Gerber Technology Empowers Cost Reduction As Global Prices Continue To Rise

NEW YORK CITY — April 13, 2021 — As material and product prices in the industrial markets continue to rise, Gerber Technology is proud to announce major enhancements to their software offerings that will empower cost reduction and optimize the manufacturing process. Over the last year, Gerber has heavily invested in their AccuMark® Product Family and CutWorks software to ensure furniture, transportation, composites, and technical textile manufacturers have the technology they need to improve margins, optimize production and reduce expenses so they can combat the rising price of materials and transportation.

Gerber’s latest software releases will empower manufacturers to handle the rise in costs by providing better transparency and more traceability. Manufacturers will reduce errors, improve sustainability, increase material utilizations via a unique nesting algorithm and reduce costs.

“Right now manufacturers, especially those in industrial markets, are struggling to combat the rise in prices, which means they’re either having to decrease their margins or increase the price of their final product,” said Ron Ellis of Gerber Technology. “With the latest enhancements to AccuMark and CutWorks, manufacturers will be able to design to cost and optimize their processes. They’ll also be able to achieve additional fabric savings to further reduce costs while improving the quality so they can maintain their current margins without increasing prices for their end customers.”

Gerber has heavily invested in CutWorks and put forth a roadmap to offer more enhancements, more frequently. The development, piece nesting and tool-path programming software is a modular software designed to be customized based on your business needs. CutWorks accepts pattern data in a variety of formats and turns it into a cut job for a cutter.

The V13 release of the software focuses heavily on improving nesting engines, maximizing precision with enhancements to ManualNest and offering more visibility into the supply chain. CutWorks will allow companies to easily design to cost faster than ever and without error. Gerber will continue to update and optimize nesting algorithms and make them easily accessible to all customers on contract. Additionally, Gerber is offering enhanced training to ensure all operators are able to get up to speed quickly.

From home and leisure to boating to recreational vehicles, manufacturers are experiencing a major increase in demand while also facing an increase in cost of materials and shipping. According to an article in the Washington Post, “ocean freight shipping fees from Asia to the United States have quadrupled in some cases, from about $1,500 per container to $6,000.” Raw materials are also expected to increase 2.9 percent through 2021, which means manufacturers cannot afford costly mistakes in cutting or unoptimized nesting.

“We’re absolutely enjoying CutWorks. I will recommend we put Industrial Nest on all of our cutters,” said Osagie Agboh, senior continuous improvement engineer of ILC Dover, who has an 18.5 percent yield improvement by switching from manual nesting to CutWorks.

Gerber has also focused heavily on enhancing their AccuMark Product Family, which includes AccuMark, AccuPlan™ and AccuNest™, The newest release focuses heavily on adding more integration and automation for a streamlined, CAD to cut room workflow that seamlessly connects with your ERP system and other tools you’re already using. With the latest version of the AccuMark Product Family, manufacturers will not only accelerate time to market but also improve quality, reduce errors and provide better control over their final product. The latest version of Gerber’s cut planning software, AccuPlan, and automated nesting software, AccuNest, boost productivity by as much as 80% and offer an average fabric saving cost of 1.5 percent.

“I sent Gerber 30 of the best laid markers that we created manually, not expecting AccuNest to beat the efficiency,” said Roger Leonhardt of Bassett Furniture. “To my surprise, AccuNest beat our layouts every time! We saved about a half yard on average. Most railroad fabric nests are breaking 93-95 percent yield.”

Posted April 13, 2021

Source: Gerber Technology

New Epson Industrial-Level Dye-Sublimation Solution Helps Print Shops Meet Growing Demand With Customized Just In Time Textile Production

Epson’s new SureColor F10070H 76-inch industrial-level dye-sublimation printer delivers round-the-clock productivity and offers multiple ink configurations, including Light Cyan and Light Magenta or Fluorescent Pink and Fluorescent Yellow, enabling shops to deliver bright and vivid customized apparel, décor and novelty goods.

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — April 13, 2021 — As demand for domestically made products continues to surge, it is more important than ever for textile and apparel print shops to fulfill large, custom orders in shorter lead times. Epson today expanded its lineup of textile printing offerings with the industrial-level SureColor® F10070H dye-sublimation 76-inch wide-format printer to meet evolving customer needs. Delivering round-the-clock productivity at unmatched speeds and at a lower price than comparable solutions,1 the SureColor F10070H offers multiple ink configurations, including Light Cyan and Light Magenta or Fluorescent Pink and Fluorescent Yellow, enabling shops to deliver bright and vivid customized apparel, décor and novelty goods just in time.

“As textile and apparel manufacturers expand production strategies to meet faster lead times, the SureColor F10070H enables shops to create high-quality customized clothing, unique sportswear, individualized novelty products, customized socks, décor pillows, and more in the amount needed,” said Tim Check, senior product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America. “The industrial-level SureColor F10070H enables producers to support just in time digital production, eliminating the need for stockpiling garments and allowing shops to easily replenish weekly demand. Moreover, the SureColor F10070H is one of the fastest in its price point and costs about half the price of competitive solutions available today.”

With six new user-replaceable 4.7-inch PrecisionCore® printheads and UltraChrome® DS6 ink technology,* the SureColor F10070H delivers industrial-level, roll-to-roll performance at speeds up to 2,635 sqft/hr2 with exceptional color saturation and high contrast. Leveraging six-colors, including Light Cyan and Light Magenta or Fluorescent Pink and Fluorescent Yellow ink configurations, the SureColor F10070H provides the ability to expand color gamut and bring bright, vivid colors to the production of custom sportswear, fashion items, décor, soft signage, and more with high levels of personalization. The cost-effective, high-capacity replaceable ink pack system holds 20L of ink per color, allowing for longer print runs with less user intervention. Engineered for demanding industrial environments, the SureColor F10070H includes advanced auto paper-tension control and a fabric head wiper for simple, continuous production with predictable performance.

A true turnkey solution for seamless workflow, the SureColor F10070H comes equipped with easy-to-use Epson Edge® workflow software featuring an Adobe® PostScript® 3™ engine for color management, smart nesting, pattern repeats, and more. The printer also comes with Epson Cloud Solution PORT, providing a live view of the printer fleet including production rates and printer utilization to optimize workflow.

More about the SureColor F10070H

The SureColor F10070H consistently produces high-quality textiles, apparels and more, with a range of features, including:

  • Breakthrough Productivity – Six 4.7-inch PrecisionCore printheads deliver industrial-level, roll-to-roll performance at speeds up to 2,635 sqft/hr2
  • Brilliant Image Quality – UltraChrome DS6 ink technology produces exceptional color saturation and high contrast
  • Multiple Ink Configurations Available – CYMK plus either Light Cyan and Light Magenta or Fluorescent Pink and Yellow
  • Predictable, Reliable Performance – Advanced auto paper-tension control and fabric head wiper enable simple, continuous production
  • More Ink; Less Downtime – Low-cost, high-capacity replaceable ink pack system holds 20L of ink per color to ensure long print runs without user intervention
  • Seamless Workflow – Powerful Epson Edge workflow software featuring an Adobe PostScript 3 Engine
  • Epson Cloud Solution PORT – Live production monitoring of printer fleet, including production rates and printer utilization
  • Performance Optimized Epson DS Transfer Paper – Multipurpose, Rigid Photo Optimized, Adhesive Textile, and Production papers available

Support and Availability
The Epson SureColor F10070H will ship direct from Epson America starting in July. There are several Epson PreferredSM Plus service coverage plans available that includes toll-free advanced telephone access Monday through Friday and usually next business-day on-site service in the unlikely event of any hardware failure.

* This product uses only genuine Epson-brand ink packs. Other brands of ink packs and ink supplies are not compatible and, even if described as compatible, may not function properly.

1 The SureColor F10070H offers higher throughput than other products in the $50k-$180k price range.

2 Print speeds are based on the print engine speed only. Total throughput time for any print depends on various factors including workstation configuration, file size, print resolution, ink coverage and networking. Actual print speeds will vary.

Posted April 13, 2021

Source: Epson America, Inc.

Haggar Clothing Co.: The Inevitable Return Of Zippers And Buttons

People want to celebrate the special moments that they may have missed out on over the past thirteen months. They need new clothes for those occasions. They want to look good and feel good in what they wear. Haggar meets those needs.

DALLAS — April 13, 2021 — While there may not be an official return-to-the-new-norm date, one thing is for certain; Americans are beginning to rebuild their closet for the inevitable comeback and seeking new transitional pieces from their overly worn pandemic sweats.

Haggar Clothing Co., America’s leading men’s dress pant and apparel brand, is providing the much-needed solution for back-to-occasion wear. With products such as the Cool Right® Performance Flex Pant, Haggar fulfills the new demand with innovative features including four-way stretch fabrics, comfort waistbands, moisture-wicking properties, wash & wear products, and eco-friendly yarns.

Over the past month, Haggar has seen a revival of business in both dress and casual wear. Traffic in retail stores and sales of Haggar products have rebounded earlier than expected and beyond what the company originally anticipated with numbers that approach, or even exceed, their 2019 sales performance.

“Weddings, graduations, and other events that were once postponed are now being planned, creating a sales surge for jackets, dress pants, and khakis. Our data and sales results tell us that people are growing confident about going out and are feeling the need to socialize,” said Michael Stitt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Haggar Clothing Co. “People want to ease back into the look they once wore with fresh new clothing that has greater comfort and easier care. Haggar is fulfilling that need.”

Haggar has seen a substantial sales increase for their suits, dress pants, and iron-free khaki products for which they’re well known. Sales in March 2021 were 58% higher than in February. Notably, nationwide purchases of Haggar products over the last two weeks were within 10% of pre-pandemic numbers.

And then there’s the practical matter of a wardrobe refresh. Whether it’s the change in physique à la “the COVID-15” that is prompting the over-indexing sales of larger sizes that Haggar data illustrates, or the very real fact that many are interviewing for their next career move, one thing is for certain – people need new clothes for specific occasions in their life.

“Clothes don’t make the person, but they make the first impression. You’re not going to show up to your first date or interview in your 2020 sweats,” said Tony Anzovino, Chief Merchandising and Sourcing Officer, Haggar Clothing Co. “You’re going to dress even better than the occasion calls for. It’s the old saying, ‘dress for the job you want.'”

The country is still on the road to recovery, and though COVID-19 may not be eradicated, consumers are feeling confident, optimistic, and eager for a sense of familiarity of a pre-pandemic world. Haggar expects that confidence will continue to build and is pleased to provide fashion-right, comfortable, easy-care clothing to American consumers over the months to come.

Haggar’s Cool Right® Performance Flex, Iron Free Premium Khaki™, Premium Comfort Dress Pants, and J.M. Haggar™ Suit Separates are available at Haggar.com and fine stores everywhere.

Posted April 13, 2021

Source: Haggar Clothing Co.

JanSport Launches Backpack Line Made With 100-Percent Surplus Materials

JanSport’s Surplus Ski n’ Hike collection is made with 100-percent excess materials.

DENVER — April 12, 2021 — JanSport today introduced Surplus Ski n’ Hike, the brand’s first backpack collection made with excess factory materials that may have otherwise ended up in landfills. The launch marks another milestone in the brand’s mission to become a leader in sustainable backpack design and manufacturing. The new collection will be available beginning Monday, April 12, 2021 on jansport.com/surplus.

The U.S. EPA estimates that 85% of all textile waste ends up in landfills1. Available in Vintage Pink, Red Tape and Forge Grey, the Surplus Ski n’ Hike collection revives an iconic JanSport style made entirely from excess material supplies, underlining JanSport’s commitment to mindful usage of raw materials and manufacturing practices. Every component of this limited-edition pack collection, from the fabric and lining to the ladder locks and zipper pulls, is derived from pre-existing factory materials.

Understanding the principles of Generation Z and their conscious consumption habits rooted in activism has generated a strong connection between JanSport and its target consumer. This relationship has also fueled the brand’s overall commitment to produce more product offerings that meet their standards of sustainability while remaining fashionable and functional, such as the Recycled SuperBreak launched last year; JanSport’s first backpack made in part with 100% recycled fabric.

“As part of our sustainability efforts, JanSport wants to keep fabric off the cutting room floor and ensure that our unused products do not go to waste. We challenged our designers to construct a backpack collection entirely from surplus fabrics and components from our factory, and we could not be more impressed with the result,” says Roger Spatz, President at JanSport. “The Surplus Ski n’ Hike breathes new life into an archived silhouette and uses the textiles in a smarter, more sustainable way that prevents these elements from potentially going into landfill.”

The Surplus Ski n’ Hike is just the latest step in JanSport’s sustainability journey. JanSport continues to be transparent by tracking its progress in sustainability with recent notable milestones and initiatives, including:

  • Combatting Plastic Waste: JanSport saved the equivalent of 13,000,000 plastic water bottles* last season by using recycled fabrics and linings in certain styles.
  • Fostering Renewable Energy: Incorporating energy efficiency and renewable energy sources into the supply chain to help reduce our carbon footprint.
  • Mindful Processing and Manufacturing: All JanSport products are designed to be PVC-free.
  • Greener World: JanSport uses 100% recycled paper for their product hangtags, helping to alleviate the effects of the manufacturing process on our planet and overall wellbeing.
  • Continuously Making Things Better: JanSport holds itself and its business partners to the highest ethical standards, focusing on safe and lawful manufacturing practices that adhere to the Fair Labor Association code of conduct.

*Based on a 16oz bottle.

Posted April 13, 2021

Source: JanSport®

Virginia Governor Northam Announces STS Group Will Invest $39 Million To Locate New Facility In Wythe County, Creating 120 New Jobs

RICHMOND — April 8, 2021 — Governor Ralph Northam today announced that STS Group AG, a global system supplier of interior and exterior parts for commercial vehicles, will invest $39 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing operation in Wythe County’s Progress Park. The new facility, operating as subsidiary STS Group North America, will supply Volvo Trucks in Pulaski County and other truck and automotive facilities throughout the Midwest and Southeastern U.S. markets. Virginia successfully competed with North Carolina for the project, which will create 120 new jobs.

“The presence of STS Group North America in Wythe County will go a long way toward strengthening Virginia’s growing automotive manufacturing sector,” said Governor Northam. “This is just the latest example of an international company selecting our Commonwealth as the ideal location to do business, thanks to our competitive operating costs, world-class workforce, and outstanding quality of life. We thank STS for creating new jobs and investing in Southwest Virginia and look forward to building a strong partnership in the years to come.”

STS Group AG, headquartered in Hallbergmoos, Germany, develops, manufactures, and supplies products and solutions for components made of plastic or composite material (hard trim products) for the automobile and trucking industries. STS Group’s customer base includes a number of major automobile and commercial vehicle producers. The company operates 12 plants in four countries on three continents, with production facilities in its key regional markets of Europe, China, and the Americas.

“We are excited that Virginia stood out as the prime location for STS Group’s U.S. operations and are confident the company will benefit from our business-friendly environment and market access,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “This region of the Commonwealth has a thriving automotive cluster that has the positive ripple effect of attracting global suppliers like STS. We are grateful for this investment in Southwest Virginia and the creation of 120 manufacturing jobs in Wythe County.”

“As a leading system supplier for plastic and composite components for the automotive industry, we make strategic location decisions to better serve our customers,” said Mathieu Purrey, CEO of STS Group AG. “At the crossroads of Interstates 81 and 77, Progress Park in Wythe County is strategically located close to several facilities of our key global customers. We received a warm welcome and extensive support from both the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County during our site selection process. The genuine and creative effort from the Wythe County team in helping us obtain necessary financial support to start up this new facility played a key role in selecting Wythe County as the home for our first U.S. plant. We like the pro-business environment we see in the greater Wytheville area and we are confident in our choice. We look forward to contributing to the region’s economy and to the community’s well-being.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Wythe County and the Joint Industrial Development Authority (JIDA) of Wythe County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Wythe County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $80,000 from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund for the project. The company is also eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Support for STS Group North America’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners, with funding support from the Northam Administration and the Virginia General Assembly. Launched in 2019, the program accelerates new facility start-ups through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards, and culture. All program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.

“Wythe County welcomes STS Group to Progress Park for the location of its first U.S. operation,” said Brian W. Vaught, chairman of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. “Our workforce, prepared sites, and an economic development-focused Board of Supervisors mean that we are open for business and strategically positioned for growth. I appreciate the other members of the Board of Supervisors, as well as our partners with the JIDA, for working so hard during a global pandemic to make this project happen.”

“We are excited that STS Group will be joining our strong automotive sector here at the crossroads of Southwest Virginia,” said David A. Kause, chairman of the Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County. “The Joint IDA worked extensively with the company, our partners at the state and local level, and those in the private sector to help bring this manufacturing project to fruition. We thank everyone for the teamwork that exemplifies the best of economic development.”

“It is great to see the Tobacco Commission’s investment in Progress Park paying off,” said Ed Owens, chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. “The Commission has always taken a long-term view toward improving the economies of the regions we serve, and with this announcement we can see that strategy paying dividends. I look forward to seeing STS Group get its operation underway and wish the company the best in the years to come.”

“I am very pleased to learn of the decision by STS Group AG to locate in Wythe County in Progress Park,” said Delegate Jeffrey Campbell. “Bringing high-quality jobs like these to our area remains a top priority as we try to retain the next generation of Wythe Countians that we have such a significant public investment in. I sincerely appreciate the hard work and dedication that VEDP, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, and the JIDA have invested in bringing STS Group to Southwest Virginia.”

Posted April 9, 2021

Source: Virginia Office of the Governor

Precision Textiles Develops Biodegradable Fabric For Disposable Medical, Isolation Gowns

TOTOWA, N.J. — April 8, 2021 — Precision Textiles — a supplier of coated fabrics, nonwovens and laminations for the bedding, automotive and healthcare industries — is expanding its commitment to the development of more sustainable products with its newly launched EcoGuard material. The domestically produced, eco-friendly fabric was developed for use in personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically disposable medical isolation gowns. This material contains an additive that helps it biodegrade up to 99 percent faster than typical polypropylene gown material.

“EcoGuard adheres to our corporate mission to manufacture products that pose low environmental risk,” said Scott Tesser, president of Precision Textiles. “Isolation gowns produced with polypropylene materials can take over 600 years to biodegrade in a landfill, leading to the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The additive in our EcoGuard material accelerates the biodegradation process to approximately six years, reducing the CO2 footprint that is harmful to the environment.

“Cost-wise, gowns made with EcoGuard make a great deal of sense. Not only are they better for the planet, but they are also in the same price range as the polypropylene gowns we make in our manufacturing facility.”

The additive in the EcoGuard material releases enzymes that allow the gowns to serve as food for microbes to consume, thus dramatically speeding up the biodegradation process. These gowns are easy to dispose of and recycle after use, which further helps the environment by reducing the waste mass in landfills.

Tesser added, “I am surprised that no one has been talking about the issue of polypropylene in PPE, especially at a time when COVID-19 has created a tremendous need for PPE for those on the front line providing medical care. These gowns are disposable, so they go right into landfills, making their biodegradation an important issue, especially since eco-consciousness among consumers continues to be on the rise.”

Medical isolation gowns certified by AAMI are classified at four levels depending on the medical applications in which they are used.  Gowns manufactured with EcoGuard are appropriate for applications ranging from AAMI Level 1 basic care to Level 4 high-risk situations.

According to ADTCC-ASTM guidelines, these gowns must pass tests for resistance to liquid penetration on impact from sprays and for liquid penetration on impact under constant and increasing hydrostatic pressure.

Made in the USA, EcoGuard medical gowns also comply with the Berry Amendment, which restricts the U.S. Department of Defense from using funds to procure clothing, fabrics, yarns, fibers, other textiles and food that is not grown, produced, reprocessed or reused in the United States.

Founded in 1987, Totowa, New Jersey-based Precision Textiles is a global supplier of coated fabrics, nonwovens and laminates for companies in the mattress, home furnishings, automotive and healthcare industries, as well as military apparel. With a specialized emphasis on flame retardant-compliant materials designed for use in mattresses and sleep products, the company manufactures its family of products at its 250,000-square-foot headquarters that includes a state-of-the-art laboratory, factory and warehouse. The company also operates four additional warehouses strategically located in the U.S., as well as a warehouse in Asia.

Posted April 8, 2021

Source: Precision Textiles

The Secondary Materials And Recycled Textiles Association (SMART): Celebrate Earth Day By Recycling Unwanted Textiles

ABINGDON, Md. — April 8, 2021 — For this year’s 51st Earth Day on April 22, don’t forget about the importance of reusing and recycling textiles. According to the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART), a global organization of companies involved in the reuse and recycling of textiles and related secondary materials, 95 percent of textiles (any fabric made of interlacing fibers) can be reused and recycled: old clothing (including undergarments), curtains, bath towels, bedsheets, pillowcases, table linens, shoes, stuffed animals, scarves, pet beds and more.

The largest recruiter to the environmental movement, Earth Day brings together people in 192 countries from all over the globe, making it the world’s most widely observed civic event, according to EARTHDAY.ORG. This year, Earth Day is being treated as an opportunity to declare the day a global recommitment to save our planet, its people, and open a revolutionary new era of healing, restoration, learning, and unity.

Clothing and household textiles currently make up 6.3 percent of the waste stream or the equivalent of 81 pounds per person thrown away annually in the US. Meanwhile, textile reuse and recycling reduces the need to create more landfill space, reduces pollution created by incinerators, saves the environment from tons of harsh chemicals and more.

One way to make a difference is by giving your textiles a second life. Majority of donated textiles are reused and recycled into three grades: usable clothing, fiber conversion grade and wiping cloth grade. This means a lost sock can be made into pillow stuffing, ripped denim can transform into household insulation, an old towel can become a wiping rag and your barely-worn prom dress can get a second life with a teen going to their first dance.

Any clothing, household textile or commercial linen textile, as long as it is clean, dry odor-free, can be reused and recycled. Even if the item is stained, torn, overly worn or out-of-date, do not throw it away; it has a use in the textile recycling industry. Only items that are wet (mildewed) or have been used with a solvent-type liquid such as gasoline or Goof Off cannot be recycled.

So, what should consumers do with their unused or otherwise unwanted textiles? SMART recommends looking for clothing collection boxes their neighborhoods. These bins are often operated by companies, like SMART members, who follow a strict code of conduct and are deeply committed to recycling and waste reduction. Through their business activities, SMART members are responsible for diverting billions of pounds of used textiles and other household wastes from landfills each year. Consumers may also check their favorite local charity or thrift store about collection locations or other socially-distant way to drop off their unwanted textiles. SMART encourages those concerned about the environmental impact of textile waste to seek out creative ways to reuse or “upcycle” their items throughout the home.

When it comes to refreshing Spring wardrobes, SMART recommends consumers consider shopping secondhand at well-known thrift stores, like Savers, and charities like Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent DePaul. According to ThredUp, one of the largest online retail businesses for secondhand shopping, the practice displaces the need for new clothing production and diverts items from landfills. Further, buying one used item reduces its carbon, waste, and water footprints by 82 percent.

“There are many options available to those who want to give back this Earth Day by way of thinking about their textile waste habits,” says Jackie King, executive director of SMART. “While there are many in-person ways to celebrate this year that will abide by updated safety guidelines, textile recycling is a fun way for families who aren’t quite ready to step out into the community to participate and make a difference for the environment.”

Posted April 8, 2021

Source: The Secondary Materials And Recycled Textiles Association (SMART)

Applied DNA CEO Discusses Relevance Of DNA-Based Cotton Traceability As Enabler Of Ethical And Responsible Textile Manufacturing On BBC Business Daily

STONY BROOK, N.Y. — April 8, 2021 — Applied DNA Sciences Inc. announced an interview with President and CEO Dr. James A. Hayward conducted by the BBC’s Business Daily as part of an episode titled ‘Tracing cotton’s DNA’. The episode is available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct1jn9.

CertainT® for Cotton Traceability

CertainT, Applied DNA’s traceability platform, provides an approach to authenticate goods within large and complex supply chains for materials such as cotton, and leather, home textiles and apparel, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, personal care, cannabis, and other products. To date, CertainT has ensured the authenticity of approximately 300 million pounds of North American Pima and Upland cotton and has been deployed to secure Egyptian and Australian cotton.

CertainT begins by authenticating the fiber content in cotton to confirm its origin. The platform then employs a unique molecular identifier produced by the Company’s LinearDNA™ platform to mark cotton fibers in bulk. The cotton fiber is then tested for the presence of the identifier via the Company’s proprietary, portable readers as the cotton fiber travels throughout a global supply chain and is converted into yarn, fabric, and finished goods. The detection of the identifier confirms origin and authenticity; its absence can signal for blending with illicit cotton, including cotton potentially produced by means of forced labor. The CertainT logo signifies to consumers of cotton products that they can trust the products they are buying with said trust grounded in forensic, science-based authentication. Consumers can therefore be confident in the knowledge that Brands and their supply chains have taken the necessary steps to assure that the cotton product itself is authentic and sustainably and responsibly sourced from a known origin.

Posted April 8, 2021

Source: Applied DNA Sciences Inc.

TRSA — COVID-19, Year II: Laundries Confront Staff Woes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — April 8, 2021 — Among the roughly 215 linen, uniform and facility services operator and supplier partners who attended five, 90-minute online TRSA Regional Town Hall sessions on March 30, 31 and April 1, pretty much everyone could agree on two things. First, they’re relieved that the economy in most parts of the U.S. has begun to emerge from last year’s COVID-19-related shutdowns. However, there also were widespread concerns expressed by each of the U.S. regional town halls that a severe labor shortage could stymie the recovery.

Attendees at this week’s Regional Town Halls (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, South/Southeast, West/Northwest and Southwest) predicted that the labor shortages could begin easing this September when additional unemployment relief provided in President Joe Biden’s recently approved COVID-19 aid bill expires. A big part of the problem with recruitment/retention is that government aid is discouraging people from paid work, several attendees said. Examples of how operators are addressing the labor shortage include:

  • Reducing people to part-time: One operator said with reduced demand from restaurant customers, he’s cut employee hours sufficiently that they can still qualify for unemployment benefits.
  • Expanding onboarding programs to foster teamwork, coupled with in-depth exit and “stay” interviews to get a better handle on what’s working and what needs to work better to satisfy employee needs. One attendee emphasized that the challenge is not just hiring but avoiding a “Tsunami of turnover” in staff.
  • Enhanced flexibility: This means showing that you care, especially for employees required to work overtime due to labor shortages, by providing pizza parties and other perks, plus paid time off for COVID-19 vaccinations or other personal needs.
  • Increased pay, including retention bonuses: Many companies have already done this, but the problem is the difficulty of passing these added labor costs on to hard-hit customers such as restaurants and hotels that are themselves struggling with labor shortages and trying to survive government-mandated COVID restrictions that limit capacity to 25%-50%. Industry supplier partners face similar recruitment/retention challenges in terms of boosting pay for staff at a time when many laundries have cut capital spending due to reduced sales. One supplier described a “catch 22” situation in which material costs, such as steel, keep rising, yet it’s extraordinarily difficult to pass any costs on to customers.
  • To the extent that companies can retain staff, they are taking advantage of Employee Retention Credits in combination with Paycheck Protection Program loans. In earlier versions of this program, you couldn’t take advantage of both programs at the same time. In the latest bill from the Biden administration, you can pursue both simultaneously.

One upside of the labor shortage for laundry operators in the hospitality sector is that it’s pushing hotels to close their on-premise laundries due to the difficulty of keeping them staffed. The pandemic has accelerated an ongoing trend in favor of hotel laundry outsourcing, several operators said. One noted that in most cases he’ll decline to take on OPL work — unless the hotel agrees to close the facility permanently in favor of outsourcing their laundry operation.

Another positive consequence of the pandemic is that it has increased the focus of laundry customers in all sectors, but especially healthcare, hotels and food processing, on ensuring textile cleanliness. This, in turn, has enhanced the value of programs such as TRSA’s Hygienically Clean program. The third-party auditing of laundry hygiene that this program provides to linen, uniform and facility services companies confers a sense of “validation” to customers. That means that customers know that their textile provider follows best practices for laundering, including periodic testing of textiles to ensure that they are safe for use by staff and the public.

One factor that makes Year II of the COVID-19 pandemic a continuing challenging for operators is the uncertainly that goes with it. No one can predict with any certainty what’s coming as far as the reopening of customer businesses or the imposition of new restrictions with each succeeding “wave” of COVID cases. One operator said this unpredictability factor aggravates planning efforts. Laundry operators long for a return to stability that can allow them to reduce costly overtime, and, in turn, lower, employee stress levels.

A related issue is the wide variation in government rules related to the pandemic. Attendees at the Town Halls confirmed that states like Florida and Nebraska are largely wide open for business, while others, such as California and Michigan, are nearly as restricted as they were a year ago.

Despite all these challenges, most attendees still said they’re better off than they were a year ago. Industrial operators said their sales are near the level of pre-COVID, with extra demand for facility services products helping to make up the gap with customers whose uniform business is down. Some industry segments such as clean room and food processing also are experiencing brisk growth.

Healthcare too has largely recovered, but not completely. Hospital flatwork business is typically at about 90% of pre-COVID levels, several Town Hall attendees said. Operators speculated that a combination of COVID patients, who typically use fewer linens, and patient fears about going to the hospital have contributed to the downturn. Most said that outpatient medical business had recovered to pre-COVID levels.

As more people get vaccinated for COVID-19, a robust recovery and a loosening of business restrictions could follow this spring. And while there are no easy answers for the recruitment/retention issue, most operators and suppliers will settle for any sign of progress. “We’re still scratching our heads on labor,” one operator said, adding that, “I’d still rather take this over last year.”

Posted April 8, 2021

Source: TRSA

More Than 600 People Receive Covid-19 Vaccination At Culp On-Site Vaccination Clinics

HIGH POINT, N.C.  — April 8, 2021 — Culp Inc. partnered with North Carolina vaccine providers to offer on-site COVID-19 vaccination clinics to eligible company employees, their families, and the public. The clinics were held March 25-27 at two of Culp’s facilities located in High Point and Stokesdale, N.C.

Iv Culp, president and CEO of Culp Inc. said: “I am so grateful for our CULP HR Services team and the healthcare providers for creating this opportunity for our employees and our great community. Throughout this pandemic, we have all focused on maintaining a safe work environment, and we believe that offering vaccinations on-site to those that choose to participate is a tremendously positive step.”

More than 600 people received vaccinations at two CULP locations. Attendees took advantage of the availability of appointments to register for the event. One resident said he had been trying for three months to register for the vaccine, but couldn’t find any available spots. When he heard there were available time slots for eligible individuals at the CULP locations, he quickly registered and said he was happy to make the drive to Stokesdale in order to get the vaccine. Both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines were administered, and second doses will be offered at the recommended intervals at the same locations.

Expressing her gratitude for CULP associates, senior vice president of Human Resources Teresa Huffman said: “We value our associates and their families. We are so glad to have had the chance to provide them with the opportunity to receive the COVID vaccine if they were interested. Being able to help offer the vaccine to the community was an added bonus and an especially proud moment for Culp.”

Posted April 8, 2021

Source: Culp Inc.

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