Coats launches revolutionary zip sampling service

Thursday, 7 May 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Coats Group plc, the world’s leading industrial thread and consumer textile crafts business, is launching Coats Opti Express, a revolutionary zip sampling service. This new service for the fashion and textiles industries delivers zips via a web-based state of the art sampling system. The new service is being showcased on the Coats stand (hall 5.1, stand B30), at Texprocess, the international fair for the processing of textile and other apparel materials, in Frankfurt, Germany, 4-7 May. Opti Express provides the fastest and simplest zips sampling service in the market. Currently the lead time for a standard zip sample averages 14 days but Coats Opti Express reduces this to just five days. The lead time for a fully customised zip will be reduced from several weeks to 10 days. The increased speed of delivery is due to a newly created digital tool which helps customers to quickly and easily select the most appropriate zip sample for their needs, specify the shade and length and select a puller. Production of the sample starts as soon as the request is submitted and the digital tool also helps eliminate several time consuming manual interventions in the ordering and production process.

Each individual zip comprises several elements including tape, teeth, slider and puller but with so many different varieties and styles to each element, the choice can be overwhelming and consequently time consuming. Opti Express has a large and easily searchable online catalogue of components featuring intuitive layouts, automated zip and puller configurators and guidance to easily select the right zip and puller. Coats Group plc Global CEO, Industrial Rajiv Sharma, said: ‘Coats Opti Express is an industry game changer. It makes zip selection simple, quick and easy and significantly reduces sample delivery time.’ Picking the perfect colour match is also made easy using the Coats Colour Capsure device and the online application helps locate the closest sample. Custom pullers can be ordered using four rapid sampling options. These include technical drawings for bulk production in two days, 3D plastic samples printed within three days and the Coats propriety cast metal prototype, the ProtoPul, ready in five days. It is also possible to track the order request at all times by logging on to the online system. The new service has been piloted in China, Sri Lanka, UK and the US and is now being rolled out to more customers. The next phase of the project will be to add a ‘Bulk’ order facility to help convert sample requests to bulk orders.

Coats launches new reflective thread

Coats Group plc, the world’s leading industrial thread and consumer textile crafts business, is launching Coats Signal thread, an innovative reflective thread. The specially developed premium thread has a high level of retro-reflectance when illuminated in dark or low visibility conditions. The new thread will be showcased on the Coats stand (hall 5.1, stand B30), at Texprocess, the international fair for the processing of textile and other apparel materials, held in Frankfurt, Germany, 4-7 May. Coats Signal thread is silver and designed primarily for fashion applications. It can be used as an embroidery thread to differentiate products by creating decorative reflective features in logos, stitching patterns and seams. While it is mainly decorative, when sewn on outdoor and active wear it also helps enhance visibility at night time or in difficult weather conditions. Coats Signal thread combines the tenacity of a polyester filament cover with a retro-reflective core and has excellent strength and durability. Coats Group plc Global CEO Industrial Rajiv Sharma said: “At Coats, we understand the production challenges apparel manufacturers can face when using innovative new types of thread. Using that knowledge we have created a unique thread which can withstand the rigours of the sewing process and still retain its reflective functionality in the end product.” Coats Signal thread has a special lubricated finish to protect it from needle heat and ensure smooth sewing so it retains its reflectivity after the intense sewing process during apparel production. When used in the top cover of flatseams, the combination of an intricate stitch formation and reflective property of the thread gives an eye-catching appearance to the seam which also adds a premium look to the product.