News for
August/September 2007

Zweave Announces the Launch of Zdesign On-demand at Material World
New York, NY – Zweave, Inc.,a leader in On Demand Design Automation software for product development organizations announces the launch of its first product for the Consumer Products Markets – “Zdesign On-demand”.
Zdesign on-Demand’s Collaborative Design Studios allow creative and sourcing teams to come together to manage all aspects of product development. A yearly subscription to Zdesign On-demand dramatically reduces the cost, ROI and time to implementation of traditional PLM.
Zdesign on-demand addresses the top five product development challenges of product Development organizations implementing PLM: Easy to use and affordable software; outsourced or in-house Hosting and Services; collaboration and accountability between merchandising, design, and sourcing activities; cost reduction of product development activities; and reduced product development cycle times.
9/26/07

Green Solutions for Clean Production
Stephanskirchen, Germany - 3P InkJet Textiles Corp. will present the new Value Line at IFAI Expo Trade Show in Las Vegas from October 3rd-5th, 2007. In view of growing awareness of environmental protection 3P developed an ecological friendly and still economical fabric line for direct and transfer sublimation printing. Providing accurate color reproduction, sharpness and premium image quality, the Value assortment is suitable for flags, displays and banners and for various applications in interior design, covering both indoor and outdoor uses. Value fabrics are free of harmful substances.
The entire production chain is environmentally friendly and certified according to ISO 14001, the environmental management system and validated to the European Union Eco-Audit and Management Scheme (EMAS). Four different products of the Value range, which are marked with "FR" and differ in weight and glance, comply with fire protection requirements according to DIN 4102 B1 (Germany) and NFPA 701 (USA). Because Value products are compatible with solvent and UV curable inks as well by producing pretty good print results, they offer great flexibility to textile manufacturers who often use different technologies. Value fabrics are available in 60", 98", and 122" roll widths. Value Flag and Value Flag FR can also be delivered in 42", 54", and 72" inch widths.
9/26/07

Hobby Sewers to Compete in Haute Couture Design World
Petach-Tikva, Israel and Steckborn, Switzerland – Bernina International, the world's largest privately held sewing machine company, is providing its customers with the user friendly tools they need to become home-based professional fashion designers, thanks to the cutting-edge technologies provided by OptiTex Ltd. Bernina International has selected OptiTex to serve as OEM for its MyLabel software in what is shaping out to be the world’s first and largest advanced 3D product offering for the home based professional designers.
OptiTex, a leading software manufacturer for the fashion and textile industries, has developed a custom version of its fashion design software for Bernina to market under the MyLabel name. MyLabel allows Bernina’s customers to use some of the same tools that are being used by professional design houses all over the world in a simple and user friendly environment. 
Bernina is offering MyLabel not only as a complement to its sewing machines but also to reinforce its customer relationships. The program advises the sewer throughout the design process by recommending specific style, fabric and embroideries for each type of garment, based on a customer’s actual body type. MyLabel also reinforces Bernina’s commitment to customer education by recommending sewing techniques and construction instructions, based on the final design.
Once an end-user has completely designed the garment, the software automatically displays it on a 3D representation of him or herself. This is done using a 3D model developed by OptiTex, which users can adjust to match their very own body measurements. Doing so allows users to see what the garment will look like in real life before the garment is actually sewn.
The system allows the final pattern to be printed either on a home printer and pieced together or downloaded to a disk on key, allowing printing on a commercial large-format printer.
9/26/07

Lectra Launches its Latest Education Partnership Program
Paris - Lectra, a world leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to
industries that use soft goods, reinforces its Education Partnerships with the launching of a new worldwide Education Program aimed at schools and universities which train future professionals for the fashion industry. The new partnership program is designed to ensure that fashion institutions remain on the cutting edge of technology, promote exchanges with Lectra experts, and offer students the opportunity to gain practical business experience. Lectra is pleased to announce the first contracts signed with renowned universities.
Lectra has strongly supported education for several years. By offering the use of its applied technologies and expertise, the company is helping educators integrate them into their curricula at more than 660 fashion-dedicated schools and universities around the world. With this new partnership program, Lectra reinforces its support for tomorrow’s fashion professionals by helping them to improve their business and technology knowledge, thereby providing them with the skills and competences they need to succeed in the fashion world. Lectra also organizes meetings and seminars to share professional business experiences, innovation, and knowledge.
In addition to the opportunity to use Lectra software, students can benefit from internships with the company’s R&D, marketing or solutions experts teams, either in their home country or abroad. They may also participate in seminars and receive sponsorship support for their end-of-study projects.
Three partnership levels have been defined to ensure that Lectra covers the needs and expectations of all partners, depending on their activities, curricula, and desired level of involvement. The first level provides institutions with royalty-free use of Lectra software licenses. The second level offers students the additional opportunity to have internship support and career planning, as well as help in completing their projects. The upper level implies a stronger commitment from both Lectra and the partner. Providing in-depth feedback and exchange channels, it allows both sides to share their common experiences for mutual benefit.
9/14/07

Eton Highlights Wide Range of Industrial Applications, New Software at IFAI Expo
Alpharetta, GA – Eton Systems, a leading provider of automated production and materials handling systems for the industrial textiles and sewn-product industries, will mark 40 years of enabling manufacturing excellence by highlighting their exceptionally diverse and highly productive range of client applications at the IFAI Expo 2007  to be held October 3- 5 in Las Vegas. The company will also be introducing its new ETONselect™ real-time data collection and production management software solutions.
With industrial textiles representing its fastest-growing market segment, Eton will provide IFAI Expo attendees with examples of how a wide range of manufacturers have implemented their automated systems to increase productivity, accelerate manufacturing throughput time, reduce work-in-process inventories, and optimize floor space requirements. Six Sigma practitioners also cite the benefits of Eton’s real-time shop floor control and data collection software solutions as a means of eliminating defects and improving processes.
ETONselect is a new, modular software solution designed to help customers more effectively manage their business based on real-time data collection and analysis of their production lines. Executives, managers, supervisors, and quality control can adopt their choice of up to six software modules found in this next-generation solution based on their specific needs. In addition to the standard module, ETONselect provides options for networking, offline production tracking, routing, buffering, and other advanced management tools. Featuring a highly efficient and intuitive user interface developed in partnership with Eton customers, the software even provides an option for viewing real-time production data on any web-enabled device including Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and iPhone smart phones.
9/11/07

Gerber Technology to Hold 9th Annual Software Users Conference in Chicago
Connecticut, USA– Gerber Technology will hold its 9th annual Software Users Conference September 18-19, 2007 at the Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel and Executive Meeting Center in Lisle, Ill. This event is the largest gathering of industry product development professionals and brings together an audience of Gerber customers, partners and industry experts from across the United States, Canada and around the world.
This year’s conference will feature more than 30 hands-on, “tips & tricks” and educational sessions designed to guide users through the features and capabilities of Gerber’s software, as well as best practices for their implementation and ongoing optimization. The conference will highlight the latest information on Fashion Lifecycle Management™, WebPDM, AccuMark, V-Stitcher, AccuNest and AccuScan, and will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn from the experts. Customer case studies will also be presented to show how leading organizations are meeting the challenges of the changing marketplace by using Gerber’s innovative technologies to suit their respective organization’s unique needs.
“The longevity and success of the Users Conference is a direct result of the value it provides to our customers,” said John Hancock, president, Gerber Technology. “It offers the unique opportunity for our customers to meet, share their experiences, see new products and take home practical knowledge that they can readily apply in their day-to-day activities.”
9/11/07

Lectra to Showcase its 2007 Technological Innovations at CISMA
Paris (France) – Lectra, a world leader in integrated technological solutions
dedicated to industries that use soft goods, will participate in CISMA, China International Sewing Machinery & Accessories Show, the biggest sewing industry event in China, from September 26 to 29, 2007 in Shanghai.
With continuous innovation, Lectra launched a number of new solutions in 2007: new generation of Vector, Modaris 3D fit, EasyGrading and Kaledo which were showcased during Lectra World 2007, and will be presented at CISMA 2007 as well.
Vectoris the first automatic cutting solution to successfully combine performance and intelligence which demonstrates the lead that Lectra has taken in its technology and services offering.  VectorAutoMX9 will be shown at CISMA with its highest
volume productivity and perfect cutting quality.
EasyGrading is a new application included in Lectra’s pattern design solutions which optimizes the grading process for apparel sector companies, facilitating and accelerating grading activities by up to 70%.
Kaledo, the innovative, comprehensive design solution, will be premiered at the show for the Asia Pacific rim. Kaledo improves the communication flow between designers and everyone involved in product development. With an ever-increasing number of
collections, Kaledo ensures significantly faster product development cycles.
 “Our expertise in China dates back 20 years. We’ve been forging a long-term partnership with our clients, with a vast and diverse portfolio of solutions to meet their requirements,” said Lectra’s Asia-Pacific Director, Jean-Luc Aubert. “These offerings are supported by our strong R&D capability, as well as a comprehensive suite of value-added services to help clients bring their products to market quickly and cost effectively.”
9/6/07

TUKATECH Expands in Central America, Asia and Europe
Los Angeles, CA USA - TUKATECH announces the opening of new offices worldwide in Central America, Asia and Europe.  “I am very encouraged to see the results.  Over 700 TUKAcad systems have been sold in these regions in the last few months,” said Ram Sareen, CEO and Founder of TUKATECH.
New locations have been established in Tirupur, Salem, Coimbatore and Erode in India, and technically trained personnel have been brought in to work as distributors-agents in Bangkok, Thailand, Hanoi and Ho Chi Min City in Vietnam, Seoul in Korea, Prato, Milan and Bergamo in Italy, and Lahore in Pakistan.  Additional offices are also being created in Honduras, Nicaragua, Bulgaria and several other locations, pending completion of staff training in Europe.
9/6/07

New Helizarin® Pigment Printing System Now Formaldehyde-free
Ludwigshafen, Germany - The latest generation of the established Helizarin® textile pigment printing system from BASF is now formaldehyde-free. As a result, textile producers can now meet all regulatory standards, as well as the requirements of leading retailers and brands related to formaldehyde without any additional measures. High quality textile printing is guaranteed with optimum running properties of the print paste on the printing machine and the highest quality standards are met.
Formaldehyde-releasing compounds are widely used as crosslinkers in the textile industry for applications such as resin finishing, pigment printing, pigment dyeing and coating. However, regulatory standards, as well as the requirements of leading retailers and brands are becoming increasingly strict. In pigment printing, not only the crosslinker, but also the binder and thickener are the main sources of formaldehyde. These components, as well as other auxiliaries, make up the medium that fixes the pigments on the textile.
“Product safety and environmental protection are our top priority when developing new products,” states Siemensmeyer. The new formaldehyde-free Helizarin® pigment printing system further strengthens BASF’s eco-friendly product lineup.
9/5/07

Browzwear Launches Advanced 3D Fashion Design Software
Tel Aviv, Israel - Browzwear International, a pioneer of 3D fashion design and communication software, today announced the release of VStitcher™ 4.01, the next generation of its 3D fashion design application. VStitcher™, is revolutionizing fashion design with a collection of new design and communication features.
VStitcher integrates conventional design techniques empowering them with real-time, true-to-life 3D technology. The powerful software infrastructure utilizes the CAD-CAM industry standard, enabling users to create a virtual 3D garment. The prototype garment is then modeled by an exceptionally detailed, 3D human figure (avatar), customized to a huge array of parameters such as age and gender, body measurements, posture, skin tone, hair style, and even the stages of pregnancy. Inherent CAD capabilities such as moving and dragging points and curves enable modification of 2D patterns with fast 3D results.
"Browzwear's software is specially developed to ease the transition for garment and textile companies looking to advance into the new 3D Generation software," says Aviela Sherbu-Cohen, Browzwear's CEO. "The new VStitcher is proof of Browzwear's firm commitment to push the limits, and explore the promise of 3D fashion design. We hope to give our clients a competitive edge based on better brand-manufacturer collaboration while allowing designers to maintain and enhance their freedom and creativity".
The VStitcher is not simply a design tool but rather a communication solution, optimizing the entire product lifecycle from concept to shelf for cost-effectiveness, time efficiency and flexibility. As a born-for-the-Web application, VStitcher ensures real-time 3D representation of the garment design at any remote location, enabling immediate feedback from clients, designers and decision makers.
9/4/07

PA1200DT Dual Tamp Label Printer/Applicator by Tharo Systems, Inc.
Brunswick, Ohio - Tharo Systems, Inc. presents the new PA1200DT Dual Tamp Label Printer/Applicator. This new multi-function Printer/Applicator can print and apply labels to 2 adjacent carton/product surfaces - front and side, front and top, corner wrap or a simple front apply.
The PA1200DT was designed, engineered and built by Tharo Systems and is currently available using the Tharo H-Series thermal/thermal transfer printers with print resolutions of 203 or 300 dpi.
After a label is printed, it is stripped from the liner and held by suction on the tamp applicator pad. The tamp pad is mounted on a heavy-duty swing arm that extends over a conveyor and tamps the label to the front surface of the carton. When the tamp pad returns to its starting position, it collects another printed label and applies it to the side or top of the carton. The PA1200DT can also be set up to apply labels to a single surface or as a corner wrap.
9/4/07

Jesta I.S. announces the release of Vision Supply Chain Management 5.0
New York, NY, Jesta I.S., a leading supplier of business solutions for the soft goods and specialty markets, announced today the latest release of its Vision Supply Chain Management (SCM) version 5.0.
The new release includes several enhancements to the design as well as improved functionality from the user perspective and a common look and feel with Jesta's other Vision applications. Vision SCM 5.0 greatly leverages new technologies that were previously unavailable to on-demand and software-as-a-service vendors. These enhancements will enrich the user experience by making it easier and quicker for users to enter and search for data, and reduces the load time required by traditional web pages, by using RPC (Remote Procedure Call). The consistency of the new screen layouts and the enhanced relationship between the various SCM components also contribute to the overall upgrade enabling the user to navigate through the application with even greater ease.
Vision SCM is a Web-based supply chain management tool that provides both self-sourcing retailers and wholesalers with the ability to track and manage the various steps of the supply chain effectively. Vision SCM includes various modules for tracking business processes such as workflow management, pre-production, production, bidding, logistics, quality assurance and social compliance. It also offers a Sales Link portal for order requests and monitoring.
8/30/07

23rd IAF World Apparel Convention to be Held in Taipei: October 24 – 26, 2007
Zeist, The Netherlands - The Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) takes pleasure in hosting the 23rd IAF World Apparel Convention in Taipei (October 24~26, 2007). This year, the convention will focus on the theme of “Asia: An Emerging Consumer Market from Global Production Base”. There are four sessions to be presented under the theme, including Trade Liberalization vs. Barriers, Asia Market: Risks & Opportunities, Capacity Growth vs. Profitability, and Technological Development and it’s Application to Production and Marketing.
The intent of this forum is to provide the apparel chain with an inside look at what is happening in Asia, and particularly how the rapid growth of Asian markets are affecting current global trade policy of the apparel industry. These areas are becoming more and more critical in sourcing decisions.
TTF will also be hosting an exclusive and unprecedented IAF Designer Award 2007 on October 25th. For the first time in history, this event will take place in the form of a Fashion Runway Show in front of the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
For further details concerning the IAF World Apparel Convention, including the agenda, visit the special convention website: www.iaf2007.com.tw or the IAF website: www.iafnet.com.
For more information please contact Nadia van Staden, vanstaden@iafnet.com International Apparel Federation, P.O.Box 428, 3700 AK Zeist, The Netherlands Tel +31 30 232 0908, Fax +31 30 232 0919
8/21/07

Made In USA to Present US Supply Chain At MAGIC
Hickory NC - A group of US-based fiber, yarn, fabric, hosiery and apparel manufacturers will join together for the third consecutive time at MAGIC, the fashion and apparel trade show held twice a year in Las Vegas, to present a complete domestic supply chain to both domestic and international buyers.
The upcoming MAGIC Marketplace — consisting of four individual markets including MAGIC for men’s apparel; WWDMAGIC for women’s apparel, organized in conjunction with Women’s Wear Daily; MAGICKids for children’s apparel; and Sourcing at MAGIC for sourcing and supply-chain solutions — will take place August 27-30 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Las Vegas Hilton. The Made In USA exhibit, consisting of displays by 24 US companies, will be located in Sourcing at MAGIC in South Hall, with 13 fiber, yarn and fabric suppliers in Booth FA23505; and 11 hosiery and apparel makers in Booth OD22802.
“It’s a one-stop shop,” said Dan St. Louis, director, Hosiery Technology Center (HTC), Hickory, N.C., one of the group’s sponsoring organizations. “If you go to the Made In USA booth, you can find it. If you see a yarn or a fiber you really like, you can go to someone else and ask if they can knit it, ask someone else if they can seam, cut and sew it and put it in whatever you want. It’s a pretty big advantage when it’s all right there together in the same area.”
Exhibit sponsors stress a number of benefits to be had when dealing with US vendors: an emphasis on quality coupled with knowledge and understanding of the industry and marketplace; quick, on-time shipping of orders; no delays related to port-of-entry issues; no tariffs; and competitive pricing. Other benefits include a can-do attitude and spirit of cooperation; as well as access to innovative concepts, technologies and materials.
8/16/07

Wasatch Supports the Industry’s Most Popular UV-Curable Inkjet Printers
Salt Lake City, UT – Wasatch Computer Technology has released support for the latest UV-curable printers from MacDermid ColorSpan and Mimaki.  This release also includes new Canon imagePROGRAF drivers.
Devices using UV inks are capable of printing on a wide range of inexpensive rigid or flexible roll materials.  Challenging print scenarios with lower quality media achieve the maximum benefit from SoftRIP’s 16-bit color pipeline.  Color subtleties and gradients in raster images are maintained with enormous detail and vector gradients are perfectly smooth at any output size. 
SoftRIP now includes white-ink supporting drivers for ColorSpan 5440UV, ColorSpan 5445UV, ColorSpan 5460UV, ColorSpan 5465UV, and ColorSpan 9840UV printers.  
Mimaki buyers can now use SoftRIP to drive their UJV-110 UV curable inkjet printer.  SoftRIP’s simple white ink workflow makes it easy to produce first and second surface output for window films and decals.  The optional Variable Data Printing Module adds capabilities for easily customizing print jobs like nameplates and labels with the UJV device.
New support for the Canon iPF 5100 and iPF 6100 devices will include full hi-fi support for 12-color LUCIA inks.  These drivers will now come standard with SoftRIP’s Canon Exclusive, Small Format, and Large Format Editions. 
8/16/07

OptiTex presents Jasmine… a Virtual Supermodel
Petach-Tikva, Israel - Israeli based OptiTex, a leading provider of software for the textile and fashion industry, recently announced the release of Jasmine, a 3D supermodel that makes it possible for clothes to be modeled tried and visualized before being transferred to production. Jasmine is now able to model clothing in various poses, and is expected to make her debut within the next few weeks.
Jasmine is a parametric avatar that can be modified to change the proportional size and dimensions of one or more body parts at the same time. The image and appearance of the avatar can also be changed to create a different face or body structure according to personalized adaptations, enabling the simulation of real-life models.
The avatar makes it possible to alter almost any virtual measurements and then refine the garment measurements and make the required adjustments with no real production needed. It also enables the user to visually and instantly review the final product before it is being transferred to production.
The avatar can also be used as a marketing tool for the manufacturer/designer’s online and off-line clothing collections. Not only does this cut down on the time invested in planning and production, but also significantly reduces customer costs.
“2006 has showed a clear trend of companies moving more to Virtual Sampling and automated procedures than ever before,” says Ran Machtinger, CEO of OptiTex Ltd. “We anticipate that the market will rely more on such computer generated solutions in 2007 and 2008, expanding the solutions to industries using apparel solutions outside the apparel box,” adds Mr. Machtinger.
8/15/07