From the Sector

Ende Januar eröffnete die New Wave GmbH ihr neues Logistikzentrum in Geiselwind. Das Tochterunternehmen der schwedischen New Wave Group mit Sitz im bayerischen Oberaudorf schafft am neuen Standort reichlich Platz: Auf einer Lagerfläche von rund 11.000 m² mit rund 8.500 Paletten-Stellplätzen sowie insgesamt 33.000 Pickplätzen finden unter anderem Marken wie der schwedische Spezialist für Funktionsbekleidung, CRAFT, Platz. Ein 450 m² großer Showroom, in dem alle Marken der New Wave GmbH präsentiert werden, und ein 650 m² großes Outlet, das im Juni seine Pforten öffnet, machen den neuen Standort in Geiselwind zur Anlaufstelle für Fachhändler und Endkunden gleichermaßen.

Neben CRAFT bietet die New Wave GmbH ein breites Portfolio an Textilien für verschiedene Bereiche. Egal ob textile Basics, Sport-, Business-, Arbeits- oder Golf- und Lifestyle-Bekleidung – für all diese Bereiche liefert das Unternehmen textile Lösungen, die auf Wunsch individuell via Druck oder Stick veredelt werden können. Um der steigenden Nachfrage und dem neuen, erfolgreichen Engagement von CRAFT im Bereich Teamsport gerecht zu werden, fiel 2017 die Entscheidung auf Geiselwind als Standort für ein neues Logistikzentrum.

Nach dem Baustart im März 2018 werden nicht einmal ein Jahr später die ersten Bestellungen vom neuen Standort in Unterfranken verschickt. Ebenso ist der 450 m² große Showroom komplett eingerichtet und präsentiert die New Wave-Welt.

Andre Bachmann, Geschäftsführer der New Wave GmbH, freut sich: „Es ist unglaublich, in welch kurzer Zeit das alles hier entstanden ist. Gefühlt habe ich immer noch den Sand vom Spatenstich in den Schuhen. Dabei stehe ich nicht mal ein Jahr später hier in unserem neuen Wohnzimmer – unserem komplett eingerichteten New Wave Showroom. Zum ersten Mal überhaupt wird unser komplettes Portfolio an einem Ort präsentiert. So schnell funktioniert das wirklich nur wenn alle Zahnräder ineinandergreifen – von unserem Mutterkonzern in Schweden, über die Behörden vor Ort, allen am Bau beteiligten Unternehmen und nicht zuletzt bis hin zu sämtlichen Mitarbeitern der New Wave GmbH. Wir waren schon in der Vergangenheit sehr gut aufgestellt, was die Lieferfähigkeit angeht. Mit dem neuen Lager können wir uns noch weiter verbessern.“

• conceptual and commercial garments presented at exhibition in London

After two years of research Mistra Future Fashion is honoured to present, in collaboration with Centre for Circular Design at University of the Arts London and Filippa K, an exhibition pushing the limits of ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ fashion. Started in 2017, the industry-embedded project Circular Design Speeds takes a unique systemic approach, showcasing what could be accomplished using existing value chains as well as what the future of sustainable fashion holds. Ground-breaking textile research from University of the Arts London is questioning normative use and design of garments in creating prototypes to be worn across a spectrum of 24 hours to 50 years. By implementing research into existing value chains, Filippa K have produced a coat that is 100% recycled and recyclable, as well as a concept dress that is 100% bio-based and biodegradable. The research results and garments will be presented at the launch event at the University of the Arts London, on November 23rd and open to public on the 24th and 25th of November.

On Friday November 23rd the exhibition Disrupting Patterns: Designing for Circular Speeds opens up at University of the Arts London. The exhibition is the results of a two-year research project called Circular Design Speeds aiming at pushing the limits of ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ fashion by testing new concepts for sustainable design in an industry setting. On display are exploratory prototypes, as well as commercial garments produced by industry partner Filippa K using existing value chains. In addition, research results on innovative materials, consumer acceptance, composting studies and Life Cycle Assessments are presented. The aim of this project is to implement research results in a real fashion industry context, focusing on speed of use and maximising fabric value retention in products.

The Service Shirt developed by Professor Rebecca Earley is designed to last for over 50 years. The concept garment explores the multiple complexities, challenges and opportunities associated with design for circular business models in extended use contexts. The Service Shirt was designed as a ‘deliberate extreme’ to have a total lifecycle of 50 years. This lifecycle includes in-house and external remanufacturing processes, as well as various use cycles – often moving between single ownership and rental and sharing contexts. It becomes the lining for a jacket and then crafted in to fashion accessories, before finally being chemically regenerated in the year 2068.

On the opposite side of the spectrum the Fast-Forward concept, developed by Prof Kay Politowicz and Dr Kate Goldsworthy, explores alternative modes of production and use for a sustainable ‘fast-fashion’ application. Advantages with regards to climate impact are enabled through lighter material choices, nonwoven fabric production, no launder, clear routes to recovery and redistributed manufacturing systems. A sliding scale of ‘speed’ from ultra-fast forward through to a more widely accepted length of use, with adaptations to production processes and end of life, is presented. The prototypes are made from a new bio-based nonwoven material co-developed with Dr Hjalmar Granberg at RISE Research Institute of Sweden & University of the Arts London. The composition of the paper is a mix of cellulose pulp and bio-based PLA fibre, making the garment 100% biodegradable or recyclable in existing paper recycling systems.

Working closely with industry partner Filippa K made commercial testing possible. By implementing research into existing value chains, Filippa K was able to produce a coat that is 100% recycled and recyclable, as well as a concept dress that is 100% bio-based and biodegradable. The garments are a part of Filippa K’s Front Runner series and will be available in selected stores on November 26th. With a focus on products’ length of use and maximizing fabric value retention, Filippa K are dedicated to becoming fully circular by 2030.

“Being part of the fashion industry comes with many challenges, especially when considering the fact that we are the second most polluting industry after oil. Our industry needs to change and we believe adapting to circular models, like nature’s ecosystem, is one important solution. We want to be able to offer beautiful clothing and to make business within the planetary boundaries.”
- Elin Larsson, Sustainability Director, Filippa K

To validate the design research presented, a Life Cycle Assessment was performed on the prototypes. Mistra Future Fashion affiliated Dr. Greg Peters, Chalmers University of Technology, together with additional LCA Researchers at RISE, conclude that the production of fibres and fabrics are the main processes impacting the environment during the garment life cycles. Therefore, to extend the lifetime of existing garments and design for re-use, as done in the Service Shirt, is indeed the superior alternative compared to a reference garment.

“Compared with garments of the same mass, the extended life garments represent a large improvement in environmental performance over the reference garments, outperforming the reference garments in all effect categories. This superiority is primarily a consequence of avoiding garment production via reprinting and reassembly of the initial garment to extend its useful life.”
- Dr Greg Peters, LCA Researcher at Chalmers University of Technology

Another way to circumvent the impacts of fast fashion is to develop materials with considerably lower impacts during production, and which also avoid the barriers to recycling faced by conventional garments. Instead of hinder consumers from buying new, the act of acquiring a new garment could in fact be sustainable. The paper-based short life garments considered in this assessment show considerable impact savings when compare to the benchmark garment. Dr. Peters says,

“The paper-based garments benefit from the lower impacts of the material (fibre production, spinning and knitting) compared with conventional cotton, from their relatively light weight and also on account of the lower impacts in garment production and use.”

Neuer Partner an der Radsport-Spitze

Ab der Saison 2019 gehen die Profis des UCI-Radrennstalls Sunweb in CRAFT an den Start. Der schwedische Funktionsbekleidungs-Spezialist arbeitet schon über Jahre hinweg erfolgreich mit unterschiedlichen Radrenn-Mannschaften zusammen. Nun werden die Schweden offizieller und langfristiger Ausrüstungspartner des deutschen UCI-World-Tour-Teams mit Sitz in den Niederlanden.

Funktionsunterwäsche, Rennbekleidung und Freizeitbekleidung: Ab dem 01. Januar 2019 kleidet CRAFT sowohl Herren-, als auch Damen- und Nachwuchsteam von Sunweb von Kopf bis Fuß ein und stimmt dabei alles individuell auf die Athleten ab.

CRAFT-Geschäftsführer Andre Bachmann freut sich auf die zukünftige Zusammenarbeit: „Der Radrennsport ist tief in den Genen von CRAFT verankert. Daher freuen wir uns ganz besonders, ein so spannendes und dynamisches UCI-Team wie Sunweb mit unserer Bekleidung zu unterstützen. Mit Fahrern wie Tom Dumoulin, der in diesem Jahr Zweiter bei der Tour de France wurde, dem Sprinter und zweimaligen Etappensieger der letztjährigen Frankreichrundfahrt, Michael Matthews, oder den deutschen Fahrern  Nikias Arndt und Nachwuchstalent Lennard Kämna zeigt das Team großes Potenzial, um auch in Zukunft ganz oben angreifen zu können. Wir sind gespannt auf die Zusammenarbeit und fiebern der neuen Saison schon jetzt entgegen!"

Bei der Entwicklung neuer, technischer Produkte vertraut CRAFT zudem auf die langjährige Erfahrung der Sunweb-Profis und bindet sie daher eng in den Prozess mit ein. Das Zusammenspiel Ihrer praktischen Expertise mit dem technischen Knowhow der Marke spiegelt sich in den neuen Bike-Kollektionen der Schweden wider

Virginia-based Launderer Recognized for Commitment to Sustainability and Conservation Practices
Handcraft Linen Services, the Richmond, VA-based independent medical launderer, has been certified Clean Green, reflecting the company’s dedication to operational efficiency and sustainability. Linen, uniform and facility services companies receive this distinction by adhering to TRSA-designated water and energy use thresholds and deploying best management practices (BMPs) consistent with the ASTM International environmental laundering standard.
 
Handcraft Linen Services’ customers can be assured their reusable healthcare textiles are washed, dried and finished with processes that maximize sustainability and reduce greenhouse emissions. Clean Green certified operations demonstrate significant commitment to conservation and green operations through these BMPs:
•             Recovering heat from drained hot water and heat dispersed from the process of warming water
•             Recapturing drained water from rinses for reuse
•             Using environmentally friendly detergents
•             Removing solids and liquids from wastewater
•             Solar energy and energy-efficient lighting
•             Recycling programs
•             Re-routing trucks to save vehicle fuel
•             Spill prevention plans
 
The Clean Green certification is valid for three years at a time. TRSA inspects laundry facilities seeking certification and approves documentation of their water and energy use and BMP deployment through production reports they submit to auditors during the inspections. TRSA’s certification management protocol includes auditor training by the association’s inspection program administrator.
Clean Green aligns with the ASTM International standard, Guide for Sustainable Laundry Practices, which recognizes key criteria for the certification as universal indicators of maximum sustainability in commercial laundry work. ASTM’s review of TRSA BMPs verified these as the most effective and practical techniques for a laundry to achieve green objectives.
TRSA members prompted development of the standard, which was vetted in the sustainability subcommittee of the ASTM Committee on Textiles. Top technical experts, scientists and environmental professionals from outside the linen, uniform and facility services industry reviewed the BMPs. ASTM is the global leader in developing and delivering voluntary consensus standards unparalleled in building consumer confidence in product and service quality.
 
“I applaud Handcraft Linen Services for their sustainability efforts and maintaining the highest standards in their production and delivery operations,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “Meeting all the criteria for certification is not easy, but the company is committed to industry-leading processes and technologies.”

• Italian expertise, research and green innovation.
• METALBOTTONI ups the stakes with one-of-a-kind interpretations, to enhance its market presence.

At Première Vision Accessories (Paris, 19-21 September) the company presents the new collection VÀNITA, a mix of leatherwear and sportswear, based on Made in Italy craft, with an increasingly wide and coordinated range.

Based on product experience, combining new trends in accessories. The METALBOTTONI strategy is enriched with product novelties which aim at exploring new existing market segments. A strategy which increasingly leads great artisan production skills to meet constant research and expansion of the range, with the world of sportswear becoming more and more pivotal; without forgetting the important sustainable innovations of the NO IMPACT protocol.

No Impact becomes “Committed Accessories”

The guideline for restyling the METALBOTTONI range over the past two years has been the recent implementation of the NO IMPACT corporate sustainability protocol, which has just acquired a new “dress”, associated with the following pay-off: “Committed Accessories”. It is a way of underscoring the constant green development of the company over the past few years, in terms of process and product: use of recycled raw materials, development of finishing without chemicals, implementation of processes which today have allowed to reduce electricity and water consumption to almost zero.

Moreover the range of NO IMPACT proposals for this season has expanded to include not only new metal finishing but also leather label completely made from processing scrap, thus establishing Metalbottoni as “partner for branding elements” also in terms of sustainability. Pure Made in Italy and constant expansion of collections towards sportswear The great skill in metal processing, which for sixty years now has characterised the top-of-the-range quality of METALBOTTONI products, is now combined with constant research work conducted by our in-house Style Office, resulting in new collections which are more and more in line with the trends emerging from major trade fairs. Maintaining a presence on strong markets (central Europe, Northern Europe and United States), increasing the depth of segments and intercepting new ones. This is the main goal also chosen for the Première Vision Accessories Exhibition where, alongside the autumn-winter 2019/2020 collections, there will be a preview of VÀNITA, the new collection dedicated to leatherwear and more.

METALBOTTONI is proving to be one of the most dynamic companies in the accessory industry.

Over the past two years, in fact, it has introduced numerous product and process innovations, aiming at increasing its range especially as regards sportswear accessories. This trend was driven by a substantial increase in demand by read-to-wear and luxury brands in the past two seasons, and today it means new proposals which account for 35% of the range for METALBOTTONI. New collections have been presented in the past two seasons expressly dedicated to the sportswear world, namely GRAVITA, the first line designed by the company for pressure buttons, and MÀRYA, the new beachwear collection. Also the line called LABORA, the classic collection of accessories for fashion and ready-to-wear has been constantly enhanced with proposals combining style and technical performance. This mix of fashion and sport elements is increasingly evident in the company’s product range, for example in the combination of different materials, using metal with nylon or other resins to create new and unique accessories.

Vànita: beyond leatherwear, a world of accessories

The meeting between fashion, luxury and sportswear has produced VÀNITA, the brand new collection which presents a new approach to accessories dedicated to leatherwear, from an allround perspective from luxury to sportswear. Developed starting from solid product research by the company’s in-house Style Office, VÀNITA is a true meeting of styles and elements, a combination of high product standards with unique elegance. This line introduces one-of-a-kind visions for accessories, exploring highly original pathways dedicated to the world of leather. The VÀNITA proposal ranges from accessories for leatherwear and small leatherwear, to those for shoes, bags and the sportswear worlds. There are two main lines within this collection: one is expressly designed for the world of luxury, the other has a more technical and sporty approach. A true mix between artisan metal processing, based on the great METALBOTTONI expertise in this sector, and “ingredients” such as nylon, rubber finishes or innovative 3D processing, which are often combined together.

“Our goal is to offer an increasingly comprehensive range which allows us to explore new segments on the markets where we are present” - says Gregorio Valli, CEO and President of METALBOTTONI S.P.A – “a ‘recipe’ which should be able to integrate our unmatched product expertise with a constant expansion of our range and continuous implementation of our pathway towards corporate responsibility and sustainability”.

•     Explore a whole new world of trims

This summer, join Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA as we highlight The Art of Customization: Findings, Trims & Accessories in our SPOTLIGHT area located in Apparel Sourcing USA. Featured exhibitors will showcase a wide variety of ornamental fabrics, edgings and more.

In addition, the show will offer multiple make–and–take classes. Meet Jana Platina Phipps, New York City's embellishment expert known as the "Trim Queen", who will host a workshop reviewing the origins of passementerie and a how–to on creating your own tassels, pom–poms and decorative knots. NYC's CraftJam will also make their debut participating in Resource Row, offering attendees hands–on lessons in learning how to make embroidery wall art and patches.

Mit dem Spatenstich am 13. Juni 2018 startete die New Wave GmbH den Bau eines neuen Hochregallagers in Geiselwind (Franken). Der schwedische Konzern mit Deutschlandsitz im bayerischen Oberaudorf ist Mutter von Marken wie CRAFT, Clique oder J. Harvest & Frost. Im neuen Lager werden unter anderem die Produkte der neuen Teamsport-Kollektion von CRAFT Platz finden. Die Eröffnung ist für Januar 2019 terminiert. Ein repräsentativer Showroom sowie ein Outlet für alle Marken sind ebenfalls geplant.

Hohe Lieferbereitschaft ist im Teamsport-Markt ein Muss. Derzeit verfügt New Wave in Oberaudorf über eine Lagerfläche von insgesamt 1700 Quadratmetern. „Damit befinden wir uns ziemlich am Anschlag“, so Geschäftsführer Andre Bachmann. „Mit dem neuen Lager in Geiselwind haben wir eine zusätzliche Fläche von 10.500 qm für sofort lieferbare Ware. Damit können wir unseren Kunden einen noch besseren Service bieten. Unser Ziel ist es, NOS-Artikel innerhalb von 24 Stunden zu liefern."

Dr. Johann Killinger, Geschäftsführer der Ixocon Immobilien GmbH und verantwortlich für die Entwicklung des neuen Logistikzentrums, lobte beim offiziellen Spatenstich die gute Zusammenarbeit mit New Wave und die schnelle Realisierung des Projekts: „Das Tempo, das von allen Beteiligten bisher an den Tag gelegt wurde ist rekordverdächtig und wir machen genauso weiter. Die Fertigstellung des Logistikzentrums, das wir nach den Richtlinien der DGNB für nachhaltiges Bauen errichten, ist für Ende 2018 vorgesehen.

Auch Bachmann betonte in seiner Rede, dass der Standort Geiselwind für den New Wave Konzern von Anfang an die optimale Lösung war: „Die Planung zum Bau eines neuen Logistikzentrums gehört nicht unbedingt zu den alltäglichen und einfachsten Aufgaben. Es müssen viele Parameter berücksichtigt werden. Mit dem Standort Geiselwind haben wir die perfekte Lösung gefunden. Unmittelbar an der A3, nicht weit zur A7, direkt in der Mitte Deutschlands und für uns zum Glück immer noch in Bayern“, so Bachmann mit einem Augenzwinkern.

Nicht nur die Teamsport-Kollektion der schwedischen Sportbekleidungs-Marke CRAFT wird in Geiselwind untergebracht. Neben der neuen Schuhkollektion finden mit Clique, Printer, J. Harvest & Frost sowie der Arbeits-Bekleidungsmarke Projob weitere Marken der New Wave GmbH Platz im Hochregallager. Auf einer Fläche von knapp 1.000 Quadratmetern werden in Showroom und Outlet sämtliche Marken vertreten sein. Der Customer-Service bleibt weiterhin im bayerischen Oberaudorf.

Emphasis on Process, Third-party Validation and Outcome-based Testing
HandCraft Linen Services’ Richmond, Virginia laundry has had their certification renewed for Hygienically Clean Healthcare, reflecting their commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and their capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing.

The laundry was first certified in 2014. Recertification confirms the organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

•             Employees are properly trained and protected
•             Managers understand regulatory requirements
•             OSHA-compliant
•             Physical plant operates effectively

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

TRSA, the global association for the linen, uniform and facility services industry, and the creator and administrator of the Hygienically Clean Certification announced today its 2018 Hygienically Clean Healthcare Advisory Board slate of members.

“The board is responsible for administering, enforcing, and revising TRSA’s Hygienically Clean Healthcare (HCH) Standards. Additional duties include establishing and maintaining criteria and procedures for the certification of healthcare textile processing in commercial, cooperatives, and in-house healthcare laundries and facilities. These subject matter experts will provide guidance regarding best management practices (BMPs), inspections and testing to ensure that the Hygienically Clean Healthcare Certification Program benefits consumers, laundry-processing facilities and textile services customers,” said Joseph Ricci, President and CEO of TRSA.

Members of the newly formed board of directors, who represent the entire industry -- linen, uniform and facility service companies, large central laundries, healthcare linen, uniform and facility services customers of TRSA members, suppliers, and experts from related healthcare and other professional organizations -- will serve a three-year term:

Randy Bartsch
CEO, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service Inc.
Chairman

Rick Kislia
Chief Operating Officer
Crescent Laundry
Vice Chairman

David J. Stern
President & CEO, Paris Companies
Secretary

Greg Anderson
CEO, Campus Laundry

Angela Becker
Senior Program Leader, Textile Care RD&E, Ecolab

Murray L. Cohen, PhD, MPH, CIH
Owner, Consultants in Disease and Injury Control (CDIC)

Dr. Alexis M. Elward, MD
Pediatric Infectious Disease
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Eoin Flavin
Director, European Operations, WSI

David F. Goldsmith, MSPH, PhD, LLC
George Washington & Georgetown Universities

James Hall
CEO, Northwest Health Care Linen

Tony Long
VP, Risk Management, Angelica
Lynn A. Moreau, RN, BSN
Clinical Liaison Manager
HandCraft Linen Services

Michael Potack
Chairman, Unitex

Robert Raphael
Co-President
Service Linen Supply Inc.

Liz Remillong
Vice President, Strategic Alliance
Crothall Healthcare

Douglas Waldman
President, Superior Linen Service

Charles Rossmiller
Director Laundry Programs
Textile Sales
Medline Industries, Inc.

Thomas Smith
Director, Safety & Training
Foussard Montague Associates, Inc.

Volle Funktion für die Lilien

CRAFT wird blau-weiß: Zur Saison 2018/19 wird der Funktionsbekleidungs-Spezialist offizieller Ausrüster des SV Darmstadt 98. Die Schweden blicken auf über 40 Jahre Erfahrung mit funktioneller Sportbekleidung zurück und bringen ihr geballtes Knowhow zur kommenden Spielzeit auch auf den Darmstädter Rasen. Der Ausrüster-Kontrakt läuft über drei Jahre. Nach der SG Dynamo Dresden und dem niederländischen Erstligisten PEC Zwolle sind die Lilien bereits der dritte namhafte Fußballclub, den CRAFT mit seinem Konzept und der neuen Teamsport-Kollektion überzeugt hat.

1977 war CRAFT Pionier in Sachen Funktionsunterwäsche. Seither steht die Marke für hochwertige und hochfunktionelle Sportbekleidung. 40 Jahre später brachten die Schweden diese Expertise auch in den Teamsport: Seit 2017 produziert CRAFT eine eigene Teamsport-Kollektion. „Ein neues Spielfeld und eine große Herausforderung“, erklärt CRAFT-Geschäftsführer Andre Bachmann, „aber der stellen wir uns sehr gerne. Der Einstieg in den Teamsport ist ein wichtiger und großer Schritt für uns als Marke. Wir wissen, wo unsere Stärken liegen. Funktionalität, Komfort und skandinavisches Design – dafür steht CRAFT."

Ab der Saison 2018/19 bringen die Schweden diese Stärken auch auf den Rasen der Lilien aus Darmstadt. „Mit dem SV Darmstadt 98 konnten wir einen spannenden und traditionsreichen Club von unserem Konzept überzeugen. Das freut uns sehr“, sagt Bachmann, „wie auch bei CRAFT sind Leidenschaft, Begeisterung und Wille wichtige Leitmotive der Lilien. Aus diesem Grund freuen wir uns sehr auf eine erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit."
 
„Wir haben sehr angenehme Gespräche mit den Vertretern von CRAFT führen können. Man hat sofort gemerkt, dass das Unternehmen und seine Mitarbeiter großes Interesse daran haben, sich noch stärker im Fußball und insbesondere bei Darmstadt 98 zu engagieren. Unsere Profis, alle Jugendmannschaften und nicht zuletzt unsere Fans können sich auf die Zusammenarbeit sowie die gemeinsamen Produkte in der nächsten Saison freuen“, sagt Michael Weilguny, Geschäftsführer des SV Darmstadt 98.

Neben dem SV Darmstadt 98 läuft auch die SG Dynamo Dresden in der nächsten Saison in CRAFT auf. Der niederländische Erstligist PEC Zwolle trägt schon heute die sechs Punkte der Marke auf der Brust.