#Carpets

2023-07-13

Milliken & Company welcomes new floor covering business president

Milliken announces Patrick Keese as executive vice president and president of Milliken’s Floor Covering Business. (Photo: Business Wire)

Milliken & Company, a diversified global manufacturer with a portfolio of textile, specialty chemical, floor covering and healthcare innovations, named Patrick Keese as its executive vice president and president of Milliken’s Floor Covering Business. Effective July 25, Keese will lead Milliken’s international floor covering operation, spanning four continents and 290 product collections.

“We are pleased to welcome Patrick to the team,” shares Halsey Cook, president and CEO of Milliken & Company. “He has a strong track record of success launching new products, creating customer-focused solutions, and leading operational excellence initiatives that will bolster the rich legacy of our floor covering business. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Jim McCallum on his retirement in early September, concluding his successful tenure as president of the floor covering business.”

Most recently serving as SVP and general manager of Altium Packaging, Keese has an extensive background in international business leadership. At Altium, he led more than 1,300 employees at 30 locations to produce plastic and packaging components. Prior to this, Keese worked for Sonoco Products Company, a global provider of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging and healthcare packaging solutions based in Hartsville, South Carolina, in both manufacturing and commercial roles. He holds a Bachelor of Science in industrial management and marketing from Clemson University, as well as certifications in various executive development programs at Columbia University and the Rensselaer Hartford Graduate Center.

“It is an immense privilege to be tapped to lead the floor covering business at Milliken,” adds Keese. “Milliken’s flooring innovations blend technical precision with inspired design vision to create sustainable and impactful products. I hope to continue and build on that legacy well into the future.”

Polychim and Milliken partnership

Polychim Industrie, a brand of Beaulieu International Group, and diversified global manufacturer Milliken & Company today announced the introduction of two clarified polypropylene (PP) resin grades carrying a UL Environmental Claim Validation (ECV) label to Europe for the first time. Polychim utilized Milliken’s Millad® NX® 8000 ECO additive solution to debut its HJ45XI and HS45XI high-clarity PP grades that enables up to 10% less energy use during the molding process—verified savings that translate across the plastics value chain.

Milliken & Company becomes first textile manufacturer to offer Non-PFAS materials for every layer of firefighter turnout gear

Global diversified manufacturing leader Milliken & Company announced that it is the first textile manufacturer to offer non-PFAS materials for all three layers of firefighter turnout gear, including outer shell, thermal liner, and moisture barrier. Access to all three layers from a single U.S.-based supplier allows garment manufacturers to test the fabrics as a system while ensuring a complete chain of custody for the material — which can minimize delays and get gear into the hands of firefighters faster.

DOMOTEX 2026 gains momentum

DOMOTEX 2026 in Hannover is experiencing strong exhibitor demand. The expanded concept focusing on holistic interior design is receiving broad approval across the market. Companies such as Kronospan, Weitzer Parkett, Amorim, Unilin, Classen, Saint-Gobain, and many others have already confirmed their participation.

DOMOTEX maintains its leading market position

Preparations for DOMOTEX 2026 are in full swing, and the positive response to the new concept confirms the relevance of the world’s leading trade fair for carpets, flooring and interior finishing. The newly introduced participation formats, in particular, have been well received by the market. In addition, strong partners such as DECOR-UNION and MEGA have reaffirmed their cooperation with DOMOTEX.

Stäubli at Domotex asia/CHINAFLOOR 2025

At the annual Domotex trade fair in Shanghai, China, the focus in the textile sector is on resilient floorings and the associated manufacturing equipment and techniques. Visit us at our agent booth from May 26-28 to learn more about the ALPHA 580 UNIVERSAL carpet weaving system and its applications.

Barmag at the Domotex Middle East

Barmag, a subsidiary of the Swiss Oerlikon Group, is presenting comprehensive total solutions for efficient carpet yarn production for its Oerlikon Barmag and Oerlikon Neumag product brands at Domotex Middle East. At the representative stand of ATAG Ltd. Trading Export & Import (Z5-A20), trade visitors to the leading event for the carpet and flooring industry in the Middle East will have the opportunity to get an idea of the integrated solutions offered by the manmade fiber technology provider.

Toray develops recycling technology that retains carbon fiber strength and surface quality

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has developed a recycling technology that can decompose diverse carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) made from thermosetting resins while retaining the strength and surface quality of those fibers. The company drew on this technology to create a nonwoven fabric employing recycled carbon fibers.

Panty liners prevent bacterial vaginosis

Worldwide, almost one third of women of childbearing age suffer from bacterial vaginosis. This is when the sensitive microbiome of the vagina becomes unbalanced. Such a disorder of the vaginal flora can cause urogenital infections, abscesses on the ovaries or fallopian tubes or premature births. This significantly increases the risk of infertility in women and of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or HIV.

PERFORMANCE DAYS sets benchmarks with record attendance & strong industry presence

With around 4,500 professional visitors and 515 exhibitors, PERFORMANCE DAYS closed its doors on October 30, 2025, after two highly successful days in Munich. Expanded show areas, an international audience, a top-class Expert Talks program, and an inspiring DAY 0 Conference with an innovative concept underlined one thing clearly: PERFORMANCE DAYS has become the leading business platform for the functional textile industry.