From the Sector

The first chapter of Catalyst Club debuted in Florence, bringing together creative directors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, journalists and innovators from across the fashion and textile industry for an evening of dialogue, exchange and connection.

Hosted at the Soko Innovation Hub and developed in partnership with Pioneer Denim, the gathering took place around a single long table, bringing guests together in an informal and convivial setting designed to encourage open conversation and the sharing of ideas.

During his opening speech at the dinner, Matteo Urbini, MD of Soko Chimica, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: "It’s a real pleasure to host an evening where we can finally move past virtual networking and connect in person. Getting together live is still the best way to build authentic relationships and make real things happen."

Set within a relaxed and convivial environment, free from presentations, panels and formal agendas, the evening encouraged guests to engage openly, allowing ideas, perspectives and future visions to flow naturally. Conversations touched on sustainability, creativity, manufacturing and innovation, generating valuable connections and opportunities for collaboration while introducing the purpose of Catalyst Club: a community designed to bring together the people shaping the future of fashion, denim and innovation through dialogue, exchange and shared inspiration.

The first chapter was realized with the support of Pioneer Denim, whose commitment to innovation and industry collaboration reflects the values at the heart of the initiative.

The Florence gathering represents the beginning of a journey that will continue through future chapters, expanding a network of professionals united by the belief that meaningful change starts with connection.

About Catalyst Club Catalyst Club is a curated community that brings together the people shaping the future of fashion, denim and innovation. Through intimate gatherings and meaningful conversations, it creates opportunities for ideas, perspectives and collaborations to emerge and evolve.

About Soko Soko is an innovation-driven chemical company serving the global fashion and textile industry. Through research, partnerships and its Soko Innovation Hub, the company promotes collaboration, sustainability and knowledge-sharing across the supply chain. Soko is the creator and organizer of Catalyst Club.

About Pioneer Denim Pioneer Denim is a leading denim manufacturer recognized for its commitment to innovation, quality and responsible production, supporting global brands through advanced technologies and sustainable practices.

The Supervisory Board of Lenzing AG has appointed Georg Kasperkovitz, Member of the Management Board and Chief Operations Officer, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lenzing AG with effect from June 1, 2026. 
Kasperkovitz will assume this role in addition to his current function as Chief Operations Officer (COO). 

Kasperkovitz has been a member of the Management Board of Lenzing AG as Chief Operations Officer since June 2025. In this role, he has most recently led the Fiber Division (sales, production, and supply chain) as well as the further development and execution of the performance program. He has achieved significant progress in operational excellence and the profitability of the fiber production sites. 

As CEO, in addition to overseeing the company-wide fiber production sites, he will also assume global responsibility for fiber sales, supply chain, and human resources. 
Kasperkovitz’s mandate as CEO runs for three years until May 31, 2029. 

Supervisory Board emphasizes continuity and performance 
Patrick Lackenbucher, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Lenzing AG, commented: “Over the past months, the Supervisory Board has intensively addressed the appointment of the CEO position and evaluated both internal and external candidates. It became clear that the current Management Board works very effectively together and that Georg Kasperkovitz manages his areas of responsibility extremely successfully. 

He has achieved measurable progress in operational performance and profitability. His appointment as CEO is therefore a logical step that ensures stability and execution strength, particularly in challenging market environments. 

The Management Board will continue to consistently focus on structural profitability and strengthening competitiveness, with the aim of further expanding Lenzing’s position as a leading integrated premium supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers.”

Focus on transformation, profitability, and growth 
Georg Kasperkovitz said: “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board for their trust and for appointing me as CEO, and I am very much looking forward to actively shaping Lenzing’s future. 

A clearly prioritized strategy focused on premium products, the consistent execution of our performance program, and a strong leadership team are key drivers of Lenzing’s continued transformation. 

We will drive sustainable growth in high-margin market segments, such as nonwovens applications in hygiene and filtration, while further advancing next-generation technologies such as Tree-to-Textile. 

At the same time, we will consistently implement measures to further strengthen our cost position and global competitiveness. Our goal is to unlock the company’s full value-creation potential.” 

Management Board structure remains unchanged 
The composition of the Management Board remains unchanged and continues to consist of Georg Kasperkovitz (CEO), Mathias Breuer (CFO), and Christian Skilich (CPO/CTO). 
The extended Executive Committee, consisting of six members, also remains unchanged. 

About Georg Kasperkovitz 
Georg Kasperkovitz holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Vienna University of Technology) and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He has more than 15 years of international management experience across Europe, North America, Asia, and China—Lenzing’s key production regions and markets. Prior to joining Lenzing, he served as Business Unit CEO at the international packaging and paper company Mondi plc (2016–2019) and as CEO of Rail Cargo Austria AG (2012–2016). He previously worked as a partner at the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), representing the full spectrum of U.S. textiles from fiber through finished sewn products, held its officer elections for fiscal year 2026 at its annual meeting April 14-16.

NCTO has elected Amy Bircher Bruyn, CEO and Founder of MMI Textiles as Chair, and Jay Todd, CEO and Managing Partner of Service Thread, as Vice Chair.

In addition to the appointment of a new chair and vice chair, NCTO elected chairs for each of its five councils. NCTO is comprised of five councils to ensure a broad representation of the industry supply chain. Each council has an allotted number of members who are elected to the association’s Board of Directors, in addition to the Executive Committee.

“I am pleased to announce NCTO’s 2026 officers, council chairs, and board and executive committee members,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas. “I thank Chair Amy Bircher Bruyn and Vice Chair Jay Todd for stepping into these critical roles. As we navigate a challenging environment, their leadership will be key as we advance policies to preserve preferential treatment under USMCA and CAFTA-DR, strengthen customs enforcement against import fraud, refine tariff policies with carve-outs for inputs and machinery not made in the U.S., expand the Berry Amendment and America-made procurement, and grow our Western Hemisphere co-production chain—while opposing measures that undermine a domestic supply chain supporting more than 450,000 jobs.”

Elected as NCTO Chair and Vice Chair for 2026:

• Chair – Amy Bircher Bruyn, MMI Textiles
  Ms. Bircher Bruyn is CEO and Founder of MMI Textiles, a global industrial and custom textile supplier based in Brooklyn, Ohio.
• Vice Chair – Jay Todd, CEO and Managing Director of Service Thread, an industrial yarn and sewing thread manufacturer based in Laurinburg, N.C.

Elected to the NCTO Board of Directors during the various Council meetings were the following:

• Fiber Council – David Adkins of Lenzing Fibers; Geoffrey Hietpas of The LYCRA Company; and David Poston of Palmetto Synthetics
• Yarn Council – Justin Ferdinand of Kentwool; Chris Alt of American & Efird; Marc Doyon of Gildan; Charles Heilig of Parkdale; Eddie Ingle of Unifi; and Tim Manson of Meridian Specialty Yarn Group
• Fabric and Home Products Council –Allen Jacoby of Milliken & Company; Leib Oehmig of Glen Raven Inc.; Bill Rogers of Mount Vernon Mills; Brian Rosenstein of TSG Finishing; Dan Russian of Sage Automotive Interiors; and Walter Spiegel of Standard Textile
• Finished Textiles and Apparel Products Council – Gabrielle Ferrara of Ferrara (Alternate: Marisa Fumei-South of Two-One-Two New York)
• Industry Support Council – Todd Bassett of Fi-Tech; Greg Duncan of American Truetzschler; and Jim Reed of YKK Corp.

Elected by their respective Councils to serve on the Executive Committee were:
Justin Ferdinand of Kentwool; Tim Manson of Meridian Specialty Yarn Group; Bill Rogers of Mount Vernon Mills; Allen Jacoby of Milliken & Company; David Adkins of Lenzing Fibers; Gabrielle Ferrara of Ferrara; and Todd Basset of Fi-Tech.

NCTO Chair Amy Bircher Bruyn has appointed additional executives to serve on the Executive Committee: Chuck Hall, Barnet and NCTO immediate past chairman; Anderson Warlick, Parkdale Mills; Jay Self, Greenwood Mills; Marisa Fumei-South, Two One Two New York; and Jackie Ferrari, American Fashion Network.

Elected to chair the Councils:

•    Fiber Council: David Adkins of Lenzing Fibers
•    Yarn Council: Tim Manson of Meridian Specialty Yarn Group
•    Fabric and Home Products Council: Allen Jacoby of Milliken & Company
•    Finished Textiles and Apparel Products Council: Gabrielle Ferrara of Ferrara
•    Industry Support Council: Todd Bassett of Fi-Tech

In addition to the chair and vice chair, NCTO also elected the following officers for the upcoming fiscal year:

•    President & CEO – Kim Glas, NCTO
•    Treasurer – Robin Haynes, NCTO
•    Secretary – Katherine White, NCTO