Major Monforts Denim Customers Continue To Pioneer New Initiatives

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — March 9, 2021 — Recycling their cotton waste has become one way these companies can do more with less, and at the recent Kingpins24 Flash online event, Sedef Uncu Aki, director of Orta, headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, announced a new partnership with leading recycling operation Gama Recycle.

Traceable

“Through this local partnership we will supply the waste from our spinning mills and return around 3,000 tons of premium quality cotton back to them,” Aki said. “We have established a truly controlled and traceable system and partnering with a domestic recycling center is important because a lot the carbon emissions associated with recycling usually come from transportation.”

Orta’s ZeroMax range meanwhile uses no cotton at all, being based on Lenzing’s Tencel cellulosic fiber, while the company’s involvement in denim production for a recent launch by Levi Strauss, of jeans made with organic cotton and Circulose — a breakthrough material developed by re:newcell of Sweden and partners — was hailed as a further step forward.

To make Circulose, re:newcell repurposes discarded cotton textiles, such as worn-out denim jeans, through a process akin to recycling paper. The incoming waste fabrics are broken down using water. The color is then stripped from these materials using an eco-friendly bleach and after any synthetic fibers are removed from the mix, the slurry-like mixture is dried and the excess water is extracted, leaving behind a sheet of Circulose. This sheet is then made into viscose fibre which is combined with cotton and woven into new fabrics.

Circular Park

Omer Ahmed, CEO of Artistic Milliners also announced plans for his company’s new 70,000 square-foot Circular Park in Karachi, Pakistan, at Kingpins24 Flash.

Once complete, this will add three million square metres of additional denim capacity a month to the company’s production and take its total recycled output to a monthly five million metres.

Ahmed observed that there is currently a lack of sustainable fibers that are readily available to use for denim production at scale.

“Organic cotton is too expensive, and in my opinion always will be,” he said. “Cottonized hemp is also not cheap and it’s hard to mix with cotton, while the new regenerated cellulose fibres that are now emerging are promising, but currently in short supply. Recycled polyester is meanwhile still based on petroleum resources which we want to move away from. As a consequence, there are only a few other options for us as a manufacturer and this new project will help us minimize our own waste while significantly lowering our carbon footprint.”

Other Monforts denim customers to introduce cotton fibre recycling operations at their plants recently include AGI Denim, Bossa and Soorty.

Vertical savings

Refresh is the name of the latest collection from AGI Denim — reflecting the company’s significant reduction in water consumption.

The company has just opened new fiber spinning and denim mills at its complex in Karachi, Pakistan.

“Over the years we’ve gone through a series of backward integration steps to become fully vertical,” said AGI Denim Executive Director Ahmed Javed, at Kingpins24 Flash. “In our latest expansion, we revisited every step of the production processes in order to make resource savings.”

Innovations have included the installation of proprietary robotics for garment finishing, but the most attention has been paid to water savings.

“Pakistan is one of the largest cotton-producing companies in the world and we’re fortunate that the type of cotton that is grown here is well suited to denim production and also helps us lower our carbon footprint, with everything done in close proximity,” Javed said. “In the lifecycle of a pair of denim jeans, however, cotton fibre production contributes 68 percent of water consumption. While we cannot control how much water cotton needs for it to grow, we can rethink the way we use it in our factory.”

Refresh-branded denims are washed from 100 percent recycled water as a result of the company’s new wastewater treatment plant, which puts production wastewater through a series of steps beginning with equalization, followed by aeration and concluding with sedimentation. The water travels through filtration and ultrafiltration systems before being subjected to an activated carbon system and finally a reverse osmosis system to reduce any dissolved salts.

AGI now recycles 4.4 million gallons of water each month — enough to wash a million pairs of jeans.

Sustainable

Monforts has a leading position in the field of denim finishing with its well proven Thermex continuous dyeing systems, Montex tenter dryers and other lines for resource-efficient and economical processing.

“Our denim partners are constantly setting themselves new goals in respect of sustainable production – and more importantly, achieving them,” said Hans Wroblowski, Monforts head of Denim. “We work closely with them with the aim of constantly optimizing processing parameters and achieving further savings in energy, water and raw materials throughout the dyeing and finishing stages of production.”

The latest Monforts innovation for denim is the CYD yarn dyeing system. This technology is based on the effective and established dyeing process for denim fabrics that is now being applied for yarn dyeing.

The CYD system integrates new functions and processes into the weaving preparation processes to increase quality, flexibility, economic viability and productivity.

A full CYD line is now available for trials at the company’s Advanced Technology Centre in Mönchengladbach, Germany.

Posted March 9, 2021

Source: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG

AATCC International Conference Changes Names To Textile Discovery Summit

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. —March 3, 2021 — The AATCC International Conference is undergoing some exciting changes in 2021, including a new name: AATCC Textile Discovery Summit!

Although the name is changing, this event will continue to serve as a valuable opportunity for the textile community to connect, share, and learn. This “must attend” industry event will be held November 16-18 at the Sheraton Imperial in Durham, N.C.

To provide a consolidated schedule and less travel, the Textile Discovery Summit will be held immediately following AATCC Fall research committee meetings, which are scheduled for November 15-16, 2021, at the Sheraton Imperial.

As well as the educational presentations, this event also includes networking receptions, interactive breakout sessions, special onsite activities and resources, an exhibitor showroom, a poster session, the Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition, and the Awards Luncheon, where AATCC’s most prestigious awards will be presented. All are welcome!

Tabletop exhibits and sponsorships are available to share news about products, services, and processes directly with attendees. New offerings and opportunities have been added to this year’s exhibitor and sponsorship package. For anyone interested in learning more, please request a 2021 Textile Discovery Summit Exhibitor & Sponsor Packet from Angela Jabara at jabaraa@aatcc.org.

Please save the date and plan on joining AATCC and the textile community in celebrating 100 years of AATCC and the first annual Textile Discovery Summit this November 16-18, 2021!

Posted March 9, 2021

Source: AATCC

Swedish Machine Builders Set For Scandinavia’s Textiles 4.0 Circular Revolution

STOCKHOLM — March 8, 2021 — Several members of TMAS — the Swedish Textile Machinery Association — are actively advancing new coloration technologies as part of a wave of innovation that is currently sweeping out from Scandinavia.

New manufacturers of regenerated cellulosic fibers as alternatives to cotton and man-made fibers, for example, have been gaining a lot of attention recently, as they scale up to meet demands for a circular approach to the manufacturing of textiles and garments.

These companies have, in turn, been embraced by major Scandinavian brands such as the Danish clothing company Bestseller, Finnish fashion house Marimekko, Norwegian outdoor brand Bergans and Sweden’s own H&M Group.

Fiber journey

From the field or the forest to the retail shelves, however, the journey of every single textile fiber is currently a long one, in which it passes through many hands and moves around the world. The good news is that many of these individual stages are now being greatly simplified by digitalization.

“Digitalization will lead to a significant reduction in garments that for one reason or another are never sold and end up in landfill,” said Therese Premler-Andersson, secretary general of TMAS. “There will of course, be a huge ecological benefit.”

At the very center of any fiber’s journey, once it has become part of a knitted or woven fabric, are the dyeing and finishing stages of textile production. Dyeing and finishing currently involves many washing and drying process steps which add a huge burden to the overall carbon footprint of finished garments and textile products.

Coloreel expansion

Here is where the latest fully digital technologies of TMAS member companies are making a dramatic difference, such as the instant thread coloration technology, of Coloreel, which has just raised SEK 100 in new financing to support its market expansion and growth.

Initially targeting the embroidery market, Coloreel technology enables the high-quality and instant coloring of a textile thread while it is actually being used in production and can be paired with any existing embroidery machine without modification, while also making it possible to produce gradients in an embroidery for the first time.

Based on a CMYK ink system, Coloreel’s advanced rapid color formulation software and high-speed drive technology allow a single needle to carry out what previously required many multiples of them to do — and with much more consistent stitch quality,

In addition, existing thread dyeing plants can add a single solid color to a thread, but by instantly coloring a white base thread during production, Coloreel enables complete freedom to create unique embroideries without any limitations in the use of colors. Color changes along the thread can either be made rapidly from one solid color to another, or gradually, to make smooth transitions or any coloring effect desired.

This provides big benefits when it comes to sustainability. There is a significant reduction in wasted inks, while water usage is minimized, and production speeds are increased. The technology allows set-up and lead times to be reduced as well as significant flexibility in production schedules, while eliminating the need for large thread inventories.

“Our system is allowing customers to achieve color effects that have never been seen before — and at a new level of efficiency,” said Vice President of sales and marketing at Coloreel, Mats Sjögren. “We are setting the new benchmark for the embroidery industry.”

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Coloreel, has recently successfully delivered units to companies in Europe, the United States and Asia, and has also partnered with the world’s largest distributor of embroidery machines, American Hirsch Solutions, which has already installed the technology at a number of customers in the United States.

imogo

Another TMAS member achieving rapid progress is imogo, which is currently installing its first industrial scale Dye-Max spray dyeing line at the plant close to Borås of Swedish commission dyeing company 7H Färgeri — the Nordic region’s most complete dyeing and processing plant.

The new line has a working width of 1.8 meters with an operating speed of up to 50 meters for the reactive dyeing of cellulosic fiber-based fabrics. In addition, it can carry out the application of a wide range of fabric pre-treatments and finishing processes, providing the company with unbeatable flexibility in production.

A proven Mini-Max laboratory unit for predetermining application volumes and color matching has also been installed at the 7H plant.

With the potential to slash the use of fresh water, wastewater, energy, and chemicals by as much as 90 percent compared to conventional jet dyeing systems, the DyeMax has gained considerable attention since the concept was outlined and a prototype machine constructed in 2019.

The application unit of the Dye-Max consists of a closed chamber containing a series of spray cassettes with precision nozzles for accurate and consistent coverage, in combination with the patented imogo Pro Speed valve that controls the volume to be applied.

“We are achieving an extremely low liquor ratio of around 0.5-1 liters per kilo of fabric and we fully control the pickup, applying precisely what is required to the specific fabric,” said imogo founding partner Per Stenflo. “Compared to traditional padders there is no contamination of the dyebath or dilution of the dye liquor to worry about.”

Fast changeovers with virtually no waste, together with a high production speed, enable a high productivity and unmatched production flexibility.

“The Dye-Max will be implemented in 7H daily production and producers and brands are welcome to visit when the Covid-19 situation allows. They are also welcome to do test productions at 7H to verify the performance on their fabrics.”

Perfect bridge

“Such new digital technologies from TMAS members represent the perfect bridge for sustainable new fibers on their route to the finished garments of responsible brands on the retail shelves,” concludes Therese Premler-Andersson. “There is now a real momentum building industry-wide for new circular manufacturing, and TMAS companies intend to be very much a part of it.”

Posted March 9, 2021

Source: The Swedish Textile Machinery Association (TMAS)

B.I.G. Launches Eqocycle Yarns Designed With Circular Economy Benefits And High Performance For The Carpet Industry

EqoCycle Recycled Content Yarn infographic. Photo courtesy of Beaulieu International Group

WIELSBEKE, Belgium — March 8, 2021 — B.I.G. Yarns, a division of Beaulieu International Group, announces its latest development, EqoCycle, a fully recyclable nylon 6 yarn with 75-percent recycled content, offering the same high-quality performance of virgin nylon 6 yarn. The new recycled yarn mainly based on post-industrial waste supports contract, automotive and residential carpet manufacturers with a drop-in circular solution to reduce the ecological footprint of their end products.

EqoCycle is made with recycled granulates derived from pre-consumer recycled and regenerated nylon 6, certified by Control Union for Global Recycled Standard (GRS) Certification. The use of less virgin materials implicates a decrease of fossil fuels by 58 percent and a 27 percent decrease in energy consumption. On top, EqoCycle yarns allow a reduction of 37 percent of CO₂ eq./kg compared to the fossil based yarns. The environmental impacts of EqoCycle with 75 percent recycled content were calculated through an LCA analysis, verified according to ISO 14025 and EN 15804+A1 and published in an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD registration number S-P-02415).

Customers have the assurance that for every 1,000 tons of EqoCycle yarn, 13,562 barrels of oil are saved and 2,700 tons of CO₂ emission are reduced, compared to nylon 6 traditionally made from virgin materials.

Emmanuel Colchen, general manager, Yarns Division, commented: “EqoCycle is a perfect example of how higher resource efficiency in our industry can promote greater circularity in our customers’ industries. Minimizing waste, re-using materials, and saving energy and carbon emissions in production, it provides our customers and carpet brands with a new sustainable alternative that won’t compromise their end-product performance but will support their increasing focus on CO₂ reduction and global warming potential. All part of our wider commitment to encourage decoupling from the need for only virgin feedstocks and moving towards a circular economy for yarns and soft flooring industries.”

EqoCycle is the latest circular solution in B.I.G. Yarns’ nylon 6 portfolio, joining EqoBalance PA6, based on biomass balance renewable resources, which offers up to 75 percent CO₂ reduction. Both exemplify the company’s on-going investment in developing new products that better serve customers’ needs in a sustainable way. B.I.G. Yarns fully pursues opportunities to support and solve the global environmental challenges through innovation, investment and collaboration, as part of its sincere belief in, and broader commitment to, Social Responsibility.

The innovation of EqoCycle and EqoBalance PA6 aligns with the company’s active integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its business activities, creating value for customers and engaging employees and value chain partners.

Posted March 9, 2021

Source: Beaulieu/B.I.G.

IFF’s Health & Biosciences Division Announces Distribution Partnership With Polyorganic

SÃO PAULO — March 8, 2021 — IFF’s Health & Biosciences division announced the selection of Polyorganic Tecnologia Ltda as the distribution partner for the enzyme portfolio for textile processing in Brazil.

The enzymatic solutions from IFF’s Health & Biosciences division are used in a large variety of textile processes, including desizing, biopolishing, bleaching and finishing of fabrics and garments.

“With the help of Polyorganic, we will be able to provide better service and support to customers in Brazil,” said Elaine Scarelli, regional leader for home & personal care, IFF’s Health & Biosciences division. “We are excited to be able to contribute more to the innovation and sustainable development of the textile industry in Brazil, with enzymatic solutions that provide quality processes, with reduced water and energy costs.”

Being natural biocatalysts, enzymes provide a more sustainable solution to produce textiles, as they replace caustic chemicals used in scouring, reduce pressure in waste water treatment, work at lower temperatures and use lower dosages compared to traditional textile processes and improve production efficiency by reducing the use of water and energy.

IFF’s Health & Biosciences textile processing enzymes’ portfolio include the product and brand names: Optisize®NEXT and PrimaGreen® EcoSize Plus for desizing fabrics and garments, PrimaGreen EcoScour and PrimaGreen EcoWhite 10, for scouring and bleaching at a lower temperature in neutral pH; PrimaGreen Oxy and GC 118®, for effective removal of peroxide and a more consistent dyeing result; Primafast® cellulase products for biopolishing to obtain a softer touch and “clean” fabric surface that lasts longer and IndiAge®cellulase for denim stonewashing.

Posted March 9, 2021

Source: IFF

TRSA Adds Senior Director To Certification Staff

Samlane Ketevong

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — March 8, 2021 — TRSA recently hired Samlane Ketevong to lead its certification programs. Ketevong joins the association’s staff in the newly created role of senior director of certification and accreditation, leading TRSA’s family of certification programs, including Clean Green, Hygienically Clean and individual certification programs such as the Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM), among others.

In this role, Ketevong will direct and oversee the process for certification and recertification, while also facilitating and implementing strategic goals for each certification program, including annual operational plans and three-to-five-year goals. She will confer with subject-matter experts for regular standards development and revisions, inspection programs, exam development, self-study materials and professional testing. Additionally, Ketevong will ensure that all TRSA certification programs comply with policies and procedures related to accreditation, and lead efforts to achieve status as an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards-development organization. Ketevong will report directly to TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci.

“I am excited to join the TRSA team and look forward to enhancing its certification programs and bringing more awareness of the need for cleaner, safer and more environmentally conscious facilities,” Ketevong said. “As we head out of this pandemic, we can change the world and make it safer — one organization at a time.”

Ketevong comes to TRSA with more than 15 years’ experience running credentialing programs, interacting with subject-matter experts and accrediting institutions, as well as managing events. Ketevong previously served as the director of certification services for the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC). During her tenure at ABC, she rose from a program assistant to manager and ultimately director.

“Samlane brings experience and enthusiasm to this new role,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “She will work closely with Angela Freeman, director of certification, and the various stakeholders to develop strategic and marketing communications plans for each program. Samlane will also help TRSA pursue recognition as a standard development entity and work closely with our European counterparts Standards Working Group.”

Ketevong holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. She also earned a credentialing specialist certificate from The Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

Posted March 8, 2021

Source: TRSA

Lighter Footprint, Brighter Tomorrow: ASICS Upcycles Second-Hand Clothes To Create New Running Shoes

KOBE, Japan — March 5, 2021 — Today, ASICS is giving a boost to runners and the planet with the launch of SUNRISE REBORN™ PACK of new running shoes made from recycled clothing collected in Japan.

To create the shoes, ASICS employed the same advanced technology it used to craft a range of upcycled apparel and footwear created for the Japan team wear for an international sporting event. This innovative technology allows ASICS to recycle, remake and restyle discarded materials into new textile designs, like the SUNRISE REBORN™ running shoes.

In the case of SUNRISE REBORN, ASICS used second-hand clothing collected in Japan to create a new limited-edition line. This new collection is another significant step in ASICS’ ongoing mission to help minimise the environmental footprint of its products all over the world.

Yasuhito Hirota, COO and president of ASICS Corp., 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. Through sustainable products like SUNRISE REBORN PACK, we want to let people all over the world enjoy the mental and physical benefits of sport while preserving the planet for future generations to do the same.”

The SUNRISE REBORN PACK includes two of ASICS pinnacle shoes, the METARIDE™ and GEL-QUANTUM 360™ TYO, both in the striking sunrise red colourway. These new models will be available from March 5.

This limited-edition range is part of ASICS’ Sunrise initiative, encouraging people everywhere to move their body and mind at sunrise, this time with a lighter footprint for a brighter tomorrow.

Posted March 8, 2021

Source: ASICS

Loepfe Brothers, Loptex Partnership Extends Vision For Yarn Contamination Detection

ZURICH, Switzerland/MONTANO LUCINO, Italy — March 9, 2021 — Loepfe Brothers Ltd. and Loptex S.r.l. have today announced a distinguished strategic collaboration targeted at further improving yarn quality and productivity for spinning mills.

Both companies have a long track record of supporting spinning industry customers with latest technology to improve their performance and profitability. Today, this new collaboration brings Loepfe’s YarnMaster Prisma and YarnMaster Zenit+ yarn clearers together with Loptex Exa and Centra sorters for a complete solution supplied by Loepfe.

This integrated offering combines the advantages of eliminating contamination at the opening stages of production with additional refinement of the yarn further down the line at the winding stage. The net result for spinning mills is production of the highest quality yarns while generating less waste, greater machine efficiency and less energy consumption.

Loptex CEO Renato Gerletti commented: “We welcome this collaboration which harnesses the strengths of both the Loptex and Loepfe products for our customers. There are many synergies between the approaches of our two companies, not least of these being our dedication to using leading edge technology to deliver great results for spinning mills everywhere.”

Loepfe CEO Dr. Ralph Mennicke added: “We are looking forward to working with the Loptex team. Next to our in-house R&D commitments, this is a complementary partnership that puts customer needs first and will deliver a vital combination of top quality and greater productivity to textile mills. As the industry emerges from one of the most difficult trading periods in living memory, we continue to be committed to rolling out new and innovative solutions over the months and years to come.”

Posted March 9, 2021

Source: Loepfe Brothers Ltd.

The National Retail Federation: Retail Imports Expected To Grow Dramatically During First Half Of 2021

WASHINGTON — March 6, 2021 — Imports at the nation’s largest retail container ports are expected to grow dramatically during the first half of 2021 as increased vaccination and continued in-store safety measures enable additional shopping options, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates.

“NRF is forecasting what could turn out to be record retail sales growth in 2021, and retailers are importing huge amounts of merchandise to meet the demand,” said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold. “The supply chain slowdown we usually see after the holiday season never really happened this winter, and imports are already starting to grow again. Consumers haven’t let the pandemic stop them from shopping, and retailers are making sure their customers can find what they want and find it safely.”

“As COVID-19 ravaged the economy in 2020, it seemed as if any hope of recovery was distant,” said Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett. “Then came the rollout of vaccines that appear to be highly effective and are bringing strong signs of a quick recovery. The successful distribution of vaccines will help ensure that the economic recovery will likely be strong and sustainable.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.06 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in January, the latest month for which final numbers are available. That was down 2.3 percent from December as the busy holiday season came to an end. But with a 13 percent year-over-year increase, it was the busiest January since NRF began tracking imports in 2002 and the first time the month has ever topped the 2 million TEU mark. A TEU is one 20-foot container or its equivalent.

While import numbers for both February and March are forecast to be significantly higher than normal, year-over-year comparisons are difficult because of the pandemic. February is traditionally the slowest month of the year as Asian factories close for Chinese New Year, but last year most remained closed into March because of the coronavirus, reducing numbers even further. This year, however, some remained open during the holiday in order to fill a surge in orders, and ships arriving at U.S. ports faced a backlog to unload. February results aren’t available yet, but the month was projected at 1.88 million TEU, up 24.4 percent over last year, while March is forecast at 1.98 million TEU, up 44.1 percent.

April is forecast at 1.9 million TEU, up 18.2 percent year-over-year; May at 1.92 million TEU, up 25.2 percent; June also at 1.92 million TEU, up 19.6 percent, and July at 2.02 million TEU, up 5.3 percent.

The first half of 2021 is forecast at 11.7 million TEU, up 23.3 percent from the same period in 2020, which experienced a major decline in imports due to COVID-19. Imports saw a total of 22 million TEU in 2020, up 1.9 percent from 2019’s 21.6 million TEU and beating the previous record of 21.8 million TEU recorded in 2018.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

Posted March 8, 2021

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

Tempur Sealy International To Expand Manufacturing Operation In Scott County, Va. – Will Invest $16.7 Million

RICHMOND — March 4, 2021 — Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Tempur Sealy International Inc. will invest $16.7 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Scott County. The company will increase production to meet growing demand for its proprietary foam mattress and pillow products. Virginia successfully competed with New Mexico for the project, which will create 25 new jobs.

“Southwest Virginia has been an ideal base of operations for Tempur Sealy for nearly 20 years because of the region’s proximity to major interstates and access to the company’s customer base,” Governor Northam said. “As one of the largest employers in the area, this expansion will allow the company to increase production capacity to ensure the future viability of its Scott County plant. Creating quality jobs in the advanced manufacturing sector is more important than ever as we work to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic, and we thank Tempur Sealy for their continued partnership.”

Tempur Sealy designs, manufactures and distributes bedding products. The company’s highly recognized brand portfolio includes Tempur-Pedic, Sealy® featuring Posturepedic® Technology, and Stearns & Foster®. Headquartered in Lexington, Ky., Tempur Sealy operates two manufacturing facilities in Albuquerque, N.M., and Duffield, Va. Tempur Sealy employs more than 5,000 throughout the United States, with 300 employees at its Duffield facility.

“We are proud that Tempur Sealy has again chosen to reinvest in our Commonwealth and expand its presence in Scott County,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “As our manufacturing sector continues to thrive, Virginia’s commitment to job training and providing a skilled workforce pipeline ensures our valued businesses have the talent they need to grow. We appreciate Tempur Sealy’s commitment to Southwest Virginia, and congratulate the company on its continued success.”

“Tempur Sealy has expanded a number of times since opening in Scott County in 2001, and this expansion will enable the Duffield plant to increase its production and support the growth of Tempur Sealy’s award-winning products,” said Scott Thompson, Tempur Sealy chairman and CEO. “We have developed a strong relationship with the community, and we are fortunate to have a well-educated workforce committed to excellence in quality, safety, productivity, and environmental compliance. I want to thank the Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Scott County for facilitating this project. The expansion will be essentially complete by the end of the year, and the capacity increase will be realized by 2022.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Scott County and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $110,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Scott County with the project. Tempur Sealy International is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. The company is also eligible for workforce development and training funds from VCEDA.

“We appreciate the investment in jobs and equipment that Tempur continues to make in Scott County,” said Danny Mann, chairman of the Scott County Board of Supervisors.  “Tempur is a strong regional partner and plays a vital role within the LENOWISCO region.”

“On behalf of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, we would like to congratulate Tempur Sealy on its expansion in Scott County, Virginia,” said Jonathan Belcher, Executive Director of VCEDA. “Since locating in the region two decades ago, this operation has been a tremendous asset for the entire region, providing excellent employment opportunities for the citizens of Scott County and Southwest Virginia.”

“Virginia’s economy benefits when a business like Tempur Sealy decides to expand,” said Virginia Port Authority CEO and Executive Director Stephen A. Edwards. “Our expansion and modernization efforts are resulting in efficiency and delivery of service for the cargo owners using The Port of Virginia. Our goal is to help Tempur Sealy capitalize on our performance and grow its business, and we look forward to serving as its international trade gateway for years to come.”

“This expansion is welcome and exciting news for Scott County and all of Southwest Virginia,” said Senator Todd Pillion. “Tempur Sealy is a great employer and partner in our region, and we are lucky to have them as a corporate citizen. I appreciate the hard work that has gone into securing this investment, which will create jobs and serve as a catalyst for growth in the community.”

“We are pleased with Tempur Sealy’s announcement to expand its manufacturing operation in Duffield,” said Delegate Terry Kilgore. “Tempur Sealy continues to be a great asset to Southwest Virginia, and I am grateful for the company’s decision to make this investment in Scott County.”

Posted March 5, 2021

Source: Virginia Office of the Governor

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