Joe Gorga Leaving ITG

According to the BeaverLake6 Report, Joseph L. Gorga, President and CEO of International Textile Group, is stepping down from ITG at the end of this month

Keith Crisco, Textile Leader and Congressional Candidate Dies at Age 71

According to the Asheboro, N.C., Courier-Tribune Keith Crisco, co-founder of Asheboro Elastic and Democratic candidate for Congress died, suddenly, Monday, May 12th, at home.

AAFA Membership Database Now Features Domestic Manufacturing Search Capability

Arlington, VA - The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) recently launched a new search feature on its website to better highlight members with domestic manufacturing capabilities. The new search feature was unveiled at the semi-annual meeting of the AAFA domestic manufacturers, many of which manufacture for the U.S. military.

"One of AAFA's goals is to facilitate a discussion that makes it just as easy to source across the street as it is across the ocean," said AAFA Chairman Rick Helfenbein, President of TellaS, Ltd., Luen Thai USA. "The ability to identify 'Made in U.S.A.' partners is essential to building a viable business case that incorporates domestic manufacturing into the commercial supply chain. Our new database functionality makes that process easier."

"With a declining military market, the U.S. apparel and footwear domestic manufacturing base must continually seek out new opportunities to grow their business," said AAFA Government Contracts Committee Chairman Michael Mansh, President of Pennsylvania Apparel Company. "The introduction of domestic search capabilities in to the AAFA database is one in a string of many steps AAFA is taking to support and promote the capabilities of our domestic manufacturing member companies."

AAFA continually creates tools and resources for AAFA members to drive the competitiveness of the U.S. apparel and footwear industry. As one of the most utilized tools on the AAFA website, the AAFA Resource Directory enables the industry to search for manufacturing partners and service providers. The new search feature equips users with the ability to sort search results by a company's ability to manufacture in the United States.

Over the last few years, U.S. brands and retailers have increasingly explored sourcing from within the United States. In 2012, domestic apparel and footwear manufacturing increased 8.6 percent and 9 percent respectively. This growth builds on the gains made in 2011. Since 2010, overall domestic apparel manufacturing has grown more than 15 percent and domestic footwear manufacturing has grown 17.6 percent.

The online directory is available at www.wewear.org/directory.

Army Poly/Wool Cloth Contracts Awarded

Burlington Apparel, Greensboro, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $19,500,000 modification (P00100) exercising the first option period on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1052) with four one-year option periods. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for Army poly/wool cloth. Location of performance is North Carolina with a May 12, 2015 performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Burlington Apparel has also been awarded a maximum $13,633,200 modification (P00100) exercising the first option period on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1051) with four one-year option periods. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for Army poly/wool cloth. Location of performance is North Carolina with a May 12, 2015 performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Customs and Border Protection Announces Online Tool for Renewal of Trademarks and Copyright Recordation

Effective today, the owners of federally registered trademarks and copyrights who recorded their rights with Customs and Border Protection can renew their recordation online through the newly revised Intellectual Property Rights e-Recordation application. The online tool will enable 32,000 trademark and copyright owners to renew their recordation electronically rather than through paper filings.

U.S. Customs Seeks Applicants for Committee on Commercial Operations

SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is requesting individuals who are interested inserving on the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (COAC) to apply for appointment. COAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security (DHS) on all matters involving the commercial operations of CBP and related functions. Applications for membership should reach CBP on or before June 23, 2014.

COAC is an advisory committee established in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. COAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security (DHS) on all matters involving the commercial operations of CBP and related functions. The COAC consists of 20 members who are selected from representatives of the trade or transportation community served by CBP or others who are directly affected by CBP commercial operations and related functions. The members shall represent the interests of individuals and firms affected by the commercial operations of CBP. The members will be appointed by the Secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security from candidates recommended by the Commissioner of CBP. In addition, members will represent major regions of the country, and, by statute, not more than ten (10) members may be affiliated with the same political party.

It is expected that, during its upcoming fourteenth two-year term, COAC will consider issues relating to: Global supply chain security and facilitation; CBP modernization and automation; air cargo security; customs broker regulations; trade enforcement; ``One U.S. Government'' approach to exports and to trade and safety of imports; agricultural inspection; revenue collection; and protection of intellectual property rights. The Committee meets at least once each quarter, although additional meetings may be scheduled.

Navy Contracts for Aramid Rope Awarded

Phillystran Inc., Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $21,258,655 modification (P00007) exercising the first option period on a one-year base contract (SPE8EE-13-D-0001) with four one-year option periods for aramid rope. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract. Location of performance is Pennsylvania with a May 16, 2015 performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2013 through fiscal year 2018 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Whitehill Manufacturing Corp., Chester, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $6,741,345 modification (P00004) exercising the first option period on a one-year base contract (SPE8EE-13-D-0002) with four one-year option periods for aramid rope. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract. Location of performance is Pennsylvania with a May 16, 2015 performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2013 through fiscal year 2018 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.