James Heal Celebrates 150 Years With Week-long Event

Neil Pryke (right) receiving his long service award from John Page, PPT Group managing director

HALIFAX, England Kuly 15, 2022 — A year of celebration continued at James Heal last week as a series of events were held to mark their 150th anniversary, with the attendance of sales partners from almost every continent making it a truly international occasion.

Established in 1872, Halifax-based James Heal design and manufacture textile testing instruments, which are sold, directly from the UK, Germany and USA, and through sales channel partners around the world. The brand became part of the wider PPT Group in 2014, with sister brands each focusing on testing many aspects of materials and products.

Sales channel partners (SCPs) began arriving early in the week along with staff from their German and US offices, visiting the factory to meet the team, see the textile testing instruments and test materials being manufactured, and to undergo training from James Heal’s Technical Specialists.

The visitors participated in a full day conference at Cedar Court Hotel in Huddersfield on Thursday, where two new James Heal instruments AirPro and HydroView were demonstrated for testing air permeability and hydrostatic head, plus sessions on new and existing product development took place.

The week culminated in a party attended by members of staff, partners, customers and representatives of industry associations held fittingly at The Venue at Bowers Mill, a former woollen mill in nearby Barkisland. After dinner PPT Group UK Managing Director, Neil Pryke gave a thought-provoking speech linking the 150 year history of James Heal with significant world events and inventions such as the lightbulb and telephone, both of which used textiles in their construction, coming after the company was established, alongside industry advances such as the invention of Lycra, and ending with the future possibilities presented by smart textiles.

(left to right): Declan Tierney, PPT Group sales director; John Page, PPT Group managing director; and Neil Pryke, PPT Group UK managing director.

Concluding the more formal part of the evening, six members of staff including Neil were recognized for their long service, all having worked at James Heal for over 25 years, between them totaling 150 years. Four other awards were presented to members of staff voted for by their peers for; Character, Leadership, being a Values Champion and an Unsung Hero. The party went into full swing with SouthWest Band entertaining guests until late in the evening.

Neil Pryke said, “It has been a wonderful week of collaboration and further building relationships with our team and global partners, many of whom have been with us for decades, all joining together to celebrate the very special achievement and longevity of James Heal.”

Posted July 19, 2022

Source: James Heal

Glen Raven Announces Significantly Reduced Lead Times For Sunbrella® Fabrics

BURLINGTON, N.C. — July 15, 2022 — As part of its ongoing commitment to be the most dependable partner in the textile industry and meet record demand for its Sunbrella® performance fabrics, Glen Raven Inc. announces significantly reduced lead times for Sunbrella, with the majority of stock fabrics available to ship today. System enhancements and upgraded equipment resulting from the completed first phase of the company’s capacity expansion plan have helped significantly increase production of Sunbrella fabrics.

The initial phase of Glen Raven’s multi-phase expansion plan included new yarn spinning capabilities, new and upgraded weaving equipment and other capacity enhancements to support its customers and the increased demand for Sunbrella, Dickson® and other Glen Raven fabrics. Increased production has led to:

More than 70 percent of Sunbrella stock fabrics are available to ship today, including many of the brand’s most popular styles. Other styles are available to ship within four weeks with remaining styles seeing a 10-week maximum lead time.

Many Sunbrella “made to order” fabrics are now available with 11-week lead times. All are available within a 19-week maximum lead time.  Further availability improvements are expected in the fall.

“We remain committed to creating high-quality fabrics in a timely manner amid the ongoing industry supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages,” said Dave Swers, president of Glen Raven Custom Fabrics. “Our associates have made great progress in the execution of our expansion plans and we continue to produce more Sunbrella fabric than ever before. We’re grateful for our customers and their support as we continue to build on the significant progress we have made to deliver fabric quickly to best serve them.”

Subsequent phases of Glen Raven’s capacity expansion plan are underway with the goal to continue increasing production output and warehousing and shipping capabilities while producing fabric more efficiently and supporting the company’s sustainability goals. The total of all phases amounts to $250 million in investments and will increase Glen Raven’s production capabilities by more than 30 percent, in addition to expanding warehousing and further enhancing quality and testing capabilities to support the brand’s high-quality standards.

Posted July 19, 2022

Source: Glen Raven

 

EFI Reggiani Supports Its Continued Digital Growth And Innovation In Green With Ground-Breaking For New, State-Of-The-Art Campus

GRASSOBIO, Italy — July 19, 2022 — EFI™ Reggiani, the industrial textile printing business of printing technology company Electronics For Imaging Inc. (EFI), has broken ground on a new textile campus to accommodate ongoing growth. The new 20,000-square-meter campus in Comun Nuovo, Bergamo, Italy, is expected to be completed midyear in 2023.

“EFI Reggiani has always worked diligently to take our offerings to the next level, thinking ahead and developing high-tech, high-quality and reliable textile solutions,” said EFI Reggiani Senior Vice President and General Manager Adele Genoni. “The new campus is an important step in our journey, and it is proof of EFI’s strong commitment to continued development of the textiles business unit. Not only will this provide us more space to continue our growth, but it will also be a welcoming and sustainable environment for our employees.”

Sustainability and employee well-being at the center

The new facility was designed with environmental sustainability and employee well-being in mind. That focus includes plans to install 400 kilowatts of solar panels supplying 60 percent of the facility’s total energy requirements. Moreover, the building will benefit from superior thermal insulation that will ensure a reduction in heating and cooling costs. Numerous skylights in the facility will provide better natural lighting and a reduction in artificial lighting usage.

Green space on the campus was a priority in the design process, covering an estimated 20 percent of the total area. For a more welcoming work environment, the campus will also feature a canteen and gymnasium for employee use.

A 3,000-square-metre demo center in the new facility will be nearly twice as large as the current EFI Reggiani demo centre in Grassobbio, Italy, offering a high-end, high-tech showcase for state-of-the-art EFI Reggiani printers, as well as Mezzera pre- and post-treatment and Jaeggli yarn treatment products. The demo centre will also feature EFI Reggiani’s recently acquired portfolio of Inèdit raster image processing (RIP) and workflow software solutions.

Transforming the textile industry through innovation in green

Since the launch of its first analogue printer, to its newest digital solutions, EFI Reggiani has at its core a heritage and expertise that have contributed to the transformation of the textile industry worldwide. With its total commitment to providing “Innovation in Green,” EFI Reggiani’s leadership is the result of extensive research targeted at improving productivity, quality and sustainability in its customers’ operations. Building on Reggiani’s 75+ year legacy, the company is focused on optimising the textile manufacturing process — and reducing energy use, water consumption and overall environmental impact — to ensure customers’ business growth and profitability.

Over the years, EFI Reggiani’s product portfolio has continued to expand, ranging from rotary and flatbed printing machines, to scanning/multi-pass digital printers, to the world’s fastest digital textile printer — an award-winning EFI Reggiani BOLT single-pass inkjet printer that operates at 90 meters per minute. Additional leading-edge, best-in-class solutions in the portfolio include the world’s fastest scanning printer for textile, an EFI Reggiani HYPER model that can output up to 20 linear metres per minute at peak speed.

Known for high quality, flexibility and reliability, EFI Reggiani is also an innovator in ink — a recognized leader as one of the only companies to manufacture the full range of inks used in industrial textile manufacturing.

For more information about advanced EFI Reggiani technologies for textile production, visit www.efi.com/reggiani.

Posted: July 19, 2022

Source: EFI™ Reggiani

Novel Smart Textiles – Graphene Nanotubes Add Functionality To Yarns

LUXEMBOURG — July 19, 2022 — High demand for interactive electronic textiles encouraged the Italian producer of technical-industrial yarns CoatYarn to expand its production line with an absolutely new product: thermoplastic polyurethane yarn enhanced with graphene nanotubes by OCSiAl. This solution is widely applicable in various electrostatic sensitive sectors as healthcare, mining, and oil and gas. One of the end market applications is electroconductive textile gloves with touch-screen functionality that can be used by the operators of loading machines.

Just 0.2 wt. percent of graphene nanotubes is enough to transfer their unmatched electrical and thermal conductivity to TPU, transforming polyamide yarn into a conductive one with a volume resistivity of 104 Ohm·cm. “Graphene nanotubes, used in an easy-to-process form of the pre-dispersed concentrate TUBALL MATRIX 808, result not only in stable and permanent conductivity but, unlike standard additives in preserved textile excellent resistance to abrasion, alkali, hydrolysis, microbial attack, and remarkable soft-skin feeling effect.” said Shai Nathan, Production & Quality manager of CoatYarn s.r.l.

The enhanced durability and reliability of the novel ESD material provides the foundations for developing safe and functional personal protective clothing, conveyor belts, and textile bags. The flexible e-textile with the ability to receive, store, and transmit data and signals can be considered as sensors and used in health care for measuring temperature, biopotentials, acoustic, ultrasound, pressure, and radiation.

“The new e-textile has a great potential for application in various spheres. For example, the electroconductive network created by graphene nanotubes inside the fabric allows yarn to be heated, turning textile into a promising multifunctional material for automotive and building interiors, and sportswear,” said Phillippe Bichot, Technical Sales manager for Coatings for EMEA, OCSiAl Group.

Posted: July 19, 2022

Source: OCSiAl Group

First-To-Market Jumbo Wipes Bagger From Shemesh Offers Manufacturers A Sustainable Solution

FARNBOROUGH, England — July 19, 2022 — Building on the success of its CITADEL-R monobloc bagger for round refill and consumer wipes, global machinery manufacturer Shemesh Automation Wet Wipes is once again first to market with a ground-breaking offering for Jumbo Wipes makers.

Most industries are undergoing transformational change in the wake of COVID-19 coupled with increased concerns around climate change, and the nonwoven wipes sector is no different. In fact, Shemesh first developed the CITADEL series in response to two emerging industry trends.

First, wipes manufacturers are beginning to transition away from rigid packaging such as canisters and buckets towards flexible packaging. This not only means they use less plastic, but also flexible packs take up less space allowing manufacturers to make savings on transport costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

Second, whilst the initial COVID-related surge in demand for consumer wipes may have settled down post-pandemic, it’s clear that the market for jumbo wipes in flexible packs, commonly used in hospitals and gyms, is still growing apace.

Meet CITADEL-J

Responding to this growing market trend and building on the successful launch of its CITADEL-R model, Shemesh has developed the perfect solution for manufacturers of wipes in flexible jumbo-sized bags who are looking to enhance their production with fast, space-saving automation. The CITADEL-J.

A stand-alone monobloc unit, the CITADEL-J automatically stuffs jumbo sized (typically in the 600 sheet-count to 1,200 count range) nonwoven rolls into premade bags, accurately fills them with liquid (typically 3 to 5 litres) while providing constant support beneath the heavy bag, seals the bags and then ejects the finished product at speeds of 10-15 packs per minute (depending on product-specific variables).

CITADEL-J is designed to connect seamlessly to existing slitter/rewinders, allowing manufacturers to benefit from complete A-Z hands-free operation.

Shemesh Automation CEO, Shai Shemesh explains that much like all the best products, CITADEL-J came by way of a genuine response to a real unmet market need: “CITADEL-J is a great example of a business listening to its customers and bringing to market a machine that really offers an answer to requirements that had been left unaddressed by the wider market for too long. Now, thanks to CITADEL-J, manufacturers of jumbo wipes in flexible packs have a cutting-edge automated solution that will allow them to make savings to their carbon footprint while enhancing production efficiencies – and their bottom line”.

Posted: July 19, 2022

Source: Shemesh Automation

KARL MAYER: New HKS 2-SE PLUS Twill Stitch Fabrics Are Adding Power To The Lingerie And Sportswear Business

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — July 19, 2022 — At the end of last year, KARL MAYER added the HKS 2-SE PLUS to its range of products for processing elastane; the first trials were completed shortly afterwards to test the new patterning possibilities it offered. Thanks to a modified knitting motion, the newcomer can not only implement conventional elastic locknit and 1 x 1 counter lappings, but twill stitch variations too. The ground guide bar GB 2, which processes elastane, may work the two-needle-overlap.

Incorporating the elastic material as a two-needle-overlap produces a fabric with a high modulus, a plump feel and a silky surface, as tests carried out by KARL MAYER’s textile product developers have demonstrated. The textile specialists produced various articles on the new HKS 2-SE PLUS with a twill stitch 1 x 2 lapping and a 2 x 1 lapping as combination partners. A polyamide filament yarn was used to implement the 2 x 1 lapping through the GB 1. The twill stitch 1 x 2 lapping was made with open and closed loops, and worked in equal lapping in the underlap and in counter lapping in the overlap, and vice versa for the 2 x 1 lapping.

When comparing the resulting variants with a standard locknit structure — also produced on the HKS 2-SE PLUS and with the same yarn — clear differences can be seen. With a weight per unit area of between 243 g/m² and 253 g/m², the twill stitch 1 x 2 articles are noticeably heavier than the standard elastic fabric, and the elastane content is also higher. The difference is around 12%. The new elastic twill fabrics are extremely powerful and resistant to elastic deformation. They are soft against the skin, drape well and dry quickly. Thanks to this performance, fabrics featuring this modelling stretch are a promising innovation, particularly for the manufacturers of shapewear and sportswear, swimwear and lingerie articles. What’s more, the product range of the HKS 2-SE PLUS is effectively expanded. To produce the fabrics, the guide bars simply need to be adjusted using predefined settings options.

Posted: July 19, 2022

Source: KARL MAYER

The Gherzi Organization Strengthens Its Presence In North America

ZURICH, Switzerland — July 19, 2022 — The Gherzi Organization strengthened its operations in North America today by joining forces with industry veteran Robert Antoshak as a partner.

The goal will be to better serve brands and manufacturers in North America’s apparel, textile, and fiber industries. In recent years, an uptick in regional sourcing and construction of new operating plants in North America has prompted Gherzi to expand its regional operations.

Previously, Gherzi worked for clients in North America, supported by its Zurich and South America offices.

Antoshak brings over 30 years of experience consulting for companies throughout the textile supply chain, from cotton farmers and fiber companies to spinners, weavers, apparel brands, and retailers. He also has a deep background in government affairs and trade policy.

Gherzi CEO Giuseppe Gherzi said: “We have observed a significant shift in the global textile and apparel industries that favors the expansion of operations in North America. To meet renewed interest in the region, Gherzi has retained the services of a well-known and respected industry leader to head up our efforts.”

Antoshak shared his enthusiasm for the project. “It is a unique opportunity and a chance to assist companies in rethinking their sourcing strategies and expand their options in North America,” he said.

The Gherzi Organization was founded in Switzerland more than 90 years ago. Gherzi is an independent, global firm of more than 120 consultants, technical specialists, engineers, architects, and planners working across all areas of industrial and infrastructure projects.

To learn more about the Gherzi Organization, visit www.gherzi.com.

Posted: July 19, 2022

Source: The Gherzi Organization

Nominate Your Innovation For The Prestigious Hygienix Innovation Award™

CARY, N.C. — July 19, 2022 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announces online nominations are now open for the Hygienix Innovation Award™. The award recognizes a new product or technology innovation in the absorbent hygiene and personal care sector that uses nonwoven fabrics in novel, technically sophisticated, uniquely creative and expansive ways. The award will be presented at Hygienix™ 2022, November 14-17 at The Roosevelt New Orleans Hotel, in New Orleans.

Nominations will be accepted online through Monday, August 29 at www.inda.org/awards/hygienix-innovation-award.html. Nominees will be selected from a broad range of new products or technologies that have been commercially available at most two years prior to Hygienix 2022. Nominees can include end product components, fabrication techniques, or products that use a nonwoven technology in manufacturing. Award categories include feminine care products, diapers, incontinence products, raw materials, equipment technology, reusable products or technologies, and composites or laminates that use nonwovens. Three finalists will present their innovations to more than 450 participants at the eighth edition of Hygienix, the premier event for the absorbent hygiene and personal care markets. The winner will be announced Thursday, November 17.

Last year’s Hygienix Innovation Award was presented to Kudos for its Kudos Diaper Subscription Box, a disposable diaper featuring 100-percent breathable cotton touching baby’s skin.

The 2021 event in Scottsdale, Ariz., attracted more than 360 industry professionals to convene and connect with the latest innovations and trends in the largest of the nonwovens segment — absorbent hygiene and personal care. Participants benefited from forward thinking market and business insights as well as face-to-face engagement with 14+ hours of networking events.

The Hygienix™ 2022 Conference will explore exclusive content in these key areas: Market and Innovation Development, Sustainable Absorbent Hygiene Inputs and Products, Menstrual Product Innovation, Consumer Understanding, and Machinery.

The event will also feature a new Mentorship Program where first-time participants convene and connect with elite decision makers; two workshops, Global Diaper Trends and Absorption Systems for Absorbent Hygiene Products: A hands-on look at absorbent hygiene cores; networking opportunities to connect with fellow participants; and tabletop exhibits with two evening receptions. For information on the Hygienix Innovation Award nomination, contact Chris Plotz, cplotz@inda.org, 919-459-3748.

For registration and tabletop exhibit information on Hygienix 2022, visit www.hygienix.org/register.html

Posted: July 19, 2022

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Arcade Belt Co. Announces Shift To REPREVE® Recycled Polyester

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — July 19, 2022 — Arcade, founded on the belief that belts should function better for freedom of motion, be designed to last longer, and be more comfortable, today announces that all of its belts will now be made with REPREVE®, a post-consumer, certified recycled yarn. The shift to Repreve across the full range of Arcade belt products will have a smaller footprint without sacrificing comfort, durability, or functionality.

“Throughout our journey to design and make uncomplicated, genius belts, we have consistently kept our focus on doing everything we can as a team and as a brand to reduce the impact on our environment,” said Kevin Walker, marketing director at Arcade. “We partnered with Repreve to ensure our standards of high-quality, performance materials used in all of our belt webbing were met. We are really proud to be shifting all of our belts over to Repreve certified recycled polyester, a gold standard in both sourcing and fabrication that is fully traceable.”

Arcade belt webbing is now made of 85-percent Repreve recycled polyester and 15-percent natural rubber, a virgin material that gives Arcade belts their signature performance stretch and comfort. Arcade buckles are made of a virgin POM or nylon, which is a 100-percent recyclable material. While recycled elastics and plastics exist, through lab and in-field testing, Arcade has found that these alternatives are not as durable and do not meet the company’s standards for product longevity and quality. Arcade uses these chosen materials for their buckles and performance stretch component of their belts because, ultimately, the more sustainable solution is to make products that last longer.

“Arcade belts retain their controlled performance stretch and keep their durable structure, even after years of active daily use, that’s why we confidently attach a lifetime guarantee to our products,” added Walker. “A major part of being more sustainable is choosing the right partners and quality materials from the very beginning. The shift to recycled yarn in all Arcade belts adds yet another layer to our on-going efforts to tread lighter.”

By choosing to make their performance stretch belts with post-consumer Repreve recycled yarn, by 2024, Arcade will:

  • Repurpose 3+ million plastic bottles from oceans and landfills;
  • Reduce 300 kg of CO2 emissions; and
  • Save 3.1 million liters of water.

Repreve is a trusted, recycled performance yarn made from clear, post-consumer plastic bottles. Compared to making virgin yarn, Repreve offsets using new petroleum, emits fewer greenhouse gasses and conserves water and energy throughout the production process.

All new performance stretch webbing belts currently available at arcadebelts.com now feature Repreve, including the Adventure, Capture, and Futureweave series of belts.

Posted: July 19, 2022

Source: Arcade Belt Co.

Forward-Thinking And Transparent Communication Keeps Loepfe Ahead In Delivery Fidelity

ZURICH, Switzerland— July 19, 2022 — Despite daily reports of global supply chain issues, Loepfe Brothers Ltd. rise above market uncertainty to continue exceeding customer expectations.

Positioning itself for future growth, Loepfe has made several key strategic moves to allow it to continue its mission to champion customer-centricity. Loepfe report that committed customer orders are being delivered on time, making it a reliable partner within the very uncertain business environment. Loepfe considers transparent communication and its collaborative approach with all the involved parties as main success factors.

Delays in international sourcing has been the downfall for many market players, however, Loepfe is committed to sourcing with a future vision to ensure that customer expectations can still be met. Clearing sourcing bottlenecks, holding increased stocks, and building closer working relationships with both new and existing suppliers, as well as customers, has allowed the company to gain additional business against a challenging procurement backdrop. Also, strengthening relationships with transport partners and increasing the use of air freight has helped Loepfe fulfill its commitments.

Further, Loepfe’s broad product range has played a crucial part. With more complete product families, it has the flexibility to use multiple products to fit the needs of the customer. The respective product components are sourced independently from long-standing suppliers, and product production runs in parallel thanks to successful recruitment and new employment models. Switzerland-made hardware quality along with the offering of software updates give products greater longevity and the ability to adapt to changing demands.

However, all these initiatives have come with higher cost pressure and increased capacities and have required a great level of dedication and flexibility from every individual in the Loepfe team and its partners. In an ever-changing landscape it recognizes there is no room for complacency and remains committed to evolving its processes to ensure customer satisfaction.

Dr. Ralph Mennicke, CEO of Loepfe Brothers Ltd. said: “We are delighted we have been able to fulfil our commitments to customers, old and new. We are constantly looking for innovative ways to retain our strong position. There are many pressures in the market right now, and our strong position has required a great deal of foresight, dedication, and troubleshooting. While full availability of all components in our complex sensor products cannot be taken for granted nowadays, we are making the utmost efforts to ensure transparency to our partners and to find solutions along the way that meet our customers’ needs. I’m grateful to every individual in our team who has helped to make this happen. We remain committed to our long-standing clients and look forward to welcoming even more new customers into the Loepfe world.”

Posted: July 19, 2022

Source: Loepfe Brothers Ltd.

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