eTC Weekly Newsletter • February 28, 2025 • Vol. 11, Issue 46

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Looming


March 2-5

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) Geotechnical Frontiers, Louisville, Ky.



March 4-6

INDA & the Nonwovens Institute Course: Spunbond Technology


March 4-6

JEC World, Paris


March 5-6

PERFORMANCE DAYS Functional Fabric Fair, Munich


March 5-7

American Apparel & Footwear Association Executive Summit, Washington, N.C.


March 12

Alvanon webinar: Kids Sizing in the Global Market


March 17-20

NC State Zeis Textiles Extension course: Design and Application of Technical Fabrics


March 19

Southern Textile Association Southern Division Spring Meeting, Greenville, S.C.


March 19

James Heal webinar: Back to Basics – Stretch & Recovery


March 20

James Heal webinar: Back to Basics – Stretch & Recovery


March 20

American Apparel & Footwear Association webinar: Remain Resilient – What To Expect For Supply Chain Risk


March 25-27

National Council of Textile Organization's 21st Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.


March 26, 2025

NC State Day of Giving (to support the Wilson College of Textiles)


March 31-April 2

Advanced Textiles Association's Women In Textiles Summit, New York CIty


April 1-3

INDA and The Nonwovens Institute Carded Nonwoven Technology Course, Raleigh, N.C.


April 3

SPESA's Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference, Austin, Texas


April 8-11

Americas Apparel Producers Network's Carolina Mill Tour


April 15

Alumni and Friends Social in Portland, hosted by the NC State Wilson College of Textiles

eTC Weekly Newsletter

Dear Devin,

On Thursday, Ron Roach, president of Contempora Fabrics, Lumberton, N.C., and Steve Hawkins, president of America Knits, LLC, Swainsboro, Ga., shared with me some exciting news – that their companies have forged a strategic partnership involving an equity stake. They said the agreement represents more than just a business venture – it’s a commitment to strengthening American manufacturing, creating jobs and revitalizing local economies. By leveraging their expertise, industry connections and shared commitment to quality and sustainability, they are not only generating new business opportunities but also reinforcing the importance of local supply chains. With a growing demand for ethically made, American-produced goods, this collaboration sets a powerful example of how alliances can drive innovation, economic growth and job creation in the U.S. textile and apparel industry.

 

Bravo, Ron, Steve and your teams! You’re a shining example of how our industry can work together to make good things happen. Click on the link below to read more about this partnership.

Classifieds


Jobs


SPESA is searching for a Membership & Development Coordinator or Manager

Shortening made-in-USA supply chain

Contempora Fabrics, America Knits forge partnership to strengthen textile/apparel production

Ron Roach, president of Contempora Fabrics Inc., and Steve Hawkins, president of America Knits LLC, say they have known and respected each other for about two decades – and now, they’re turning their friendship into a partnership to boost the made-in-America movement. Thursday, Roach and Hawkins announced to eTC that they are forming a strategic partnership between 53-year-old Contempora Fabrics, a circular knitter based in Lumberton, N.C., and America Knits, a six-year-old cut-and-sew and apparel manufacturer based in Swainsboro, Ga. This collaboration marks a significant step toward bolstering domestic textile production and fostering economic growth in these two small towns in the Southeast U.S.

 

Read more.

Textile associations call on President Trump to stop expected penalty tariffs imports from Canada, Mexico

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), National Chamber of the Textile Industry (CANAINTEX) and Canadian Textile Industry Association (CTIA) issued a joint statement on February 27 urging President Donald Trump to reach a deal with Mexico and Canada to avoid imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports from these countries and to close the de minimis loophole immediately.


Read more.

Stein Fibers rebrands as Everra to reflect sustainable, evolving future

Stein Fibers is proud to announce its rebranding and name change to Everra, effective immediately. This new name represents a bold evolution for the company and reflects its ongoing commitment to sustainability, innovation and leadership in the global PET market.


Read more.

UNIFI reinforces environmental commitments in 2024 report

UNIFI, Inc., the makers of REPREVE® and one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, has released its 2024 Sustainability Snapshot.The Snapshot highlights significant progress in textile-to-textile recycling, which is becoming an even more important part of the next generation of REPREVE® recycled offerings.


Read more.

Winners revealed for second edition of ISAIC Honors

The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) has revealed the names of the ISAIC Honors winners in the run-up to the second edition of the event designed to celebrate the fashion industry visionaries helping to shape the future of domestic manufacturing in the textile and apparel industry. The winners will be honored during the event on April 24 at The Madison Loft Auditorium in Detroit.


Read more.

NCTO welcomes confirmation of Jamieson Greer as USTR


AAFA applauds confirmation of of new USTR


Precision Textiles, Culp Home Fashions partner on FR technology


AAFA praises introduction of Haiti HOPE/HELP legislation


Noble Biomaterials, Coolcore® launch cooling performance fabric


INDA, AFS technical conference program for FiltXPO™ now available


eVent Fabrics introduces latest high-performance laminate


Society of Dyers and Colourists opens Global Colourist Award 2025 process


Register now for AATCC’s Proficiency Testing Programs


MycoWorks technology enhances performance of mycelium material


Dovetail Workwear announces partnership with NoSo Patches


American Classics Apparel adopts Kornit Digital platform


Lenzing AG welcomes the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal


Hohenstein, DuPont develop reliable assessment of body armor wearability


Hyosung, Loop Industries, Pleatsmama collaborate on circular textiles


Archroma to introduce assurance program at PERFORMANCE DAYS


Jeanologia ‘reinvents’ textile finishing at Egypt Stitch & Tex


Style3D, Manchester Metropolitan University unveil fashion education hub


KARL MAYER’s indigo dyeing system enjoying success


Jeanologia strengthens shows cutting-edge denim solutions at DTG


KARL MAYER to present multiaxial warp knitting machine at JEC World


PLEVA shares success story of wool finisher Harris Tweed Hebrides


BLANCHE’s KOKORO collection showcases ISKO’s technologies


Iluna Group to showcase fabrics at Interfiliere NY

 

PEOPLE:

 

TVF Inc. announces retirement of three ‘legends’


Herculite adds Jennie Hermans to accounting group


Keypoint Intelligence appoints Mark Boyt as principal analyst

Web Watch:

OBITUARY: Detlef Jaekel (pictured at right) served at Truetzschler for more than 50 years (kepnerfh.com)


Glen Raven is back to full operations just 100 days after Hurricane Helene devastated the N.C. facility (hometextilestoday.com, February 21)


Tour the Faribault Mill for a nostalgic look at manufacturing magic (startribune.com, February 27)


Unionwear named to 2025 NJBiz Power 100 list (njbiz.com, February 17)


The world is in a polyester crisis – one company is trying to recycle a way out (wired.com, February 21)


Student makes groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize future clothing: 'We must become more open with this knowledge' (thecooldown.com, February 27)


Shein's annual profit down by more than a third (fashionnetwork.com, February 23)


Fashion is neglecting nature. Now what? (voguebusiness.com, February 26)


What can theoretical physics teach us about knitting? (phys.org, February 21)


I'm A Wanna-Be Textile Historian (substack.com, February 24)

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Devin Steele, publisher