Sae-A Trading Announces Definitive Agreement To Acquire Tegra

ATLANTA and SEOUL, South Korea — APRIL 8, 2024 — Sae-A Trading, the vertically integrated garment manufacturer and supply chain solution provider, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Tegra’s operating entities in Honduras, El Salvador, and the US.

Sae-A Trading HQ in Seoul, Korea

Tegra, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, develops and manufactures sports apparel products for global brands that ultimately outfit professional, college, and high school athletes and their fans. Tegra’s integrated operational entities include Fjord and ArtFx in the US, Southern Apparel Contractors in Honduras, and Decotex in El Salvador. Those entities, acquired and integrated over time by Tegra, possess unparalleled product and manufacturing knowledge, expertise, and capabilities that benefit customers and suppliers, enabling Tegra to be the leading manufacturer of performance-driven on-field uniforms and gear for elite athletes.

Sae-A Trading, established in 1986, is a vertical textile and apparel garment manufacturer supplying the US and European retail markets, with a global production base spanning both sides of the world: Central Americaand Southeast Asia. Currently, Sae-A Trading employs more than 30,000 associates across its operations worldwide. Sae-A Trading operates in eight production countries, fully verticalized from yarn spinning, fabric knitting/dyeing, graphic printing, garment washing, and sewing.

“We are proud and thrilled to welcome Tegra into the Sae-A family,” said WK Kim, Global Sae-A Group Chairman. “This acquisition enables Sae-A Trading to further its growth trajectory, while ensuring continuous and consistent delivery of world-class products for its customers. The scale, operational bases, product development capabilities, and know-how that are being established with this combination will create significant opportunities and advantages for our customers and suppliers.” The integration of Sae-A Trading and Tegra significantly expands the company’s geographic presence, and on a combined basis, Sae-A Trading will be a market leader in the Western Hemisphere, complimenting its existing leadership position in Asia. Kim further stated that “Sae-A Trading welcomes Tegra’s vital employee base to the combined company,” and looks forward to accelerated investments in production and capabilities to better serve our valued customers.

“We have been impressed by the commitment of Sae-A to our business, region and customers, and believe this transaction represents an attractive outcome for Tegra, its employees and our stakeholders,” said Steve Cochran, Tegra’s Chief Executive Officer.

Closing is expected to take place in April 2024. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tegra was advised by Greenhill (Mizuho M&A), O’Melveny & Myers LLP and Palm Tree Advisors; while Baker McKenzie and EY advised Sae-A Trading.

Tegra will be headquartered in Seoul, Korea.

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: Global Sae-A Group

Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation Expands Associate Gift Match Program

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — APRIL 9, 2024 — The Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation today announced the expansion of its gift match program as part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to serve the communities where Milliken associates live and work. Inspired by the results of a 2023 project to better understand the needs and desire of Milliken’s associate base, the expanded program increases the number of 501c3 organizations eligible for foundation grants and allows full-time company associates in the U.S. to support a wider range of causes they care about.

“Making a substantial positive impact is an essential part of Milliken’s mission and purpose,” said Halsey Cook, president and chief executive officer of Milliken & Company and chair of the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation. “Increasing community support for causes that matter most to our people is one of the ways Milliken makes good on our commitment to our associates to build a better future.”

The original gift match program focused on providing support for public and private universities and private elementary, middle, and high schools. Now, the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation will match every dollar an associate donates up to $2,500for schools and up to $500 for other eligible organizations.

“At Milliken, we’ve always cared about the communities where we live and work — and we act with intention to demonstrate this care,” said Danna Vetter, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Milliken. “By supporting our associates’ desire to build a better future in their communities, we foster a culture rooted in trust, intentional inclusion and diversity, and empowerment.”

Milliken has a long-standing commitment to community engagement. Building on that legacy, the company formally established the reconstituted Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation in November 2020 to continue growing positive contributions through charitable donations and philanthropic programming. In addition to the expanded match program, the foundation’s core programs include community gifts focused on nonprofits in Spartanburg, SC, impact gifts to support long-term initiatives, dependent scholarships for children of full-time associates, and disaster relief.

To learn more about the Milliken & Company Charitable Foundation, visit milliken.com/foundation.

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: Milliken & Company

Avid Solutions Marks Significant Growth In Green Hydrogen And Decarbonization, Expands As Rockwell Automation’s Dedicated Delivery Partner

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — APRIL 9, 2024 — Avid Solutions, selected as the preferred delivery partner for hydrogen solutions by Rockwell Automation, has recorded exceptional revenue growth and expanded its team to meet the rising demand for innovative solutions in low-carbon emissions.

Avid Solutions, a Gold Rockwell Automation System Integrator Partner specializing in process expertise and digitally-enabled solutions, today announced significant growth in demand for the company’s decarbonization and green hydrogen (H2) services. Avid Solutions, having been named the preferred delivery partner for hydrogen solutions by Rockwell Automation, has expanded its team by 35 members in the past year to meet the increasing interest for sustainable energy projects.

Avid Solutions’ contributions to low-carbon emission initiatives have been marked by a series of achievements. The company was named the preferred green hydrogen delivery partner for Rockwell Automation after supporting decarbonization projects with control system integration, front-end engineering, PlantPAx implementation and standardization of liquefactions systems. Avid Solutions was also a nominee for an innovation award at the Rockwell Automation Partner Network Conference, based on their work in the hydrogen sector.

“We are seeing many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), process licensors, and producers entering the green H2 economy. They need expertise to scale, as well as speed to market entry,” said Tom O’Reilly, vice president, sustainability, Rockwell Automation. “With more than three decades of expertise in the process industries and helping OEMs scale, Avid Solutions is uniquely suited to help new green H2 clients implement best-in-class technology and ensure their business needs are met.”

Rockwell Automation collaborates closely with Avid Solutions to address eco-friendly hydrogen manufacturing initiatives through the delivery of specialized services, including H2 liquefaction and turnkey plant automation using Rockwell Automation PlantPAx. Avid has supported projects across various sectors, including electrolyzer OEMs, H2 liquefaction licensors, and compressor OEMs. Avid engineers are actively involved in several ongoing projects, including an initiative in Texas aimed at delivering 45 tons of green hydrogen per day. These projects have led to record revenue and significant growth in the company’s Texas and Georgia offices, with the Brazilian team doubling in size to meet the needs of clients in the sustainability sector.

“This growth and recognition underscore our efforts in shaping a cleaner, greener future,” said Gordon Bordelon, vice president, operations and technology, Avid Solutions. “The emergence of the hydrogen economy opens up exciting avenues in industrial manufacturing, power generation, and mobility. For producers looking to seize these opportunities, it’s important to partner with seasoned experts who can harness advanced technologies and confidently manage risks.”

“We are located in one of the seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) selected through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and we are actively involved in most of them.” said Avid Solutions Vice President, Sales and Marketing Mike Kiehl.  “Avid Solutions continues to deepen relationships with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms in the industry and solidify our position as a leader in decarbonization efforts. Our goals are to enable the production of 450 tons of green hydrogen per day by 2025 and 1,000 tons per day by 2030.”

Click for more information about Avid Solutions’ digital solutions for the hydrogen economy.

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: Avid Solutions, Inc.

Successful Collaboration: Groz-Beckert And Santoni Develop Innovative INNOTAS Knitting System

ALBSTADT, Germany / BRESCIA, Italy — APRIL 9, 2024 — In recent years, Italian circular knitting machine manufacturer Santoni (part of the Lonati Group) and Groz-Beckert have worked together to develop a new self-cleaning knitting system for the INNOTAS circular knitting machine. The knitting system is also called INNOTAS and consists of the circular knitting machine needle SAN™ DUO and the corresponding sinker SNK DUO-OL.

Driven by the increasing demands on sustainability aspects and the desired increases in efficiency, Groz-Beckert had the goal of developing a new, energy-efficient knitting system. Groz-Beckert approached Santoni with a corresponding cooperation request. Following various preliminary investigations, the go-ahead was finally given in January 2015 for the joint development of a self-cleaning system in the needle area with side-by-side needles and a low shank.

The circular knitting machine needle SAN™ DUO with the sinker SNK DUO-OL was developed to meet the desired requirements. The special feature: In the innovative knitting system, there are two needles in the needle channel and two sinkers in one sinker channel. The benefits became apparent in initial field trials with experienced end customers in 2016. In the following years, the knitting system was continuously analyzed and further optimized.

The double filling in the needle channel significantly reduces soiling. In addition, the further developed shape of the knitting system ensures that any yarn lint is automatically removed from the machine during the knitting process. This extends the cleaning interval, making work more time-efficient and increasing productivity.

Both the needle SAN™ DUO and the sinker SNK DUO-OL are characterized by a particularly low shaft with a predetermined breaking notch. The low shank minimizes soiling, while the predetermined breaking groove enables controlled needle breakage in the event of wear at the desired point. This reduces errors in the knitting process and machine downtimes.

Groz-Beckert offers interested machine builders various cooperation opportunities to jointly develop new products or improve existing ones. Groz-Beckert’s Technology and Development Center (TEZ) can provide the appropriate framework for co-development projects. The cooperation with Santoni has resulted in joint patents from which both companies benefit.

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: Groz-Beckert

National Retail Federation: Import Cargo To Hit 2 Million Containers For First Time Since Last Fall

WASHINGTON — APRIL 9, 2024 — Next month’s inbound cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to top 2 million units for the first time since last fall as imports grow despite new supply chain challenges, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“U.S. imports are continuing to increase despite another disruption impacting U.S. ports,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “As retailers have adjusted to limits on the use of the Panama Canal and the Red Sea, we now face the shutdown of the Port of Baltimore to vessel traffic. While it is not expected to have a national impact, the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge shows the ongoing need for flexibility and resiliency in every company’s supply chain. We are monitoring the situation closely as retailers who are affected adjust their shipping plans to ensure cargo is getting to where it needs to be.”

The Port of Baltimore has been closed to vessel traffic since a container ship struck a major bridge on March 26, collapsing the span and blocking the only shipping channel into the harbor. Baltimore is not included in Global Port Tracker’s national totals because its data is reported later than other ports, but the shutdown is having a regional impact and cargo that would normally go there is being diverted to other East Coast ports. The port handled 48,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in January.

“The Baltimore bridge accident will likely shift container imports and exports to New York/New Jersey, Virginia and other surrounding ports until a shipping channel is cleared, perhaps as soon as within a couple of months,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said.

Meanwhile, carriers have rerouted around the Red Sea and Suez Canal after attacks on vessels earlier this year while adding additional vessels and increasing vessel speed to make up for longer voyages. “Doing so has resulted in relatively stable supply chains within a short period of time,” Hackett said. “A word of caution, however, is that any further pressures on capacity could seriously impact the market.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.96 million TEU in February, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was down 0.3% from January but up 26.4% from the same month last year, when many Asian factories were closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Ports have not yet reported March’s numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 1.8 million TEU, down 7.8% from February because of Lunar New Year’s impact but up 11% year over year. April is forecast at 1.93 million TEU, up 8.4% year over year, and May at 2.04 million, up 5.5% and the highest level since 2.06 million last October. June is forecast at 2 million TEU, up 8.9%; July at 2.04 million TEU, up 6.6%, and August at 2.09 million TEU, up 6.9%.

The first half of 2024 is expected to total 11.7 million TEU, up 11% from the same period last year. Imports during 2023 totaled 22.3 million TEU, down 12.8% from 2022.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: National Retail Federation (NRF)

Staud And Wrangler® Unveil Second Installment Of Collaboration For Spring 2024

LOS ANGELES, CA — APRIL 9, 2024 — Following the resounding success of their inaugural collaboration in Fall 2023, STAUD and Wrangler®, two leaders in American fashion, today announced the launch of a denim-filled second installment for Spring 2024. The fusion of STAUD’s contemporary Americana aesthetic and Wrangler’s iconic Western heritage results in a fresh take on denim classics, offering a blend of modern sophistication and timeless style.

The Spring 2024 STAUD + Wrangler collection introduces new spring-ready silhouettes, materials, and shades as well as updates to best-selling styles from the Fall 2023 collection. Offering denim staples to help wearers elevate the everyday and continue to build the ultimate capsule wardrobe, the collection features a range of new pieces from knit tops and dresses to a warm weather ready Bermuda Short and introduces pops of white and mid blue and features a new butter yellow color story. Returning for Spring are the Loose Jean and Biggest Jean jacket in new shades with the signature STAUD belt loop details.

The limited STAUD + Wrangler collaboration is available for purchase online at staud.clothing andWrangler.com, as well as in STAUD stores. Prices range from $165-$295.

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: STAUD / Wrangler®, of Kontoor Brands

JEC Forum Southeast Asia: Extending The Success Of Business Meetings Events To Bangkok

PARIS — APRIL 9, 2024 — Following the success of business meetings events in the DACH region and Italy over the past years, JEC is proud to announce the inaugural edition of JEC Forum Southeast Asia, in partnership with the Thai Composites Association. It is set to take place in Bangkok on June 11 and 12, 2024. This event aims to replicate the achievements of its predecessors by bringing together key stakeholders from the composites industry for two days of networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.

“We are thrilled to bring the successful formula of our business meetings events to Southeast Asia,” said Anne-Carole Barbarin, Regional Events Director at JEC . “With the region experiencing rapid growth and development, there has never been a better time to convene industry leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation.”

Drawing upon the proven formula of previous events, JEC Forum Southeast Asia will mainly feature business meetings, fostering connections between suppliers and buyers wishing to develop business in the region. Among the suppliers who have already confirmed: Asia Kangnam, Cobra International, Diab, FK Group, IST Metz SEA Co., Ltd, Lishi (Shanghai) Instrument Co., Ltd, NMG, Polymore Materials, Stathotech, Qarbon Aerospace.

In the meantime, a dynamic program designed to address the most pressing issues and opportunities facing the composites sector in the region will take place. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, attendees can expect insightful sessions, engaging panel discussions, and exclusive networking opportunities.

DAY 1 – June 11th

  • 9:30-11:00 COMPOSITES IN AUTOMOTIVE SESSION
  • 9:30 – 10:00 Keynote: Driving Innovation with Composites, Outlook of the use of Composites in BMW cars, (BMW) – Explore the advancements in the automotive sector, focusing on how BMW integrates composites for enhanced performance and sustainability.
  • 10:00 – 11:00 Panel Discussion: Sustainability Contributions of Composites in the automotive industry – Dive into the environmental aspects of composites use in the automotive industry, addressing challenges and opportunities in sustainability.
    • Prof. Kheng Lim Goh – New Castle University (Singapore)
    • Dr. Henry Shin – Managing Director, Carbon & Composites Solutions Center, KCarbon (Korea)
    • Valerio Corniani – VP Asia Pacific, Diab. (Australia)
    • Moderator: Danu Chotikapanich – CEO, Cobra International (Thailand)
  • 15:00-16:30 COMPOSITES IN DRONE & AERONAUTICS SESSION
  • 15:00 – 15:30 Keynote: Thermoplastic Cabins – Elevating the Future: Composites in the Sky (CTC an Airbus Company) – Discover the transformative impact of composites in the aerospace and drone sectors, contributing to significant advancements in air mobility.
  • 15:30 – 16:30 Panel Discussion: The Role of Composites in Drones – High-Flying Innovation: Drones and Beyond – Explore the critical role composites play in the drone industry, from design and manufacturing to the implications for future aerial technologies.
    • Qarbon Aerospace
    • Other speakers TBC

DAY 2 – June 12th

  • 9:15-10:45 COMPOSITES IN SPORTS SESSION
  • 9:15-9:45 Keynote: Market Outlook of the Sports Industry
  • 9:45-10:45 Panel Discussion: R&D and Collaboration in Composites – Synergizing Strength: The Power of Partnership – Delve into the collaborative efforts between part manufacturers, material suppliers, and academia in advancing research and development in composites.
    • Speakers TBC
  • 15:00 -16:30 COMPOSITES IN CONSTRUCTION SESSION
  • 15:00-15:30 Keynote: Building the Future: Composites in Architecture – Uncover the potential of composites in construction and architecture, focusing on innovative solutions that meet structural and environmental challenges.
    • Thammachat Kulprapha – Managing Director, Nontri Co., Ltd. (Thailand)
  • 15:30-16:30 Panel Discussion: Structures of Tomorrow: The fiber reinforced concrete
    Engage in a comprehensive discussion on how composites are driving the development and realization of groundbreaking architectural projects.

    • Speakers TBC

COMPOSITES TOUR – JUNE 13th

In addition to the conference sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the Composites Tour on June 13, 2024. This exclusive tour will provide participants with firsthand access to leading composites facilities in the region, offering a unique opportunity to witness innovation in action.

  • 8:00 am Depart from AVANI + Riverside
  • 9:27 am Composites Tour at Cobra International
  • 12:00 pm Lunch and Composites Tour at Qarbon Aerospace
  • 3:35 pm Composites Tour at Carbon Magic (Thailand) Co. Ltd.
  • 7:50 pm Back at the AVANI + Riverside

JEC Forum Southeast Asia represents a unique opportunity for stakeholders in the composites industry to come together, share ideas, and drive the sector forward.

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: JEC Group

 

“Designing For Circularity” Panel Discussion Comes To Functional Fabric Fair

BOULDER, Colo. — APRIL 9, 2024 — Quickly becoming the benchmark for sustainability, circularity presents a simple solution for many of the world’s complex waste issues. However, in a quickly changing textile marketplace with increasing regulatory pressures, designing circular products can be anything but simple.

To help demystify this accelerating paradigm shift, the Designing for Circularity panel is coming to Portland’s Functional Fabric Fair, where expert panelists will inform and inspire the next generation of product designers and developers.

Scheduled for Wednesday, April 17th at 2:00pm and hosted by textile industry communications agency Formidable Media, the Designing for Circularity panel will bring together experts in materials sourcing, textile finishes, trims, sustainability, recycling, natural materials, and more, to help designers, product developers, and brand representatives make the choices needed to become leaders in the future of sustainable products.

“Fashion is regularly listed among the top five largest polluting industries in the world and our panel of experts hope to  help shape future design and sustainability decisions to mitigate fashion’s outsized impact on the environment,” said Scott Kaier, Founder and President of Formidable Media. “Informed and innovative design is the first step in creating circular products, so today’s designers will be instrumental in creating a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

Hand-picked from across the outdoor, fashion, lifestyle, and footwear industries, the Designing for Circularity panelists include:

  • Daniel Uretsky, President, ALLIED Feather + Down
  • Martin Flora, VP of Business Development, Green Theme Technologies
  • Sarah Schlinger, R&D Commercialization Manager, Woolmark
  • Sharon Perez, Senior Business Development Manager, Lenzing Group
  • Brian La Plante, Senior Manager of Sustainability, YKK
  • Theresa McKenney Director of Sustainability, NEMO Equipment 

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: Formidable Media

emtec Electronic Redefines Textile Haptic Analysis At Functional Fabric Fair Spring 2024

LEIPZIG, Germany— APRIL 9, 2024 — When it comes to assessing the tactile properties of textiles, relying only on the subjective impressions of hand-feel testers can be insufficient. This is because individual testers’ sensitivity, daily conditions, and cultural backgrounds can all influence their perceptions. As a result, an objective evaluation of haptic parameters is crucial for clear communication of product specifications across locations.

TSA2

Emtec’s TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer addresses this challenge by providing an objective number on how a fabric subjectively feels to the touch. The device boasts high accuracy, aligning with results from traditional hand panel testing methods conducted by ‘touch experts’ with a correlation of up to 100%. Beyond evaluating softness, smoothness, stretch, and recovery (which can be determined in under two minutes), it also measures additional tactile parameters, such as thermo-haptic, friction, and crumple or drape behavior. Moreover, a camera has been included to provide optical analysis of a sample.

Accompanying the TSA is the Virtual Haptic Library, a cloud-based database engineered to digitize and categorize sample data. When used in conjunction with the TSA, this innovative platform enables real-time global accessibility to haptic test results. Manufacturers can compare samples and detect deviations in set haptic parameters, facilitating enhanced transparency, traceability, and efficiency in the supply chain.

Alexander Gruener, Global Business Development Manager at emtec, expressed the significance of these innovations: “Technologies like our TSA device and Virtual Haptic Library provide textile manufacturers with invaluable insight into their product’s tactile properties, enabling data-driven decisions that enhance quality and streamline production. By quantifying and digitizing touch parameters, the need to ship samples globally for haptic validation is eliminated, resulting in a rapid return on investment and improved production efficiency.”

Step into the future of textile haptic analysis with emtec at booth 1205D at the Functional Fabric Fair Spring 2024. Emtec’s Alexander Gruener and Rodger Segelstrom from partner company Technidyne of Industrial Physics will be on-site to demonstrate the TSA’s capabilities and its benefits when used in conjunction with the cloud-based library.

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: emtec Electronic GmbH

Borealis Invests 4.5 Million Euros In Porvoo Steam Cracker, Enabling Increased Share Of Circular Raw Materials Used In Production

VIENNA, Austria — APRIL 9, 2024 — Borealis announces a 4.5 million euro investment in the cracker furnaces of its olefins unit in Porvoo, Finland. This investment ensures that the Porvoo steam cracker, which is part of a highly integrated petrochemical complex, can increase the share of renewable and recycled raw materials used in its base chemicals (ethylene and propylene) production; thus, supporting Borealis Strategy 2030 and driving the transformation to a circular economy. The Porvoo investment program, which has already been kicked off and is expected to be completed in 2025, follows last year’s completion of a major cracker furnace update in Stenungsund, Sweden.

Porvoo, Finalnd, petrochemical plant aerial view

The Porvoo steam cracker, which has a nameplate capacity of 430 kilotons ethylene and 263 kilotons propylene per year, is a facility that thermally “cracks” feedstock — such as naphtha, propane, butane, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) — into smaller molecules. Furnaces are the “heart” of every cracker. Thanks to the investment, three of the ten cracker furnaces in the olefins unit will be modified to enable a total annual production of 120 kilotons of base chemicals based on renewable and recycled feedstocks. The renewable-based and chemically recycled base chemicals produced at Borealis’ site in Porvoo have been awarded the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS). The ISCC PLUS certification is a voluntary scheme that covers the entire supply chain based on mass balance accounting and guarantees compliance with the highest environmental standards.

“With a focus on reinventing essentials for sustainable living, our 4.5 million euro investment in our steam cracker in Porvoo moves us closer towards a future of circular economy transformation. Through strategic furnace modifications and a commitment to renewable and chemically recycled base chemicals, we are poised to elevate annual production to 120 kilotons, forging a path of environmental stewardship and economic resilience,” said Wolfram Krenn, Borealis’ executive vice president, Operations and Base Chemicals.

Posted: April 9, 2024

Source: Borealis

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