Carrington Textiles Appoints Jenni Brown As New Head Of Sales For Northern And Eastern Europe As Growth Continues

ADLINGTON, United Kingdom — February 3, 2022 — Global workwear textile manufacturer, Carrington Textiles, has announced the appointment of a new member of its team, Jenni Brown, who has taken responsibility for sales in northern and eastern Europe, working with the already established teams in these geographical markets, to help the company continue its progressive growth in the region.

With a great deal of experience from both a sales and textiles perspective, Jenni’s career includes roles as UK & European Sales Manager for knitwear brand John Smedley, head of Key Accounts for Simon Jersey and, most recently, Business Development manager for Cintas UK.

Brown said: “I’m delighted to join and be part of such an innovative brand. With over 20 years of experience within the fashion and corporatewear industry, I understand customers’ needs and requirements, this therefore feels like a natural career move. I look forward to bringing our new developments to market and working as part of the Carrington Textiles team to continue the growth of our market share”.

Paul Farrell, Carrington Textiles’ sales director added: “We are pleased to welcome someone with such great experience and skills like Jenni to our team. She is the perfect fit for our continued growth in northern and eastern Europe and I’m excited to see what the future holds not only for our company’s strategy, but also for Jenni’s career development”.

Posted: February 3, 2022

Source: Carrington Textiles

Cosmo Speciality Chemicals Launches A Range Of Organic Complexing Agent

NEW DELHI — February 3, 2022 — Cosmo Speciality Chemicals, a 100-percent subsidiary of Cosmo Films Ltd., has launched a range of organic complexing agents, Sequest SA and Sequest DM, with excellent chelation property. The specially formulated agents are effective in hard water and exhibit excellent chelation properties at a wide range of pH.

Applicable in pre-treatment, dyeing and printing processes like desizing, bleaching, dyeing and printing, both the agents prevent the corrosion of the metal parts of garments. The two products of this range are:

  1. Sequest SA (Sequestering Agent) – a highly efficient eco-friendly high temperature stable sequestering agent for Ca++, FE+++ and other heavy metals;
  2. Sequest DM (Demineralising Agent) – a high performance demineralising agent to remove heavy metal ions from cotton and processsed water.

Demineralizing agents usually form complexes of coordination compounds by reaction of their negatively charged donor groups with polyvalent metal ions like iron present on the greige fabric and in process water which will enhancing the final whiteness index where as sequestering agents usually form complexes or coordination compounds by reaction of their negatively charged donor groups with polyvalent metal ions such as iron, calcium, copper and magnesium.

0.2-1.0 percent dose for exhaust application and 2-5gpl for continuous application are the recommended dosages of both Sequest SA and Sequest DM.

Talking about the new product range, Anil Gaikwad, business head, Cosmo Specialty Chemicals said, “In our another step towards innovation and to bring another solution for the textile industry we have innovated these two agents which help in removing metallic ions from the textile in the wet processing steps.”

Posted: February 3, 2022

Source: Cosmo Specialty Chemicals

Generational Equity Advises Illinois Sleep Products In Its Majority Sale To Bedding Industries Of America

DALLAS — February 2, 2022 — Generational Equity, a mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the majority sale of its client, Illinois Sleep Products Inc. to Bedding Industries of America. The transaction closed January 20, 2022.

Illinois Sleep Products (ISP), located in Chicago, Illinois was founded in 1986 by husband-and-wife team Edward Ciolkosz and Susan Ciolkosz. ISP has been a licensee of BIA for almost seven years and manufactures in its 240,000-square-foot factory. Under the terms of the acquisition, ISP’s management team and its more than 100 employees and contractors will remain with the company. The Chicago factory will be rebranded BIA Midwest.

The Ciolkosz’s began selling mattresses in 1978, and then started producing them in their basement and garage. The operation grew to 16 storefronts and became known as one of Chicago’s largest bedding retail stores. After starting ISP, the company purchased its Englander license in 2005 and now operates a specialty sewing shop, multiple roll pack operations and pocketed coil manufacturing in its factory.

Located in North Brunswick, N.J., Bedding Industries of America (BIA) is an international bedding manufacturer. It has three major divisions which operate as companies: Therapedic Sleep Products, Eclipse Sleep Products, and Eastman House Bedding. BIA itself also makes its own mattresses under the name BIA Mattresses. BIAM is the manufacturer of mattresses for a lifestyle suite, The Ernest Hemingway Collection.

The transaction takes BIA’s owned factory holdings to a total of 465,000 square feet. The company opened a 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Rialto, Calif., last year and operates in 135,000 square feet on its campus in New Jersey. The Chicago factory produces in 240,000 square feet. In addition to its factories, BIA has a network of more than 80 licensees worldwide.

BIA will be expanding ISP’s certified organic brand, Harvest Green Mattress as well as continuing to produce the Englander brand for the Midwest. The Chicago plant will be expanding its production of BIA’s existing collections, including Eclipse, Eastman House, Hemingway, Natural Dreams and Velika.

“We have targeted the Midwest as an important area of growth for our brands,” said Stuart Carlitz, president and CEO of BIA. “Ed is an outstanding manager who I’ve known for decades, and I’m very excited to welcome him and his family into our company. We look forward to offering their customers all the support and capabilities that we have to offer. I thank Ed and Sue for building an amazing business and look forward to beginning this new and exciting chapter for all of our combined employees, customers and suppliers.”

“I have had the pleasure of developing a relationship with Stuart and his team over the length of my career, and the decision for us to join together was an important one for our customers and employees. They are the right people to continue the legacy my family has built,” Ciolkosz said.

He added, “From the start of the acquisition, our two families, each deeply rooted in the mattress industry, have come together to make the transition swift and smooth. I look forward to working alongside their team.”

Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A – Central Region, Michael Goss, and his team led by Senior Vice President, Andre Farahmandi, with support from Vice President, M&A, Jacob Mangalath, successfully closed the transaction. Senior Managing Director, Roger Dean established the initial relationship with ISP.

“I believe there’s a bright future in-store for both families as their positive business relationships and wealth of knowledge can be brought together to further grow the Company,” said Farahmandi.

Posted: February 2, 2022

Source: Generational Equity

SHOWA Group To Triple Domestic PPE Glove Production Capacity With Major Facility Expansion, DHHS Funding

FAYETTE, Ala. — February 2, 2022 — SHOWA Group — a fully integrated manufacturer of industrial, household and medical PPE gloves — today announced a major facility expansion that will triple production capacity to meet growing government and industrial demand for “Made in America” PPE gloves. The phased buildout of two additional facilities will increase SHOWA’s annual domestic production capacity to 1.2 billion gloves by the end of 2022, and 2.8 billion gloves once the buildout is complete.

While the U.S. relied heavily on overseas PPE suppliers pre-pandemic, COVID-19 exposed supply chain vulnerabilities and a critical need to increase domestic production capacity of nitrile gloves. As the only integrated manufacturer of nitrile, single-use PPE gloves with full U.S. onshore capabilities, SHOWA announced today it has also received contracts from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) totaling $81.3 million to help drive this expansion through the funded buildout of two additional Fayette, Alabama PPE glove manufacturing facilities.

“SHOWA has operated as a profitable PPE glove manufacturer with roots in the U.S. going back 50 years, and today we have more than 6,500 employees across 8 locations worldwide,” said Richard Heppell, President and COO, Americas, Oceania and EMEA at SHOWA Group. “Nitrile glove manufacturing is a complex, resource-intensive multi-year process, one that SHOWA is uniquely positioned to execute with unmatched production capacity, a proven track record and robust financial resources.”

SHOWA invested $35 million to expand its Fayette, Ala., manufacturing facility. The 40,000 square foot facility now includes four additional high-speed monorail lines that will bring total production capacity to 1.2 billion PPE single-use, nitrile gloves by the end of 2022. The DHHS funding will be utilized for the buildout of two new, adjacent manufacturing facilities, which are expected to be operational in June 2023 and September 2024, respectively. Once all three factories are complete, SHOWA will have a capacity of 2.8 billion gloves annually.

Heppell added: “The growing U.S. prioritization of re-shoring PPE demands industry partners that not only talk the talk, but who have truly walked the walk. SHOWA is the first company to produce a PPE nitrile glove on a line built before and during the pandemic, and the only PPE glove manufacturer with the long-term domestic supply arrangements as specified in domestic procurement legislation and Acts such as the Berry Amendment and Make PPE in America Act.”

Posted: February 2, 2022

Source: SHOWA Group

Gerber Childrenswear Debuts Expanded Modern Moments™ Line Of Stylish Baby And Toddler Essentials For All Of The Milestone ‘Moments’

GREENVILLE, S.C. — February 2, 2022 — Gerber Childrenswear LLC is launching an expansion to its ever popular modern moments™ by Gerber® collection, offering today’s parents the modern styling, quality and value they desire in extended sizes and fashions available exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com. The expanded collection includes fashion playwear in trendy prints and designs for infants and toddlers up to 5T, new bedding, blankets and infant toys for nursery décor, all ranging in price from $3 to $40.

“Today’s parents are prioritizing style, modern silhouettes and prints just as much as function and comfort for their little ones,” said Donna DeBoer, chief merchandising officer at Gerber Childrenswear. “The modern moments by Gerber lifestyle collection is infused with of-the-moment trends that don’t sacrifice quality for style or function for value. Now, we’re expanding this popular line to assist parents in all areas of their daily routines for babies and toddlers — from playtime to bedtime.”

The entire modern moments collection features on-trend colorways like forest green, rust orange, soft lavender and seafoam as well as gender neutral options like grey and teal. New, contemporary prints like camouflage, tie-dye, stripes and gingham combined with fun patterns featuring polka dots, bicycles, suns and cherries give options so parents can dress babies and toddlers to match their unique personalities and budding personal style.

To help introduce the new nursery line and expanded clothing items, Gerber Childrenswear is teaming up with interior designer, HGTV host and lifestyle expert, Breegan Jane, to share expertise and advice on creating a nursery space that hones modern function and style.

“I’m all about combining modern aesthetics with livable comforts, especially when designing a room for a baby or toddler, since those early moments spent in that space can be so special,” said Jane. “From middle-of-the-night wakeups to getting dressed every day, parents spend a lot of time in the nursery with their little ones in the early years, and the expanded modern moments collection lets parents bond with their child in a space that feels comforting and calm to both them and baby.”

Creating a Soothing Nursery

The modern moments new nursery essentials, like sheets, changing pad covers, patchwork and flannel blankets, loveys and more, keep baby cozy and secure any time of day. Parents can easily utilize new designs and modern prints and patterns to transform their little ones’ nursery space in a way that not only fits their style aesthetic but is a comfortable and soothing environment for baby too.

Encouraging Early Play

The modern moments collection now includes infant soft toys, too, with the debut of lovey + rattle sets, books, play mats and sensory balls to help parents encourage early development play. The toys are made with soft, safe materials with features like mirrors and various textures to stimulate learning and promote functional playtime.

Newborn Essentials 
The new modern moments collection includes new iterations of essential clothing items for newborns and babies under 12 months. These new prints, colorways and fashionable features complement each other so well, and when combined with practical features for parents like snaps and expandable lap-shoulder necklines, make building outfits a breeze.

Toddler Essentials

Parents can now build an entire toddler wardrobe of functional, fashionable key items, with modern moments essentials that go all the way up to size 5T. The collection includes joggers, hoodies, sweaters, leggings, rompers, and dresses in various colors and stylish prints designed for mixing, matching, layering, and making changes infinitely easier.

Strict Quality Standards

All fabrics used in the modern moments by Gerber collection are STANDARD 100 OEKO-TEX® certified keeping baby safe from harmful substances.

Parents can find the expanded modern moments line now at Walmart.com and in Walmart stores nationwide beginning early February. Follow Gerber Childrenswear and Breegan Jane on Instagram for additional nursery and style inspiration.

Posted: February 2, 2022

Source: Gerber Childrenswear LLC

Harley-Davidson Appoints Erica Bullard As Senior Vice President, Apparel & Licensing, And Louise Goldin As Creative Director

MILWAUKEE/NEW YORK CITY — February 2, 2022 — Harley-Davidson Inc. today announces the appointment of Erica Bullard as senior vice president of Apparel & Licensing and Louise Goldin as creative director.

“As one of the most iconic brands in the world, the potential to grow our overall Apparel and Licensing business is significant and is one of the core pillars of our Hardwire strategy. We’re excited to have Erica and Louise join the team as we increase our focus on growing Harley-Davidson’s business, drawing from our 119-year heritage as one of the most desirable lifestyle brands that defines moto-culture in America and around the world,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO, Harley-Davidson.

Today’s announcement sees the strategic renaming of Harley-Davidson’s General Merchandise (GM) function to Apparel & Licensing (A&L). This newly created function will leverage Harley-Davidson’s recently opened creative studio in Tribeca, NYC, in addition to Harley-Davidson’s established design studio and archive in Milwaukee.

“Erica brings decades of experience from within the apparel industry, with a demonstrable track record of leading and growing businesses and strategic regions,” Zeitz noted.

In this newly created role, reporting into Zeitz, Bullard will lead the global apparel and licensing business for the Harley-Davidson brand. Bullard joins Harley-Davidson from global sportswear brand NIKE Inc., having worked for over 20 years in various senior roles and business units across the company.

“There are few brands as iconic as Harley-Davidson, a brand built on a unique combination of authenticity, adventure and self-expression. I am excited to extend the brand through apparel and invite new and existing consumers around the globe to the Harley-Davidson community,” Bullard said.

“Louise is a true creative with a proven track record in designing and building some of the world’s most desirable brands. I’m excited to see Louise’s creative interpretation of Harley-Davidson’s apparel heritage,” Zeitz said.

Goldin will head the new studio and design teams in New York and Milwaukee, bringing her expertise in applying advanced technology and functionality to the intersection of modern lifestyle design and fit-for-purpose apparel at Harley-Davidson.

“I feel a deep connection between Harley-Davidson’s design language and my own DNA as a designer,” Goldin said. “I’m inspired by the unique combination of engineering, functionality, craftsmanship and soul that lies at the heart of Harley’s iconic heritage and brand aesthetic. My goal is to work that spirit and purpose into new pieces that will carry the brand forward into the future.”

Posted: February 2, 2022

Source: Harley-Davidson Inc.

Texon Boosts Sustainability Credentials With Additional GRS Certifications

PRATO, Italy — February 2, 2022 — Texon has set the tone for its 2022 sustainability programme by kick-starting the year with news that it has secured further Global Recycling Standard (GRS) certifications. Texon’s Prato, Italy; Hong Kong, SAR China; and Taichung, Taiwan, facilities are celebrating achieving GRS status for specific product lines and processing steps used in the manufacture and distribution of sustainable material solutions for footwear, accessories, and functional apparel.

GRS is an international voluntary standard that confirms that textile manufacturers meet the needs of companies looking to verify the recycled content of their products. The GRS standard also provides companies with assurances that responsible social, environmental, and chemical practices are used throughout the production of any materials they are looking to purchase.

Texon’s Hong Kong office achieved the certification for trading, while Texon’s Taichung branch successfully registered for both exporting and importing. In addition to Texon’s Prato site registering for trading and warehousing, revolutionary woven fabrics such as ProWeave have also been certified as complying with the GRS standard.

To achieve GRS status, Texon’s sites underwent rigorous inspections and assessments from GRS officers. The auditors confirmed that all listed processing steps and activities correspond with the criteria set out in the GRS standard for certified products.

Boyd Mulder, group NPDI, Sustainability and Marketing director at Texon said: “We have a proud heritage and a strong track record for quality, innovation and sustainability at Texon. Many of the world’s best-known brands rely on our material solutions to create more sustainable products that consumers desire, without compromising performance. We are continually striving for better – and to do more with less. Achieving the GRS standard at our Hong Kong, Taichung and Prato sites reinforces that message to the wider world and is another important step in our continuing journey to zero waste.”

Texon’s ambition is zero waste by 2025. As part of this goal, Texon has four key objectives:

  • To reduce its carbon footprint by 50 percent;
  • To reduce its use of virgin materials by 50 percent;
  • To ensure 90 percent of its waste is recyclable or reusable; and
  • To reduce its water use and water waste by 20 percent.

The latest certifications add to Texon’s existing GRS accreditations, with the company’s Dongguan site in China securing GRS status back in 2020. Texon also continues to work towards new environmental accreditations that keep the business accountable. This includes setting further 2022 GRS goals for sites in Vietnam and the UK. Find out more about Texon’s sustainability journey online, or email zerofootprint@texon.com to discuss the company’s latest sustainable innovations.

Posted: February 2, 2022

Source: Texon

Microban® International Teams Up With Rifra Masterbatches

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — February 2, 2022 — Microban International is proud to announce a new distributor agreement with Rifra Masterbatches, a global player in the production of tailor-made additives — such as color or various complexes — used to process plastic products. The two companies share a goal of providing novel masterbatches with antimicrobial properties, to be able to offer their injection, blow molding, extrusion and compounding customers more choice in solutions.

Rifra Masterbatches has provided various additives to the packaging, building, medical device, E&E, and toy industries for over 40 years and, from its very earliest origins, has thrived on the philosophy of addressing the needs of its customers. The company has recognized an increasing interest in including antimicrobial technologies into plastics — especially in the heightened awareness of the current COVID-19 pandemic — and welcomes the opportunity to work with Microban, a leading expert in the field, to address this unmet need.

Antimicrobials have always been of interest for manufacturing companies, but adding them into products can be challenging and is fraught with regulatory loopholes. Microban has a wealth of expertise in incorporating built-in antimicrobial protection into a vast array of products, and has a similar customer-focused approach to Rifra. The partnership will begin as a distributor agreement, but both parties look forward to exploring further opportunities for the co-development of unique additive products which will combine features and simplify formulations.

Giorgio Rimini, director of Business Development for Europe at Microban, said: “We are particularly excited about partnering with Rifra Masterbatches. It is a global player in the plastic additives field with an extremely bright future, and we look forward to discovering some really exciting prospects on the horizon together.”

Elisabetta Rampa, general manager at Rifra Masterbatches, added: “Most masterbatch producers have decided to avoid an antimicrobial product portfolio because of the challenges associated with formulation and regulatory requirements. However, we wanted to address the needs of our customers, and have chosen to work with Microban, the global leader in the field, to achieve this goal.”

Posted: February 2, 2022

Source: Microban International

Huntsman Textile Effects Launches Water Conservation Project In India

SINGAPORE — February 2, 2022 — Huntsman Textile Effects has successfully implemented a water conservation process to improve water efficiency and reduce net water usage at its Baroda facility, which is located in the western region of India. The initiative undertaken at the plant aims to save around 76 kiloliters of Reverse Osmosis water per day by modifying the phase sequence in the pH measurement program.

Water is used extensively throughout textile processing operations. The amount of water used varies widely in the industry, depending on specific processes operated at the plant, equipment used, and policies concerning water use. This conservation project at the Baroda Plant will have a potential savings of Rs 10 crore or $146,000 a year for the organization.

Speaking on the development, Mark Devaney, vice president, Manufacturing and Operations Excellence, Huntsman Textile Effects said, “At Huntsman, we recognize the important role we play in creating a more sustainable future and are committed to the well-being of the communities where we operate, and the protection of the environment. We are continually looking for ways to improve the environmental footprint of our manufacturing sites and have been implementing numerous projects in recent years to reduce our water usage.”

“The team has done a detailed assessment of the pH analysis process in dye vessels, mapping the existing water usage and potential conservation method. After a brief study and several brainstorming sessions, we were able to adjust the phase sequence, resulting in conservation of Reverse Osmosis water by almost 76 kilo liters of water per day.” said Kavishwar Kalambe, Site Director, Huntsman Textile Effects. “This project directly contributes to Huntsman’s Horizon 2025 goals to reduce net water usage at facilities in water-stressed regions,” he added.

Posted: February 2, 2022

Source: Huntsman Textile Effects

 

Introducing Motion Automation Intelligence: MotionAi Offers Tech-Savvy, Methodical Approach To Custom Needs

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — February 2, 2022 — Motion Industries Inc. — a distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a provider of industrial technology solutions — is pleased to announce the formation of its automation business brand: Motion Automation Intelligence (MotionAi).

Comprising its highly specialized value-add engineering divisions — including AMMC, Axis, Braas, F&L, Integro, Kaman Automation and Numatic Engineering — MotionAi is a hi-tech automation solutions provider for industrial automation and emerging automation technologies with locations across the United States. Focused disciplines are robotics, motion control, machine vision, digital networking/IIoT, industrial framing, pneumatics and custom mechatronic systems. Industries served include semiconductor, pharmaceutical, medical, logistics, automotive and aerospace (along with many others) while applying the highest quality products and services with its engineered systems.

“We approach each opportunity as consultants, then engineer the best solutions based on our customers’ unique needs,” said Aurelio Banda, Motion’s Group vice president of Automation. “We partner closely with suppliers and customers on automation applications and product development projects to create a vital supplier-customer link. Our services range from the most simple to quite comprehensive, and there is a unique depth of talent in our group that succeeds across disciplines.”

The MotionAi team comprises the best of the best,” said Motion’s President Randy Breaux. “Their top-level expertise provides each customer with the most effective solutions to meet business demands. Automation is the present and future, and we are excited to formally launch this new initiative and offer the latest innovations.”

The new website featuring MotionAi’s full capabilities can be explored at ai.motion.com.

Posted: February 2, 2022

Source: Motion Industries Inc.

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