Friday, October 6, 2006

This edition of the Hosiery Insider
is sponsored by RUMI

***Last Hosiery Insider*** Until THA Relocates: Hosiery Insider will resume again with the November 10, 2006 issue.

CALL NOW TO MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS for THA’s 102nd Annual Convention: Contact the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina (CHR&M) directly at 843-856-0028 or 888-856-0028. The CHR&M reservations office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Eastern). In order to get the Convention Rate of $199/night, make sure to identify yourself as being with THA and give the Reservation Code “HOA.” The reservation cut-off date is at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2007. Don’t delay, make your hotel reservations for THA’s 102nd Annual Convention – Thursday, April 26 – Sunday, April 29, 2007 at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.

**UPDATE RE: EXHIBIT at THA CONVENTION: THA SUPPLIER MEMBERS will be provided an exclusive opportunity during the 2007 Annual Convention. SUPPLIERS that are members of THA will have a chance to gain great company exposure and networking opportunities with hosiery company decision makers. These supplier companies will be able to occupy their own display table and feature their product samples, information, have give-a-ways, etc. The exhibit times will only be on Friday, April 27 to allow supplier members time to meet with customers on Saturday. The exhibits will be held in conjunction with the Continental Breakfast, Breaks during General Session and a Lunch Break has been added. Complete Exhibit information will be available in late November after THA has settled into the new office space. “Booths” will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. There is only room for 20 Booths and we have interested supplier members on the list already. If you are interested in exhibiting, don’t wait and email vicki.camp@hosieryassociation.com so you can be contacted regarding specific exhibit information when it is available.

THA Website access has been updated!
The generic login and password to enter the MEMBERS ONLY portion of THA’s website has expired. On Wednesday, October 4, an email blast with the new login and password was sent to all members with email addresses in our database. If membership dues have not been paid for the 2006-2007 membership year yet, then your company did not receive this information. Please make sure you have renewed your membership so you will still be able to access this section and vital THA information.

THA OFFICE IS MOVING! – Effective November 1, 2006, THA will have a new address: 7421 Carmel Executive Park - Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28226. Telephone and fax numbers will remain the same.Also the THA office will be closed October 30-November 3 as staff will be busy clearing out the old office and getting the new office set up. Please be patient during this time, and we will be happy to handle any issues that come up during that time after we get settled. Thank you.

THA MOVING SALE – A Silent Auction will be held via THA’s website and will include furniture and possibly some minor equipment for sale. Items will be numbered and images, brief descriptions, dimensions, minimum bid acceptable and a link to place your bid will be set up next week on the site. There will be a Moving Sale link located on the Member Login (http://www.hosieryassociation.com/Members/home.asp) and Guest Home (http://www.hosieryassociation.com/NonMembers/home.htm) pages of THA’s website. ALL bids must be turned in by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 19. All bidders will be notified on Friday, October 20 of the items they need to submit payment for and pick-up. The winning bidder claims full responsibility for paying for and arranging pick up of their items. ALL items must be picked up at THA’s office before Friday, October 27 – no exceptions. Any remaining unpaid items will be donated.

THA GOLF TOURNAMENT– Thanks to everyone who joined us for our 2nd Annual THA Golf Tournament. Perfect weather provided for an excellent day of fun and fellowship for the hosiery industry. Tournament winners included: 1st Place Team (Net score of 48): Phillip Clark, Mike Hollifield, Mike Page and Tom Page; 2nd Place Team (Net score of 50): Paul Avato, Ted Cooley, Jason Gaddy and Mike Turner; 3rd Place Team (Net score of 51): John Frazier, Bruce Patram, Mike Phillips and John Toledano. Closest to the Pin Winner #6: David Hensley; Closest to the Pin #12: Davis Patton; Longest Drive #4: Robin Perkins; Longest Drive #17: Tom Page; Longest Putt #18: Mike Phillips; Straightest Drive #14: Marty Moran. Long Drive Winner: Jeff Arney; Putting Winner: Terry Jackson. And a special thank you to GROZ-BECKERT and all our sponsors: Fiber & Yarn Products, Frontier Spinning, Globe Express Services, Henderson Machinery, HIFOMACO, Ken Smith Yarn Co., McMichael Mills, PAM Trading/PAF Sales, Parkdale Mills, Pharr Yarns, RadiciSpandex, Regal/Worldtex, R. L. Stowe Mills, Swift Spinning and Unifi. For scenes from the tournament, visit the THA Member Home Page or http://www.hosieryassociation.com/NonMembers/home.htm.

Special thanks to the companies who were able to provide socks to assist with a project for under-privileged children in Kentucky. Donations were received from Acme-McCrary, Parkway Hosiery, Slane Hosiery and Unifi.

THA Executive Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 10 at THA offices in Charlotte, NC.

The 18th Annual Calcutta & Golf Outing, sponsored by the Alabama Chapter of THA will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, October 11 –12, 2006 at Terrapin Hills Country Club. Dinner will be at 6:00 pm Wednesday with the Calcutta to follow. The 18th Annual Golf Tournament will be Thursday at Terrapin Hills Country Club. The Captain’s Choice Tournament will begin at 12:00 A.M. CDT with a shotgun start. For more information, click here.

AL/TN Chapters Luncheon tentatively scheduled for October 19 at Lookout Mountain Golf Club in Lookout Mountain, GA has been cancelled. The Chapter Officers would like to encourage everyone to attend and/or participate in the AL Chapter’s 18th Annual Golf Outing October 11-12 – see above.

CHA Suppliers Luncheon will be held on Thursday, October 26 at the Hosiery Technology Center in Hickory, NC. Organic Cotton programs and projects are expanding with the predominate markets being the US and Europe. Japan’s organic cotton market is also experiencing growth. La Rhea Pepper, an organic cotton farmer and Executive Director of the board for the Organic Exchange will share information regarding the growth of the Organic Cotton market, why consumers are interested in organic products and potential opportunities within the hosiery industry to become involved in organic cotton programs. To reserve your spot at this luncheon, visit http://www.hosieryassociation.com/docs/Oct26CHALuncheonNotice.doc. and reply.

THA Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, November 2 at the Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte, NC.

Hosiery 101 & 102 Classes being offered again November 8 & 9 at the Hosiery Technology Center in Hickory, NC. To register, contact the HTC at www.legsource.com.

The Global Manufacturers Committee (GMC) has scheduled meetings in Washington next month with various governmental agencies and key members of Congress prior to Recess. For further information on how your company can get involved, please contact GMC Chairman Sandy Browder Global DBMM, (336) 723 0729 or gbrowder@global-dbmm.com.

Hosiery Insider Sponsorship: Do you want a cost effective venue for communicating your messages to thousands worldwide? Sponsor the next issue of Hosiery Insider. For details, contact Mike Austell at 704-365-0913 Ext 204 or mike.austell@hosieryassociation.com.

THA provides Members Web Based Commercials – Visit THA’s home page, www.hosieryassociation.com and experience the MAGIC/WSA video. This technology is available to you and your company. Contact the THA office for details at 704.365.0913.

Larry Small Elected President of Acme-McCrary Corporation, The Asheboro, N.C. based company announced this week that the Board of Directors elected Larry K. Small to the position of President of the Corporation. Larry had previously served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He joined Acme-McCrary in 2002 and was elected a Director in 2002. Larry also serves as the current Chairman of THA.

Leaders Preparing Leaders: Marshal Cohen of NPD and Sally Kay of THA have teamed up with NC State’s College of Textiles’ to conduct this year’s initial Executive in Residence program and Guest Lecturer Series. The program consists of six (6) lectures to students, faculty, and industry and government partners. The first lecture, “Today’s Consumer,” was held September 13, 2006, as Marshal launched the series as the first Executive-in-Residence for 2006-2007. “Luxury Today” will be the topic of the second lecture, October 17, and will focus on today and tomorrow’s market place opportunities for luxury products and services. The third lecture, “The Power of Branding,” will be November 15, 2006. Spring 2007 topics will be announced later this Fall. Their expertise will provide graduate students and faculty advisors with significant information – and advantages --- as the College prepares leaders for industry, government and academic positions!

Mountain High Hosiery Limited to Be Acquired by Creo Capital Partners, LLC
Mountain High Hosiery LTD. ("Mountain High"), announced this week that it has been acquired by MHH Acquisition, LLC, an affiliate of Creo Capital Partners, LLC. The purchase price was not disclosed. The current management team will remain in place, supplemented by the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Gerald Birin. Birin said, "We believe this transaction will help take our company to the next level. Not only does it put in place an excellent capital base that solidifies our platform of providing superior quality socks to our customers, but it also allows the company to continue to expand its product offering and development. The capital infusion provided by Creo gives the company the ability to aggressively seek new licenses and new market opportunities. Furthermore, Mountain High has long since been at the forefront of innovation in our industry. This transaction will ensure that our mission of high quality and innovation will continue for many years to come."

KOHL'S to Open Three Stores This Week
Kohl's Department Stores will open its first three Western Washington stores this week. The stores are located in Marysville, Covington and Bellingham. The retailer plans to have 817 stores open in 45 states by the end of the year. Kohl's already operates one store in the state, in Vancouver.

Belk adds Parisian stores in Mich., Ind., Ohio
The Charlotte-based department store chain completed its purchase of 38 Parisian stores this week further solidifying the chain's place as the nation's largest privately held department store chain. Belk purchased the stores from Saks, which has been selling its middle-market department stores as it shifts its focus back to its high-end Saks stores. The purchase includes Parisian stores in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, creating a new Belk presence in those states. The chain now operates 315 stores in 19 states.

Clothing retailers pace strong September sales U.S. department stores and clothing retailers posted surprisingly strong September sales this week as falling gasoline prices and cool weather spurred spending on fall fashions such as skinny jeans and long tops. Shoppers flocked to stores run by Limited Brands Inc., J.C. Penney Co. Inc., Target Corp. and Nordstrom Inc. in a key transition month as retailers wrapped up back-to-school sales and prepared for the vital holiday shopping season. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. was among the few laggards as its clothing sales proved disappointing and it had a tough time surpassing last year's strong sales, which were inflated by a spending surge following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. J.C. Penney, Target, Ross Stores Inc. and TJX Cos. Inc. all raised profit forecasts for this quarter.

AATCC Announces 3rd Annual C2C®/CITDA Design Competition for Students: AATCC continues to expand this competition by inviting submissions from institutions with textile design programs and those with art, interior design, and fashion merchandising programs. The aim of the competition continues to be the promotion of innovative product development. The theme of this year’s competition is “Rainy Days and Picnics,” and the contest has been divided into two main categories: Interior Design and Apparel Design. Each of these main categories has been broken down further into sub-categories: Print Design and Product Design. Entries must be received on CD by December 1, 2006. For complete competition guidelines and entry forms, go to http://www.aatcc.org/membership/students/AATCC_2007design_comp.cfm or contact Suzanne Holmes; e-mail holmes@aatcc.org; telephone 919-549-3537.

AATCC Announces its 2nd Annual Engineering Design Competition for Students: Submissions are invited from both graduate and undergraduate students. The aim of the competition is the promotion of innovative product development from an engineering design perspective. The theme of this year’s competition is “Design of Material Structures,” and the contest has been divided into three areas:

• Industrial/Technical
• Protective/Medical/Biomedical
• Smart/Electronic

Entries must be submitted in the form of a preliminary design proposal on CD and must be received by March 1, 2007. For complete competition guidelines and entry forms, go to http://www.aatcc.org/membership/students/AATCC_2007design_comp.cfm or contact Suzanne Holmes; e-mail holmes@aatcc.org; telephone 919-549-3537.

Atlanta Women’s and Children’s Apparel/Accessories Market – To be held October 19-23 at America’s Mart in Atlanta, GA. For further information, visit www.americasmart.com.

NC State University’s 2006 Continuing Education Schedule: “Textile Fundamentals” on October 23. Most of the courses are held on NCSU’s Centennial Campus. To view the entire 2006 schedule or if you are interested in registering for one of these courses, visit www.ContinuingEducation.NCSU.edu.

Dallas Market Center Show – The final 2006 Men’s & Boys’ Apparel Market and the Women’s & Children’s Apparel and Accessories shows will be held at the Dallas Market Center in Dallas, TX October 26-29. Dallas Market Center, the largest wholesale merchandise resource in the world as recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records, is the one location where retailers from around the globe source a wide range of products including textiles, fashion accessories and women's, men's, children's and western apparel. For more detailed information, visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com.

Los Angeles International Textile Show – The Fall/Winter 2007 edition of this show will be held on October 30-November 1 at the California Market Center in Los Angeles, CA. For over 12 years, the Los Angeles International Textile Show has been the premier fabric tradeshow on the west coast attracting thousands of designers and manufacturers and over 300 exhibitors including many European, designer, and directional fabric lines inspired by the unique west coast apparel and interiors design aesthetic. For additional information, visit www.californiamarketcenter.com.

AATCC’s 2006 International Conference & Exhibition (IC&E) will be held October 31-November 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. This event is co-located with Megatex. More information can be found at www.aatcc.org.

6th Yiwu International Exhibition on Hosiery & Garment Industries – To be held November 2-4 in Yiwu-Zhejiang, China. For more information, visit www.2456.com.

The contents printed in this document are informational in nature. They are gathered from various industry sources and do not necessarily reflect the views and/or actions of THA.

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