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Coats Group PLC, a global leader in apparel, footwear, and performance materials, has clinched five accolades at the 2023 Just Style Excellence Awards. The prestigious recognitions underscore Coats Group's commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The company secured three notable awards, including the Investment Sustainability Award for its Madurai Sustainability Hub, highlighting its dedication to environmentally conscious practices.
The Environmental Sustainability Textile Award went to Coats Group for its groundbreaking Eco-B microfiber, emphasizing the company's strides in eco-friendly materials. Furthermore, the M&A Award acknowledged Coats Group's strategic acquisition of Texon, specialists in footwear.
Coats Digital, the software division, shone with two wins for its FastReactFabric solution. The Environmental Supply Chain Award and the Product Launch Digital Platform Award celebrated the platform's potential to drive positive, sustainable change in the fashion industry.
The Just Style Excellence Awards, an independent program utilizing business intelligence and artificial intelligence, recognized Coats Group's achievements across diverse categories. Rajiv Sharma, CEO of Coats Group, expressed delight in the company's five-fold victory, emphasizing the alignment of their strategic objectives with customer proximity, growth acceleration, and sustainability goals. The awards underscore Coats Group's commitment to addressing industry challenges and contributing to a more sustainable world.
ICAC Executive Director to Outline Vision for Regenerative Agriculture in Cotton and Textile Sectors
On 14 November, ICAC Executive Director Eric Trachtenberg will delve into the critical importance of regenerative agriculture for the future. He will also articulate the organization's vision for the movement in the cotton and textile sectors.
Mr. Trachtenberg is scheduled to participate in a high-level panel discussion titled 'Driving Policy Modernization to Incentivize the Transition and Transform at Scale.' This session will take place at 11:40 am on Tuesday, 14 November, at the Madison Hotel as part of the Regenerative Agriculture and Textiles Summit. The summit aims to unite the entire supply chain to accelerate the adoption of regenerative practices, supporting business operations and achieving vital climate goals.
As part of ICAC's commitment to regenerative agriculture, a substantial delegation, including Chief Scientist Dr. Keshav Kranthi, Head of Textiles Kanwar Usman, and Director of Communications Mike McCue, will attend the event.
The ICAC aims to assist cotton-rich developing countries in implementing policies and building infrastructure to develop sustainable domestic textiles industries.
The UK's premier contemporary fashion and lifestyle show, Scoop, is set to return to Olympia West in Kensington from February 11 to 13, 2024. This season's theme, 'A Return to Wonderment,' invites visitors to 'Uncover the Exceptional' through a playful exploration of romance, glamour, and quintessential Britishness.
Inspired by Victorian artwork, the campaign imagery for the new season presents a modern and eccentric illustration that captures the essence of Scoop's fun and fashion-forward approach to the event.
Since its inception in 2011, Scoop has been at the forefront of discovering cutting-edge designers from around the world, giving the show its unique identity. Founder and Managing Director Karen Radley emphasizes the importance of supporting British designers and creating a unique fashion showcase in London.
"I love the way the new campaign imagery captures the essence of Scoop while maintaining that most important sense of fun and humor," Radley says. "One of my greatest joys is discovering new and emerging designers and innovators and giving them a platform to reach the right people. 'A Return to Wonderment' captures the spirit of the season and the excitement visitors can expect from the carefully curated edit of designers we will be hosting."
Better Cotton, the world's leading cotton sustainability initiative, is launching a new program in Côte d'Ivoire, with a commitment to assist 200,000 local cotton farmers within its initial five years.
The initiative, in collaboration with the Professional Association of Cotton Companies of Côte d'Ivoire (APROCOT-CI), focuses on providing training and resources to enhance the sustainability of cotton farming practices. APROCOT-CI, representing cotton companies nationwide, will act as the Strategic Partner, overseeing efforts to improve climate resilience and economic prospects for farming communities.
Six member organizations of APROCOT-CI will serve as Better Cotton Programme Partners, contributing expertise and resources for social and environmental advancements.
The initiative seeks to integrate sustainable farming practices, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic outcomes for smallholder cotton farmers in the region.
Men's accessories brand GRAMS28 is embracing the brick-and-mortar experience with their inaugural pop-up store in London's vibrant Soho district. Starting October 25, 2023, customers can immerse themselves in GRAMS28's world of luxury products and innovative designs, exploring the brand's offerings firsthand.
"We want our customers to not just see, but feel and experience the essence of GRAMS28," shared Benjamin Chan, GRAMS28's founder and principal designer. "We're incredibly grateful for the support we've received, and we're committed to crafting even more exceptional products for everyone."
Encompassing the brand's creative philosophy, the pop-up store promises an immersive experience, allowing customers to connect with GRAMS28's unique aesthetic and craftsmanship.
VF Corporation unveiled its fiscal year 2023 Environmental & Social Responsibility report, themed "Purpose. Driven." The report encapsulates VF’s strides in environmental and social commitments, merging previously separate Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action (IDEA) content.
Bracken Darrell, VF’s CEO, commended the company’s resilience amid global challenges and affirmed dedication to fostering sustainable lifestyles. The report, centered on People, Planet, and Product, addresses gender parity, racial equity, human rights, climate change, and responsible sourcing.
Brand-specific achievements in FY23 showcased inclusivity efforts, LGBTQ+ advocacy, regenerative practices, and circular design products. VF's key advancements include a 19.0% representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) employees in U.S. leadership positions, surpassing 18.1% in FY22.
Recycled polyester usage increased to 40%, nearing the 50% target by FY26. The APAC region launched VF’s 23rd global Pride employee resource group (ERG), and VF achieved 80% progress toward improving the lives of one million workers by FY26.
The report adheres to global standards, referencing the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), aligning with UN SDGs. VF's FY23 achievements reflect its commitment to purpose-driven progress and sustainable business practices.
In a landmark development at the Annual Conference 2023 of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) in Keqiao, China, K.V. Srinivasan from India ascended to the presidency. The Committee of Management unanimously elected Srinivasan to lead the Federation for the 2023-2025 term, signaling a significant shift in leadership.
Spain's Juan Parès retained his position, being re-elected, while Mustafa Denizer from Türkiye joined as Vice President. The newly elected Honorary Treasurer is Ernesto Maurer from Switzerland. The Non-executive Board saw several familiar faces with re-elections, including Uday Gill (Thailand), Salman Ispahani (Bangladesh), and others.
Notably, new additions to the Non-executive Board include Stefan Hutter (Singapore), Anees Khawaja (Pakistan), and others, reflecting a diverse global representation. Additionally, prominent figures like Rafael Cervone (Brazil) and John Cheh (Hong Kong, China) were co-opted to the Board.
A standout recognition went to Ruizhe Sun from China, appointed as Honorary Life Member for his exceptional contributions during his tenure as Vice President (2016-2020) and President (2020-2023). This ITMF leadership transition sets the stage for a dynamic period, with a mix of experienced hands and fresh perspectives steering the global textile industry.
British Wool has unveiled a series of strategic initiatives aimed at fortifying its position in the market, with a strong focus on maximizing prices, enhancing member engagement, and achieving organizational efficiency.
Andrew Hogley, CEO of British Wool, emphasized the commitment to driving demand for British wool to ensure long-term returns for its members. The initiatives include a structured marketing approach, a competitive online auction system, and operational enhancements to strengthen member engagement.
Notably, the marketing team has successfully developed the British Wool brand identity, emphasizing animal welfare, environmental standards, and quality grading. This strategic shift has led to a remarkable 30% increase in businesses specifying British wool in their products over the past year. The competitive online auction, a crucial component in maximizing wool value, has been revamped to include new buyers, fostering a more balanced competition.
Operationally, the implementation of a new IT system in depots provides full traceability for every wool bale sold, significantly boosting efficiency. Despite recent improvements in auction prices, Hogley reassured members that British Wool remains dedicated to further growing demand for their wool and simultaneously enhancing service quality and operational efficiency. The organization's multifaceted approach underscores its commitment to sustainability, quality, and market competitiveness.
Better Cotton, the world's leading cotton sustainability initiative, is launching a groundbreaking program in Côte d'Ivoire, signaling a commitment to uplift 200,000 local cotton farmers over the next five years. The initiative aims to equip farming communities with training and resources, laying the foundation for the production of more sustainable cotton.
The Professional Association of Cotton Companies of Côte d'Ivoire (APROCOT-CI) will play a pivotal role as Better Cotton's Strategic Partner, overseeing efforts to enhance climate resilience and economic prospects for local farming communities. APROCOT-CI, representing the interests of key cotton companies in the country, will collaborate with six member organizations, including CIDT, Ivoire Coton, Global Cotton SA, CO.I.C-SA, SICOSA 2.0, and Seco SA, to serve as Better Cotton Programme Partners. Together, they will provide essential training and resources to cotton communities, fostering social and environmental improvements.
Jean François Toure, President of APROCOT-CI, emphasized the shared commitment to making a positive impact in the cotton industry, focusing on improving the lives of smallholder cotton farmers. The collaboration integrates Better Cotton's sustainable farming practices with APROCOT-CI's local expertise to boost cotton yields, reduce environmental impact, and enhance social and economic outcomes for farmers.
This strategic partnership emerged after APROCOT-CI expressed national interest in a Better Cotton program, and a multistakeholder event in Abidjan in March solidified the potential impact. Alan McClay, CEO at Better Cotton, highlighted the significance of expanding into Côte d'Ivoire, expressing gratitude for APROCOT-CI's support in advancing sustainable cotton production. Better Cotton's move aligns with its broader goal of building a strong presence in Africa, empowering smallholder farmers to address climate change through continuous improvements in sustainable agricultural practices.
Monforts, the textile machinery builder, recently showcased its ingenuity in meeting unique specifications for a Montex 8500 stenter line at Curt Bauer's Aue plant in Germany. With 150 years of tradition, Curt Bauer specializes in home textiles, West African damask fabrics, and technical textiles. The company's technical textiles branch produces innovative fabrics for automotive brands and refrigerator counter roller blinds.
In response to the need for increased productivity and reduced energy consumption, Curt Bauer opted for a new Montex 8500 line with a 3.2-meter working width and MonforClean heat recovery technology. This system utilizes waste heat from the drying process, resulting in up to 40% energy savings compared to conventional stenters.
The challenge of fitting the larger machine into the limited space was met with a multi-level configuration, utilizing scaffolding platforms to maximize floor space. The intricate assembly process, dubbed the "shoehorn method" by Monforts, required millimeter precision.
Gert Bauer, joint managing director of Curt Bauer, expressed satisfaction with the new line's performance, noting lower gas consumption and improved drainage of polyester fabrics. The collaboration between Curt Bauer and Monforts successfully navigated the complexities of customization and spatial constraints, showcasing the companies' expertise in adapting to evolving industry needs.
