ZIMMER to participate at ATME-I / SPESA and MEGATEX

ZIMMER AMERICA is announcing its participation at the ATME-I / SPESA and MEGATEX 2010 show this year from May 18th, 2010 to May 21st, 2010 in the Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center which will be held also in conjunction with TECHTEXTIL North America, the very successful technical textile show organized by MESSE FRANKFURT every two years.

In booth 2214, ZIMMER will inform about the latest innovations in rotary screen printing, digital textile printing systems, coating and laminating of textiles and other roll to roll substrates with conventional screen or knife coating systems as well as HOT MELT coating and laminating systems by LACOM company of Germany

Other areas of printing and finishing machinery will be ZIMMER Austria's CHROMOJET digital carpet printing system as well as carpet back coating conventional with latex or PVC for carpet tiles. HOT MELT carpet back coating for residential, commercial and artificial turf applications by LACOM company of Germany.

Principals represented by ZIMMER AMERICA that are participating at the MEGATEX are: ZIMMER AUSTRIA, LACOM, Germany; FIMAT, Italy; EHWHA stenter frames, the largest stenter manufacturer in the world with 20 textile stenters, pin or clip, shipped every month from the brand new state of the art facility in Korea.

ZIMMER AMERICA will also present the newly formed BEMATIC GROUP Non Woven machinery and complete production plants, consisting of BEMATIC cards and air-laid, TEXNOLOGY, the worlds most advanced cross lappers, TECTEX needle looms and boards, all state of the art Italian machinery makers with long traditions and international patents for various processes. In addition ZIMMER AMERICA represents exclusively in USA and Canada BOMBI Meccanica for their complete product line of ovens for thermobonding, drying, calanders and terminal equipment for complete Non Woven production lines.

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Govt supports investment in new textile machinery

The federal government will fund 20 percent of the capital cost, with an investment in machinery and plants not exceeding Rs 10 million, for textile projects.

A Technology up-gradation Support Order, 2010, to support investment in textile machinery and plant, has been issued by the Ministry of Textiles. Under this order, the textile sector stakeholders can avail of loans till June 30, 2014, the time till which the order is valid.

As per the order issued by the textile ministry, fifty percent of mark-up subject to a maximum of five percentage points per annum, or whichever is less, will be borne by the federal government.

For this investment support programme, all existing and new textile units registered with the ministry will qualify. Loans given out prior to September 1, 2009, will not be eligible for mark-up support. Only technology and machinery recognised under the order, by the ministry’s financial and technical committee, will receive investment support.

This facility will be governed by commercial banks and development financial institutions, which will also assess the feasibility of the projects and financial requirements. However, the credit risk under this plan, will not be the government’s responsibility.

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Indo Garment and Textile 2010 is back to provide you more!!

The success of Indo Garment and Textile 2009 that attracted more than 8000 visitors both local and overseas has provoked us to bring on once again Indo Garment and Textile 2010 (IGT 2010).

IGT 2010, The 3rd International Exhibition on Garment and Textiles Machinery, Manufacturing Technology, Materials and Services will be held on 6th – 9th May 2010 at Jakarta Convention Centre, Senayan, Indonesia.

For the last two years, IGT has become the most anticipated event which is able to connect the link among R& D delegates, manufacturers, traders and buyers. Supported by the Ministry of industry of Indonesia and other related associations, IGT aims to maintain its objective by providing good quality exhibitions and trade visitors. Ministry of Trade 2009, Marie Elka Pangestu says, “The exhibition is very exciting. This year we have 265 exhibitors, which is an increase of more than 100% compared to last year’s show…The organizer has done a good job!”

IGT is open from 10 am to 7 pm for trade and business visitors only. Admission is free by invitation or on-the-spot registration with business card required. Those in shorts, slippers and below 16 years old are not permitted entry.

The exhibition is held by Krista Exhibitions which specializes in organizing professional MICE for more than 15 years.

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Oerlikon expects modest recovery of business volumes

Oerlikon Group announces its annual results for 2009 as well as the successful conclusion of negotiations with its lenders and main shareholder Renova regarding a comprehensive financial restructuring of the company. The agreed restructuring package, which includes a CHF 1 000 million rights offering, will be implemented in the first half of 2010. The agreed measures are expected to strengthen the equity base of Oerlikon by up to CHF 1.3 billion and reduce net debt by CHF 1 050-1 300 million (approximately 77 percent) as further summarized below.

"Together with the ongoing operational restructuring, the financial restructuring will provide the basis for bringing Oerlikon's business segments back to profitability and support their sustainable long-term development," says Vladimir Kuznetsov, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Hans Ziegler, CEO of Oerlikon Group, comments: "We are returning Oerlikon to a solid and sustainable operational and financial footing which will put us in a position to generate profitable growth again in the future".

"The financial restructuring will significantly strengthen our equity base and reduce Oerlikon's indebtedness to a sustainable level. In addition, it will remove short-term refinancing risk and repayment risk until maturity of the new loan facilities in June 2014. Together with the ongoing operational restructuring, the financial restructuring will lay the foundation for bringing Oerlikon's business back to profitability and support its sustainable long-term development", comments Jürg Fedier, CFO of Oerlikon Group.

The substantial indebtedness resulting from the debt-financed acquisition of Saurer in November 2006 combined with the subsequent unprecedented downturn of the global economy in 2008 and 2009 have had a significant detrimental effect on Oerlikon's financial position. The abrupt and substantial drop in demand for Oerlikon's products and services during the economic downturn has heavily impacted the Group's profitability and has made the current level of debt unsustainable.

The company has now reached agreement with its largest shareholder Renova and the lenders of the CHF 2.5 billion syndicated loan facilities regarding a comprehensive financial restructuring of Oerlikon. Cornerstones of the financial restructuring include:

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Indo-German technical textile business poised for huge growth

Indo-German Technical Textile business poised for huge growth Mumbai, 11 March, 2010. "Indian innovation combined with German Technical Textile technology leadership can boost bilateral trade, economic cooperation and take Indian technical textile industry to highest levels of growth", assured Mr. Walter Stechel, Consul General of Germany in Mumbai, at a Conference on "German Technology for Indian Technical Textiles" held in the city.

He also suggested that India and Germany, should explore 3rd world markets in South Asia, Central Asia and Africa, countries where German companies might have cost disadvantage and where the combination of German technology and Indian innovative production skills could have market penetration.

Mr. Boris Abadjief, leader of VDMA (German Engineering Federation Textile Machinery Association), said, "Technical textiles which has a great potential for growth in India, offers great opportunities in terms of innovation and value addition. India could effectively tap the German market valued at US$8 billion (Rs.2000 Crores)". He appealed to the Indian technical textile industry to take full advantage of Germany's strength in manufacturing high-class machinery for increasing their share of the world market for technical textile products.

Inaugurating the Conference, Mr. A. B. Joshi, Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles Government of India, predicted that Indian technical textile industry will grow at the rate of 11% year on year to reach a market size of Rs.70,151 crore by the year 2012-13 which is higher than the growth rate of 3-4% prevailing in the international market. The Indian technical textile market size for the year was Rs.41,756 crores out of which Rs.38,855 crore was domestic consumption and exports accounted for Rs.2901 crore, he noted.

He informed that the Government would shortly be launching the Technology Mission on Technical Textiles which was announced by Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in September 2007. Mr. Joshi declared that the Government was planning to implement the Technology Mission on Technical Textiles for five years starting from 2010-11 with a proposed outlay of Rs. 500crores. Referring to the four centers of excellence viz. BTRA for Geotech, SASMIRA for Agrotech, NITRA for Protech and SITRA for Meditech, Mr. Joshi said that the Ministry of Textiles has already released an amount of Rs.41,701 crore till date to these COEs against sanctioned amount of Rs.43.31 crore.

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China Textile Round Table Forum gets a complete success!

The “China Textile Round Table Forum 2010”, hosted by China Textile Economy Research Centre and “China Textile” Magazine, sponsored by Oerlikon Textile, and supervised by China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), was hold on 27 January 2010 in the International Conference Centre of KunLun Hotel in Beijing, with the theme of “Structural Adjustment, Innovation & Development”.

In 2009, under the guidance of “to maintain growth, expand domestic demand and adjust the structure” policy by the central government and “The Restructuring and Revitalization Planning of the Textile Industry”, through the hard work of every people in the whole industry, China’s textile industry has overcome many adverse factors such as the uncertainty of the world economic situation, dramatic changes in raw material prices, etc., gradually stepped out of the bottom and achieved a sustained and stable growth. In 2010, China’s economy will continue to face the complicated and changing international and domestic situation, inflation, trade protectionism, raw material prices, labor costs, exchange rate fluctuations and other factors. Textile Industry must firmly focus on adjustment and innovation in a new round of showdowns to strive for a good development trend. Though it is difficult to change the external environmental factors of the industry, the self-development route can be controlled and selected.

Focusing on theme of Structural Adjustment, Innovation & Development, China Textile Round Table Forum 2010 is a platform to pass the information that the economy is bettering to the whole industry, to enhance the industry’s determination and confidence to develop, and to offer enterprises a route map with clear sense of direction. Therefore, relevant leaders, experts and scholars from the National Bureau of Statistics, the National Development and Reform Commission, the State Council Development Research Center, China Textile Industry Association and various professional associations, and notable entrepreneurs from home and abroad were invited to the forum, made high-end communications and discussions on the conference theme, and carried a in-depth study on China textile industry development trends and the measures to confront in 2010. On the Forum, Mr. Yao Jingyuan, Chief Economist of National Bureau of Statistics made a speech entitled "2010 China's Macroeconomic Trends and Policy Measures".

He stated that facing the financial crisis, the Chinese government made a scientific assessment of the international and domestic situations and decisively introduced a package of policies including the implementation of the proactive fiscal policy and moderate loose monetary policy to maintain growth, expand domestic demand, readjust the structure, and benefit the people's livelihood, which enabled China to become the first in the world to stop the downturn of the economy, stabilize it and make it rise up, and achieve a hard-won success. He predicted that in 2010, China's economy would be a continuous process during which economic structure would be optimized; the development methods would be transformed; service industry, especially the modern service industry, would develop better and faster; consumption would have a bigger pulling power of the economy; and innovation capacity and technological progress would contribute more to the economy.

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SHIMA SEIKI knitting machines in action at RMIT Gallery

Three SHIMA SEIKI computerised knitting machines have turned RMIT Gallery into a temporary “mini lab”, as part of The Endless Garment exhibition.

The machines, on loan from Ramsay McDonald, will be working until 21 March. They will enable gallery visitors to watch technology in action, producing highly original and experimental fashion design.

Staged during the 2010 L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, The Endless Garment celebrates the fusion of the mass-produced and machine-made, together with the unique vision and the creative energies of the designer.

According to The Endless Garment co-curator Ricarda Bigolin, it is a rare privilege for people outside industry to be able to see the SHIMA SEIKI machines up close in action.

“The show is about machine knitting and in putting it together we felt it was essential to have the SHIMA SEIKI machines in action in order to show the capabilities of HOLEGARMENT technology, which is 3D seamless knitting technology,” Ms Bigolin said.

“It is extremely difficult for designers to have access to these machines, as they have a commercial application in industry. We are very grateful to Ramsay McDonald for not only loaning us the machines for the exhibition, but for supplying a technician to stay at the Gallery and answer questions while the machines produce experimental garments.”

The SHIMA SEIKI machines use digitally programmed data, which ensures consistency and production on demand with minimal wastage of materials.

According to Stephen Long, from Ramsay McDonald, there has been considerable interest from industry seeing the new SHIMA SEIKI machines in action at RMIT Gallery. “People will be able to see the Mach2-X model, which is the only true gauge WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine available on the worldwide manufacturing market,” Mr Long said.

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Ludhiana sewing machine sector seeks govt assistance.

Chinese machines having seized a huge chunk of the local sewing machine market in the industrial sector, leaving the Ludhiana sewing machine industry to cater to just the house-hold domestic sewing machine market.

An expert said that the industry in Ludhiana was greatly affected on account of instability in the prices of raw material.

Ludhiana contributes 80 to 90 percent to the total production of domestic sewing machine industry of an industry which is worth around Rs. 15 billion.

Kapoor stated that previously, when prices of the raw material were steady, sewing machines were even being exported by the manufacturers in Ludhiana. However, over past three years, marginal contributions have flowed from exports.

Owing to the unsteadiness prevailing over prices of raw materials, several manufacturers were in view of importing Chinese components for domestic machines, he added.

In time availability of the raw material is also a core concern for the industry, said another expert. He also added that considering the instability in prices of inputs, the components were being imported by the assemblers and manufacturers.

He stated that lack of government support, in recent previous years and no significant innovations or R&D, could propound a challenge for the industry.

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Atlas unveils latest technology in textile testing

Atlas Material Testing Technology — a global leader in weathering testing and equipment is excited to introduce the latest technology for accelerated exposure testing of textiles, the Xenotest 220+.

Since the introduction of the first Xenotest 150 in 1954, Atlas has worked with the global textile industry as a competent and reliable partner. The Xenotest 220+ is a product of that cooperation, developed from years of experience and feedback.

The instrument uses an air-cooled xenon light source with a rotating rack. It is equipped with an intuitive, user-optimized control system featuring European and Asian languages. Also available are newly designed easy-insertion sample holders. Ideal for lightfastness testing under standard conditions and for applications such as ISO 105 B02 and AATCC TM16, the Xenotest 220+ addresses the basic needs of the textile industry.

Available in March 2010, users may select from a basic model Xenotest 220 or an enhanced model Xenotest 220+ featuring Atlas XenoTouch software with remote control, E-Mail Service and Online Monitoring add-ons.

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EmbroidMe makes custom-embroidered apparel fast & affordable

The origins of embroidery may be lost in time, but many examples still survive from ancient Egypt, Europe and Zhou Dynasty China. Elaborately embroidered clothing and household items have stood the test of time as a mark of wealth, status, and belonging in many cultures. In the modern age, embroidery is still often seen as an art; however, technology has revolutionized the time-consuming and painstaking work of yesteryear, making it fast and affordable for multiple purposes.

EmbroidMe is one of the leading embroidery companies in the world and uses machine embroidery to add logos and monograms to business shirts or jackets, gifts and team apparel as well as to decorate household linens and decorator fabrics that are reminiscent of the elaborate hand embroidery of the past. EmbroidMe's computer-driven equipment is capable of embroidering at the expeditious rate of 1000 stitches per minute. The use of custom embroidery on apparel has proven to be a cost-effective visual marketing strategy for many companies, and EmbroidMe provides expertise and an astounding collection of wearable such as polo shirts, caps, jackets, safety apparel, spirit wear and team & school uniforms.

"EmbroidMe has a marketing solution for every business," said Christine Marion, MAS at EmbroidMe. "Embroidered apparel reinforces your company's brand and tells your customers and employees that you care about quality."

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PT. Primatek to exhibit S296-2 model at Bandung inter TEX

Bandung Inter Tex 2010 is a popular international exhibition in Textile and Garment industry. This is a fully dedicated show presenting all the textile accessories from the South and Southeast Asia region. The 9th edition of this fair will be organized by Chan Chao International Co. Limited, Taiwan. This prominent exhibition has been a focal point for many leading textile and garment machinery and its accessories manufacturers from all around the world.

Dates:
22 - 25 April 2010 (Thursday - Sunday), daily from 10:00 a.m to 07:00 p.m

Venue:
Hall A(1,2,3) and B(1,2) (Jakarta International Expo-Kemayoran, Jakarta)

Terrot as one of the world brand leader is among the exhibitors at Bandung inter TEX 2010. Together with our partner PT. Primatek Technologies we would like to invite you to visit our booth 43 in hall D where we will exhibit machine model S296-2.

Machine features S296-2
• Diameter in inch: 36
• Gauge E: 28
• Number of feeders: 115
• Number of needle tracks: 2 (up to 4 available)
• Knitting structure: Single Plain Single structures

Benefit of Upgrades S296-2
• outstanding flexibility and efficiency in production of whole yarn range, different weights and fabric structures with Spandex plating
• its customer proven for processing both cotton and synthetic yarns on highest level of performance
• advanced central and individual stitch adjustment with more precise scale unit enhancing accurate stitch adjustment
• complete re-engineered knitting head with convertible low cost new cylinder needle
• redesigned knitting head with positive needle guidance in cam curve - needles are guided smoothly for less wear and tear and high machine speeds.
• new wear resistant zirconium yarn carriers with Spandex rolls for perfect plating – prevent fluff accumulations

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Brother Intl Corp to celebrate 'National Embroidery Month'

February is National Embroidery Month, and in celebration, Brother International Corporation invites enthusiasts and beginners to visit their local Authorized Brother Innov-ís Dealer to see the latest advancements in technology that have made embroidery easier than ever before. As a leader in the sewing and embroidery industry, Brother has a true commitment to innovation.

Offering a full line of embroidery machines with models suited for beginners, casual hobbyists and advanced users there is a machine for every skill level. Plus, with monthly financing options and aggressive rebates, these machines are even more affordable during National Embroidery Month.

The art of embroidery is a centuries-old skill. Traditionally a hand-craft, embroidery has greatly evolved with technological advancements and the development of computerized embroidery machines. The user-friendly features in today’s computerized machines allow beginners to become a designer with the push of a button. Customizing existing apparel, accessories and home décor items with embroidery is much easier to do for some beginners than the skilled, sometimes complicated, steps of garment construction.
“Advancements in technology over the years have allowed us to enhance the features of our computerized sewing and embroidery machines making it easier than ever to achieve professional results and create customized designs,” explained Dean F. Shulman, senior vice president of Brother International Corporation and head of the company’s home appliance division. “The ability to quickly, easily, and professionally personalize apparel, home décor and accessories is possible with all of our embroidery machines.”

Brother offers a variety of computerized machines from sewing and embroidery combination machines, to embroidery-only machines, to six-needle single head embroidery machines, like the Entrepreneur PR-650, that can provide unlimited business potential. Many of these machines include user-friendly features such as automatic needle threading, built-in designs and fonts for push-of-the-button embroidery, on-screen editing and customization, and a built-in embroidery card slot for access to thousands of optional designs.

The most advanced embroidery machine from Brother, the Entrepreneur PR-650, has automatic color changing on the six-needles of the machine. This feature allows for pre-programming of a thread color sequence for an entire design. Another time-saving feature is the automatic thread trimmer which means no time consuming trimming after the embroidery is complete.

The opportunities for personalization and customization with embroidery are endless from caps and bags for local sports teams, and shirts and uniforms for businesses, to monogrammed baby blankets, bibs and diaper bags. Plus, it’s easy to add character to projects with exclusive licensed embroidery designs featuring popular Disney, Disney/Pixar, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros. and DC Comics characters. With a Brother embroidery machine, crafters can have access to popular designs featuring characters such as: Mickey Mouse, Disney Princesses, Winnie the Pooh™, “Cars,” “The Incredibles”, “Toy Story”, “Finding Nemo”, “Monsters, Inc.”, Blue’s Clues™, Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob Square Pants, “BATMAN”, “SUPERMAN”, “SUPERGIRL”, “Scooby-Doo” and “Looney Tunes.”

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SWF to host Embroidery and Direct To Garment Extravaganza

Whether you are starting a business or want to improve your existing business, the Embroidery and Direct To Garment Extravaganza 2010 hosted by SWF East is a two-day education and workshop conference devoted to apparel decorating.

This 2-day event April 16 -17 in Charlotte, North Carolina is an opportunity to take advantage of in-depth education from top industry suppliers; learn about the latest in apparel decorating equipment and new technology. Demonstrations on machines and techniques will be shown providing an opportunity to have any questions answered about embroidery machines, software, hooping, screen printing presses and direct-to-garment digital printing.

Some of the free seminars include “Learn how to start a decorated apparel business”, “How to sell and market on the web” and “How to find products and vendors”. There are also three formal advanced classes available “Advanced DTG Garment Printing”, Advanced Embroidery Machine Maintenance” both on Friday and “Sierra Software Advanced Digitizing” on Saturday, each for a small additional fee.

Attendees can walk the floor on a come-and-go basis to see hands-on demonstrations conducted in the exhibitor’s area.Participating suppliers include SWF East, Stahls’ ID Direct, Colman & Company, Bomark Sportswear, and DTG Printers among others. Included in the admission price all attendees receive a buffet deli style lunch that will be available from noon to 1 p.m. each day. This is the perfect opportunity to network with peers in your area.

Don’t forget to bring your business cards and drop one in the basket at the registration table. You could be the lucky winner of a door prize, but in order to qualify, you must be present to win

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Original Sewing & Quilt Expo boosts benefits

Original Sewing & Quilt Expo returns to the Tampa Convention Center February 18, 19 & 20, and to Atlanta at the Gwinnett Center, March 11, 12 & 13, filled with more of everything sewing, embroidery and quilting enthusiasts crave. When you attend, you may leave with something unexpected: improved mental, emotional and even physical well-being.

Study after study demonstrates the benefits of leading a well-balanced lifestyle, with time to pursue personally satisfying hobbies like sewing, quiltmaking and other needle arts. Similar to yoga, creating with needle and thread allows the mind to focus on the task at hand, clearing away distractions and problems. When put to the scientific test, sewing lowered blood pressure and respiration more than other hobbies. Psychologist and biofeedback experts conducting a recent clinical study feel the benefits of a hobby like sewing cannot be over-stated.

And they are not alone. "As unbelievable as it sounds," says Tina, avid gift-maker and regular Expo attendee, "by the time I've finished my stitching for the evening, I'm relaxed and feeling totally de-stressed. It's like magic, (my brain is) working in the background, resolving issues while I'm enjoying quiet, creative, productive time at my machine."

Whether you've been an enthusiast for years, are a rookie just testing the waters or want to re-acquaint yourself with all things creative, these three days at Original Sewing & Quilt Expo offer lifelong benefits. Find a year's worth of healthy activity and fulfillment when you:

• Take one of 200 classes and workshops brought to life by more than 35 of the nation's best instructors;
• Shop for the latest tools, supplies, equipment, techniques and ideas at more than 120 retail booths;
• See runway fashion shows, quilt and home decor trunk shows, new-product demos on two stages;
• Try your hand at the many Make-it Take-It projects;

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Global economic crisis hurts Rieter Textile Systems biz

Between 2007 and the business year 2009 the Rieter Group had to absorb a drastic slump in sales amounting to 1 973.8 million CHF, equivalent to a decline of some 50%, as a result of the global economic crisis. However, the group successfully defended its strong market position in the textile machinery and automotive supply businesses. A slight recovery on the markets was apparent for the first time in the second half of 2009, enabling Rieter to record increases of 30% in orders received and 17% in sales during this period compared with the first half of the year.

Orders received and Sales 2009
The Rieter Group was severely affected by the impact of the economic and financial crisis in the 2009 financial year. The unfavorable market conditions adversely influenced the trend of business at both divisions. The slump in demand that had already severely impacted 2008 continued until the spring of 2009; a slight recovery in the markets became apparent in the second half of the year. Rieter believes that activity in both sectors in which the group operates bottomed out before mid-2009.

Orders received by the Rieter Group in the 2009 financial year declined by 24% (21% in local currencies) to 1935.1 million CHF. Order intake in the second half of 2009 was 9% higher than in the same period of the previous year and 30% higher than in the first half of 2009. This positive trend was attributable to a significant increase in orders received by both divisions. Over the year as a whole group sales declined more steeply than orders received, to 1 956.3 million CHF, a reduction of 38% (35% in local currencies). In the second half of 2009 this figure was 21% lower than in the same period of the previous year and 17% higher than in the first half of 2009.

Textile Systems: 69% increase in orders received in the second half of the year
The world market for textile machinery, which had already been weakening since the fourth quarter of 2007, suffered a massive slump as of March 2008, and this bottomed out in the first quarter of 2009. There were structural and cyclical reasons for this downturn. On the one hand it marked the end of an investment boom to expand spinning capacity that had been fueled additionally in many markets by government stimulus programs. On the other hand the consequences of the economic and financial crisis had further reinforced the downswing.These resulted in a decline in textile consumption in the US and Europe and high yarn inventories in spinning mills worldwide. The rather better performance of the domestic markets in China and India was insufficient to offset this trend.

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Ruddick will continue to enhance international operations

Ruddick Corporation reported that consolidated sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 ended December 27, 2009 increased by 4.6% to $1.04 billion from $995 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The increase in consolidated sales for the quarter was attributable to a 4.7% sales increase at Harris Teeter, the Company’s supermarket subsidiary, and a 3.2% sales increase at American & Efird (“A&E”), the Company’s sewing thread and technical textiles subsidiary.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2010, consolidated net income was $23.7 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to $22.9 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, in the prior year’s first quarter. The increase in net income over the prior year was driven by operating profit improvements at A&E that more than offset the slight decline in operating profit at Harris Teeter and additional overhead expenses at the holding company, as compared to the prior year. The increase in corporate expenses was driven by increased costs associated with certain benefit programs that have investment returns referenced to the financial markets and expenses of $500,000 associated with certain contract negotiations.

Harris Teeter’s sales increased by 4.7% to $972.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, compared to sales of $928.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The increase in sales was attributable to incremental new store sales that were partially offset by a comparable store sales decline of 2.37% for the quarter. Comparable store sales for the quarter were negatively impacted by retail price deflation and changes in consumer purchasing habits, reflective of the current economic environment.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, Harris Teeter opened 6 new stores and closed one existing store, which was replaced by one of the new stores. Since the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2009, Harris Teeter has opened 21 new stores, closed 3 older stores (which were all replaced by new stores) and completed the major remodeling of one store, which included the expansion of selling square footage. Harris Teeter operated 194 stores at December 27, 2009.

Operating profit at Harris Teeter in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 decreased to $42.3 million (4.35% of sales), from $44.3 million (4.77% of sales) in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Operating profit was impacted by new store pre-opening costs of $2.6 million (0.26% of sales) and $4.0 million (0.43% of sales) in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009, respectively. New store pre-opening costs fluctuate between reporting periods depending on the new store opening schedule.

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Jingwei Textile Machinery to buy 36% stake in Zhongrong Trust

The Board of Jingwei Textile Machinery Company Limited entered into the conditional Acquisition Agreement with the Vendor. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company has agreed to acquire the Sale Interest at the Consideration of initially RMB1.2 billion (equivalent to approximately HK$1,363.64 million), subject to adjustments.

Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, the Consideration shall be settled in cash. Upon Completion, the Company will own 36% equity interest in Zhongrong Trust and will secure effective control over it by virtue of its control over the board of Zhongrong Trust. Accordingly, Zhongrong Trust will become a subsidiary of the Company and its financial results will be consolidated into the financial statements of the Group.

The Acquisition constitutes a very substantial acquisition on the part of the Company under Chapter 14 of the Listing Rules. Accordingly, the Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated there under are subject to the approval of Shareholders at the EGM. As no Shareholder has any material interest in the Acquisition, no Shareholder is required to abstain from voting at the EGM to approve the Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated there under.

A circular containing, among other matters, further details of the Acquisition and a notice convening the EGM, will be despatched to Shareholders in compliance with the Listing Rules.

As at the date of this announcement, Zhongzhi Group was owned as to 80% by Liu Yang and 20% by the Committee of the Employee Association of Zhongzhi Group. To the best of the Directors’ knowledge, information and belief having made all reasonable enquiry, the Vendor and its ultimate beneficial owners are third parties independent of the Company and connected persons of the Company, and there shall be no restriction for any subsequent sale of the Sale Interest acquired by the Group.

Assets to be acquired
Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, the Company has conditionally agreed to acquire and the Vendor has conditionally agreed to dispose of the Sale Interest, representing 36% equity interest in the entire registered capital of Zhongrong Trust.

Consideration and pricing basis
The Consideration for the Acquisition of not more than RMB1.2 billion (equivalent to approximately HK$1,363.64 million) shall be payable in cash and satisfied in the following manner:

Zhongzhi Group is a limited liability company established in the PRC with diversified business operations. It is principally engaged in, among others, asset investment and management, investment and financial advisory businesses, technological development and import and export of commodity and technology and agent services for import and export businesses.

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Brazil is growing market for technical textiles & nonwovens sector

Technical textiles and nonwovens are two sectors which have found an increasingly greater number of applications in recent years, even in Brazil. The local market is developing at a fast pace, and many local textile manufacturers are now concentrating on this type of production.

According to a recent survey conducted by IEMI, a brazilian consulting firm, the two sectors (nonwovens and technical textiles) account for well over 200 companies currently operating in Brazil, employing roughly 40,000 people. Total estimated production for 2008 amounted to 462,000 tons, for a value of 3.9 billion Brazilian Reais. For the same year, over 160 million Reais were invested in modernizing and/or acquiring new machinery (a value of about 4% of annual revenues). Exports of products for these two sectors in 2008 totalled 269 million US Dollars.

These figures bear witness to the growing interest of machinery manufacturers in this industry. In an effort to place Italian technology in the spotlight, ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) and ICE (Italian Trade Commission) have organized a technology symposium to be held in Sao Paolo next March 4th and 5th, 2010.

About fifteen Italian textile machinery manufacturers will present their latest technology proposals in Sao Paolo to a public comprising Brazilian operators in the technical textiles and nonwovens sector.

This encounter represents a further meeting point between Italy’s textile machinery industry and Brazil’s textile sector, which over the years have developed a strong partnership, as demonstrated by the value of Italian sales of machinery to Brazil. In fact, for the period running from 2004-2008, Italian exports of textile machinery in Brazil increased at a pace of 13% annually, reaching a value of 72 million Euros in 2008, thus ranking Brazil fourth among foreign markets for Italy’s textile machinery sector.

The most recent figures, relative to January to September 2009, indicate that Italian exports to Brazil amounted to 23 million Euros. Italian machinery most in demand in the Brazilian market are finishing machinery (32%), followed by accessories (26%) and knitting machines (21%).

The Italian participants at the workshop are a small sample of the substantial number of Italian companies operating in this sector.

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LH-3500A sews two lockstitch seams in parallel with 2-needle

JUKI launches its semi-dry head, 2-needle, lockstitch machine "LH-3500A Series" on the 11th January.

The Series incorporates the "direct-drive" mechanism which connects the compact servomotor directly to the main shaft of the sewing machine. It is a partly-changed model of its predecessor LH-3500 Series which has been put on the market in July, 2007. With its newly adopted direct-drive mechanism, the LH-3500A Series not only improves seam quality but also increases energy saved, improves workability and increases the material-penetrating force of the needle. The sewing machine sews two lockstitch seams in parallel with its two needles. It is useful for sewing front facings of men's shirts, foundation (ladies' underwear) and jeans.

The sewing machine comes in four different specifications classified by material thickness; S type for medium-weight materials, A type for light-weight materials, F type for foundation and G type for jeans and heavy-weight materials. The model with the suitable specification for production items is selectable.

The partly-changed LH-3500A Series models are functionally balanced basic ones (medium-speed popular type). JUKI is going to expand sales by means of this series models which are provided with general versatility and good cost performance.

Features
Direct-drive mechanism
- The direct-drive mechanism which connects the compact servomotor directly to the main shaft is adopted into the sewing machine with an automatic thread trimmer.
- Adoption of the direct-driven mechanism helps improve the machine's stop accuracy and responsiveness, leading to increased work efficiency.
- Adoption of a high-torque type motor helps increase the material-penetrating force of the needle by approximately 32 % as compared with JUKI's conventional models. As a result, the sewing machine consistently provides the needle with adequate material-penetrating force even when sewing multi-layered sections of heavy-weight materials.

Energy saving
- With the adoption of the compact-in-size motor for the direct-drive mechanism and the new model of control box (SC-920), the sewing machine reduces its power consumption by approximately 15 %.

Semi-dry head
- The semi-dry head, which prevents oil stains caused by the oil coming from the frame (needle bar section), is adopted into all the models under the LH-3500A Series. The semi-dry head helps prevent the production of inferior quality sewing products due to oil stains.

Seam quality
- Four different types of sewing machines (S, A, F and G) which differ in seam specification are prepared according to the material to be used. The sewing machine with the seam specification that is best suited to production items can be selected. (G type will be launched in February, 2010.)

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Presentation of French textile machinery industry in India, UCMTF

UCMTF (French Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers), Ubifrance and the French Trade Commission of the French Embassy in India plan to organise in India the second edition of the seminar:

This seminar will take place this time at Ludhiana and Mumbai on 20th & 22nd April 2010 respectively. Please find attached a brief on the French Textile Machinery Industry for your reference.

In order to meet and identify the Indian partners and associates for this seminar Ms Evelyne Cholet, representative of UCMTF, Ms Florence Zuber, representative of Ubifrance, France and Ms Brinder Rault, Trade Advisor, French Trade Commission of French Embassy in India plan to meet various Indian organizations on the following dates:

Meetings at Mumbai: 1st & 2nd February
Meetings at Chandigarh: 3rd February
Meetings at Ludhiana: 3rd & 4th February
Meetings at Delhi: on 5th February.

During this trip a group meeting with the specialized Indian magazines/journals is also being organised on Friday 5th February 2010 at 10 am at the French Trade Commission at Delhi.

The French textile machinery Manufacturers have established a firm foothold on the international markets for many years. France is the European Union’s third largest exporter of textile machinery and the sixth largest in the world. More than one hundred countries have chosen them as their partners to whom they export 90% of their national production. They are a dynamic group of companies who created years ago a private professional Association UCMTF (French Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers), whose aim is the promotion of the French machines and French companies. UCMTF nurtures the dynamism, professionalism, competence and creativity of the French member companies.

French companies have established and will continue to ensure a leadership position in the international textile industry.

They are expanding on textile markets with extremely targeted products and for industries requiring integrated manufacturing processes.

Employing more than 8.000 people with a continuously growing turnover (more than 1,5 billion USD) and backed by specialised research centres, the French manufacturers have dominant positions in their specialities. Most of them now hold significant world market shares, exceeding 60 % for some specialities. This leadership is due to the simultaneously implementation of technologically advanced machinery, reliability and the services required in large-scale exporting and automation. Their success in these areas guarantees a productive future, and gives the French machinery an advantage over the competition.

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