ATLANTA — April 13, 2021 — Carter’s Inc., the largest branded marketer in North America of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, announces the launch of Carter’s recycling program, KIDCYCLE™, a first-of-its kind program to recycle baby and children’s clothing nationwide through international recycling leader TerraCycle®.
Now, as little ones outgrow their clothing and parents update kids’ wardrobes, items that would otherwise be discarded can be mailed to TerraCycle and recycled. Carter’s aims to make recycling well-loved, lived-in clothing for babies and children both simple and rewarding, with the opportunity to receive Rewarding Moments loyalty points from Carter’s.
“At Carter’s, we are committed to doing our part to preserve the environment for today’s generation of children as well as future generations, which is why we are excited to invite parents to join our sustainability journey,” said Antonio Robinson, senior vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility. “KIDCYCLE is an important step toward circularity, which will help reduce the volume of children’s clothing going to landfills and find additional uses for the recycled materials.”
Recycling children’s clothing is simple:
Head to www.TerraCycle.com/carters to sign up for a TerraCycle account.
Next, fill a box with the baby and kids clothes you intend to discard.
Log into your account, download and print your free shipping label.
Seal the box, attach your shipping label and drop it off at a shipping location near you.
After packages are received at TerraCycle, Rewarding Moments members can earn points.
“Children’s clothing, especially baby clothes, hold so many memories for parents. It can be difficult to let go of such sentimental items,” said TerraCycle CEO and Founder Tom Szaky. “Through their recycling program, Carter’s is providing parents with a sustainable option to part with their children’s clothes that can no longer be passed on or donated.”
All spring long, the program will accept any brand’s baby and children’s clothing excluding shoes and accessories. Once collected, the clothing is separated by fabric type, shredded, and recycled into materials for another use, such as home insulation and stuffing in workout equipment and furniture.
Beginning April 13, head to www.TerraCycle.com/carters for more information and to get started recycling well-loved baby and kids apparel items.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — April 13, 2021 — HanesBrands’ commitment to protect the planet we share — despite the global pandemic that impacted 2020 — has earned the company its 12th consecutive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Sustained Excellence/Partner of the Year award for continued progress in environmental sustainability.
Ahead of Earth Day, HanesBrands is being recognized by the EPA for lowering overall energy use, while increasing use of renewable energy and electricity during 2020. The company also launched aggressive 2030 sustainability goals, including reducing energy use by an additional 25 percent, using 100-percent renewable electricity and launching science-based emission reduction targets. Additionally, the company appointed its first chief sustainability officer in 2020.
“We’re incredibly proud to remain the only apparel company to earn sustained excellence honors in the U.S. EPA Energy Star program’s 29-year history,” said Chris Fox, HanesBrands chief sustainability officer. “HanesBrands and its 61,000 worldwide associates are deeply committed to sustainability and operating our company as if every day is Earth Day.
“But there is much more work yet to do,” Fox continued. “We are intensely focused on pursuing ambitious 2030 goals that will improve the lives of people, protect the planet and produce sustainable products.”
The Energy Star award follows the February announcement that HBI was one of two apparel manufacturers named one of Ethisphere’s 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies. Also in February, the company was named to Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies for the third consecutive year. HBI was one of four apparel manufacturers to receive “A List” recognition for leadership in corporate sustainability in the CDP 2020 Climate Change Report issued in December 2020.
Energy Star was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased efficiency. The annual Energy Star Partner of the Year award honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protect the environment through best practices and organization-wide energy savings.
“Energy Star award-winning partners are showing the world that delivering real climate solutions makes good business sense and promotes job growth,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Many of them have been doing it for years, inspiring all of us who are committed to tackling the climate crisis and leading the way to a clean energy economy.”
For more information on Hanes’ award-winning sustainability program, visit HBISustains.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — April 13, 2021 — Tractor Supply Co. today announced plans to expand its Carhartt offering in dozens of retail stores. Carhartt, America’s leading workwear manufacturer and a decades-long partner of Tractor Supply, will add several thousand additional square feet of branded, in-store shopping space to provide consumers with a dedicated shopping experience. The new “shop-in-shop” concept, which is currently in 10 stores, will roll out in more than 100 Tractor Supply stores in 2021, with an additional 25 stores added next year.
“Our Tractor Supply stores offer a unique assortment of products that cater to the Out Here lifestyle, and we know our customers depend on Carhartt for comfortable, durable clothes to get the job done,” said Seth Estep, executive vice president, chief merchandising officer. “This new store-within-a-store format was created with Tractor Supply’s customers at the center of the shopping experience. By partnering with Carhartt to double our selection, our stores have even more of what makes Tractor Supply a destination for everything — workwear and otherwise — that our customers need to take care of their home, land, pets and animals.”
The expanded merchandise selection available in the in-store shop includes bibs, rainwear, year-round fleece assortments, additional pants and jeans styles and more. Additionally, the product collection will include clothing for women, kids, big and tall and plus sizes, most of which are not currently available in Tractor Supply stores.
Both brands tested this strategy throughout 2018 and 2019 when Carhartt installed three shop-in-shop spaces each year, measuring between 1,200 and 1,400 square feet, at Tractor Supply locations in California, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey and New York. These expanded in-store shops feature similar signage, branding and premium fixtures consumers would find at any of Carhartt’s 33 company store locations.
“By expanding our presence at these retail locations, Tractor Supply shoppers will experience the Carhartt brand in a whole new way,” said Tony Ambroza, chief brand officer at Carhartt. “We look forward to growing our longstanding partnership with Tractor Supply as we work to bring our rugged workwear products to the country’s hardest-working people.”
Customers can also shop an expanded online assortment of Carhartt products, including more sizes and colors, at TractorSupply.com.
LUXEMBOURG — April 13, 2021 — Eurofins is pleased to announce that it has joined The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) as one of the first third party laboratory members, alongside clothing brands, retailers, textile manufactures and research organizations, to facilitate the development of practical solutions for the textile industry to minimize fiber fragmentation and release to the environment from textile manufacturing and product life cycle.
Fiber fragments, or microfibers, are of particular concern to environmentalists because of their potential for accumulation in and pollution of oceans. They could also be ingested by marine life and enter the human food chain, with implications for health. The textile industry has become increasingly aware of this pressing issue.
The Microfibre Consortium is a membership-based organization that works with the textile industry to minimize fiber fragmentation and release. In partnership with the University of Leeds and the European Outdoor Group (EoG), it has developed a standardized test method that can reliably measure the amount of fiber fragments released from textiles during domestic laundering. This method will provide the basis for determining the scale of microfiber release as well as support in the process of finding solutions to microfiber pollution.
Utilizing its global network of testing laboratories and technical expertise, Eurofins will support the industry by providing TMC standardized test method services. Customers will gain access to testing services to support the understanding of the issue, whilst demonstrating their environmental responsibility and improving sustainability along the supply chain. Roll out of the test method will result in the adoption of standard measurement across the industry. The method is also being considered by European and international standards organizations.
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — April 13, 2021 — David’s Bridal announced today that Bryan Dow has been appointed vice president of Global Creative & Brand Marketing. Dow joined the company on April 5, 2021.
Dow comes to David’s with more than 20 years of strategic creative and brand marketing experience holding multiple leadership roles at national brands including OshKosh B’gosh, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, and Lands’ End. In his new role at David’s Bridal, Bryan will lead the brand and creative teams with a strategic focus on accelerating the company’s brand presence and creative marketing strategies. Bryan will report to Kelly Cook, chief marketing and IT officer of David’s Bridal.
“Bryan is fun and fearless — and will be fantastic leading and reimaging all of our brand strategies. More importantly, he is a #servantsheart leader and truly believes ‘you’re either serving the customer or serving someone who is.’ He is a leader with the rare combination of creative passions, business acumen, digital prowess, and content innovations,” Cook said. “This approach ensures we are always re-thinking how we are delivering magical moments. We are absolutely thrilled to have him on our team.”
“I am honored to join a powerhouse like David’s Bridal during such an exciting time of transformation,” Dow said. “I look forward to working with an incredibly talented team to continue building on the success David’s has established in serving today’s modern bride.
Dow is a proven leader, bringing broad business knowledge and expertise to the David’s team. He has held multiple leadership positions with national retailers throughout his tenured career developing high-performing multichannel brand campaigns. Dow carries a wealth of experience in omni-channel creative growth and strategy. He most recently served as senior creative director for global children’s apparel brand OshKosh B’gosh. In his role, he developed, directed and oversaw the execution of re-igniting the brand’s identity across all communication channels.
He led the global creative brand in their tri-brand expansion: Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh and SkipHop. Prior to OshKosh B’gosh, Dow served as the multichannel creative director for DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, leading the creative in the launch of the “shoe lover” campaign and becoming a member of the Directors’ Guild of America. There he demonstrated his agility and growth mindset playing an integral role in transforming the brand’s creative initiatives and reshaping their omni-channel presence. Prior to DSW, Bryan held creative leadership positions at Lands’ End and Saks Incorporated.
DUNEDIN, Fla. — April 1, 2021 — Design Trade Service is a fast-growing resource exclusively for interior designers. The company offers interior designers with immediate access to complete catalogs from major furniture manufacturers and the lowest to-the-trade pricing. Additionally, with an ever-growing increase in e-commerce due to COVID-19, Design Trade Service provides a seamless process for interior designers to source from multiple vendors at once.
“Consumers, the designer’s clients, have increasingly turned to e-commerce to shop for and procure furniture so it has become increasingly important for designers to quickly provide competitive prices for their clients,” said Greg Wyers, president of Design Trade Service.
“Designers can combine multiple products from multiple manufacturers on the same order and DTS will provide all order and shipping information per item throughout the fulfillment process,” Wyers said. “DTS will also assist in addressing all shipping and manufacturing issues on behalf of the designer.”
The platform hosts a wide variety of well-known brands including, Loloi, Four Hands, Hooker, and many more.
As interior designer, Shannon Adamson shares, “If you are sourcing the majority of your furniture and product from retail vendors who also sell to your clients, you are missing out on a significant opportunity to offer your clients better prices for higher quality, more unique pieces while making more unique income for your business.”
Ultimately, designers are discovering how much time and money they can save by channeling multiple orders through one low-priced source and having one single point of contact for all follow up.
The platform offers free sign-ups for its DTS Premier Program or the DTS Pro Program at $29/mo or $299/yr. See here for more sign-up information:
https://designtradeservice.com/login.php?action=create_account
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.”
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
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.
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.
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.
