Recycled cotton and cotton blend fiber producer Recover™ has launched a pilot with TextileGenesis™, a Paris-based Lectra company, to digitally trace recycled cotton and polycotton from fiber to finished garments. Using Textile-Genesis Fibercoin™ technology, digital tokens were created for each kilo of material, verifying custody across supply chain stages. Two garment styles were tested to explore different configurations. The pilot supports Recover’s circularity goals and regulatory readiness, including the EU Digital Product Passport.
“Traceability plays a foundational role in validating circularity claims and preparing for regulations like the EU Digital Product Passport,” said Orsolya Janossy, Senior Sustainability manager at Recover.
Suppliers were trained and onboarded to the TextileGenesis platform, producing a transparent digital footprint. Amit Gautam, founder & CEO of TextileGenesis, said,
“Recover is demonstrating how traceability can be embedded into circular business models — not just to validate recycled content, but to create the verified data infrastructure needed for regulatory compliance and brand accountability.”
Conference program focused on cotton market shifts, trade and policy issues and Made-in-USA.
TW Special Report
The Southern Textile Association (STA) is a 117-year-old non-profit organization with a membership of more than 500 people from practically every sector of the textile industry. Membership consists, as the name suggests, of people in the textile industry located mostly in the Southeastern United States.
In order to localize activities and best service its members, STA is broken into two divisions — the Northern Division and The Southern Division. It hosts divisional meetings each spring and fall — in North Carolina and South Carolina — as well as a winter seminar, a summer marketing forum and an annual meeting.
This year’s STA annual meeting was held at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C. More than 200 members were in attendance.
Family Emphasis
Among the tenets in its charter, are promoting good fellowship and social activities among its members. And no event hosted by STA pro-motes good fellowship more than its annual meeting.
The meeting is part conference, part networking, part vacation, and it’s all about family. Attendees are encouraged to bring their families to the meeting — spouses and children— and events are designed to include everyone from the very young to the very old. Outside of the conference portion, there is a welcome reception open to all, golf, tennis, bingo, a beach party and an evening dinner dance.
Some now adult attendees first came to the STA annual meeting as children and continue to participate, in some cases bringing their own children.
Confirming that STA is fulfilling its fellowship tenet, Charles Poston, the most recent past STA president and chairman, and market manager for Textiles at Klüber Lubrication, shared that during the afternoon beach party, the camaraderie was so strong that even the beach lifeguard took notice! “During a brief chat with the lifeguard, she smiled and said, ‘I could have sworn it was a large family reunion,’” Poston said. “And in that simple observation, she captured the essence of the event. Because that’s exactly what it felt like — a family reunion. A gathering of people who may work in different corners of the industry, but share a common thread — a love for textiles and a deep respect for one another,” Poston added.
Hank Reichle, Staplcotn
2025 Conference: Cotton Update
The first morning of the conference, three speakers took to the podium to share insights on a variety of topics. First up, was Hank Reichle, president and CEO of Staplcotn, Greenwood, Miss. His “Cotton Mar-ket Update” presentation covered the current landscape in the United States, as well as challenges and opportunities. He noted that international cotton trade dynamics have been dramatically altered because Brazil has increased its production from 4 million to 18 million bales. Tariffs also have altered the market as have geopolitical issues.
But bright spots exist. Reichle encourages agricultural export-friendly trade deals as well as the “Buying American Cotton Act” that supports U.S. farmers. In addition, sustainability and traceability programs may offer competitive advantages. “We’re not just selling cotton; we’re selling a story of quality, sustainability and American innovation,” he said.
Dr. Sheng Lu, University of Delaware
Tariffs & Trade
The second speaker was tasked with perhaps the most difficult topic to talk about — tariffs and trade. In his presentation “The Impact of Tariffs on U.S. Textile and Apparel Trade,” Dr. Sheng Lu, professor of Apparel & Fashion Studies at the University of Delaware, spoke of strategies U.S. fashion brands are implementing to navigate the stormy trade waters.
Diversification in manufacturing locations is a big component; and while Asia remains the primary sourcing region for apparel, Vietnam, Bangladesh and India are gaining ground over sourcing in China. Today, brands are sourcing from an average of 46 countries.
“Brands are not putting all their eggs in one basket,” Lu noted. He also shared that consumers are increasingly concerned about sustainability, and it can be a critical component of success in sourcing.
Steve Hawkins, America Knits
America Knits
After more than 30 years working in the knit apparel manufacturing industry overseas, Steve Hawkins had a desire to produce high-quality apparel in the United States. A partnership with lifelong friend Dr. David Talton as well as a factory for sale in Swainsboro, Ga., led to America Knits. Founded in 2018 before the pandemic, the road hasn’t been smooth, but America Knits has found success in Swainsboro and is on a growth trajectory.
In his presentation “America Knits/Seeds II Seams: A Sustainability Story Made in America,” Hawkins shared the company’s history. Currently, it produces approximately 25,000 T-shirts each week; and recently added screen printing, embroidery and laundry to its capabilities to expand on the products offered and to firmly control fit — an issue very important to Hawkins.
To strengthen its supply chain and build vertical manufacturing, the company recently partnered with Lumberton, N.C.-based Contempora Fabrics Inc. Together, they plan to develop a plant that will manufacture beanies. The two companies also generously donated screen-printed, commemorative meeting T-shirts to STA members in attendance.
After its initial success, America Knits also launched its own brand — Seeds II Seams. The brand logo features a crow because as the crow flies, there is only 238 miles between links in the supply chain compared to the average garment’s 17,000-mile journey.
The company has received numerous recognitions from the State of Georgia for the work it is doing. Labels on America Knits shirts state “Made in Small Town America” because that idea really means some-thing to Hawkins. He admits there is no room to grow in Swainsboro because there isn’t enough of a workforce, but is open to the idea of replicating the business model in other small towns in America.
Outgoing STA president Evans Tindal
STA Conducts Business Session
The second day of conference proceedings opened with the STA business session during which speeches were given, matters were voted on and awards were conferred.
In his last speech as STA President, Evans Tindal, a Glen Raven plant manager, delivered his President’s Address. He was animated, wistful, funny and engaging as he assessed the value and deeper meaning of professional community and belonging and how STA has contributed to those ideals during his personal career. After sharing stories of connection, friendship and family, he was met with a standing ovation.
Elections
During the STA elections, Tindal was named STA chairman; Nathan Fisher, Nava Technologies, assumed the helm as president; Nathan Evans, Seydel-Woolley, became first vice president; Unifi’s Cory Bowman was elected second vice president; Tina Rogers, Techmer PM, was elected member-at-large; and Devin Steele was reelected secretary and treasurer.
Reelected to the Board of Governors for a three-year term were Jessica Ethridge, Fi-Tech Inc., Chuck Butts, Murata Machinery USA Inc.; Jordan Renfrow, SYMTECH Inc.; Harriet Scar-borough, Central Textiles Inc., Marvin Smith, Shuford Yarns LLC; and Vance Tiller, Impact Workforce Solutions.
Before the STA Business Session concluded, several STA members received awards (See sidebar).
Auggie Tantillo, SRG & Associates
From STA Matters To National Matters
Auggie Tantillo, president of SRG & Associates, and former president and CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations, addressed the STA crowd during his “Textile Trade & Policy Issues” presentation. As the last speaker before the keynote, Tantillo talked about the current administration’s aggressive trade strategy and the resulting implications for the textile industry. He also discussed the recent closing of the de minimis shipping loophole. Tantillo expects the rest of the year to remain uncertain when it comes to trade matters.
Keynote Speaker Dr. “Doc Bird” Birchak
Keynote Speaker
To cap off the strong roster of speakers, Dr. Stephen “Doc Bird” Birchak offered an inspirational and wildly entertaining keynote speech focused on happiness and resilience. He increased the entertainment factor by using a variety of props to illustrate his ideas and embellish his anecdotes. Birchak also shared some deeply personal stories about adversity and loss. Key takeaways included attitude is everything, gratitude matters, and self-belief is important.
Incoming STA President Nathan Fisher.
Closing Remarks
To close the proceedings, STA’s newly elected president Fisher offered some remarks thanking Tindal for his excellent leadership of the organization and acknowledging the big shoes he had to fill. He also expressed his genuine excitement about what lies ahead for STA.
“The STA Annual Meeting is more than just an industry event — it’s like a family reunion for the textile community,” remarked STA’s Steele. “This is where challenges turn into opportunities, and competitors often become collaborators. We gather not only to share insights and tackle the challenges of today’s economy, but to lift each other up, swap stories and build relationships that last a life-time. Our connections run deeper than business cards.”
“There’s nothing more to add,” Poston noted. “The Southern Textile Association’s summer conference wasn’t just a success, it was a reminder of the strength and the warmth of this incredible community.”
Todd Wemyss (left) receiving the STA David Clark Award from Matt Shannon
STA Honorees
STA member Matt Shannon with Greenwood Mills had the honor of announcing the winners of several awards during the annual meeting.
David Clark Award Honoree
The association’s David Clark Award is given to an STA past president who continues to lead and serve the organization for 10 or more years following their term as president. STA 2015-16 President Todd Wemyss was honored with the award this year. He is currently plant manager of Glen Raven’s Norlina Plant.
George Abbott Award
This award was created in honor of George Abbot who had the nicknames “Mr. STA” and “Mr. Terrific.” A long-time advocate and supporter of STA, Abbot was the first recipient of the award, which is given each year to the person who recruits the most new members to the organization. The 2025 recipient was Randy Blackston, vice president of Operations at Glen Raven and an STA past president.
He was unable to attend the meeting, however Blackston’s Glen Raven colleague Evans Tindal accepted the award on his behalf.
(left to right): Recipients of the inaugural STA Support & Advocacy Award —Coker & Associates of South Carolina; Danbartex LLC; and the North Carolina Textile Foundation/NC State College of Textiles. Charles Poston (left) recieved a plaque in recognition of his service to the association over the past two years from STA President Evans Tindal.
Support & Advocacy Award
This newly created award recognizes companies that have sponsored all seven events hosted by STA in a calendar year all at the highest sponsorship level. Three entities were honored with this recognition in its inaugural year — Coker & Associates of South Carolina, Danbartex LLC, and the North Carolina Textile Foundation/NC State Wilson College of Textiles.
Service To The STA
Charles Poston, Klüber Lubrication, concluded his term as president and chairman of STA during the 2025 Annual Meeting. In recognition of his service to the association, he was presented with a gavel plaque by Tindal.
This fall, Singapore will host the 2025 edition of ITMA Asia + CITME, offering a strategic platform for textile manufacturers in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
TW Special Report
Since ITMA Asia combined with CITME, the trade show has been held in Shanghai on a biennial schedule since 2008. Then in 2023, the owners of the ITMA Asia + CITME show — the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX), and its partners the China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA) and the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex) — announced they would host the event in a second Asian location. The chosen host city was Singapore, and ITMA Asia + CITME, Singapore 2025 will be held October 28-31, 2025, at the Singapore Expo. It is organized by ITMA Services and co-organized by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co.
At the time the exhibition was announced, then CEMATEX President Ernesto Maurer, said: “We have successfully held seven editions of ITMA Asia + CITME in Shanghai. As part of our strategy to support the aspirations of local manufacturers in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East to modernize their operations, we are augmenting the series with a second location in Asia to better reach out to the textile hubs in these regions.”
According to organizers, the Singapore edition of ITMA Asia + CITME “presents an exciting opportunity for manufacturers to expand their reach and forge new partner-ships with the region’s top textile and garment producers and leading brand owners.”
Positive Industry Response
Exhibitor response for the event surpassed expectations and organizers expanded the exhibition space to accommodate the high demand.
In October, more than 770 companies from 31 countries and regions are booked to participate in more than 70,000 square meters of exhibition space. More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day affair.
Some 19 exhibit product sectors represent the entire textile manufacturing value chain, according to organizers. They are: Spinning; Winding; Nonwovens; Weaving; Knitting; Embroidery; Braiding; Finishing; Printing & Inks; Garment Making; Composites; Testing; Logistics; Recycling; Software & Automation; Colourants & Chemicals; Plant Ops Equipment; Services; and Research & Innovation.
ITMA Sustainability Forum
ITMA Asia + CITME, Singapore 2025 organizers have developed a half-day sustainability forum to be held on October 20, 2025, under the theme “Accelerating the Green Transition.” The forum will focus on insights from the European Commission and other sustainability leaders.
Changes in Europe related to extended producer responsibility (EPR), Digital Product Passport, and eco-design requirements are requiring accelerated adoption of circular practices and modernized production. The forum was designed to help support manufacturers during this transition period.
“The textile industry has a critical role to play to protect the planet,” said current CEMATEX President Alex Zucchi. “As Europe takes a lead to regulate the industry, all stake-holders have to ensure that we are ready to journey towards a circular economy. The forum will facilitate engaging discussions and exchange of ideas as the industry urgently accelerates its transition to a greener future.”
Standard visitor rates are 50 Singaporean dollars (approximately $40) for a four-day pass, and S$25 ($20) for a one-day badge. Fees will increase for on-site registrations. The exhibition is open October 28-30 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on October 31 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Attendees can download a mobile app on either iOS or Android devices to access interactive tools including an exhibitor list and online floorplan.
“Textile manufacturers from South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East are anticipating the exhibition as a strategic platform to source advanced machinery solutions to help them optimize production efficiency, increase output volumes, and enhance product quality to meet growing market demands,” Zucchi said.
With strong exhibitor demand and a dedicated focus on sustainability, ITMA Asia + CITME’s Singapore 2025 exhibition offers manufacturers and brand owners alike a strategic platform to connect, innovate and prepare for a greener future.
For more information about ITMA Asia+ CITME, Singapore 2025, please visit itmaasiasingapore.com.
In an exclusive interview as Rieter reaches its 230th anniversary, Chairman and CEO Thomas Oetterli spoke with Textile World about leadership, technology, and the future of spinning.
TW Special Report
The global textile industry has few machinery and technology brands as well known and rooted as Rieter, a brand synonymous with yarn spinning technology and pioneering textile innovations.
This year marks Rieter’s 230th anniversary as a company serving the industry — a company with humble beginnings as a trading company dealing in spices and cotton.
Founded April 15, 1795, when Johann Jacob Rieter established J.J. Rieter & Cie. in Winterthur, Switzerland, the company soon become proficient at yarn spinning and textile manufacturing processes in the early days of textile’s industrialization — a key time in the development of mass production.
Rieter is well known for its focus on engineering and the development of comprehensive textile manufacturing solutions.
In 1891, Rieter converted into a stock company bolstering its trajectory as a leader in equipping the advancing industry.
As the company notes while recounting its history: “Despite economic challenges, Rieter has always used times of crisis as an opportunity to increase its efficiency and hone its strategic focus. Along with its subsidiaries Accotex, Bräcker, Graf, Novibra, Suessen, SSM, and Temco, today Rieter is distinctive and well-known in the market.”
Rieter focuses its approximately 4,500 employees worldwide on innovation, automation, digitalization, and the goal to “fully automate the value creation process of spinning mills by 2027.”
A lofty goal, yes, but one that is not beyond Rieter’s reach.
Recently Rieter CEO Thomas Oetterli sat down with TW to share some of the challenges of leadership, technology and the future of spinning.
TW: Mr. Oetterli, you have held several executive positions with significant Switzerland-based companies. How did those experiences prepare you for your CEO role at Rieter beginning in 2023?
Oetterli: Prior to joining Rieter, I was CEO of Schindler, a leading global player in the elevator and escalator industry, where I navigated the pandemic and the disruption of global supply chains. This taught me a valuable lesson: success requires a clear vision, mission, and strategy. As CEO of Rieter, I have worked together with our leadership team to articulate these clearly for the company so we can all work toward the same goal: Ensuring that Rieter’s cutting-edge technology strengthens and advances every spinning mill worldwide.
Celebrating 230 years of Rieter, from trading to technology leader.
TW: What surprised you most about Rieter in your leadership role for the last two and a half years?
Oetterli: Rieter’s company culture is one of a kind. The drive and passion of our people are second to none. Our employees live for customer success. This is what gives our storied brand its enduring strength. And it is what keeps us ahead!
TW: Having experiences in other industries, what do you find unique about the textile industry?
Oetterli: The cyclicality of the business is unique. Agility is therefore a key driver of our success and a core element of our strategy. This is why we have relocated production and research and development closer to customers, sharpening customer-centricity, accelerating the speed of product development, and improving agility.
Rieter’s Campus in Winterthur, Switzerland, houses the most modern innovation and technology center of its kind.
TW: As Rieter celebrates its 230th anniversary, are there any significant events, decisions or a corporate direction that will shape the company going forward?
Oetterli: Throughout its history, Rieter has been synonymous with pioneering innovations.
Some of our world-firsts include the introduction of compact spinning, the launch of a card with the largest active carding area and ROBOspin, the industry’s first fully automated piecing robot. Our new Campus in Winterthur, Switzerland, houses the most modern innovation and technology center of its kind, combining Rieter’s extensive know-how and long-standing experience under one roof.
And the best is yet to come! We are now developing a prototype of a fully autonomous mill which we plan to showcase at ITMA 2027 in Hannover, Germany.
TW: What is the vision for Rieter under your leadership, and what is your underlying attitude for expanding on the company’s 230-year legacy?
Oetterli: The future of spinning is automated, digital, and smart. As mills struggle to hire and retain workers, automation technology is essential in order to ensure consistent and efficient operations. We are stepping up research and development activities to fully automate the value stream by 2027 through autonomous transport systems and collaborative robotics. Rieter’s digital spinning suite ESSENTIAL will be the command-and-control center of smart and high-performing mills that lower cost and maximize returns. Customers will be able to fully focus on their yarn business by outsourcing their operations to Rieter technology and expertise.
Rieter’s automated piecing robot ROBOspin is a transformative automation solution.
Growing The Company
TW: Rieter’s most recent acquisition has made headlines. Can you describe Rieter’s path of acquisitions during your tenure, the thought behind purchases and how they fit into your vision for the company?
Oetterli: As fiber consumption is projected to rise, most of the growth is expected to come from man-made fibers. The increase of natural fibers such as cotton and linen is limited due to natural boundaries. Man-made fibers will help to meet expanding demand for clothing, technical and home textiles. In May, we announced the strategic acquisition of Barmag, which will transform Rieter into a leading supplier for converting natural and man-made fibers into yarn. Subject to regulatory approval, we expect the transaction to close before the end of the year.
Barmag is a provider of filament spinning systems used for manufacturing man-made fibers, texturing machines, bulked continuous filament (BCF) systems, staple fiber spinning and nonwovens solutions and — as an engineering services provider — offers solutions along the textile value chain. The transaction is fully in-line with our strategy and follows previous acquisitions, where we complemented our portfolio in short-staple fiber machinery and expanded our foot-print in components and machinery for man-made fiber production. The acquisition will further enhance Rieter’s position in the important Asia-Pacific region and provide access to Barmag’s filament expertise, which will help to further scale Rieter’s own capabilities and improve digitization solutions and product sustainability.
We are very proud to welcome Barmag to Rieter. We are convinced that this combination will form a market leader in the textile industry which will create value for our shareholders, customers, and employees.
Rieter’s card C 81 features intelligent sensors.
Forward-Looking Thoughts
TW: Forward-looking questions are always difficult to ask a leader of a large publicly traded company, but what can you share about your views on the global textile industry?
Oetterli: Spinning mills around the world struggle to recruit and retain skilled workers. This is part of a larger trend in manufacturing, which faces a severe labor shortage amid a changing workforce. Rieter’s automation technology enables mills to turn this crisis into opportunity by helping to ensure consistent yarn quality, higher output, and greater resource efficiency — thus improving the economic efficiency of spinning mills. Rieter’s fully automated piecing robot ROBOspin is a case in point: Each week in spinning mills across the globe, this pioneering machine pieces more than 1,000,000 yarn breaks, resulting in a reduction of about 2,000 working hours for operators.
TW: What significant events do you think may alter the trajectory of the global textile industry in terms of growth, technology shifts and prevailing trends?
Oetterli: Digitization is transforming production processes in every industry, driven by the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The potential for the spinning industry is huge and Rieter is working to achieve its vision of a fully digitized mill. ESSENTIAL — the Rieter Digital Spinning Suite — is a steppingstone toward the fully digitized mill as it provides spinning operations with real-time data streams and key performance indicators along with improvement suggestions for efficiency, production, energy, and quality.
ESSENTIAL is a stepping stone toward the vision of a fully digitized spinning mill.
TW: AI is the big buzzword of 2025. What is the reality of AI in the products/technologies Rieter is focused on?
Oetterli: AI helps to minimize energy consumption and optimize raw material yield. Rieter is incorporating AI into existing machinery. A case in point is Rieter’s card C 81, which features intelligent sensors that set the carding gap to the ideal size and monitor contaminant content in real-time.
TW: With many textile manufacturers raising concerns about climate change, how is Rieter helping customers close the loop?
Oetterli: Rieter uses its technology expertise to offer a complete recycling spinning system for both ring and rotor spinning lines. This enables customers to spin fiber from used garments and textile waste into yarn, thus helping to close the loop in textiles. One highlight is Rieter’s recycling toolbox: It makes spinning fine ring yarns with high quality and a high share of recycled fibers possible. Each of the three tools in the toolbox contributes to another yarn quality criterion. Pre-carding cleans the recycled fibers perfectly before they enter the spinning process, combing removes very short fibers and compacting adds the finishing touch to the yarn.
The editors of TW appreciate Thomas Oetterli’s candor and willingness to share Rieter’s vision. The take-away — according to Oetterli, is to look for “automated, digital, and smart” to lead developments in this essential sector.
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists’ (AATCC’s) Executive Director Gregg Woodcock discusses his personal textile journey, industry relationships and new leadership role at AATCC.
By James M. Borneman, Editor In Chief
In response to the World War I blockade of Germany, when the export of European dyes to the United states halted, 140 men gathered at the Engineer’s Club in Boston in 1921 and established the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). Its critical mission at that time was to develop standards for producing dye products consistently — which was urgently needed — and in doing so, the groundwork was laid for further development of test methods, evaluation procedures and literature that brought a semblance of order to the expanding dyeing and finishing industry.
For many in the textile industry, AATCC is a trusted resource for standardized textile test methods, training, publications, and engagement with like-minded industry professionals. AATCC standards became the arbiter for how textile manufacturers met the specifications of products ordered by their clients. Imagine the newfound ability for client and manufacturer to converse, compare competitive sources, and have a “standard”by which to evaluate order fulfillment.
Even today, when textile products are at the end of production, prior to shipping, or received by the next client downstream in the supply chain, AATCC standardized test methods provide a baseline that, technically and systematically, represent the product’s characteristics.
Late last year, AATCC named Gregg Woodcock executive director of the association — an organization that has played a significant role in his life-long career in textiles. Woodcock’s experience ranges from earning his textile engineering degree in 1985 to his most recent role as senior manager, Product Quality/Safety at Hanesbrands Inc.
Woodcock recently sat down with Textile World to share some of the challenges and insights gained throughout his textile career and how those experiences prepared him for his current responsibilities as AATCC executive director.
TW: What attracted you to the textile industry?
Woodcock: My father, Dr. Harry W. Woodcock, is a theoretical physicist who spent his entire career teaching at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (PCT&S) which is now Thomas Jefferson University. As the dependent of a college professor, I had the opportunity to not pay tuition to attend the college.
As a curious student, following my junior year of high school I participated in a week-long summer textile camp at PCT&S, and I was hooked. The combination of zero tuition and the new-found interest in textiles led me to major in textile engineering.
TW: How did your academic background — a degree in textile engineering as well as a master’s degree from the Institute of Textile Technology —impact your career in textiles?
Woodcock: As with most college students, I thought I knew everything after receiving my undergraduate degree. I quickly learned in graduate school that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I’ve carried that lesson with me throughout my career in industry, and now at AATCC.
Even after 60 years of living and learning, I learn new things every day. I spent the first decade of my career largely working in dyeing and finishing mills. My education made the work lessons easier to comprehend and work taught me a depth of knowledge that you can’t get from textbooks.
The degrees also taught me the language of textiles. Having the language and the engineering perspective allowed me to problem solve with a larger group of coworkers than if I had studied something other than textiles.
Since its inception, AATCC has published test methods, evaluation procedures and other literature.
TW: What was your early career path like in textiles?
Woodcock: Probably the most significant detail of my early career was change. Over the first 11 years, I built three houses across North Carolina, moving multiple times.
A key lesson was to never burn bridges; you never know what the future holds. I left a particular dyeing and finishing mill, was gone for three years, and then came back in a higher-level position.
By leaving the first time with the right attitude, I was welcomed back. And one of the people that worked with me at that mill today works at AATCC.
TW: During your career, what impact did AATCC have on you, your work and your personal growth?
Woodcock: Back in college, AATCC was a legendary organization; there was a real mystique about it. There were so many critically important test methods that came from AATCC. For a large chunk of my career, I was responsible for product quality, including testing; it was during this stage that my relationship with AATCC really took off.
I joined AATCC as a member and became involved with multiple research committees
and eventually became chair of RA88, Home Laundering Technology, which then led
me to be a member of ECR — the Executive Committee on Research.
These were excellent experiences that broadened my personal knowledge, benefited the company that I worked for, and helped me make new connections across the industry.
Not long after my term on ECR ended, I became interested in growing my relationship with AATCC, examining different paths. Before anything concrete happened, the executive director role at AATCC opened up and here I am.
TW: When you came on board as AATCC’s executive director, what surprised you the most about the association and was there anything you learned about AATCC that you didn’t know?
Woodcock: Having been an active member for more than a dozen years, I knew about the comradery among the members. But I wasn’t fully aware of the staff at the AATCC Technical Center. They are an incredible group of people that do a tremendous amount of work for the association, often behind the scenes. They are highly talented and dedicated professionals. They feel like a “work family.”
I “knew”of the AATCC Foundation, but I wasn’t fully aware of it. It’s an incredible part of AATCC that just does one thing: it gives money to students in pursuit of textile education.
Each year, the foundation gives up to $132,000 in scholarships, fellowships, and research grants. Signing the checks for these gifts is the highlight of my year.
I’m tremendously grateful for the generous members that have built the foundation, including Charles E. Gavin III, who was instrumental in founding the scholarship program and gave the first financial gift to the foundation.
TW: Anything interesting that people may not know about AATCC?
Woodcock: I know this might sound funny, but AATCC 1993 Standard Reference Detergent, WOB – without optical brightener, is not made by the same company that makes the number one selling laundry detergent in the United States. I feel like I’ve been given the formula to Coca-Cola or Colonel Sander’s 11 herbs and spices.
What really differentiates AATCC detergent is its consistency — it doesn’t change with the times. The same is NOT true for detergents sold at retail. Lab testing demands consistency over time and AATCC detergent delivers consistency.
(left to right): AATCC Executive Director Gregg Woodcock; former executive vice president Diana Wyman, and John “Jack” Daniels, who was previously executive vice president for more than 20 years.
TW: When you are asked,“What is the AATCC?” what is your response?
Woodcock: I asked myself that question shortly after I arrived. I put a one-page document together to help me fully understand. Key points are:
A professional association of members, including professionals, students, and corporations;
Founded in 1921 to serve the global textile industry;
A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization;
Focuses on textile testing methods, standards, and education for the textile, apparel, and related industries;
Publishes the AATCC Technical Manual
(Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures), which includes test methods widely used for textile quality control;
Publishes the AATCC Journal of Research, a peer-reviewed scholarly journal. The journal’s aim is to advance and disseminate knowledge in all areas pertinent to textile research;
Provides training, conferences, and networking opportunities for professionals in the field; and
Includes the AATCC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides scholar-ships, fellowships, and research grants to undergraduate and graduate students studying textiles in the United States.
TW: AATCC has always been a gold standard for test methods and communication by way of the standards. What is the process like for developing standards, and how does AATCC understand the need for a new standard and develop a method to support it?
Woodcock: From my earliest days at PCT&S, to today, AATCC really has been the gold standard for textile test methods. And the secret sauce to the process of developing new standards and supporting existing standards is our members.
AATCC is made up a very diverse group of individuals that represent all facets of the textile supply chain. We have people that span the entire vertical, from fiber formation to textile manufacturing through cut/sew, to brands and retailers. Then there are academics and suppliers, who are absolutely critical to the long-term success of AATCC and the standards development process.
AATCC has dozens of research committees, all made up of members. The research committees meet twice a year — in May and November —and work on new test methods and update existing test methods.
Committee members are welcome to propose new test methods that will benefit the industry. Each committee is chaired by a member — not by AATCC staff — and each committee is made up of volunteer members of the association.
And the best part is that the committee meetings are free-of-charge to attend, and — thanks to COVID — offer a hybrid option.
TW: Education has always been an important part of AATCC, how has that evolved from when you were a student? How do you see it changing with the shifts in the textile industry?
Woodcock: The biggest change in textile education over the last few decades has been the reduction in the number of colleges dedicated to textiles in the country. There are still plenty of schools to obtain a degree in textiles but only one school/college of textiles remains.
Along with this change, the most common degrees have changed as well. There used to be a lot more textile chemists, textile engineers and textile technologists. Today, it’s textile/apparel design, textile/fashion merchandising, fashion management, and fashion and apparel studies, for example.
This changes some of the scholarships that the AATCC Foundation offers; two of the more recent scholarships added to the annual offering are a Textile Design Scholarship and a Textile Merchandising Scholarship.
A changing industry also impacts the educational classes that AATCC conducts; we now include a Mastering Textile Specifications workshop that is less technical than traditional offerings, but appeals more to designers, merchandisers, and product developers.
Though we have “chemists and colorists” in our name, we are adapting to the changes in industry and academia.
TW: Industry events and meetings have always been a large part of the organization. How are they structured today? Are certain types of meetings, conferences or digital options shifting in importance?
Woodcock: Industry associations are an important part of every industry. Since COVID, corporate travel budgets have been under more pressure than ever. Remote options have a real place that should not be abandoned, but so does face-to-face human interaction.
The relationships and camaraderie are enhanced by participating in industry events. Because of the stress on travel budgets, a collective of textile industry associations has been organized to help all the associations thrive. It’s called the Alphabet Soup Collective. It now includes 12 different organizations that meet regularly to discuss shared issues and seek out opportunities for collaboration.
To further the collaboration, AATCC and SEAMS — the Association and Voice of the U.S. Sewn Products Industry — are jointly hosting a fall meeting we are calling
“Fabricating the Future. ”It will be held in Savannah, Ga., October 5-7, 2025. There is a tremendous amount of content packed into the event that will appeal to both textile and apparel experts, plus plenty of opportunity to network and expand horizons.
TW: As executive director, what is your vision for AATCC and how is the vision impacted by the global textile industry?
Woodcock: For more than 100 years, AATCC has been a consistent beacon of service to the textile industry. Though founded in the United States and knowing that the first word in our name is “American”, we have become and will continue to be more international.
The AATCC Technical Manual is now the AATCC Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures.
In January 2025, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Textile Association
of India (TAI).
In August, I will participate in a signing ceremony for a Mutual Recognition Agreement with CTES, the China Textile Engineering Society.
Today, the largest AATCC student chapter is in Pakistan — NED University in Karachi.
AATCC represents the American textile industry, but definitely has a global focus. The textile industry today is global in scope and so is AATCC.
Over time, things will change. People might say “that’s not your father’s AATCC;”and when that happens, I’ll know I’ve been successful.
Cindy Cordoba, assistant professor of apparel and merchandising management at Pomona, Calif.-based California State Polytechnic University Pomona has received a $398,926 state grant to co-design, produce and distribute the first 100 Heat-Shield garments for agricultural workers in Southern California. Farmworkers will participate in the design process, including fabric selection, prototypes and field trials. The garments aim
to reduce occupational health risks, as agricultural workers are significantly more likely to die from heat exposure than workers in other sectors. The grant was awarded from the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program as part of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
“According to a 2021 research study, extreme heat exposure for outdoor workers could triple by mid-century, putting $39.3 billion in annual earnings at risk,” Cordoba said. “These facts, along with what I’ve seen and learned from workers firsthand, have motivated me to pursue a solution that is both equitable and sustainable. I believe that through circular, user-centered design, we can create protective clothing that addresses the realities of climate vulnerability and uplifts those who are too often left out of the conversation.”
Hubei Gesalife Industry Co. Ltd., China, has successfully commissioned its first crosslapped configuration neXline spunlace production line from Austria-based ANDRITZ. Operational since late 2024, the line produces up to 1,000 kilograms per hour of spunlace roll goods, with crosslapper speeds of 130 meters per minute. The installation supports Gesalife’s expansion in wipes and hygiene product converting, aligning spunlace output with its existing capabilities. The company manufactures hygiene products, disposable medical
supplies and protective equipment.
Li Jun, chairman of Gesalife, said: “This new spunlace production line and the cooperation with Andritz marks a major leap forward for Gesalife. We look forward to leveraging this technology to support future innovation and growth.”
To expand its polypropylene fiber production Italy-based ALMA S.p.A., a floor coverings specialist, has installed a new nonwoven needling line from Germany-based Dilo Systems GmbH. The line serves ALMA’s markets in exhibition carpet, artificial grass, automotive interiors and domestic applications. The system includes DiloTemafa fiber blending and filtration system, DiloSpinnbau card feeding, state-of-the-art carding, high-speed crosslapping from DiloMachines, and 6-meter-wide needling with DI-LOOP for high-speed structuring, in addition to Industry 4.0 DI-Connect controls.
According to ALMA, the line has been installed and started up in a smooth, straightforward way, synchronizing DILO’s team with ALMA’s operating and maintenance department. The launch provided a quick start-up and full production capacity.
Continuous Composites (CCI), Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, has secured multi-million-dollar funding from the U.S. Air Force to advance high-temperature materials using its CF3D® technology. The first funding phase will establish baseline material properties for CF3D-produced components, while the second phase will expand to full-scale production and flight testing. CF3D enables automated manufacturing of continuous fiber composites in near-net shapes, offering precise control and scalability for high-performance applications.
According to CCI, by integrating advanced materials fiber steering and automated manufacturing, CF3D enables the production of lightweight, high-performance structures with unmatched precision and scalability.
England-based Nonwovenn has invested in its MediTech division, adding a new medical manufacturing suite at its headquarters location. The facility includes a Class 8 standard performing cleanroom and supports the company’s three-year plan to drive 14 percent annual growth through innovation, partnerships and expansion. Recent product developments include x-ray detectable materials for surgical safety, reinforced CMC hydrofiber for wound care, and a translucent dressing scaffold that enables incision site inspection without removal.
John Birkett, medical business director at Nonwovenn, said: “The investment reflects our commitment to quality, innovation and continuing to serve the evolving needs of our partners in the sector across the UK, Europe and Middle East.”
