CORDURA® NYCO Fabric, CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric And CORDURA re/cor™ Fabric Uniform & Equipment Solutions Take Center Stage At LAAD ‘23

KENNESAW, Ga. — April 6, 2023 — Set to propel and underscore its commitment to best-in-class solution-dyed nylon 6,6 fiber technology innovation as well as developing the durable, long-lasting fabric solutions of tomorrow; INVISTA’s CORDURA® Advanced Fabrics will focus on responsible uniform solutions, and military and tactical equipment,  tailored to the South America market at this year’s LAAD Defence & Security show, April 11-14 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Join the CORDURA team at booth #C20 Pavilion 2.

The CORDURA Advanced Fabrics comprehensive, global, head-to-toe military, tactical and law enforcement portfolio will showcase:

  • CORDURA NYCO Fabric has a 3-5x slower flame spread versus polyester/cotton alternatives.* 50/50 CORDURA NYCO Fabric outperformed heavier weight Poly/Cotton Military fabrics in Abrasion Resistance testing.**
  • CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric Solution Dyed Nylon 6,6 (SDN) provides unparalleled lot-to-lot color consistency plus long-lasting color durability and Stewardship benefits; now available in Navy Blue and a palate of 7 military colors.
  • CORDURA re/cor™ RN66 The brand’s latest fabric made from 100 percent post-industrial nylon 6,6 fiber material that is Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified.

Also on display will be a full collection of lightweight, breathable, quick dry, head-to-toe mission critical performance fabrics including CORDURA Classic Fabric.

The CORDURA Advanced Fabrics global military, law enforcement and tactical applications include: Combat Uniforms, Ballistic Vests, Packs, Load Carriage Equipment, Webbing and Trims, Footwear, Base Layer, Combat Shirts, Headwear, Seat Covers and many more.

Erik Walker CORDURA Global Military Segment leader explained: “Throughout our 55-year brand journey, we’ve worked to establish a foundation built on durable and long-lasting fiber technologies, including our legacy of solution dyed, high-performance nylon 6,6 offerings. As we advance on this journey, we continue to invest and expand our capabilities to include solutions that are not only durable but lead down the path to using fewer resources to make the products our customers value.  We continue listening to the demands of the market; identifying unmet needs, solving problems, and utilizing innovation to create cutting-edge solutions to meet the ever changing needs of global militaries and law enforcement.“

Luciano Salazar CORDURA South America Business Manager added: “At CORDURA brand we know life in law enforcement, military or with a tactical unit can be demanding. So, we develop fabrics specifically designed for combat uniforms. Engineered to be comfortable even in the most challenging conditions; fabrics that are tough, versatile and engineered to excel in the field. We continue to push the boundaries of durable fabric development to meet the physical and environmental demands of combat and tactical life.”

More about CORDURA® brand innovations in focus at LAAD:

CORDURA® NYCO Fabric – Comfort of cotton with enhanced durability

Originally designed as a rugged, lightweight comfort solution for military combat uniforms, durable CORDURA NYCO Fabric is engineered with an intimate blend of INVISTA T420 nylon 6,6 staple fiber and cotton delivering enhanced abrasion and tear resistance, No Melt No Drip*** performance and 3-5x slower flame spread* versus internally tested equivalent weight polyester/cotton. CORDURA NYCO Fabric Extreme based on INVISTA T420HT high tenacity fiber technology has a mission to create a new generation of durable, yet even lighter weight fabrics.

CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric – Responsible fabrics with locked-in color

CORDURA TrueLock Fabric is engineered with high-tenacity nylon 6,6 multi-filament fiber that locks in the color at the molten polymer extrusion level to create deep, durable color throughout the entire fiber structure. CORDURA TrueLock Fabric has excellent color fastness, UV-fade and abrasion resistance, extended UV strength stability, and long-lasting color vibrancy.  Color consistency is crucial when pairing fabric with other materials such as webbing and elastic to create military and law enforcement gear.  Additionally, compared to conventional level acid piece dyeing, the process used to make CORDURA TrueLock™ Fabric uses less water, energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases****.

CORDURA TrueLock Fabrics are already available in Navy Blue, Desert Sand, Tan-499, Coyote-498, Ranger Green, Camo Green-483, Wolf Gray and Black. End-uses include bags, load carriage, and reinforcements as well as use in responsible  webbings and trims.

CORDURA re/cor Fabric RN66 – ‘Expect More, Waste Less’

The new recycled nylon 6,6 (RN66) collection is ‘durable, responsible and innovated to last.’  CORDURA re/cor RN66 fabric is made from 100 percent post-industrial fiber material that is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified and can be produced in a full range of mil-spec colors.

CORDURA® Classic Fabric

The original CORDURA fabric made with a cotton duck appearance optimized for abrasion resistance.

Designed for living and built to last, the original durable CORDURA fabric has proven performance in many of the world’s toughest environments.  Made with high tenacity air jet textured nylon 6,6 filament yarns in a range of sizes — 330, 500, 700, and 1000 denier.

*Flame Spread rate as measured according to ISO 6941.

**ISO 12947-2 (woollen abradant, 12 kPa) after 5 home laundering cycles at 60°C

***No Melt, No Drip Performance based on ASTM 6413.

****2013 LCA study based on the average comparison of conventional level acid piece Dyeing to SDN at 3 independent/3rd party dyeing and finishing mills.

Posted: April 6, 2023

Source: INVISTA

Lotus Teknik Tekstil A.Ş. Successfully Starts Up A Complete Production Line For Biodegradable Wet Wipes Delivered By ANDRITZ

GRAZ, Austria — April 6, 2023 — Lotus Teknik Tekstil A.Ş., Turkey, has successfully started up a complete line to produce nonwoven roll goods for biodegradable, plastic-free wet wipes. This line has been delivered, installed, and commissioned by international technology group ANDRITZ.

The state-of-the-art neXline wetlace CP line combines the benefits of two technologies: wetlaid and spunlace. Natural fibers are processed gently to create a high-performance and sustainable wipe. This next-generation wipe, called Newipe®, combines the benefits of spunlace fabric, in particular remarkable strength in all directions, with the biodegradability and softness of a Wetlace™ fabric. It is produced with a lower carbon footprint, has a low lint rate, and does not generate dust during production.

ANDRITZ and Lotus Teknik Tekstil have a strong focus on sustainable products for a greener future. Lotus Teknik Tekstil supported the technology development intensively from the perspective of a roll goods producer and converter. Thus, the nonwoven roll goods perfectly suit the converting lines for wipes.

Ceyhun Zincirkiran, co-owner and managing director of Lotus Teknik Tekstil A.Ş., said: “We aim to be a part of the sustainable transformation. That’s why we have developed the Newipe next-generation viscose fabric. With the neXline wetlace CP line from ANDRITZ we are setting new benchmarks on the market and securing our position as one of the industry leaders in wipes production.”

Lotus Teknik Tekstil A.Ş. is a nonwoven roll good producer and a member of a group company. The group company consists of four companies that operate end-to-end manufacturing including nonwovens, cardboard packings, plastics, and finished wet wipe products. Headquartered in Istanbul, Sapro is the leader in Türkiye and one of the four leaders in the manufacturing of wet wipes in Europe. The company produces, converts, and supplies 161 million sheets of wipes per day for personal, household, and industrial use, exporting 70 percent of its production to 65 countries all over the world. Sustainability plays a prominent role in Sapro’s business strategy.

Posted: April 6, 2023

Source: International technology group ANDRITZ

Killer Brand Uses Sorona® In Launch Of Sustainable Yarn Dyed Shirting Fabrics

Photo: KKCL and Killer Brand

NEWARK, Del.  — April 6, 2023 — CovationBio, a global company offering bio-based solutions, announces the latest innovation from its bio-based polymer brand Sorona®, in collaboration with Killer, a young, trendy, vibrant fashion brand with an attitude. The release of this collection brings an innovation to the shirting world with Sorona polymer treated in a hank dyeing process for the first time. The new application for shirting offers a two-way stretch with Sorona polymer removing the need for spandex.

The collaboration between CovationBio and Killer combines cotton and Sorona polymer to create a garment with exceptional comfort, moisture management, luxurious drape, and a superior hand feel in addition to vibrant color, and outstanding stretch and recovery. The new global collection expands the future of sustainable textiles in casual fashion, streamlining the method for dyeing Sorona polymer and reducing the processing time for colored stretch fabrics made with Sorona polymer.

Sorona polymer, made from 37-percent annually renewable plant-based ingredients, offers a high-performing, responsibly sourced material option. Fibers made with Sorona polymer are currently used in various apparel applications, including athleisure and athletic wear, insulation, swimwear, outerwear, suiting, faux fur, and more. Sorona polymer is a USDA Certified Biobased Product, has earned Class 1 certification as an OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 product, and is bluesign® approved.

“The traditional yarn dyed checked fabrics lack stretch and Sorona polymer fills the void,” said Neelmani Verma, South Asia Mill manager & Technology Specialist for CovationBio. “While the yarn dyed concept is not new, Mr. Rakesh Basa, technical manager from the Killer team, challenged us to develop a process that would still work with Sorona polymer. The excellent stretch and recovery displayed by the yarns must be maintained through the yarn dyeing and fabric development process. Working closely with our strategic value chain partners, we delivered this innovative solution to the Killer brand team who realized the potential to add an entirely new category to their shirting portfolio.”

“At KKCL, we are driven by a strong desire to constantly keep pace with the newest trends that are attractive to Gen Z, our core customer segment, that values performance and style in equal measure,” said Hemant Jain, joint managing director, KKCL and Killer Brand Leader. “Shirting is a growing segment within our menswear portfolio. We chose Sorona polymer as a key innovation to bring the elements of comfort, stretch, recovery, and moisture management. We believe in close customer engagement and have enabled that through these new garments that deliver both performance and sustainability. Our collaboration with the CovationBio team is an important step towards innovation that balances three key elements for our offerings — style, comfort, and fashion.”

“Sorona polymer in yarn dyed format is an innovation that simplifies the overall fabric processing and maintains and delivers superior performance and an additional degree of design freedom. The Killer brand team was looking at new ways to innovate in the arena of yarn dyed shirting. They realized fibers made with Sorona polymer present a unique way to bring comfort and youthful vibrancy to their garments and express the spirit of what their brand stands for — freedom in movement that displays both style and substance. We were fortunate to work with the Killer brand who have a strong pulse of the needs of their customer and are pioneers in this space,” said Dr. Michael Saltzberg, CEO, CovationBio.

Posted: April 6, 2023

Source: Covation Biomaterials (CovationBio)

Experts To Give Keynote Presentations At ITMA Forums On Sustainable Textile Innovation

BRUSSELS — April 6, 2023 — Two industry forums on nonwovens, and textiles and colourants will be reprised at ITMA 2023 which will be held in Milan this June. The ITMA Nonwovens Forum and ITMA Textile Colourants and Chemicals Forum will feature renowned experts who will offer insights into current challenges and share ideas on how the textile industry can achieve sustainability by leveraging innovative technologies.

Ernesto Maurer, president of CEMATEX, said: “Challenges in the industrial environment also bring with them a wealth of innovation opportunities. The ITMA forums will bring together stakeholders across the entire value chain to review the issues of the day, dialogue, collaborate and ensure that we will have a sustainable future. ITMA 2023 offers a unique platform as it attracts all the textile industry players in one convenient place. Delegates can also visit the exhibition to discover new trends and technologies in the sustainability sector.”

ITMA Nonwovens Forum

The Nonwovens Forum will feature a keynote presentation by Dr. Bryan Haynes, Technical Director for Global Nonwovens at Kimberly-Clark Corp. (United Kingdom). He will speak on the topic: Ready Now Nonwoven Solutions for the Global Plastics Crisis. In his presentation, he will provide insights into solutions that are commercially available, highlighting Kimberly-Clark’s sustainability journey.

According to Dr Haynes, who has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the Single Use Plastics Directive was a wake-up call to the nonwoven industry. Hence, he would like to urge industry players to explore ‘Coopetition’ or cooperative competition as this will accelerate speed to market solutions.

Following the keynote, there will be two sessions with presentations by ITMA 2023 exhibitors. The forum will end with a panel discussion on the theme, Leveraging Sustainable Innovation and Digital Technology in the Nonwoven Industry.

The panel includes Dr. Haynes and program committee members: Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Executive Director & Associate Dean of The Nonwovens Institute; Dr.-Ing. Martin Dauner, Head of Competence Centre, Chemicals Fibres & Nonwovens of the Deutsche Institute für Textil (DITF); and Professor Stephen J. Russell, Professor of Textile Materials & Technology of Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour.

ITMA Textile Colourants and Chemicals Forum

Held since 2011, the Textile Colourants and Chemicals Forum will feature a joint keynote presentation by Mr Prasad Pant, Director, South Asia, ZDHC Foundation and Ms Sophie Mather, Co-Founder and Executive Director, The Microfibre Consortium (TMC).

The presentation, Textile Wastewater: Addressing Microfibre Loss during Manufacture, focuses on the impact of fibre shedding from clothing during manufacture and consumer use. Microfibres have been flagged as an environmental hazard and the presenters will share the key findings from the joint project by the two organisations on fibre fragmentation in wastewater. Through the presentation, they would like to propel various stakeholders to collaborate towards a sustainable manufacturing value chain.

Pant has a degree in Textile Chemistry and 30 years of experience in textile processing, dyes and auxiliaries manufacturing, and marketing and chemical management systems implementation; while Ms Mather is a thought leader on sustainable innovation and brings innovative thinking and network to tackle the industry challenge of microfibre release within the clothing industry.

A highlight at the forum is the panel discussion, Unlocking the Decarbonisation Opportunity led by Fashion for Good (FFG). Moderated by Ms Jana van den Bergen, FFG Innovation Manager, the session will map the opportunities for impact reduction and dive into FFG’s D(R)YE Factory of the Future Project. The project brings together key players in the industry and several innovators in pretreatment and colouration to validate their technologies.

The forum programme committee comprises Mr Andrew Filarowski, Deputy Chief Executive, Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC); Ms Diana A. Wyman, Executive Vice President, American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Mr Frank Michel, Executive Director, The ZHDC Foundation; Mr Janak Mehta, Chairman, Asia Dyestuff Industry Federation (ADIF); and Mr Stefano Cavestro, President, Associazione Italiana di Chimica Tessile e Coloristica (AICTC).

The Textile Colourants and Chemicals Forum will be held on June 9, 2023, while the Nonwovens Forum will be held on June 10, 2023. The delegate fee is 219 euros. Members of supporting organisations enjoy a preferential rate of 189 euros. Registration for the event badges can be done at www.itma.com.

Besides ITMA forums, participants can also attend other complimentary activities, such as the Innovator Xchange (June 9-13) and the Innovation Video Showcase which will feature selected videos from exhibitors.

To be held in Milan from June 8-14, ITMA 2023 will feature more than 1,600 exhibitors from 44 countries. Visitors can register online and enjoy early bird badge rates till 7 May. Each badge entitles the visitor to access ITMAconnect, the world’s largest directory of textile machinery manufacturers. For enquiries, please email info@itma.com.

Posted: April 6, 2023

Source: The European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX) / ITMA Services

OrthoLite Cirql™ Named Finalist For Drapers Footwear Awards 2023 “Best Sustainable Initiative Of The Year”

AMHERST, Mass. — April 6, 2023 — OrthoLite Cirql™, the world’s first circular foam material solution for footwear, has been named to the shortlist in the “Best Sustainability Initiative of the Year” category by Drapers Footwear Awards 2023.

Drapers has been the leading authority on fashion retailing in the UK since 1887, and its annual Drapers Award is given to a UK or Irish footwear brand, retailer, etailer or supplier that has improved its environmental impact or launched an impressive product within the year. Submissions are judged on four criteria: How the initiative was implemented across the business, the difference made to the business and its operations, how the activity or product achieved its objectives, and relevance to target audience.

Introduced in March 2022, OrthoLite Cirql was developed through an exclusive partnership between OrthoLite®, the global leader of sustainable, performance and comfort insoles and footwear materials solutions, and Novamont, the international innovator and leader in the advancement, development and manufacture of biodegradable and compostable bio-products.

“We are honored that OrthoLite Cirql is among this exceptional group of finalists in the category of best sustainable initiative of the year,” said Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of OrthoLite. “OrthoLite Cirql is on a mission to help lead the footwear industry toward true circularity, and we consider this innovative new material solution already to be a ‘win’ for all of our brand partners who are making strides toward sustainability in footwear.”

OrthoLite Cirql foam is a patented footwear materials solution combining OrthoLite’s 26 years of expertise and innovation in foaming polymers and Novamont’s world-leading bio-based, compostable and recyclable polymer to provide the first technology capable of greatly reducing the impact of the manufacturing process with multiple end-of-life disposal options.

OrthoLite Cirql will offer a traditional plastic-free, scalable and truly circular material to OrthoLite’s 500+ footwear brand partners and factory stakeholders in 2023.

OrthoLite Cirql is free from “forever chemicals.” It is responsibly sourced from non-GMO traditional vegetable raw materials derived from plants plus synthetic biodegradable materials. The material can be returned to the production cycle by advanced chemical recycling to help keep materials in use or back to nature as fully compostable through selected industrial composters.

Using existing and new, closed loop, take back, recycling streams for footwear, scalable end of life management will involve collaboration with footwear brands and the waste management sector. OrthoLite Cirql will also help avoid the accumulation of persistent microplastics as particles will biodegrade similar to natural polymers such as cellulose.

OrthoLite Cirql is committed to full transparency and third-party validation, and has  undergone extensive third-party testing, and analysis including a complete Life Cycle IVL Assessment. OrthoLite Cirql is Certified Industrial Compostable – (Din Certco), REACH-certified (EU) and USDA Certified Bio Preferred®, RSL compliant (Intertek), certified GMO-free, certified Vegan and Hypoallergenic.

The winner of “Best Sustainable Initiative of the Year” will be announced at the Drapers Footwear Awards 2023 in London on June 22, 2023.

Posted: April 6, 2023

Source: OrthoLite®

Visitor Registration Opens For Summer 2023 Debut Of Texworld Los Angeles And Apparel Sourcing Los Angeles

ATLANTA — April 6, 2023 — Registration for the Summer 2023 debut of Texworld Los Angeles and Apparel Sourcing Los Angeles is now open for attendees.

The brand new event will take place July 25-26 at the California Market Center in Los Angeles.

Happening only days apart from the summer edition of Texworld and Apparel Sourcing New York City, Texworld and Apparel Sourcing Los Angeles will welcome buyers on the west coast access to a strong showing of international textile manufacturers and suppliers from China, Taiwan, Turkey, India and other countries. Like Texworld and Apparel Sourcing New York City, the Los Angeles events will offer a wide product range covering the entire fabric spectrum, from casual cotton to functional fabrics and sophisticated knits to intricate laces as well as ready-to-wear apparel for men, women, children, and accessories. Catering to a wide range of sourcing professionals from apparel fabric buyers, research and product development specialists to designers, merchandisers and others, Texworld and Apparel Sourcing Los Angeles encompass all sectors of the sourcing industry inviting them to gather, build new relationships and foster collaboration in a new location.

The new co-located event will feature additional offerings including educational seminars and the latest trends. Attendees will have the opportunity to source, network, and learn through numerous specially curated areas on the intimately designed show floor.

Highly-valued Texworld New York City partner, Lenzing, will join the west coast event as an exhibitor with represented mills and with the attendee-favorite Lenzing Seminar Series.

Registration for the event is now open.

Posted: April 6, 2023

Source: The Messe Frankfurt Group

ABB Invests $170 million In The United States

ZURICH — April 5, 2023 — ABB is accelerating its growth strategy in the United States by investing approximately $170 million and creating highly skilled jobs in manufacturing, innovation and distribution operations. ABB is committed to growing in the US by investing in its electrification and automation businesses that meet increased demand from industry-leading customers, while supporting the clean energy transition and the trend towards reshoring of production. This commitment is highlighted by today’s pouring of the concrete foundations for a greenfield drives and services facility in New Berlin, Wis. The US is ABB’s largest market, comprising 24 percent of the company’s annual revenue.1

“The United States is critical to ABB’s success as a market that will continue to grow and benefit from our product portfolio that enables the transition to a more energy-efficient future,” said Björn Rosengren, CEO of ABB. “Currently, 85 percent of ABB’s sales in the US are from products produced locally, which provides customers with a more secure supply chain and keeps good-paying manufacturing jobs in America.”

ABB technology touches every sector of the economy, from transportation to utilities to buildings. Recently passed legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, gives ABB confidence to invest in manufacturing capacity, distribution systems and technology innovation to bring products and services closer to customers.

Investment projects underway across the US include:

  • New Berlin, Wis.: Opening of Drives and Services manufacturing facility will increase US production capacity of industrial electric drives and provide additional customer services. The business manufactures a wide range of AC variable frequency drives and controls which reduce energy consumption in buildings and industrial applications in the US market. The nearly $100 million greenfield investment is expected to be completed in late 2024 and is replacing a neighboring existing facility, which employs approximately 720 workers. Some 100 new jobs will be added over the next three years.
  • Memphis, Tenn.: Investing $3 million in the opening of an Installation Products Research & Development Lab and Innovation Center to accelerate development of new products. ABB remains the seventh-largest private employer in Memphis.
  • Atlanta: Opening of packaging and logistics facility for end-to-end robotic automation solutions in warehouse and distribution, retail, and logistics industries. This $2 million investment will open in 2023 and create approximately 15 jobs.
  • Albuquerque, N.M.: Previously announced $40 million investment in a new facility to manufacture Elastimold, the leading brand for underground cable accessories, to support strengthening a more sustainable US electrical grid. It underpins ABB’s commitment to improve reliability and resilience of the US infrastructure and assure greater safety for the American consumers, businesses, and communities. The investment will create 55 new jobs and will be completed by 2024.
  • Auburn Hills, Mich.: Previously announced expansion of North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility as more customers turn to automation to build resilience while improving efficiency and flexibility as part of the near and reshoring of production. The $20 million investment will create 72 jobs and be completed by the end of 2023.
  • Lehigh Valley, Pa.: Previously announced opening of Installation Products Division Northeast Distribution Center in 2023. This more than $4 million investment will create more than 100 jobs and further regionalize ABB’s global supply chain to help reduce delivery times of high-demand electrification products to contractors by up to 50 percent.
  • Columbia, S.C.: Previously announced opening of electric vehicle charger manufacturing facility to build up to 10,000 chargers per year, ranging from 20kW to 180kW in power, to support operators building the national charging infrastructure. ABB E-mobility’s investment will create over 100 jobs.

“The Inflation Reduction Act is triggering investment in clean energy and supporting businesses that can produce technology locally,” said Michael Gray, US Country Holding officer of ABB. “More than ever before, ABB is designing and producing products domestically to serve our US customers, as they move toward more sustainable electric power generation, clean energy manufacturing, electric transportation, and industrial efficiency including carbon capture and storage, as well as methane reduction.”

The US federal government projects real gross domestic product to increase 2.5 percent in 2023, average 2 percent annual growth between 2024-2028, and grow 2.3 percent per year during 2029-2032.2 This projected GDP growth, combined with an estimated global EV infrastructure investment of more than $1 trillion by 20403, gives ABB the confidence to continue investing. ABB projects 25 percent of global EV infrastructure investment will take place in the US.

Since 2010, ABB has invested $14 billion in US plant expansions, operational improvements, state-of-the-art equipment, products, and people, making it the company’s largest market. With approximately 20,000 employees in more than 40 manufacturing and distribution facilities, ABB is investing, growing and serving customers across America through industries that create jobs, encourage innovation and achieve a more productive, sustainable future.

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com

1 Based on 2022 ABB Group revenues

2 Biden Administration 2023 budget

3 BloombergNEF

Posted: April 5, 2023

Source: ABB Ltd.

Motion Ai Opens New Facility In Massachusetts

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — April 5, 2023 — Motion Industries Inc. — a distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts and provider of industrial technology solutions — is pleased to announce the newest Motion Ai facility, located at 71 Cherry Hill Drive, Beverly, Mass., 01915. The new facility officially opened on December 1, 2022.

Motion Automation Intelligence (Motion Ai) was in need of additional manufacturing and inventory space to better meet overall customer demand and to strategically grow the business. With 33,000 sq. ft., the new facility complements two existing Motion Ai facilities nearby in Danvers (19,000 sq. ft.) and Woburn (10,000 sq. ft.), providing the company a total of 62,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space in the Boston area. Most of the production and quality operations among the three locations are housed in the new facility in Beverly, with features including manufacturing lab benches and a quality control testing area. Systems engineering and production solutions focus on motion control, robotics and machine vision, with additional specialty areas of precision components, electro-mechanical assemblies and fully engineered automation systems.

“The expanded manufacturing space will allow us to meet growing customer needs while adding future opportunities across our entire automation and robotic platforms,” said Aurelio Banda, Motion’s senior vice president, Automation Intelligence. “This includes additional OEM business and the ability to accept larger orders in quantity and physical size. We expect this new facility to fuel economic growth for the region, contributing beneficial, long-term impact.”

Randy Breaux, president of Motion, said: “We are excited about this investment and anticipate that it will enhance the customer experience even more. We believe it will also increase the employee experience—there is a lot of talent within Motion Ai, and this expansion will offer excellent opportunities for our employees.”

Currently, Motion Ai has opportunities for experienced automation engineers, electro- mechanical assemblers and quality technicians to join the team, and the company will continue to hire as the business grows.

Posted: April 5, 2023

Source: Motion Industries Inc.

Maximus And IFB Solutions Partner On New Program To Hire Blind And Visually Impaired For Full-Time Contact Center Work

TYSONS, Va. — April 5, 2023 — Maximus, an employer and provider of government services worldwide, and IFB Solutions, a non-profit organization that provides employment, training, and services for people who are blind or visually impaired, today announced the successful launch of a new joint program that integrates employees who are blind or visually impaired into the workforce. Seventy percent of working-age adults who are blind or visually impaired face sustained periods of unemployment throughout their lifetimes. This program will help address that challenge through an inclusive workplace that supports the needs and experiences of our sight-impaired colleagues.

“We value individual differences and strive to provide a work setting and experience where all employees can thrive,” said Michelle Link, chief human resources officer, Maximus. “For several years, Maximus has been focused on capacity-building opportunities, such as this partnership with IFB Solutions, to expand our potential pool of new employees and help us build an effective and inclusive workforce. Thanks to the perseverance of many, advances in technology, and an experienced partner in IFB Solutions, we’ve built an employment and training program aimed specifically at those who are blind and visually impaired. We’re excited to welcome these new employees to the Maximus team.”

Six people completed the initial pilot training in Texas and are now supporting Maximus as Customer Service Representatives on contracts that deliver government services and share information with the general public. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB Solutions leveraged its experience to create a targeted training program with Maximus for this cohort of employees. The training program lasted six weeks and was managed jointly by IFB Solutions and the Maximus Texas Project Team. The preparations focused on developing the skills needed for the employees to meet the job requirements, with an emphasis on learning the unique technologies developed to assist them.

“People are at the center of everything we do, as our mission is to empower people who are blind,” said Shannon Satterfield, director of Professional Services, IFB Solutions. “Maximus has shown itself as a leader in this area by working with us to create this new program that provides the empowerment of employment to people who deserve it. We are so proud of every person who completed the training, as they persevered through early challenges to accomplish something that would have been impossible only a few years ago.”

Building on the success of the first class of employees, Maximus and IFB Solutions are training a second cohort of individuals and plan to expand the pilot program across the country in 2023. Employees from the inaugural class joined the second session to share their experiences, provide tips and encouragement, and mentor their peers.

The employees who successfully completed the initial training and are now Customer Service Representatives include:

  • Maggie V.: “Before the opportunity to work for IFB Solutions in partnership with Maximus, I had no prior call center experience. But because of the accessible training, I’ve learned so much in so little time. This opportunity has been a life-changing experience for my kids and I, and it has allowed me to regain my confidence.”
  • Mary A.: “My passion is making sure that those who are visually impaired can live the best life possible. This program has given me a chance to do that, and it’s a welcome opportunity for this community.”
  • Elias T.: “It brings me joy and satisfaction to serve and provide clients with the information they need. I appreciate the work that Maximus and IFB Solutions put into the training to give me a new job and a new future.”
  • Ruben R.: “This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Maximus means the world to me. It is both a joy and honor to be a part of a team as unique as mine.”

Posted: April 5, 2023

Source: Maximus

Panda Biotech Announces Landmark Equity Partnership With Southern Ute Growth Fund Aka-Ag, LLC

DALLAS — April 5, 2023 — Panda Biotech announces a landmark equity partnership deal between the Panda High Plains Hemp Gin™ (PHPHG) project and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund (Growth Fund). The Growth Fund is owned by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, a federally recognized tribe. The strategic alliance was inked with Aka-Ag, LLC, a Growth Fund subsidiary.

The investment marks a significant advancement toward PHPHG’s much-anticipated Q4 2023 launch. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, PHPHG is on track to become the largest hemp decortication center in the United States and among the world’s largest industrial hemp processing facilities.

President Dixie Carter says of the deal: “Panda Biotech could not have selected a better equity partner for our first project, the Panda High Plains Hemp Gin. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe and its subsidiaries bring numerous strategic opportunities to what is anticipated to be a successful, long-term partnership.”

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is the first Indian tribe in the nation to achieve a “AAA” credit rating, earned through years of steady governance and successful and prudent business transactions. The Growth Fund, the business division of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, aims to support eco-minded business investment opportunities through Aka. As hemp provides a proven, more sustainable ecological option than other textile fibers, the Growth Fund’s Aka-Ag division shares Panda Biotech’s vision for PHPHG and the revolutionary potential of natural hemp fiber.

Growth Fund Executive Director Shane Seibel added: “the Growth Fund is honored to partner with Panda Biotech on the PHPHG Project. The Tribe and Panda have had decades of success in various business endeavors. We view the PHPHG investment as a complementary and strategic partnership that will align with our company values and result in a business providing sustainable solutions for the future.”

Scientifically proven to sequester substantial amounts of carbon dioxide, industrial hemp requires significantly less water, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides to grow than most crops used in textile manufacturing. The textile industry has taken notice of PHPHG’s charge with industry leaders, including numerous global brands and top spinning mills around the world, reaching out regarding potential partnerships with Panda.

To date, approximately 95 percent of the necessary hemp processing equipment has been manufactured, most of which has been delivered to the 500,000-square-foot facility in Wichita Falls. PHPHG is expected to be operational in the 4th quarter of this year.

The PHPHG facility will process only U.S.-grown hemp straw. Panda is contracting with producers for the 2023 growing season and has seed available for farmers. The available seed genetic is proven to grow successfully in the region around Wichita Falls.

Posted: April 5, 2023

Source: Panda Biotech LLC

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