WELLFORD, S.C. — August 11, 2021 — Focus Sales & Marketing Group LLC (FSMG), a fabric supply company, has expanded into the converting industry as of July 1, 2021.
Wellford, S.C.-based FSMG has expanded its capabilities to include slitting and re-rolling of materials, warehousing and stocking programs in upstate South Carolina. With an inventory of polypropylene spunbond, needlepunched and woven polyester fabrics, FSMG is well equipped to supply their customers needs for fabrics. Their state of the art machine is capable of producing fabric widths from 2 to 90 inches and was designed and installed by Diversified Systems Inc., Greenville, S.C.
FSMG is located at 1101 Syphrit Road, Building A, Wellford, S.C.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — August 11, 2021 — HanesBrands, a global leader in iconic apparel brands, today announced that Maria Teza has been promoted to senior vice president of the Champion brand in the United States, effective September 1, 2021.
Teza will play a key role in growing Champion into a global $3 billion brand as part of the company’s Full Potential plan.
“Maria is a dynamic, strategic leader who has a track record of building high-performing teams and delivering results,” said Jon Ram, group president of global activewear. “She will focus on forging deeper connections with consumers, creating compelling products and expanding our channels.”
Teza has more than 30 years in the apparel industry, with nearly 20 years at HanesBrands. During the last 10 years, she has led businesses across the company’s activewear, basics and intimates portfolio — most recently as vice president and general manager of intimates. In this role, Teza and her team led the Bali and Playtex brands’ return to growth.
“I’m honored to lead such an iconic brand and talented team as we unlock the Full Potential of HanesBrands,” Teza said. “It is great to be back on the Champion brand, which has come so far and has enormous opportunities ahead. I look forward to building on the brand’s success by driving growth in the United States.”
Teza holds a bachelor of science degree in textile manufacturing and management from Clemson University.
PHOENIX — August 11, 2021 — Brooklyn Bedding announced today the evolution of one of its smartest sleep solutions: the all-new Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid. Offering the same renewal properties of the original Propel Sleep mattress in a flippable format, it is designed to meet individual sleep needs — featuring optional firmness levels, optional profiles and optional support features for a smarter way to rest and rejuvenate.
Thoughtfully engineered with revolutionary textiles, the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid incorporates a unique Upcycle™ cover that accelerates sleep recovery through the use of Far Infrared Rays technology. An elite, European performance fabric on both sides of the mattress utilizes Upcycle technology with encapsulated minerals to transform your body’s heat into restorative energy.
“We introduced the Propel Sleep in 2019 as a sleep solution for those seeking greater renewal and revitalization,” said John Merwin, owner and CEO of Brooklyn Bedding. “The best life ever starts with the best sleep ever, and our new Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid is our next step in creating a better overall sleep experience. By using smart textiles that are designed to accelerate your body’s recovery during sleep, we are bringing an elite hybrid mattress to the market that energies naturally. The result is more restful sleep that helps our consumers wake up feeling more energized.”
The variable firmness levels of each side in the new Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid can be attributed to the number and types of foam layers for a customizable sleep experience. The firm side consists of a 1-inch top layer of patented CopperFlex™, a hyper-elastic foam featuring immediate response technology, and a secondary layer of 2-inch high-density foam to ensure a more traditional firm sleep experience. On the reverse, a softer 2-inch top layer of patented CopperFlex foam provides cloud-like comfort with a secondary layer of 2-inch Energex™ foam to ensure added pressure point relief.
Regardless of the side chosen, sleepers benefit from the quick responsiveness of the CopperFlex foam, and cooling properties that are paired with the highly conductive, antimicrobial properties of copper. With a 6-inch core of up to 1,032 individually encased Ascension® coils, the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid delivers ultimate pressure point relief while decreasing motion transfer between sleep partners.
The mattress is available online only at PropelSleep.com, retailing between $999 (Twin) and $2,099 (Cal King). Brooklyn Bedding will continue to offer the Propel Sleep, as well as the newly debuted Propel Dual-Sided All-Foam, as high value options.
Like all Brooklyn Bedding mattresses, the Propel Dual-Sided Hybrid comes with a free 120-night comfort trial and a 10-year warranty. The company also offers free nationwide shipping with bed-in-a-box delivery.
GRANITEVILLE, S.C. — August 9, 2021 — Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, a producer of specialty coatings and coated fabrics, announced today the upgrade of one of its solvent processing lines to meet growing customer demand for advanced engineered products. The new equipment will also provide additional capacity and manpower flexibility to the plant process flow.
Graniteville Specialty Fabrics will add a new Marshall & Williams N-Dura tenter to a solvent processing line which includes a drying system specifically developed for solvent coatings, the latest tenter chain technology, and a menu-driven automated-control platform. In addition to the tenter, a Baldwin Texcoat G4 applicator and Mascoe pre-dryers will be installed. The upgraded unit will be commissioned Q1 2022.
“We have hundreds of styles and formulations, and we want to stay on the leading edge of technology,” said Doug Johnson, executive vice president of development & technical services at Graniteville Specialty Fabrics. “The new Marshall & Williams equipment is critical to ensure continued service for our existing customer base while providing a flexible ‘future-proof’ tool for product development.” The menu-driven control system also provides improved process management. Johnson added, “The modern M&W tenter requires fewer in-line adjustments allowing production associates to focus on product quality our customers expect.”
Jim Egan, CEO of Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, said: “This investment lowers fuel and chemical consumption and minimizes chemical and energy waste while improving quality effectiveness. The cost savings and quick investment recovery is clear; but also, these same benefits simultaneously lower the environmental impact to our community. We are excited about the possibilities of the investment in today’s competitive marketplace.”
WASHINGTON — August 10, 2021 — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) released the following statement from President and CEO Tony Radoszewski after the U.S. Senate passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill:
“PLASTICS applauds the Senate passage of a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, which includes key provisions to enhance waste management and replace aging lead pipes with plastic pipes.
“The waste management provisions will enhance our nation’s recycling infrastructure as well as consumer participation. The legislation provides funding support for a recycling infrastructure grant program created by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which was signed into law last year. The bill also includes language from the RECYCLE Act, which sets aside funding to increase consumer education and participation in the recycling system.
“While we are encouraged by language to upgrade several aspects of our nation’s infrastructure, including water infrastructure, we are very concerned with the proposed reinstatement of Superfund Taxes, which will increase costs for consumers.
As this legislative package moves forward, PLASTICS will continue to pursue opportunities to work with Members of Congress to highlight the value of plastic in rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure.”
Posted August 10, 2021
Source: The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)
CAMBRIDGE, England — August 10, 2021 — Xaar, an inkjet printing technology group, has reinforced its commitment to the Chinese market with the opening of a new Customer Service Centre in Shenzhen.
The latest office will form part of Xaar’s global network and provide support to its growing Chinese OEM and partner customer base.
Headed up by Samuel Tam, Xaar’s general manager for Asia, the team include new recruits Cathy Yuan, customer service manager, Asia; and Shawn Feng, sales and application development manager, Asia; who join Kit Yung, Jeff Mak and Rob Ison. Together they will focus on delivering technical support and training to customers, helping to grow relationships and provide a fast response to their needs.
The new Customer Service Centre builds on Xaar’s new ImagineX bulk printhead platform which provides the company’s product roadmap for the future. Innovations such as printing at 1440dpi resolution, 150kHz frequency, 200°C and 100cP viscosity are planned, reinforcing Xaar’s reputation in the Chinese market and worldwide for developing the latest inkjet printing technologies.
BURGDORF, Switzerland — August 4, 2021 — Michael Lüthi, a member of the founding family, will become the CEO of the SANITIZED company group on August 1, 2021. He will take over the position from Urs Stalder, who will join the administrative board after working for the company for over 30 years.
Lüthi will assume leadership of a company that, for starters, has a legacy marked by over 80 years’ expertise and industry acclaim thanks to its innovative, safe, and reliable products. The additives that SANITIZED develops and markets deliver odor-free textiles, long-lasting hygiene function, protects the material of artificial surfaces, and prevents paints and coatings from degrading in quality due to impurities.
Moreover, Sanitized® is a globally respected and established brand. Around 520 companies actively use the Sanitized ingredient brand in their final products.
Longtime CEO Urs Stalder consistently promoted the brand. Furthermore, he managed to internationalize the company, establish subsidiaries in the United States, China and India, and focus on innovative products. The Swiss Innovation Award that the company won under his leadership is a testament to these accomplishments.
Lüthi, a member of the founding family, will now assume the leadership position. The 38-year-old business economist has been working for SANITIZED since 2018. He previously worked as COO of Senevita, a company that at the time had roughly 30 residences, and he supervised residential complexes for seniors with roughly 2,500 employees. Over the past three years, Michael Lüthi was already a member of SANITIZED’s management team and helped to shape the course of the company.
“We will continue to combine tradition and innovation: SANITIZED is a fourth-generation Swiss family company, and we will continue to expand our leadership position in the world with our safe and innovative products and services for the textile, polymer, and paint industries,” Lüthi explained. American company Consolidated Pathways was recently acquired with this objective in mind. SANITIZED now has a presence with its own subsidiaries in the United States, China, the European Union, and India.
Their all-inclusive services for technology guidance, marketing support, and regulatory matters make SANITIZED AG stand out from its competitors around the world. “Adding value since 1935” is the company’s guiding motto for not only developing innovative products but also giving textiles, polymer products, paints, and coatings modern, useful, and marketable added value.
Alistair Little and James Blackburn of FTS Dyers with their certificate.
HOLMFIRTH, England — August 4, 2021 — A cohort of up-and-coming textile coloration professionals have become the first to successfully complete the revised ASDC (Associateship of the Society of Dyers and Colourists) degree-equivalent qualification.
The new-style course — which is unique in being the only bachelors level certification that solely focuses on the chemistry of textile coloration — was piloted by the globally recognized Society of Dyers and Colourists in 2017.
The five technical specialists have received their awards following three to four years of online study and exams taken remotely, under strict conditions.
They are Wayne Brown of Johnsons of Elgin near Inverness; Alistair Little and James Blackburn of FTS Dyers in Langholm, Scottish borders; Edward Naylor of Bulmer and Lumb in Bradford, West Yorkshire; and Benjamin Poole of David Nieper in Alfreton, Derbyshire.
Andrew Filarowski, technical director of the SDC said: “It’s vital to the industry that talented professionals are given the correct scientific foundation that will allow them to continue to innovate and advance the sector. Without this knowledge being provided to up-and-coming technicians, vital skills and techniques will be lost forever.
“The updated ASDC course reflects the modern era that we live in and includes content on the latest technology and trends — allowing our students to progress and provide untold value to their employers.”
As the student with the most meritorious results, Alistair received the discretionary President’s Diploma of Honour, on the recommendation of the Examinations, Qualifications and Accreditations Board (EQAB) which noted his “continuous improvement.” The exam board also made special mention to James and Benjamin for their academic effort.
Alistair Little, said: “The ASDC has given me an in-depth understanding of the processes that occur within my work, which will benefit my employer and my own career in a number of ways. When I got all my results I was incredibly proud of myself, it’s proved to me what I am capable of.”
Dr Antony Morton, SDC education officer and principal tutor for ASDC, said: “So much has happened in each learner’s career since beginning this programme, in terms of how they have progressed in their roles and met challenges and hurdles along the way. I am absolutely delighted on behalf of all of our graduates.”
Prof Steve Westland, chairman of EQAB, added: “It is important to note that this year, as last year, has been a particularly difficult year for the students due to the pandemic. They are therefore applauded for their commitment to the course, and examinations, and have to be congratulated for their results.”
The students’ journey was split between six modules — Colour Physics, Chemistry of Colorants, Dyeing of Natural Fibres, Dyeing of Synthetic Fibres, Dyeing Theory and Textile Printing. Ed, Ben and Wayne completed the course over four years, while Alistair and James took three years.
The ‘class of 2021’ is the first to have studied within a revised module structure, featuring Dyeing Theory and Textile Printing for the first time, and under the invigilation of a new external examiner Professor Martin Bide.
Usually, a day of celebration is held, with an official presentation of certificates but COVID has meant this event is currently on hold.
NEW YORK CITY — August 10, 2021 — BlueChip Holdings Inc. has launched a unique platform that allows world-renowned athletes to connect with their fans and build their own brands. As a part of the platform, celebrity athletes will release personal clothing collections. Based in New York City and London, BlueChip’s mission is to create a closer connection between athletes and their most loyal fans.
BlueChip will launch with athletes including: former New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl champion Victor Cruz; Ashley Cole, the former Premier League left back, current Chelsea Academy coach and recently appointed England U21 assistant coach; former West Ham and England striker Carlton Cole; Mike Moustakas of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds; and U.K. soccer and boxing app Pitch Sport with their collaboration with British Touring Car Championship BTCC racing. In addition to the athlete and partner clothing collections, BlueChip will also launch its own branded apparel line.
“My apparel line represents me as a person” explained Victor Cruz, BlueChip partner and official ambassador. “It’s luxury with some edge to it, and I want my fans to feel like they have a part of me with them when they wear my gear.”
BlueChip offers a platform for both professional and collegiate athletes to build their own individual brand. With the recent rule change related to NCAA athletes and endorsements, BlueChip will allow student athletes to connect with their fans and peer groups. In addition to clothing collections, BlueChip will create an inspiring content series that features the athletes on the BlueChip. The content will be hosted on bluechipteam.com and its social platforms. This content series will offer fans behind-the-scenes access to some of the best athletes.
“What we have built at BlueChip is a different way to connect directly with your most admired athletes and support them on their journey as they create their own brands,” said Steve J. Roberts, co-founder and CEO of BlueChip. “We are storytellers through our content and apparel collections, and we are bringing together a unique community of the best athletes around the world to do it.”
Each athlete works hand-in-hand with BlueChip designers to curate the logo and brand that best embodies their own unique personality and upbringing. Victor Cruz’s logo features “VC” lettering. He also has a version that pays homage to his Super Bowl-winning New York Giants team in 2012.
“My collection features an ‘AC3’ logo inside wired fence cages because growing up in a tough English neighborhood, cage football was my escape,” said official ambassador and former Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole. “I know there are kids out there just like me growing up today, who love football and use it as an escape from their everyday lives.”
WASHINGTON — August 7, 2021 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber through finished products, issued a statement today welcoming Senate passage of a bipartisan infrastructure bill that will provide billions of dollars in new spending to revitalize the nation’s roads, bridges and railways and help reconstitute a domestic supply chain for personal protective equipment (PPE).
“We commend the Senate for passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will provide critical resources for our nation’s aging infrastructure and at the same time help incentivize the reshoring of personal protective equipment (PPE) production, an important priority of the U.S. textile industry,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas.
NCTO worked with congressional allies to include a version of the Make PPE in America Act, legislation co-sponsored by Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), in the infrastructure legislative package. The bill ensures all PPE purchased by the Departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs are Berry Amendment-compliant; guarantees long-term contracts (a minimum of two years) to U.S. manufacturers; and creates a tiered preference for PPE made in the Western Hemisphere by our free trade partners using U.S. components, after domestic manufacturing capacity has been maximized.
“We sincerely thank Senator Portman and Senator Peters for working to include their Make PPE in America Act in the infrastructure bill,” Glas said. “This bill will help onshore critical production of personal protective equipment (PPE) by guaranteeing long-term contracts for domestically produced PPE and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are utilized to bolster the federal purchase of American-made PPE.
The U.S. manufacturing industry has produced over a billion lifesaving PPE and other medical products over the last year, as NCTO members retooled production chains in response to the nation’s needs. We will continue to urge the government to purchase Berry-compliant products containing 100 percent domestic content for PPE to help bolster the full U.S. production chain in the future.”
Posted August 10, 2021
Source: The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO)
WELLFORD, S.C. — August 11, 2021 — Focus Sales & Marketing Group LLC (FSMG), a fabric supply company, has expanded into the converting industry as of July 1, 2021.
