HOUSTON — October 10, 2022 — The Wells Companies, a family of design entities, has launched Cottage Textiles, a direct-to-consumer website offering luxury home interior fabrics and wallcoverings that no longer are distributed through the trade. These fabrics and wallcoverings are retired from production and therefore are offered at special prices to all design enthusiasts.

The Wells Companies founder and CEO Lauren Hudson said, “It was a natural next step to create a platform where we can provide a second market and extended life for luxury textiles and wallcoverings that no longer are distributed through the trade. Cottage Textiles features textiles and wallcoverings that have been manufactured at some of the best mills in the world and have a timeless appeal. We have selected only the best products for Cottage Textiles, and I am thrilled to offer them to design enthusiasts across the country.”

Cottage Textiles carries retired fabrics and wallcoverings from some of the top brands in the interior design sector. Inventory will continue to evolve with new selections added regularly. Shop Cottage Textiles at www.cottagetextiles.com.

Posted: October 10, 2022

Source: The Wells Companies

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — October 10, 2022 — ASTM International’s cannabis committee (D37) has developed a new standard on medicinal-use cannabis inflorescence.

The standard, soon to be published as D8439, provides specifications for cannabis flower that can be used to support sound and reproducible research. According to ASTM International member David Vaillencourt, this standard will help consumers, labs, regulators, and manufacturers of cannabis products by establishing consistent testing for quality and safety.

“With a fragmented cannabis industry marketplace, there is no common set of requirements around reporting cannabinoids and terpenes, which are the primary constituents that are linked to therapeutic benefits,” says Vaillencourt. “This lack of consistency harms public health and prevents evaluation of product safety and efficacy across jurisdictions. This standard provides a solution to this problem.”

Vaillencourt further notes that with the rapid pace of innovation in the cannabis industry, it must take more steps, like creating D8439, to standardize internationally and ensure patient welfare.

This effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 on health.

Posted: October 10, 2022

Source: ASTM International

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — October 10, 2022 — On October 13-14, the new local industry fair Svenska Textilmaskinsmässan (The Swedish Textile Machinery Fair), a new meeting place for sustainable textile production, will run for the first time. The organizer of the fair is the University of Textiles in Borås. The Textile Machinery Association of Sweden (TMAS) and its member companies will showcase innovation and textile machines from Sweden – technology that enables local production.

The interest in local textile production in Sweden is growing as a result of the need for more sustainable production chains which need to be implemented in everything from material selection to production and distribution, providing good conditions for moving all or parts of the production home.

“TMAS members help automate and streamline textile production, reduce waste and emissions and contribute to increased quality and flexibility,” says Therese Premler-Andersson, general secretary of TMAS. “These requirements are crucial to respond to a market undergoing the transition towards circularity and sustainable business models. The initiative for the fair comes at the right time when local production is something more people are considering and it will be exciting to present Swedish solutions in Sweden.”

The Swedish company Värnamo of Sweden has manufactured bed and decorative textiles of the highest quality in Sweden since 1951. With the support of the Swedish machine manufacturer ACG Kinna Automatic, it has established a modern facility in Sweden which has enabled it to compete with production in low-cost countries.

“Following the machine investments we have made in recent years, we can manufacture and sell to major players in both retail and hotel operations,” says Martin Åhlander, CEO of Värnamo of Sweden.

“New investments have meant that we have been able to break new ground and bring in larger players such as Jysk and Mio among others.”

ACG Kinna Automatic was founded in Sweden in 1977 and is one of the world’s most experienced manufacturers of textile machines. The project together with Värnamo of Sweden is an excellent example of how it helps its customers to increase automation and thereby save costs.

“We are great at helping our customers to increase automation,” says Christian Moore, CEO ACG Kinna Automatic and board member of TMAS. “At Värnamo of Sweden, where the production has been placed in Sweden since the start, this meant that our machines could support the company in gearing up its production, which we are proud of.”

Over 40 exhibitors will participate in the Swedish textile machinery fair, of which almost 30% are TMAS members with machines manufactured in Sweden and with Swedish expertise. Between 300-400 visitors are expected. The fair is free of charge for visitors.

Participating TMAS member companies are ACG Nyström, ACG Kinna Automatic, Baldwin, Coloreel, Eltex of Sweden, ES Automatex Solution, Eton Systems, Imogo, Svegea of Sweden, Texo and Vandewiele Sweden.

Posted: October 10, 2022

Source: The Textile Machinery Association of Sweden (TMAS)

SPARTANBURG, S.C.  — October 6, 2022 — Diversified global manufacturer Milliken & Company was included among the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces for 2022, a comprehensive ranking compiled by Newsweek in partnership with Best Practice Institute (BPI). Milliken joins other top workplaces noted for putting respect, care and appreciation for their employees at the center of their business model and earning the loyalty and respect of those who work for them.

“At Milliken, one of our core values is people,” shared Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken & Company. “This recognition is an honor for our entire team. They are the reason we are among the most loved.”

Milliken is one of four manufacturers to make the list. The results were determined after surveying more than 1.4 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 10,000. Companies identified in the top 100 for the Newsweek ranking were evaluated and scored as follows: 35 percent of the initial score was based on employee survey responses; 25 percent was derived from analysis of external public ratings from sites such as Comparably, Careerbliss, Glassdoor, Indeed and Google; and 40 percent came from direct interviews with and written responses from company officials. Newsweek then conducted additional research into every company on the list, as well as the top runners up, to determine the final list of 100 companies and their ranking.

This ranking gives further significance to its employees’ feedback, Milliken’s Chief Human Resources Officer Craig Haydamack points out: “We want all our associates to be able to bring their best, authentic selves to work each day. This recognition highlights those who matter most at Milliken — our people.”

Every Milliken associate receives a full portfolio of benefits from day one and has access to professional development programs, physical and mental health resources, flexible and remote office access, and career management and planning. In addition, backed by Milliken’s core values of Integrity and Sustainability, associates are at the forefront of Milliken’s efforts to do the right thing for our communities and for the planet.

Posted: October 7, 2022

Source: Milliken & Company