Culp Inc. To Participate In Water Tower Research Fireside Chat Series

HIGH POINT, N.C. — July 19, 2021 — Culp Inc. today announced that Ken Bowling, the company’s executive vice president and CFO, will participate in the Water Tower Research Fireside Chat Series tomorrow, Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. ET. The event is open to the public, with registration information below.

Hosting Bowling in the Fireside Chat will be Budd Bugatch, senior analyst for Water Tower Research. The 30-minute virtual discussion will explore Culp’s business model from a financial perspective. The presentation will be webcast live and available for replay by visiting the Events page of the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.culp.com

Investors and other persons interested in participating in this event must register using the link below. Registration for the live event is limited but may be accessed any time for replay.

Register for the event here. https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1480254&tp_key=ce125ac615

Posted July 19, 2021

Source: Culp, Inc.

Ross Stores Opens 30 New Locations: On Track To Open 60 Stores In 2021

DUBLIN, Calif. — July 19, 2021 — Ross Stores recently opened 22 Ross Dress for Less® and eight dd’s DISCOUNTS® stores across 11 different states in June and July. These new locations are part of the Company’s plans to add approximately 60 new stores — 40 Ross and 20 dd’s DISCOUNTS — during fiscal 2021.

“These recent openings reflect our ongoing commitment to expanding our two chains,” said Gregg McGillis, group executive vice president, Property Development. “This summer, we expanded our presence in our largest markets of California, Florida, and Texas, and also added locations in newer states, including Illinois for dd’s as well as Ohio and West Virginia for Ross. Looking ahead, we remain confident in our ability to grow to at least 2,400 Ross Dress for Less and 600 dd’s DISCOUNTS locations over time.”

Together, Ross Dress for Less and dd’s DISCOUNTS currently operate a total of 1,896 locations in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam.

Posted July 19, 2021

Source: Ross Stores Inc.

Meryl Medical Is Revolutionizing The Textile Industry

CONGLETON, England — July 16, 2021 — Meryl Medical has launched a new range of environmentally sustainable fabrics, revolutionizing the way we think about, use, and dispose of textiles.

In partnership with Nylstar Hydrogen Technologies, Meryl Medical has developed strong and durable textiles that can be completely reused, focusing on environmental impact, quality and protection built around a sustainable circular economy. The company is committed to supporting the UN’s sustainable development goal of responsible consumption and production by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources.

Meryl Medical’s impressive material is completely non-shedding, zero microfiber pollution in air or water. The company prides itself on virtually eradicating all production waste at the manufacturing stage, which can be as high as 22 percent, by returning weaving and cutting waste for reuse in new yarns.

The fabric can also be washed at a lower temperature than cotton-based materials and has a hugely reduced transport route, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of the product from its creation stage through to the end of its life when it can be fully recycled and made into another sustainable product.

The team at Meryl Medical were also keen to address the flexibility of the fabric ensuring that as many people as possible could benefit from the innovation, so it was important to use fabric that could function in different types of settings and product designs including bedding, doctor’s coats, underclothes, workwear, polo shirts, and face covers.

The specialized fabrics are made with a superior construction to ensure a high-quality specification that are soft to the touch. The fabrics contain zero shedding microplastics, and are made with zero water for coloring process with antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Kevin Simpson, co-founder and innovator at Meryl Medical, commented: “This is an exciting time for Meryl Medical and the textile industry as we have created a product that will greatly reduce the environmental impact on society with its recyclability and sustainability components. Our fabrics are manufactured with zero water waste, zero chemicals or solvents and zero microfibers.”

Kevin continued, “The average lifecycle of textiles, including laundering, accounts for 6.7 percent of all global greenhouse emissions, which is equivalent of every person taking a 2,500-mile flight every year. Meryl Medical is passionate about the environment and sustainability and we are ready to do our part in helping to disrupt and change the textile industry for the better.”

Ingo Mangold, Meryl Medical’s German textile design engineer, also commented: “Throughout our research and development process, we have put the environment at the forefront of everything we do. From the manufacturing process to the development of fibers that protect against viruses and bacteria, our main goal is to deliver a sustainable quality fabric that provides an environmental saving. We have successfully managed to combine design, comfort, quality and well-being and put it all at the core of our products and designs, creating safer environments for workers and a cleaner planet for everyone.”

All Meryl Medical products are treated with a permanent antiviral-effect, antibacterial and anti fungal technology co-developed alongside their virology partner, HeiQ. HeiQ helps improve the lives of billions of people by adding functionalities to all kinds of materials through scientific research, specialty materials manufacturing and consumer ingredient branding.

Posted July 16, 2021

Source: Meryl Medical Ltd.

Durak Tekstil Aramid Threads Show Successful Performance Against High Temperature

BURSA, Turkey — July 16, 2021 — Durak Tekstil responds to the increasing demand in the hotel and accommodation sector and in the field of protective clothing with its flame retardant aramid thread types included in its portfolio. High performance Durak Fire Safe P-Aramid® and Durak Fire Safe M-Aramid® sewing threads with 28 different colors provide confidence to textile manufacturers with successful results obtained from international fireproof tests.

In addition to common fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester that we use in our clothing and home textile products, special fibers are also needed for more technical applications. Textile fibers can now offer successful solutions for demanding and vital jobs. Demand for aramid fibers and threads has been increasing rapidly in recent years for use in heat resistant, flame retardant textiles. According to a market research, the global aramid fiber market in 2019 reached a value of 3.6 billion dollars with an annual growth of 8.2 percent. Developed countries, especially the United States, are using aramid threads as a preventative solution in the fight against fires, especially in hotels and accommodation facilities. Predicting that the US aramid fiber market will reach $1.4 billion by 2027 with a serious increase the research reveals the potential.

A polymer from the polyamide class, the aramid fiber has been providing high strength and heat resistance in textile products with its strength close to steel since the 1960s. Aramid fiber draws attention with its flame retardant feature, and has two types as para aramid in full crystal structure and meta aramid in semicrystalline structure. Due to its high resistance to heat, aramid threads have a growing market in applications such as fire and heat safety. Aramid fibers and threads with a high melting point can be used safely in places with their properties such as heat resistance, superior strength against breakage and non-conductivity where other synthetic fibers cannot be used.

Used as sewing threads in the bedding industry due to their delayed ignition feature, aramid threads seriously prevent flash fires and fires engulfing a whole location. Fire-related deaths in cases of falling asleep while smoking in the USA are also reflected in official reports. According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) data, smoking ranks first with 23 percent in deaths caused by house fires between 2014 and 2018. The aramid threads used in edge closing stitches in the mattress industry slow down the spread of fire, creating time for safe intervention. In addition, aramid threads used in the clothing of firefighters and security forces play a life-saving role.

Durak Tekstil aramid thread portfolio eases technical jobs

Durak Tekstil, Turkey’s largest industrial sewing and embroidery threads manufacturer, carries out serious research in the field of aramid threads and offers innovative solutions to the global market in this regard. Producing para aramid threads for the bedding industry, Durak Tekstil appeals to a large market with its threads produced from meta aramid for protective clothing. DURAK Fire Safe P-Aramid® threads produced in accordance with EN ISO 15025 and EN ISO 6941 fireproofing tests are used in bedding industry with edge closing application, while Durak Fire Safe M-Aramid® threads are preferred in flame retardant embroidery applications, work clothes and anti-ballistic uniforms, industrial protective gloves.

Posted July 16, 2021

Source: Durak Tekstil

SINCE/ANEX Exhibitor Preview: Trützschler, Trützschler Nonwovens And Trützschler Card Clothing

EGELSBACH, Germany — July 15, 2021 — The pandemic shows the importance of single-use nonwovens for disinfectant and other wipe application. Therefore Trützschler focuses on both high-performance solutions for an efficient production of disinfectant and biodegradable wipe materials.

It’s the classic combination of polyester and viscose fibers which combines exceptional good wipe characteristics with affordable raw material costs. For such high-speed carding/spunlacing processes Truetzschler Nonwovens offers production line configurations with three roller cards. Such an extended carding section not only enhances web quality but also fully utilizes AquaJet’s spunlacing power to deliver up to 4 tons of nonwovens per hour.

Line concepts for eco-friendly baby and body wipes are another focus at booth 1J20. The latest hot topic: Trützschler‘s proven CP (carded/pulp) nonwoven line concepts with built-in flexibility. The machinery is able to process various pulp types for the wet-laid layer and various fiber types for the carded layer. The outcome is a broad range of CP products optimized for specific requirements.

CP lines round up Trützschler Nonwovens‘ solutions for manufacturing sustainable nonwovens. Topics at SINCE also are technologies for pulp-based WLS (wet-laid/spunlaced) nonwovens, cotton nonwovens and nonwovens made from 100-percent viscose or lyocell fibers.

Trützschler Card Clothing introduces a new generation of condenser wires. Condensing rollers in the card’s doffing section both increase strength in cross direction and the web’s volume but are prone to fiber accumulations. To minimize this risk the new clothings feature a unique tooth geometry and are manufactured by a special combined surface treatment and hardening process..

Posted July 16, 2021

Source: Trützschler Nonwovens & Man-Made Fibers GmbH

Eruslu Nonwovens Group To Enter The Biodegradable Nonwoven Market With Truetzschler Nonwovens’ Machinery

EGELSBACH, Germany — July 15, 2021 — Truetzschler Nonwovens will deliver equipment to enlarge an existing spunlacing line into a flexible, state-of-the-art production line for various light to heavy weight sustainable nonwovens.

When Turkey-based Eruslu Nonwovens Group (ENG) invested in a Truetzschler Nonwovens’ spunlacing line in 2015, it became clear that the company was heading for growth. The line, consisting of a single NCR random card, AquaJet and a drum dryer had already been laid out for later extension. All components were either fully equipped or designed to deliver higher performances.

Last year Eruslu decided to broaden its portfolio in the wipes segment by adding biodegradable products from renewable resources. The group took full advantage of the 2015 small capacity line and went for:

  • A second NCR random and a NCA airlay card;
  • fiber preparation and card feeding equipment for the two new cards;
  • More hydraulic power to reliably and efficiently hydroentangle multi-layer webs; and
  • An extension to the dryer for increased evaporation capacity.

After starting up in the second half of 2022, Eruslu will be operating an ultra-modern, highly flexible NCR-NCA-NCR spunlace line, the first of its kind in Turkey. The line is tailor-made to process virgin cotton fibers, comber noils and short fibers at high speeds. End products are top-quality, lightweight natural wipes or heavy-weight, three-layer nonwovens for cosmetic pads.

Posted July 16, 2021

Source: Truetzschler Nonwovens & Man-Made Fibers GmbH

JCPenney Introduces Thereabouts™ Brand For Fully Inclusive Back-To-School Style

LEWISVILLE, Texas — July 15, 2021 — Back-to-school season is more exciting than ever as parents prepare to send their kids back for in-person learning this fall. To ensure every kid can confidently express their style as they head into the classroom, JCPenney introduces the Thereabouts™ private brand, a new inclusive line of kids apparel that celebrates diversity of shapes, sizes, styles, and abilities. Designed with every kid in mind, the Thereabouts collection is available exclusively at JCPenney and jcp.com beginning July 15.

“We believe all kids should feel confident and capable in the clothes they wear, and parents should feel good about the clothes they buy,” says Michelle Wlazlo, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. “Fulfilling the wants and needs of our diverse customer base is the foundation of our business. That’s why we relied on research and feedback from parents and kids throughout the design process. We are proud to say that the Thereabouts collection is our most inclusive kids brand ever.”

The Thereabouts assortment has all the back-to-school essentials, from basics to uniforms, sleep to outerwear, and a variety of shoe styles. Designed for all ages from toddler to big kid, the Thereabouts line is size-inclusive running from 2T–22, including plus and husky.

Made with super soft fabrics, the Thereabouts collection is inspired by the latest trends in kids’ fashion, including sneaker dresses, head-to-toe color, and prairie cool looks. Thereabouts apparel is available with adaptive features, including easy-access openings, sensory-friendly seaming, and no tags, ensuring there’s something stylish for every kid, including those with disabilities. JCPenney has also partnered with Patti + Ricky, an adaptive fashion marketplace for adults and kids with disabilities, to expand its children’s adaptive offerings via notable accessory brands PunkinFutz™, BeedleBug™, Max & Me™, and Myself Belts™. Shop all adaptive apparel and accessories on jcp.com.

In addition to offering inclusive apparel for kids who make the future bright, JCPenney is partnering with Communities In Schools® (CIS™) to make sure they have the support and resources they need to succeed. From July 15 to Aug. 12, JCPenney will donate $1 for every Thereabouts item sold in store or online, up to $100,000, to Communities In Schools to fund programming that empowers students to stay in school and achieve in life.

Posted July 15, 2021

Source: JCPenney

GK Elite To Outfit USA Gymnastics Olympic Athletes On-Mat At The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 For The First Time

READING, Pa. — July 15, 2021 — GK Elite, a brand of gymnastics competitive and training apparel, will be worn by Team USA gymnasts on-mat at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 through its official apparel sponsorship of USA Gymnastics, the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States. Although GK has been the manufacturer of previous Olympic Games garments, this will mark the first time that GK Elite’s branding will appear on leotards and apparel worn by the women’s and men’s gymnastics teams at the Olympic Games, an honor previously held by Under Armour and Adidas.

“GK Elite has a rich heritage as the leading apparel for competitive gymnasts and we are proud to have our brand represented on the sport’s greatest stage by Team USA,” said Girisha Chandraraj, president and CEO of Elite Sportswear. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with USA Gymnastics as we collaborate to encourage and inspire gymnasts across the world to feel and perform their best. We are proud to represent Team USA in Tokyo and look forward to cheering on the women’s and men’s teams as they go for gold.”

The designs being worn by Team USA will be unveiled on-mat during competition in Tokyo. The leotards and men’s apparel all incorporate strong design cues that insight a sense of patriotism, strength, and confidence. Additionally, the women’s leotards are each adorned with thousands of radiant Swarovski® crystals, providing epic sparkle to every athlete’s look that will be sure to capture the attention of all, and giving each leotard a shine that will stand out on the competition mat.

Examples of the patriotic themes of the leotards include the Women’s Team Final leotard featuring 7600 Swarovski® crystals and another competition leotard with 76 hand-applique stars — nods to the United States’ independence in 1776.

Each Olympic Games garment was designed with the athletes in mind. All the uniforms are made in the USA, having been designed, cut and assembled at the Elite Sportswear headquarters in Reading, Pa. A limited production of replica leotards and men’s shirts, also made in the USA, will be available for purchase following the competitive leotard and apparel debut during the Games on gkelite.com.

“GK Elite has been a valued partner of USA Gymnastics for over two decades, and we know they share our commitment to supporting gymnasts at all ages and across all disciplines,” said Li Li Leung, President and CEO of USA Gymnastics. “We are excited to see our teams compete at the Olympics in GK’s outstanding apparel.”

GK Elite is also proud to outfit other gymnastics federations worldwide including Gymnastics Canada, Gymnastics Australia, Netherlands, and many more. For more information about GK Elite’s partnership with USA Gymnastics and presence at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, please visit gkelite.com.

Posted July 15, 2021

Source: GK Elite

PPG Appoints Melissa Wills As Vice President, Finance Administration

PITTSBURGH — July 15, 2021 — PPG today announced the appointment of Melissa Wills as vice president, finance administration, effective August 1, 2021. Wills will continue to report to PPG Senior Vice President and CFO Vince Morales.

In this newly created role, Wills will continue with her current responsibilities as CFO, Americas, and will add responsibility and oversight of financial administration for PPG’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific regions. Wills will draw upon her broad and diverse experiences in various business finance roles, corporate finance functions, shared financial services and audit to drive efficient and effective business finance support and transactional processing.

Wills has held a variety of roles of increasing responsibility over her career with PPG. She joined PPG in 1989 at the Chillicothe, Ohio, Shared Financial Services Center and later moved into the automotive coatings business, where she held finance and strategic planning leadership roles. Wills was appointed director, global shared financial services, in 2006; director, strategic planning, in 2009; director, finance business process transformation in 2010; and assistant controller in 2011. She became director, corporate audit services in 2013, and was named global finance director, automotive refinish, in 2017. Wills was promoted to CFO of the United States and Canada region in 2018, and assumed her current role as CFO, Americas, adding the Latin America region to her accountability in March 2021.

Wills earned a bachelor of science degree at Shawnee State University and a master of business administration degree at Franklin University.

Posted July 15, 2021

Source: PPG

LaTonya Groom Joins HanesBrands as Vice President, Talent & Diversity

LaTonya Groom

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — July 15, 2021 — HanesBrands, a global supplier of iconic apparel brands, today announced that LaTonya Groom has joined the company as vice president, talent & diversity.

“This new role illustrates the importance of talent and diversity in unlocking our Full Potential,” said Kristin Oliver, chief human resources officer for the company. “And we are thrilled to have a leader of LaTonya’s caliber join us as we build the talent we need to meet the demands of consumers and create opportunities for our 61,000 associates around the world.”

Groom joins HBI from Northrop Grumman Corp., where she served as senior director, talent management & development, and had global responsibility for establishing and implementing a talent development strategy and diversity programs for a 90,000-plus employee base.

Prior to Northrop Grumman, Groom spent more than a decade at IBM as a human capital leader supporting a variety of clients. Her consulting roles also included work for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst and Young and Booz Allen Hamilton.

Groom holds a bachelor’s degree in information systems management from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Posted July 15, 2021

Source: HanesBrands

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