Welcome to IN-LINE with FI-TECH When we last communicated with you in the Spring 2002 edition of IN-LINE with FI-TECH, we were optimistic concerning a brighter economic picture. While certain aspects of the economy are stronger than others, there still seems to be a general malaise throughout our economy. It is difficult to project if these conditions will continue. However, we are now beginning to see some capital investment in both fibers and nonwovens; and in many cases significant interest and strong discussions about future projects for 2003 and beyond. In addition, since late Spring the US Dollar has weakened considerably versus the Euro. The Euro has nearly attained a one-to-one exchange with the Dollar. It had been as low as 0.83 Euro per Dollar earlier this year.We hope this devaluation will help our customers export more product in the second half of the year thus spurring investment. In this issue of In-Line with Fi-Tech we will present some new developments in the nonwovens field from Autefa and Reifenhäuser. Autefa has introduced WEBMAX, a web uniformity upgrade which can be used in conjunction with their Topliner series crosslappers. At the April INDEX Show in Geneva Reifenhäuser unveiled the latest generation of its highly successful spunbond product line, REICOFIL®4. It is a step improvement in productivity and allows fine denier spunbond webs to be produced at throughputs approaching standard REICOFIL®3 throughputs. Also, in this issue,we will introduce two new principals: Magenta Master Fibers and TEXMA. There will be a number of opportunities for us to interact with you this Fall. We look forward to participating in the INTC 2002 Nonwoven Fabric Technical Conference in Atlanta, GA from September 24-26. We will also attend Insight 2002 in Tampa from October 20-24. In December,we will have a booth at the Filtration 2002 Conference and Expo in Washington, D.C. We hope to see you at these events or during our regular plant visits. Please refer to the back page to obtain more information on these events. REICOFIL® 4 Continued on page 2 This past April at INDEX 02 in Geneva, Reifenhäuser introduced the 4th generation of REICOFIL® spunbond technology. A major advantage of Reifenhäuser’s spunbond technology has always been the independence of the filament quenching and filament stretching steps. With REICOFIL®4, it is now possible to also independently control the filament laydown. The development of REICOFIL® Lines 1986 - 2002 shows permanent increases of specific throughput. The low specific energy consumption, which has always been an advantage of the REICOFIL®closed system, is reduced further in REICOFIL®4. Other REICOFIL® features that are maintained in the new technology include low noise level and a wide range of adjustments. Fiber speeds of 2500 to 3500 m/min for PP and 5500 m/min for polyester can be achieved, resulting in improved visual aspects of the nonwovens. Throughput of multiple beam lines REICOFIL®3 vs. REICOFIL®4 The independent control over filament quenching, stretching, and laydown means that fabric strength can be improved and the MD/CD ratios can be adjusted and even lowered. Major improvements with REICOFIL® 4 include: * Increase in specific throughput. * Ability to produce same product at same line speed, but with fewer number of spinning beams. Throughput of multiple beam lines REICOFIL®3 vs. REICOFIL®4* Ability to make softer products. * Ability to control MD/CD ratios at higher strengths. * Full capability for producing polyester spun bonds. Today’s options make it possible to produce polyesters, polyamides and polyolefins, using one technology. Magenta Master Fibers &TEXMA (IWKA) Fi-Tech’s Newest Principals Recently, Fi-Tech added two new representations to its range of lines serving the Fibers and Nonwovens Industries: Magenta Master Fibers (MMF) of Magenta, Italy and Zentes Unitex Textile Machinery GmbH & Co. (TEXMA) of Hanau, Germany. Magenta Master Fibers. Fi-Tech began representing MMF in Mexico on July 1, and is in discussions with MMF and its present local selling structure to assist in the marketing of its products in the US and Canada. Fi-Tech will be responsible for new business development. MMF manufactures monocolor and “Tailor Made” Master Batches for the spinning of solution dyed nylon and polyester fibers. MMF got its start in 1976 by producing Master Batches for the direct dyeing of acetate fibers in spinning. In 1987, MMF began producing monocolor and “Tailor Made” Master Batches to solution dye nylon and polyester fibers. Monocolor Master Batches are used by companies who prefer to formulate their own final colors in-plant, whereas the “Tailor Made” Master Batches are produced according to samples provided by the customer.Today, MMF is a recognized worldwide leader in the production of monocolor and “Tailor Made” Master Batches and is selling actively in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. To support its business in the US, MMF maintains an inventory of monocolor Master Batches in Charleston, SC. In addition to color Master Batch, MMF produces other Master Batch products including additives such as UV stabilizers and anti-microbial agents. Fi-Tech has also recently begun representing Zentes Unitex Textile Machinery GmbH & Co. (TEXMA) of Hanau, Germany. TEXMA, which is owned by Bernd Zentes, purchased the IWKA takeup winder subsidiary from IWKA AG, of Karlsruhe, Germany. IWKA is known for take-up winders used in synthetic fiber production, most notably in spandex yarn production. TEXMA has taken over the spare parts and service business for all IWKA takeup units. In addition, TEXMA plans to continue to produce, market and develop winders and take-ups for the synthetic fibers industry. Fi-Tech has had a long association with Bernd Zentes over the years, through his company Zentes Unitex GmbH of Hanau, Germany which produces and markets the “Promik” line of spinneret inspection equipment as well as other ancillary inspection equipment used in fiber production. Fi-Tech will market sales of new winders and spares parts for the IWKA winders on behalf of TEXMA in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Fi-Tech Celebrates 30th Year. Lee Bassett Announces Retirement In Febuary, Fi-Tech, Inc. celebrated the company’s thirtieth year of bringing the latest technology to the Synthetic Fibers and Nonwovens Industries. In reaching this milestone, Lee Bassett, founder of Fi-Tech, announced his retirement from daily participation in the company’s management, retaining his position as Chairman of Fi-Tech’s board of directors. Lee’s sons,Todd and Jeff Bassett will serve as managing directors of Fi-Tech, sharing responsiblities for the leadership of the company. Lee’s daughter, Julie Thompson will serve on the board with her brothers. Lee and Becky Bassett A special event was held to honor Lee and to recognize the successes of Fi-Tech. Fi-Tech After Hours Service In order to reach us after business hours, weekends and holidays, just call our regular office number, 804-794-9615. Our answering message give you instructions on how to reach us. A Fi-Tech Team Member is always on call to assist you.We can assist you with all of your foreign parts needs including part identification, ordering, importing, customs clearance and delivery to your location. Contact us for: Motors Pneumatics/Hydraulics Photo Optics/Proximity Switches Therm Cutters Electronic Components Gear Boxes Vacuum Pumps Thread Guides Call or FAX Keith Wise at: Phone: 1-804-794-9615 Fax: -1-804-794-9514		Introducing REICOFIL ® 4 This past April at INDEX 02 in Geneva, Reifenhäuser introduced the 4th generation of REICOFIL® spunbond technology. A major advantage of Reifenhäuser’s spunbond technology has always been the independence of the filament quenching and filament stretching steps. With REICOFIL®4, it is now possible to also independently control the filament laydown. Specialty Winders from Nuova Protex If you need specialty winders for monofilament, mutifilaments, tapes, ropes, twines, extruded nets, and more, ask us about Nuova Protex. Nuova Protex designs and builds winders for all low speed processes up to 400 m/min and for a variety of denier ranges. Winder types include parallel and cross winding with either gang or individual traverse. It is possible to use all types of tubes or bobbins, ranging from flanged to biconic to various tubes.To give you an idea of the extremes, Nuova Protex has designed and built winders to make small packages of decorative ribbon to winders producing 500 kg packages of fibrillated film or raffia.Therefore, the key for Nuova Protex is flexibility. Nuova Protex is a proven supplier of reliable winders at very competitive prices. Call us today to learn more about Nuova Protex. AUTEFA Announces New Development in WEBMAX Autefa Nonwovens recently announced their new development for the manufacture of dry laid nonwovens called WEBMAX. With this development,the profile of the carded web can be positively influenced allowing producers to optimize the weight profile completely eliminating heavy edges in crosslapped webs.Through a controlled variation of the carded web in combination with the crosslapper laydown process, the “smile” effect resulting from the downstream bonding can be fully compensated. The patented WEBMAX can be supplied with any new Autefa TOPLINER crosslapper, or retrofitted to most existing TOPLINERS, with very little interruption of the existing line. The WEBMAX system is fully integrated into the crosslapper control system with a software upgrade. Installation of WEBMAX on an existing Autefa TOPLINER can be done in only a few days, from start to finish. The overall advantage of WEBMAX is that the entire process for web profiling occurs exclusively within the crosslapper, and thus can be integrated into any nonwoven line with traditional web forming and downstream bonding. Customers can now realize significant raw material savings through a more uniform finished product. On fiber savings WebMAX TOPLINER Web Forming Web Bonding alone, payback on a WEBMAX investment can achieved in as little as three months . Please call us to see how WEBMAX can help you improve your product quality and your profits. Polytrade GmbH is Off and Running Zimmer’s new daughter company, Polytrade GmbH, has had substantial success in its first two years since it was created in 2000. Zimmer saw the need for a trading company to assist existing and new customers with the incorporation of new technologies, and supply of the specialized materials needed to realize improved resin production. Once a new additive or catalyst is perfected by Zimmer in their R&D facility and is field tested, it is turned over to Polytrade for marketing and distribution to the worldwide industry. Fi-Tech has been given the representation of their intermediates and additives business for the North American market. Polytrade provides basic raw materials, additives, modifiers and catalysts through their marketing and distribution center in Frankfurt, Germany. Zimmer’s worldwide contacts within the chemical production industry have given Polytrade an inside track to locating the highest quality materials at the most competitive prices. Polytrade currently offers everything from caprolactam to p-Xylene for basic resin production of all types, including Polyamide 6 & 6.6, Polyester, Polybutylene and PACN. Specialty chemicals, such as Antimonytriacetate and Cobalt Acetate are provided for specific resin modifications and process improvement. One of the important research developments that has recently been commercialized is Zimmer’s U1 Additive for the production of packaging resins. The major benefit of using U1 is the faster and more uniform IR absorption characteristics for bottle blowing resins. This additive acts not only as an IR absorber, but also as a co-catalyst. U1 has been included in the FDA publication, “Everything Added to Food in the United States”, and is recognized as absolutely safe (GRAS) for use in packaging for food contact (such as bottles, films and foils). The benefitsof using U1 include: reduced energy costs, higher process efficiency, enhanced processing window, and increased throughput. U1 is supplied in a paste form for ease of introduction into the PET polycondensation stream. It is applicable to both continuous and batch production plants, for PTA or DMT based processes. Polytrade also provides worldwide consulting, marketing and distribution services for the polymer and synthetic fiber industries. We would be happy to talk with you about any of your process or marketing needs. Let Polytrade and Fi-Tech help you to get your resin production process up and running to meet the needs of the 21st century. Behind the Front Lines Vicky Gant, Stacie Amos, Barb Koch & Deb Johnson Most of you have an opportunity to meet your Fi-Tech sales rep through plant visits, trade shows or conferences. However, many never have the chance to meet our front line customer service team.These are the Fi-Tech Team Members who answer our phones, help get you to the right sales rep or get the information that you need. This group of four has over 43 years of combined service at Fi-Tech.Vicky Gant and Barb Koch lead the way with 21 and 15 years of service respectively. Newer to the staff are Deb Johnson and Stacie Amos with 4 and 3 years of service.We are proud of this team as they help keep our office running smoothly and work hard to meet all of your requests. Need more information on any products or companies? Click here for Synthetic or Nonwoven Machinery and Components Forms. If you do not already have "Acrobat Reader" then download a copy FREE by using this Adobe Systems Incorporated link or by clicking on the button to the right. Contact Fi-Tech for your European Spare Parts needs. www.euro-spares.com Toll Free 888-822-EURO Fax 804-794-9514 e-mail: sales@euro-spares.com