Award-Winning Georgia-Based Shoe Company Okabashi Brands Creates More Than 340 Jobs In Gwinnett County, GA Through Major Onshoring

ATLANTA — June 23, 2022 — Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Okabashi Brands Inc., a Georgia-based shoe company, will create approximately 340 new jobs as it reinvests in its existing facility in Gwinnett County.

“Okabashi Brands reflects the true spirit of Georgia business: innovative products, a hardworking and skilled team, and an unwavering sense of community,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Okabashi not only stayed open for business during the pandemic, they continued to grow and donated thousands of shoes to frontline workers. We’re proud Okabashi calls the Peach State home, and we look forward to their continued growth.”

Okabashi Brands is a third-generation family-owned and women-led shoe company based in Buford, Ga. Established in 1984, the Georgia Made certified company has sold more than 35 million pairs of shoes directly to major retailers, via ecommerce, and to major contract manufacturing customers. The company is one of the 1 percent of footwear manufacturers operating in the United States today.

Okabashi is committed to sustainable American manufacturing. Okabashi sandals are 100-percent recyclable and contain on average 25 percent of recycled content. They are recognized by the USDA Biopreferred program and are made of 45 percent soy by weight.

“Okabashi Brand’s commitment to our community and its people is one that dates back to the 1980s when my grandfather chose to bring his footwear manufacturing background to Georgia,” said Sara Irvani, CEO of Okabashi Brands. “The support from our community has fostered our growth and has allowed us to continue producing quality, American-made footwear. We are thrilled to be contributing to the local economy through this expansion.”

Okabashi Brands is located at 4823 Roy Carlson Boulevard in Buford. The company will invest more than $20 million over the next five years, and the renovations will add new manufacturing lines and increase production by 100 percent. Okabashi is hiring for positions in manufacturing and distribution, and interested individuals can learn more and apply at www.okabashi.com.

“Okabashi Brands epitomizes the Gwinnett Standard, excelling in integrity, service, and stewardship,” said Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “We appreciate their commitment to philanthropy, sustainability, and most importantly, supporting our vibrant community.”

As part of their long history of philanthropy, Okabashi Brands has donated over 100,000 pairs of shoes both directly and through a partnership with nonprofit Soles4Souls. Culture is a major focus for the company, which embraces diversity and has a strong track record of creating careers for its team members. Earlier this year, Okabashi received Partnership Gwinnett’s Movers and Makers: Manufacturing and Supply Chain Award for Corporate Citizenship based on their community involvement, educational partnerships, and workforce development.

Senior Project Manager Kristen Miller represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with Partnership Gwinnett, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power, and Georgia Quick Start.

“I am excited to see a family-owned, homegrown company continue to create jobs and reinvest in Georgians with an environmentally friendly and community-conscious approach,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Okabashi Brands understands the future of manufacturing lies in investing in sustainable practices, giving back to the community, and elevating a skilled workforce from the ground up. I am grateful to our partners in Gwinnett County and the Quick Start program for providing our Georgia companies with the support they need to succeed.”

Okabashi is part of the state’s Georgia Made program. The program was created in 2019 to celebrate the people and industries that manufacture a wide variety of products across the state. Companies accepted into the cost-free program join a roster of distinguished manufacturers that continue to shape Georgia jobs and the global supply chain. Further, Okabashi Brands received a GLOBE Award from GDEcD’s International Trade team in 2020 for entering new international markets in the previous year.

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: Georgia Office of the Governor

Shower Start-Up Nebia Furthers Environmental Commitment – Announces Partnership With 1% For The Planet

SAN FRANCISCO — July 7, 2022 — Nebia, an award-winning shower company and leader of sustainable bathroom products, is proud to announce its partnership with 1 % for the Planet.

Seven years ago, Nebia launched with a mission to revolutionize how people interact with water. Their goal was to create a better shower experience while saving as much water as possible. However, Nebia’s long-term vision has always been to build a business that has a net positive impact on the planet. By joining 1% for the Planet, and committing 1% of their annual sales to support environmental nonprofits, they are one step closer to that reality.

In the words of Nebia co-founder Philip Winter, “Since we started Nebia the environmental crisis has only gotten more dire. In our home state of California severe drought has become commonplace and the long-term prospects are frightening. We need more investment in environmental causes and innovations. That’s why we are taking our commitment one step further by joining 1% for the Planet. ”

Nebia has always looked to Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia and 1% for the Planet, as an enormous source of inspiration. Since Nebia’s early days it has been a dream to join Chouinard’s organization and join a network of businesses making a real, tangible impact for a better future. Today, Nebia is thrilled to be realizing that dream by becoming a 1% for the Planet member.

“We’re excited to welcome Nebia to our global movement,” says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “Currently, only 3% of total philanthropy goes to the environment and only 5% of that comes from businesses. The planet needs bigger support than this, and our growing network of business members is doing its valuable part to increase giving and support on-the-ground outcomes.”

To-date, Nebia customers have saved over 450 million gallons of water and Nebia products can be found in over 100,000 homes. As their business grows Nebia pledges to continue to look for ways to further multiply their positive impact on the planet and joining 1% for the Planet is an exciting next step.

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: Nebia

The Eileen Fisher Foundation Launches HEY FASHION!, An Initiative Dedicated to Tackling Fashion’s Waste Crisis

NEW YORK CITY — July 7, 2022 — The Eileen Fisher Foundation (EFF) announces the launch of HEY FASHION!, a digital platform curated by Pentatonic that refines the complex topic of textile waste into tangible actions to initiate change, containing comprehensive content backed by key industry insights and rigorous research.

HEY FASHION! exposes textile waste issues while conveying the financial, environmental and social opportunities that textile circularity can offer. EFF’s larger mission is to prove to the fashion industry the benefits of confronting the climate crisis, urging other brands, foundations, innovators, waste collectors and consumers to get involved in moving circularity forward.

The platform provides key tools, advice and information to assist the transition to circularity. Key takeaways educate industry entities on how to drive tangible action, avoid greenwashing, and mitigate risk; influencing improved decisions toward net-zero ambitions. Such content prepares companies to be successful leaders in sustainable fashion during a time of new legislation and rising consumer pressure.

HEY FASHION! aims to kick start a global conversation on how to contribute to a carbon neutral future by scaling textile recycling infrastructure, promoting underutilized technologies to prevent textiles from going to landfills and making profound behavioral changes regarding consumption.

“As the leader of an apparel company, I feel an urgency to address the challenges the industry faces regarding textile waste, overconsumption and circular design,” stated Eileen Fisher, founder of EFF and her own namesake brand. “By inviting Pentatonic to research the current state of circularity, my intention is to facilitate meaningful collective action that moves the industry forward.”

A large barrier to the fashion industry engaging in a circular system is translating the overwhelming amount of research into feasible actions. Pentatonic’s circular consulting team and textile experts provide a clear 8-step action plan:

  • Scale Sorting;
  • Invest in Recycling;
  • Make Less, Buy Less;
  • Work Together;
  • Design to Last, Design to Recycle;
  • Define and Standardize;
  • Leave Fossils in the Ground; and
  • People, Planet, Profit.

“HEY FASHION! is brought to you by individuals who have been implementing solutions in the last decade; it is built in collaboration with many dozens of contributors who build the technologies, solutions and infrastructure for net-zero fashion every day,” stated Johann Boedecker, founder and CEO of Pentatonic. “Our content, while backed by rigorous research, will seek to nevertheless be engaging, intelligible and most of all practicable.”

HEY FASHION!’s full-scale educational tools will deliver continual, evolved content to all stakeholders including designers, manufacturers, brands and retailers, investors, regulators and citizens. The platform will include spaces for discussion, connection and ultimately, action.

The research to date will be available for free in a variety of formats on heyfashion.org and multiple social media platforms. HEY FASHION! is in early conversations with additional donors and foundations to expand scope and scale to reach a wider audience.

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: Eileen Fisher Foundation

Essity Acquires Modibodi

STOCKHOLM — July 7, 2022 — Hygiene and health company Essity has acquired Australia-based company Modibodi, a leakproof apparel company in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The purchase price amounts to 140 million Australian dollars ($95 million) on a cash and debt free basis. Through the acquisition, Essity will strengthen its position in leakproof apparel, the fastest growing product segment in Intimate Hygiene which includes feminine care and incontinence products.

Leakproof apparel has an expected annual growth rate of more than 20 percent for the next five years*. Essity is already active in the leakproof apparel market within feminine care with brands such as Libresse, Bodyform, Saba and TOM Organic, and within incontinence products with the TENA brand.

“The acquisition of Modibodi strengthens Essity’s position in leakproof apparel and enables faster growth within better-for-you, better-for-the-planet solutions. Modibodi has the qualities we are looking for with leading market positions, strong brand and sustainability credentials as well as excellent digital marketing and e-commerce capabilities,” said Magnus Groth, president and CEO of Essity.

Modibodi, founded in 2013, provides leakproof apparel for periods and incontinence including underwear, swimwear, activewear and maternity wear. The company operates an online, direct-to-consumer business model, with growing sales in retail and through e-tailers.

In 2021, the company reported net sales of 56.7 million Australian dollars ($38.3 million) and a sales growth of 18 percent. The EBITDA amounted to 5.7 million Australian dollars ($3.9 million) and EBITA to 5.6 million ($3.8 million)). Gross margin was high and EBITA margin amounted to 9.8 percent. Modibodi has 45 employees and headquarter in Sydney, Australia.

“I am proud of all we have created at Modibodi over the past nine years and pleased that Modibodi is joining Essity. As a global leader in hygiene and health, Essity can provide the expertise and capital to take the brand forward during its next phase of growth, and achieve even greater impact,” said Kristy Chong, founder and CEO of Modibodi.

The transaction is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2022.

*Market data has been compiled by Essity based on data taken from external market sources and excludes Asia.

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: Essity

VOORMI® Partners With Celebrity Chef David Rose On Heat-Shielding CORE CONSTRUCTION® Apron

PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo.  — July 7, 2022 — VOORMI® has teamed up with celebrity Chef David Rose to deliver an innovative outdoor Chef’s Apron. Leveraging VOORMI’s patented CORE CONSTRUCTION® Technology, this first-of-its kind piece features an imbedded heat-shielding membrane for the unique challenges of live-fire outdoor cooking.

Launched as a limited-edition program, the collaborative project features a co-branded (VOORMI/Chef David Rose) apron built from the lightest and most advanced Core Construction Technology ever created. Beyond the groundbreaking fabric, the apron is reinforced with a durable water & stain repellent coating and thoughtfully designed with tong loops, thermometer quiver, and hand/technology pockets for ultimate functionality in use.

“I love how truly resilient, functional and comfortable this apron is,” said Chef David, Food Network/TV personality, and cookbook author of EGGin’.  “More outerwear than apron, the fabric absolutely molds, contours and compliments whoever is wearing it. Built tough enough for grilling and soft enough to wear as a multi-purpose apron, this piece literally keeps me cool under fire.”

Representing the first of VOORMI’s Core Construction projects beyond weather protective knitwear, this collaboration provides a glimpse into the company’s vision for a future of highly functionalized core-knitted textiles.

“From weather protection to heat shielding membranes, this brand-new platform carries with it the potential to functionalize textiles in ways never imagined,” said Dustin English, chief experience officer at VOORMI. “And, with zero compromise in comfort, there’s no reason why every yard of knitted fabric in the world shouldn’t contain a functional core.”

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: VOORMI®

ArdAzAei Debuts “Midnight In The Persian Garden” Couture Collection

STOCKHOLM — July 7, 2022 — The new Swedish luxury womenswear brand presented its first couture runway show, “Midnight in the Persian Garden,” in the Salle des Textiles of Paris’ Musée des Arts et Métiers on Thursday, July 7 at 10.30am CET.

As earthly manifestations of an imaginary paradise, where architecture and horticulture were brought together into meticulous perfection, the Persian garden was the point of inspiration for ArdAzAei’s debut couture collection.

A poetic ode to the transcendent beauty of nature, Midnight in the Persian Garden honors the incredibly complex systems of engineering required to create such sublime spaces through couture’s intricate techniques of smocking, pleating, embroidery, and appliqué.

An evening wear collection of red-carpet gowns and cocktail dresses, tailoring, jewellery and accessories, the collection sees a recurring reference to the Persian Rose and the Parrot Tulip, with the flowers informing silhouettes, three-dimensional sculptural forms, and elaborately embroidered jacquard.

Sharp tailoring in the form of contemporary women’s suits see sleek jackets and flared pants with hypnotic floral patterning evoking the undulating chaos of nature’s rhythms.

Another key theme running throughout the collection is the dynamic between mathematic forms of composition — a key element of Persian garden architecture — and the craft of the handmade, evident in crystal sequins custom-cut to the lines of the ArdAzAei logo, designed by M/M (Paris), which are then hand-embroidered to create organic forms.

The dynamic is also evident in an evening dress which sees 60 meters of fabric pleated and cut into geometric shapes appliqued to its top, while 100 hand-painted pleated fans go into the construction of its flared skirt.

In order to realize such intricate forms of construction, the collection is made in France in collaboration with highly skilled couture artisans focused on upholding the highest craftsmanship and material standards. The show venue, the Salle des Textiles at the Musée des Arts et Métiers, pays homage to the country’s rare artisanal expertise.

“I have been searching for the long-lasting beauty and respect for nature that you’ll find in the Persian garden, some of which date back to as early as 4,000 BC,” said Bahareh Ardakani, ArdAzAei’s founder and creative director.

“This is reflected in our endeavours to certify part of our collection to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and why this collection is made in France with the country’s leading couture artisans. Every detail is precious, and we want to express the feeling of walking through a Persian garden in the midnight to the smallest of details.”

The runway show video will be visible from July 8 on ArdAzAei.com

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: ArdAzAei

Bluesign Announces Expanded Services To Further Reduce The Textile Value Chain’s Impact On People And Planet

ST.GALLEN, Switzerland — July 7, 2022 — Building on more than 20 years of excellence in the textile industry, new tiered service offerings will strengthen Bluesign’s capabilities as a full-service sustainability solutions system for the entire textile value chain and expanding into promotional, workwear, corporate wear, home textile,  and footwear segments.

As the textile industry continues to grapple with evolving regulations, increased consumer and stakeholder pressure to meet sustainability goals, and the lack of verified data, bluesign® has updated its service offerings to help brands, manufacturers and chemical companies to better understand and manage their value chains. The new initiatives expand Bluesign’s core competencies of reducing impact across the supply chain, providing reliable, third-party verified data, mitigating the use of hazardous chemicals through input stream management and replacing substances with bluesign® APPROVED chemistry (a positive list of chemical products with less impact on people and planet).  As the textile industry’s most-trusted partner, it is CEO, Daniel Rufenacht’s vision to democratize access to Bluesign’s sustainability solutions by offering them at attainable levels for the whole textile industry and beyond. Bluesign’s high value services are available for all companies willing to reduce the impact of their value chain without compromising on quality.

As an organization with a team of experts in chemical management, process know-how, worker health and safety, sustainability and environmental sciences, bluesign has been offering a best-in-class suite of services under System Partnership for over 20 years. Bluesign recognizes that taking environmental responsibility to a higher level requires tools and validation methods to reduce impact on people and the planet.

With this in mind, Bluesign is extending its System Partnership services and launching DATA SERVICES and IMPACT SERVICES for brands and manufacturers. These tiered service packages provide expanded capabilities that enable brands to actively monitor and manage their supply chain through Bluesign verified impact data, covering the critical measures of water consumption, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, chemical consumption, and waste. DATA SERVICES allow brands and manufacturers to access data from its unique supply chain and give a snapshot of their impact. Through the IMPACT SERVICE package, companies are provided this data plus a foundational assessment of its overall performance and detailed analysis of its suppliers. The new IMPACT SERVICE enables manufacturers to present their achievements in impact reduction and their excellence in resource management.  The new tiered packages will allow companies to incrementally implement Bluesign’s services with the ultimate goal of attaining full SYSTEM PARTNERSHIP which includes company-specific action plans. At all service levels, a yearly impact report or dashboard is provided; access to this data enables accurate analysis for decision-making and reporting both internally and externally.

CEO Rufenacht stated: “Over Bluesign’s 20-year history, the company has provided unprecedented leadership in eliminating hazardous chemicals and creating unique roadmaps for its System Partners to continually improve its processes. The deadline to reach carbon neutrality and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is fast-approaching. And Bluesign’s new vision and strategy will help to accelerate progress in reducing impact. Our focus over the last year has been on expanding our expertise to accelerate towards producing more responsibly without compromising on quality and performance. We also call on companies outside of the textile and apparel industry to incrementally clean up their practices by sourcing their custom corporate clothing from bluesign System Partners.”

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: bluesign technologies ag

ASTM International Honors James Olsta With Top Annual Award

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — July 7, 2022 — ASTM International presented its top annual award — the Award of Merit — to James Olsta for his contributions to ASTM’s geosynthetics committee (D35).

The prestigious award, which includes the accompanying title of fellow, is ASTM’s highest recognition for distinguished service and outstanding participation in ASTM International committee activities. Olsta was recognized for his mentorship within subcommittee D35.04, as well as his significant contributions to research in the field of geosynthetics.

An ASTM International member since 1988, Olsta had been previously honored by the committee with the D35 Standards Development Award (2002), the COP GTJ Outstanding Article award (2008), and the Richard S. Ladd Standards Development Award (2011, 2018).

Olsta currently works as President of Olsta Consulting LLC and previously worked as an environmental product manager at Huesker, Inc., and as an environmental product manager at CETCO for over two decades. He holds a bachelor of science in civil engineering and a master of science in environmental engineering, both from University of Illinois, as well as a master of business administration from Northwestern University.

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: ASTM International

VDMA: Lightweight Construction Technologies Advance Energy And Material Efficiency

DITZINGEN, Germany — July 7, 2022 — The member companies of the VDMA Hybrid Lightweight Technologies Working Group share the same fate that many industries are currently experiencing: Order books are full, but sales are stagnant. COVID-19 has already caused supply chain problems over the last two years; these are now being exacerbated by the effects of the Ukraine war. They are now coupled with sharp price increases and supply bottlenecks for raw materials and energy.

However, the latter in particular offer great opportunities for the use of hybrid lightweight construction technologies. At their yesterday´s general assembly at TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH in Ditzingen, the members of the VDMA Working Group Hybrid Lightweight Technologies made clear that they have the expertise to find solutions when it comes to significant savings in energy and materials — and thus also in CO2 emissions. But the requirements for sustainable concepts go far beyond. Therefore, the recycling of lightweight products was also one of the hot topics on the agenda.

Networks for cooperation and technology transfer

The development and marketing of complex lightweight construction concepts requires a close cooperation across the technological boundaries, but also the dialogue with the customer industries. Lightweight construction concepts are seen as key technologies to respond to social trends and to master the upcoming challenges.

This is why the Initiative Leichtbau Baden-Württemberg is an important partner for the working group members. With its network, it connects all levels: Technology, application and politics. This will be highlighted at the symposium “Lightweight construction in urban systems” that follows the members’ meeting, where examples of climate protection through sustainable building design are being presented.

Another important pillar for cooperation is the Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, which is promoting the cross-sector and cross-material transfer of knowledge and technology.

New Executive Board elected

The members of the working group have elected their new board for the period 2022 to 2024:

  • Dr.-Ing. Alexander Geyer, KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH, München
  • Marc Kirchhoff, TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH, Ditzingen
  • Georg Obermaier, DIEFFENBACHER GMBH Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, Eppingen
  • Jochen Schmidt, KARL MAYER Technische Textilien GmbH, Chemnitz
  • Patric Winterhalter, Schuler Pressen GmbH, Gemmingen
  • Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Christian Wolfsberger, ENGEL Austria GmbH, Schwertberg

Marc Kirchhoff, Director int. Key Account Management TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik, is still chairman of the Board.

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: VDMA

First Edition Of Textile Printing & Sustainability (TPS) Announces Final Conference Programme

TIELT-WINGE, Belgium — July 7, 2022 — With two months to go, the first edition of Textile Printing & Sustainability (TPS) conference unveils an agenda full of inspiring and engaging content. In total 24 presentations held by experts from industry and academia focus on technology choices, automation practices and environmentally conscious business models. The event takes place on September 8-9, 2022, at Dorint Kongresshotel Düsseldorf-Neuss and welcomes audience from all stages of a textile value chain.

“Textile industry is more than ever under pressure from sustainability requirements”, explained Peter Buttiens from the European Specialist Printing Manufacturers Association, organizer of TPS. “The EU’s Green Deal targets textiles as one of the world’s most polluting sectors. On global scale, we look at UN Sustainable Development Goals and initiatives such as UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion. Their timeline set for 2030 and 2050 may seem far in future but the time to act and exchange know-how is now. With the new TPS conference we want to contribute to the solution from the printing perspective.”

Textile Printing & Sustainability takes a broad look at all critical factors and global trends which influence textile market condition today and in the nearest future: customer-made fashion, responsible businesses, quality concerns, customization and personalization. The event assembles industry experts from core printing and dyeing processes, to promote best practices, discuss new application fields and explain benefits and challenges of individual technology choices.

Each conference day opens with a keynote address. Karin Ekberg, former Chair of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, presents five principles of sustainability leadership. Bianca Seidel, a pioneer of sustainable fashion design, makes a plea for transformation and for hope in the world of tomorrow. Other keynotes include Debbie McKeegan who looks at opportunities and risks of on-demand business models, and Alexandra De Raeve who explores the digitization of textile design and production.

The world’s leading printing hardware brands, Brother and Epson explain their approaches to environmentally friendly manufacturing, resource management and recent reshoring trends. Representatives of ink and chemistry companies offer a comprehensive overview of the latest material solutions, pigment ink innovations, including a novel white pigment concentrate, and their implications for specific printing techniques. Two companies lay a particular focus on dyeing and the reduction of its environmental impact, also through removing of textile prints and efficient fabric recycling at the end-of-life stage.

Strong academic representation includes contributions by RWTH Aachen, HS Niederrhein, DITF Denkendorf and Saxon Textile Research Institute. They share their latest research results on smart textiles with integrated electronics, functionalisation of textiles with digital printing, sustainability assessment for microfactories, circular economy and eco-labels.

Although an engaging program fills up two conference days, the event features also several networking moments in the accompanying exhibition part. The current list of companies which showcase their solution at tabletops includes: Brother, BYK, CHT Germany, Covestro, DITF, Druckprozess, Epson, Evonik, Farbenpunkt, Fujifilm Ink Solutions, Global Inkjet Systems, Kronos, Marabu, Meteor Inkjet, Münzing, Nextil, Nur Ink, Seiko Instruments, STFI, Vividye and Trijet.

Last tabletop spaces are available and all interested in booking should contact info@esma.com.

Delegates may now register via the TPS website and organisers offer a 200-euro discount on the second booking.

Programme and registration: tps-conference.com

Posted: July 7, 2022

Source: ESMA

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