In a year marked by COVID-19 and a very challenging economic environment, U.S. textile companies continued to invest.
TW特别报告
Surprisingly, under the pall of the COVID-19 pandemic, the news pages ofTextileWorld.com reveal a fair amount of recent investment by the U.S. textile industry.
Investments including general investment in plant and equipment, polymer and fiber technology, furniture manufacturing, bedding and a strong investment trend in support of domestic production of personal protective equipment (PPE), have defied business challenges in support of new opportunities.
PPE: Domestic Source Focus
国内PPE生产已成为国家安全问题，并引起了联邦政府的注意。
PPE independence and rebuilding the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) has also garnered attention at the state level.
在佐治亚州，州长布莱恩·肯普（Brian Kemp）宣布了第304号众议院法案，《佐治亚州制作医疗制造法》。该法案“将激励佐治亚州的药物和医疗设备的生产，这限制了该州与其他州或外国国家争夺关键用品的需求。”
“One of the lessons we learned early on in the pandemic is that we cannot waste time in bidding wars with others for life-saving supplies,” Governor Kemp said. “Last session, we incentivized the production of PPE in the Peach State to alleviate that problem, build up our stockpile, and make it easier to stay in business in the era of COVID-19. HB 304 is a natural next step to that program and will help us build on Georgia’s momentum to become a leader in all sectors of the health care industry.”
掩盖
Late last year,The Fallon Co.andShawmut Corp.announced a new domestic manufacturing operation to produce N95 respirators. A press release noted: “State-of-the-art manufacturing equipment installed in an expanded facility based in West Bridgewater, Mass., will enable end-to-end production of up to 180 million masks per year. Additionally, the operation is expected to create as many as 300 new jobs in Massachusetts.”
然后在2021年2月，Shawmut宣布创建了一个新的健康与安全业务部门。该公司正在其西桥水设施的一个70,000平方英尺的改装空间中制作隔离礼服和N95呼吸器。Shawmut还投资了来自德国的近60吨专业，高精度，融化的机械，安装了一个全自动且灵活的生产系统，以支持其N95颗粒呼吸器线，并为礼服和口罩安装了大约50条新的组装线条具有高级机器人功能。
Not all PPE investments were on such a grand scale, but still were important in supporting demand. In Harrisonburg, Va.,Valley Guard Supply LLCannounced investment of $1 million to establish PPE manufacturing. “A service-disabled, veteran-owned company, Valley Guard produces three-ply disposable masks that are 100-percent made in the United States and intends to manufacture other types of safety and security gear in the future. The project will create 45 new jobs,” announced the company.
“Domestic manufacturers of personal protective equipment are critical as we battle this global pandemic, and we thank Valley Guard Supply for answering the call right here in Virginia,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. “The company’s new Harrisonburg operation will play an important role in localizing our supply chain and keeping health care workers and citizens safe.”
Polymer And Fiber Investments
Eastman Chemical Co.recently announced plans to “build one of the world’s largest plastic-to-plastic molecular recycling facilities at its site in Kingsport, Tenn.” The company plans to invest approximately $250 million over the next two years in the facility and “will use over 100,000 metric tons of plastic waste that cannot be recycled by current mechanical methods to produce premium, high-quality specialty plastics made with recycled content.” According to the company, “Eastman was one of the pioneers in developing methanolysis technology at commercial scale and has more than three decades of expertise in this innovative recycling process.”
recy也跟随趋势和投资cling arena is Spartanburg, S.C.-basedMilliken＆Companyas it recently announced the acquisition ofZebra-chem GmbH. In a release, the company noted: “With more brands and governments globally setting goals to increase their use of recycled materials, plastics manufacturers are faced with the challenges of using recycled plastics effectively. Peroxide masterbatches, like those from Zebra-chem and Milliken, make it possible to incorporate up to 100-percent recycled content into these new plastics.”
Milliken＆Company总裁兼首席执行官Halsey Cook说：“ Milliken长期关注创新和可持续性，鼓励我们考虑如何为当今的一些领先挑战做出贡献，例如如何有效地将可回收的塑料纳入制造业中。”“我很高兴欢迎Zebra-Chem中的杰出人才，他们加入Milliken的热情团队，以将可持续创新推动。”
Rome, Ga.-basedIntegrated Fiber Solutions (IFS)announced it will invest $30 million to expand its operations to meet growing demand. IFS — a manufacturer of man-made bulked continuous filament (BCF) yarns for the carpet, rug, and automotive industries — was established in 1986 to serve the man-made yarn needs of multiple carpet and rug industries in Georgia with locations in Rome, Dalton, and Lafayette, Ga.
在其他与光纤相关的新闻中，总部位于乔治亚州德卢斯FiberVisions Corp.Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd.的子公司将投资4,800万美元在佐治亚州牛顿县扩大其聚烯纤维制造业务。根据该公司的说法，“这一扩展是为了响应对卫生需求的急剧增长用双层纤维制成的产品（例如面罩和婴儿湿巾）将创造21个工作。”预计在2021年上半年，该双色纤维线的安装预计将完成。
Keeping Up With The Strategic Plan
北卡罗来纳州伯灵顿Glen Raven Custom Fabricsannounced the progress of its “Multi Phase Expansion Plan” with its first phase initiated at the end of 2019. The plan includes new equipment as well as upgrades “to support the continuing growth of Sunbrella® fabrics and other Glen Raven textile products in the company’s U.S. and Asia facilities.” The customized equipment will be brought online in stages during the first half of 2021. According to the company, the expansion “will not only increase output, but also reduce energy and water usage, laddering back to Glen Raven’s sustainability commitments.”
In addition, Glen Raven announced the purchase of a production facility in France. “Taken together, these actions represent an investment of more than $65 million in expanded production capacity to support its customers and the increased demand for Sunbrella, Dickson® and other Glen Raven fabrics. Future phases of the program include additional production and distribution capacity for the U.S. and Asia markets.”
非织造动作
非织造制造商，Fitesa Simpsonville Inc.，宣布扩大在南卡罗来纳州格林维尔县的运营扩大。这笔1亿美元的投资将扩大整体容量，并包括安装新的融化生产线，以为医疗市场生产材料。预计扩展将在2023年完成。
Atlanta-basedGeorgia-Pacific LLCannounced that it has reached an agreement to sell its nonwovens business toGlatfelter，一家全球工程材料供应商，总部位于北卡罗来纳州夏洛特市，售价为1.75亿美元。According to a press release: “The proposed transaction includes Georgia-Pacific’s nonwovens operations located in Mt. Holly, N.C., along with a research center operation in Memphis, Tenn. The nonwovens operations in Mt. Holly produces airlaid nonwoven material for commercial customers used to make table top, wiping, food pads, hygiene and related products. In the proposed transaction, current Georgia-Pacific nonwovens employees, totaling approximately 150 people, will become employees of Glatfelter at the time the deal closes.”
Kernersville, N.C.-basedTexwipe, a global manufacturer of contamination control supplies, will invest more than $4.5 million to locate a manufacturing facility in Mount Airy, N.C. “Our state’s economy continues to grow, despite public health and economic challenges,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “Companies like Texwipe choose to grow in North Carolina because of our talented workforce and our state’s strong management of the pandemic.” Texwipe has been headquartered in Kernersville since 1991.
Greenville, S.C.-basedFibertex Nonwovens Inc., just announced an expansion at its Gray Court, S.C., spunlace production location. The $49.5 million investment is expected to create 39 jobs. The expansion includes a second spunlace line for rolled nonwoven products as well as the acquisition of an 84-acre industrial plot adjacent to the company’s facilities.
“With this new investment, we’ll be able to build an extremely strong position in the important North American market for, among other things, high-performance wipes for sanitizing and disinfection purposes in the healthcare/medical sector, sustainable personal care products, a range of industrial applications, as well as in the automotive industry and the construction sector,” said Jorgen Bech Madsen, CEO, Fibertex Nonwovens.
Bedding Makes News
Multiple companies recently announced investments in the bedding market.
Mattress manufacturer and retailer布鲁克林床上用品根据该公司的说法，正式宣布了在其本州扩大的计划，在亚利桑那州格伦代尔的新最先进的制造工厂和公司总部打破地面。the company’s current factory and warehouse. The plan entails an investment of more than $72 million to make Brooklyn Bedding nearly 100 percent vertically integrated.”
Tempur Sealy International宣布扩大其生产操作in Scott County, Va., with an investment of $16.7 million. “Tempur Sealy has expanded a number of times since opening in Scott County in 2001, and this expansion will enable the Duffield plant to increase its production and support the growth of Tempur Sealy’s award-winning products,” said Scott Thompson, Tempur Sealy Chairman and CEO. “We have developed a strong relationship with the community, and we are fortunate to have a well-educated workforce committed to excellence in quality, safety, productivity, and environmental compliance. The company reports the expansion will be mostly complete by the end of 2021 with capacity increases realized by 2022.
北卡罗来纳州高点Culp Inc.Culp及其合并子公司Culp最近宣布了“对全球剪裁和缝制床垫平台的战略投资和增强”。Culp将在海地的一家未经合并合资企业中购买剩余的50％所有权权益。该业务生产剪裁和缝制床垫盖。交易完成后，Culp将是海地行动的唯一所有者和运营商。Culp Inc.总裁兼首席执行官IV Culp说：“我们对海地运营感到非常满意，这是我们不断增长的缝制床垫业务的理想场所。通过我们的战略投资，我们已经证明了我们的能力提高我们的运营效率，我们认为Culp内还有其他机会利用海地的生产能力和分销能力。
家具，家具和地板
Raleigh, N.C.-based furniture and home furnishings manufacturerRiverside Furniture Corp.正式宣布了一项540万美元的投资e and distribution center in Caswell County, N.C. A recent press release reported: “Founded in 1946, Riverside Furniture Corporation designs, manufactures and distributes residential furnishings to 3,000 furniture retailers across the United States. Since opening their first plant in Arkansas nearly 75 years ago, the company has experienced exponential growth. Riverside’s additional 300,000-square-feet of distribution and warehouse operations in Caswell County will reduce shipment lead times to retailers in the Eastern United States from receipt of order. “
“Riverside’s investment in North Carolina, including both the new High Point showroom and the Caswell County distribution center, is a combined $15 million, which is a reflection of our growth as a company and the expansion of service to our customer base,” said Fred Henjes, CEO and president of Riverside Furniture. “Because the distribution center is situated on 50 acres of land, the campus will give us the ability to expand.”
Lawndale, N.C.-basedIson Furniture Manufacturing Inc.will invest $3.5 million to acquire and renovate the recently closed A.C. Furniture Co. Inc. facility in Pittsylvania County, Va. The company also will purchase new equipment for the assembly and full production of its upholstered furniture products. The company’s supplier, Dogwood Global LLC, will locate to a vacant 30,000-square-foot building on-site, investing $500,000 in new equipment to manufacture high-end wood tables and custom furniture frames that will be upholstered by Ison Furniture.
“We are pleased to welcome Ison Furniture Manufacturing and Dogwood Global to Southern Virginia,” said Governor Northam. “Manufacturing is an important pillar of many communities across our Commonwealth and is key to rebuilding our economy in the wake of the ongoing global pandemic. The region’s strong history with textiles and furniture combined with the caliber of the existing upholstery and furniture-building workforce makes this project a natural fit for Pittsylvania County, and we look forward to the future success of this new operation.”
Skutchi Designs Inc., a national contract office furniture company, recently announced a more than $3.5 million investment and plans to expand operations in Horry County, S.C. The company specializes in producing office cubicles, interior glass office walls, and desks and conference room furniture, among other workplace products. According to the company, the expansion is expected to be completed by 2022.
On the flooring front,Mohawk Industries Inc., a global manufacturer of residential and commercial flooring products based in Calhoun, Ga., announced an investment of $22.5 million to expand an operation in Carroll County, Va. The Hillsville facility will grow by 19,000 square feet to house new extrusion and loom equipment for increased production speeds. The expansion will create 35 jobs. According to a press release about the expansion: “Mohawk employs more than 900 Virginians. The company’s Hillsville facility manufactures carpet-backing from 100 percent recycled post-consumer materials, which is then used to manufacture commercial carpet at its Rockbridge County facility as well as other Mohawk carpet manufacturing locations across the Southeast.”
编织和服装
Pennsylvania-basedAKAS Tex宣布其编织能力有所提高。该公司说：“由于对面罩和外科礼服的织物的压力需求，Akas Tex在2020年增加了五台针织机。两台机器用于双针，例如其Procool®互锁；两台机器是为Zorb®酒窝垫片织物；一台机器是用于TransWick®1向芯片面料的。这五台机器每年将增加200,300磅的磅，并产生急需的就业。”
In the childrenswear space, New York City-based UnitedLegwear & Apparel Co. (ULAC)has acquired TicTacToe, a brand of infant, toddler, and children’s legwear, accessories and apparel. According to the company: “The acquisition of TicTacToe allows ULAC to offer a wholly-owned brand to retailers who want to give their customers top-quality children’s apparel and accessories at a good value. Additionally, ULAC is developing a global licensing program across all categories in the kids’ market, from layette, infant, and toddler sets to baby blankets, underwear, toys, and more.”
Denver-basedVF Corp.recently announced the completion of its acquisition ofSupreme®, a privately-owned global streetwear brand, for an aggregate base purchase price of $2.1 billion. Supreme now is 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,” VF Corp. stated in a press release. “The Supreme brand is expected to contribute at least $500 million of revenue and $0.20 of adjusted EPS in fiscal 2022.”
Investment Continues
As the pandemic trends downward and the economy opens up, one would expect growth and consumer spending to strengthen. U.S. textiles is poised for that growth and looks forward for additional opportunities.
2021年3月/4月
