Apparel Group Redefines India’s Retail Landscape With Carrefour’s Ambitious Entry

NEW DELHI  — September 3, 2026 — Apparel Group, a fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate, announces the entry of Carrefour into India with the opening of the renowned retailer’s first flagship store at H&S Mall, Boulevard Walk, Greater Noida West, marking the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for both businesses in one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets.

Mr. Nilesh Ved, Chairman of APPCORP Holding, Owner of Apparel Group and Founder of KORA Properties and Patrick Lasfargues, ED Carrefour

The opening marks a defining milestone in Apparel Group’s India growth journey and its expansion into food and hypermarket retail. Bringing together Carrefour’s international retail expertise and Apparel Group’s deep understanding of the Indian market, the partnership sets the foundation for a new generation of modern retail in India, built around quality, value, convenience and the evolving aspirations of Indian consumers.

Spanning more than 50,000+ sq. ft., the Greater Noida flagship introduces Carrefour’s established retail experience to India through a proposition thoughtfully adapted for the local market. The store features more than 15,000+ SKUs, including exclusive international products, alongside an extensive selection of locally sourced products across fresh produce, grocery, bakery, household essentials and personal care.

More than a first store, the flagship signals the scale of the ambition ahead. Apparel Group plans to expand Carrefour’s presence across North India over the coming years, building a nationwide retail platform supported by strong local partnerships, modern supply chain capabilities and an integrated omnichannel ecosystem.

Under Apparel Group’s operational leadership, Carrefour will work with a growing network of local suppliers and partners, strengthening connections across India’s retail, supply chain and agricultural ecosystem.

Mr. Nilesh Ved, Chairman of APPCORP Holding, Owner of Apparel Group and Founder of KORA Properties, said: “Carrefour’s entry into India represents more than the arrival of an iconic retailer. It reflects our conviction in India’s extraordinary potential and our ambition to help shape the next chapter of its retail landscape. Together with Carrefour, we are combining international retail expertise with deep local market understanding to build a platform designed for scale, relevance and enduring value. This flagship is the beginning of a much larger journey, one that will take Carrefour to more cities, serve more communities and create new opportunities across India’s evolving consumer ecosystem.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Patrick Lasfargues, Executive Director – International Partnership, Carrefour, said: “Today’s launch marks a significant milestone for Carrefour as we officially begin our retail journey in India. We see India as one of the world’s most dynamic consumer markets, underpinned by strong economic fundamentals, a rapidly evolving retail landscape and immense long-term potential. Our partnership with Apparel Group brings Carrefour’s global expertise with deep local market knowledge, creating a strong platform for sustainable growth. This flagship store is the first step in our long-term ambition to build a nationwide network and a robust omnichannel retail business that delivers quality, value and convenience to customers across India.”

India represents one of the most compelling growth opportunities in modern retail, powered by rising consumer aspirations, urbanisation and the continued evolution of organised retail. With the sector projected to exceed US$2.36 trillion by 2030, the opportunity extends beyond market growth to shaping how the next generation of Indian consumers shop, connect and experience retail.

Apparel Group and Carrefour aim to build precisely that model. The venture will combine Carrefour’s extensive international capabilities with Apparel Group’s local market expertise to bring a broader world of products and experiences to Indian consumers. Alongside the physical store network, Apparel Group will develop an integrated omnichannel ecosystem powered by modern logistics infrastructure, technology and strategic local partnerships, creating a platform built to evolve with India’s ambitions.

The Greater Noida flagship is only the beginning. It represents a long-term ambition to build Carrefour into one of India’s most relevant, accessible and trusted retail destinations, creating enduring value for consumers, suppliers, communities and the wider economy as the network expands across the country.

Posted: September 4, 2026

Source: Apparel Group (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Lectra Strengthens Its Partnership With Caron Technology

PARIS — September 3, 2026 — Lectra announces the strengthening of its industrial alliance with Caron Technology, an Italian company founded in 1993 and specializing in preparation systems operating before the cutting process. This new milestone reflects the strength of a trusted relationship that has grown between the two companies over nearly two decades.

Lectra, a catalyst for transformation in the fashion, furniture, and automotive industries, unites human expertise with cutting-edge industrial intelligence to offer technological solutions combining software in SaaS mode, cutting equipment, data, and associated services.

As long-standing partners, Lectra and Caron Technology collaborate to accompany manufacturers in the fashion, automotive, and furniture industries to optimize the preparation of their cutting operations.

Caron Technology designs and assembles preparation systems operating before the cutting process for flexible materials: fabric spreaders, feeders, roll loaders, spreading tables, and associated software. Upstream of the cutting process, fabric spreading and feeding are a strategic step in the production process, as the quality and consistency of these operations have a direct impact on cutting room productivity.

An industrial alliance underpinned by a long-term commitment

To support this new phase of development, Lectra acquired 70% of Caron Technology’s equity in August 2026 for 1.9 million euros, with an option to increase its stake to 100% by 2029. This reflects the two companies’ shared commitment to build on their cooperation over the long-term and to jointly support their future growth.

Lectra will now be able to offer its customers solutions developed by Caron Technology, providing an even more comprehensive response to cutting room productivity and performance challenges.

“This new milestone is the result of many years of fruitful collaboration with Lectra. We share the same commitment towards innovation, quality, and customer service. Together, we will be able to accelerate the development of our solutions and expand their reach to a greater number of manufacturers,” said Giulio Gallo, CEO of Caron Technology.

“For many years, Caron Technology has been a trusted industrial partner for Lectra. This strengthened alliance reinforces our offering by combining it with recognized know-how in cutting-room preparation with Caron Technology’s equipment perfectly complementing our product portfolio and expertise in building the connected cutting room of the future,” adds Maximilien Abadie, Deputy CEO of Lectra.

Posted: September 4, 2026

Source: Lectra

People 2026 Quarterly Volume 3

Horn

Meridian Specialty Yarn Group Names Keith Horn Vice President Of Manufacturing

Valdese, N.C.-based Meridian Specialty Yarn Group Inc. has named Keith Horn vice president of manufacturing for its Ranlo Plant. Horn brings more than 30 years of worsted-wool spinning experience and will lead manufacturing operations, with emphasis on operational performance and consistent product quality.

Dugan

RefrigiWear Names Jim Dugan CEO

Dahlonega, Ga.-based RefrigiWear has appointed Jim Dugan CEO. Dugan brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, recently serving as chief revenue officer at Galls. He will lead RefrigiWear and its European brands: FlexiTog®, Fortdress®, Cold Tex®, Tessuto® and Goldfreeze®. Former CEO Ryan Silberman remains on RefrigiWear’s board.

Weiss

Marcia Weiss Appointed Dean At Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University has appointed Marcia Weiss, MFA, dean of its newly-formed College of Fashion and Textiles. Weiss previously served as interim dean and brings 19 years experience from Burlington Industries, as vice president of design for the House Fabrics Division.

Ryan

Schotex Global Names Jennifer Ryan Head Of Sales, North America

Hong Kong-based Schotex Global Co. Ltd. has appointed Jennifer Ryan head of sales for North America. Ryan brings 35 years textile-market experience, including more than 20 with Schoeller Textil AG. She will lead North American sales, active-lifestyle and fashion-apparel markets.

Champion Thread Appoints John
Giordano
Senior Sales Director

Gastonia, N.C.-based Champion Thread Co. has appointed John Giordano senior sales director, a newly created role. Giordano brings more than 50 years of industrial sewing-thread sales and marketing experience, and will lead the company’s national-account and wholesale-distribution initiatives to expand market reach and strengthen customer partnerships.

Machado

Mario Jorge Machado Re-Elected EURATEX President

Brussels-based EURATEX has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as president. Machado, who holds a degree in production polymer engineering from the University of Minho, will focus on improving textile-industry competitiveness, establishing a level playing field for products sold in Europe, and supporting companies through green and digital transitions. “Europe must decarbonize its industry, not deindustrialize it,” Machado said.

Taidi

bluesign Appoints Hanane Taidi CEO

Baar, Switzerland-based bluesign has appointed Hanane Taidi CEO. Taidi brings more than 20 years of global leadership in sustainability, public affairs and strategic communications and most recently served as director general of TIC Council. She will focus on expanding access to verified data, strengthening System Partner collaboration and translating evolving regulatory requirements into practical solutions for brands and manufacturers.

Enright

National Safety Apparel Appoints Michael Enright CEO

Cleveland-based National Safety Apparel has appointed Michael Enright CEO, succeeding Chuck Grossman Jr., who will become vice chairman after nearly 30 years leading the company. Enright brings more than 30 years of protective-clothing market experience and has served as NSA president for five years. Grossman will remain involved in mergers and acquisitions and strategic-growth initiatives.

Kasperkovitz

Lenzing Appoints Georg Kasperkovitz CEO

Lenzing, Austria-based Lenzing AG has appointed Georg Kasperkovitz CEO, effective June 1. Kasperkovitz will retain his role as chief operations officer and lead the company’s fiber production, sales, supply chain and human resources functions. A board member since June 2025, he succeeds to a three-year CEO mandate running through May 31, 2029.

2026 Quarterly Issue III

Freudenberg Performance Materials Acquires Foshan United Medical

With UMT, Freudenberg Performance Materials becomes a full-service provider of advanced wound care.
Source: ©Freudenberg Performance Materials
Weinheim, Germany-based Freudenberg Performance Materials has acquired Foshan United Medical Ltd., a China-based supplier of advanced wound-care products.

Foshan United Medical, headquartered in Foshan, China, employs about 200 people. The purchase price was not disclosed. The sellers were UMT founder and CEO Dr. Xiaodong Wang and a private Chinese founding partner.

“Freudenberg Performance Materials and Foshan United Medical are a perfect strategic match,” said Dr. Andreas Raps, CEO of Freudenberg Performance Materials. “Going forward, the merger will enable us to offer a unique portfolio of technologies and products as an innovative full-service supplier in the market for advanced wound care.”

UMT’s capabilities span fiber manufacturing and functionalization, nonwoven production, final packaging, sterilization and marketing authorization. Its portfolio includes polyurethane foam dressings, silicone-coated dressings, antimicrobial dressings containing silver, alginate-based absorbent fibers, and chitosan- and CMC-based wound dressings.

“The innovative strength and high level of customer-orientation characteristics in both our companies make for an ideal fit,” Wang said.

2026 Quarterly Issue III

KARL MAYER Supplies Technology Behind The AI Boom

KARL MAYER FILSIZE-G
Obertshausen, Germany- based KARL MAYER reports growing demand for its warp-preparation technology as artificial intelligence infrastructure drives production of copper-clad laminates, the glass-fabric reinforced base material used in printed circuit boards.

“Currently, around four billion meters of glass fabric are produced worldwide each year,” said Enzo Paoli, president of KARL MAYER’s Warp Preparation Business Unit. “By 2028, another two billion meters will be added — a massive market in which we lead with a major market share.”

KARL MAYER’s FILSIZE-G sizing machine and AM-G assembling machine are designed to provide process reliability, efficiency and consistent warp quality for glass-fabric production. The company said it has supplied leading glass-fabric manufacturers for nearly 20 years, reaching a milestone of 100 electronic-glass machines sold in China in 2020.

AI data centers require increasingly complex printed circuit boards, with copper-clad laminate exceeding 24 layers, compared with six layers for standard electronics. KARL MAYER said precise yarn-tension control during warp preparation helps prevent fabric-density variation that can affect high-frequency signal transmission.

2026 Quarterly Issue III

Orbital Composites Wins U.S. Space Force Contract

Orbital S – Multi-Robot Additive Manufacturing Platform for Advanced Composite Rocket Nozzles
Campbell, Calif.-based Orbital Composites Inc. has received a $1.9 million Tactical Funding Increase contract from SpaceWERX, the U.S. Space Force’s innovation arm, to continue development of its robotic additive manufacturing platform for extreme-environment materials.

The platform is designed to manufacture components for conditions exceeding 3,000-degrees Celsius, high-velocity combustion gases and repeated thermal-shock cycles. “This work addresses a critical barrier to the rapid scaling of manufacturing for high-temperature rocket nozzles to serve the U.S. warfighter,” said Amolak Badesha, CEO of Orbital Composites. “Our initial goal is to eliminate the supply constraints on solid rocket motors that have long limited what the warfighter can field.”

Orbital combines robotics, advanced materials and physical AI to streamline manufacture of extreme-environment materials.

2026 Quarterly Issue III

DiloGroup Receives Order For Complete U.S. Nonwoven Line

Dilo Nonwoven Production Line
Eberbach, Germany-based DiloGroup has received an order for a complete needling line for production of hygiene materials in the United States.

The line will cover all process stages, beginning with fiber opening. It includes a TEMAFA fiber-opening and filtration system designed to support stable operation, fiber preparation and dust and particle management.

The installation also features Dilo Spinnbau card feeding and carding equipment, as well as DiloMachines crosslapping and high-performance needlelooms supported by the CV1 system. The configuration is intended to provide controlled fiber processing, stable web formation and high throughput.

DiloGroup said the equipment is suited for hygiene-material applications requiring process stability, uniform web quality and consistent production parameters.

The order strengthens DiloGroup’s position in the U.S. hygiene sector and reflects continued demand for complete, high-performance nonwoven production systems.

2026 Quarterly Issue III

NC State To Spearhead 10-Year, $480 Million Effort To Bolster Defense Textile Manufacturing

Raleigh, N.C.-based NC State University will lead FutureTEX, a 10-year Department of War initiative to modernize U.S. textile manufacturing for defense and domestic applications. The award includes $36 million in its first year and has a $480 million ceiling over a decade.

FutureTEX will unite industry, government, university and nonprofit partners to advance textile manufacturing technology, workforce development, and facility and equipment modernization. Core partners include Drexel University, Gaston College, Georgia Tech, ISAIC and UMass Lowell.

“FutureTEX is focused on creating a cutting-edge national ecosystem for defense textiles that simply doesn’t exist today,” said David Hinks, FutureTEX chief strategic partnerships officer and dean of NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles.

NC State and Gaston College will establish a nonprofit to oversee the initiative, headquartered at Gaston College’s Kimbrell Campus in Belmont, North Carolina.

“North Carolina and Gaston County have deep roots in the textile industry,” said Gaston College President John Hauser. “We are uniquely positioned to propel this manufacturing innovation institute forward.”

2026 Quarterly Issue III

Supreme Nonwoven Inc. Invests $25.8 Million In North Carolina Facility

Raleigh, N.C.-based Supreme Nonwoven Inc., a manufacturer of advanced nonwoven materials and products, will invest $25.8 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Lexington, North Carolina.

The more than 200,000-square-foot facility will support technical collaboration and customized material development for North American customers in apparel, automotive, filtration and industrial markets.

“Our decision to establish this facility in North Carolina reflects a long-term commitment to serving the U.S. market with locally manufactured nonwoven materials,” said Amit Kavrie, managing director of Supreme Group, Supreme Nonwoven’s India-based parent company.

Average annual wages for the new positions will be $55,800, above Davidson County’s average of $54,395. The jobs could generate an annual regional payroll impact of $2.79 million.

2026 Quarterly Issue III

Thomas Jefferson University Announces The New College Of Fashion And Textiles

Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University established the College of Fashion and Textiles this summer as part of a restructuring of its Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce.

The new college will offer undergraduate and graduate programs in fashion design, fashion merchandising and management, textile design and textile technology, as well as a doctoral program in textile engineering and sciences. Students will remain in their current programs without changes to curriculum, faculty or advising.

“Rooted in our legacy as the nation’s first textile school and strengthened by our internationally recognized fashion programs, the College creates a dynamic, collaborative environment where creativity, innovation and purpose converge,” said Marcia Weiss, dean of the College of Fashion and Textiles.

Thomas Jefferson University also will create the College of Business and the College of Architecture, Design and Engineering.

2026 Quarterly Issue III

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