#Software

2020-05-28

Gerber empowers nine line to produce thousands of medical-grade masks per day

Nine Line Apparel has partnered with Gerber Technology and Top Value Fabric to develop several types of protective masks to ensure the health and safety of millions. The global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) has put millions of lives at risk, including first responders, military members, essential workers, and those that are immunocompromised. With many masks out of stock and prices escalating rapidly, it has been incredibly difficult for consumers to get the protection they need.

Nine Line Apparel develops innovative solution to personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage.

“We are so proud to support our customers in every way possible as they develop creative and innovative solutions to the current PPE shortage,” said Pete Doscas, VP and General Manager Americas of Gerber Technology. “Nine Line Apparel is working tirelessly to ensure everyone has access to effective protective equipment that they can be sure is going to keep them safe.”

Nine Line Apparel is an American lifestyle brand founded by patriots for patriots. In the military, a Nine Line is a medevac request for a soldier that is injured on the battlefield and since 2012 the Georgia-based company has embodied the patriotism, hope, and trust that a Nine Line represents by supporting those in need and encouraging others to do the same.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began and caused a global shortage of PPE, Nine Line Apparel stayed true to their core values and immediately jumped in to protect the nation’s heroes by producing several types of face coverings, including a 100% reusable, medical grade mask of medical grade TPE. The mask comes with a 10 pack of replacement filters to ensure breathable, comfortable and effective protection.

Nine Line contacted Gerber Technology to assist them in finding a state-of-the-art facility that would allow them to produce quickly and efficiently. After learning about Nine Line’s needs such as fabric width, roll size, quantity, and packaging requirements, Gerber connected them with Integrated Textile Solutions. By leveraging two multi-ply GERBERcutters and a multi-ply GERBERspreader™ at the Integrated Textile Solutions facility, Nine Line is able to produce 2,000 masks and 100,000 replacement filters per day with the capacity to produce up to 5 million masks and 50 million filters in one month.

“The only way we’re going to get through this pandemic is if everyone works together and we are so lucky to have such an amazing network,” said Tyler Merritt, CEO of Nine Line Apparel. “Gerber has been incredibly helpful throughout this entire process by helping us find a facility to produce at and connecting us with our partners.”

In addition to the reusable masks, Nine Line is also working with a fellow U.S. manufacturer to provide consumers with a one-size-fits-all mask at cost. For each mask sold, Nine Line will be donating a mask to a frontline worker in need.

Coats Digital appoints Himanshu Mehrotra as Managing Director to lead next phase of cloud and AI-driven innovation

Coats Digital is delighted to announce the appointment of Himanshu Mehrotra as Managing Director to lead the company’s strategic direction, innovation agenda, and global growth as it accelerates the development of its cloud-native, AI-powered software solutions for the global apparel and footwear supply chain.

Tunicotex Group boosts OTDP to 85%, cuts planning time by 25% & expands production capacity by 40%

Coats Digital is delighted to announce that following the implementation of FastReactPlan, leading Tunisian premium knitwear manufacturer, Tunicotex Group, has significantly improved its on-time delivery performance from 75% to 85%, reduced planning time by 25%, minimised delays and penalty costs, and unlocked 40% additional capacity to take on more customer orders and support sustained business growth.

Suzhou Tianyuan boosts costing accuracy to 98% with Coats Digital’s GSDCost

Coats Digital is delighted to announce that Suzhou Tianyuan Garments Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of high-quality sportswear and functional apparel for global brands such as Adidas, FILA, ANTA, and The North Face, has achieved remarkable productivity and cost management improvements following the implementation of Coats Digital’s award-winning method-time-cost optimisation solution, GSDCost.

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.