[TC]² Bi-Weekly Technology Communicator

Holiday Newsletter

In this last Technology Communicator of the year, we would like to share some of [TC]²’s 2007 milestones. We have remained committed to investigating technologies and industry trends, and sharing this information with our readers.

The Cool Zone exhibit at SPESA Expo 2007 in Miami was a major accomplishment for [TC]², bringing together 15 vendors to display leading edge technologies, some of which were shown for the first time in the Western Hemisphere. The 4,000 sq. ft. space was divided into four areas of concentration: Product Development, Merchandising/Sales, Product Conversion, and Distribution. A key component of the Cool Zone pavilion was a demonstration of digital textile printing creating a high fashion ladies t-shirt using nano-colorants, with design, printing, cutting, and final product assembly on the show floor.  A description of each segment of the Cool Zone can be found at http://www.tc2.com/coolzone. 

In addition to this milestone, other 2007 accomplishments include:

• The next-generation dressing-room size scanner, the NX-16, was launched in the first quarter of 2007. By reducing the space required for the scanner, [TC]² has enjoyed record sales, and is on target to exceed this year’s projected sales goals. The scanner is being adopted not only for apparel development but also for health, fitness, anthropometric surveys, and a variety of educational applications. 

• The June SizeUSA User’s Group Meeting focused on research projects underway at a number of universities, and different methodologies for conducting shape analysis utilizing the data. [TC]² introduced its SizeUSA Automatic Search Tool to easily accomplish data queries. The 3D scan images have also been released for purchase to accompany the SizeUSA data.

• [TC]² researchers completed several proprietary shape analysis projects for some major brands using SizeUSA data.                               

• [TC]² participated in or co-sponsored a number of industry events including The Apparel Conference of the Americas in Guatemala; The Apparel Sourcing Show in Guatemala; Colombiatex in Medellin, Colombia; Expo Textil in Moroleon, Mexico; the Cotton Forum in Mexico City; SPESA Expo 2007 in Miami; Material World in New York; SDCANZ International Symposium in Melbourne, Australia; IAF World Apparel Convention in Taipei, Taiwan; and the Apparel Tech Conference at FIT in New York.

• Six rising seniors from U.S. universities participated in the Summer Intern Program, bringing the total number of participants since the program’s inception to over one hundred. 

• Over 15,000 individuals have attended programs or demonstrations conducted by [TC]² in 2007. When visiting the Cary, NC facility, guests tour the Demonstration Center to view digital textile printing, product development capabilities, short cycle manufacturing, and 3D body scanning.

• Techexchange.com remains a resource for technology news and articles of interest to the industry. It is read in 144 countries around the world.

• [TC]² presented several Fast Fashion seminars and customized classes for the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH) in Quality Management and Lean Manufacturing.

• [TC]² has helped companies improve their overall business performance by providing training and operations consulting, primarily focused on the implementation of lean business practices in product development and manufacturing. Projects for U.S.-based companies include: Beehive Clothing, Bella Materna, Brooks Brothers, Cotton Incorporated, Cotton Council International, Fresh Produce, JC Penney, Karla Colletto, Liz Claiborne, Milliken, New Generation Computing, State of North Carolina, Teamwork Athletic Apparel, and Victoria’s Secret. Teamwork Athletic Apparel was nominated by [TC]² and won an Apparel All-Star Award for 2007.

• To provide services to help improve the efficiency of the U.S. supply chain, [TC]² has worked with international clients including: ADEX, CI Expofaro, COMVEST, COFOCE, Cotton Council International, Fabrilmalla, Guanajuato Design Center, and Movis. These clients represent the following countries: Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, and Thailand.

• Strengthening [TC]²’s international consulting offering, [TC]² became the first firm accredited by WRAP, the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production organization, to provide training and consulting services to factories seeking certification for WRAP’s Apparel Code of Conduct and the newly released Universal Code of Ethical Conduct under its new Accredited Consultant Program.

• [TC]²’s bi-weekly newsletter, The Technology Communicator, has broadened its readership, keeping subscribers informed regarding emerging technologies and industry events.

• The Demonstration Center has added new technology with the installation of the Yuhan-Kimberly digital printer which utilizes nano-colorants for printing without pre- or post-treatments, and the Gerber DCS 3500 conveyorized cutting system designed for low- or single-ply cutting. Tukatech has provided Tukadesign and Tukamark 2007 for the computer classroom and demonstration center.  Training utilizing the Telestia Trainer for pattern development has also been introduced.

We hope that you also have many accomplishments for 2007 to reflect upon. And, as we enter into this holiday season, let us hope for a peaceful resolution to world conflicts and a better quality of life for individuals everywhere.

Thank you for your continued support of our products and services.

[TC]² Holiday Closing

[TC]² offices will close for the holidays and a week’s vacation for the staff beginning Friday, December 21st .  We will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 2nd.   

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Important Dates

January

February

For detailed information about industry events, visit www.techexchange.com

Thanks to the techexchange site sponsors
Apparel Magazine, Gerber Technology, Lawson, Lectra, Methods Workshop and Reach Technologies.

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A Look Ahead in the Newsletter



Supply Chain Management Workshop for Cotton Incorporated
Colombiatex

View previous editions of this newsletter

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[TC]²
211 Gregson Drive
Cary , NC 27511
www.tc2.com
Phone: 919-380-2156
Fax: 919-380-2181

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