C
otton Incorporated recently welcomed executives from Switzerland-based Rieter Textile
Systems to its world headquarters in Cary, N.C., to celebrate the two companies’ more than 25-year
relationship.
Since 1979, Cotton Incorporated and Rieter have collaborated on research efforts regarding
fiber selection and process optimization to produce high-quality, 100-percent cotton and
cotton-rich yarns. Over the last three years, Fiber Processing Research, a division of Textile
Research and Implementation at Cotton Incorporated, has completed an intensive modernization of its
laboratory at the Cary facility.
Cotton Incorporated’s world headquarters in Cary, N.C. — site of the recently modernized
laboratory
“For a long time, Rieter spinning equipment has been part of Cotton Incorporated’s research
laboratory,” said Dr. Martin Folini, CEO, Rieter Textile Systems, during a reception at the
research center.
“Then, in 2004, Cotton Incorporated decided on a major modernization of its research center.
A prime focus was put on the new spinning processes, namely compact spinning.”
According to Rieter, the modernization program includes:
• blow-room preparatory machines;
• C 60 card;
• RSB draw frame;
• E 62 comber and UNIlap E32;
• F 11 speed frame;
• K 44 ring-spinning frame (compact spinning); and
• R 40 rotorspinner.
(left to right) J. Berrye Worsham, Cotton Incorporated; Ueli K. Schmid, Rieter Corp.; Dr.
Martin Folini, Rieter Textile Systems; David M. Clapp, Cotton Incorporated; Heiner Eberli, Rieter
Textile Systems; Donald L. Bailey, Cotton Incorporated; Dean B. Turner, Cotton Incorporated; and
Charles H. Chewning, Cotton Incorporated, gathered to celebrate the updated capabilities at Cotton
Incorporated’s Fiber Processing Research Laboratory.
cotton research and marketing selected Rieter to supply equipment to its laboratory.
“Today, a complete spinning production line, which represents Rieter’s state-of-the-art
technology in short-staple spinning, is now in place in this research laboratory,” Folini said.
“It has been an exciting opportunity for Cotton Incorporated to work with Rieter, the only
major machinery manufacturer with ‘whole mill’ capabilities,” said J. Berrye Worsham, president and
CEO, Cotton Incorporated. “We are proud to be able to showcase both companies’ significance in the
global textile arena. In doing so, we hope to continue to grow our relationship with Rieter, and
also seek to attract other important technology partners.”
During his visit, Folini, along with other representatives from Rieter Textile Systems,
toured Cotton Incorporated’s research center and attended presentations outlining its research,
marketing and strategic planning divisions.
J. Berrye Worsham, president and CEO, Cotton Incorporated, addresses guests at the
laboratory inauguration
A Step Forward For Customers Worldwide
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s an extraordinary day for Rieter to participate here at the
inauguration of Rieter’s new machinery in your research laboratory,” Folini said, addressing the
gathering. “It’s a great honor and a privilege for me to deliver here the best wishes and regards
of my company. Rieter Spun Yarn Systems is extremely proud to have been selected for the
realization of this future-oriented research center. We are convinced that the cooperation between
Cotton Incorporated — the world’s leading cotton research and marketing company — and Rieter as the
innovative supplier of complete spinning systems, will lead to further improvements and innovations
in the processing of cotton. This research laboratory will therefore be instrumental for the mutual
benefit of the two partners.
(left to right) Bailey, Folini, Clapp and Eberli during a tour of the laboratory
Incorporated base in Cary represents a major step forward towards fulfilling the needs of our
common customers all over the world. Identical trials can be run here as in Switzerland. Customers
will largely benefit from this opportunity, as new cotton fibers will be perfectly adapted to the
needs of the various spinning processes, being rotor-spun, ring-spun standard and compacted, combed
and carded.
“Likewise, the fine-tuning of the spinning processes, with regard to choice of spinning
components, machine settings and definition of spinning schedule, will henceforth be much more
target-oriented,” Folini said.
Executives and members of the Cotton Incorporated Research Team during the inauguration
event for the modernized laboratory
customer’s problem as ‘one.’ It is a win-win situation for all, especially the customers, who can
now look forward to enhanced performance of cotton fibers on Rieter machines. The joint efforts by
the two companies will undoubtedly go a long way in improving the operational efficiency of
spinners.
“Success in a competitive market can be achieved by adopting different strategies. One way is
to make the production cost-effective and economical so that the yarn price becomes a unique
selling proposition. Not only do the machines have to be highly productive, but also the
appropriate selection of cotton is of utmost importance. As Rieter has seen and experienced
throughout the world, the services of Cotton Incorporated have become the driving success factor
for using cotton.”
Rieter presented Cotton Incorporated with a crystal as a symbol of their long-standing
cooperation and partnership.
Symbol Of Cooperation And Partnership
At the end of his presentation, Folini presented Worsham with a large crystal from
Switzerland. “I wish to reiterate the thanks of Rieter to Cotton Incorporated for the spirit that
made this happen,” Folini said. “I would like to offer this symbol to the research laboratory of
Cotton Incorporated. It is a symbol for Switzerland and its mountains, but also for purity,
structure and sustainability — a symbol for perfection stemming out of passion, of time and
partnership. May it also be a symbol for our cooperation and partnership, leading both companies to
perfection and leadership.”
March/April 2006