SWATCHES
HONORING SAYLOR: “I have good news and bad news,” said Ken Saylor, who was honored at the UJA-Federation Textile Division’s annual luncheon last week. “The bad news is that my children, Brian and Irene [recent college graduates], couldn’t be here. The good news is that they are now on someone else’s payroll.”
Saylor, global general manager of Hoechst’s Celanese acetate unit, was referring not only to his children’s potential self-sufficiency. His joke also touched a nerve with textile executives at the luncheon, since his parent company is moving to pharmaceuticals and away from fibers. Hoechst has sold its Trevira polyester fiber business and has said it will spin off its Celanese division.
Saylor and his wife, Grace, greeted 310 guests at the Waldorf-Astoria here May 12, including Celanese spokeswoman Kristi Yamaguchi and sports commentator Donna DeVarona.
The lunch, which raised $225,000 for UJA programs, was co-chaired by Carl Rosen, president of JPS Converter & Industrial Corp., and Gerald Greenstein, president of the JBJ fabrics division of Fab Industries.
Executives with Trevira have been uncertain of their futures since Hoechst agreed in April to sell Trevira to partners Isaac Saba, a Mexican industrialist, and Koch Industries, a chemical producer based in Kansas City.
“We are calling ourselves FKAT,” joked one executive, “as in ‘Formerly Known as Trevira.’ “
LOOKING BACK: The Metropolitan Pavilion’s vintage fashion and antique textiles show has become an important stop for designers in search of inspiration. The event is held four times a year; the next edition begins on Friday, June 5, and ends Sunday, June 7. There will be 45 dealers on hand, six of which specialize in textiles.
Highlights of the show are Chinese linen and hemp clothing from the Twenties, Japanese obis and kimonos from the late 19th to early 20th century and a variety of antique textiles, including unusual lace, velvet and brocade fabrics. For more information, call (212) 463-0200, extension 236.
BURLINGTON SHUFFLE: Larry Himes has rejoined Burlington Industries as president of the men’s wear division, which also includes its women’s wear business.
Himes succeeds Alex Neely, who has been named to head a new European distribution initiative for Burlington. Both report to George Henderson, chairman and chief executive officer.
Himes most recently served as president of Precision Fabrics Group, a maker of synthetic broadwovens, a post he held since 1988. He was also president of Precision for six years prior to that when it was a division of Burlington Industries.
In other news, Burlington and Unifi Inc. have completed a previously reported joint venture to make and market textured polyester yarns.
Unifi’s polyester yarn spinning plant in Yadkinville, N.C. has been combined with Burlington’s polyester textured yarn operation in Mayodan, N.C., to form a new company called Unifi Textured Polyester LLC. Unifi is the majority owner and will manage the business.