mohammad, from Tradisi Busana PR Sendirian Berhad, the publicist (Malaysia) representing world-renowned designer Prof Datuk (Dr) Jimmy Choo OBE. The course draws inspiration from Prof Choo’s legacy and his philosophy of “Creativity Through Skills” with the curriculum personally approved by the shoe maestro.
RSK Sports & Leisure Director Wayne Mumford, world-renowned designer Prof Datuk (Dr) Jimmy Choo OBE, Dodi Mohammad, from Tradisi Busana PR Sendirian Berhad, the publicist (Malaysia), representing Prof Choo and Dr Robert Charnock, Director of the RSK-funded Metis Institute for Climate Strategy.
CENTEXS, with the goal of incorporating sustainability across all its courses, has agreed to make the shoe making artisanry course the pilot programme for integrating a sustainability module. RSK will provide support to CENTEXS, the Sarawak Government, and the Shoe Making Artisanry course by sharing their global sustainability expertise.
RSK Board Director Ian Goodacre, who leads on the group’s APAC growth strategy, said: “This collaboration represents an exciting opportunity for RSK to work with CENTEXS and the Sarawak Government to help them achieve their sustainability goals. CENTEXSwishes to embed sustainability in all aspects of its work and, in particular, with its students who are future business leaders.”
Following the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding, representatives from RSK, along with Prof Choo, engaged with students enrolled in the shoemaking artisan course.
Dr Robert Charnock, Director of the RSK-funded Metis Institute for Climate Strategy, with CENTEXS chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Morshidi bin Abdul Ghani, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg and CENTEXS CEO Dato Haji Syeed Mohd Hussien bin Wan Abd Rahman.
RSK also hosted a sustainability roundtable with the students to brainstorm ideas on leveraging their fashion careers and future footwear brands to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, working towards the vision of a “Made In Sarawak Consortium”. This collaboration signifies a significant step towards fostering sustainability and innovation in the field of artisanry, showcasing the power of partnership in driving positive change.
CENTEXS Chief Executive Officer Dato Haji Syeed Mohd Hussien Bin Wan Abd Rahman said: “The signing of a memorandum of understanding with RSK gives me an immense pleasure to have access and opportunity to work strongly together on specifically ESG programmes and technologies.
“This will inevitably be in sync with Sarawak leadership dream to be a leader in SDG both at national and international front. As a wise man once said, journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Indeed, CENTEXS and the RSK Group have taken that first step.”
The RSK-CENTEXS collaboration is one that is expected to evolve, but it has been agreed that the work will focus on:
climate change mitigation, adaption and risk management
biodiversity strategy and nature-based solutions
environmental, social and governance (ESG) measurement, reporting and verification for certifications and regulatory compliance
ESG research for evidence-based policy and regulation
sustainability education and training.
Dr Robert Charnock, Director of the RSK-funded Metis Institute for Climate Strategy, said CENTEXS will play a key role in creating the labour force that can deliver Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030.
He said: “RSK will be supporting this by providing expertise in the green skills and training required across the Sarawak Post COVID-19 Development Strategy’s six key economic sectors: manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, forestry, mining and social services.
“In addition, CENTEXS supports the Sarawak Government strategy by developing applied research and solutions on implementing the State Government’s 2030 strategy. This is another core area for collaboration with RSK, which brings an extensive track record in sustainability regulation and policy.”
Dr Charnock, the RSK lead for the CENTEXS relationship, has already conducted a knowledge transfer workshop with Malaysia’s joint committee of three financial regulators focused on climate change.
He added that CENTEXS is also tasked with exploring and demonstrating the commercial viability of innovative green technologies. The Kuching campus will host pilot projects on solar, wind and cascading hydrogen power.
“As the Sarawak Government continues to explore the vast landscape of green energy and technology, RSK will be on standby to support in creating pilot projects, testing commercial viability and delivering training in these cutting-edge technologies.”
COLUMBIA, S.C. — May 1, 2024 — The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) has elected Kevin Brown, senior vice president of Global Operations for the Textile Division at Milliken & Company, as the chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. The election took place at SCMA’s two-day annual meeting.
