Imports Headed To Lowest Level Since Early 2021 But Retailers Are Well Stocked For Holidays

WASHINGTON — October 7, 2022 — Imports at the nation’s major container ports are expected to fall to their lowest level in nearly two years by the end of 2022 even though retail sales continue to grow, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“The holiday season has already started for some shoppers and, thanks to pre-planning, retailers have plenty of merchandise on hand to meet demand,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “Many retailers brought in merchandise early this year to beat rising inflation and ongoing supply chain disruption issues. Despite the lower volumes, retailers are still experiencing challenges along the supply chain, including U.S. ports and intermodal rail yards.”

“The growth in U.S. import volume has run out of steam, especially for cargo from Asia,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “Recent cuts in carriers’ shipping capacity reflect falling demand for merchandise from well-stocked retailers even as consumers continue to spend. Meanwhile, the closure of factories during China’s October Golden Week holiday along with the Chinese government’s continuing ‘Zero Covid’ policy have impacted production, reducing demand for shipping capacity from that side of the Pacific as well.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.26 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in August, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was up 3.5% from July but down 0.4% from August 2021.

Ports have not yet reported September’s numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.07 million TEU, down 3% year over year. October is forecast at 2 million TEU, down 9.4% year over year; November at 2.01 million TEU, down 4.9%, and December at 1.96 million TEU, down 6.1%. The December number would be the lowest since 1.87 million TEU in February 2021, which was the last time the monthly total fell below 2 million TEU.

The first half of the year totaled 13.5 million TEU, a 5.5% increase year over year. The forecast for the remainder of the year would bring the second half to 12.5 million TEU, down 4% year over year. For the full year, 2022 is expected to total 26 million TEU, up 0.7% from last year’s annual record of 25.8 million TEU.

Imports are expected to bounce back briefly in January 2023, which is forecast at 2.06 million TEU, but that would be down 4.9% from January 2022. February is forecast at 1.8 million TEU, down 15% year from last year as the month returns to its usual slowdown because of Lunar New Year factory shutdowns each year in Asia. Numbers remained high despite the holiday last year because of backed-up cargo that kept congested ports busy during the month.

The cargo data comes as NRF forecasts that 2022 retail sales will grow between 6% and 8% over 2021. Sales were up 7.5% during the first eight months of the year.

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: October 7, 2022

Source: National Retail Federation (NRF)

3M Scotchlite Reflective Material Launches The Next Generation Of Industrial Wash Reflective Transfer Films

ST. PAUL, Minn. — October 5, 2022 — Industrial garments need to withstand tough conditions, including an increased number of wash cycles, disinfecting wash performance, higher temperatures and harsher washing conditions.

To help meet these demands, 3M is introducing the next generation of 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material Industrial Wash and Industrial Wash Flame Resistant Reflective Transfer Films that offer the strongest wash durability ever offered by 3M. These new films are designed to increase longevity and help reduce the cost of ownership for specifiers, all in a more sustainable design certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

3M Scotchlite Reflective Material 9725 Industrial Wash Transfer Film is a high-wash performance solution built for the hard-wearing demands of today’s world. This new product is designed to:

  • Last up to 75 industrial wash cycles according to ISO 15797 table 4, procedure 2
  • Last up to 50 disinfectant industrial wash cycles according to ISO 15797 table 1, procedure 2
  • Be suitable for tumble drying and tunnel finishing

This high-performance trim is ideal for use in a wide assortment of industries including manufacturing, industrial, construction, transportation, utilities and first responders.

For flame-resistant safety wear, 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material 9745 Industrial Wash Flame Resistant Transfer Film is designed to:

  • Last up to 100 industrial wash cycles according to ISO 15797 table 4, procedure 2
  • Last up to 50 disinfectant industrial wash cycles according to ISO 15797 table 1, procedure 2
  • Be suitable for tumble drying and tunnel finishing

This high-performance flame-resistant trim is ideal for use in a wide assortment of industries including oil, gas, mining, utilities, and manufacturing.

“We recognize the evolution of wash detergents and processing procedures amongst our key industrial wash customers and the effect that has on our reflective films,” says Andrew Johnson, product marketing manager in 3M’s personal safety division. “To help ensure these new industrial wash films would withstand these new expectations, we partnered directly with the leading detergent suppliers to monitor our performance every step along the way.”

“These collaborations confirmed our own internal evaluation results, and we are excited to establish such a robust industrial wash cycle claim for the U.S. and Canadian markets,” he says. “The ISO-15797 standards aren’t as well known yet in this region, but we expect these new solutions to set the bar at a whole new level.”

Together with the existing reflective fabric 9945, these new options help expand the high-performance range of 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material. This power-packed range is built to help deliver durability, high brightness, and disinfectant washability, all in a more sustainable design that’s certified as Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Class 1.

How Scotchlite reflective materials work

3M Scotchlite Reflective Transfer Films are intended for use on high-performance safety garments. They help enhance the visibility of the wearer at night or in lowlight conditions when illuminated by a light source, such as vehicle headlights or streetlights. 3M is a pioneer in developing the science behind retroreflection and has been advancing the technology in new and groundbreaking ways for over 80 years.

3M Scotchlite Reflective Material works by returning light rays back to the original source, a result of the retroreflective properties of thousands of microscopic glass beads incorporated into the material. This means retroreflective materials appear brightest to an observer located near the original light source, such as a car’s headlights. Since very little light is scattered when the light is returned, retroreflective materials enhance the contrast of the wearer to an observer located near the original light source.

Posted: October 6, 2022

Source: 3M

Famous Footwear Partners With Caitlin Mchugh Stamos For Fall Fashion Campaign

ST. LOUIS — October 6, 2022 — Famous Footwear, one of the Caleres brands, is partnering with actress, model, podcaster and lifestyle influencer Caitlin McHugh Stamos for its 2022 fall campaign.

The partnership with Stamos celebrates Famous Footwear as the shopping destination for all the best brands and must-have shoes for fall. The campaign features Stamos showcasing styles from the leading fall fashion trends and how she is styling each one. From western boots, block heels, lug soles to classic dress heels and the classic white court sneaker, Stamos shares how these versatile styles fit her life.

In addition to being a successful author and actress, Stamos has established her own business and podcast, and is a leader for organizations rooted in advocating for women. Through her podcast, “How Can I Help,” Stamos identifies nonprofits, businesses and individuals who are making a positive impact in the world and works to further their causes.

“Famous Footwear always has so many name-brand and on-trend options for my lifestyle,” said McHugh Stamos.“I’m always on the go and have found Famous to be an amazing resource for fashionable and versatile shoes that take me from day to night.”

“Our consumer wants on-trend styles that fit with her life,” said Holly Campbell, senior vice president of marketing for Famous Footwear. “We think our customers will be inspired by Caitlin’s style and the way she shows up in the world. She’s the perfect person to show how easy it is to find the right trends and the best brands at Famous Footwear.”

The campaign will run across all digital channels for Famous Footwear. Customers can shop her looks on Instagram and TikTok, where all her styling tips will be shared, as well as a chance to win her five featured must-have fall footwear trends below.

Famous Footwear will continue to partner with fashion content creators to connect with consumers in a relatable way. This is part of a larger campaign initiative for Famous Footwear that celebrates creativity and individuality. The brand’s goal is to make every customer feel like they can walk with confidence.

Posted: October 6, 2022

Source: Famous Footwear / Caleres

CELLIANT® Viscose Now Available As Flocked Coating And Fabric

LOS ANGELES — October 6, 2022 — CELLIANT® Viscose, which converts body heat into energy, is a unique combination of nature and performance. It was developed by materials science company Hologenix®, creators of Celliant, a natural blend of infrared (IR)-generating bioceramics used in textiles, and Kelheim Fibres, a manufacturer of viscose specialty fibers. It is the world’s first in-fiber sustainable infrared viscose. Now Hologenix has partnered with Spectro Coating Corp., the largest vertically integrated flock coating and flock fabric manufacturer in the world, to create the first flocked infrared material with Celliant Viscose.

Flocking is an application method in which tiny fibers are piled on to the surface of a textile, creating textures for both decorative and functional purposes. Celliant Viscose in a flocked material has many potential applications in the medical field for tapes, bandages, braces and orthopedic products, home textiles and decor, dog beds, clothing, and more. Celliant features natural, ethically sourced minerals, which convert body heat into infrared energy for increased local circulation and cellular oxygenation. These Celliant minerals are then embedded into viscose plant-based fibers. The Viscose fibers are then flocked onto a base material. Celliant Viscose provides all the benefits of being a viscose fiber — lightweight, soft, highly breathable, excellent moisture management — as well as the fiber enhancements from Celliant infrared technology.

Celliant Viscose is the first IR flocked material that Spectro is producing. Celliant Viscose also represents a further expansion into sustainable products for Spectro. In addition, Spectro products are proudly made in the USA, as is Celliant’s mineral blend.

“Celliant Viscose in a flock coating or fabric is very exciting for us,” said Raj Shah, Vice President of Spectro Coating Corp., which is based in Leominster, Mass.  “Not only is it the first time our company has worked with a performance fiber or textile, putting us in a new innovative category, but the sustainability aspects of Celliant Viscose also very much align with our mission.”

“We are proud to partner with Spectro Coating Corp. on this initiative,” concluded Stephen Kelly, vice president of Global Business and Supplier Development for Hologenix. “Celliant Viscose in a flocked material opens up new pathways for us in the medical field as well as other applications in all aspects of the industry; in particular in products where Celliant is not easily embedded. It can also be applied on some of our products that already contain Celliant, upping the wellness quotient even further.”

Posted: October 6, 2022

Source: Hologenix, LLC

Rieter And The Johann Jacob Rieter Foundation Sponsor Professorship For Artificial Intelligence At The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)

WINTERTHUR, Switzerland— October 6, 2022 — The Rieter Group is constantly expanding its technology leadership. Together with the Johann Jacob Rieter Foundation, the company is therefore supporting a new Endowed Professorship for Industrial Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) School of Engineering. The Professorship is dedicated to teaching and research in the field of industrial applications of Artificial Intelligence and will be announced later this year.

The new Endowed Professorship will be established at the Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAI) of the ZHAW in Winterthur. It will focus, in particular, on the application of machine learning methods and knowledge-based systems in connection with processes in production and service. “The use of artificial intelligence in industry is becoming increasingly important, especially with regard to the potential of data for evaluation and control of complex processes. The support of the Johann Jacob Rieter Foundation and the Rieter Group will allow us to further expand AI research in the field of industrial applications,” explains Prof. Dr. Dirk Wilhelm, Director of the ZHAW School of Engineering.

For Rieter, the commitment is related to the implementation of its technology leadership strategy. “The use of Artificial Intelligence will make a significant contribution to automation and process optimization, and thereby advance sustainability in the textile industry. This makes it an important element of the leading technology that Rieter offers,” emphasizes Rieter CEO Dr. Norbert Klapper.

The contribution of the Johann Jacob Rieter Foundation to sponsoring the Professorship is in line with the Winterthur Cluster Initiative. The increasing digitalization of production processes opens up new perspectives for Winterthur as a business location. “The Smart Machines cluster is growing in importance,” says Thomas Anwander, member of the Foundation Board, and adds: “The Endowed Professorship for Industrial AI at the ZHAW aims to promote Winterthur as a technology location by pooling locally available strengths in mechanical engineering and Industry 4.0.”

Building Expertise in the Field of Industrial AI

The Endowed Professorship will serve to build expertise in the field of Industrial AI and will oversee a group that will focus on teaching and research pertaining to trustworthy machine learning. This involves, for example, the deployment of artificial intelligence with the aim of optimizing production processes in relation to the use of raw materials and energy, and making expert knowledge more readily available.

In addition to research, for the purpose of knowledge transfer, the new professorship will also be active in teaching, in the bachelor’s degree programs in Computer Science and in Data Science, in the Master of Science in Engineering, and in continuing education.

The annual commitment of CHF 300 000 over a period of six years will be financed equally by the Rieter Group and the Johann Jacob Rieter Foundation.

Posted: October 6, 2022

Source: The Rieter Group

3DLOOK’s Virtual Fitting Room YourFit Achieves A 47% Lower Return Rate  In A 6-Month Case Study

SAN MATEO, Calif. — October 6, 2022 — 3DLOOK, the global leader in AI-first mobile body measuring and virtual try-on solutions, has achieved a 47-percent lower return rate for size-related reasons in a 6-months case study in partnership with internet-famous TA3 SWIM.

The brand, known for its best-selling sculpting swimsuits, rolled out 3DLOOK’s size recommendations to reduce a high number of size-related returns and offer a seamless online shopping experience. With fit issues contributing to 38 percent of all apparel returns, TA3 Swim’s need for a solution was further exacerbated by the use of compression fabrics that hug close to smooth and sculpt the body, making it crucial to get each customer in their best size.

Following a 6-months case study, the brand has seen a record-low return rate for size-related reasons of 9 percent when YourFit is used, which is 47 percent lower than the overall website and 76-percent lower than the market average. On average, 46 percent of customers using YourFit are converting to purchase, with 80 percent choosing to purchase the YourFit recommended size. Furthermore, when the recommended size is not selected initially, 45 percent of customers will make a return and request an exchange for YourFit’s originally recommended size. Likewise, with YourFit, the brand is experiencing only a 2 percent rate with bracketing-related returns, as providing size recommendations for shoppers eliminates the need to purchase multiple sizes and return the ones that don’t fit.

“What good is shapewear if it doesn’t fit right? Sizing charts don’t work because most shoppers don’t know their measurements — and they shouldn’t be expected to do the legwork anyway. With YourFit, our customers can now snap two photos and receive a reliable recommendation instantly. Size-related and bracketing-related returns were our biggest struggle. However, offering support in all the right places, YourFit has worked wonders on TA3 SWIM’s return rate,” said Leila Shams, founder and CEO at TA3 SWIM.

“Apparel returns attributed to bracketing and size-related issues make up for half of all returns, and poor fit experience has more consequences than one might think. In addition to eating into profit margins and damaging the planet with unnecessary emissions, poor fit experience is likely to put an end to your consumer relationship as an unhappy customer will not come back to buy more. The recent case study with TA3 SWIM shows that truly sustainable practices are achievable, benefitting the customer, the brands, and the planet,” said Whitney Cathcart, co-founder and chief commercial officer at 3DLOOK.

To use YourFit and get instant size recommendations, customers can simply choose a style and click the ‘Find my Size’ button. Voice-guided through a mobile-based scanning process, they snap two photos, and YourFit by 3DLOOK calculates the best size option based on their unique body measurements. Complete within 60 seconds, customer data is safe and secure to preserve the privacy of TA3 Swim’s body-conscious customers.

Posted: October 6, 2022

Source: 3DLOOK

Cotton – The Unique Natural Fiber

Today’s must-knows about cotton and Uster

TW Special Report

World Cotton Day — on October 7 every year — is a celebration of the world’s most important natural fiber. It’s a good time to take a closer look at cotton from all the different angles — the growers and traders, spinners, fashion addicts and even museum visitors.

This article is dedicated to cotton, a unique fiber. It is a true multi-talent: from jeans to banknotes — U.S. paper money is made with 75-percent cotton and 25-percent linen — it is almost unthinkable to imagine our everyday life without cotton. The fluffy fiber is found in many different products as an ideal and much-appreciated raw material.

Measured For Value

Cotton can be precisely described with 14 quality characteristics — focusing on length, strength, fineness, color, maturity, trash and moisture content of the fiber. The value of cotton as a raw material depends on its quality. Key factors are long and uniform fiber length, optimal fineness for each application and high strength for precious fibers.

Some cotton growers and traders rely on their years of experience to set the right price for a batch of cotton, but over half of world cotton production is classed objectively by High Volume Instruments (HVI) from Uster Technologies. The HVI provides the most accurate and repeatable test results for the efficient classification of cotton quality — and more than 3,300 units are installed in 70 countries.

Measured For Bale Mix And Efficiency

For spinning mills, cotton purchasing accounts for more than 50 percent of costs, so it’s critical to get it right. Sorting bales according to quality and end-use is best done on the basis of good data. Consistent data from HVI is the first step in successful production in spinning operations — in terms of both quality and cost.

Some of the costliest mistakes in yarn manufacturing arise from poor control of the raw material at bale mix before spinning preparation. But fiber testing is also essential during the spinning preparation stages, to minimize any negative financial impact of excess waste, unnecessary cuts, reworking, and customer claims. Another fiber measurement instrument is responsible for profitable production: Uster AFIS Pro 2 provides the essential data necessary for modern process optimization techniques in the spinning mill, and best practice in process control.

100-Percent Cotton

A look into the cultural history of cotton is also illuminating. The cotton story goes back over 5,000 years. Did you know that cotton was a driver for industrialization? Today, cotton fiber is found in clothing and cosmetics items. Applications span the invention of toilet paper to the recycling of denim pants into vehicle construction components.

100-percent cotton is printed on tags of countless items of clothing and on signposts leading to a special exhibition at the Übersee-Museum (overseas museum) in Bremen, Germany. The exhibition offers a fascinating look at cotton’s cultural history and shares surprising, new, but also controversial stories about the soft fiber (www.uebersee-museum.de/en/100-cotton).

Uster is proud that the curators of the Übersee-Museum considered the HVI as part of cotton’s essential history. The Uster cotton classing instrument was selected as an exhibit and visitors have the opportunity to try their hand as a cotton tester to determine color, length and price.

This year’s jubilee of Bremen Cotton Exchange played an important role initiating the special exhibition. The Bremen Cotton Exchange has been shaping the global cotton trade through its competence, neutrality and authority for 150 years.

Everlasting

The first evidence of cotton use was found in India and Pakistan, and dates back to around 6,000 B.C. That means cotton’s been keeping people dressed for over 8,000 years.

Cotton’s place in the world was even demonstrated during the recent pandemic times, when home-working became a necessity for many. In that situation, the need for smart office wear was replaced by an increased emphasis on comfort in everyday clothing. This sparked a trend for ‘sofa to street’ apparel which is still here today. People clearly love the gentler touch of their cotton gear, and that has translated into a real fashion choice.

One apt description, first applied to Indian cotton was ‘Woven Wind’ — expressing the touch and feel of these fabrics. India was the foremost cotton processing country for hundreds of years, and it’s fitting that its traditions with the world’s favorite fiber still hold good today.

Posted: October 6, 2022

Source: Uster Technologies AG

Crowley Moves Forward On Salem Wind Terminal With Land Closing

SALEM, Mass. — October 5, 2022 — Crowley has completed the purchase of 42 acres in Salem, Mass., the latest milestone toward the development of the state’s second major offshore wind port terminal.

The Salem Harbor Wind Terminal is a public-private partnership between Crowley and the City of Salem, with AVANGRID serving as the port’s anchor tenant through its Commonwealth Wind and Park City Wind projects. The terminal will be a logistics and operations center for turbine pre-assembly, transportation, staging activities and storage of assembly components. Crowley Wind Services, the company’s business unit dedicated to helping develop clean wind energy resources, will operate the terminal.

“By closing on the property, Crowley, the City of Salem, and AVANGRID as the port’s anchor tenant, have moved one step closer to creating a dedicated port terminal to support the U.S. offshore wind industry’s growth,” said Bob Karl, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Wind Services. “We will continue to focus on delivering a high performing terminal that the community can take pride in, providing economic opportunity and environmental sustainability.”

The terminal site project will result in the redevelopment of the former Salem Harbor Station, a decommissioned coal-fired energy plant creating more than 800 jobs (FTE job years) in the support of the construction and staging of wind projects and daily operations.

“Crowley’s acquisition of this site in Salem marks an important step forward for Massachusetts’ offshore wind industry and the development of the critical port infrastructure needed to build a clean energy future in the United States,” said AVANGRID CEO Pedro Azagra. “The Commonwealth Wind project is a transformational opportunity that will bring substantial jobs, investment, and clean reliable energy to Massachusetts, and we are pleased to work with Crowley and the City of Salem as this important port project moves forward.”

“Crowley’s acquisition of this property represents a major milestone in our shared efforts to transform Salem Harbor into a world class offshore wind port,” said Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll. “I am grateful to both Crowley and Avangrid for their commitment to our partnership and to our community. This critical project will bring hundreds of good paying jobs and millions in direct investment to Salem and is critical to the Commonwealth’s ability to achieve our clean energy targets.”

The Commonwealth Wind project represents the largest offshore wind project in New England and will create 11,000 full time equivalent jobs over the project’s lifetime while generating enough energy to power 750,000 homes annually. Park City Wind, named after the City of Bridgeport, is an offshore wind project to power that will power 400,000 homes per year for Connecticut.

Construction of the wind terminal is expected to start in summer 2023, with the terminal complete in 2025.

Posted: October 5, 2022

Source: Crowley

The International Furnishings And Design Association (IFDA) Educational Foundation Announces Design Student Scholarship Winners For 2022

LEWISVILLE, N.C. — October 5, 2022 — The Educational Foundation (EF) of IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association, is pleased to announce its design student scholarship winners for 2022. Since the early years of this 75-year-old global design industry alliance, EF has awarded scholarships to high-achieving design students.  This year the nine scholarship winners received a total of $16,000. The judging was conducted by a subset of the EF’s Board of Trustees.

“Congratulations to all the winners!  We are very pleased to award scholarships to these talented individuals who will shape the design and furnishings industry in the years to come,” said Helen Wagner, Chairman of the Board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA.  “Nurturing and supporting talent is what we are all about.”

Jane Nichols, FIFDA, Director of Scholarships and Grants, echoed the sentiment. “We received many applications from across the country, and the judges were challenged to select the winners.”

Applicants must be currently enrolled and scholarships are paid to the school for the 2022 fall semester tuition. The eight scholarship winners share a passion for creating interior environments that are healthy, sustainable and enhance the quality of life. They are as follows:

Dylan Boroski of Florida State University in Tallahassee won the IFDA Leaders Commemorative Scholarship for $1,500 open to full-time undergraduate students. He is a fourth-year student in the Interior Architecture and Design program focusing on a career in interior design and architecture. He says, “As a designer, I adhere to taking an individualistic approach to the concept and philosophy behind my work. I believe that architecture and design have a responsibility and purpose to cohesively adapt the built space and the surrounding environment in both a functional and aesthetic way.”  Boroski wants to focus his career on sustainable design.

The Part-Time Student Scholarship for $1,500 open to undergraduate students was awarded to Elaine Mansure, a furniture design student at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., graduating in the spring of 2023. She is excited by the world of furniture design and inspired by the vibrant colors and soft forms that characterize her home in the mountains of North Carolina. She looks forward to experiencing future opportunities within the furniture industry.

Brianna Lee, a third-year college student at Converse University in Spartanburg, S.C. studying interior design was the winner of the IFDA Student Member Scholarship for $2,000 open to undergraduate IFDA student members. “As a passionate and self-driven creative student, I’m drawn to how interior designers have the power to subconsciously influence people’s emotions, lifestyle and personal interactions,” she advises. Her goal after graduation is to work in a interior design firm doing commercial and hospitality design.

The Vercille Voss IFDA Graduate Student Scholarship for $2,000 went to Abel Peter, a graduate student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. He is pursuing a Masters in Architecture with a concentration in Interior Design. Born and raised in Cochin, India, Peter worked in several firms before deciding to pursue his masters. He specializes in ‘Building Adaptive Reuse’ and is a licensed architect. He says, “As a pragmatist, I believe in striving to do the most good possible with the minimum of resources. Sustainable design, particularly building reuse will be more and more important in the future. An admirer of Lacaton & Vassal, I closely identify with ‘never demolish’ principle.”

Tomoki Nomura of ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., won the Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship for $4,000 open to full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students with a course emphasis on furniture design.  Born and raised in Japan, Nomura has lived and worked around the world since the age of 13. “My peripatetic background heavily influences my design process and enables me to find unique perspectives and approaches,” he says.  “By combining my wide and deep understanding of cultural variances with my technical skills, I create forward-thinking designs that appeal to a global market. As a furniture designer, I emphasize quality and refinement in my designs and strive to create products that enrich the ambiance of a space. In addition, my designs are produced ethically and everyone involved makes a livable wage.”

Sarah Lewis, a senior at North Carolina State University in Raleigh studying Industrial Design, was awarded the Tricia LeVangie Green/Sustainable Design Scholarship for $1,500  for  full- or part-time undergraduate students.  Growing up in Asheville, North Carolina, Lewis loves outdoor activities like hiking, playing soccer, skiing and running.  Her passion for the outdoors drives her focus to create and develop sustainable products as an industrial designer. In the future, she sees herself developing eco-circular products that inspire consumers to live sustainably. “It is my responsibility as a designer to only create products that are healthy to be harvested and returned to the Earth,” says Lewis.  “I’m looking forward to learning more about sustainability and design throughout the rest of my undergrad and professional career.”

Melanie Calan Sanchez, a student at Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C. with a great love of art, was named the winner of the IFDA Philadelphia Scholarship for Graphic Design for $2,500, open to two- three- or four-year undergraduates.   Sanchez will graduate with a bachelor’s degree this upcoming year and is working toward a major in Graphic Design with a minor in Visual and Performing Arts. “I come from an immigrant family but am privileged to have been born in New Jersey,” said Sanchez. “Because of my background, I am aware of all the opportunities available to me. It motivates me to challenge myself and strive for excellence.”

Lauren Hellner, a fourth-year student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, won the Window Fashion Certified Professionals Fast Track Scholarship for $1,000 (one full registration for the webinar series) that is open to undergraduates in a two-, three- or four-year design school program. She is studying Interior Architecture and minoring in Professional Selling. “It is an absolute pleasure to be receiving this scholarship and with this reward, I plan to continue to pursue my dream of helping others through Universal Design,” advised Hellner.

Posted: October 5, 2022

Source: IFDA Educational Foundation

FUJIFILM Introduces New Acuity Ultra Hybrid Led Wide Format Printer

HANOVER PARK, Ill. — October 4, 2022 — FUJIFILM North America Corp., Graphic Systems Division, proudly announces its entry into the high-end wide format hybrid market with the unveiling of the new Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED printer. The Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED expertly handles both rigid and flexible media, all in one platform, delivering an extremely versatile solution with maximum speeds of up to 2,346 ft²/hr. (roll-to-roll) and resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi.

The printer, which will be commercially available the beginning of 2023, will be available for demonstration at PRINTING United Expo 2022 in Las Vegas, October 19-21, in the Fujifilm booth (#825, North Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center).

“The Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED wide format printer is a high-end printer for rigid and flexible media for the sign and display market, offering superb, high-quality printing in a 3.3m platform,” said Shaun Holdom, marketing manager, Ultra products, FUJIFILM Corporation, WFIJ System Business Headquarters. “The printer features new Fujifilm Uvijet UH inks, designed to produce both exceptional near-photographic quality for close viewing applications including interior graphics, signage and decor as well as the speed and durability for long distance viewing applications including short- and long-term exterior signage and industrial applications.

Media handling and functionality

The Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED features media loading and unloading tables with a unique textured table surface designed to optimize the feeding and alignment of rigid media. A strong catch mechanism protects against accidental damage, and secure locking allows for media feed accuracy throughout every print run.

The Graphic User Interface (GUI) features the same design features found on the Fujifilm Acuity Ultra R2 and includes additional functionality to handle rigid media production—up to six sheets simultaneously.

An intelligent vacuum control system automatically turns on the correct vacuum zones needed for any print job based on the width of the media, and the vacuum motor power constantly adjusts to maintain optimal media hold down, regardless of media type and size, ensuring an accurate and high-quality print finish.

A tailored designed airshaft allows dual roll functionality, two media rolls of different diameters (each up to 14 in.) that can run at the same time.

Uvijet UH: New LED UV inkjet ink from Fujifilm

Fujifilm has developed an entirely new inkjet ink series, Uvijet UH, designed specifically for the Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED printer, with six colors (CMYK, Lm, Lc) available as standard and white ink available as an option. The new ink has both GREENGUARD Gold and AgBB certifications.

Uvijet UH has been designed to adhere to a broad range of rigid and flexible media types, delivering the same exceptional high quality of the Uvijet GS and AU inks used in the Acuity Ultra R2, while also minimizing ink usage and waste, helping to reduce running costs.

“Our new blueprint for wide format printer offering, announced last year, will provide our customers with greater flexibility, ease-of-use and even better ROI,” said Holdom. “The development of the Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED showcases Fujifilm’s commitment to continually meet our customer changing needs.”

Posted: October 5, 2022

Source: FUJIFILM North America Corp.

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