WAKAYAMA, Japan — September 1, 2022 — Computerized knitting machine manufacturer SHIMA SEIKI Mfg. Ltd. is celebrating its 60th year of business by holding an anniversary event at its headquarters in Wakayama, Japan. The three-month long open-house event held September through November 2022 features a virtual fashion show, a presentation of the latest proposals in DX for fashion, and machine and sample exhibits for fashion and non- ashion markets. A special 60th Anniversary website has also been launched that allows browsing of event content for those unable to attend the event physically, as well as its own online seminar agenda.

Throughout the years, Shima Seiki’s history has been marked by innovations that center around customer benefit, with an emphasis on reducing waste. Although the terms “sustainability” and “DX” did not exist at the time, looking back it becomes clear that even back then these issues were consistently being addressed by developing solutions that are consistent with modern values and goals.

Shima Seiki’s 55th Anniversary celebration five years ago was no exception. The company introduced sustainability to its customers along with various proposals in virtual sampling, including VR and AR experiences. Since then the spread of COVID-19 became a wake-up call for the apparel industry, which immediately began to search for new methods of production that offered a higher sustainability factor and lowered risks in response to the overflow of dead inventory due to consumer inactivity as a result of worldwide lockdowns, and subsequent financial loss, not to mention the enormous amount of waste involved. Although demand for both WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines and design systems have increased, it is still Shima Seiki’s view that this overall trend for green production and digital prototyping is not a big enough market shift that takes full advantage of sustainable DX efforts. Therefore Shima Seiki is sending an even stronger message for its 60th Anniversary event, in an effort to accelerate the widespread use of virtual samples to reduce waste throughout the supply chain to ensure a sustainable future for the fashion industry and for the planet as a whole. The theme for the event, “Open Up the Future” proposes solutions for a cleaner and brighter future instead of the polluted scenario often portrayed as an example of where the world is headed by current standards.

The 60th Anniversary event features the latest machine technology including the SWG®-XR next-generation WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine released just this year, as well as a prototype pile glove machine. Knit samples include SWG-XR samples with patterns specialized to that machine such as delicate punch lace patterns, extreme 3D-textured fabrics, asymmetric designs and highly efficient intarsia patterns. Special emphasis is placed on non-fashion applications as well, including experimental exercises in knitted items and fabrics such as smart fabrics using conductive yarn, heat-treated stiff fabrics, origami and tatami knits, optical fibers and very thick inlay cushions. A special exhibit on carbon fiber composites features knit-to-shape 3D composite preforms using Shima Seiki’s new biaxial weft knitting machine debuted at this year’s Techtextil Frankfurt show. Real-world applications such as automotive aerodynamics and propeller blades produced using a special carbon fiber version of the P-CAM series cutting machine are also on display.

An all-digital virtual fashion show presented at the Hi-Vision Hall theater features the Shima Seiki 60th Anniversary Collection worn by 3D virtual models and demonstrates new ways to present fashion items without physical constraints associated with conventional fashion shows such as time, place, weather, etc. Virtual fashion shows can be enjoyed by anyone anywhere in the world at any time, and at the same quality. They can also be presented without the need for actual samples present, allowing the display of color and design variations without having to produce any of them. Physical versions of WHOLEGARMENT samples from the collection are on display as well. These are registered in cyberspace to allow for viewing of details and specifications in AR (augmented reality) on site, as well as in VR (virtual reality) for remote viewing online.

DX proposals include a special collaboration with a Japanese telecommunications company displaying the latest in XR (cross reality) technology as it applies to fashion based on virtual samples created on APEXFiz™. These include AR and VR presentations of the 60th Anniversary Collection as well as digital catalogues for viewing at retail stores, that offer new types of digitally extended customer experiences. A display of on-going research items in novel fiber engineering using the latest knitting technology demonstrates progress of Shima Seiki’s collaboration with MIT Media Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A special metaverse presentation by Shima Seiki R&D offers a sneak peek into the future of product planning by providing a virtual meeting space where participants from all stages can meet and evaluate fashion items.

Other displays about company concept and history round out the 60th Anniversary experience at Shima Seiki headquarters.

In addition to the physical event held at Shima Seiki, a special website has also been launched that features most of the event’s exhibits, including DX proposals and VR/AR experiences as well as the virtual fashion show. A special online-only event consists of a series of webinar sessions, ranging from introductions by yarn manufacturers registered to the “yarnbank” digital yarn sourcing web service about their latest yarn collection, to useful tips and solutions for various Shima Seiki products, and keynote speech by MIT Media Lab Director and former NASA Deputy Administrator Professor Dava Newman.

The 60th Anniversary event is open to Shima Seiki customers and visits are by appointment only. The online portion can be accessed by anyone, while the seminar sessions require pre-registration, which is free.

Posted: September 1, 2022

Source: SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD.

DEARBORN, Mich. — August 31, 2022 — Amid recent advances in technology, growing needs for affordable housing, impending infrastructure repairs and continued labor shortages, the demand for U.S. skilled workers has skyrocketed in recent years. That’s why ahead of Labor Day — and in light of an estimated three million skilled trade jobs sitting open in the U.S. as of June 2022¹ — premium workwear brand Carhartt today launched its inaugural “For the Love of Labor” grant program, marking the next chapter in the brand’s storied history of serving America’s workforce.

A first-of-its-kind program for Carhartt, For the Love of Labor grants are now available to support like-minded community based nonprofit organizations nationwide that are dedicated to educating, training and placing workers into meaningful skilled trade jobs that are critically needed.

“As a company that started by serving railroad workers in 1889, we’ve upheld the belief that careers in the skilled trades not only provide rewarding and inclusive job opportunities, but are also crucial in building stronger individuals, families and communities,” said Todd Corley, senior vice president of inclusion, sustainability and community at Carhartt. “With the ‘For the Love of Labor’ grant program, we strive to champion those who work with their hands and are helping build a better world, community by community, during a time when we need them most.”

Awarded throughout the year, Carhartt designed its grant program to reduce as many hurdles as possible, empowering community based skilled trades organizations to apply and support their efforts. This includes considerations such as accepting grants on a rolling basis, selecting applicants with programs that provide career pathways toward family-sustaining wages in high-demand positions and determining grant amounts based on organizations’ specific needs.

Based in Michigan, Carhartt is honored to award its first round of grants totaling $175,000 to four deserving organizations right in its own backyard, each of which are committed to serving women and further diversifying the skilled trade workforce, including:

• Women Who Weld (Detroit) — In today’s welding industry, women make up only 5 percent of the workforce. Through welding classes and workshops, Women Who Weld is challenging the status quo by helping women learn and prepare for employment in the welding industry, cultivating economic opportunities for women.
• Women in Skilled Trades (Lansing, Mich.) — Co-founded by two women who worked in construction their entire careers, Women in Skilled Trades develops exciting trade education programming and events to help bridge the skilled labor gap and empower women in their community.
• Emerging Industries Training Institute (Detroit) — The exclusive training provider for Detroit At Work, Emerging Industries Training Institute specifically targets and trains industries facing increased demand, labor shortages and skills gaps.
• Workforce Development Institute – Access for All (Detroit) — Helping thousands of workers complete their education and find employment for more than 30 years, Workforce Development Institute prepares students for a rewarding career through Access for All, its free 300-hour construction trade training program.

To help fund the For The Love Of Labor grant program, Carhartt is committing all online sales on www.Carhartt.com on Sept. 5 from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. EDT toward future grant recipients. This marks the third year in a row where Carhartt has donated sales on Labor Day toward building and educating the next generation of workers.

Eligible organizations must be a U.S.-based 501©3 designated organization in recognized apprenticeship industry² that has established programs serving at least 100 individuals annually. To learn more about the new For the Love of Labor grant program and how Carhartt is working to build a better world, please visit www.carhartt.com.

¹ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

² U.S. Department of Labor

Posted: August 31, 2022

Source: Carhartt, Inc.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — August 30, 2022 — Fruit of the Loom, maker of the iconic FRUIT OF THE LOOM® branded apparel, is partnering with materials science company, Recover Textile Systems S.L., maker of Recover™ fiber, to release a new collection of classic, unisex T-shirts beginning today.

With inclusive sizing and responsibly sourced fabric and material, each sustainably designed T-shirt is made with 20-percent Recover best-in-class recycled cotton fiber and is available in eight colors. Each shirt is priced at $15. The limited-edition collection will be available for purchase starting August 30 on Fruit.com and Amazon, while supplies last.

The new Recover cotton T-shirt collection is one of the many ways Fruit of the Loom is delivering against their goal to “increase sustainable sourcing across key materials” as outlined in the company’s global sustainability plan, Fruitful Futures™. The plan documents specific commitments across three key pillars — People-Centric, Planet-Conscious and Product Authenticity.

“This collection is the latest way Fruit of the Loom is producing more sustainable products across the entire business. As one of the world’s largest manufacturers and marketers of casual wear, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact across the total value chain,” said Mercedes Lopez, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility at Fruit of the Loom.

The partnership with Recover and the use of their cotton enables the company to offer a circular sustainable program that utilizes textile production waste to create high-quality recycled cotton fiber. Recover’s proprietary recycled cotton fiber is one of the lowest-impact fibers available in the market, significantly reducing the carbon and water footprint of the apparel produced with the fiber. By partnering with Recover, Fruit of the Loom continues to demonstrate its innovation and commitment to sustainability.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with Fruit of the Loom in order to accelerate the adoption of sustainable initiatives within the casual wear segment. The universality of the collection perfectly fits with the values of the Recover brand to achieve circular fashion for all,” said Boris Mercier, senior vice president of Marketing at Recover.

Posted: August 30, 2022

Source: Fruit of the Loom