Rieter: Record Sales Of 1,510.9 Million Swiss Francs, Despite Enormous Challenges In Its Realization

WINTERTHUR, Switzerland — March 9, 2023 — The 2022 financial year was characterized by record sales of 1,510.9 million Swiss francs ($1,620 million) and enormous challenges in their realization. Geopolitical uncertainties, the rapid rise in inflation, and additional development expenditure to compensate for material bottlenecks, weighed heavily on earnings. Higher expenses were also incurred in connection with the acquired businesses. Despite the exceptionally challenging environment, Rieter generated an EBIT margin of 2.1 percent. Implementation of the measures already initiated to improve profitability is continuing.

Sales, Order Intake and Order Backlog

With record sales of 1,510.9 million Swiss francs ($1,620 million), Rieter achieved an increase of 56 percent compared with the previous year (2021: 969.2 million Swiss francs ($1,040 million)). In the second half of 2022, especially in the fourth quarter, the measures introduced to address material bottlenecks had a positive impact. Consequently, sales increased to 890.3 million Swiss francs ($955 million) compared with the first six months (first half-year 2022: 620.6 million Swiss francs ($666 million).

Order intake was 1,157.3 million Swiss francs ($1,242 million) in 2022 (2021: 2,225.7 million Swiss francs ($2,386 million)) and thus remained at a high level thanks to the company’s technological lead and broad international presence. The market situation, especially in the second half of 2022, was characterized by investment restraint and below-average capacity utilization at spinning mills due to geopolitical uncertainties, rising financing costs, and consumer reticence in important markets.

The company had an order backlog of around 1,540 million Swiss francs ($1,653 million) at the end of 2022, which thus extends into 2023 and 2024.

EBIT, Net Profit and Free Cash Flow

The profit at the EBIT level in the 2022 financial year was 32.2 million Swiss francs ($34.6 million) (2021: 47.6 million Swiss francs ($51.1 million). The result was strongly influenced by substantial cost increases, which could only be offset in part through price increases or other remedial measures. In addition, to compensate for material shortages, expenses were incurred in connection with the development of alternative solutions, and in relation to the acquired businesses. In the 2022 financial year, an EBIT margin of 2.1 percent was achieved (2021: 4.9 percent) despite these challenges. Rieter closed 2022 with a positive result and achieved a net profit of 12.1 million Swiss francs ($13 million), equivalent to 0.8 percent in relation to sales, following a net loss in the first half of 2022.

Free cash flow was -98.6 million Swiss francs (-$105.8 million), mainly a result of the build-up of inventories for deliveries in the 2023 financial year. Accordingly, net debt was 285.6 million Swiss francs ($306.5 million) (2021: 161.9 million Swiss francs ($173.8 million)). As of December 31, 2022, Rieter had liquid funds of 176.1 million Swiss francs ($189 million) (2021: 249.4 million Swiss francs ($267.7 million)).

The equity ratio as of December 31, 2022, was 23.4 percent, mainly due to the increased working capital and foreign exchange differences (previous year’s reporting date 27.6 percent).

Completion of the Acquisition

Rieter consolidated the acquired automatic winding machine business with effect from April 1, 2022. This acquisition completes Rieter’s system offering in the largest market segment of ring and compact spinning, thus significantly strengthening the company’s market position.

Action Plan to Increase Profitability

Implementation of the action plan to increase profitability is ongoing. With regard to the margins for the order backlog, which remains high, the already implemented price increases in combination with a positive trend in costs, particularly in logistics, are having a favorable impact. In addition, progress was made in eliminating material bottlenecks and reducing expenses for the three acquired businesses.

Innovation Program

In the context of ITME 2022 in Delhi (India), Rieter presented solutions for the economical production of yarns from recycled fibers, which met with great customer interest. As the technology leader, Rieter will present new, innovative products at ITMA 2023 in Milan (Italy).

Rieter Site Sales Process

The sales process for the remaining land at the Rieter site in Winterthur (Switzerland) is proceeding according to plan. In total, around 75 000 square meters of land will be sold. The Rieter CAMPUS is not part of this transaction.

Dividend

The Board of Directors proposes to the shareholders the distribution of a dividend of CHF 1.50 per share for 2022. This corresponds to a payout ratio of 56%.

Board of Directors and Annual General Meeting

At the 131st Annual General Meeting held on April 7, 2022, the shareholders approved all motions proposed by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board, Bernhard Jucker, and the Directors, Hans-Peter Schwald, Peter Spuhler, Roger Baillod and Carl Illi, were confirmed for a further one-year term of office. Sarah Kreienbühl and Daniel Grieder were newly elected for a one-year term of office as members of the Board of Directors. The members of the Remuneration Committee who were standing for election – Hans-Peter Schwald and Bernhard Jucker – were also re-elected for a one-year term of office. Sarah Kreienbühl was newly elected for a one-year term of office as a member of the Remuneration Committee, and takes over the chair.

Outlook

For the coming months, Rieter expects below-average demand for new equipment at first, with a revival expected in the second half of 2023 after ITMA, the leading trade fair in Milan (Italy). Rieter also believes that demand for consumables, wear & tear and spare parts will recover during 2023.

For the 2023 financial year, due to the high order backlog, Rieter anticipates sales in the order of magnitude of the previous year.

The realization of sales from the order backlog continues to be associated with risks in connection with the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, rising financing costs, continuing bottlenecks in the supply chains, and possible, currently unforeseeable consequences of the earthquake in Türkiye in February 2023. Despite the price increases already implemented, further global cost increases continue to pose a risk to the growth of profitability. Rieter will specify the outlook in the 2023 semi-annual report.

Posted: March 9, 2023

Source: Rieter

PFAS Free Textile Solutions: Sympatex Introduces New Recyclable Products At Performance Days Munich 2023

MUNICH/UNTERFÖHRING, Germany — March 9, 2023 — Membrane manufacturer Sympatex presents recyclable textile solutions at Performance Days Munich March 15-16, 2023. Sympatex has always been PFAS and PTFE free. Supplementary, Sympatex will introduce three new high-perfomance products made of recycled polyester textiles, following the circular economy model (Hall A1, Booth B01, Messe München).

Performance Days believes that particularly the sportswear industry plays an important role in preserving the planet and protecting the outdoors by designing the right products. The fair supports the development of sustainable materials, setting sustainability standards, educating the entire supply chain and providing a more sustainable event for the industry.

This Performance Days Sympatex introduces three new polyester-based functional textiles consisting of 100 percent recycled textiles. The monomaterial, GRS-certified articles can be fed into the textile cycle at the end of the product life cycle. Thus, the products already correspond to the future binding, sustainable textile strategy of the European Commission.

“Adding the articles “Minzhu”, “Minzhu Spring” and “Minzhu Sky” to our product porfolio is the most straightforward way to reach our goal of being 100-percent circular by 2030. These novelties consist of recycled textiles. That means zero waste, saving water and less CO2 emissions. Herewith, we offer products with the lowest environmental footprint currently possible,” said Anja Palic, Product manager Sympatex.

“Recyclable products are necessary to fullfill our responsibility as part of the outdoor industry. From today’s perspective, the most important consideration is the Polyester based mono-material approach. Only then laminates can be returned to the closed textile loop at the end of their product life cycle without any problems,” Palic added.

Another important step towards closing the textile loop: To conserve resources the Sympatex portfolio is available “undyed” in a natural white shade. By eliminating the dyeing process alone, an “undyed” Sympatex laminate saves an average of 19% water and 16% CO2 compared to conventionally dyed materials. The manufacturing process saves energy and ensures significantly lower use of harmful chemicals. The article L1665 Banff Spring Undyed offers the first undyed Sympatex laminate made from 100-percent recycled fiber2fiber yarn, which was produced from chemically recycled old clothing and fabric scraps. It is suitable for use in the lifestyle, outdoor and sportswear markets. The climate-neutral, PTFE- and PFAS-free membrane, is the best example for laminates made from textile waste.

With PFAS in the spotlight, the solution of waterproof membranes is changing faster than predicted. On the the fabric side, one can are already recognise the effects of the incoming EU Green Deal.

“The Forever Chemical legislation coming in next year has caught several of the big brands associated to the most iconic product of the Outdoor Industry with their pants down. Although the awareness of the badness associated PFCs has been known about (the industry moved away from the long-chain fluorocarbons post Detox at the start of the last decade), the EU legislation against them is now on the immediate horizon. The Outdoor Industry has championed tales of better & more responsible practice. It has talked much about how PFCs have been removed from the DWRs, whilst overlooking that they were used in the creation of micro-porous membranes. This is what has prompted the great activity around the fabric championed for breathable waterproof jackets,” said Charles Ross, specialist in Performance Sportswear Design & sustainable matters.

“Performance Days has thus set up an in-depth session on Day 1 of the 10 leading Fabric Converters presenting their solutions using the Pecha Kucha format. This will be split in two by a panel featuring membrane manufacturers. All have been invited to take part,” Ross added.

Pecha Kucha is a short presentation (20 slides that turn every 20 seconds). As there is a focus on permeable waterproof membranes currently within the outdoor industry, this is the first session from a range of Fabric Converters to bring clarity to the subject that has seen much change since the end of last year. There will be a Question & Answer period at the end of the presentations. The Expert Talk Area and Live-Stream Permeable Waterproof Membranes 1 will take place Wednesday 15th March 2023; 11:30 – 12:30 CET. Presenter for Sympatex will be Kim Scholze, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Sympatex.

“Current PFAS discussions cast a negative light on our wonderful industry. Let us take action together, using PFAS free alternatives and set a sign. There are environmentally friendly alternatives ready on the market. We better use them and put our industry back in the right light,” said Kim Scholze, chief sales and marketing officer Sympatex.

“If every single speaker uses the time within the Pecha Kucha sessions properly,  we all can benefit from this innovative format to a shift of mindset in the sport and outdoor industry.”, adds Scholze.

Performance Days is the place for designers, product, purchasing and material manager interested in the latest trends and innovations in the textile industry. Performance days always coincides with the April / May and October/ November seasonal sourcing schedules offering sustainable fabrics for sportswear, workwear, sportive fashion and athleisure collections. Free entry for trade fair visitors.

Posted: March 9, 2023

Source: Sympatex Technologies GmbH

Swedish Innovation: Digitalization And Highly Automated New Technologies Are Enabling Companies In High Wage Countries To Competitively Thrive In Textiles

Coloreel’s rapid colour formulation software and high-speed drive technology allow a single needle to carry out what it previously required many multiples of them to do.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — March 9, 2023 — Digitalization and highly automated new technologies are enabling companies in high wage countries to competitively thrive in textile markets that for many years have been closed to them.

Just as significantly, these technologies are providing the tools to differentiate in highly competitive fields, as is demonstrated by a recent project initiated by TMAS — the Swedish Textile Machinery Association — for the highly automated production and decoration of a unique tote bag.

Plastic reduction

Back in 2015, the European Parliament reinforced legislation to encourage an 80-percent reduction in the use of conventional single-use plastic carrier bags by 2025.

The initiative immediately had broad public support, effectively encouraging a basic and widespread change in consumer behavior. As a result, the consumption of disposable plastic bags has fallen significantly, along with a corresponding reduction in the waste they create.

There has also been a swing towards durable woven shopping bags which in the past have been labor-intensive to produce cheaply, as a result of the cutting and sewing involved.

Thanks to Swedish innovation, this is no longer the case.

The Automatex unit carries out all operations including hemming, handle insertion, cutting, labelling, bag forming and gusset forming automatically.

Fully automatic

TMAS member Automatex has developed a fully automatic tote/consumer bag sewing unit which can produce fully finished bags in heights of between 35-80 centimeters (cm) and widths of 30-80 cm. The machine is configured to carry out all the necessary automated operations including hemming, handle insertion, cutting, labeling, bag forming and gusset forming, which previously had to be carried out manually.

Its output is some 540 units an hour, introducing a completely new cost paradigm.

The resulting bags, however, are still plain and uniform at this point, and with products that are intended to be used for as long as possible, personalization is the key. Unique designs work to ensure purchasers are likely to become more attached to their products — and are happy to pay a little more for them in the first place.

Instant colouration

In order to add decorative appeal, another TMAS member company, Coloreel, became involved in the project.

Coloreel continues to secure multiple orders for its instant thread dyeing technology for high-speed decoration and embroidery — notably with the fast-rising new generation of online merchandisers and brands for whom mass customization and produce-on-demand sales are the key. The addition of a distinctive embroidered design to the tote bag using Coloreel’s technology took the product to a new level of attractiveness, as a further showcase for Swedish innovation.

The Automatex automatic tote/consumer bag machine.

The technology enables the high-quality and instant dyeing of a textile thread while it is actually being used in embroidery production. It can be used with any existing embroidery machine without modifications. Additionally, this technology makes it possible to produce gradients in an embroidery design, as demonstrated by the TMAS logo and the text in the image.

Advanced rapid color formulation software and high-speed drive technology allow a single needle to carry out what it previously required many multiples of them to do — and with much more consistent stitch quality.

By instantly dyeing a recycled white thread during production, the system enables complete freedom to create unique decorations and embroideries without any limitations. Color changes along the thread can either be made rapidly from one solid color to another, or gradually, to make smooth transitions or any coloring effect desired.

This provides big benefits when it comes to both sustainability and design creativity.

Potential of Swedish innovation

“Coloreel’s designs on the batch of bags produced on the Automatex machine are truly outstanding and have been turning heads wherever they appear,” says TMAS secretary general Therese Premler-Andersson. “The collaboration really emphasizes the positive potential of the latest Swedish digital textile technologies which are enabling companies to generate new revenue streams wherever they happen to be located.”

Posted: March 9, 2023

Source: TMAS, the Swedish Textile Machinery Association

Brückner Textile Technologies: CO2 Neutral Textile Finishing Only A Vision Of The Future

LEONBERG, Germany — March 9, 2023 — Climate change is undeniably progressing. Carbon dioxide (CO2) neutral production is being discussed and there are calls to pay even more attention to the recyclability of end products in the textile chain in the future. This has brought textile producers, machine builders, fiber manufacturers and the chemical industry even closer together. Not only manufacturers of classic textiles, but also producers of industrial textiles or textile floor coverings are challenged here.

The Dutch floor covering producer INTERCARPET has made a very large investment driven by the ambitious goal of bringing both a CO2-neutral produced and recyclable floor covering to the market. But this major goal in terms of environmental standards was not the only focus of the development. The end product should also surpass any conventionally produced carpet in terms of quality, ease of instal-lation, weight, comfort, maintenance and cleaning properties.

INTERCARPET is a major supplier of textile floor coverings in the medium and higher market segments. In two factories in the Netherlands, woven carpets, tufted carpets, knitted qualities and artificial grass coverings are produced for export worldwide. In addition to the typical carpet qualities made of all common man-made fibers, wool qualities of the highest quality are also produced from virgin wool. INTERCARPET has always been a pioneer in terms of reducing the burden on nature and the environment, a fact that has been repeatedly questioned in many audits over the years. Waste management and energy efficiency are not only buzzwords at INTERCARPET.

BRÜCKNER Textile Technologies, a medium-sized, owner-managed engineering company and market leader in the field of textile dry finishing, is proud to have been selected as partner in this project. BRÜCKNER’s delivery includes a stenter with a nonlub ball bearing chain and a DUO-THERM heat treatment oven. The special feature is that the oven is completely electrically heated. With its experience in the field of electric heating BRÜCKNER makes a valuable contribution on the way to a CO2 neutral future. The oven is operated with green electricity and thus offers for the first time the possibility of a CO2 neutral production of tufting carpets. All electricity consumers such as fan drives, exhaust air fans or the drives of the fabric transport system are equipped with energy-efficient motors. The horizontal ball bearing chain also ensures lowest drive power due to low rolling friction.

Today BRÜCKNER offers all common heating systems for its thermal treatment and drying lines. This includes direct or indirect gas heating, thermal oil heating, steam heating in low pressure and high pressure version, the described electric heating or also combinations like e.g. steam heating with additional electric heating.

With more than 400 employees BRÜCKNER designs lines for the textile finishing industry, for the production of nonwovens articles or industrial textiles from event tents to advertising banners, automotive textiles and geotextiles for land reinforcement or road construction.

INTERCARPET’s new product portfolio offers even more innovations to come. The new recyclable product and its innovative CO2-neutral production are in any case an important step towards a green future. This is also sufficient proof that CO2-neutral production in textile finishing is not just a vision of the future, but that INTERCARPET has already arrived in the future with its new production line and new technology.

Posted: March 9, 2023

Source: Brückner Textile Technologies GmbH & Co. KG

In The Fast Lane: With The CableCorder CC5 At The Tire Technology Expo 2023

KEMPTEN, Germany — February 28, 2023 — Saurer Twisting Solutions is looking forward to welcoming customers and visitors at the 22nd Tire Technology Expo March 21-23, 2023, at their booth 4004 in Hall 20 and to showcase the innovative CableCorder CC5.
For the production of high-quality tire cord, the technology-leading CC5 scores with numerous innovations to keep Saurer customers as always in the fast lane.

Saurer’s technology experts continuously support customers worldwide in optimising yarn production and yarn quality. Saurer has always been committed to the further development of the textile industry and integrates high-end plant engineering with modern information technology to provide sophisticated solutions today for the challenges of tomorrow. The Saurer CableCorder for the production of high-quality tire cord has always been a recognized leader in the tire industry.

The latest generation of the CableCorder convinces users with decisive competitive advantages:

  • energy consumption reduced again;
  • smart spindle concept for energy saving;
  • modern quality control;
  • improved ergonomics;
  • flexible automation and digitisation solutions; and
  • integration of the CableCorder into Saurer Senses.

Energy, productivity, quality

Saurer has once again improved the patented energy-saving technology with new hardware and optimised software. The CableCorder CC5 is therefore more economical than ever. The optimised thread balloon diameter and reduced spindle gauge cut down space requirements and increase productivity. Online monitoring of the quality parameters ensures that our customers’ high demands on the tire cord are guaranteed at all times.

User-friendly and intelligently automated

New machine components and an optimum yarn path enable a high operation comfort and process reliability. Intelligent automation solutions increase the efficiency of package transport thanks to the use of modern automated guided vehicle (AGV) technology. The loading of the machine, the removal of the completed take-up packages as well as the supply of the downstream creels are supported by automation technology. 
In addition to the basic CC5 version, the CableCorder is also available in the CC5- TFO version for production of yarns in the two-for-one twisting process and as the CC5-3PLY version for production of symmetrical and asymmetrical 3-ply tire cord.

The CableCorder CC5-3PLY variant

The direct cabling machine for the production of symmetrical 3-ply tire cord as well as asymmetrical 2-ply and 3-ply hybrid twisted yarns has established itself very successfully in the market. Within a very short time after market launch, a large number of CC5-3PLY machines were delivered and commissioned in the world’s tire cord markets. In addition, the CC5-3PLY serves replacement investments of ring twisting machines that are still used today for the production of 3-ply tire cord and hybrid yarns.

The Saurer exhibition team is looking forward to welcoming customers and visitors at the Tire Technology Expo 2023 and informing them personally about the benefits of our CableCorder CC5.

Posted: March 9, 2023

Source: Saurer Technologies GmbH & Co. KG

Micro Plant Making Its Debut At Furniture Manufacturing Expo 2023

ATLANTA — March 9, 2023 — Exposition Development Company Inc. (ExpoDevCo) announced today, after a year of planning with exhibiting sponsors and supporters, that the Micro Plant will make its debut during the 2023 Furniture Manufacturing Expo taking place July 19-20, 2023, at the Hickory Metro Convention Center in Hickory, N.C. The Micro Plant consists of exhibiting sponsors and supporters all coming together to showcase their step in the process.

The Micro Plant will be an interactive journey that leads attendees around the show floor to follow each step involved in constructing a chair. At the final step, attendees can watch it all come together as experts assemble a completed chair. On the last day of the show, two of the chairs will be auctioned off, and all proceeds will go to a local organization dedicated to the furniture manufacturing industry.

“Zund reached out to us over a year ago with the Micro Plant idea. They wanted to create a step-by-step journey around the show floor that would let attendees experience each phase of constructing a chair and give them the opportunity to see, touch, and ask questions along the way. This is an excellent add on value feature for our attendees,” commented Show Director Lorie Gross.

Bill Richards, sales director at Zund America, added: “Going to tradeshows is often an experience that gives you a view of so many trees, but very little forest. The Micro Plant is based on a more holistic approach. We are excited at this opportunity to work with our fellow exhibitors to show how all the different components — including Zünd digital cutting solutions — fit together in the process of state-of-the-art furniture manufacturing.”

Exhibiting Sponsors include: BEA Fasteners; Crest Leather; Fil-Tec; Henderson Sewing Machine Company; Hickory Springs; National Upholstery Association; Quis Machinery; and Zund America.

Exhibiting Supporters include: Domenick’s Furniture Manufacturer; Lee’s Decorative Showcase / DADS Nails; and Leggett & Platt.

Posted: March 9, 2023

Source: Exposition Development Company, Inc. (ExpoDevCo)

NRF: Imports Expected to Slowly Climb, But Should Remain Below 2022 Levels Through Mid-Summer

WASHINGTON — March 8, 2023 — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to begin slowly climbing again this month after February saw one of the lowest levels since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“There are many uncertainties about the economy, but we expect imports to show modest gains over the next several months,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Growth is a positive sign, but levels are still far below normal and retailers will remain cautious as they work to keep inventories in line with consumer demand.”

“Retailers are maintaining reduced inventories in anticipation of rebuilding with new seasonal stock once they have a clearer take on expected levels of consumer spending,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “While import volumes remain low, the tight labor market and strong wages are helping consumers absorb the impact of inflation and continue to spend.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.81 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units — one 20-foot container or its equivalent — in January, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was down 16.5 percent year over year but up 4.4 percent from December for the first month-over-month increase since last August.

Ports have not yet reported February numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected that the month dropped to 1.56 million TEU, down 13.6 percent from January and down an unusually large 26.2 percent from a year earlier. That would make it the slowest month since 1.53 million TEU in May 2020, when many factories in Asia and most U.S. stores were closed due to the pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, only the 1.51 million TEU recorded in February 2020 and 1.37 million TEU in March 2020 have been lower.

Even without the impact of the pandemic, February is historically the slowest month of the year because of Lunar New Year factory shutdowns in Asia and retailers’ lull between the holiday season and spring shopping. In February 2022, the impact of Lunar New Year was mitigated by congestion at U.S. ports that kept a supply of vessels waiting to unload, resulting in an artificially large year-over-year comparison this February.

Beginning this month, imports are expected to climb at least through mid-summer but will nonetheless remain below last year’s levels. March is forecast at 1.74 million TEU, down 25.9 percent year over year; April at 1.87 million TEU, down 17.2 percent, and May at 1.92 million TEU, down 19.7 percent. June is forecast at 2 million TEU, the first time imports are expected to be that high since October but down 11.5 percent from last June. July is forecast at 2.13 million TEU, down 2.5 percent year over year.

The first half of 2023 is forecast at 10.9 million TEU, down 19.5 percent from the first half of 2022. Imports for 2022 totaled 25.5 million TEU, down 1.2 percent from the annual record of 25.8 million TEU set in 2021.

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

Posted: March 8, 2023

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

F. Schumacher & Co. Announces New Corporate Headquarters In NYC

NEW YORK CITY — March 8, 2023 — F. Schumacher & Co. (FS&CO), an interior design house whose rich history spans centuries, announced a new office in the heart of Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood in the historic Devlin building. Moving from Midtown Manhattan, FS&CO’s new office space reflects the company’s identity as a style-forward and innovation-driven design powerhouse.

FS&CO was founded and established in New York City in 1889 by Frenchman Frederic Schumacher and was a pioneer in the world of interior design, getting its start by bringing the art of French textiles to the United States. It is a sixth-generation family-owned company. Its new headquarters, located at 459 Broadway and Grand Street are in the landmarked Devlin building, constructed in 1861, the original home to the Devlin department store. The heritage and impressive history of the 459 Broadway building make it the perfect home for FS&CO’s new offices. In fact, F. Schumacher & Co.’s original office on lower Fifth Avenue was located in a similar era building.

Situated over four floors that are flooded with natural light, the new office space is a fluid, shared setup that is designed to inspire creative energy. The new space reflects the identity of the innovative design house and its collection of brands, including Schumacher, Patterson Flynn, Backdrop, and Frederic magazine. The office meets the needs of these rapidly expanding teams with increased meeting spaces, lounge areas with large library tables, and even a rooftop.

“This move is much needed and symbolic of FS&CO’s growth and evolution over the past few years,” said Timur Yumusaklar, CEO of the parent company, F. Schumacher & Co. “It made sense for FS&CO to make its home in a building that shares a celebrated 130+ year history, and we’re honored to continue a legacy that inspires us to provide forward-thinking designs to interior designers and design aficionados.”

“The space is a perfect marriage of American and European design, which speaks to our unique heritage: Frederic Schumacher came to NY from Paris bringing his passion for European decorative arts with him.  Although we think of ourselves as a quintessentially American company that has an ‘I can do anything’ American spirit, our European roots always come through.  In the new space, Cappellini and Cassina furniture from Italy is used throughout, along with pieces from the American brand Herman Miller.  And we’ve used our own brands’ fabrics and wallpapers that run the gamut, from French toiles to graphic abstracts from our American artist collaborators.  Dotted throughout are accessories from French makers like India Mahdavi and Non Sans Raison. The overall effect feels cool and sophisticated, modern but warm, and it doesn’t hurt that the ceilings are 12 feet high!”, says Dara Caponigro, FS&CO’s Chief Creative Officer who is spearheading the project with Stephanie Cano, Director of Space Planning.

Posted: March 8, 2023

Source: F. Schumacher & Co.

ITMA 2023 Exhibitor Preview: KARL MAYER GROUP

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — March 8, 2023 — Using headwind as tailwind, with the KARL MAYER GROUP’s solutions to ITMA, June 8-14, 2023, Fiera Milano, Hall 4 B119

“We cannot change the wind, but we can set the sails differently.” What the Greek philosopher and polymath Aristotle recognized nearly 2,500 years ago is more true today than ever.

Our times are stormy, but with the right changes, the headwind becomes a tailwind. “Master the Change – profitable, flexible, sustainable” is the motto for a successful future, also for the KARL MAYER GROUP and its customers.

In light of the upheavals in the wake of current events, the industry leader spoke with its customers from all sectors and branches about their concerns, priorities and goals. During the discussions, five questions emerged as strategically essential and urgent. At ITMA 2023 in Milan, the KARL MAYER GROUP will be presenting solutions and innovations in response to these customer questions.

How to be profitable with increasing cost pressure?

The costs for materials, energy and transport services are exploding and are significantly reducing profits. What can I do for my profitability?, many customers are asking themselves, and they have found what they are looking for at the KARL MAYER GROUP. The answers for warp preparation are provided above all by a compact warp sampling machine with an even smaller space requirement and, for warp knitting, by the fastest three-bar tricot machine on the market with new functionalities.

A warp knitting machine with magazine weft insertion for the production of technical textiles offers more efficiency by reducing weft yarn waste at high working width and speed.

In addition, digital solutions open up new ways to increase profitability. One example is KM.ON’s Digital Production Management System for the digitization of processes, which, among other things, creates more transparency on the shop floor for the analysis and optimization of production with production-specific key figures available on a dashboard. More added value in the flat knitting sector without additional process steps is made possible by a special robotic function STOLL-knitrobotic® by integrating for example electronic components directly into the knitted textile on the ADF machine of the knitelligence® generation.

How can I keep my business running despite a skills shortage?

A glance at the KM.ON dashboard also saves a tour of the machine park and thus personnel capacities – an important plus point in view of the global shortage of skilled workers. The KARL MAYER GROUP’s Care Solutions division also has fewer personnel requirements in mind. The Care X-Tend Package, for example, provides an annual machine health check and remote service to ensure high machine availability without the need for the customer’s personnel.

Constructive optimizations of the machine also ensure operation without the need for trained personnel. For example, the Spring Motion Assistant makes changing bars on HKS models child’s play, and patterns can be changed via the ON pattern drive by touch screen swipe, without the need to handle pattern discs. On the warp knitting machine with magazine weft insertion, a new electronic function ensures pattern changes without mechanical handling. Optimizations on the ADF models from STOLL also accelerate the machine-setting for pattern changes in flat knitting and facilitate the handling during maintenance.

In warp preparation, batch changes on indigo and sizing machines can be considerably simplified with an innovative automation solution. In addition to less operating effort, customers benefit from less waste and potential for errors.

How do I find new business opportunities (e.g. applications) with the existing cost pressure?

In view of rising costs, customers around the world are looking for new, lucrative business opportunities. The KARL MAYER GROUP also offers them support in this respect, for example with a double bar raschel machine that uses perfected jacquard technology to implement spacer designs with an unprecedented play of colors. The colorful 3D warp knitted fabrics offer particular potential for further applications in the apparel, furniture and automotive sectors.

A warp knitted net made of biobased materials for vertical greening shows how technical textiles can be used to master our environmental challenges and at the same time open up new fields of application. The warp knitted grid structure lowers the temperature, produces oxygen and binds CO2.

Sophisticated features for ADF models, which, among other things, enable the use of different STOLL technologies on one machine and thus more design variety, ensure new business in the flat knitting sector.

In addition, an innovative machine will be presented that combines various fabric technologies and thus completely new textile constructions.

How to manage the increasing pressure to be more sustainable?

Environmental protection and resource saving are important success factors for customers today. A tricot machine with a focus on energy management and with pattern data transfer from the cloud instead of the material- and transport-intensive use of pattern discs takes this development into account.

There are also sustainability optimizations in detail: a new function makes it possible to achieve considerable waste savings in weft yarn on the warp knitting with weft insertion, and on an ADF model from STOLL a package of targeted design changes resulted in lower energy consumption.

The denim industry is benefiting from an innovation that makes indigo dyeing twice cleaner and at the same time three times more efficient than conventional processes. This is based on the use of nitrogen (NOX) technology to control the chemical dyeing process.

Textile solutions, such as a composite made of natural fibers for boat building and a CO2-neutral and biodegradable knitwear produced by a STOLL knitting machine, will also ensure greater sustainability. In addition, KARL MAYER will show how the production of knitted fully-fashion articles can save waste.

More sustainability and at the same time economy can also be achieved through CREATE DESIGN. The new innovative design software for flat-knitted textiles offers an interface to any 3D software and thus the possibility to create realistic 3D renders that enormously reduce the need for physical patterns and thus material consumption.

How to react to market requirements fast and flexible?

Data transfer from the cloud and ON pattern drive not only make tricot machines more productive and sustainable, but above all more flexible. Never before have pattern changes been faster, customers been able to respond more quickly to changing demand trends, and process small order quantities more efficiently.

STOLL’s fully fashion production also promises multiple benefits: Fewer additional fabrication steps mean less waste and more speed in the implementation of new products.

In addition, the setup time on ADF models for pattern changes can be reduced with well thought-out constructive solutions and the design-to-market workflow in the flat knitting sector can be significantly shortened with CREATE DESIGN von KM.ON. Designers are able to simulate their designed textiles with the software at any time and become independent of the time- and resource-intensive development of physical samples.

With the various STOLL technologies such as knit and wear®, weave-in® or intarsia, the ADF machines are also true all-rounders. According to the motto “all articles on one machine”, various garments will be created on one and the same ADF model in front of the eyes of ITMA visitors in Milan.

Posted: March 8, 2023

Source: KARL MAYER GROUP

Nike Announces Senior Leadership Shifts To Drive Continued Future Growth

BEAVERTON, Ore. — March 7, 2023 — NIKE Inc. announced senior leadership changes today in support of its Consumer Direct Acceleration (CDA). CDA is a digitally empowered phase of NIKE’s strategy to unlock long-term growth and profitability, first announced in 2020.

Amy Montagne, currently vice president/general manager, APLA, will transition to lead the Women’s business as vice president/general manager, Women’s. Cathy Sparks, currently Vvice president Nike Direct, EMEA, will transition to lead the APLA geography as vice president/general manager, APLA. Whitney Malkiel, currently vice president/general manager Women’s, has decided to leave Nike.

“These changes will further build on our strengths and underscore our commitment to accelerate our women’s business, invest in our geographies, and further grow our top talent. We remain committed to transforming Nike faster to define the marketplace of the future and unlock the next phase of growth through CDA,” said Heidi O’Neill, president of Consumer and Marketplace.

“Whitney played a significant role in leading our women’s business over the last three years and in her more than 20 years at Nike. We thank her for her contributions and leadership to the company,” said O’Neill.

These changes are effective as of March 13.

Biographical information on leaders:

Montagne is an 18-year NIKE leader, most recently leading the Asia-Pacific Latin America geography. Previously she has held the roles of vice president of Global Men’s, vice president/general manager, Global Categories, vice president/general manager, Global Women’s and vice president/general manager, Global Merchandising. She has also held positions of increasing responsibility in North America, Running, Women’s Training and Sportswear. Prior to joining NIKE, Montagne held roles in allocation, planning and merchandising at Gap Inc., Mervyn’s and Walmart.

Cathy Sparks is a 25-year NIKE leader, most recently leading as vice president, Nike Direct, EMEA where she has led the execution of CDA with the growth of digital and Direct within an integrated Nike Sport Marketplace. Previously she has held the roles of VP/general manager Global Nike Direct Stores, vice president Nike Direct Retail Concepts, vice president NA Nike Stores, general manager Emerging Markets DTC and general manager Korea DTC. Cathy started at NikeTown Portland as a store athlete, and has held positions of increasing responsibility across four geographies and global resulting in deep experience in marketplace transformation and consumer-led growth through brand, product and experiences.

Posted: March 7, 2023

Source: NIKE, Inc.

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