Profile of Garmatex Technologies: a specialist in high-tech fabrics

Profile of Garmatex

Technologies:

a specialist in high-

tech fabrics

by Textiles Intelligence

Published September 2014

ISBN 978-1-849784-22-1

© Textiles Intelligence Limited 2014

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Profile of Garmatex Technologies: a specialist in high-tech fabrics www.textilesintelligence.com

© Textiles Intelligence Limited 2014 iii

List of contents SUMMARY COMPANY DEVELOPMENT PRODUCTS AND END USES Products End uses Apparel applications Non-apparel applications PRODUCT TECHNOLOGIES AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS Product technologies Moisture System Transference (MST) Bact-Out Design solutions PRODUCT MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION Product manufacture Product distribution COLLABORATIVE VENTURES Licensing agreement with Base360 Licensing agreement with Cool-jams OUTLOOK

List of figures Figure 1: Moisture System Transference (MST) technology Figure 2: T3 shirt


© Textiles Intelligence Limited 2014 1

Profile of Garmatex Technologies:a specialist in high-tech fabrics

SUMMARY

Garmatex Technologies is a company based in Canada which specialises in the development ofintelligent fabric technologies. Also, it produces a wide range of fabrics which are designed for anumber of applications—including athletic apparel, lifestyle apparel and industrial products.

Garmatex is a relatively young company, having been founded as recently as 2012. Since then it haslicensed its technologies to companies which are seeking to improve and differentiate their productsthrough the use of high-tech textiles and, in doing so, it has greatly broadened its presence in themarket.

Over the next year, the company aims to expand its operations significantly in order to meet a shiftin demand for high-tech fabrics.

More immediately, it has plans to build on its sales and manufacturing capabilities with a view tobecoming recognised as one of the world’s leading providers of intelligent fabric technologies.

INTRODUCTION

Garmatex Technologiesspecialises in intelligentfabric technologies

Garmatex Technologies is a small company which specialises in thedevelopment, production and marketing of intelligent fabrictechnologies for apparel and industrial applications.

The company is based inCanada but has offices inTaiwan and the USA, andplans to open offices inBarbados and theNetherlands

The company is based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada,approximately 10 miles (16 km) from the US border.

In addition, it has offices in Taiwan and the USA, and plans to openan office in the Netherlands before the end of 2014 and a furtheroffice in Barbados.

It employs 25 peopledirectly, and a further tenpeople as coordinators

The company employs 25 people directly, and employs a further tenpeople to coordinate the production of raw materials and finishedgoods.

COMPANY DEVELOPMENT

Garmatex is a relativelyyoung company, havingbeen incorporated in 2012

Garmatex is a relatively young company, having been incorporated in2012 under the leadership of its executive chairman, Keith Gracey,and its chief executive officer and president, Martin Doane.


1 Base layers are items of clothing worn next to the skin and include briefs, long johns, short sleeve and longsleeve tops, T-shirts, tank tops and vests.

2 © Textiles Intelligence Limited 2014

Its foundations in fabricinnovation were laid in2004 when Doug Thomand Hank Wang formed ajoint venture

The foundations of Garmatex’s core competence in fabric innovationwere laid in 2004 when a Canadian entrepreneur, Doug Thom, and aTaiwanese textile developer, Hank Wang, formed a joint venture witha view to improving the quality of materials in the sports apparelmarket—in particular the base layer1 segment of that market.

The two partners achievedsuccess in developing fabricsfor garments which providedmoisture management andunrestricted movement, andthey continued to developtheir technologies in theyears which followed

The two joint venture partners were determined to challenge industrynorms, and they achieved success in developing fabrics for garmentswhich provided moisture management and unrestricted movement,thereby improving athletic performance. These garments weredesigned for sports such as hockey, football and lacrosse.

Mr Thom and Mr Wang continued to develop their fabric technologiesover the ten years which followed.

Their efforts led to theinvention of a new systemfor manufacturing synthetictextile materials

Their efforts led to the invention of a new system for manufacturingsynthetic textile materials. This system uses advanced processes tomanipulate molecules in the polymers from which microfibre filamentsare subsequently extruded.

In order to meet ambitiousexpansion goals, Garmatexplans to move to Vancouverso it can attract talentedemployees and be in closeproximity to major apparelcompanies

Garmatex has ambitious goals to expand its operations. In order tomeet these goals, it plans to move its headquarters to downtownVancouver where it will be in a better position to attract talentedemployees with strong skills in the field of fabric technologies.

The move will also place the company in close proximity to majorapparel companies operating in British Columbia.

It plans to set up a state-of-the-art fabric testing labora-tory at its new headquarters

The company also has plans in place to incorporate a state-of-the-artfabric testing and sewing laboratory at its new headquarters inVancouver.

PRODUCTS AND END USES

Garmatex believes that itstechnologies are superiorto those of its competitors

Garmatex is an inventor of intelligent fabric technologies which itbelieves are superior to those of its competitors in terms of thecomfort, fit and performance they provide.

It can tailor its fabrics tomeet specific requirements

The company works closely with its customers and is able to tailor itsfabrics to meet specific requirements.

ProductsIt supplies a wide rangeof high-tech fabrics

Garmatex’s family of high-tech fabrics comprises:

� AbsorbSkin;� CamoSkin;


2 AATCC 79-2007—Absorbency of Textiles.3 A 4-way stretch fabric is one that stretches both crosswise and lengthwise.


� ColdSkin;� CoolSkin;� IceSkin;� Kottinu;� RecoverySkin;� Satinu;� SlimSkin;� SteelSkin; and� WarmSkin.

AbsorbSkin is a quickdrying fabric whichabsorbs up to ten times itsown weight in moisture

AbsorbSkin is a quick drying fabric which absorbs up to ten times itsweight in moisture. This so-called “holding tank” ability allows thefabric to retain excess moisture until it can be dispersed into theatmosphere.

CamoSkin has patternswhich make the wearerinvisible to hoofed animals

CamoSkin is a camouflage fabric with patterns which make thewearer invisible to hoofed animals. The fabric is designed for use inthe manufacture of garments worn by hunters.

ColdSkin is capable ofabsorbing heat and dissi-pating it to the atmosphere

ColdSkin is a high performance fabric which is capable of absorbingheat and dissipating it to the atmosphere, thereby cooling the wearer’sskin temperature.

CoolSkin has excellentmoisture handlingproperties and can fullyabsorb a given amountof moisture in just0.5 seconds

CoolSkin is a fabric which, the company asserts, has excellentmoisture handling properties. In a test2 carried out by the TaiwanTextile Research Institute (TTRI), a CoolSkin fabric was shown tofully absorb a given amount of moisture in just 0.5 seconds comparedwith an average of more than six seconds for four similar types offabric.

IceSkin has a cooling effectgreater than that of ColdSkinas a result of the presence ofjade microparticles

IceSkin, like ColdSkin, is a fabric which has a cooling effect on thewearer. However, its cooling effect is greater than that of ColdSkin asa result of the incorporation of jade microparticles. The cooling effectis activated by moisture.

Kottinu has the feel of cottonbut offers greater durabilityand better colour fastness

Kottinu is a microfibre filament fabric which has the feel of cotton,but offers greater durability and better colour fastness thanconventional cotton.

RecoverySkin is a 4-waystretch fabric whichprovides mild compressionon the body’s muscles

RecoverySkin is a 4-way stretch fabric3 which provides mildcompression on the body’s muscles in order to: improve performance;reduce the risk of injury; and accelerate recovery during and afterexercise.

Satinu has the look and feelof satin and is quick drying

Satinu is a fabric with quick drying properties which is colourfast andhas the look and feel of satin.


4 A scrub or scrub suit is a loose-fitting garment which is worn by medical staff. The scrub is usually atwo-piece garment comprising a short sleeve top and pants.


SlimSkin follows thecontours of the body

SlimSkin is a fabric which is designed to follow the contours of thebody to give the wearer a slim and flattering appearance.

SteelSkin is resistant toabrasion and blade cuts

SteelSkin is a pliable fabric which is resistant to abrasion and bladecuts. Its main application is in protective clothing.

WarmSkin increases thebody’s retention of heatwhile allowing moisturefrom the skin to escape

WarmSkin is described as an insulating fabric which increases thebody’s retention of heat while allowing moisture from the skin toescape.

End usesApparel applications

Garmatex can manipulatethe polymers used to makemicrofibre filaments at themolecular level andexperiment with variousknitting techniques inorder to create fabrics forseveral different apparelapplications

Garmatex’s research and development team is capable of manipulatingthe polymers from which microfibre filaments are subsequentlyextruded at the molecular level and experimenting with variousknitting techniques in order to create fabrics which best suit the needsof particular performance apparel producers.

Applications for the company’s fabrics in apparel encompass:

� beach wear;� fashion wear;� firefighters’ undergarments;� hunting apparel;� medical clothing (primarily scrubs4);� military clothing;� protective clothing;� sleepwear;� sportswear;� underwear; and� workwear.

Non-apparel applicationsThe company’s fabricscan also be used for non-apparel applications

The company’s fabrics can also be used for non-apparel applications.Currently, fabrics are being tested for use in bed sheets and seatcovers for aircraft and automotive applications.

PRODUCT TECHNOLOGIES AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Product technologiesGarmatex boasts anumber of technologieswhich are used to enhancethe performance of theproducts in which they areincorporated

Garmatex boasts a number of technologies which are used to enhancethe performance of the products in which they are incorporated.

Two of these technologies, Moisture System Transference (MST) andBact-Out, are used in all of the company’s products.



Moisture System Transference (MST) MST facilitates the creationof fabrics with excellent mois-ture management properties

Moisture System Transference (MST) is used in the production of allfabrics in the company’s portfolio, and is said to facilitate the creationof fabrics with excellent moisture management properties.

Microfibre filaments aretwisted together into a fineyarn and the yarns areknitted together in such away as to increase the speedof moisture movementthrough the fabric

Fabrics made using this technology comprise different microfibrefilaments twisted together into a fine yarn to create a large surface areaalong which moisture can move.

The yarns are knitted together in such a way as to increase the speed ofmoisture movement through the fabric.

Figure 1:Moisture System Transference (MST) technology

Source: Garmatex Technologies

Bact-OutBact-Out fabrics have anantimicrobial agentincorporated in them

Bact-Out fabrics have an antimicrobial agent incorporated in them toprotect them from colonisation by the bacteria responsible for causingodour.

The antimicrobial efficacyof Bact-Out fabrics ismaintained after at least50 washes

Independent laboratory tests carried out using Japanese industrialstandards have confirmed that the antimicrobial efficacy of Bact-Outfabrics is maintained after at least 50 washes.


5 A triple gusset is a three-piece fabric construction.


Design solutions Garmatex developedT3 Technology to improvefreedom of movement inclose-fitting apparel

Garmatex emphasises that it is committed to finding innovativesolutions for textile related problems. One such solution is its patentedT3 Technology which was developed to improve freedom of movementin close-fitting apparel.

Arms and legs can rotatefully and extend withoutrestricting key muscle groups

When the technology is incorporated into garments, it allows the armsand legs to fully rotate and extend without restricting key musclegroups.

In shirts manufacturedusing the technology, seamsin the armpit are replacedby a triple gusset whichallows maximum mobilityof the shoulder

In shirts manufactured using the technology, seams in the armpit arereplaced by a triple gusset5 which allows maximum mobility of theshoulder.

This construction is particularly suitable for garments worn for sportsin which mobility is critical for performance, including baseball,cricket, golf and tennis.

The patent on T3Technology was the first tobe granted for a garmentconstruction design forseveral decades

According to Garmatex, the patent on T3 Technology was the first to begranted for a garment construction design for several decades.

Figure 2:T3 shirt

Source: GarmatexTechnologies


6 Based on wholesale prices.7 Base360 was formerly called Pro-Formance Insights (PFI).


PRODUCT MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTION

Product manufactureGarmatex controls itsentire manufacturingprocess

Garmatex controls its entire manufacturing process—from theprocurement of raw materials through to filament extrusion, knittingor weaving, and dyeing and setting.

It has a factory in Chinawhich specialises in fabricmanufacture and a factoryin Taiwan which producesgarment prototypes andcustom-made garments

Its finished products are manufactured at two factories: one in Chinaand the other in Taiwan.

The factory in China specialises in fabric manufacture while thefactory in Taiwan is engaged in the production of garment prototypesand the fulfilment of small batches of custom-made garment orders.

The two can produce up toUS$175 mn worth of fabricsand finished goods a year

Garmatex says that these factories are capable of producing up toUS$175 mn6 worth of fabrics and finished goods a year.

Product distributionProducts are sold directlyto customers in Canada,Japan and the USA, andthe company plans toopen an office in theNetherlands to pursueopportunities in Europe

Garmatex’s products are sold directly to customers in Canada, Japanand the USA.

The company does not currently sell its products in the Europeanmarket. However, it does plan to pursue opportunities in this marketfrom an office which it will open in the Netherlands before the end of2014.

COLLABORATIVE VENTURES

Garmatex has establisheda number of collaborativeventures in order toenhance its profile indomestic and internationalmarkets

Since its foundation in 2012, Garmatex has put much effort intoenhancing its profile in domestic and international markets.

As part of these efforts, it has established a number of collaborativeventures.

Licensing agreement with Base360In May 2014 Garmatexre-signed a 4-year licensingcontract with Base360 witha view to combining the twocompanies’ technologies anddeveloping a fabric withsuperior properties

In May 2014 Garmatex re-signed a 4-year licensing contract withBase3607, a Canada-based company which supplies cut resistantgarments for sportswear and protective wear.

The partnership was created with a view to combining the twocompanies’ technologies in order to develop a high quality fabric withsuperior comfort, performance and protection properties.



Garmatex believes that“partnering with like-minded companies will ...help establish Garmatex asthe leader for performanceand fabric technologies”

Commenting on the deal with Base360, a Garmatex spokespersonsaid: “We are convinced that developing leading-edge technology andpartnering with like-minded companies will ultimately transform thematerials industry and help establish Garmatex as the leader forperformance and fabric technologies”.

Licensing agreement with Cool-jamsIn July 2014 Garmatexannounced that it hadentered into a licensingdeal with Cool-jams underwhich Cool-jams will useGarmatex’s Kottinu fabricin its cooling pyjamas

In July 2014 Garmatex announced that it had entered into a 5-yearlicensing deal with Cool-jams—a company with headquarters inCalifornia, USA, which supplies temperature regulating bedding andsleepwear.

Under the terms of the deal, Cool-jams will use Garmatex’s Kottinufabric in the production of its cooling pyjamas.

Both companies see hugepotential for these pyjamas

Both companies see huge potential for these pyjamas and forCool-jams’ sales in general, which doubled every year between 2007and 2013, according to the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cool-jams.

OUTLOOK

Garmatex is dedicated tocreating fabrics with strongerperformance characteristicsthan those currently on themarket and has set its sightson becoming a supplier ofchoice

Garmatex says that it is dedicated to providing a new generation oftechnologies which can be used to create fabrics with performancecharacteristics which are superior to those currently available on themarket.

Furthermore, it has set its sights on becoming a supplier of choice formanufacturers in the apparel industry and in industrial markets.

Consumers are demandingever greater levels ofperformance from theirgarments

According to the company, consumers are becoming increasinglyaware of the benefits of fabric technologies in their clothing. As aresult, they are demanding ever greater levels of performance fromtheir garments, and manufacturers and retailers are following suit.

Garmatex originally targetedsportswear but sees hugepotential in casual wear

These technologies were originally targeted at the sportswear market.However, there is huge potential for them in the casual wearmarket—which is substantially bigger.

It is optimistic about itsprospects and expects tocomplete further licensingdeals in the months ahead

Garmatex is optimistic about its prospects, and expects to receivesignificant orders and to complete further licensing deals in themonths ahead.

Documents

Profile of Garmatex Technologies: a specialist in high-tech fabrics