Industry News
Russell celebrates 120th anniversary R
ussell Europe is celebrating 120 years of expertise with a new campaign called ‘We
are the original’.
In March 1902, 26-year-old Benjamin Russell established the Russell Manufacturing Company in Alexander City, Alabama. This was the start of what would become the gold standard in teamwear, Russell Athletic. The star of the campaign is the sweatshirt itself – the classic must-have for sport, leisure, and work. It was born from the idea that Benjamin Russell Jr., son of the brand founder and passionate football player, had for a versatile garment that has become a part and parcel of every wardrobe today. In 1926, Benjamin Russell Jr. was fed up with his chafing uniform, so he proposed an idea to his dad: a comfortable, all-cotton football jersey. Four years later and the iconic crew neck sweatshirt began production in the Russell Athletic mills. The characteristic feature of the
Involution appoints new director
L
eeds branded workwear specialist Involution has appointed Nathan Cookson as its new operations director. Mr Cookson previously held the position of strategic development manager, working alongside department heads and directors to maximise the output and efficiencies of the business. Since joining Involution, Mr Cookson has been integral in the company growth and innovation plans, increasing turnover by 250%, 30 new staff hires, capital investment of £1.3 million and 700% physical expansion.
The print, promotional and workwear supplier started in 1999 and has ambitious targets to achieve by 2025. Under Mr Cookson’s management, Involution will be striving to double its production capacity and increase sales by 83% from £3.6M to £6.6M. Michael Ainsworth, founder and managing director, said: “Nathan has been committed and driven since he joined. Integral in moving the cogs, he has had the vision and ability to get Involution where it is today, and his forward-thinking approach has allowed Involution to innovate and thrive during a time where many have struggled.”
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
newly designed all-cotton garment was a small
v-notch around the collar. This thicker, triangular piece of cotton helped collect sweat and control the stretching of the collar after years of wear.
Needless to say,
sweatshirts are still popular, and widely known for their original use today: as comfortable sportswear. However, the iconic garments are also appreciated off the pitch – as a warming cover on colder days, a timeless component of fashionable layered outfits, or classic must-haves in teamwear. It could be said that no other garment is so well known for creating and showing a sense of community – be it in sports, at school, for leisure, or business.
Heritage Russell Sweatshirts
Russell Europe also celebrates the tradition-rich brand history on the European market. With its campaign, ‘We are the original’, and a focus on the iconic sweatshirt, the brand stresses its pioneering spirit, its innovative strength, and the many years of experience gained in the production and printing of high-quality, long-lasting textiles for versatile applications.
GOTS marks 20th anniversary with all-time high in certified facilities
T
wo decades after its inception, the world’s leading textile processing standard for organic fibres records new all-time high figures: 18 GOTS Approved Certification Bodies report a total of 12,338 certified facilities (+19%) in 79 countries (+11%).
Among the countries with the largest increase in GOTS certified facilities in 2021 are Turkey (+61% to 1,799), Italy (+53% to 894), Germany (+19% to 817), Portugal (+35% to 608), France (+22% to 122), Denmark (+14% to 115), Switzerland (+15% to 61), Belgium (+55% to 59), Sweden (+34% to 51) and Vietnam (+264% to 51). Claudia Kersten, managing director at GOTS, said: “What seemed utopian to many in 2002 has become a reality in the past 20 years. We have created an organic textile standard, certified by approved certification bodies, which is accepted in all major markets. GOTS is a standard that gives consumers the power to choose truly organic products sourced from sustainable supply chains. “Despite ongoing difficulties and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19
pandemic, decision-makers continue to pursue their sustainability goals and value GOTS as a tool to accomplish them.” The results of the annual GOTS Survey among certified entities underline this. Out of 1,114 respondents (+39%), 63% indicated a permanent shift in their sustainability strategy with a focus on the environment and health of their workers and staff.
Growing interest from industry, the public, and the media drove website visits up an impressive 48%. Media exposure grew by 64% and GOTS social media followers across several platforms jumped by 57%. Rahul Bhajekar, managing director at GOTS, added: “As much as we are pleased with the development so far, we don’t intend to rest on our laurels. In March 2022 we began revision for GOTS version 7.0 involving all stakeholders including associations, organisations, companies, and individuals to further advance the progressive, innovative, stringent yet practical standard of GOTS.”
April 2022 | 13 |
Benjamin Russell founded Russell in 1902
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