MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — January 10, 2023 — Gunnar Meyer has been assigned the new managing director of A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG in Mönchengladbach, Germany, as of January 1, 2023.
Meyer started his career with Monforts and has spent his whole working life in the textile machinery industry. Between 1985 and 2010 he was a key part of the Monforts team in various roles related to sales and commercial issues, including as general sales director. He returned to the company in 2019 after working for other well-known German textile machine manufacturers in the field of nonwovens and is now looking forward to meeting the worldwide Monforts network of customers and suppliers at the forthcoming ITMA 2023 exhibition in Milan.
“ITMA serves as an excellent platform for networking and meetings with key players again, after a long time,” he said. “Keeping good relationships with customers is essential, because what they buy from us is an investment in their future and they need to trust in our continued support. Working in other parts of the textile industry, I have gained a lot of experience in the management of complex technical textile projects and my special focus will certainly be on challenges like the current energy crisis, alternative heating systems and sustainable textile finishing.” A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1884 and today is a leading supplier of textile dyeing and finishing machines as well as coating devices. The company is a market leader for tenters, continuous dyeing ranges, sanforizing ranges and special executions for denim and for the coating of technical textiles and other special applications. The company is headquartered in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
At its Advanced Technology Center (ATC) customers can undertake fabric trials on the latest Monforts equipment under real production conditions. For over 40 years, the company`s production site has been in St. Stefan, Austria. Monforts is a member of CHTC Fong’s Group
LOS ANGELES — January 9, 2023 — Capstone Green Energy Corp., announced that E-quad Power Systems GmbH, Capstone’s long-time distributor for Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, has secured two new orders. The first is an order for a C200S microturbine-based combined heat and power (CHP) system for a leading textile finishing company. The second order is for four 65kW high-pressure natural gas (HPNG), dual mode (DM), high humidity offshore systems for an offshore gas production company with assets in the North Sea that is a loyal Capstone customer.
The C200S microturbine-based CHP system is for textile finishing company Gerhard van Clewe GmbH & Co.KG, based in Hamminkeln, Germany. The system is expected to be commissioned in May 2023 and will be fueled by high-pressure natural gas. The C200S will provide up to 200kW of electricity to the plant, while the exhaust produced by the microturbine will be captured for use in the material drying process as well as the production of warm water for the facility.
The company first considered microturbine technology due to rising electricity costs compared to the low cost of natural gas. As a company with a sustainability mission, they also valued the high efficiency and emissions reduction that a CHP system delivers.
“Between the cost savings and environmental benefits, we are especially excited to be a development partner in this first-of-its-kind application,” said Ansgar van Clewe, principle at Gerhard van Clewe. “Given the technology’s ready availability and Capstone’s good reputation in the space, we felt comfortable working with their distributor E-quad Power Systems.”
The four C65 offshore systems will be deployed with an existing Capstone offshore gas exploration customer who is an advocate for sustainable energy sources. They strongly believe that until there are sufficient sustainable alternatives available, the use of natural gas is an effective method to reduce CO2 output immediately. Natural gas can therefore provide an optimal contribution towards providing climate neutral energy.
“The Capstone Green Energy microturbine-based CHP systems have proven time and again to be tremendously beneficial across the manufacturing space, providing reliable, highly efficient power, but also fulfilling facility heating, drying and cooling needs, which has the added benefit of lowering facility emissions,” said Darren Jamison, CEO of Capstone Green Energy.
“Capstone’s green energy solutions align perfectly with the needs of the oil and gas industry and are currently used in all phases of production, including upstream, midstream, and downstream operations in both onshore and offshore applications. Capstone’s technology provides the low operational cost, high availability, and high-reliability global energy producers need, particularly in a world where energy prices are not likely to be dropping any time soon,” Jamison concluded.
CLEVELAND — January 9, 2023 — Blue Point Capital Partners and its portfolio company Next Level Apparel (NLA) are pleased to announce the acquisition of Germany-based Stedman GmbH, a designer, manufacturer and supplier of premium casual and sportswear blank apparel for the printwear industry.
Since 1953, Stedman® has stood for top quality and ethically produced clothing across men’s, women’s and youth apparel — all of which are complementary with NLA’s product collections and reputation for superior quality, fit and style. With a distribution center in Ghent, Belgium — and a market presence in over 40 countries — Stedman’s international foundation will serve as a critical accelerant to NLA’s strategic geographic expansion in Europe.
“The team at Stedman is excited to join ranks with Next Level Apparel, a strong partner and the perfect match, thanks to numerous synergistic qualities and values across both companies,” said Stedman General Manager Marcel Schweigert. “This partnership opens up new growth opportunities for everyone involved, and I am personally thrilled to be part of it, not only as a stakeholder but also as a shareholder.”
Founded in 2003, NLA is a leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of premium blank apparel for the printwear, retail, brand specialty and other decorated apparel markets.
“The Stedman team has built a strong brand and a culture of excellence, and we’re excited to have them join Next Level Apparel,” said NLA CEO Randy Hales. “This partnership presents a great opportunity to expand and diversify both organizations’ footprints across Europe and the U.S.”
Blue Point Principal Evan Cottington said, “Not only is this an exciting milestone for all involved, it also further validates our belief in M&A and geographic expansion as key drivers for the business’s strategic growth.”
Jones Day served as Blue Point’s legal advisor for the transaction.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — January 9, 2023 — Fruit of the Loom Inc. is pleased to announce a new partnership and licensing agreement with Lamour Inc., to manufacture and sell Fruit of the Loom® branded socks for the family.
“This strategic partnership will support our continued growth aspirations within the sock category,” said Melissa Burgess Taylor, Fruit of the Loom Inc. chairman and CEO. “A proven leader in the hosiery category, Lamour will offer innovative products that deliver the comfort, quality, and styling for which the Fruit of the Loom® brand is known and trusted.”
“The Lamour Family is honored to be entrusted to continue the legacy of the iconic Fruit of the Loom brand. Through a strong partnership with Fruit of the Loom and our retail partners, we will deliver exceptional quality and innovation for many years to come,” said Marty Lieberman, president, Lamour Inc.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — January 9, 2023 — Columbus McKinnon Corp., a designer, manufacturer and marketer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, today announced the appointment of Rebecca Yeung, corporate vice president, Operations Science & Advanced Technology, FedEx Corporation to its board of directors, effective January 9, 2023. The addition of Yeung as an independent director brings Columbus McKinnon’s Board to eleven directors of which ten are independent. Yeung will serve on the Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee.
Richard H. Fleming, chairman of the board, commented: “We are very excited to welcome Rebecca to our board. We expect that her industrial technology skills and strategic insights will add valuable perspective to our talented Board and help advance our strategy to drive stronger growth and deliver top-tier financial performance as a global leader in intelligent motion solutions.”
David J. Wilson, president and CEO of Columbus McKinnon, commented: “Rebecca’s wealth of experience in AI-enabled robotics, warehouse and supply chain automation, and data-centered logistics solutions at FedEx is an excellent complement to our efforts as we unlock the potential of Columbus McKinnon. We believe her insights will be advantageous as we continue to develop and deliver advanced intelligent motion solutions to address the megatrends of automation and digitization that are driving massive change in the material handling industry. We believe we are at the forefront of this evolution and we are excited to bring Rebecca’s perspectives into our boardroom.”
Kathryn V. Roedel, chair of the Governance and Nomination Committee, noted: “We are thrilled to have Rebecca join the Columbus McKinnon Board of Directors. Her operations technology background aligns perfectly with our transformation of Columbus McKinnon into a designer and manufacturer of intelligent motion solutions for our customers. Further, we believe that Rebecca’s global experience and strategic skills, combined with her deep knowledge of Asia enhance the growth acumen and depth of our Board.”
Yeung brings to the Board nearly 30 years of global experience in both strategy and operations technology. The majority of her career has been at FedEx, a global logistics company that provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. She joined the company in 1998 and served in various marketing, innovation, and technology roles including principal, corporate strategy; staff director, service experience & operations Technology; and vice president, Advanced Technology & Innovation prior to her current role as corporate vice president, Operations Science & Advanced Technology. Prior to joining FedEx, she was a Management Consultant at the China-Britain Consulting Group in Shanghai, China.
Yeung is a graduate of Fudan University, Shanghai, China, and has an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland.
SANDY HOOK, Conn. — January 9, 2023 — Altexa S.r.l. and GHS Holdings announces two new partners for their HDry® 3D direct lamination waterproof breathable membrane with Ariat performance footwear, and Shred Dog performance apparel integrating the latest technology for winter 22-23. Ariat and Shred Dog are both family owned and share the same interest in sustainably sourced components with their commitment to environmental principles and exceptional outdoor, work and lifestyle footwear and winter gloves.
HDry is the most advanced technology for waterproofing technical gloves, footwear and backpacks and bags through their unique direct 3D lamination of a waterproof-breathable membrane to the inside of the outermost layer of these products.
With retail outlets in 42 countries, Ariat is the largest brand of riding footwear and apparel in the world.Their utilization of HDry waterproof breathable construction in their Ignite waterproof shoe offers a lightweight, ecological and performance based solution, for their top level equestrian and workwear offerings. HDry, designed with direct, ultra-thin lamination to keep feet dry in the most challenging weather and work conditions. Below: Women’s Ignite Waterproof sport shoe.
Founded by CEO Beth Cross and co-founder Pam Parker, Ariat International is a premium footwear, apparel and accessories brand for equestrian sports and other outdoor activities, located in Union City, California. Ariat has revolutionized footwear for English and Western riders by developing riding boots with advanced athletic shoe technology and construction to improve performance, fit and comfort both in the saddle and on the ground. Today, Ariat offers a full assortment of English and Western riding boots and apparel, work boots and workwear, and fashion footwear for active outdoor lifestyles.
“At Ariat, we strive to deliver the best in innovation and technology. Partnering with HDry has added functional, breathable waterproof construction to our shoes.” Riley Goldman, Senior Manager, Product Merchandising Ariat shoes.
Since 2017 Shred Dog has been manufacturing and supplying performance winter apparel for kids. Their company mission is to “help more families make more magic and more memories in the outdoors by making outdoor apparel for kids that fits better, works better, looks cool, and is sold at a much better price compared to other brands.”
HDry will be doing just that with their new glove development program for 2023. Featured here is the new Elevated Kids Glove for fall 2023 release direct to consumers. The HDry membrane is bonded to the outer face fabric. No room for water to pool and better dexterity. A DWR on the face fabric sheds water from the exterior palm and wrap-around fingers feature Pittards Oiltac leather, for unmatched grip and feel in both wet and dry conditions. Through specialized polymers and fiber structure the design limits water uptake within the leather. Finally the warmth is provided by strategically mapped insulation; 100g in the palm and 200g everywhere else of 3M Thinsulate insulation with a soft inner fleece lining.
“In designing a better youth glove than has ever been available, we sought out the highest quality materials from around the world and it was a no-brainer to incorporate HDry technology at the core,” said Dallas Moore, co-founder & co-CEO of SHRED DOG. “Their 3D seamless application eliminates the gap where traditional hanging liners fail. We have tested this technology extensively and know that it will keep kids warm and dry on the snow.”
SCHWAIG, Germany — January 9, 2023 — With effect from January 1st, 2023, Stéphane Thouvay has been appointed as the new managing director Sales of Südwolle Group GmbH. In this function, he is now responsible for global sales activities within Südwolle Group. Effective April 1, 2023, he will also lead the company’s global marketing organization. Südwolle Group is a leading manufacturer of worsted yarns for weaving, circular and flat knitted products in pure wool and wool blends.
France-born Thouvay has been a member of Südwolle Group management for the past six years and was responsible for the Product Management & Innovation department, for which he will continue to be responsible. Thouvay has extensive expertise in the textile industry, in which he has been active since 1997. Prior to his joining Südwolle Group in May 2009 and assuming responsibility for the weaving yarns division as director, he held several management positions at DyStar GmbH, a global supplier to the textile and leather industry. Thouvay holds a Diploma in Textile Engineering from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Industries Textiles in France and a Business Management Diploma from the private College of Damelin in Cape Town, South Africa.
His predecessor as managing director, Sales & Marketing of Südwolle Group, Hans-Georg von Schuh, will retire in June 2023. Until then, he will continue to perform his duties both within Südwolle Group and as a member of the board at ERWO Holding AG. ERWO acts as the umbrella company of Südwolle Group.
Klaus Steger, CEO of ERWO Holding AG, commented on the appointment of Thouvay: “Stéphane has held various positions and functions in Südwolle Group for 14 years and has been a member of the management board since 2017. Right from the start he was part of our sales team and therefore not only knows our market very well, but also maintains close personal contact with many of our customers. We wish Stéphane best of success in his extended area of responsibility and look forward to thus successfully implementing our generational change as well as ensuring continuity for our customers, employees and business partners.”
WASHINGTON — January 9, 2023 — With a pandemic-driven surge finally over, monthly import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports has fallen below the 2 million TEU mark and should remain there through most of this spring, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
“Ports have been stretched to their limits and beyond but are getting a break as consumer demand moderates amid continued inflation and high interest rates,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Consumers are still spending and volumes remain high, but we’re not seeing the congestion at the docks and ships waiting to unload that were widespread this time a year ago. It’s good to escape some of the pressure, but it’s important to use this time to address supply chain challenges that still need to be resolved like finalizing the West Coast port labor contract.”
Imports plummeted to a four-year low of 1.37 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units — one 20-foot container or its equivalent — in March 2020 as COVID-19 prompted the temporary shutdown of much of the nation’s economy. But cargo soared after the shutdowns ended and pent-up consumer demand was unleashed that summer, topping 2 million TEU by that August and staying there all but one month until this winter.
“After nearly three years of COVID-19’s impact on global trade and consumer demand, import patterns appear to be returning to what was normal prior to 2020,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “Nonetheless, as inflation eases and consumer spending returns, we project that growth will slowly return going into the second half of the year.”
U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.78 million TEU this November, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was down 11.3% from October and down 15.8% from November 2021. It was the lowest total since 1.87 million TEU in February 2021, which had been the only month in over two years to fall below 2 million TEU.
Ports have not yet reported December numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 1.88 million TEU, down 10.1% year over year. That would bring 2022 – which repeatedly broke monthly records in the first half of the year but saw significant drops in the second half – to an annual total of 25.7 million TEU, down 0.7% from the annual record of 25.8 million TEU set in 2021.
Despite the slowdown in cargo, retail sales are on track to meet NRF’s forecast of 6% to 8% growth over 2021 for both the full year and the holiday season when December’s sales numbers are released next week.
January is forecast at 1.91 million TEU, down 11.5% year over year. February is forecast at 1.63 million TEU, the lowest since 1.61 million TEU in June 2020 and a 23% drop from last year, when backed-up cargo kept congested ports busy. March is forecast at 1.75 million TEU, down 25.5% year over year; April at 1.94 million, down 14.5%, and May at 2 million TEU, down 16.2%.
Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker
PUTNAM, Conn. — January 9, 2023 — With increased consumer demand for more durable gear to carry their valuable tactical equipment, Dimension-Polyant, the world’s largest sailcloth producer and manufacturer of X-Pac® lightweight, durable and 100 percent waterproof laminates developed for packs and bags, will introduce its innovative X-Pac® fabrics to tactical and shooting sports brands at the Supplier Showcase in booth 51441, January 16-17, 2023, during SHOT Show week in Las Vegas.
At the show, Dimension-Polyant will highlight specific laminates that feature its distinctive X-PLY® fiber reinforcement technology for an innovative three-layer construction that’s rugged, flexible and 100 percent waterproof. A lighter-weight polyester film backing provides a sleek, technical appearance.
Dimension-Polyant is excited to also present a preview of its newest fabric innovation — Tyra PLY®, which the company believes is a perfect fit for the tactical and shooting sports market. Tyra PLY offers exceptional tensile and tear strength, profile stability and a significant reduction of weight compared to classic laminates and even membranes. X-Pac with Tyra PLY technology can be laser cut for clean edge finishing and MOLLE attachment points.
“We are looking forward to returning to the Supplier Showcase this year,” said Taylor North, head of Technical Fabrics, Dimension-Polyant. “We had a terrific show last year meeting with many brands and retailers passionate about shooting sports, and we learned a lot. “We are eager to share our latest innovations and raise further awareness of X-Pac among attendees at the show.”
Built with the toughest conditions and most protective solutions in mind, Dimension-Polyant will showcase the following laminates that target the tactical market, which are Tactical and Berry Amendment Compliant fabrics.
X33 Camouflage: Tightly woven 330d traditional Multicam® nylon face-fabric for a highly abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, waterproof material. The X-PLY fabric in this laminate is made with a black recycled post-consumer polyester.
X50 Camouflage: Rugged X50 construction with a 500d Cordura® nylon face fabric in a traditional Multicam. Colors include Multicam® Black, Multicam Alpine, Multicam Tropic. The X-PLY fabric in this laminate is made with a black recycled post-consumer polyester.
X50 Tactical: Super durable X50 construction featuring a Cordura nylon face fabric elevated to tactical status with a 400d aramid X-PLY, which is lighter-weight, stronger and more abrasion-resistant. Colors include Black, Stealth Grey, Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, Khaki, and Woodland Camouflage.
“X-Pac from Dimension-Polyant has remained year after year sought-after by the most demanding users, and for good reason,” said Dana ‘D3’ Gleason, principal/designer, Mystery Ranch. “Dimension-Polyant continues to innovate while being one of the easiest fabric suppliers to work with. This combination lets us turn around complex projects like the Mystery Ranch x Carryology projects that must always exceed our customers’ expectations quickly.”
Dimension-Polyant will be displaying the Mystery Ranch Spartan featuring X50 X-Pac at the X-Pac booth along with other interesting products utilizing X-Pac in the tactical space.
The company’s Putnam, Conn., and Kempen, Germany, production facilities have been 100-percent climate-neutral since early 2021. Carbon emissions have been recorded within the DIN ISO 50001 framework and significantly reduced using green electricity, green gas and other measures. All remaining emissions are being reduced by its climate offset program in corporation with ClimatePartner and its Plastic Free Oceans climate protection project.
Typically, there may be be more than 100 fabric defect types that need to be accurately detected, classified and graded in real time.
MANCHESTER, England — January 9, 2023 — Over the past three years, a dedicated AI development team at BTMA member Shelton Vision has been developing tailored machine learning solutions for the textiles industry.
The aim has been to elevate the detection process and the accuracy of naming and grading subtle defects in textiles, in real time within production environments.
“Big Data ‘off-the-shelf’ systems such as those behind technologies like facial recognition and Google Maps involve reading many thousands of single images each second and simply take too long to accumulate sufficient data for what’s required in this specific case,” said Shelton Vision CEO and Managing Director Mark Shelton. “A feature of the textile industry is that in many sectors, the product range changes several times within a year and it is not uncommon to have to inspect hundreds, if not thousands of different styles in a year based on precise settings.”
In terms of defect types, he added, there may typically be more than 100 that need to be accurately detected, classified and graded in real time.
“Added to this is the need to ‘filter out’ the random occurrence of ‘non defects’, such as loose threads, lint and dust on the surface — the number of which can be higher than actual defects — and it is clear that a bespoke system is required.”
The development team has consequently established metadata for identifying defect properties, enabling the successful identification of faults from a much smaller number of images.
The Shelton WebSpector fabric inspection system.
“The system employs a unique combination of machine learning for automated style training and novel algorithms for defect detection, to provide high quality images for the AI real time defect classification and grading software,” Shelton explained. “Due to the inherent variation in fabric features — raw materials, construction, texture, colour and finishes, as well as the differing product quality standards in value chains and the regional variations in what defects are called — our AI engine uses models built for each individual company or group of companies, or product value chain.”
The AI models are constructed so that the user operatives can populate them with their own data produced by the vision system or by obtaining defect images from another imaging source (eg a mobile phone camera).
The occurrence of defects is sporadic and many defect types occur infrequently, although when they do, they can have severe consequences. These scenarios re-enforce the need for the AI engine to be quickly set up and able to operate accurately with limited data sets of typically between 30 and 50 good quality images per defect type.
A further feature is a tool enabling the user to periodically ‘clean up’ the AI data during the set up phase. This is used to resolve conflicting data and to correct misnamed images.
Generally, the highest cost component of fabric production is the raw material and in addition to finished product inspection, a cost effective use for vision systems is in process operation.
“There is a need for the real time detection of defects that are being created in separate processes, such as printing or coating and for real time automated systems that can accurately determine the defects and their severity and provide a reliable signal for an operative to rectify the issue, This can result in considerable savings.
Prior to Shelton introducing powerful customized machine vision and real time defect classification, the only systems available were those that required manual sifting through vast numbers of images, which included both real defects and ‘non defect’ images. The task was very often overwhelming and did not provide much benefit beyond manual fabric inspection.
The Shelton Vision AI development has been completely self-funded and there are many systems already operating in the field in demanding textile applications, as business critical systems that require robust design to provide the needed up time.
“Studies show that the intelligent fabric inspection systems of Shelton Vision’s WebSpector with tailored AI solutions out-perform human inspection in terms of speed, accuracy and consistency,” says Jason Kent, CEO of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA). “In addition, there is a global drift of people away from the type of activity that fabric inspection requires, making the company’s technology increasingly valuable to forward-looking mills.”
Posted: January 9, 2023
Source: British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA)
