NEWARK, Del. — March 11, 2021 — Waste handling equipment manufacturer Lundberg Tech, Newark, Del., has unveiled its 2021 lineup of granulators. Serving as the foundation of its automated vacuum waste removal systems, the inline granulators automatically cut edge trim, label matrix, and other waste materials to a targeted length for fast, efficient collection at reduced volumes for easy recycling or disposal. The line of granulators features a proprietary design setting the cutting knives at an angle from the rotor for a clever scissor effect that ensures clean, precise cutting of labels, tapes, paper, plastics, cardboard, textiles, nonwovens, and other materials as thin as 5 micrometers. Consistent, quiet, non-stop performance at speeds up to 8,202 feet per minute — 2,500 meters per minute — is assured while frequent line stoppages for sharpening and maintenance are eliminated.
Machined from a single piece of cast iron, high carbon steel or stainless steel, the line of granulators comprises 10 standard models ranging in entry sizes from 2.2 inches — 55 millimeters — to 26.4 inches — 670 millimeters — with up to 12 knives and a series of optional accessories to meet the requirements of nearly any material or installation. Non-stick coatings and lubrication systems for labels and adhesives; variable speed drives for adjustable waste size; coated knives for extra wear resistance; and hole shields to meet specific waste size requirements are among the options. Custom granulators are also available.
The line of granulators is designed and manufactured at the company’s headquarters and includes a quality guarantee. A wide selection of granulators, knives, and spare parts are stocked in the company’s Newark, Delaware facility.
LONDON — March 15, 2021 — Gordon Brothers — the global advisory, restructuring and investment firm, and owner of the British heritage brand Laura Ashley® — announced the iconic home and lifestyle brand launched its spring 2021 collection online and in select NEXT plc stores. The collection features the classic and recognizable Laura Ashley homeware, alongside an array of new designs.
A selection of products will be available in 48 NEXT stores nationwide and at a dedicated, flagship ‘store-in-store’ in London’s Westfield Shepherds Bush once lockdown restrictions are lifted. Products include signature prints, indoor and outdoor furniture, lighting, mirrors, soft furnishings, made-to-measure curtains, wallpapers and more.
“This is an exciting step in the evolution of Laura Ashley, and we look forward to continuing to grow the brand in its new form,” said Tobias Nanda, president, Brands at Gordon Brothers. “The NEXT partnership is the perfect way to reconnect the brand with its customers and develop new opportunities that will take Laura Ashley forward into new sectors.”
Gordon Brothers acquired the Laura Ashley brand, archives and related intellectual property in April 2020 and announced the partnership with NEXT in October. The partnership with NEXT is an important part of the brand’s evolution and generating a licensees portfolio to build strategic wholesale and retail relationships.
“We are delighted to see Laura Ashley back in stores where it belongs,” said Poppy Marshall-Lawton, head of Brand & Partnerships at Laura Ashley. “We are confident our new collection of signature patterns and styles, alongside the stunning new designs that draw on our archival heritage, will inspire and excite Laura Ashley fans of old and introduce us to new customers as well.”
Gordon Brothers values, acquires, resurrects and invests globally to maximize intellectual property and help revive and reimagine some of the world’s most iconic brands.
The firm’s most recent global transactions include bridge financing for American retailer Brooks Brothers, a secured term loan facility to global brand Mothercare and the sale of British brand Bench to Wraith, an affiliate of Apparel Brands Ltd. The firm has been actively investing in brands since 2003, partnering with leading companies such as Sharper Image, Linens ‘N Things, Wet Seal and Ben Sherman.
Gordon Brothers provides both short- and long-term capital to clients undergoing transformation. Additionally, the firm invests directly in brands to provide broader solutions beyond the firm’s market-leading disposition and appraisal services and finds best in class value for brands by product, geography and licenses.
SHANGHAI — March 16, 2021 — Sateri, a producer of viscose fiber, is planning to expand its lyocell production in China, with total planned annual capacity of up to 500,000 metric tons by 2025.
The first phase of this expansion kicked off recently with ground breaking works for a new 100,000 metric ton facility in Changzhou, Jiangsu province. Another 100,000 metric ton facility will be built in Nantong, Jiangsu province later this year. The Changzhou Lyocell facility is expected to commence production in the third quarter of 2022 and will create more than 800 jobs.
Sateri’s first foray into China’s lyocell market was in May 2020 when its 20,000 metric ton lyocell production line in Rizhao, Shandong province commenced production. The same site houses a 5,000 metric ton lyocell pilot production line dedicated for the development of lyocell application technology.
Allen Zhang, president of Sateri, said: “Sateri’s continued investment in Lyocell not only responds to the changing needs of the market and the textile industry but also supports China’s green development plans. It is also very much a part of Sateri’s 2030 Visioncommitment to sustainable development where we actively seek to adopt a circular economy model through clean and closed-loop production technology and innovation.”
A natural and biodegradable fiber, Sateri’s lyocell is made from wood pulp sourced from certified and sustainable plantations. It is manufactured using closed-loop technology, requiring minimal chemical input during the production process, and utilizing an organic solvent that can be almost fully recovered and recycled.
In anticipation of strong demand for lyocell in the coming years, Tom Liu, Sateri’s vice president and general manager of Lyocell and Nonwovens Business, said: “Customer-centricity is Sateri’s promise. The new expansion plans will enable us to extend our domestic and international market reach and provide our customers with high quality and comprehensive fiber products. At the same time, we will invest in technology improvement, application development, and brand collaboration to bolster the industry”.
Named after a combination of the words “supple” and “preen,” preserving comfort and beauty is key to Supreen™’s ethos. With a supple, surprisingly soft hand, “preen” references the preening of an aquatic bird, keeping its plumage waterproof and tidy.
NEW YORK CITY — March 16, 2021 — Supreen™, a new performance fabric, tackles the spills and stains of everyday life without compromising high-end design, sustainability, or materiality, according to the manufacturer Nassimi LLC. A fusion of beauty and brawn, Supreen brings cutting-edge woven and coated technology to create a unique liquid-barrier textile with a soft hand that offers impressive upholstery options. This leading combination represents an evolution of performance fabrics, offering manufacturers and designers the durability they need with the aesthetic they seek.
Named after a combination of the words “supple” and “preen,” preserving comfort and beauty is key to Supreen’s ethos. With a supple, surprisingly soft hand, “preen” references the preening of an aquatic bird, keeping its plumage waterproof and tidy. Made by Nassimi, a market innovator in premium faux leather, Supreen follows suit in its technical prowess and inventive nature. Breaking new ground, the composite material is constructed of a proprietary silicone blend that is virtually impermeable to any liquid, reactively repelling liquids and preventing future stains. No matter the length of time from the original spill, Supreen resists liquid permeability, ensuring that stains do not soak through the fabric or compromise the furniture. A testament to texture and breathability allows Supreen a greater range of upholstery possibilities, where stiffer, more traditional performance fabrics may waver.
“Supreen is a pioneer of performance materials,” stated Iwan Nassimi, executive vice president of Nassimi. “Designed to provide the utmost performance, Supreen exceeds industry standards and expectations. With an impermeable liquid barrier, stain resistance, bleach cleanability and impressive breathability, we are thrilled to introduce Supreen and look forward to seeing how designers and manufacturers leverage its innovation in contract environments and beyond.”
Thoughtfully crafted, Supreen utilizes a multi-step production method. After the polyester fabric is woven to the highest performance specifications and dyed to the desired hue, it is then purified in a proprietary, patented process that ionically removes over 99 percent of all contaminants. The fabric is then immersed into a novel silicone solution that permanently embeds a thin layer into the fibers without altering appearance or texture, thanks to the patented purification process. Lastly, a performance polyurethane backing is thermo-bonded to the fabric, sans adhesives or solvents, creating a new, composite material, and completing the process.
Compromise is not found within Supreen’s vocabulary. Along with its remarkable performance capabilities, what sets Supreen apart is its incredibly plush hand for such a high-duty material — Supreen retains the luxurious softness of a woven fabric with the integrated durability of a coated textile. This material innovation ensures that Supreen surpasses contract grade upholstery standards and is suitable for endless design options. True to Nassimi’s signature of proactive and future-thinking design solutions, Supreen is both environmentally friendly and bleach cleanable. Free of fluorocarbons, Supreen prioritizes environmental and personal health, as its silicone composition is PFC- and PFOA-free. Supreen is also HHI and Prop 65 compliant.
The inaugural launch of Supreen will include three new textile offerings boasting performance capabilities and a rich, sweeping color palette of deep jewel tones and classic neutrals. The Supreen Winter 2021 Collection includes a textural weave with subtle dimension, a touchably soft, delicately heathered design, and a small-scale geometric pattern with dynamic texture. More innovative patterns will be added to the collection in the coming months.
Supreen is currently available exclusively through a handful of leading fabric distributors including: Anzea Textiles (division of Stinson), Burch Fabrics, Carnegie Fabrics, Coral Inc., Designtex, Fabricut Contract, Justin David Textiles, KB Contract, Knoll Textiles, Paul Brayton Designs, Reliatex, Samelson-Chatelane, United Fabrics, Woeller, and Wolf Gordon Inc.
GASTONIA, N.C. — MARCH 16, 2021 — Champion Thread Co. (CTC) — a producer and provider of industrial sewing threads, engineered yarns, and other sewn product components — has introduced the Renu™ line of 100-percent recycled industrial sewing threads. Renu currently comprises environmentally friendly versions of three all-around polyester threads with wide-ranging applications across the fashion, furniture, mattress, personal protective equipment, industrial, and other product segments.
“We are proud to offer these sustainable thread solutions,” explained CTC President Matt Poovey. “The Renu line addresses growing industry and consumer demand for products made from non-virgin materials. These 100-percent recycled threads are designed to enable retailers, brands, and manufacturers to meet their sustainability goals and commitments while maintaining the productivity, seam performance, colorfastness, and chemical resistance characteristics they enjoy in our traditional polyester treads.”
Certified to be free of harmful substances under the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, the current line-up of all-around eco-friendly products includes Renu ChampSpun™ recycled staple spun polyester thread, Renu Poly ChampCore™ recycled polyester-wrapped thread with a multifilament core, and Renu AeroTex Plus™ recycled textured polyester thread. Renu products contribute to the circular economy by reducing energy consumption, waste, and oil dependence. They are engineered to CTC’s extreme quality standards and are finished with their proprietary lubricants to ensure high productivity.
The Renu products represent CTC’s commitment to ‘Advancing the Common Thread’.
MEMPHIS, TENN — March 16, 2021 — The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol welcomes one of China’s top three denim manufacturers, Advance Denim, as a member of the system that provides mills and manufacturers the critical assurances they need to prove to their customers that they are an approved supply chain partner for brands and retailers who are sourcing more sustainably grown cotton.
Advance Denim’s membership marks a significant step in its ambitious sustainability program that employs advanced technology and innovation to minimize the manufacturer’s environmental impact. It wants to make sure its brand and retailer customers have transparency throughout their supply chains, which is why Advance Denim has decided to source more sustainable fiber through the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
The Trust Protocol is a new initiative that provides fashion brands and retailers with the critical assurances they need to show the cotton fiber element of their supply chain is more responsibly grown. It works by providing member brands such as Gap Inc. and Next access to the Trust Protocol credit system to validate consumption of cotton and associated credit; and to aggregate year-over-year data in six sustainability areas: water use, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, soil carbon, soil loss, and land use efficiency.
Mills and manufacturer members of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol play a key role in providing this more secure and transparent supply chain to brands and retailers. As a member, Advance Denim can now provide its customers with all-important confidence about the U.S. cotton in their sourcing mix. Advance Denim joins over 200 other mills and manufacturers as members of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
Dr. Gary Adams, president of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, said: “Advance Denim is committed to playing a leading role in sustainable solutions for the denim industry, and we are delighted to be supporting them in this ambition. Collaboration is key, as with each member that joins, we have greater resources to help provide tools and knowledge to not only help U.S. growers improve their sustainability practices but to also give more mills, manufacturers, brands and retailers the supply chain confidence they need.”
Advance Denim’s membership in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol comes at a time when demand for denim is increasing amongst brands seeking to satisfy customers and their love for the versatile fabric. Recent Google Trends data reveals that online searches for new denim styles have increased exponentially over the last year across the world, with a 1,300-percent increase in denim masks and 110-percent increase in denim cargo shorts.
Amy Wang, director of the board, and general manager of Advance Denim, said: “Advance Denim aims to make innovative denim with minimal impact on the environment; to make cleaner and greener denim for the next generation. Becoming a member of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol gives us access to more sustainably grown cotton and the all-important data to prove this to our customers. Working with the Trust Protocol will allow us to further our sustainability ambitions while providing an important competitive advantage in a marketplace increasingly focused on supply chain transparency backed up by data and evidence.”
The Trust Protocol is on the Textile Exchange’s list of 36 preferred fibres and materials that more than 170 participating brands and retailers can select from as part of Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index program. The Trust Protocol is also working to align with existing systems in the cotton industry and is part of the Forum of the Future Cotton 2040 and the CottonUp guide.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — March 16, 2021 — Today, Walmart announced that acclaimed American fashion designer Brandon Maxwell is collaborating with the retailer as Creative Director for Free Assembly and Scoop, its exclusive, elevated fashion brands. This collaboration is a first for Walmart’s private brand apparel business, which has successfully expanded its assortment to include quality, on-trend and accessible fashion to help customers outfit their closet no matter their personal style or budget.
Known as one of the industry’s leading American fashion designers, Maxwell will act as Creative Director for Free Assembly and Scoop, driving the design of seasonal collections for men’s, women’s, children’s and accessories. In his role, he will be responsible for collection design and providing input into material selection, sourcing and production. He will also be involved in brand marketing initiatives and campaigns for both elevated brands.
“Working with Walmart has long been a dream of mine. Like many people across the country who live in a small town, Walmart was the destination for everything where I grew up in Texas, including clothing,” said Brandon Maxwell, Creative Director for Free Assembly and Scoop at Walmart. “This partnership allows me to bring the experience and joy of fashion to countless people who live in small towns across the country. Everyone deserves to have access to well-designed clothing at an accessible price point. I am energized by this collaboration with Walmart, as it is not only an opportunity to make exceptional design accessible to all but with our charitable initiatives, we will work to help people improve their lives. That is after all the most fashionable thing we can do.”
Born and raised in Longview, Texas, Maxwell is known for his red-carpet gowns and award-winning runway creations. He began his fashion journey as a child playing under the racks of the clothing store where his grandmother worked in Texas. This experience laid the foundation for a career in fashion styling and the launch of his eponymous brand BRANDON MAXWELL. Like Walmart, Maxwell believes that everyone should have access to beautiful clothing that makes them look and feel their best.
“Brandon is a powerhouse in the fashion industry. His designs are beautiful, youthful, timeless and expertly tailored,” said Denise Incandela, Executive Vice President, Apparel and Private Brands, Walmart. “Our shared fashion values of accessibility and commitment to incredible design and quality make him an ideal partner for Walmart. Bringing his distinctive design talent to our elevated brand collections of Free Assembly and Scoop, allows Walmart to offer customers stylish, high-quality fashion at an extraordinary value.”
Maxwell will oversee four seasonal collections annually for Free Assembly and Scoop. He will start by influencing the Holiday 2021 collections before his full collections drop in Spring 2022. Launched in Fall 2020, Free Assembly is a modern, fashion essentials clothing brand that offers elevated style with a focus on thoughtful, simple design at an incredible value. Scoop, the legendary fashion boutique re-imagined as a Walmart exclusive brand in Fall 2019, is a trend-inspired fashion brand, featuring elevated details to help customers build their “Ultimate Closet” at an affordable price.
As a part of this partnership and his ongoing commitment to giving back to the community, Maxwell has also designed a line of face masks available exclusively at Walmart starting today. Timed to this launch of Maxwell’s exclusive face masks, Walmart will donate $100,000 to DonorsChoose.org, a charity selected by Maxwell for its dedication to helping public school teachers get the funding they need for materials and experiences that will help their students learn.
DUBLIN, Calif. — March 16, 2021 — Ross Stores Inc. announced today the following changes to the composition and leadership of its board of directors:
The board expects to name George Orban as chairman of the board and Barbara Rentler, Chief Executive Officer, as Vice Chair. These Board leadership changes will become effective following the company’s Annual Stockholders Meeting on May 19, 2021.
Michael Hartshorn, group president and COO, has been elected to the board effective March 10, 2021.
Current Chairman Michael Balmuth, and chairman Emeritus Norman Ferber, will not be standing for re-election as directors at the upcoming Annual Meeting. Both Balmuth and Ferber will have ongoing, active roles as senior advisors to the company.
In commenting on this news, Chairman Balmuth said: “Norman Ferber and our entire board of directors join me in congratulating George Orban and Barbara Rentler on their pending new board leadership roles. We believe that their combined decades of in-depth business knowledge and experience at Ross are invaluable resources that will benefit our stockholders as they lead the board and the company.
“We are also pleased to welcome Michael Hartshorn to our board. Michael is a very talented executive with over 30 years of proven retail leadership experience, including more than two decades at Ross. He brings valuable strategic insights as well as his broad-based knowledge and operational and financial expertise.
“While Norman Ferber and I will no longer be serving as Board members after our current terms end in May, we remain passionate about Ross and enthusiastic about its future business opportunities. We look forward to staying actively involved in providing our counsel to the Board and the senior management team in our ongoing senior advisor positions,” Balmuth said.
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — March 16, 2021 — Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC (Chevron Phillips Chemical) announced today that Mitch Eichelberger will become executive vice president, polymers and specialties, effective April 1, 2021. In addition to oversight of the sales, marketing and supply chain functions, he will assume additional responsibility for the company’s global procurement organization.
“Mitch has proven to be a change agent for our company, focused on delivering value through continuous improvement and innovation,” said B.J. Hebert, who was recently named president and chief operating officer. “We are proud of our reputation as the supplier of choice in our industry, and this realignment of the procurement organization under Mitch’s leadership will help us continue to exceed customer expectations for service and satisfaction.”
The company named Benjamin (Benny) Mermans vice president, sustainability, effective April 1, 2021. This is the first time Chevron Phillips Chemical has appointed an executive to exclusively focus on sustainability strategy. He will report to Eichelberger.
“Our sustainability journey continues to build momentum, and Benny is the ideal leader to further accelerate our efforts,” said Eichelberger. “He has the experience, passion and drive to lead on this critically important global issue.”
Since 2003, Mermans has served as Europe and Africa region general manager, where he led Chevron Phillips Chemical’s manufacturing operations in Belgium and held responsibility for marketing, sales, business development, supply chain management, human resources, finance and legal activities in the region. Prior to his current assignment, Mermans held several managerial roles in technical, sales and operational functions for Chevron Phillips Chemical and its predecessor Phillips Petroleum, now Phillips 66. He earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the Industrial College for Chemistry, Textile and Agriculture in Gent, Belgium, and has extensive training in finance, accounting and marketing.
“We aim to build on the success of our circular polymer program to meet the evolving needs of our customers and engage with stakeholders worldwide to drive sustainable solutions that are based on sound science. Benny’s leadership and vision will help us tackle these tough issues and ensure that we are doing the right things for our company and our planet,” concluded Eichelberger.
WILMINGTON, Del. — March 16, 2021 — The LYCRA Company, a global leader in sustainable fiber solutions for the apparel industry, has completed the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) self-assessment at all six of its LYCRA® fiber manufacturing sites. The robust impact assessment – which reviews environmental management systems, energy use, emissions, water usage, wastewater, and waste and chemical management at the facility level – helps manufacturing locations establish an environmental baseline to pursue continuous improvement.
The LYCRA Company’s Maydown site, located in the North West of Northern Ireland, piloted the module more than a year ago. Based on initial learnings, the remaining five production facilities completed self-assessments simultaneously.
“I would like to thank all of the sites and the team that assisted them for their efforts in achieving this significant milestone,” said Gary Huffman, director of operations excellence, The LYCRA Company. “Having all sites complete the module underscores our commitment to manufacturing excellence across a broad variety of sustainability parameters and gives us a framework for future improvements.”
Modules posted to the Higg portal in December 2020 and can now be shared securely with customers upon request through the Higg platform, offering insights into The LYCRA Company’s sustainability performance and reinforcing its commitment to transparency.
Nish Vasavada, global director of environment, health and safety (EHS) for The LYCRA Company, said his team is developing a plan for an approved independent third party to audit the site modules this year. “This would give us confirmation of our performance and likely provide new insights as to how and where we can improve,” Vasavada noted.
The Higg Index suite of tools was developed by The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC). The Higg FEM gives manufacturers, brands and retailers a clear, holistic picture of facility-specific environmental performance and impacts. Assessments help identify and scale opportunities for sustainability improvements that protect the well-being of factory workers, local communities and the environment. The LYCRA Company, the only spandex (elastane) producer member of the SAC, plays an active role on several sub-committees of the coalition.
Third-party assessments like the Higg FEM are a key component of The LYCRA Company’s sustainability platform, Planet Agenda, which spans all aspects of business operations through three core pillars: corporate responsibility, manufacturing excellence and product sustainability. Additional certifications include Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification of the company’s EcoMade family of recycled products; Standard 100 certification by OEKO-TEX® for LYCRA®, LYCRA® T400®, COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE® fibers; and Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Product Standard Material Health Certificates (Gold Level) for 25 LYCRA® fiber products.
NEWARK, Del. — March 11, 2021 — Waste handling equipment manufacturer Lundberg Tech, Newark, Del., has unveiled its 2021 lineup of granulators. Serving as the foundation of its automated vacuum waste removal systems, the inline granulators automatically cut edge trim, label matrix, and other waste materials to a targeted length for fast, efficient collection at reduced volumes for easy recycling or disposal. The line of granulators features a proprietary design setting the cutting knives at an angle from the rotor for a clever scissor effect that ensures clean, precise cutting of labels, tapes, paper, plastics, cardboard, textiles, nonwovens, and other materials as thin as 5 micrometers. Consistent, quiet, non-stop performance at speeds up to 8,202 feet per minute — 2,500 meters per minute — is assured while frequent line stoppages for sharpening and maintenance are eliminated.
