MMI Textiles Announces Strategic Expansion Of Its Leadership Team With One New Executive Hire And Four Promotions

WESTLAKE, Ohio — January 4, 2021 — MMI Textiles Inc. — a global diversified supplier of industrial and custom fabrics and textile components with military, tactical, medical, commercial and apparel expertise — has announced one new executive hire, Kathleen Stevens as CFO, as well as four promotions, including Debbie Grant to chief of staff, Nick Rivera to COO, Geoffrey Senko to director of Business Development and Joshua Slack to Supply Chain manager.

MMI Textiles is at the forefront of customer service and innovation in the textile supply industry, and these new executive moves will help support the company through its next phase of growth as a leading global supplier of advanced materials.

“These executive moves — the new hire and the promotions — are a strategic part of our vision and growth plan,” said Amy Bircher Bruyn, Founder and CEO of MMI Textiles. “We are ending 2020 with a record year in sales, and are reinvesting back into our industry with people, product development and new facilities. On the heels of adding manufacturing in North Carolina during the 4th quarter of 2020, we are finalizing plans for further growth and expansion in 2021 to increase our distribution needs and meet that evolving needs of the marketplace.”

Prior to joining MMI Textiles as CFO, Stevens served as the CFO of Standby Screw Machine Products, as well as the CFO of Ohio Association of Polygraph Examiners. She brings more than 35 years of financial, treasury and accounting experience to the position, and an exemplary record for building teams and growing multi-million dollar global companies. Stevens is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace University.

Rivera, MMI Textiles’ longest tenured employee, brings nearly 15 years of experience in customer service, production and operations to his new position as COO. Under Rivera’s guidance as Director of Operations since 2014, MMI has experienced consistent, double digit growth and expansion across multiple markets. In his new role as COO, he will continue to be responsible for contributing to the company’s growth and expansion through oversight of day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the company. Rivera is a graduate of Cleveland State University.

Grant, as chief of staff (CoS), will build on her 11-year tenure with MMI Textiles, where she oversees marketing, customer service, human resources, office systems/IT, professional certifications, and works on strategic projects. She brings more than 30 years of corporate experience to the position, including roles with JCPenney, American Greetings and Cole Managed Vision. She will report directly to the CEO and will focus on helping set policies and making time, information and decision processes more efficient and effective. Grant is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Senko has been with MMI for more than 10 years as a Sales Representative and successive positions as Regional Sales Manager and National Accounts Manager. In his new position as Director of Business Development, Senko will develop and implement plans designed to build customer relationships and capture new opportunities on a global scale. Senko is a soon to be graduate of Cleveland State University.

As the new Supply Chain Manager, Slack will build on his five years’ experience with MMI in customer service and production. In his new position, he will oversee and manage the company’s logistics strategy and operations with a focus on process efficiency and productivity. He will also be responsible for continuing to develop and maintain vendor and distributor relationships. Slack is a graduate of Lorain County Community College.

Posted January 4, 2020

Source: MMI Textiles

Industry Veteran Ben Talbert Launches Search Firm To Service Textile, Industrial Sector

Ben Talbert

GREENVILLE, S.C. — January 1, 2021 — Ben Talbert, with more than 17 years of experience both working in and recruiting for the industrial sectors, including the textile industry, announced that his industrial recruiting firm, Better Than Found (BTF), will launch on January 1, 2021.

Specializing in professional and executive recruitment across manufacturing, engineering and construction, Better Than Found was formed on the mission to leave companies, careers and lives better than we found them. Based in Greenville, BTF does nationwide recruitment for companies in the Upstate of South Carolina and throughout the Southeast.

Better Than Found is a full-service industrial consultant and talent resource, capable of sourcing vital and specialized professionals and executives. With diverse industry knowledge and experience, its team has served clients, in textiles, HVAC/R, consumer products, OEM industrial equipment and aftermarket parts supply, capital equipment design/engineering/automation/integration, plastics and packaging, automotive, aerospace, power generation, warehousing/distribution/logistics, chemicals and food and beverage.

Better Than Found partners with companies that are committed to excellence within their niche in the market. Its team uses a consultative approach to thoroughly understand a company’s unique hiring needs, adapting its service to attract talent to fit those needs, bringing a focus that precisely matches not only candidates’ skill sets, but attitudes, values and motivations.

Better Than Found also provides highly qualified candidates access to today’s leading companies through a relationship-based approach, finding the best possible environments for their skills, aspirations and careers to flourish.

This confidential and strategic process ensures that all aspects of a potential career move will be in the best interest of everyone involved, leaving companies, careers and lives better.

With 10 years of direct industry experience along with seven years of recruiting across industrial sectors, Talbert set out to establish a search firm that measures success based on the number of lives impacted rather than the number of placements made.

Talbert, who holds a Textile Engineering degree from the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State, spent the first eight years of his career at Milliken, followed by two years at O’Neal Inc.

He has served on the board of directors for the Upstate Chapter of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers for over six years. He sits on the board of directors for 3GEN Ministries, a local nonprofit ministry. He is an active member and leader at Grace Church in Greenville, S.C., as well as a workout leader and recruitment/expansion participant with F3 Nation (Fitness, Fellowship and Faith). He also is a member of the Southern Textile Association (STA).

Talbert comes from a family with deep roots in the textile industry in South Carolina. It’s that heritage and his experience working with and placing professionals in the industry that has shown him the importance of relationship building, he said. He said that establishing those relationships in order to place an individual in the appropriate role provides much personal fulfillment.

“It’s extremely satisfying to bring in a candidate, hear their career goals and line them up with the right company,” he said. “Better Than Found is more than just a name — it’s our mission.”

Posted December 31, 2020

Source: Better Than Found

JCPenney Charts A Fresh Course And Initiates A Search For A New CEO

PLANO, Texas — December 30, 2020 — JCPenney’s new ownership group — consisting of Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management, along with strategic partner Authentic Brands Group — have launched a search for a CEO to replace Jill Soltau, who will be exiting the company effective December 31, 2020. The search will seek to identify a leader that is focused on modern retail, the consumer experience, and the goal of creating a sustainable and enduring JCPenney.

With a successful track record of turning around retailers and brands and restoring them to profitability, JCPenney’s new ownership group will establish a temporary office of the CEO to include key members of JCPenney’s current leadership team. Stanley Shashoua, Simon Property Group’s Chief Investment Officer, will be appointed interim CEO effective January 1, 2021.

Posted December 31, 2020

Source: JCPenney

The National Retail Federation (NRF) Urges USTR To Avoid Tariffs Against Vietnam

WASHINGTON — December 29, 2020 — The National Retail Federation urged the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to avoid placing tariffs on imports of Vietnamese goods and rely on other remedies and authorities to address trade complaints. USTR recently launched two separate 301 investigations regarding Vietnam’s currency practices and trade in illegal timber. NRF Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French provided testimony at both the illegal timber and currency practices hearings this week.

“Vietnam has become an increasingly important political ally and economic partner to the United States to counter the influence of China in the region,” French said. “It is important that this relationship not only continue but expand as the global economy continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.”

“As companies continue to face economic hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic, new tariffs on imports from Vietnam will further harm U.S. companies and will result in higher costs for consumers.”

French cited a new report commissioned by NRF and prepared by the Trade Partnership Worldwide on the potential impacts of tariffs on Vietnam. The report estimates the use of tariffs on imports of apparel, footwear and other goods from Vietnam would result in additional costs to American consumers and would range from $4 billion to $9 billion in higher prices.

French noted that many companies shifted their supply chains away from China to Vietnam as a direct result of the China 301 tariffs. Placing tariffs on imports from Vietnam will now punish these companies and may result in sourcing shifting back to China.

Posted December 29, 2020

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

VF Corp. Completes Acquisition Of Supreme®

DENVER — December 28, 2020 — VF Corp. today announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Supreme®, a privately-owned global streetwear brand, for an aggregate base purchase price of $2.1 billion subject to customary adjustments for cash, indebtedness, working capital and transaction expenses. As a result of the transaction, Supreme has become a wholly owned subsidiary of VF Corp.

The acquisition of the Supreme brand accelerates VF’s consumer-minded, retail-centric, hyper-digital business model transformation and builds on a long-standing relationship between Supreme and VF, with the Supreme brand being a regular collaborator with VF’s Vans®, The North Face® and Timberland® brands.

Supreme is expected to be modestly accretive to VF’s revenue and adjusted earnings per share in fiscal 2021. The Supreme brand is expected to contribute at least $500 million of revenue and $0.20 of adjusted EPS in fiscal 2022.

Posted December 29, 2020

Source: VF Corporation

Ascena retail group Completes Sale Of Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey And Lane Bryant To Sycamore Partners

MAHWAH, N.J. — December 23, 2020 — ascena retail group inc. and certain of its subsidiaries today announced that it has completed the sale of the Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, and Lane Bryant brands to Premium Apparel LLC, an affiliate of Sycamore Partners. Premium Apparel has committed to retaining a substantial portion of the retail stores, associates, and corporate operations affiliated with these brands.

“We are pleased to have completed this transaction, which secures a path for the long-term success of Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey, and Lane Bryant,” said Gary Muto, CEO. “We have worked diligently to maximize the value of our brands, and we are confident they will thrive under Sycamore’s ownership.”

Muto continued: “I would like to thank our associates, who have remained focused on meeting our customers’ needs throughout our financial restructuring process. While we have certainly faced obstacles in the challenging retail landscape brought on by the global pandemic, our associates have consistently demonstrated leadership, professionalism and dedication to our customers and to each other. Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey and Lane Bryant will continue to serve customers through the holiday season and beyond.”

“We’re pleased to have completed our purchase of these four highly respected apparel brands and are excited by the opportunity to unlock their full potential as part of our portfolio,” said Stefan Kaluzny, managing director of Sycamore Partners. “We look forward to working with the brands’ associates to continue delivering great products and memorable experiences to their customers, while positioning each for long-term success.”

As previously disclosed, FullBeauty Brands Operations LLC has completed its acquisition of Catherines’ intellectual property assets and e-commerce business, and Justice Brand Holdings LLC, an entity formed by Bluestar Alliance LLC, has completed its acquisition of the intellectual property of Justice.

Posted December 28, 2020

Source: ascena retail group inc.

Clarkson University CAARES Lab Receives DoD PFAS Accreditation

POTSDAM, N.Y. — December 28, 2020 — Clarkson University’s Center for Air and Aquatic Resources Engineering and Sciences (CAARES) Lab is now accredited to perform per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis.

The accreditation is through the Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP), which is designed to accredit laboratories that wish to test for Department of Defense environmental restoration programs.

PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, represent a diverse group of man-made chemical compounds that are persistent; meaning they don’t break down and can accumulate over time. According to the EPA, there is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects. PFAS compounds have been used in hundreds of industrial applications and consumer products including carpeting, apparel, upholstery, food paper wrappings, fire-fighting foams, and metal plating.

“Not only does this validate the good work that CAARES does, but it shows that Clarkson supports the highest quality analytical research activity,” said Clarkson President Tony Collins.

The focus of CAARES is to provide a better and more complete scientific basis for air and water quality management. They strive to understand the sources, transport and chemistry that give rise to indoor and outdoor exposure to air pollutants, including noise, their potential health and welfare effects, and ways in which these effects can be reduced or eliminated. More information about CAARES can be found at https://www.clarkson.edu/caares.

Clarkson University has numerous research grants with the EPA and DoD investigating ways to destroy PFAS in contaminated water and soil. These promising technologies have been featured in several international publications, are undergoing field tests, and have spun-off two start-up companies, including Professor Michelle Crimi’s RemWell LLC and Professor Selma Mededovic and Professor Thomas Holsen’s DMAX Plasma LLC.

“I am fortunate to be working with talented researchers and state-of-the-art equipment in the CAARES laboratory.  There are only a limited number of accredited labs in the country, and we are the only accredited university lab. This distinction will give us a significant advantage as we continue to pursue research in this area,” Professor Holsen, codirector of CAARES said.

CAARES has analytical facilities that house a number of major instruments, as well as laboratory space specifically designed to support research. The major types of instruments are an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometery (LC-MS) systems, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems, including a 2-D gas chromatograph/high-resolution mass spectrometer system. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Clarkson University have funded this equipment.

Posted December 28, 2020

Source: Clarkson University

Warroad Innovates Hockey Performance, Safety, And Recovery With Introduction Of Antimicrobial And Cut-Resistant Collection

WARROAD, Minn./MASON, Ohio — December 23, 2020 — Warroad Original Hockey Co. — a performance, safety, and recovery brand created by and for hockey players — today announced the launch of its new antimicrobial on-ice performance collection, TILO™, in partnership with Noble Biomaterials, a producer of antimicrobial and conductivity solutions for soft-surface applications, and Cutlon®, the commercial manufacturer of Dyneema™ cut-resistant fabric.

To create the TILO Collection, Warroad partnered with some of the best hockey players in the world. TILO features Cutlon cut-resistant material to protect players from blade cuts and Noble’s Ionic+ silver technology, which provides antimicrobial and anti-odor protection to prevent skin irritation. The range of performance tops and bottoms offers advanced performance through Noble’s technology, which is incorporated into the breathable poly, four-way-stretch mesh fabric. The line also features Cutlon cut-resistant wrist and Achilles silicone grippers to hold pads in place and enhance performance fit. The fabric is designed to allow vapor transfer, which keeps players lighter and dryer.

“Skin irritation is a real problem for players at every level,” said T. J. Oshie, Warroad co-founder, Washington Capitals right winger and Stanley Cup Champion. “We’re really excited about TILO. We engineered the line with features players really need and comfort they will want to wear. The fit is great — tight in the sleeves and loose on the body — and the pieces are lightweight, durable, and able to fight bacteria and odor to protect a player’s skin while they’re playing. In addition, the cut-resistant Cutlon panels give an added level of confidence and safety.”

“We’re committed to the safety, performance and recovery of the modern hockey athlete at all levels — it is our mission,” stated Jason Olden, Warroad founding partner. “It is scary what has been happening in hockey with lacerations, which seem to be more prevalent.”

“We’re extremely proud to partner with Warroad to create smart fabric solutions that provide better safety, hygiene and comfort to both pro and amateur hockey players — and allow them to focus on the game,” said Joel Furey, CCO of Noble Biomaterials.

Warroad products are designed in collaboration with top-tier NHL players and product professionals and are built from premium, hand-selected materials. They offer quality construction, style and modern technical performance. The brand is named in homage to Warroad, Minnesota, also known as “Hockeytown, USA,” which is the hometown of at least one player on every gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey team.

Posted December 28, 2020

Source: Warroad Original Hockey Co.

Cleveland Clinic And Standard Textile Collaborate To Develop Reusable Face Masks

CINCINNATI/CLEVELAND — December 28, 2020 — Standard Textile — a global manufacturer of healthcare, hospitality, and consumer products — and Cleveland Clinic will collaborate to produce a non-medical grade, reusable face mask that is designed for comfort and customization. Standard Textile will sell the face masks on its consumer website, standardtextilehome.com.

On the forefront of biomedical research, Cleveland Clinic is leading a number of research projects related to COVID-19. Cleveland Clinic formed a multidisciplinary committee to evaluate therapies for mild to severe cases of the disease, with the goal of supporting trials that are scientifically sound and prioritizing those with the potential for significant impact on clinical care.

In addition, Cleveland Clinic’s new Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health is bringing together top scientists in infectious disease, virology and other specialties to research the causes, treatments and cures of COVID-19 and other global health concerns such as HIV, Zika and Dengue fever with a focus on identifying and preventing the world’s next viral threats.

As a nonprofit healthcare system, Cleveland Clinic relies on philanthropic gifts to fund these critical research projects and programs. Since spring, thousands of donors have contributed to COVID-19 research. Their charitable gifts hold the promise of saving countless lives. Standard Textile is donating the majority of profit from face mask sales to support COVID-19 research at Cleveland Clinic.

“We applaud Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to dedicating substantial resources to important therapeutic studies that have the potential of improving outcomes for individuals who have contracted COVID-19,” said Gary Heiman, Standard Textile’s President and CEO. “We value our long-standing relationship with Cleveland Clinic and are pleased we have an opportunity to expand that by supporting COVID-19 research.”

Standard Textile’s and Cleveland Clinic’s respective innovation teams collaborated to design the non-medical face mask, which will bear the inspirational message “HOPE” after Hope Hospital, a temporary hospital in the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion on the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic.  In April, Cleveland Clinic transitioned the Samson Pavilion to a temporary hospital to meet the potential needs of patients and the community in the event of a surge of patients with COVID-19. The building was converted back to the Health Education Campus for the fall semester.

“As we consider opportunities to commercialize innovations, it’s important to us to collaborate with industry leaders who align with our commitment to protecting the community and advancing research,” said Dr. Will Morris, executive medical director of Cleveland Clinic Innovations. “Teaming up with Standard Textile on this creative project supports social distancing and mask wearing, while raising funds for critical COVID-19 research at Cleveland Clinic.”

The reusable face mask offers enhanced comfort with its 100-percent cotton construction and breathability with its mesh lining. Adjustable ear loops and a neck strap add convenience of use, while its filter pocket and removable nose clip offer customization options. Standard Textile and Cleveland Clinic plan to produce custom-branded versions of the face mask for key partners looking to outfit their employees and customers with an enhanced, non-medical face mask.

“We appreciate the collaboration with Standard Textile on this project,” said Lara Kalafatis, chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Philanthropy Institute. “This new mask truly represents hope in several ways, from raising critical research funds through sale proceeds to giving us all one more way to #MaskUp to keep our families and communities safe.”

The HOPE™ face mask is being produced by Standard Textile, who earlier this year led the urgent charge to increase production of PPE such as protective gowns, face masks and face shields in order to provide hospitals and healthcare workers in the United States with additional protection against COVID-19.

“We have an 80-year legacy of inspiring care, comfort, and change in our communities. Our work with Cleveland Clinic allows us to bring to the consumer a face mask that not only helps mitigate the spread of COVID-19 — it also inspires hope for a healthier future for all of us,” Heiman said.

Posted December 28, 2020

Source: Standard Textile

AKAS Tex Increases Knitting Capability

BENSALEM, Pa. — December 28, 2020 — Pennsylvania-based textile manufacturer AKAS Tex has announced a significant increase in its knitting capacity.

Due to overwhelming demand of the fabrics that are used for face masks and surgical gowns, AKAS Tex has added five knitting machines in the year 2020.

Two machines are for double knits, such as its the ProCool® interlock; two machines are for its Zorb® Dimple spacer fabric; and one machine is for its TransWick® 1-Way Wicking fabric.

These five machines will add 200,300 pounds per year to the existing knitting capacity and generate much needed employment.

Posted December 28, 2020

Source: AKAS Tex

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