CLEVELAND — January 23, 2024 — The Tranzonic Companies, a respected manufacturer of personal care and protection, contamination control, and cleaning products, has named Joe Vitale to the newly created role of chief corporate development officer. Vitale will provide strategic direction and leadership as the business expands through acquisitions, investments, and partnerships, and will collaborate with executive leadership on company strategy.
M&A is central to the growth strategy of Tranzonic, which has increased sales five-fold in the past decade via acquisitions of diverse companies including Monarch Brands, Acute Care, Adenna, Chemcor, NILodor, Innocore, High-Tech Conversions, and others. Each investment has strengthened Tranzonic’s position as a leader in helping businesses protect, clean, and care for shared spaces where we work, stay, and gather — businesses across manufacturing, food service, healthcare, retail, transportation, hospitality, and other target industries.
Joe Vitale, Tranzonic Chief Corporate Development Officer Photo: Business Wire
Vitale’s mission is to optimize Tranzonic’s origination, acquisition, and integration processes to more efficiently identify and partner with new companies to achieve greater growth. He is well-suited to lead the company’s growth efforts, with more than 25 years of professional experience in corporate banking, large and mid-cap industrial, and sponsor-backed portfolio companies.
Vitale most recently led M&A and Treasury for Brook + Whittle, before which he spent over a decade with Ferro Corporation, where he helped transform the company through M&A to outperform peer group public companies. He has successfully completed acquisition, partnership, and carveout transactions in the U.S. and across the world, and his collaborative approach allows for efficient transactions that minimize disruption to the business and preserve value for all stakeholders.
“Joe’s values and the engaged culture he creates are well-aligned with Tranzonic and what we plan to achieve as we grow,” said Tom Friedl, CEO of The Tranzonic Companies. “We already have exciting new investments planned for 2024, and Joe’s energy and focus will further our goals as we look to the next decade and beyond.”
Vitale earned his MBA in finance from UCLA Anderson and his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
The Tranzonic Companies is the hub for a strategic collection of manufacturing and sales companies that lead the way in multiple categories — from personal care and protection to textiles, from cleaning products to contamination control — to empower its distributor partners into the future. Their cohesive approach promotes operational efficiency and fuels innovation, while equipping their varied businesses to tackle the toughest challenges across industrial and manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, food service, hospitality, transportation, and many other dynamic market segments.
GLENDALE, Calif. — January 24, 2024 — Fifteen innovation pioneers whose inventions range from cancer treatments to theatrical technologies and special effects will be honored in the 2024 class of National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductees. The class was announced Wednesday evening at the Walt Disney Imagineering campus in Glendale.
In partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Hall of Fame will honor these Inductees on May 9 at one of the innovation industry’s most highly anticipated events — “The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation®.”
Alice Stoll Honored for her work in Fire-Resistant Fibers and Fabrics Photo – National Inventors Hall Fame
“Every year, I am impressed and inspired by the accomplishments of the newest Inductees in the National Inventors Hall of Fame,” said Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “We are proud to honor these world-changing inventors in the class of 2024, who show us the power of turning ideas into realities and participating in our intellectual property system to make a positive impact on our society and our future.”
THE CLASS OF 2024
• James Allison: Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy
James Allison invented immune checkpoint blockade therapy. His pioneering work in the field of immunology brought immunotherapy into mainstream medicine as an effective treatment for cancer.
• Shankar Balasubramanian and David Klenerman: Sequencing-by-Synthesis (SBS)
Shankar Balasubramanian and David Klenerman co-invented Sequencing-by-Synthesis (SBS), a Next Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) method that made possible efficient, low-cost and large-scale genome sequencing. Enhancing our understanding of life, SBS has enabled applications in genomics, medicine and biology.
• Eric Betzig and Harald Hess: Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (PALM)
Eric Betzig and Harald Hess co-invented a super-resolution imaging technology called photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM), enabling scientists to distinguish individual molecules, and study biological structures and processes with unprecedented resolution.
• Andrea Goldsmith: Adaptive Beamforming for Multi-Antenna Wi-Fi
Andrea Goldsmith created technical innovations including adaptive beamforming for multi-antenna Wi-Fi, which have shaped the performance of wireless networking and enabled fast, reliable wireless service around the world.
• Asad Madni: MEMS Gyroscope for Aerospace and Automotive Safety
Asad Madni led the development and commercialization of the MEMS gyroscope for aerospace and automotive safety. Commercialized as the GyroChip and first applied in the aerospace and defense industries, the technology has saved lives around the world through its use in aircraft and passenger vehicles.
• Lanny Smoot: Theatrical Technologies and Special Effects
Disney Imagineer Lanny Smoot is the patent leader, with over 100 patents, at The Walt Disney Company. He has developed many special effects, interactive experiences, new ride vehicle and robotic concepts, and other technological advancements for Disney’s theme parks, attractions, resorts hotels and cruise ships, creating magical guest experiences and driving innovation for future attractions.
Xiaowei Zhuang introduced one of the most widely used methods of super-resolution imaging — stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, or STORM. This technique, which overcomes the diffraction limit of light microscopy to produce images with higher resolution, is used to investigate biological systems and processes.
Joseph-Armand Bombardier invented the Ski-Doo® snowmobile. The first mass-produced snow machine, it set industry standards and launched snowmobiling as a sport and recreational activity.
• George Washington Murray: Agricultural Machinery (Posthumous)
George Washington Murray invented agricultural machinery designed to accelerate planting and harvesting processes. He also served in the U.S. Congress and advocated for greater recognition of his fellow Black inventors.
• Mary Florence Potts: Cold-Handle Sad Iron (Posthumous)
Mary Florence Potts invented an improved sad iron, which was lighter and offered a cooler, more ergonomic handle. It was widely commercialized as an easier, safer solution for ironing clothing and linens.
• Alice Stoll: Fire-Resistant Fibers and Fabrics (Posthumous)
Alice Stoll, a research physiologist and pioneer in aerospace medicine, led the development of fire-resistant fabrics. Her work made it possible to rate materials by their ability to protect from thermal burns and demonstrated that fabric could be constructed with fire-resistant fibers.
Chemist and entrepreneur Jokichi Takamine was a biotechnology pioneer whose research led to the use of adrenaline in medicine. Also known as epinephrine, adrenaline is widely used for many applications, including the treatment of anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest.
• Ralph Teetor: Cruise Control (Posthumous)
Automotive engineer Ralph Teetor invented cruise control. Originally limited to luxury vehicles, this speed control technology has become a standard feature providing greater ease in driving, safety, as well as fuel efficiency benefits.
For biographies of each Inductee, visit https://www.invent.org/inductees/new-inductees.
The Celebration
The 15 Inductees in the class of 2024 will be honored at “The Greatest Celebration of American Innovation,” held in our nation’s capital. Humorist, journalist and podcast host Mo Rocca will serve as emcee for the event.
May 8 – Illumination Ceremony at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum at the USPTO Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, where new Inductees will place their names on illuminated hexagons in the museum’s Gallery of Icons™.
May 9 – The 2024 National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., where the new Inductee class will be honored for its contributions to society during an evening event including a black-tie dinner and ceremony. To learn more about the event, visit https://www.invent.org/induction.
“For more than 50 years, the National Inventors Hall of Fame has proudly recognized extraordinary creators and innovators,” said CEO Michael Oister. “The stories of our class of 2024 — and their world-changing inventions as diverse as cancer treatments, imaging technology, agricultural machinery and the snowmobile — will be incorporated into our children’s invention education programs such as our summer and afterschool programs Camp Invention and Invention Project. These programs tap into innate problem-solving skills of educators and students through high-energy, interactive STEM experiences.”
(left to right): Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Kueckelmann, Dipl.-Ing. Peter D. Dornier, Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Franz-Peter Matheis
LINDAU, Germany — January 24, 2024 — After 35 years in the company, including 25 years as managing director, Peter D. Dornier will hand over the operational management of Lindauer DORNIER GmbH on July 1, 2024, to join the Supervisory Board of the family-owned company. His successor as chairman of the board of management will be Andreas Kueckelmann, previously technical managing director at DORNIER. He will be supported by commercial managing director Franz-Peter Matheis.
The planned change at the top is part of a rejuvenation of the operational level aiming to make the traditional family business fit for the future. “By handing over the operational management and making the planned move to the Supervisory Board, I am following DORNIER’s tradition of interweaving the established with the new,” says Peter D. Dornier.” As a member of the Supervisory Board, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Lindauer DORNIER remains an independent, internationally active family business and continues to operate successfully.”
Clear commitment to production in Germany
In 1989, after studying mechanical engineering in Esslingen and completing his diploma thesis in gas turbine design at mtu in Munich, Peter D. Dornier joined the family business, which his father Peter Dornier had founded in Lindau-Rickenbach in the summer of 1949 with engineers from Dornier’s former aircraft building division.
Taking over as speaker of the board of management in 1999 later on promoted to CEO, he continues to drive forward the technological development of DORNIER, already an internationally renowned mechanical and plant engineering company at the time. He is supported in this endeavour by longstanding employees. “The fact that Lindauer DORNIER has grown from a small sapling to a stately tree in the 75 years of its existence is due above all to the commitment and good ideas of our workforce,” said Peter D. Dornier.
Today, around 1,000 “Dornianers” work at the company, 63 of whom are trainees. Peter D. Dornier also remains true to the company’s clear commitment to producing all of its machines and systems exclusively in Germany. Basis for this are the “Seven Commandments”, principles of Lindauer DORNIER GmbH, which he developed with a group of leading employees after joining the company in the early 1990s and which still guide the company today.
DORNIER is currently realizing the largest investments in its recent company history in order to make the Lindau and Esseratsweiler sites fit for the future. In addition to modernizing the machinery, this also includes new photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the production halls. In the long term, DORNIER aims to cover most of its electricity requirements from renewable sources.
The investments in the new training center at the headquarters in Lindau also show that the family business is serious about rejuvenation. From 2024, up to 75 young people will be trained here on 1,000 square meters as mechatronics engineers, industrial mechanics, machine and plant operators as well as commercial employees and dual university students.
Strategic focus on flexibility and quality
During Peter D. Dornier’s tenure as CEO, the weaving machine division has been characterized by the increasing demand for technical textiles. While the manufacture of clothing and home textiles, which are also produced on DORNIER weaving machines, is mainly about mass, the focus for technical textiles for the chemical, automotive and aerospace industries is on precision, quality and maximum production reliability. Under his leadership, the engineering-driven company therefore consistently follows the new credo “Quality creates value” and positions itself as a reliable partner working closely together with manufacturers of high-quality, technically sophisticated fabrics.
These manufacturers also appreciate the durability and flexibility of DORNIER weaving machines, which achieve running times of over 40 years. To enable fabric manufacturers to convert DORNIER air-jet and rapier weaving machines more quickly, Peter D. Dornier is driving forward the platform concept. A milestone in this strategy was the market launch of the P2 rapier weaving machine in 2019. Thanks to its modular design, fabric manufacturers can easily adapt it and thus react quickly and flexibly to market fluctuations. “Anything that can be wound onto a yarn spool can be processed on a weaving machine from DORNIER,” says Peter D. Dornier, “whether airbags, protective clothing, vehicle tires or high-quality textiles made from silk, wool and linen — all these convenient and necessary companions of our modern life are produced worldwide every day using technology from Lindau on Lake Constance.”
Part of fast-growing future fields
When Peter D. Dornier took over the business of Lindauer DORNIER in 1999, smartphones, photovoltaic systems and electric cars in large quantities were still visions of the future. Today, DORNIER’s Special Machines division designs, develops and builds plants on which the company’s customers produce e.g. special films for smartphones, PV systems and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
Peter D. Dornier has thus “interwoven” the traditional family business from Lake Constance with three important and fast-growing future fields. Films for packaging food and medicines are also produced on these plants. Lindauer DORNIER GmbH is the market and technology leader in the field of machines for the production of biaxially oriented polyester film (BOPET).
As the company is heavily dependent on the global economy, with an export ratio of over 90 per cent, the special machines division has proven its worth, especially in difficult times. For example, while fewer textiles were woven during the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for packaging rose sharply due to the higher hygiene requirements worldwide.
Fibre composite components in series production
Peter D. Dornier demonstrated his pioneering spirit by founding the Composite Systems (CS) division in 2014, in which DORNIER bundles its decades of experience in the construction of weaving machines and film stretching systems. Here, the company develops state-of-the-art systems for the scalable series production of high-quality yet cost-effective composite semi-finished products made of carbon, glass and aramid for the growing fibre composite industry – an industry that is also on the rise due to increasing sustainability requirements and the associated demand for weight and CO2 savings. Highly specialised suppliers use CS systems to produce lightweight components for sports equipment, high-performance vehicles and aircraft.
In a way, Claude Dornier’s grandson is taking the company back to its roots: while the knowledge of the former aircraft engineers around founder Peter Dornier was used in the construction of weaving machines when Lindauer DORNIER was founded, the expertise of DORNIER engineers now flows into the production of components for the latest aircraft.
LENZING, Austria — January 24, 2024 — Lenzing Group, a global producer of wood-based specialty fibers, announced an exciting collaboration with China’s internationally recognized denim mill, Advance Denim, to use matte TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers for its latest Denim Collection. As a long term partner for more than 15 years, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of bringing planet-conscious denim solutions that combine style and comfort to consumers.
Advance Denim was found in 1987 and has the distinction of being the longest-standing denim mill in China. It supplies denim to renowned brands around the globe. The company built its reputation by creating beautiful, inventive denim styles that incorporate groundbreaking technologies with timeless indigo dye techniques. Denim styles created by Advance Denim continue to evolve based on the mill’s understanding of the global market trends, with sustainability and innovation being the centre of the business.
Addressing the need for advanced fiber offerings in the denim sector
Amy Wang, General Manager of Advance Denim
“Sustainability and innovation have always been one of Advance Denim’s core beliefs. We continue to work closely with our suppliers to apply the latest sustainable fiber technology to fabrics and bring denim products that meet the demand for environmental protection practices while being stylish and comfortable at the same time. Our long-term partner Lenzing shares the same values as us. Denim products that incorporate TENCEL branded fibers have a specific hand feel and sustainability edge that meet current market needs and have been well received by consumers,” said Amy Wang, general manager of Advance Denim.
The TENCEL brand has long been recognized for its commitment to offering innovative and planet-friendly fiber solutions1 that strive to enhance the adoption of responsible production2 within the textile industry. Leveraging resource-saving, closed-loop production process3, TENCEL fibers are naturally soft and smooth to the touch and support a natural dry feeling through moisture control. The rollout of matte TENCEL Lyocell fibers in 2021 provided denim manufacturers with a solution that enabled them to enjoy the ample tactile and environmental benefits of TENCEL fibers, while also maintaining a matte finish on the end product.
Meeting consumers’ need with products that address their stylistic and sustainability needs
A matte finish is often sought out for denim applications as it is often associated with a sophisticated and versatile aesthetic with the goal of creating a more contemporary look, appealing to consumers looking for fashion-forward and modern denim styles.
“Matte TENCEL fibers are an extremely important innovation for the denim sector as they address the need for responsible denim made with less shine for a more vintage look. Many brands are currently looking for styles that meet this criterion while also providing softness and drapability for wide-leg jeans. Matte TENCEL fibers create the perfect mixture of performance and sustainability without sacrificing that true vintage indigo look,” added Amy. “The matte denim in the ‘Denim Collection’, achieved by using matte TENCEL fibers, not only has exceptional softness to the touch, but its fiber properties also make the denim more like traditional cotton jeans after washing. This will enable the final garments to retain the intended retro style of the fabric.”
Dennis Hui, Global Business Development Manager, Denim at Lenzing
Tapping into market trends to understand the needs of consumers
“Investing in fiber innovation to increase the design versatility of our offerings, such as matte TENCEL fibers, is a top priority for Lenzing, as it helps empower our brand partners in addressing the needs of the growing number of conscious consumers,” said Dennis Hui, Global Business Development manager, Denim at Lenzing. “We are excited to build on our partnership with Advance Denim and combine our fiber solutions with their vast reach in the textile sector to set new benchmarks for eco-conscious denim and drive positive change in the fashion industry.
Amy further added: “The entire denim industry is increasingly paying attention to sustainable and responsible practices, and consumers are looking for products with a lower environmental impact. This includes the use of natural or recycled materials and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Brands that emphasize sustainability in denim production can capture the attention of environmentally-conscious consumers. The domestic market in China, the United States and Europe will continue to be Advance Denim’s key target markets going forward and considering the rapid growth of the fashion industry in Asia and rising sustainability awareness in Japan and South Korea, for example, we see a lot of potential in these markets as well.”
Advance Denim x matte TENCEL
The “Denim Collection” hopes to redefine the denim landscape by embodying style, functionality, and sustainability, in line with the commitments of both Advance Denim and the TENCEL™ brand. Stay tuned for more updates on how the “Denim Collection” will be brought to market.
1 TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers are certified with the EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001) for environmental excellence.
2 The responsible production of TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers uses at least 50% less water and emits at least 50% less CO2 compared to generic lyocell and modal fibers, according to Higg MSI, thereby saving precious resources for future generations. Results based on LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and available via Higg MSI (Version 3.7).
WINTERTHUR, Switzerland — January 24, 2024 — The Rieter Group closed the financial year 2023 with slightly lower sales than in the previous year. According to the first, unaudited figures, total sales of CHF 1 418.6 million were achieved, which is around 6% down on the previous year (2022: CHF 1 510.9 million). In line with expectations, the order intake of CHF 541.8 million was considerably below the previous year (2022: CHF 1 157.3 million). Rieter expects a positive EBIT margin of around 7 percent for the full year 2023 (2022: 2.1 percent).
Sales by business group
The Business Group Machines & Systems recorded sales of CHF 965.0 million, a decrease of 7% compared to the previous year (2022: CHF 1 034.7 million). In the Business Group Components, sales fell to CHF 266.2 million, down 12 percent from the previous year (2022: CHF 303.5 million). The Business Group After Sales recorded sales of CHF 187.4 million, 9 percent higher than the previous year (2022: CHF 172.7 million).
Order intake
In line with expectations, the order intake of CHF 541.8 million in 2023 was considerably below the previous year (2022: CHF 1 157.3 million). As already reported, the market situation is characterized by investment restraint due to geopolitical uncertainties, higher financing costs and consumer reticence in important markets. While Rieter recorded higher demand in the second half of 2023, project commitments have not yet been able to materialize.
Order backlog
At the end of 2023, the company had an order backlog of around CHF 650 million (December 31, 2022: CHF 1 540 million).
EBIT margin
Thanks to the measures taken under the “Next Level” performance program, Rieter improved profitability in the second half of 2023 and expects a positive EBIT margin of around 7 percent for the full year 2023 (2022: 2.1 percent). This puts it at the upper end of the guidance of between 5-7 percent defined in October 2023 and it is mainly attributable to a better operating performance.
Results press conference 2024
Rieter will provide further details on the financial year on March 13, 2024. The Group will also publish its Annual Report 2023 and hold an annual results press conference.
Annual General Meeting of April 17, 2024
The next Annual General Meeting of Rieter Holding Ltd will take place on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Proposals regarding the agenda must be submitted in writing to Rieter Holding Ltd, Office of the Company Secretary, Klosterstrasse 32, CH-8406 Winterthur, Switzerland, by no later than February 23, 2024, accompanied by information concerning the relevant motions and evidence of the necessary shareholdings (with a par value of CHF 0.5 million as stipulated by §9 of the Articles of Association).
Market remains challenging
Rieter is operating in a challenging market environment due to the economic and geopolitical conditions as well as the continuing weak demand. There are initial signs of a market recovery visible for the financial year 2024. Rieter will present an outlook for the financial year 2024 at the annual results press conference on March 13, 2024.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — January 24, 2024 — Protein Evolution Inc., a biological recycling company working to decarbonize plastic production, and Basecamp Research, the world leader in mapping biodiversity data for AI biodesign, announced an expanded collaboration around enzyme development to help eliminate global polyurethane and polyamide (nylon) waste.
Protein Evolution’s Biopure™ technology uses AI-designed enzymes to break down polyester waste and transform it into the building blocks of new polyester. By leveraging Basecamp Research’s biodiversity mapping system, Protein Evolution will unlock previously inaccessible enzymes that target polyurethane and polyamide waste. These complex materials significantly hamper the pursuit of circularity in both the fashion industry and several other sectors. Polyurethane, commonly found in products like spandex, mattresses, sofas, car seats, and insulation panels, poses a substantial recycling challenge. Similarly, polyamide is used in athleisure, fishing nets, and various other technical products. Together, these materials account for a notable 10 percent of global plastic production. Their complex composition makes them notoriously difficult to recycle, leading to their accumulation in landfills and incinerators.
“Up until now, the biological recycling of polyamide and polyurethane waste has only been explored in the lab. This collaboration with Basecamp Research will change that,” said Connor Lynn, co-founder and chief business officer of Protein Evolution. “Our Biopure technology provides a viable solution for petrochemical companies, manufacturers and brands as we work to meet global decarbonization goals and lessen the burden of fashion waste on our planet.”
The strategic collaboration between Protein Evolution and Basecamp Research will focus on designing novel enzymes that can break down the long chemical chains of polyurethane and nylon into their constituent precursor molecules. In addition to being fully circular, textile and plastic products made from these recycled ingredients will have a significantly lower carbon footprint, while maintaining the quality and strength of virgin plastic.
“We’re thrilled to be a foundational technology partner for Protein Evolution’s ambitious vision for a decarbonized plastics industry, which has already captured the attention of numerous leading brands,” said Dr. Glen Gowers, co-founder of Basecamp Research. “Our teams share the same belief that nature is our best inspiration for solving our planet’s most pressing challenges. We cannot wait to combine our highly complementary technologies and dive further into Basecamp Research’s unrivaled map of microbial biodiversity to supercharge Protein Evolution’s development and scale-up of enzymatic plastic recycling processes.”
Basecamp Research has a unique advantage when designing enzymes to degrade man-made materials, as their global research team and biodiversity partners are constantly and intentionally sampling in environments that are understudied and industrially relevant, including contaminated soils and waters. With over six billion relationships between genes, genomes, environments, and other biologically relevant data in Basecamp Research’s map of biodiversity, their AI platform draws on comprehensive real-world data to predict the physical and functional properties of their designed proteins.
By combining Basecamp Research’s platform with Protein Evolution’s scale-up expertise, this collaboration will accelerate the development timelines of novel enzymes for biological recycling from years to months.
WILMINGTON, Del. — January 22, 2024 — DuPont and Point Blank Enterprises (PBE), a global leader in protective solutions for military and law enforcement professionals today announced an exclusive agreement to offer body armor made with Kevlar® EXO™ aramid fiber for North America State and Local Law Enforcement departments.
Kevlar EXO aramid fiber is the most significant aramid fiber innovation in more than 50 years and an entirely new technology platform developed to serve endless applications where performance and protection is required in intense and demanding conditions. Kevlar EXO offers body armor an unprecedented combination of lightweight, flexibility and protection from an aramid fiber.
DuPont Kevlar has long been the advanced material behind high-performing body armor that helps protect those who serve. Now, with this new body armor crafted by Point Blank using Kevlar EXO, law enforcement officers can experience previously unavailable levels of ballistic protection without compromising on mobility and comfort. With unmatched pliability, Kevlar EXO contours to curves and body lines, helping to provide a more body-inclusive solution while still offering maximum protection. Kevlar EXO technology combined with Point Blank’s body armor design and manufacturing capabilities will answer the demand for lightweight protection without having to sacrifice comfort and mobility.
“We are proud to partner with Point Blank, a leader in law enforcement protection to improve the comfort and mobility for law enforcement personnel by using our combined capabilities to create the most comfortable body armor in the world,” said Steven LaGanke, global business leader, DuPont Life Protection. “This new body armor will meet NIJ standards while providing a flexible and lightweight solution that helps empower law enforcement personnel to operate at peak performance.”
Michael Foreman, executive vice president of Point Blank Enterprises said: “the new NIJ certification standard that was released in November 2023 has higher conditioning and protection level requirements that shall result in improved ballistic protection for law enforcement, now with Kevlar EXO we have been able to create a suite of new offerings that meet and exceed these requirements with a solution more comfortable and flexible than any other option on the market. We cannot wait to start protecting law enforcement officers with this new innovation later this year.”
OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — January 23, 2024 — At the end of last year, KARL MAYER launched the TM 4 EL — a new, highly flexible machine for the mid-range segment in the four-bar tricot machine sector. The all-rounder produces fabrics for upholstery, automotive interiors and outerwear, as well as sportswear items and home textiles, all while offering excellent value for money.
Kay Hilbert
“When developing the TM 4 EL, we particularly focussed on our customers’ needs. A high degree of versatility and efficiency were important. Using this leading machine, our customers can produce the majority of common items and benefit from maximum speed at an attractive price,” explained Kay Hilbert, product owner for Global Tricot Machines at KARL MAYER. Featuring KARL MAYER’s proven CFRP technology, the TM 4 EL is up to 30 percent faster than the previous four-bar tricot machine designed for the commodity sector.
This development has been very well-received on the market. When it was launched during a product show on the occasion of the ITMA ASIA from 19 to 23 November 2023 at KARL MAYER (CHINA) in Changzhou City, the newcomer certainly drew in the crowds. The displayed machine was even sold during the exhibition.
Guests from the fashion sector were particularly interested. Turkish customers appreciate the potential that the TM 4 EL represents as part of the scope to develop their business with major international brands. South American producers of apparel fabrics envisage opportunities to expand their cooperation with local brands. In particular, chic seersucker items are bringing the powerful machine with a competitive price to the attention of trend-conscious fashion manufacturers.
About the TM 4 EL
The new TM 4 EL
The new TM 4 EL is offered in gauges E 28 and E 32. The available working widths are 210” and 280”, with a working width extension also available. Further width varieties are also planned. Equipment highlights include an integrated Laser Stop to detect yarn breakages early, and functional LED lighting, which illuminates the warp knitting area for easy handling and signals unplanned machine stops using the corresponding color. The machine can be networked with KM.ON’s secure cloud via the k.ey device to utilise the KARL MAYER GROUP’s digital solutions. This includes, for example, the web-based lapping editor CORE LITE.
MIDLAND, Mich. — January 23, 2024 — Dow is proud to announce it received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification at its PO/PG and Polyols manufacturing site in Freeport, Texas. An ISCC PLUS certification recognizes Dow’s implementation of decoupling fossil feedstocks by using waste sourced feedstock, following a full independent, external audit.
ISCC is a world leading international certification standard for fully traceable and environmentally, socially and economically sustainable supply chains. As Dow continues to manufacture products with circular and bio-circular feedstocks, this verification qualifies the tracking of alternative feedstocks through the mass balance approach.
“Mass balance is the best technique to demonstrate usage of alternative feedstock at-scale in the chemical sector,” said Thales de Oliviera, business sustainability leader for the Americas at Dow Polyurethanes. “The ISCC PLUS certification is a significant milestone towards more circular and bio-circular products for polyurethanes end-markets in North America, demonstrating our commitment to more sustainable production and products.”
Setting a precedent for more sustainable material production in North America
The newly ISCC PLUS certified polyurethanes site will produce products for automotive, construction, consumer, food, fragrances, pharmaceutical and industrial markets.
As part of its growing sustainability journey, Dow continues to find new, innovative ways to incorporate sustainable content, specifically feedstock from bio-based origin or post-industrial consumer waste, into its products through the mass balance approach with independent, external verification playing a key role.
With each successful outcome, Dow makes progress towards its goal to obtain approval of all its polyurethanes, chlor-alkali vinyl, propylene oxide and propylene glycol sites globally.
PARIS — January 23, 2024 — Lectra supports the transformation of fashion, automotive and furniture players by providing them with technological solutions that accelerate their transition to a more efficient and more sustainable Industry 4.0. The group announces the launch of its enhanced Furniture On Demand by Lectra offer. This solution automates, streamlines and gives total visibility over on- demand production — unitary and series — of furniture products, enabling smarter and more sustainable manufacturing. The Group is also launching a new generation of smart and connected furniture cutting equipment, VectorFurniture Q2 and VectorFurniture iX2.
The furniture industry is characterized by rare expertise and complex processes. For several years, the sector has faced growing demand for customization, involving various choices of shapes, colors and fabrics. To meet this challenge, furniture manufacturers need to be able to produce on demand, quickly, cost-effectively and sustainably.
Since 2018 and the launch of its Furniture On Demand by Lectra offer, Lectra has played a pioneering role in enabling the automation of on-demand production, facilitating the production of small runs at the same rate as mass production and promoting material savings.
“Today, we are continuing to innovate by enhancing this solution with Valia, our digital production preparation and planning platform for upholstered furniture,” explained Maximilien Abadie, chief strategy officer and chief product officer at Lectra. “Furniture On Demand by Lectra connects all the components in the cutting room and facilitates order and production data processing. Our customers gain additional advantages for optimizing automated manufacturing workflows and material consumption on their production lines. With this new offer, they are fully committed to Industry 4.0 and benefit from a significant competitive advantage, offering new growth drivers for more sustainable production.”
Greater interoperability and reduced environmental impact thanks to data intelligence
Hosted in the cloud, the Valia digital platform connects to Lectra’s equipment in the cutting room, as well as upstream to the customer’s ERP1 system, enabling them to receive orders, process them automatically and send them to the cutting room, without human intervention. This digitization, using real-time data, automates and simplifies every stage of the fabric cutting process, from preparation to planning and execution.
The Valia platform is capable of integrating the production rules known by only a handful of experts in the cutting room, making it possible to secure operations, standardize practices and automatically mix and allocate cutting orders to the right cutting equipment, optimizing material savings.
Valia Furniture’s automated management provides upholstered furniture manufacturers with the ability to visualize cutting room processes in order to identify necessary adjustments, escalate alerts and make instant decisions to improve cutting room performance and optimize their on-demand production.
A new generation of connected and eco-responsible cutting equipment
Together with its new Furniture On Demand by Lectra offer, the Group is launching the new generation of VectorFurniture Q2 and VectorFurniture iX2 fabric cutters. This new equipment is specifically adapted to ensure a quick and easy transition from low-volume production to higher-volume orders, while improving cutting quality.
VectorFurniture Q2 and VectorFurniture iX2 offer a high level of connectivity thanks to numerous built-in sensors, which makes them fully compatible with Industry 4.0. Thanks to data intelligence and improved connectivity, manufacturers have all the data they need to increase the efficiency of their processes, boost productivity, improve product quality and better meet the challenges of tomorrow.
This eco-designed equipment consumes 30 to 40 percent less energy than the previous generation, already renowned for its energy performance, maximizing efficiency. It is more compact and 200 kilograms lighter, significantly reducing environmental impacts during production, transport and use.
Ergonomics and operator protection, Lectra’s key concerns, have been completely redesigned with the integration of motion detection sensors, the reduction of equipment noise levels and the introduction of new standards for circuit boards.
1 ERP system: Enterprise Resource Planning, an integrated management system that brings together several applications to manage a company’s operational and administrative activities.
CLEVELAND — January 23, 2024 — The Tranzonic Companies, a respected manufacturer of personal care and protection, contamination control, and cleaning products, has named Joe Vitale to the newly created role of chief corporate development officer. Vitale will provide strategic direction and leadership as the business expands through acquisitions, investments, and partnerships, and will collaborate with executive leadership on company strategy.
