TW Special Report

Textile industry associations want the textile industry to know they are talking. With a desire to work more collaboratively on industry initiatives and events that are beneficial to all their respective members, 11 associations — Advanced Textiles Association (ATA), American Textile Machinery Association (ATMA), Americas Apparel Producers’ Network (AAPN), American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Association of the Nonwovens Fabrics Industry (INDA), the Nonwovens Institute (NWI), North American Linen Association (NALA), SEAMS – The Association & Voice of the U.S. Sewn Products Industry, Southern Textile Association (STA), Sewn Products Equipment and Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA), and Synthetic Yarn & Fabric Association (SYFA) — recently got together to discuss ways to benefit the industry.

“We all represent various segments of the textiles and sewn products industry,” said Maggie McDonald, vice president, Communications, SPESA. “But we all agree that collaboration and building on synergies is what will propel our industry into its next chapter.”

This “Alphabet Soup Collective,” as the group has affectionately named itself, was officially launched during Techtextil North America held in Raleigh August 20-22, 2024. One of the first ideas for the collective was to co-host a social event open to all members of the textile industry including current association members as well as non-members wanting to learn more. The result, the inaugural Alphabet Soup Shindig, was held at the Whiskey Kitchen in Raleigh, Wednesday, August 21, 2024. This first-of-its-kind, sold-out event gathered people from all aspects of the industry in one place at the same time to network, learn and collaborate. Attendance far exceeded expectations, illustrating a hunger for these types of cross-industry networking opportunities.

Twelve sponsors were instrumental in making the shindig happen, and the organizers are very grateful to these companies:

• American & Efird;
• Asheboro Elastics Corp. (AEC);
• Baxter Mill Archives;
• Better Than Found;
• Coker & Associates;
• Contempora Fabrics;
• Danbartex;
• Gribbin Strategic;
• Itema America Inc.;
• MajorSage Business Coaching;
• MMI Textiles; and
• North Carolina Textile Foundation at NC State University.

Ben Talbert, president and CEO of Greenville, S.C.-based Better Than Found Search Group, one of the event sponsors, said: “Better than Found Search Group (BTF) was proud to sponsor this event. A big thank you to Devin Steele with STA and Maggie McDonald with SPESA for putting together one of the best trade show social events I have attended. The textile community is a family, and this felt like our reunion.”

Organizers also shared the following event feedback posted on Linkedin by Graham Page, co-founder and president of iAtelier Corp. and principal at AlchemyX LLC. “That was hands down, the best industry networking event I have ever attended,” Page said. “Where else can you connect with the entire industry from start to finish, from fiber to retail? The energy was palpable. This sort of thinking is exactly what is needed in these difficult times in our broader industry. Innovation happens when you mix people and ideas to address big challenges. Kudos to the team that pulled this together.”

As McDonald noted: “Good people, good networking, good vibes, AND good weather. Doesn’t get much better.”

The Alphabet Soup Collective will continue its conversations as it looks for ways to collaborate, streamline events and gather the industry in productive, beneficial ways for all involved. Questions, suggestions, feedback and ideas all are welcomed.

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August 27, 2024

Awards and winners included the:

• Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award, presented to Lyman Hamrick, Hamrick Mills;
• David Clark Award, presented to Ed Cox, plant manager at Burlington Fabrics/Elevate Textiles; and
• George Abbott Membership Award, presented to Matt Llewellyn, director of Sales & Marketing at STOLL by KARL MAYER.

Steve Epps Award

Lyman Hamrick, who spent his 50-year career in the textile industry, was awarded the highest award conferred by the Southern Textile Association, the Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award.

The Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award honors members who have been a member of association for 20 years or more, are retiring or have retired, served the association in many capacities of leadership and service during their years of membership. Epps served as president of STA in 1985-86 and remained an active member of STA until his death in 2010. Recipients are selected by vote of the Board of Governors.

The award was presented by STA Past President and Nominating Committee Chairman Mike Kingsmore, senior sales representative at Apollo Chemical.

Hamrick graduated from Presbyterian College in 1973 and upon graduation was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant through ROTC in the United States Army. He was a reserve officer from 1973 until 1981.

He also began his textile career in 1973, starting as a management trainee with his family business, Hamrick Mills. Hamrick held various roles during his 50-year career, including plant manager, vice president of manufacturing and currently director on the Hamrick Mills’ board.

Hamrick’s involvement in industry and community activities include past president of the Gaffney Rotary Club, former chair of the Limestone Board of Trustees, Life Deacon First Baptist Church, STA past president, and recipient of the David Clark Award.

Hamrick has a passion for family, charity and textiles. He and his wife Lee have two children, Elliott Hamrick, and Sarah Hamrick Grice, and two granddaughters.

David Clark Award

Ed Cox, plant manager at Burlington Fabrics/Elevate Textiles, Rockingham, N.C., has been awarded the David Clark Award for distinguished leadership and service to the Southern Textile Association.

The David Clark Award, named for the founder of STA in 1908, honors past presidents of the association who continue to contribute to the association and through it to the textile industry for 10 or more years following their service as president. Cox served as STA president in 2012-13. Recipients are selected by vote of the Board of Governors. Kingsmore also presented that award.

Cox graduated in 1986 from NC State University with a BS in Textile Management and has worked in the textile industry for 37 years. He has served in all manufacturing areas with Cone Mills from 1986-2014. During his time with Cone he worked in Mexico and Nicaragua.

Cox went to work for Burlington in 2014, where he serves as plant manager for Burlington Fabrics.

He is married to Donna Cox, and they have two daughters, Allie and Marion, and a granddaughter. They reside in West End, N.C.

George Abbott Membership Award

Matt Llewellyn, director of Sales & Marketing at STOLL by KARL MAYER, Greensboro, N.C., received the Southern Textile Association’s (STA’s) George Abbott Membership Award.

The George Abbott Membership Award was created to honor the man who recruited many members to the STA over numerous years. Abbott, who had retired as vice president of manufacturing at Inman Mills, was presented the first award given in his namesake in 2019.

Since then, the award has been given each year to the person who recruits the most members to the association. Abbott, affectionately known by members as “Mr. STA,” died in 2022.

Posted July 14, 2023

Source: Southern Textile Association (STA)

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — July 13, 2023 — Charles Poston, market manager of textiles for Klüber Lubrication, Jamestown, N.C., has been elected president of the Southern Textile Association (STA).

His election came during the STA Business Breakfast Session of the Joint Annual Meeting of the STA and Fiber Buyers Groups held at The Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort here on June 27. Poston succeeds Cameron Hamrick, president of Hamrick Mills, Gaffney, S.C., who was elevated to chairman of the Board of Governors.

Evans Tindal, plant manager at Glen Raven, Anderson, S.C., was voted in as first vice president. Nathan Fisher of Nava Technologies, Greensboro, N.C., was elected second vice president. Nathan Evans, vice president of sales at The Seydel Companies, Pendergrass, Ga., was named member-at-large. Devin Steele, Belmont, N.C., was re-elected secretary/treasurer.

Elected to the Board of Governors for four-year terms expiring in 2027 were: Palmer Blair Jr., Dillon Yarn Corporation; Tim Manson, Meridian Specialty Yarn Group; Oliver Meier, American Dornier; Thomas Poston, Daikin America, Inc.; Tina Rogers, Techmer PM; and Randy Smith, Mount Vernon Mills.

The Joint Annual Meeting of the Southern Textile Association and Fiber Buyer Groups was attended by more than 100 textile operating executives, spouses and guests.

Posted July 14, 2023

Source: Southern Textile Association (STA)

To learn more about each award, view past winners, or nominate a future recipient, visit www.aatcc.org/awards.

Weaver Paper of the Year

Michael Santiago Cintron, Terri Von Hoven, Doug J. Hinchliffe, and Rebecca Hron are the recipients of the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award for their paper “Examination of Cotton Maturity and Maturity Distribution Using an Infrared Focal Plane Array Imaging System,” published in the 2021 AATCC Journal of Research.

The authors are all employed at the Southern Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS in New Orleans, LA, USA. Cintron is a research chemist and has been with the USDA since 2008. Von Hoven is a mechanical engineer, Hinchliffe is a lead scientist/molecular biologist, and Hron is a research chemist.

The AATCC Publications Committee presents the J. William Weaver Paper of the Year Award to the author or authors of the best peer reviewed paper published in AATCC Journal of Research each year. Even before it began publishing its own journal, AATCC had a long-standing tradition of friendly rivalry among authors. From 1925 to 1933, awards were presented for the best AATCC conference papers published by American Dyestuff Reporter. From 1940 to 1996, an Intersectional Paper Competition winner was chosen each year. In January 1969, AATCC began publishing Textile Chemist and Colorist and in February 1979, an annual award was established to honor the best paper published in that journal.

TCR Service Award

AATCC recognized Heather Elliot and Matthew Hardwick as the 2022 recipients of the AATCC Technical Committee on Research (TCR) Service Award! Elliot is a product integrity manager at Smartwool. She is recognized for her continuous service and leadership of the RA100 Global Sustainability Test Methods Research Committee and for spearheading the committee’s first test method, AATCC TM212 Test Method for Fiber Fragment Release During Home Laundering, which provides a standardized method for quantifying fiber fragment shedding to combat aquatic pollution.

Hardwick is president and CEO of ResInnova Laboratories. He is recognized for his continuous service and leadership of the RA31 Antimicrobial Activity Research Committee, which led to critical updates of AATCC TM100 Test Method for Antibacterial Finishes on Textile Materials: Assessment of, and most recently, a new standard in the area of odor measurement with TM211 Test Method for the Reduction of Bacterial Odor on Antibacterial Treated Textiles in 2021.

The Technical Committee on Research Service Award was established in 2008 to recognize those members who have contributed greatly to the AATCC organization in a technical capacity.

AATCC Future Leader Awards

The Future Leaders Award recognizes promising young professionals in the fields of textiles, apparel, and related material sciences, provides acknowledgement and recognition to enhance their careers, engages these young professionals in the work of the Association, and brings their insights and needs to the forefront. These young professionals are the future of our industry and the future leaders of AATCC.

Yihong Li is a senior technical manager at Microban International and has been with Microban since 2019. She joined AATCC in 2017 and is a member of the Chemical Applications Interest Groups, the RA31 Antimicrobial Activity Test Methods Committee and the RA60 AATCC Home Laundering Technology Test Methods Committee.

Jenna Eason is a senior applications development scientist with Eastman Chemical. Eason joined AATCC in 2020 and currently serves as an AATCC student mentor and a member of the Concept 2 Consumer Interest Group

Sarah Plautz has been working at W.L. Gore & Associates for the nine years, where she has experienced close collaboration with textile mills and manufacturing, textile testing, textile development, and college recruiting. Currently, she is the Vice Chair of the AATCC Delaware Valley Section and has been active in this section since 2017. Plautz joined AATCC in 2018 and is a member of the Materials Interest Group and C6 Membership Committee.

Malinda Scheff is a material supplier quality manager at Patagonia, where she manages a team responsible for ensuring all Patagonia materials are tested according to standards from development through production. Scheff has been a member of AATCC since 2016 and is active in several research committees as well as the Rising Professionals Interest Group.

AATCC Education Award

In recognition of her contributions to the educational and training activities of AATCC, Ann C. Laidlaw was honored with the AATCC Education Award. Laidlaw has been involved in the Association’s educational workshops and symposia for more than 20 years and has taught at more than 40 workshops and symposia on topics involving color science, chemistry, and finishing. She participated on steering committees to develop program content, and served as program chair, moderator, and presenter at numerous AATCC workshops, symposia, and international conferences. From 1996 through 2019, Laidlaw was involved in at least one teaching event per year and, for several years, participated as an instructor in the AATCC Color Management Workshops. Laidlaw also co-authored books and served on multiple committees for AATCC.

Laidlaw was the mastermind behind the Textile Bowl that was held during AATCC International Conferences. She created the questions, organized the college student teams, and emceed several of these popular events. Her questions challenged students and members alike! Appropriately, she accepted her award with a quiz—inviting attendees to name the color phenomenon exhibited by the print on her dress (it was simultaneous contrast).

Student Chapter Faculty Advisor Award

Bryan Ormond was honored for his active leadership, participation, and support of the AATCC Student Chapter at North Carolina State University (NCSU), Wilson College of Textiles, as this year’s recipient of the AATCC Faculty Advisor Award. He has served as faculty advisor of the AATCC student chapter at NCSU since he became an Assistant Professor in 2018. Ormond joined AATCC while an undergraduate student at NCSU in 2006. In 2007, while completing his undergraduate degree, he was recognized with the AATCC Outstanding College Graduate of the Year Award. Ormond brought several students to the Summit, encouraging a new generation of textile professionals and award winners.

Goldstein Student Paper Competition

The first-place winner of the 2022 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition is Faisel Abedin, a PhD candidate at North Carolina State University. Abedin’s paper and oral presentation were titled, “Skin-Textiles Interactions and Thermal Management for Activewear: Influence of Fiber Types and Dynamic Environment Conditions.” The second-place winner was Mohammad Iftekharul Alam of Central Michigan University. His work was “Effect of Different Finishing Methods on the Thermal Comfort of Uniform Work-Shirts.”

The competition is held under the auspices of the AATCC Education Advisory Board and named for Herman and Myrtle Goldstein who provided an endowment to fun the competition and various other student activities.

Millson Award for Invention

AATCC recognized John Crocker and Rick Stanford as the 2021 recipients of the Henry E. Millson Award for Invention. The Millson Award recognizes inventions that are outstanding contributions to textile technology. Crocker and Stanford developed a standardized washing machine for testing textiles to multiple AATCC standards.

Chapin Award

In recognition of his outstanding service to the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, AATCC named Gang Sun the 2021 recipient of the Harold C. Chapin Award.

Olney Medal

Yiqi Yang is the 2021 recipient of the AATCC Olney Medal for outstanding achievement in textile science. Yang is being recognized for his work on the research and development of sustainable, greener textiles. Yang’s contributions to textile science include the development of new biobased fibers and textile chemicals from agricultural wastes and co-products, and cleaner productions in coloration and finishing. His work on protein fibers from chicken feathers was a highlight of the Summit educational sessions.

AATCC connects the global textile community to empower an innovative, informed, and sustainable future. Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, AATCC has provided standards development, testing materials, educational resources, and professional networking to the global textile industry for more than a century.

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Posted: October 27, 2022

Source: The American Association Of Textile Chemists And Colorists (AATCC)

“Jasmine is a natural fit for this position. She’s an energetic and passionate leader with a strong innovative spirit that is well-respected internally and across many facets of the textile industry — both statewide and nationally,” said Dr. John Hauser, president of Gaston College. “Her knowledge, skills, experience, and talents in textiles and advanced materials will continue to be key to the Textile Technology Center’s enduring success, and invaluable to the new Fiber Innovation Center to be constructed on our Kimbrell Campus.”

As executive director, Cox becomes a member of the President’s Cabinet and a key member of the college’s leadership team. She has been with Gaston College and the Textile Technology Center since 2015 and served in various roles prior to her position as director, including Physical Testing Laboratory technician, Special Projects coordinator, Process coordinator-Testing, coordinator-Business Strategy & Innovation.

The Textile Technology Center on Gaston College’s Kimbrell Campus is a partner in the Manufacturing & Textile Innovation Network. This center, along with the new Fiber Innovation Center that is coming soon will allow students to get hands-on experience with the latest technology and equipment used in research and development, testing, and production processes for the textile industry. Given the large textile manufacturing presence in North Carolina, particularly in Gaston and Lincoln counties, Cox plays a vital role in fostering the need for qualified and skilled industry workers.

In addition to her leadership and technical roles, she has been instrumental in strengthening the College’s partnership with NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles, expanding its relationships with numerous customers, local and statewide manufacturers, brand developers, and other advanced material industries. Cox also leads the College’s two-year Associate Degree program in Textile Technology as an administrator and instructor.

Cox earned a B.S. in Textile Technology-Supply Chain Operations, a M.S. in Textile Management, and is currently pursuing her doctorate degree from North Carolina State University. She holds a Textile Testing Essentials Certificate from Zeiss Textile Extension and has served on numerous boards and committees including the Wilson College of Textiles Alumni Leadership Council, Industrial Fabrics Association International: Advanced Textiles Board, Southern Textile Association Planning Committee, and the White Oak Legacy Foundation.

Posted: September 26, 2022

Source: Gaston College

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — June 29, 2022 — Brad Burnett, who spent his entire career in the textile industry, was awarded the David Clark Award for distinguished leadership and service to the Southern Textile Association (STA).

The presentation was made June 29 during the STA Business Breakfast Session of the Joint Annual Meeting of the STA and Fiber Buyers Groups at The Sonesta Resort at Shipyard Plantation here. The award was presented by Ed Cox, plant manager at Elevate Textiles.

Recipients of the David Clark Award are selected by the Board of Governors from past presidents of the association who have continued to provide leadership and service to the organization and industry for a minimum of 10 years after their term has ended. Burnett served as president of the Southern Textile Association in 2010-2011 and as chairman 2011-2012. Recipients are selected by vote of the Board of Governors.

Burnett graduated from Boiling Springs High School third in his class and went on to college at Wofford College, where he played football on a combined academic and athletic scholarship and graduated magna cum laude with majors in Economics, Sociology and Psychology. He also earned a master’s degree in Business Law and Management.

Burnett began his textile career with Milliken and Company in early 1979 and served over 10 years at four plant locations in all aspects of manufacturing management. He joined Inman Mills in 1990, beginning with the plant manager of the Mountain Shoals plant and later at all of the Enoree Division operations in South Carolina.

Burnett has served in leadership roles with the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) and subsequently the Southern Textile Association (STA). He served two terms as mayor of the city of Woodruff, SC. He still works with the city, even though his terms concluded in 2019. He retired from Inman Mills in 2018.

Burnett and his wife of 44 years, Sharon, have two daughters.

Posted July 5, 2022

Source: Southern Textile Association

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — June 29, 2022 — Russell Mims, who spent his 41-year career in the textile industry, was awarded the highest award conferred by the Southern Textile Association (STA), the Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award.

The Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award honors members who have been a member of association for 20 years or more, are retiring or have retired, served the association in many capacities of leadership and service during their years of membership. Steve Epps served as president of STA in 1985-86 and remained an active member of STA until his death in 2010. Recipients are selected by vote of the Board of Governors.

The presentation was made during the STA Business Breakfast Session of the Joint Annual Meeting of the STA and Fiber Buyers Groups at The Sonesta Resort at Shipyard Plantation. The award was presented by Ed Cox, plant manager at Elevate Textiles.

Mims graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Business Administration in 1976. He joined Cone Mills as a management trainee in 1977. During his time with Cone he was a supervisor and department manager in carding and spinning at Minneola Plant as well as an assistant plant manager at the Haynes Plant.

In 1989 he left to work for Parkdale Mills in Belmont, N.C., where he was plant manager for two different Parkdale plants. He also worked as plant manager for R.L. Stowe Mills in Belmont. In 2001 he became Vice President of Manufacturing for Buhler Quality Yarns in Jefferson, Ga. He stayed with Buhler for 17 years before retiring in 2018.

During his career, he began his STA journey by attending his first meeting in 1977 while working at Cone Mills. He went on to serve as North Carolina Division vice chairman. After moving to the Piedmont Division, he served as Piedmont Division vice chairman and chairman. He also served on the Board of Governors as first vice president, president (2004-05) and chairman (2005-06).

After retirement, he and his wife Joan moved to Indian Trail, N.C. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Posted July 5, 2022

Source: Southern Textile Association

Link’s retirement is effective July 1, when the STA’s new fiscal year opens.

Devin Steele, founder and publisher of eTextileCommunications.com, Greenville, S.C., has been elected by the STA Board of Governors to succeed Link. He will be assisted by Sandy Hamilton, administrative assistant at Gaston College Kimbrell Campus & Textile Technology Center.

During the STA’s/Fiber Buyers Joint Annual Meeting this week on Hilton Head Island, S.C., Link was presented the prestigious Chapman Award, established to recognize individuals for exemplary and outstanding service and leadership to the textile industry. The Chapman Award was established by the STA in 1984 in honor of three members of the Chapman Family of Inman Mills and Inman, S.C., who served as presidents of STA — James A. Chapman Sr. in 1923, James A. Chapman Jr. in 1955 and Joseph W. Chapman in 1972. She also was named a lifetime member of the STA’s Board of Governors.

Link, with the assistance of the STA Executive Committee and Board of Governors, has helped guide the association through times of evolution and contraction for the U.S. textile industry, and the STA has remained a viable and valuable source for the sector. This is especially true as membership sought information and engagement during the industry’s transitory years.

In its 114-year-old history, the STA has survived world wars, pandemics, a Great Depression, recessions, economic turmoil and more, but continues to thrive, thanks in part to Link’s steadfast leadership.

Link began her textile career in 1977 when Jim Conner, then executive vice president of the American Yarn Spinners Association (AYSA) asked her to join the organization when she was working as a bank teller. Accepting the position was “a no brainer and a blessing in disguise,” she said. “During my time with AYSA, Jim taught me everything I know about association management, and I loved the work.”

In addition to the AYSA, she was tasked to also manage another association under its auspices: the Textured Yarn Association of America (TYAA), which later became the Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association (SYFA). Shortly thereafter, the Carolinas Textile Club was added to her responsibilities.

In 1995, the AYSA took over the management of the Southern Textile Association, and Conner added that group to Link’s management responsibilities, as well.

“I have been so lucky to have had a job that I loved for the past 45 years,” Link said. “Over the years, I have come to love my STA family — and they are family! I cannot say enough good things about the support of the STA Board of Governors and past presidents who continue to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the association. I really appreciate them putting their trust in me for the past 27 years. It’s been a great ride and I cannot wait to see where Devin Steele takes it from here!”

Steele, who has covered the association for about 25 years for eTC and previously Southern Textile News (STN), joined its Board of Governors in 2016. He said he has huge shoes to fill.

“Lillian is synonymous with the Southern Textile Association, and she has done a terrific job keeping the association relevant and robust as the textile manufacturing landscape has changed over the last quarter century,” he said. “It’s difficult to fathom the STA without her constant presence at its functions. She is like the duck that you see only above the water — because everything always goes smoothly at STA meetings, but what you don’t see is her constant paddling under the surface to make sure everything goes seemingly effortlessly. Lillian is a dear friend, and I wish her all the best in her much-deserved retirement.”

STA Chairman Rick Carpenter, sales manager at Sonoco Conitex, said: “Serving as president, I have really grown to appreciate the work Lillian does behind the scenes to make our meetings and events successful. The past two years have been especially challenging as we worked through the pandemic, and she never wavered. I have been a member of the STA for 23 years, and I cannot imagine a meeting or event without her dedicated leadership. She will always be a part of STA, and I hope we will still see her and (husband) Mike at some of our events. STA is our textile family. On behalf of our membership, we wish Lillian a wonderful retirement and wish Devin good luck as he takes the helm of this great organization.”

Posted: July 5, 2022

Source: The Southern Textile Association Inc.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — January 1, 2021 — Ben Talbert, with more than 17 years of experience both working in and recruiting for the industrial sectors, including the textile industry, announced that his industrial recruiting firm, Better Than Found (BTF), will launch on January 1, 2021.

Specializing in professional and executive recruitment across manufacturing, engineering and construction, Better Than Found was formed on the mission to leave companies, careers and lives better than we found them. Based in Greenville, BTF does nationwide recruitment for companies in the Upstate of South Carolina and throughout the Southeast.

Better Than Found is a full-service industrial consultant and talent resource, capable of sourcing vital and specialized professionals and executives. With diverse industry knowledge and experience, its team has served clients, in textiles, HVAC/R, consumer products, OEM industrial equipment and aftermarket parts supply, capital equipment design/engineering/automation/integration, plastics and packaging, automotive, aerospace, power generation, warehousing/distribution/logistics, chemicals and food and beverage.

Better Than Found partners with companies that are committed to excellence within their niche in the market. Its team uses a consultative approach to thoroughly understand a company’s unique hiring needs, adapting its service to attract talent to fit those needs, bringing a focus that precisely matches not only candidates’ skill sets, but attitudes, values and motivations.

Better Than Found also provides highly qualified candidates access to today’s leading companies through a relationship-based approach, finding the best possible environments for their skills, aspirations and careers to flourish.

This confidential and strategic process ensures that all aspects of a potential career move will be in the best interest of everyone involved, leaving companies, careers and lives better.

With 10 years of direct industry experience along with seven years of recruiting across industrial sectors, Talbert set out to establish a search firm that measures success based on the number of lives impacted rather than the number of placements made.

Talbert, who holds a Textile Engineering degree from the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State, spent the first eight years of his career at Milliken, followed by two years at O’Neal Inc.

He has served on the board of directors for the Upstate Chapter of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers for over six years. He sits on the board of directors for 3GEN Ministries, a local nonprofit ministry. He is an active member and leader at Grace Church in Greenville, S.C., as well as a workout leader and recruitment/expansion participant with F3 Nation (Fitness, Fellowship and Faith). He also is a member of the Southern Textile Association (STA).

Talbert comes from a family with deep roots in the textile industry in South Carolina. It’s that heritage and his experience working with and placing professionals in the industry that has shown him the importance of relationship building, he said. He said that establishing those relationships in order to place an individual in the appropriate role provides much personal fulfillment.

“It’s extremely satisfying to bring in a candidate, hear their career goals and line them up with the right company,” he said. “Better Than Found is more than just a name — it’s our mission.”

Posted December 31, 2020

Source: Better Than Found

The Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification confirms the organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

• Employees are properly trained and protected;
• Managers understand regulatory requirements;
• OSHA-compliant; and
• Physical plant operates effectively.

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

“Congratulations to Southern Textile Services on their certification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Posted May 1, 2020

Source: TRSA