HOUSTON — February 5, 2021 — Orion Engineered Carbons S.A., a worldwide supplier of specialty and high-performance carbon black, today announced that it will increase pricing for acetylene black.
Following the acquisition of its acetylene black plant in France, the company adjusted the facility’s strategic focus, requiring new investments to better serve the growing market demand for acetylene black used in lithium-ion battery production. In addition to these strategic investments, the company has also been confronted with rising costs for packaging, transportation and environmental obligations.
Against this backdrop Orion will raise its acetylene black prices by 20 percent globally on March 1, 2021, or as contracts allow.
DUQUESNE, Pa. — February 4, 2021 — Bedding manufacturer American Textile Co. (ATC) announced that Karl Herleman has joined the company as senior vice president of Information Technology. The move reflects the company’s continuing transformation into a digitally-focused, consumer-first partner to the leading retailers in the world. As consumer shopping behavior shifts online at a record pace, technology plays an expanding role in the success of both manufacturers like ATC, as well as the retailers they serve. Herleman will be responsible for accelerating the implementation of systems that help to create a world-class omni-channel customer experience with the company’s retail partners, inform decision-making, and streamline workflows.
“We saw extraordinary demand across our business in 2020, much of it driven by the digital transformation happening in retail. Information technology that supports our retail partners and meets evolving consumer needs is a strategic imperative,” said CEO and President Lance Ruttenberg. “Every night, millions of people in the U.S. and a growing number around the world sleep on our pillows, sheets, and other bedding products. Our diverse brand and product portfolio addresses a broad range of barriers to sleep including comfort, allergies, and stress. Technology that helps more people discover these solutions supports our vision of leading the way to better sleep.”
Herleman joins ATC from Management Science Associates, where he was senior vice president of Information Technology, Strategy, and Innovation for 8 years. While there, he helped drive the firm’s use of analytics and informatics to provide insights and solutions in the fast-moving CPG industry. Prior to that, Herleman was the Chief Information Officer at Miami Dade College, providing technology leadership for 8 campuses and over 165,000 students. He has additional leadership experience at Gartner, where he was a Group Vice President for the global research and advisory company.
American Textile Company was recently recognized for its Tranquility™ brand, which was the No. 1 selling weighted blanket brand in 2020, according to global analytics firm NPD.
ATLANTA, GA — February 5, 2021 — Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced the roll out of House Bill 304, the Georgia Made Medical Manufacturing Act, carried by Representative Jodi Lott (R – Evans). One of the Kemp Administration’s key initiatives for the 2021 Legislative Session, this bill will incentivize the production of medicines and medical devices in Georgia, limiting the state’s need to compete with other states or foreign nations for critical supplies.
“One of the lessons we learned early on in the pandemic is that we cannot waste time in bidding wars with others for life-saving supplies,” Governor Kemp said. “Last session, we incentivized the production of PPE in the Peach State to alleviate that problem, build up our stockpile, and make it easier to stay in business in the era of COVID-19. HB 304 is a natural next step to that program and will help us build on Georgia’s momentum to become a leader in all sectors of the health care industry. No one state or nation should hold a monopoly on critical medicines and medical supplies, and we should bring these industries and the jobs that come with them back to America and here to Georgia.”
During the 2019-202o Legislative Session, the State of Georgia enacted a PPE Tax Credit to incentivize manufacturers of personal protective equipment, including those existing Georgia manufacturers which did not traditionally manufacture PPE but began doing so in response to COVID-19. The Georgia Made Medical Manufacturing Act is modeled off that legislation, increasing the amount of credit available under the Jobs Tax Credit to incentivize job creation and investment in the medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.
This measure will work to ensure collaboration between the public and private sector in Georgia to cultivate long-term growth and development of the state’s health care ecosystem. Currently, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s COVID-19 Suppliers Map features more than 350 suppliers of PPE throughout the state.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — February 9, 2021 — David Blakemore, an innovative Missouri ginner who has provided outstanding service and leadership to the U.S. cotton industry, is the 2020 Horace Hayden National Cotton Ginner of the Year. He was recognized at the National Cotton Ginners Association’s (NCGA) recent 2021 virtual annual meeting.
The annual NCGA award is presented to a ginner in recognition of: 1) able, efficient and faithful service to the ginning industry and 2) continuing those principles exemplified and practiced by Horace Hayden, a former NCGA executive secretary.
President of Blakemore Cotton & Grain in Campbell, Mo., Blakemore has served as both NCGA president and chairman, chaired several of its committees, and continues to serve as a NCGA director. He has been a National Cotton Council (NCC) director, served on the NCC’s Quality Task Force and numerous other committees, and currently chairs the NCC’s Cotton Flow Committee. He also serves as director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, an industrywide sustainability initiative.
Blakemore (left)
Blakemore served previously as a Cotton Incorporated director, as president of Cotton Producers of Missouri from 1994-1996, and as president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association in 1999. In 2011, he was named that association’s Ginner of the Year.
A director of Ducks Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Ducks Unlimited of Mexico – Blakemore with help from his wife, Carolyn, assisted the latter on projects to improve the quality/longevity of life to those living in rural Mexico by providing clean water. They also established scholarships for undergraduate/graduate students at Southeast Missouri State University.
Scarborough
The NCGA also recognized Jerry Scarborough as recipient of the NCGA’s 2020-21 Charles C. Owen Distinguished Service Award. That award honors those who have provided a career of distinguished service to the U.S. ginning industry.
A Texas native, Scarborough began working at the Petersburg Coop Gin in 1960 before eventually landing at Lummus Corporation where he worked in sales including selling, what was at the time, the largest cotton gin processing complex in the world to the American Cotton Growers in Crosbyton, Texas. That gin would be the first of two more of the “world’s largest” complexes including the Adams Gin Company in Arkansas. In 1974, he relocated to Lummus headquarters in Columbus, Ga., where he eventually was named vice president, Sales, Engineering and Marketing for all Lummus operations. His duties took him to Russia, Turkey, Israel, several countries in Africa, Ecuador, Australia, Brazil and China.
In 1994, Scarborough co-founded Cherokee Fabrication which grew from a small metal fabrication shop in Salem, Ala., into a 140,000 square foot factory, along with two satellite manufacturing and repair centers in Lubbock, Texas and Malden, Mo., – and which later included a complete line of cotton gin machinery.
Scarborough’s considerable time devoted to meeting with engineering students at Texas A&M resulted in many of them pursuing careers in the ginning sector — with some previously having received the NCGA’s Distinguished Service Award.
Stewart
During its annual meeting, the NCGA re-elected as its 2021 officers: president – Curtis Stewart, Spade, Texas; first vice president – George LaCour, Jr., Morganza, La.; second vice president – Gene Seale, Pima, Ariz.; third vice president – Richard Lindsey, Centre, Ala.; and chairman – Wes Morgan, New London, North Carolina. Harrison Ashley of Cordova, Tenn., serves as NCGA’s executive vice president.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — TLV is pleased to announce the new GP14 PowerTrap®, an advanced condensate recovery system for pumping high-temperature condensate for vented receivers, sumps, and other important pump applications.
The GP14 provides exceptional high-pressure, high-temperature condensate pumping services up to 392° F and 200 psig. Based on the highly durable GP10 PowerTrap®, the GP14 offers the following advantages:
Extended reliability with non-electric design, ensuring no cavitation or seal leakage;
Exceptionally durable Iconel compression spring with lifetime spring limited warranty;
Highly energy efficient contoured body design increases energy savings;
Excellent serviceability by its externally removable motive valve, which is also protected by an internal secondary screen; and
Compact design operates with low filling head and facilitates installation.
The GP14 PowerTrap® is available in cast iron or cast steel, with connection sizes of 3×2 NPT, 2X2, and 3×2 flanged. TLV’s high-pressure, high-temperature PowerTrap® is an excellent first choice for condensate recovery systems.
BRISBANE, Calif, — February 9, 2021 — Trove — a company that powers circular shopping for leading brands, including Levi’s, Patagonia, REI, Eileen Fisher and Arc’teryx — today announced that it has appointed Gayle Tait as President and COO. Tait brings more than two decades of global general management, marketing and commercial experience spanning consumer goods, payments, e-commerce and digital marketing from her time at L’Oréal and Google. She will report directly to CEO Andy Ruben. Tait’s appointment follows a year of milestone achievements for Trove, including significant revenue growth, a new partnership with Levi’s, sustainability progress and industry recognition.
“Circular shopping is the fastest-growing retail segment and we’re very excited to have Gayle join us at this key moment to further propel our growing business,” said Andy Ruben, CEO of Trove. “Her leadership experience and industry expertise will be invaluable as we continue on our quest to build the leading recommerce technology platform enabling brands to control their resale market and reduce their environmental impact.”
In recent years, brands have increasingly realized the importance of resale and 2020 was no exception. In the second half of 2020, Trove recorded over 180% year-over-year sales growth. The company partnered with Levi’s to launch Levi’s SecondHand, a first-of-its-kind buy-back program that enables consumers to exchange pre-owned Levi’s apparel in-store for a gift card. Each Trove recommerce partner eliminates 11,000 pounds of waste on average each year and diverts 41% of carbon dioxide from entering the air for every item that is purchased used versus new. Trove was named one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies in 2020.
“I’m thrilled to join Trove at this important inflection point for the industry,” said Gayle Tait, President and COO of Trove. “Trove is building a market-leading technology platform that enables resale for the world’s most innovative brands across verticals that range from sportswear and outdoors to contemporary fashion to luxury. With many brands putting sustainability at the heart of their business, this is a pivotal moment for retail, when there is so much potential to make a significant positive impact on the environment.”
Tait joins Trove from Google, where she served as Senior Director, Global Retail and Payments Activation, for Google Play, overseeing the division’s multibillion-dollar prepaid card business and payments partnerships with Global 500 retailers, carriers and e-wallet providers. Prior to that, she spent nearly 15 years with L’Oréal, most recently serving as Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, delivering market-beating growth for three consecutive years and leading digital transformation across the organization.
SHIPLEY, England — February 9, 2021 — British sustainable outdoor brand, Finisterre, has been honored by winning a Gold ISPO Outstanding Award in the Insulation Apparel Category, which will be virtually presented at the forthcoming ISPO Munich trade show this week. The BioSmock is a clean insulation layer, which allows it to be effectively used in a layering system but will also work as a shell.
The ISPO Jury citation reads, “The Finisterre BioSmock is the leading example of the Circular Economy in performance apparel. It’s a practical insulation layer that uses the most advanced PrimaLoft® BIO™ technology combined with HD® Wool Active Insulation to create comfort in almost every condition. Champions the end-of-life: woven compostable shell & thermoregulating insulation. When all other items are trying to reduce their environmental footprint, this garment has the potential to be climate positive through using regenerative practices.”
Finisterre lead Designer A. Todd, designed the water repellent and windproof BioSmock to be deliberately functional following the performance direction of the company’s pioneering B Corp business platform. The outer shell of the garment is made with new PrimaLoft BIO woven technology, a PFC-free synthetic material woven by Amaterrace of Japan, which is biodegradable on land and in the sea.
The insulating layer is provided by HD Wool in the form of a wool/PLA compound that also decomposes safely in marine environments when microbes are introduced. HD Wool Active Insulation uses a blend of non-Merino wool known for its greater physical durability. Furthering its naturally sustainable moisture management and thermo-regulating benefits, HD Wool Active Insulation is sourced from farmers who have started the ReGenerative Agricultural process by having their land subjected to an annual Ecological Outcome Verification set forth by the Savory Institute to show progress in Land to Market objectives — namely restoring the biodiversity of the land, improving soil health, creating better natural irrigation, and sequestering carbon.
“The team at Finisterre are incredibly passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and pushing boundaries to make the best products it can,” said Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, managing director, HDWool insulation. “As we share these same passions, collaborating with the team on the BioSmock project was a true privilege and we congratulate them on winning the coveted — and deserved — Gold ISPO Outstanding Award.”
The BioSmock is designed for its simplicity to allow for greatest functionality. In addition to PrimaLoft BIO and HD Wool Active Insulation, features that separate the BioSmock from the norm include the lack of zippers as none of the biodegradable versions on the market would decompose fast enough alongside the rest of the garment. The kangaroo front pocket where adjustments can be made from PLA poppers, serves as a simple storage/ hand warming area. Finisterre’s design research and thought produced supportive marks from the judges.
The Finisterre BioSmock — the first step towards making climate positive garments — will be available for purchase Autumn Winter 2021/22 priced at £225.
HIGH POINT, N.C. — February 9, 2021 — Culp Inc. partnered with REAL Kitchen & Market, a local High Point caterer, to deliver boxed lunches and gifts to three area hospitals.
“It’s been difficult to watch the effects this pandemic has had on the morale of the staff in the MICU,” said Scott West, Nurse Manager at Wake Forest Baptist Health. “We have known this pandemic was going to be a marathon, not a sprint, but I don’t think any of us thought we would still be fighting the battle for nine months and counting. Support like this from the community means so much to the staff.”
COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of everyone in some way, and Culp Inc. is no exception. When the pandemic first began, Culp, an upholstery and mattress textile company pivoted its operations to manufacture masks and other health-related textile products. Since then, implementing and monitoring COVID safety protocols has been paramount in keeping the company’s manufacturing facilities operating. This ongoing task falls under the leadership of Teresa Huffman, senior vice president of human resources for Culp, and mother of an Intensive Care Unit nurse.
Aware that after the holidays the number of COVID ICU patients was increasing and concerned that public support for healthcare workers was waning, Huffman wanted to find a way for Culp to show its appreciation.
Knowing that everyone enjoys a free lunch, Culp called on Lisa Wheatley, president and owner of REAL Kitchen & Market to partner with the company in this effort. “It was exciting to be a part of this project,” said Wheatley. “The medical staffs of the Intensive Care Units have been working with the most dire COVID cases day in and day out for months on end. I can’t imagine the toll it must take on them. It was nice to have the opportunity to show our gratitude for their hard work and dedication.”
In total, 145 boxed lunches and wristlet bags made from Culp fabric were delivered to the Cone Health COVID-19 Green Valley Campus, the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, and the Intensive Care Unit at Baptist Health High Point Medical Center.
“It was an honor to meet these dedicated healthcare workers,” said Jenny Barnhill of Culp. “After the gifts had been given and our gratitude expressed, watching them walk back into the hospital to continue their shifts and keep fighting the good fight was truly a humbling experience.”
MUMBAI — February 9, 2021 — On account of the developments around the COVID-19 vaccine roll out plan which has seen jumbo COVID care centers doubling up as vaccination centers, trade fairs scheduled at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in March have been pushed ahead. Currently in discussion with venue authorities, the organizers intend to announce new dates for the Mumbai editions of Gartex Texprocess India and Screen Print India in the coming weeks. The Delhi edition continues to be on schedule for the two fairs.
With the rapid roll-out of vaccines in India’s fight against Covid-19, business sentiment in 2021 is upbeat together with enhanced resumption of economic activities. However, in preparation for the upcoming vaccination drives, mega facilities such as NESCO (Bombay Exhibition Centre, in Goregaon) is expected to be restructured as a state-run vaccination center. This makes the venue inaccessible for large-scale trade shows in the month of March. In view of the recent developments, the organisers — Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd. and MEX Exhibitions Pvt Ltd., have had to act swiftly to reschedule the launch of its upcoming fair Gartex Texprocess India which was scheduled to open its doors in Mumbai this March.
Messe Frankfurt India additionally shared that the Mumbai edition of Screen Print India will also be rescheduled. As companies gear up for business revival, the organizers shared that a final decision will be taken in consultation with venue operators to host the show in the first half of the year, as soon as the venue is made safely accessible.
Raj Manek, executive director and board member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd, said: “With positivity returning in the trade community amidst the positive news of the vaccine roll out, our goal ahead is clear — to create a safe and conducive environment for business exchange. We’re working in close co-operation with venue authorities and service providers on next steps to implement a comprehensive safety concept, under the ‘MFISafeConnect’ standards.”
Gaurav Juneja, director, MEX Exhibitions. added: “With the start of local vaccination drives and gradual scaling back of lockdown, we see confidence returning in the market. Gartex Texprocess India will be a catalyst in the recovery of trade momentum for this sector and its new hybrid format will go a step ahead to ensure onsite exhibitors can increase their product and brand exposure and match with potential clients through their digital presence. We are glad to have the support from the industry and our exhibitors who’s interests are at the center of this decision; and our efforts are now focused on finalizing the dates and meeting the safety imperatives.”
Exhibitions: A shot in the arm for business revival
While 2020 has undoubtedly been a challenging year bringing economic activity to a near standstill, there is a clear indication of optimism among India companies with news of vaccination drives starting locally. Re-starting the business year under the new normal, the 2021 edition of the fairs will undoubtedly be marked in trade calendars as three days of face-to-face business networking – for meeting buyers and suppliers in-person, closing deals and sourcing solutions for the ‘new normal’ demand.
“As the Indian economy gears up for the ‘big business reset’, the exhibition industry is ready to provide a shot in the arm to businesses by bringing buyers and sellers back together to revive trade discussions.” added Mr Manek. Through Gartex Texprocess India’s new hybrid format and its co-location with the premier fair for screen, textile, sublimation and digital printing technologies – Screen Print India, the platform aims to bring the entire textile value chain together and will be of key business significance for the textile and printing sectors.
Delhi editions on schedule
Slated to take place in the second half of the year, the Delhi edition of the two fairs continue to be on schedule from August 6-8, 2021, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The targeted business matchmaking through the integrated virtual and physical formats, together with the MFISafeConnect standards will enhance the exhibition experience and make the fairs a “crucial meeting point” in 2021.
AMSTERDAM — February 9, 2021 — Mimaki Europe, a manufacturer of inkjet printers and cutting systems, today announces the addition of two new high performance textile printers to its market-leading product portfolio — The Mimaki TS100-1600 and the Mimaki Tiger-1800B MkIII Printer.
Mimaki’s TS100-1600
Add digital print technology to meet changing market demands
The TS100-1600 is Mimaki’s latest addition to its 100 series portfolio. This affordable, high-quality system is ideal for printers looking to add their first digital sublimation printing solution or expand their production capacity.
Bert Benckhuysen, senior product manager at Mimaki Europe, explained: “The textile printing industry has seen a growing requirement for increased product variety, lower inventories and shorter delivery times. Add to that the economic challenges of 2020 and we recognized that the market needed a digital textile printer that combined high quality, on-demand output with a low initial investment and cost-effective production. Having seen the success of our 100 series printers for the same reasons in other sectors, we knew that introducing a textile printer to this range would provide our customers with an opportunity to expand their businesses and seek new revenue opportunities, even amid these challenging times.”
Available in the EMEA from April 2021, the TS100-1600 has a print width of 1,600 millimeters and speed of 70 square meters per hour in the fastest mode. In addition, the use of a 1 liter ink bottle helps reduce the running cost and enables stable, continuous operation due to the reduced need for ink replacement. The printer is also equipped with a variety of renowned Mimaki features, including NCU (Nozzle Check Unit)1, NRS (Nozzle Recovery System)2, and the DAS (Dot Adjustment System) function which automates dot position correction and feeding amount correction, reducing the need for operator intervention. While the RIP software RasterLink 7 comes as standard, printers purchasing the TS100-1600 can also choose to add the TxLink4, another one of Mimaki’s original RIP software platforms.
Mimaki’s Tiger-1800B MkIII
Get ahead of the competition with the new and improved Tiger-1800B MkIII
The second printer launched today is the Tiger-1800B MkIII — the latest model of this high-speed, high-volume industrial textile printer range. Available as a high-quality direct-to-textile (reactive or direct sublimation) or sublimation transfer printing solution, the new Tiger-1800B MkIII has been developed with reliability and print accuracy at the forefront of the design process and features new software capabilities that help to increase productivity and reduce downtime.
“The textile industry is fast-moving, highly creative and leaves little room for error,” Benckhuysen continued. “Printers in this market require a robust system that will deliver the speed, quality and innovation needed to keep pace with this exciting industry. The new capabilities of the Tiger-1800B MkIII build on those featured in successful predecessor models to meet these requirements head on.”
The new capabilities of the Tiger-1800B MkIII include the Mimaki Printer Controller (MPC) software. This platform has been designed for ease-of-use and enables users to set up, operate and output data with one-touch, simple operation. Its intuitive interface and functionality allow users to easily run automated overnight operation by sending multiple jobs with different settings to the print queue. The nozzle recovery function further reduces downtime by allowing production to continue if the printer encounters a nozzle malfunction.
The Tiger-1800B MkIII is also supported by the latest TxLink4 software. Its new ‘Parallel RIP function’ can manage multiple sets of print data at once to maximize productivity and the ‘Variable print function’ provides printers with the flexibility to produce more innovative, creative apparel applications. This latest system has also been upgraded with 16-bit rendering to enable a smoother gradation expression and can handle high-speed data transfer thanks to its 10 GB-based Ethernet controller.
