YKK Launches Digital Showroom To Connect With Customers

TOKYO — April 19, 2021 — Zipper and fastening products manufacturer YKK has launched a digital showroom as a means to better engage with customers, virtually, regardless of time or location.

The concept behind the online showroom is “connection,” a play on YKK’s expertise as a manufacturer of fastening products. The space, modeled to look like YKK’s brick-and-mortar showroom in London, features six floors which are represented in the showroom’s logo, which also looks like a zipper. Each “floor” features a different theme:

  1. latest trends and automotive;
  2. sustainable products;
  3. fastening products for high-function applications like outdoor, backpacks, water protective, and luggage;
  4. fasteners for apparel in the categories of jeans, fashion, leather, and kidswear; and
  5. company information

There is also a floor for region-specific items, to be added later. Customers can view products through close-up photos, video, and catalogs and meet online with YKK representatives. The company also plans to host webinars and other learning opportunities using the platform.

YKK expects the digital showroom to be an incubator for innovation and creative design. YKK’s solutions-first approach already leverages the power of an extensive product and machinery portfolio, technical and engineering expertise and integrated production and supply systems in 72 countries and regions to solve complex fastening challenges for customers. The digital showroom not only showcases those capabilities alongside the latest YKK product designs, but also enables customers to interact with the YKK team to answer questions and solve design issues from the comfort of home.

“We launched the YKK Digital Showroom with the aim of connecting with our customers more than ever before,” said Hiroaki Otani, president, YKK Corp. “We hope that our customers will make use of it in conjunction with our face-to-face communication. To ensure that more customers around the world adopt YKK products, we will continue to promote digitalization in the value chain, including marketing, product planning and development, manufacturing, and sales, in pursuit of greater customer satisfaction.”

Posted April 19, 2021

Source: YKK

Bunzl Distribution Brings American Antiviral Technology To Mexico Retailers

HOUSTON — April 19, 2021 — Bunzl Distribution — a supplier of packaging, disposable supplies, and cleaning and safety products — has signed on as the distributor in Mexico for Acteev Protect™ masks, made in the United States by nylon manufacturer Ascend Performance Materials. A global distributor, Bunzl provides supplies to supermarkets, food processing plants, retailers and convenience stores in Mexico.

Bunzl will distribute the Acteev Protect Nonwoven Mask, a reusable general purpose mask that features powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties. Acteev technology embeds active zinc ions in a polymer matrix which destroys microbes, deactivates many viruses and eliminates bacteria and fungi.

Recent testing on Acteev fabric completed at the University of Cambridge has demonstrated that Acteev technology deactivates the virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, with greater than 99.9 percent efficacy. Ascend has submitted several masks designs to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to obtain the appropriate regulatory clearances to make specific claims regarding the technology’s antiviral properties in the United States.

Carlos Green, Director General of Bunzl de México, says the company is pleased to bring products featuring better safety and protection to the Mexico market.

“Our customers are more focused than ever before on doing business safely, and Acteev masks offer an added level of protection in the workplace,” Green said. “We’re excited to offer our customers this premium product that provides some of the best protection available.”

In addition to antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial protection, the washable, reusable masks are lightweight, breathable and odor-fighting, making them comfortable to wear during a long shift at work or for outdoor workout.

“Workers in industrial settings, such as chemical and food processing plants, and convenience stores and other retail outlets deserve the right protection as they keep society and the economy moving in Mexico,” said Juan Toro, Ascend’s principal business development leader for Acteev in the Americas. “We are proud to partner with Bunzl to help deliver a reusable mask that provides both antiviral properties as well as an opportunity reduce the number of masks consumed, saving the companies money.”

Acteev Protect shows promise for use beyond masks, according to Ascend. The technology was originally developed for workout wear, and now the company is working textile applications ranging from gloves to scrubs to high-end athleisure.

Bunzl has more than 100 warehouses serving grocery, retail, cleaning and healthcare businesses in North America. With more than 6,500 employees and 400,000-plus supply items, their worldwide sales exceed $11 billion.

Posted April 19, 2021

Source: Ascend Performance Materials

Culp To Participate In Water Tower Research Fireside Chat Series

HIGH POINT, N.C. — April 19, 2021 — Culp Inc. today announced that Robert G. Culp, IV, the company’s president and CEO, will participate in the Water Tower Research Fireside Chat Series on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 1 p.m. ET. The event is open to the public, with registration information below.

Hosting Culp in the Fireside Chat will be Budd Bugatch, senior analyst for Water Tower Research. The 30-minute virtual discussion will focus on Culp’s leadership style and the company’s areas of strategic focus. 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:

https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1455225&tp_key=bb5e55b496

Posted April 19, 2021

Source: Culp

ANDRITZ Receives Order For An Elliptical Cylinder Pre-Needler From Amarande, France

GRAZ, Austria — April 19, 2021 — International technology Group ANDRITZ has received an order from Amarande SAS to supply an elliptical cylinder pre-needler for their plant in Lussac les Châteaux, France. This machine will process shoddy and natural fibers for the production of heavy felts. Installation and start-up of the machine are scheduled for the second quarter of 2021. The new needlepunch production line with the high-performance Andritz cylinder pre-needler will allow Amarande to offer high-quality products and thus open up new market opportunities.

Andritz offers a complete range of elliptical cylinder pre-needlers: PA.169, PA.2000 and PA.3000 — serving different weights, widths, speeds and punching capacity. Andritz cylinder pre-needlers have been produced since the 1960’s and have a large installed base worldwide. Over the years they have become a must for production of heavy products, special applications and also for demanding applications like automotive. They are a key success factor in enabling the subsequent needling machines to process heavy batts smoothly and control the progressive draft through the consolidation process.

Established in 1990, Amarande is an important French producer of nonwovens, specialized in the production of felt and wadding from recycled textile and natural fibers such as wool, cotton, hemp, flax and jute. The company operates in various markets such as furniture, green spaces, horticultural crops, and insulation.

Posted April 19, 2021

Source: ANDRITZ AG

Lenzing Launches TENCEL™ eShop, The Industry’s First E-Commerce Platform Managed By A Fiber Manufacturer

LENZING, Austria — April 19, 2021 — The Lenzing Group’s flagship textile brand, TENCEL™, unveiled TENCEL™ eShop, the first ever e-commerce channel created by a sustainable fiber producer today. The eShop bridges the divide between manufacturers and the end-consumer by curating a diverse mix of apparel and home goods made of Tencel branded fibers. This debut marks a new milestone in Lenzing’s ongoing digitalization and mission to educate and encourage consumers to make informed purchases. With the eShop, the Tencel brand will provide consumers with a trusted source to make sustainable purchases conveniently.

“The pandemic has been a catalyst that accelerated the industry’s transformation towards digital presence and greater sustainability,” said Harold Weghorst, vice president of Global Marketing & Branding at Lenzing. “Consumers are electing to buy from the comfort of their homes. Many are also rethinking what they actually need and look for sustainable alternatives where applicable. This is where the new Tencel eShop comes in. It does not only offer consumers a unique opportunity to find sustainable fashion and home textiles from different brands on one single platform, but also enables them to learn about how the raw materials used in their products are being made. We are excited to launch the e-shop with well-known fashion brands, and provide consumers an easy way to source eco- friendly goods.”

Showcasing more than 200 products made of Tencel branded lyocell and modal fibers on eShop, the Tencel brand is leveraging its strong partnership base to expand its textile offerings across multiple segments, from denim to footwear and activewear. The eShop is available on the English language Tencel website and caters to audiences from different parts of the world. Featuring a mixture of international brands, the eShop aims to drive a paradigm shift toward eco-responsible production and eco-conscious consumption of fashion and home textile items. Lenzing will continue to expand its brand partnerships with a goal to triple the product count on the Tencel eShop by the end of 2021.

“We are thrilled to diversify our services and provide brands and retailers a one-stop platform that connects with eco-conscious shoppers directly,” said Florian Heubrandner, vice president, Global Textiles Business at Lenzing AG. “As we continue to develop more sustainable textile solutions, we hope that this new e-commerce channel will evolve into one of our brand partners’ key consumer engagement channels. We also hope that consumers will enjoy a new one-stop platform that is not only convenient to use, but also empowers them to make informed purchases of sustainable clothing and home textile products.”

Adoption of “digital first” strategy to strengthen connection with consumers

Since the introduction of the Tencel brand in 2018, Lenzing has been advocating for the digitalization of the textile industry through a number of initiatives, including the introduction of a one-stop ebranding and licensing system, digitalized retailer education toolkits, blockchain-enabled traceability platform as well as presence on various social media platforms.

As part of the “digital first” strategy of the Tencel brand, Lenzing has several digital initiatives in the pipeline, including the reinvigoration of Tencel’s ‘#MakeItFeelRight” campaign, the launch of the Pinterest page for consumers and LinkedIn Group for retail, mill, and non-governmental organization partners. Each digital program serves to heighten awareness and provide tools to protect the environment, and Lenzing is determined to empower end-consumers and accelerate the transformation to a more sustainable society and economy. Such efforts have pivoted the growth strategy of the Tencel brand to drive a “digital first” approach across the industry supply chain, and among consumers.

“We have been closely monitoring the digitalization of the textile industry since the launch of the Tencel brand. Even before the pandemic, we have witnessed exponential growth of consumer dynamics across digital platforms. Take our Tencel brand website, for example, we have witnessed an increase of nearly 50 percent traffic over the past year. The number of engagements on our social pages also recorded an increase of 870 percent. Consumers are proactively seeking for ways make more informed purchases, and we hope with the launch of the eShop, along with our exciting consumer programs, we can provide a one-stop platform for consumers to embrace sustainability every day,” Weghorst added.

Posted April 19, 2021

Source: Lenzing Group

K-Bro Adds Two More Plants with Hygienically Clean Healthcare Certification

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — April 16, 2021 — K-Bro Linen Systems Inc., a healthcare and hospitality linen provider serving Canada since 1954, has recently achieved the Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification for its Edmonton, Alberta and Regina, Saskatchewan plants. Other K-Bro plants holding Hygienically Clean certifications include Healthcare at the Burnaby, British Columbia location, and both Healthcare and Hospitality at the Calgary, Alberta location. Hygienically Clean is the quantified, validated standard and measure for hygienically clean textiles in North America since 2011. Achieving this certification reflects a laundry’s commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and its capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing based on established hygienically clean healthcare textile methods and standards.

The Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification confirms this organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

  • Employees are properly trained and protected;
  • Managers understand regulatory requirements;
  • OSHA-compliant; and
  • Physical plant operates effectively.

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly RODAC and semi-annual USP 62 testing (RODAC results less than or equal to 20 cfu per square diameter and USP 62 results must show an absence of specified microorganisms) to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced by TRSA in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for Hygienically Clean healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

“Congratulations to K-Bro on their most recent certifications,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their commitment to infection prevention and that their laundries take every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Hygienically Clean reflects the evolution of healthcare laundry certification in light of growing global concerns about infection control, documenting practices that ensure elimination of potentially harmful microbial content while adding quantifiable verification of continuous improvement in overall cleanliness.

Posted April 16, 2021

Source: TRSA

Big Step, Small Footprint: Asics Launces New Earth Day Pack

KOBE, Japan — April 16, 2021 — Sport and exercise fans wanting to keep their activity levels high, but their environmental impact low need look no further than a new collection of environmentally sustainable footwear and apparel launched by ASICS.

The new Earth Day Pack is the ASICS brand’s most planet-friendly cross-category collection to date having been created using a circular manufacturing approach that saw around 5 tons of textile waste, the equivalent of 25,000 T-shirts, recycled into new shoes.

The pack includes many popular products from across ASICS running, court, and Sportstyle ranges, including GEL-NIMBUS™ 23, GLIDERIDE™ 2, GEL-RESOLUTION™ 8 and TARTHER™ BLAST shoes, as well as a wide range of clothing. And all footwear feature a specially created sunflower icon symbolising the brand’s commitment to preserving the planet for future generations.

Yet the Earth Day Pack’s smaller environmental footprint is not just down to the materials it is made from. The socklining of the shoes are developed using a resource-saving technology called solution dyeing that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by around 45 percent and cuts water use by around 33 percent compared to conventional dyeing processes.

Yasuhito Hirota, president and COO at ASICS, said: “Since our founding in 1949, ASICS’ purpose has been to help people achieve a sound mind in a sound body. But for that, they need a sound earth to exercise on. That’s why we’re committed to playing our part in building a circular economy that helps reduce CO2 emissions and keep global warming at less than 1.5°C. It is said that only 1 percent [1] of the world’s textile waste is upcycled while over 70 percent of apparel ends up in landfill or incinerators. By continuing to innovate the manufacturing process across all our product categories, we can help build a circular economy and mitigate the impact of climate change.”

The environmental sustainability story behind the new Earth Day Pack is further brought to life in its design, with each piece featuring the sunflower logo as well as an intricate seed graphic representing ASICS’ ongoing commitment to planting the seeds of a brighter future. The two arrows in the centre of the emblem denote the brand’s ambition to help build a circular economy.

The Earth Day Pack’s launch follows the release of the Sunrise Reborn Pack earlier this year. Made in part from recycled clothing collected in Japan, it employed the same advanced technology to create a range of upcycled apparel and footwear for the Japan team to wear during an international sporting event.

Note: The percentage of recycled materials used in each of the Earth Day Pack products varies. For running shoes, at least 30% of the shoe’s upper polyester; for sports style, at least 40% of the primary material of the shoe’s upper; and for tennis shoes, at least 40% of the base mesh of shoe’s upper.

[1] Ellen MacArthur Foundation, A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion’s future, 2017 (www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications).

Posted April 16, 2021

Source: ASICS

Per Olofsson Appointed New Managing Director Of SSM

Per Olofsson

WINTERTHUR, Switzerland— April 16, 2021 — SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG (SSM), a subsidiary of the Rieter Group, has appointed Per Olofsson as managing director and member of the SSM Group’s management team effective April 1, 2021. Olofsson is a Swedish citizen and holds a Master of Science Degree in Supply Chain and Operations Management from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, and an Executive MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Oloffson joined the Rieter Group in 2013 and is an experienced operations manager with a proven management track record at both local and global level.

SSM welcomes Olofsson and wishes him every success in his new function.

Posted April 16, 2021

Source: Rieter Management AG

Solesis Announces Investment From Altaris Capital Partners

TELFORD, Pa. — April 15, 2021 — Solesis Inc., the healthcare subsidiary of Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA (Michelin), announced today that Altaris Capital Partners LLC, known collectively with its affiliates as Altaris, has entered into an agreement to acquire a 51-percent stake in Solesis from Michelin. Michelin will maintain a 49-percent interest and will formalize a research and development initiative with Solesis to develop advanced polymers for life sciences and medical technology applications.

Solesis is an innovative provider of biomaterials, tools and services for the life science and medical technology industries. Solesis operates through two primary business divisions, Secant Group and Charter Medical. The Secant Group, which includes SanaVita Medical, is a supplier of biomaterials and implantable textile structures that enable repair, recovery and regeneration of human tissue, as well as technical materials for the specialty chemical and aerospace markets. Charter Medical supplies single-use tools for cell culture expansion, cryopreservation and fluid management that are used during the development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals, including cell and gene therapies.

“Over the years, Solesis has established a successful business built on differentiated technology platforms. We are thrilled to enter the next phase of our journey in partnership with Altaris and Michelin, which will enable us to accelerate our business strategy and growth plans. Through increased investment in R&D and enhanced access to capital, we intend to continue to develop innovative technologies to meet the evolving needs of our customers and their rapidly expanding end markets. This is an exciting time for Solesis, our customers and our dedicated team,” said Karen West, CEO of Solesis.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Solesis and Michelin,” said George Aitken-Davies, co-founder and managing director of Altaris. “We believe Solesis is a market-leading provider of biomaterial technologies and will continue to make significant contributions to advancements in the life science and medical technology fields. We look forward to working closely with Michelin and the Solesis team to develop and grow the company in the years to come.”

As part of the transaction, Solesis will formalize a research partnership with the Advanced Research Group of Michelin to develop novel polymer technologies for medical applications, including the company’s [PGS] biopolymer platform, which is currently being commercialized in several therapeutic categories as Regenerez® and Hydralese™.

Posted April 15, 2021

Source: Solesis Inc.

Wrangler® Unveils Global Sustainability Platform: WeCare Wrangler™

As part of WeCare Wrangler, the brand continuously looks for opportunities to work with its partners and suppliers to minimize impact on the planet – such as recently expanding its Indigood program to include additional water saving technologies.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — April 15, 2021 — Wrangler®, a global icon in jeanswear and casual apparel, today announced the launch of its WeCare Wrangler™ sustainability platform, building off the brand’s long-standing commitment to protecting the planet and the people that call it home. WeCare Wrangler unites the brand’s legacy of sustainability with measurable goals designed to bring consumers the apparel they know and love while reducing the brand’s environmental impacts.

Coinciding with the launch of the WeCare Wrangler platform, the brand has launched the new Retro® Green Jean assortment which improves on favorite Wrangler styles with a variety of natural fibers, recycled hardware and eco-friendly materials from the hem to the waistband and everything in-between.

“It matters to Wrangler what’s in our clothing. Our process for creating apparel that consumers are passionate about starts with respect for both for the planet and the people who call it home,” said Tom Waldron, EVP, global brand president of Wrangler. “The WeCare Wrangler sustainability platform will act as our roadmap as we help lead the industry toward meaningful change that creates more positive environmental and social impacts.”

Sustainable Innovation Guided by Three Areas of Focus:

The WeCare Wrangler platform is guided by three key focus areas:

  1. Planet: The iconic Wrangler denim starts as cotton, and the brand is committed to protecting the land from which it grows. From protecting the soil, to saving water, to reducing waste and energy use, Wrangler is dedicated to challenging itself to leave less of an impact on the planet.
  2. Product: Wrangler understands that the planet’s resources are limited and is constantly re-thinking how its products are made and what they’re made of – finding more ways to use less.
  3. People: Wrangler is committed to doing right by all people with the products it makes. That means treating workers throughout its worldwide supply chain fairly and with respect. It also means upholding the brand’s commitment to find more ways to have less environmental impact on the planet.

Responsibility Driven by Accountability

As part of WeCare Wrangler, Wrangler is building off the steps the brand has already taken toward a more sustainable future and has set ambitious goals as they are important. These include:

  • 100 percent preferred chemistry in throughout its supply chain by 2023;
  • 100 percent renewable energy powering all owned and operated facilities by 2025;
  • 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025; and
  • 50 percent reduction in water usage by 2030.

Driving Sustainable Apparel Through Innovation and Industry Collaboration

Wrangler further drives sustainability in the supply chain with strategic alliances that propel apparel development forward. In addition to signing onto the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Jeans Redesign guidelines last year, the brand also joined its Make Fashion Circular initiative, which drives collaboration between apparel industry leaders to ensure clothes are made from safe and renewable materials, new business models increase their use, and old clothes are turned into new.

“We’re continuously looking for opportunities to work with our partners and suppliers to minimize impact on the planet,” said Jeff Frye, vice president of product development and direct procurement at Kontoor Brands. “When we all work together, we can create apparel that not only looks good, but conserves the land it’s created from.”

Posted April 15, 2021

Source: Wrangler®

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