#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.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

ALLIED expands down traceability with lot-level carbon footprint data

ALLIED Feather + Down has expanded its TrackMyDown traceability platform to include validated cradle-to-gate carbon footprint data linked to individual down lots. The initiative is designed to provide brands and consumers with more detailed environmental information on the materials used in finished products and could also support future data requirements associated with Digital Product Passports.

ICAC’s 84th Plenary Meeting to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt

Registration will soon be open for the International Cotton Advisory Committee’s 84th Plenary Meeting, to be held March 24-26, 2027, in Alexandria, Egypt. The local Organizing Committee in Egypt has chosen “Building a Resilient and Competitive Future for Cotton and Textiles” as the theme for the event, which will be held at the Rixos Montaza Alexandria Resort.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.