Technology Press Releases
SPESA EXPO 2010 to Highlight “Supply Chain of the Americas”
Raleigh, North Carolina (USA) - The Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the
Americas (SPESA) has expanded its May 18-20, 2010 SPESA EXPO event in Atlanta, Georgia through the addition of a special “Supply Chain of the Americas” exhibit that will highlight the unique opportunities and wide-ranging resources available to sewn products manufacturers, brand marketers, and vertical retailers in the region. Comprising textiles and components, design and development services, production and logistics providers, country and industry association pavilions and more, the new exhibit will complement what is already the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of sewn products equipment, technology, and education in the Western Hemisphere. Supply Chain of the Americas will expand the event’s coverage to the entire concept-to-delivery sewn products lifecycle and provide value to design, development, engineering, sourcing, production, logistics, distribution and other industry professionals.
The new exhibit is also expected to attract a significantly broader audience to the triennial event, which has historically focused primarily on equipment and machinery exhibits. “Interest in producing in close proximity to the U.S. market is growing,” noted SPESA managing director Dave Gardner. “By expanding the scope of SPESA EXPO, we are working to fill the need that sewn products manufacturers, brands, and retailers have to better understand the opportunities and identify the resources available to them in the Western Hemisphere. We believe
that, as the largest sewn products technology and educational event in the region, SPESA EXPO is the perfect venue to bring together the complete range of products, services, and resources available to companies that consider the Americas as part of their supply chain strategy.”
For the first time ever at SPESA EXPO, the Supply Chain of the Americas exhibit will welcome the full range of product and service resources that serve sewn products manufacturers, brands, and retailers; including fabrics and textiles, trims and components, textile and screen printing, trend and design, product development and engineering, CAD/CAM, spreading and cutting, contract and package providers, laundry and garment dying, logistics and distribution, product identification and labeling, testing and compliance, sourcing and supply chain, fit and
sizing, consulting and education, and other related products and services.
SPESA EXPO will also co-locate with Techtextil North America and ATME-I/Megatex to form the first-ever Textile and Sewn Products Industry Week in Atlanta, Georgia on May 18-20, 2010.
2/5/10
SPESA EXPO 2010 Attendee Registration Opens Online
Raleigh, North Carolina (USA) – SPESA – The Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) is pleased to announce that free attendee registration for SPESA EXPO 2010 is now available online at http://www.spesaexpo.com. Executives and professionals from every business segment and functional department of the diverse fashion and sewn products industry can now register to attend the world’s largest and most comprehensive industry event of 2010 to be held on May 18-20 in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). As an integral part of Textile and Sewn Products Industry Week, SPESA EXPO attendees will need to register only once to gain entrance to all three co-located trade events, including Techtextil North America and ATME-I/Megatex.
In addition to show registration, the newly launched registration site also enables registrants to purchase discounted advance registration in the thirty industry issue workshops and seminars offered in the SPESA EXPO Forum. Other valuable tools available to attendees at the site include event schedules, local hotel information, business visa information and invitation letters for international travelers, and other important event and local area information.
“The SPESA EXPO registration site has been redesigned to make registering for the 2010 event easier while providing more information than ever before,” noted SPESA President Benton Gardner. “By registering in advance, attendees can also save money through discounts and package pricing on our comprehensive educational programs. Of course, the fact that a single badge gives attendees access to three major industry events is the ultimate convenience.”
2/2/10
Gerber Technology Releases AccuMark® Version 8.4
Tolland, Conn., USA – Gerber Technology, a business unit of Gerber Scientific, Inc. and a world leader in automated CAD/CAM and PLM solutions for the apparel and flexible materials industry, releases AccuMark version 8.4. In line with the company’s commitment to meet the rapidly changing needs of its customers, the enhancements to this industry-leading software focus on enabling users to work with improved efficiency and accuracy.
“Enhanced communication improves efficiency and reduces errors,” said Bill Brewster, VP of Gerber Technology and head of the Gerber Software Systems Group. “In order to make our AccuMark user experience easier and more efficient, we improved the integration between AccuMark and other applications, as well as provided several new tools to support collaboration.”
A key feature to AccuMark 8.4 focuses on the customers’ need for collaboration regardless of location or native language. Clearly communicating product specifications is critical to ensuring quality and on-time delivery. Language barriers in a global environment are a common cause of errors in product development, which in turn causes costly production delays. Gerber Technology has incorporated a translation library into AccuMark 8.4, which enables users to create notes on piece and marker data in one language and deliver it in another.
Enhancements to AccuMark 8.4’s Pattern Design Software (PDS) component improve productivity and reduce the risk of error. Users can now directly reference measurement specifications when making pattern changes and the addition of a calculator enables quick calculations while editing pieces. In addition, Gerber Technology has introduced support for customers wanting to expand their business into new geographic markets. The Pattern Wizard feature offers the ability to generate patterns simultaneously to different body and fit specifications for different geographic markets.
2/2/10
Lectra and X-Rite/Pantone Sign Partnership Agreement to Deliver Integrated Color Technology for Enhanced Design Workflow and Seamless Color Communication
Paris – Lectra, a world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials—textiles, leather, industrial fabrics and composite materials—, is pleased to announce the signature of a new partnership agreement with X-Rite, the world leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies.
X-Rite, and its subsidiary Pantone, develop, manufacture, market and support innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services. They have extensive expertise in inspiring, selecting, measuring, formulating, communicating and matching color, which translates to better quality and reduced costs for users in a range of industries.
Lectra and X-Rite will provide fashion companies with a seamless solution for color management—a challenge that many customers face. This partnership will enhance Lectra’s value-added solutions, including Lectra Fashion PLM, a fashion-specific product lifecycle management solution, Kaledo®, the fashion and textile design suite, and Modaris 3D Fit, Lectra’s 3D virtual prototyping application. X-Rite technologies that will be highlighted in Lectra solutions include ColorMunki™, an all-in-one color solution for selecting, creating and controlling new colors and PANTONE® FASHION + HOME color references, and CxF (Color Exchange Format) a file format designed to accurately and unambiguously communicate all commercially relevant aspects of color across devices, applications and geographies. Through the ColorMunki’s compatibility and PANTONE FASHION + HOME directly integrated into these Lectra’s solutions, creative, development and production teams can easily and accurately manage and communicate colors both internally and with external partners and suppliers.
“Color is critical in design, but it is an expensive business that can be very hard to control. Integrating X-Rite and Pantone technology into Lectra’s solutions will provide designers with a tool to enhance the quality and speed of exchanges between design, development and production, while keeping to the company’s original design concept as closely as possible,” said Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO.
1/29/10
OptiTex reveals new software module CutPlan
Petach Tikva, Israel – OptiTex software developers have unveiled the latest module to benefit the fashion industry, CutPlan. CutPlan will allow OptiTex users to control their costs by offering a global solution by dramatically reducing material waste, the amount the remnant pieces and control production costs when handling smaller order sizes.
CutPlan provides production with detailed spreading information for multi-color plies and a superior nesting engine for maximum market efficiency. With the CutPlan software, manufacturers’ orders are guaranteed to be produced with more accuracy and optimal detail. OptiTex CutPlan software compliments OptiTex’s already existing Marker and Nesting modules. Nest++2 drastically increases material efficiency, elevates overall nesting standards and reduces time and labor.
“By broadening our software range to accommodate multi color plies, we make the world more colorful by allowing users to produce accurate cuts for more of their lines", says Ran Machtinger, CEO of OptiTex.
The CutPlan software helps the user define fabric quantities, properties, size, cost and weight. The software then provides accurate cost production calculations in the form of real time Excel and XML file reports file for all the stored data and nested MRK files.
1/4/10
Lectra Appoints Philippe Ribera Group Software Marketing Director, to Support its PLM Strategy
Paris – Lectra, a world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials—textiles, leather, industrial fabrics and composite materials—, is pleased to announce the appointment of Philippe Ribera as Software Marketing Director. Based at the company’s headquarters in Paris, Philippe Ribera reports directly to Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO.
Philippe Ribera is responsible for the definition and implementation of the group's software marketing action plans for all industries. One of his main priorities will be to ensure the success of the company’s Lectra Fashion PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) strategy.
Philippe Ribera's nomination crowns a career spanning more than 20 years with Lectra, where he has held various marketing and sales development posts in France and the USA. From 2004 to 2006, he was Sales Director of Lectra's U.S. subsidiary; since 2008, he has held the position of Marketing Director for France.
Philippe Ribera's expertise is also recognized by his active participation in the work of the International Apparel Federation, a highly-respected organization within national and international fashion and apparel industries. As a member of the Board of Directors, he takes part in the definition of international interoperability standards for technology and is also involved in education issues.
12/14/09
Gerber Technology Announces Acquisition of Yunique Solutions
Tolland, Conn., USA– Gerber Technology, a business unit of Gerber Scientific, Inc. and a world leader in automated CAD/CAM and PLM solutions for the apparel and flexible materials industry, today announced the strategic acquisition of Yunique Solutions, Inc., developer of the fashion industry’s top-ranked PLM solution. This acquisition will ensure that Gerber provides an innovative end-to-end solution with user productivity and enterprise connectivity at its core.
“The Yunique acquisition is another step in expanding our investment in our software business by instantly upgrading Gerber’s PLM technology platform,” said John Hancock, President, Gerber Technology. “As a result of our intensified focus on software, Yunique becomes part of the recently formed Gerber Technology Software Systems Group – created with the primary focus of helping customers deliver products to market in less time, with reduced cost, higher quality and improved visibility.”
“Yunique’s employees, innovative spirit and proven Microsoft .NET technology platform make it an ideal fit with Gerber’s unparalleled industry expertise and global sales and service – creating a combined powerhouse PLM solution,” added Hancock.
12/7/09
Lectra Announces the New Version of Romans Cad®©
Lectra, a world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials—textiles, leather, industrial fabrics and composite materials—, is pleased to announce the launch of the latest version of Romans Cad®©, its software suite created especially for the footwear, luggage and leather goods industries. Romans Cad V9 will enable companies in these markets to meet the challenges they now face, while offering new development opportunities more in line with consumer demand.
This new version of the solution suite will give manufacturers more room to maneuver as they address the issue of increasing production and development costs, regardless of their profile or geographical location. Companies based in emerging, developing, and Western nations alike, whether they are present locally or internationally, will be able to benefit from all the advantages the solution offers. With Romans Cad V9, manufacturers will also be able to control profit margins and costs, launch new models on the market more frequently (reducing time to market), and improve production quality. The integration of Romans Cad throughout the product creation chain substantially reduces design and production times as well as the number of physical prototypes needed throughout the process. As a result, the time needed to design a new collection can be cut by up to 30%.
“The footwear, luggage and leather goods industries face many challenges at the moment: an increasingly complex product development process, a constant demand for new collections, and multiple design and production sites spread throughout the world," explains Daniel Harari, Lectra CEO. "By applying unique and particularly innovative methods that reflect the requirements of manufacturers in this sector, Romans Cad allows them to focus on adding value to models, saving time, and controlling costs."
11/24/09
Thimbler Brings Leading-Edge Fashions to Consumers with Custom Tailored “Fit-to-You™”
Thimbler, Inc., an industry innovator in connecting consumers and independent fashion designers, has recently launched an extensive apparel offering in Fit-to-You™ - Thimbler’s custom tailored service, standard sizes, as well as providing a means for independent designers to market their designs to customers on a global scale. Headquartered in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area of North Carolina, Thimbler is one of the only places on the web where consumers and fashion designers can buy, sell, design, tailor and customize clothes for any size.
“We originally created Thimbler for people worldwide who have difficulty finding fashionable clothing that fits perfectly,” said Charles Tse, president and founder of Thimbler, Inc. “Regardless of someone’s size, with our Fit-to-You™ guarantee, we pledge that each and every Thimbler garment will fit exactly the way people want.”
Along with standard off-the-shelf sizes, Thimbler offers clothing in Fit-to-You sizes. Using customers’ individual measurements, Thimbler creates apparel from customized sizes to fit someone’s precise figure, guaranteeing a perfect fit. As a Web-based organization, Thimbler offers comprehensive guides to doing self-measurement, however if a problem arises with a purchase, Thimbler will fix any items or replace the items free of charge, as well as assume all shipping exchange and return costs.
11/20/09
Brother Offers ‘Cash for Trash’ Promotion for Garment Printers!
Bridgewater, New Jersey USA – Brother International Corporation’s Industrial Products Division, a global leader in the industrial sewing market, announced they are offering a new ‘Cash for Trash’ promotion. When you trade in any garment printer, Brother will take $5,000 off the purchase price of a new GT-541 or GT-782 direct-to-garment inkjet printer.
This offer is valid for all qualifying new Brother GT-541 or GT-782 digital garment printer purchases before December 31, 2009. (Visit www.brother.com for more information and terms and conditions).
"Through this ‘Cash for Trash’ program, garment decorators can receive $5,000 off the purchase of a new garment printer simply by trading in their unwanted garment printer. Brother is providing a tremendous solution to garment decorators whose garment printer no longer has a useful purpose," said Peter Holland, Senior Director and General Manager, Brother International Corporation.
11/2/09
Lectra Launches the New Version of Lectra Fashion PLM V2R1
Paris – Lectra, a world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials—textiles, leather, industrial fabrics and composite materials—, is pleased to announce the launch of Lectra Fashion PLM V2R1, the latest version of its state-of-the-art product lifecycle management solution for the fashion industry.
Lectra Fashion PLM V2R1 is a unique modular and scalable solution, tailored specifically to the needs of the fashion industry, with in-built best practices developed throughout Lectra’s years of work with the biggest names in fashion. “With its solution for streamlining the complex business of collection management, Lectra is the ideal technology partner for fashion companies looking to enhance their productivity and their competitiveness,” said Mario Boselli, President of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (National Chamber of Italian Fashion, CNMI).
This process-oriented offer incorporates tools for all the activities and processes involved in the business of bringing a collection to market. Lectra Fashion PLM V2R1 includes modules for line planning, scheduling, costing, sourcing and performance monitoring, created with strategic decision makers in mind, and also process-based applications for fashion design, technical specifications, pattern-making, 3D prototyping and sample development. This fully modular and adaptable offer fulfills the needs of brands, retailers and garment manufacturers of all types and sizes.
10/22/09
SIGVARIS Launches EverSheer® Women’s Medical Compression Hosiery for the Treatment of Edema and Venous Disorders
Peachtree City, GA -- SIGVARIS will launch EverSheer® Medical Compression Hosiery for Women on October 19, 2009. EverSheer combines all-day softness and comfort with durability. For fashion-conscious wearers, it is the only product in its class to deliver consistent sheerness from ankle through thigh. EverSheer features a technologically-advanced knit construction to provide a revolutionary sheer and fashionable look. EverSheer is also the only 20-30 mmHG compression hosiery available with double-covered inlay yarns, making it more durable and easier to put on.
“EverSheer provides the modern and fashion-conscious woman of today with a new standard of style in sheer medical hosiery,” said Judith Brannan, Education Manager at SIGVARIS USA.
SIGVARIS EverSheer offers a stylish, comfortable hosiery option for women to use daily after sclerotherapy or another medical procedure that removes varicose veins or spider veins. One of the most noticable features of EverSheer Women’s Compression Hosiery is its’ silky transparency.
EverSheer Thigh-Hi hosiery also features a superior thigh band made of patented Sensinnov® with a silicone grip-top that stays in place with less skin irration and excellent moisture management, making EverSheer extremely comfortable for everyday wear.
10/22/09
Online Fashion Startup Sponsors BFC NEWGEN Designers
London - World on a Hanger is the company behind an innovative online tool that is fast gaining adoption among apparel and accessories labels in the UK. Today, World on a Hanger announced that it has teamed up with the British Fashion Council’s prestigious NEWGEN supported by Topshop and NEWGEN MEN sponsored by Topman programmes to sponsor its 25 designers with a full season’s subscription to their software. Current NEWGEN recipients such as KTZ, Mark Fast and Mary Katrantzou will be given the opportunity to use the system with support from World on a Hanger.
Ari Helgason, who founded World on a Hanger straight out of university, got the idea
while helping his brother run a womenswear label. He says ‘I have dealt with the
problems involved in running a small label myself. We want to fix those problems and
create the perfect tool to get small companies set for growth.’
What makes World on a Hanger unique? By connecting fashion labels, suppliers, agents and buyers online, it speeds up handling orders and planning production. Emails, faxes and paper files are no longer needed. Instead, the business is run from a simple web
interface. Employees have easy access to the information they need to do their job.
Managers and designers get a clear overview of important data.
Helgason adds, ‘web technology is changing fast, and fashion has been slow to enjoy its full benefits. We want to free people from expensive software licenses and slow moving
software consultants. World on a Hanger is about flexibility, transparency and speed. In
just a few minutes, people can sign up on our website and start taking control of their
business without having to install any software.’
10/21/09
Siemens PLM Software and Tata Consultancy Services Announce Next Generation Softlines, Hardlines and Footwear Out-of-the-Box Solution for “On-Trend, On-Time” Execution
Plano, Texas and Mumbai, India - Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading IT services, business solutions and outsourcing organization, today launched a comprehensive software offering for softlines, hardlines and footwear (SH&F) manufacturers and retailers based on the unified PLM architecture of Teamcenter® software.
Teamcenter for SH&F, co-developed by Siemens PLM Software and TCS, delivers a user-friendly solution that is ready to use “out-of-the-box” to help retailers and manufacturers increase speed-to-market and reduce costs by streamlining processes and workflow management; enhancing communication and collaboration; and increasing visibility on a global scale.
This next generation product set is based on Teamcenter 8, the latest release of Teamcenter, which focuses on individual, application and IT productivity. With Teamcenter as a single source of product and process knowledge, individuals and teams can be more productive around-the-clock and from anywhere in the world.
TCS’ retail industry domain knowledge and solution development experience coupled with its system integration capabilities and channel relationships makes it an instrumental partner in the development of this solution. TCS’ Engineering and Industrial Services business unit helps customers across the world focus on developing and bringing innovative and efficient products to market faster.
“Dynamic trends, short lifecycles, and economic pressures require fast fashion companies to pay close attention to their business processes and technology infrastructure. Responding to trends through complex global supply chains requires that today’s leaders possess software that enables secure, real-time collaboration founded upon a single product data management infrastructure,” said Will Duncan, VP of Business Development at [TC]². “Siemens PLM Software and TCS understand the challenges faced by fast fashion companies and have delivered a comprehensive solution that will help our members ensure their new lines are on time to market and reflect current trends.”
“Companies that produce hardlines, footwear, apparel and general softlines, whether they are manufacturers with broadly-offered brands or retailers with private brands, face the complex challenge of delivering the right styles to market at just the right time, and doing that many times per year,” said Dan Staresinic, senior director, consumer products, retail and life sciences, Siemens PLM Software. “This pervasive need for on-trend, on-time execution has underpinned the planning and development of our new, out-of-the-box software offering for these companies.”
10/21/09
Tukatech and IAM Launch the First “Fashion Innovation Lab” in India
Gurgaon, India - “Concept to Consumer” is the theme of the new lab in the Institute of Apparel Management (IAM), which will train students and apparel industry professionals how to work digitally at every stage of the apparel production process.
Fitted with state-of-the-art software by Tukatech, this innovative learning environment is the first of a new breed of learning center. Students will begin their studies with expert instruction from IAM’s Tukatech-trained staff. They will cover ideation, story-boarding, pattern engineering, marker making and virtual prototyping, creating apparel collections that can be displayed as a runway show during final exams.
The “Fashion Innovation Lab” includes sophisticated software provided by Tukatech, including 50 workstations with TUKAcad pattern making, grading and marker making suite, e-fit Simulator by TUKA, the successful 3D virtual prototyping, design and fit verification software, and TUKAstudio, for fabric and print design, colorways, repeats and storyboarding.
10/21/09
INVISTA’s CORDURA® Fabric Chosen to Help Lighten the Load For Soldiers
Witicha, Kan. – INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand and CamelBak® have joined forces to help soldiers on the frontline become lighter, faster and more efficient by upgrading a wide variety of CamelBak® brand tactical hydration pack systems with high-performance, weight-reduced 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric constructions.
Traditionally produced with 1000D fabrics, the CORDURA® brand team responded to the request for a lighter weight durable hydration system fabric with 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric. Engineered to have a tighter weave and 35 percent weight reduction (per square yard), 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric maintains a similar strength-to-weight ratio as the previous version. This innovative fabric solution provides infantry soldiers with a significantly lighter hydration system without sacrificing fabric performance.
“Today’s infantry soldier may carry up to 90 pounds of additional weight on their back. It’s important that they focus on the mission at hand – not what’s on their back,” said Hunter Shoop, CamelBak® Military Product Manager. By joining forces with the CORDURA® brand team, we were able to zero in on a fabric technology solution to continue providing infantry soldiers an essential hydration pack while removing the strain of additional weight.”
In addition to providing infantry soldiers with a lighter load carriage system, 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric continues to offer exceptional breaking strength, tear-resistance, dimensional stability and water resistance. These benefits, coupled with the fabric’s built-in near infrared reflectance (NIR) visibility protection for day- and night-time military operations make for a highly advanced tactical hydration system. As a result, 500D CORDURA® Classic fabric is also featured in Camelbak’s ArmorBak™ series packs which attach directly to outer tactical vests (IOTVs), modular tactical vests (MTVs) and outer tactical vests (OTVs).
10/15/09
Methods Workshop Delivers Next-Generation Costing and Engineering Software Solution
Lake Worth, FL – Methods Workshop LLC announces its all-new Engineered TruCost™ Version 9 (ETC 9), the next-generation release of its acclaimed standard data costing and methods engineering software solution for the fashion and sewn-products industries. ETC 9 couples the company’s 27 years of standard data systems experience with the latest Microsoft® technologies to deliver a completely redesigned system that significantly advances the usability, capabilities, and benefits of this industry benchmark solution. In company tests, ETC 9.0 performs up to 60% faster than prior versions while maintaining its documented predictive costing accuracy of ± 5% vs. actual production cost. Following in-depth internal testing and initial client production implementations, the new software is now available for general delivery worldwide.
Built on Microsoft’s .NET Framework and leveraging Microsoft’s SQL Server database software and Visual C# development tools, ETC 9 delivers powerful new capabilities and significantly improved performance through an entirely new, visually stunning user experience and rock-solid computing platform. Engineered TruCost maintains its core methods time measurement (MTM)-based standards that enable product developers and manufacturers to quickly and accurately predict product costs in advance of production, define operational best practices, and benchmark manufacturing performance against global standards.
10/14/09
Tukatech Introduces TUKAcad Professional Edition
Tukatech Inc. — a Los Angeles-based provider of product development solutions for the apparel and sewn goods industry is debuting the Professional Edition of TUKAcad, the company's digital pattern-making, grading and marker-making system. The Professional Edition includes new features that enable non-computer-aided-design (CAD) users to manage pattern and marker files via Windows Explorer. In addition, users can view summary information of the files in thumbnail format; plot, update and convert multiple files to different formats; and create pattern cards through batch processing without the use of special software to view or open the program.
TUKAcad now is fully integrated with e-fit Simulator by TUKA, the company's 3-D virtual sample-making program. It also includes libraries of graded 3-D basic block patterns that have been pre-stitched and pre-draped in cotton muslin fabric and can be altered in CAD with live updates to e-fit.
The Professional Edition is the third version of TUKAcad, which also is available in the economically priced Learning Edition for students and schools, and the Enterprise Edition for small businesses and freelancers.
10/12/09
CORDURA® Fabrics Featured in New JanSport® Pack
Wichita, Kan. – Two classic brands iconic to the outdoor market are coming together to re-create the pack made famous in the 90s. JanSport® and INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand team joined forces to develop the new Right Pack. The Right Pack, part of JanSport’s Classic Collection that re-launches in Fall 2009, offers a classic product with exceptional reliability, innovation and style.
The high-performance pack is constructed with 1000 denier CORDURA® Classic fabric and is a true original, complete with one large main compartment, padded shoulder straps and back panel. The pack is finished with JanSport’s classic suede leather bottom to keep user’s items protected.
The CORDURA® fabric used in the Right Pack and other JanSport products exemplifies the recently launched CORDURA™ Cares sustainability program and the tagline “Sustainability Begins with Products that Last™.” INVISTA’s CORDURA™ Cares sustainability program consists of three pillars: Sustainable Performance, Enduring Materials, and Corporate Responsibility.
The Right Pack will also feature the newly designed CORDURA® brand hangtag and sew-in label.
10/1/09
Lectra Launches the New Version of Kaledo®, its Unique Fashion-Specific Design Solution
Paris – Lectra, a world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials—textiles, leather, industrial fabrics and composite materials —, is pleased to announce the availability of the new version of Kaledo® V2R1.
Kaledo enables creative teams to benefit from the latest advances in design technology, both for textile and fashion. Kaledo brings design, product development, marketing and management teams together—helping them to collaborate harmoniously when developing trends and collections. Kaledo includes modules to create highly realistic simulations of prints, weaves and knits, and to develop variations in just a few mouse clicks.
Kaledo functions on a platform specially devised to meet the specific needs of fashion companies. Its range of tools enables designers to increase productivity while facilitating the exchange of ideas, visuals and data between teams.
Designers are now expected to produce profitable and technically feasible collections more frequently, while at the same time displaying more creativity. To meet this challenge, they must not only be able to count on powerful tools but also on the know-how of other professionals within the company. Close collaboration involves more specialists early on in the process and enables designers to create collections that are more coherent and better adapted to the demands of the market—an absolute must in the current economic climate.
“Even those involved in creative activities are now being put under pressure to show more productivity. With Kaledo, fashion companies can develop new models and collections using existing elements, capitalizing, season after season, on their creative assets while taking new trends into account. They can thus respond to a request for designs or modifications in just a few hours, all the while ensuring the quality of their styles and limiting their costs,” added Anastasia Charbin, Head of Lectra’s design solutions.
As part of Lectra’s commitment to supporting its customers, Kaledo is accompanied by a range of high value-added services—consulting, implementation, training and support—provided by Lectra’s design experts. Through this personalized support, Lectra enables its customers to optimize their creative processes, benefit from the best practices of the profession, and thus reap the full benefits of their technology.
10/1/09
CGS Raises the Bar for Enterprise Software with Launch of All New BlueCherry® Infinity
New York, NY — Computer Generated Solutions Inc. today unveiled its all new BlueCherry® Infinity enterprise software solution at a special launch event held at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan. A massive, three-year long research and development effort—supported by thousands of person-days—delivered a completely redesigned system that significantly advances the capabilities and benefits of the company’s award-winning flagship product. BlueCherry Infinity leverages the latest in Microsoft® technology to deliver what early adopters have described as the most robust and user-friendly business solution ever created for the fashion and soft-goods industry. Following intensive internal testing and initial client implementations, the new software is now available for general delivery in either on-premise or hosted software-as-a-service (SaaS) configurations.
“We see BlueCherry Infinity as one of the most significant innovations in our 25-year history,” said Phil Friedman, president and CEO of CGS. “We took a different approach. While many companies have cut their R&D budgets in this challenging environment, we have invested heavily to enhance our products. After witnessing the early market reaction to the new release, we are confident that we are now uniquely qualified and positioned to help our rapidly expanding customer community to succeed well into the future.”
BlueCherry Infinity has been redesigned from the ground-up around a new, more robust and scalable system architecture. It employs the latest database technology (Microsoft SQL Server 2008) and development framework (Microsoft .NET) to drive greater productivity and value for clients through a superior user experience, lowest-in-class total cost of ownership (TCO) and accelerated time-to-benefit.
9/16/09
Gerber Technology Launches Newest Version of webPDM, the flagship component of Gerber’s PLM Software Suite
Tolland, Connecticut – Gerber Technology, a business unit of Gerber Scientific, Inc., a world leader in automated CAD/CAM and PLM solutions for the sewn products and flexible materials industry, announced today the release of webPDM 6.0, the flagship module of their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software Suite for the organization of data, images, processes and procedures.
Gerber Technology’s webPDM 6.0 functions as a globally-accessible, browser- based solution enabling development professionals to organize information, create tech packs and effectively communicate with employees, customers, vendors and suppliers. webPDM 6.0’s browser-based environment enhances the end user experience allowing rapid global creation, collaboration and production execution for apparel, furniture, accessories and other consumer products. Advanced product development functionality within webPDM is incorporated to meet complex business demands allowing every size company to utilize options that fit their needs.
“With webPDM 6.0, we’ve added highly desirable features such as Linked Pages and Folders that allow for one time entry of specification information spread throughout multiple styles,” says Elizabeth King, Director of Software Applications for Gerber Technology. “Global participants can easily and effectively organize and create content, while taking advantage of enhanced functionality such as the BOM staging area promoting implementation and collaboration on the most important product components. The software integrates seamlessly with the other PLM modules including AccuMark, webView and webFolio permitting more time spent adding value and less on administration.”
9/14/09
New Avery Dennison Anti-pucker “Stretch” Tapes Offer Durable Brand Impact in a Trim Solution
Framingham, Mass.— Avery Dennison today launched a versatile collection of woven and printed “stretch” branded tapes that combine the advantages of anti-puckering and stretch with durability and greater brand impact.
Incorporating proprietary weaving and finishing technology, the new tapes can be used with a wide variety of different fabrics, including those with moderate stretch, and are suitable for neck tapes, waistbands, casual decorative trim, formal wear accent trim, packaging bands for garments and non-apparel solutions. The tapes offer anti-puckering, even when steam-pressed, and excellent durability, tested through 50 home launderings at 105˚F / 40˚C.
The printed stretch tapes are available in woven-edge satin, herringbone, plain weave and micro-denier constructions and can be printed in up to six colors. The woven stretch tapes are available in damask, satin and reverse satin constructions and can be woven in up to four colors but stretch most effectively with two.
“Branded tapes have been used for many years as waist or neckband trim, predominantly in more formal men’s and women’s wear,” says Chris Caldwell, Avery Dennison marketing manager, printed fabric labels. “Now this previously exclusive look can be adapted as either a trim or packaging solution for sports, kids and casualwear, as well as many other apparel and non-apparel sectors.”
9/2/09