Industry Notes - July 2004

Hoffman/New Yorker Inc., founded in 1904, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Bloomfield, NJ-based company, which designs, manufactures and markets apparel pressing machinery for apparel manufacturers, laundries, dry cleaners and linen services, was founded accidentally by Asa Hoffman, when he developed a foot-operated finishing press machine to compensate for a shoulder injury that left him unable to lift a heavy iron. Today, the company also offers specialized fusing machinery, a program for manufacturers of 100 percent cotton wrinkle-free trousers and shirts, automated machinery for tailored clothing and a line of electric boilers and generators. Hoffman/New Yorker also custom designs head and buck shapes for the very specific applications required by high-end clothing manufacturers. Visit www.hoffman-newyorker.com for more information about the company.

Fashion designer Nicole Miller is partnering with Sesame Workshop to create a Sesame Street-branded apparel line for newborns, infants and toddlers. The Sesame Street by Nicole Miller collection, featuring patterns based on the hit children's television show, will reach department stores in spring 2005. Sesame Workshop will donate the proceeds from product sales to educational projects for children around the world.

Custom embroidery, promotional products and screen-printing apparel franchise EmbroidMe has expanded its operation into Australia, opening its first outlet in North Sydney. In the United States, EmbroidMe has more than 150 locations in 27 states.