#Raw Materials

2023-03-16

Cotton Incorporated Board creates new position in anticipation of CEO succession plan

Cotton Incorporated announces today the appointment of William Kimbrell as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the company. This new position was created by Cotton Incorporated’s Board of Directors following the current President and Chief Executive Officer, J. Berrye Worsham’s retirement announcement effective December 2024. The position is in alignment with Cotton Incorporated’s Succession Plan toward the transition to be potentially named President and CEO, which requires a Board vote in December 2024.

“We feel confident in William’s ability to continue to progress within the company” notes Cotton Incorporated Board Chairman, James Johnson. “We’ve been anticipating the activation of the succession plan for several years and are pleased with the outcome.”

William Kimbrell – Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer © 2023 Cotton Inc.

Kimbrell is a 20-year veteran of Cotton Incorporated. After graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in Textile Management, he achieved his MBA with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. He applied this background in various positions with Cotton Incorporated including fiber processing as well as several roles in the Global Supply Chain Marketing division from technology management to marketing in Asia, where he was most recently named vice president.

His international business travel has provided an opportunity to conduct technology marketing and strategy meetings with mills, brands and retailers in 24 countries globally. Now named executive vice president, chief operating officer, Kimbrell will continue in his current role as vice president, supply chain marketing Asia, until his successor is identified.

“The combination of William’s technical skills along with the breadth of global supply chain marketing experience over 20 years, provide the right background to help keep cotton in the forefront of the global textile industry,” notes current President and CEO, J. Berrye Worsham. “I feel confident about William’s leadership for the company and the industry.”

J Berrye Worsham – President and Chief Executive Officer © 2023 Cotton Inc.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

ECCO introduces first shoe featuring innovative protein-based fibre

ECCO, in partnership with Spinnova, announces the launch of the limited edition ECCO BIOM® 720, a first-of-its-kind shoe utilising an often overlooked leather by-product, transformed into a protein-based fibre. The fibres are produced using patented technology that advances material innovation while reducing waste and supporting full resource use across the leather and textile industry.

Walter Reiners Foundation Prize awarded to three ITA graduates

Sabina Dann, Lukas Balon and Annegret Storm from the Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University were awarded the Walter Reiners Foundation Prize by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) for their master’s and bachelor’s theses. Peter Dornier, Chairman of the Walter Reiners Foundation, presented the awards during Techtextil at the VDMA stand in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.