Angelica Corporation (NYSE: AGL), announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement on May 22, 2008 with a company formed by Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking Partners IV L.P. to acquire Angelica for $22.00 per share in cash, representing a premium of 34.0% over the weighted-average closing share price for the past 30 calendar days ended May 22, 2008 and 33.7% over yesterday’s closing share price of $16.45. The transaction, which is subject to approval by Angelica shareholders, the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, is expected to close in late summer. 

Wellman, Inc. ([OTC]: WMANQ.OB) yesterday announced that, effective with June 2, 2008 shipments, it will increase the price of all Fortrel® polyester staple fiber products by 4 cents/lb.

Steve Ates, Vice President Sales and Marketing, made the announcement noting, “The price of crude oil continues to rise to unprecedented levels, placing upward pricing pressure on our chemical-based raw material, transportation and energy costs. This price increase is necessary to offset these escalating costs.”

Wellman remains committed to providing the high level of quality products and support services that our customers have come to expect.

Wellman, Inc. manufactures and markets high-quality polyester products, including Fortrel® brand polyester fibers and PermaClear® brand PET (polyethylene terephthalate) packaging resins.

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. (Pink Sheets:INTK), an emerging global leader in nanotechnology, announced today that the Company's newest patented energy efficient product, Nansulate EPX, was successfully demonstrated by the Company's Turkish distributor, Kolorgen Ltd, at Textile Machinery 2008 - the 25^th International Textile Machines, Side Industries, and Textile Chemicals Fair held in Istanbul May 14-18, 2008.

In a continuing effort to communicate the natural attributes of cotton to the public, Cotton Incorporated has developed "A Natural Part of Everyday Life"; a branding campaign that will appear in approximately 85 malls throughout all 50 states.

Textronics, Inc. CEO Stacey Burr will share the story of her start-up company’s commercialization of electronic-textiles at the fourth annual Smart Fabrics conference, May 5-7, in Charleston, S.C.

Textronics, Inc., is a leader in the development of wearable sensors for fitness and health monitoring. The company sells its patented sensors and markets its own line of clothes that monitor heart rate under the brand name NuMetrex.

Burr’s presentation, “Insights into Health Sensor Clothing Commercialization,” will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 5. The Smart Fabrics 2008 conference is being held at the DoubleTree Guest Suites in Charleston’s historic district.

“As the first company to commercialize electronic textiles in a consumer garment, Textronics has played an important role in defining this emerging field and identifying market opportunities,” said Burr. Her talk will address topics including how investors can help you grow, the importance of building the right team, finding partners and big customers, and identifying the right suppliers.

For more information about Textronics, Inc. and its NuMetrex line of heart sensing fitness apparel, visit www.numetrex.com.

About Textronics

Textronics, Inc. is a leader in the development of wearable sensors for fitness and health monitoring. The Company’s patented textile sensor systems are capable of capturing comprehensive physiologic data from the body and are designed to be seamlessly integrated into everyday garments. Wearable monitoring allows a comfortable and user-friendly way to obtain body data measurements to assist consumers in managing their top wellness concerns of weight loss, physical health and energy level. Textronics sells sensor components and markets its own line of clothes for personal monitoring under the brand name NuMetrex. Textronics, Inc. has also received FDA clearance to market its textile electrodes for use in general electrocardiograph monitoring and recording procedures. The company’s heart-sensing fabric offers a comfortable alternative to adhesive electrodes and metal wristbands that are commonly used with most ECG instruments on the market.

Ruddick Corporation (NYSE:RDK) reported today that its sewing thread subsidiary, American & Efird, Inc. (A&E), completed the previously announced joint venture with Vardhman Textiles Limited (Vardhman) to manufacture, distribute and sell sewing thread for industrial and consumer markets within India and for export markets. A&E will own 35% of the joint venture with an option to acquire an additional 14% over the next 5 years.

Vardhman operates the second largest thread company in India with thread related sales of approximately $69 million in fiscal year 2007 and has been licensed to manufacture and sell A&E branded products in India since March 2001. Vardhman contributed all of its sewing thread operations to the joint venture and A&E contributed approximately $24 million in cash. The joint venture will operate under the name Vardhman A&E Threads Limited with its headquarters in Ludhiana, located in northern India.

Vardhman is a major integrated textile producer in India, manufacturing and marketing yarns, fabrics, sewing threads, fiber and alloy steel, with total consolidated sales of approximately $476 million in fiscal year 2007.

Thomas W. Dickson, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ruddick Corporation commented that, “We are very excited about this joint venture and the opportunity to grow the business together in this important region of Asia. This also represents another step in the transformation of A&E’s business to a more Asian-centric global supplier of sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles. In connection with this transformation, Ruddick and A&E continue to evaluate A&E's structure to best position A&E to take advantage of opportunities available through its enhanced international operations.”

Ruddick Corporation is a holding company with two primary operating subsidiaries: Harris Teeter, Inc., a leading regional supermarket chain with operations in eight southeastern states and American & Efird, Inc., one of the world’s largest global manufacturers and distributors of industrial sewing thread, embroidery thread and technical textiles.

Ruddick Corporation (NYSE:RDK) announced that its sewing thread subsidiary, American & Efird, Inc. (A&E), has signed a joint venture agreement with Vardhman Textiles Limited (Vardhman) to manufacture, distribute and sell sewing thread for industrial and consumer markets within India and for export markets. The agreement is subject to various customary conditions to closing and is expected to be completed in April 2008. A&E will own 35% of the joint venture with an option to acquire an additional 14% over the next 5 years. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (“Sun Capital”), a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies, this week announced that one of its affiliates has made an investment in Frontier Spinning Mills, Inc. (“Frontier”), a leading producer of cotton and polyester/cotton blend yarns. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Frontier Spinning Mills is one of the world’s largest producers of spun yarns for the knitting and weaving industries and holds market leading positions in open-end spinning. Offering a diverse product line to fulfill the demands of customers worldwide, Frontier applies state-of-the-art automated technology and innovation to every phase of its yarn manufacturing process. Yarn produced by Frontier is used in sportswear, undergarments, socks, sweaters, fleece, denim, and home furnishings.

Universal Fibers continues to write the headlines, developing new technology and products that lead to a better tomorrow and a healthier environment. The company has launched EarthSmart Technology(SM). It's more than products and processes, it's a way of thinking, planning and acting. Earth Smart Technology is all encompassing. It's stewardship through innovation.

Dow Corning Teams New Printing Technology with Impact Resistance

New textile silicone technologies from Dow Corning Corp. are keeping athletes looking and feeling good.

For athletes in football, soccer, and other high-impact sports, equipment is everything. For maximum performance, professional equipment buyers know that products incorporating silicone technology offer the highest level of quality, aesthetics and safety.

Avago Technologies, a leading supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, today announced a new series of extended operating temperature optical encoders for use in a wide range of applications that require lower resolutions. Avago’s AEDS-9240 optical encoder series is ideal for use in applications that utilize brushless DC motors such as industrial printers, textile machines, industrial and factory automation equipment, as well as plotters and tape drives.

Ron Morgan, CEO and President, commented, “We are excited about the potential of this store and are pleased with the job John has done in getting it set up and ready to open. He has been in contact with numerous customers and walked several trade shows there in the last several weeks getting leads on new customers. John has more than 40 years of experience in the leathercraft industry and knows how to run a successful operation. I expect he will do a great job getting this store off to a good start.”

INVISTA is investing in a multi-million-dollar advanced development pilot facility to be located at its Kingston, Ontario, nylon manufacturing facility. The innovative research and development asset will support INVISTA’s growth initiatives in North America, Europe and Asia.

“This investment is a demonstration of INVISTA's commitment to bring innovation into existing markets and to seek value-adding offerings for new markets,” said Jeff Brown, vice president of INVISTA Performance Materials Nylon.

INVISTA believes that advances in technology and engineering of nylon 6,6 and modified nylon products will lead to the development of differentiated new products, offering valuable solutions in existing and new markets. Already a world leader in high-performance nylon fiber production, INVISTA’s Performance Surfaces and Materials business will use the new facility to continue in the direction of next-generation nylon technology.

“Waste reduction and efficiency improvements in our operations are important elements in our continued goal to conserve resources and enhance environmental stewardship,” said Brown. “This investment will not only be capable of generating step change innovation in new products, it will also be used to improve the output and yields of existing processes.”

INVISTA’s Performance Surfaces and Materials business provides innovative solutions for INVISTA’s global surface-focused segments including residential, commercial, area rugs, bedding, sheets, pillows and comforters; its automotive-focused segments such as airbags and automotive flooring; and its industrial nylon offerings. Consumer brands brought to market include STAINMASTER^® carpet, ANTRON^® carpet fiber and CORDURA^® fabric.

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that its high-strength Spectra(R) fiber, commonly used in bullet-resistant body armor, is a key component in novel curtains that can protect windows and doors during hurricanes.

    Honeywell Spectra fiber enables the roll-down curtains, sold by North Carolina-based John Boyle & Co. to homeowners as Storm-A-Rest(TM), to resist high winds and resulting debris. They also are extremely lightweight, weighing only two and a half ounces per square foot. John Boyle is a recognized leader in the manufacture and distribution of industrial awning and marine fabrics.

Milliken & Company®, one of the world’s largest privately-held textile and chemical manufacturers, today announced the introduction of Amplitude™, a patent-pending line of premium, high-performance flame resistant (FR) fabrics for industrial workwear. The new proprietary fabrics are processed ammonia-free and are constructed of a cotton/nylon blend designed to help mitigate potential injuries due to electric arc and flash fire exposure, while providing enhanced durability and comfort. The combination of these capabilities makes it an ideal fabric for industrial workwear occupations in manufacturing, utilities, electrical maintenance, petrochemical, welding, and steel.

Government and industry information notes that the majority of severe and fatal burn injuries are due to the individual’s clothing igniting and continuing to burn, not by the exposure itself. Therefore, extensive independent testing of FR clothing fabrics must be conducted to evaluate the protective capabilities these fabrics exhibit when exposed to hazards such as electric arc flash and flash fires.

China Wind Systems, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CWSI), which through its affiliates manufactures and supplies industrial equipment for use in the textile and energy related industries in the People's Republic of China, announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Milliken & Company, one of the world’s largest privately-held textile and chemical manufacturers, this week announced that, starting fall 2008, Browning will offer a new retail line of scent-control hunting apparel powered by VisaEndurance Shield™. Branded under Browning’s new ScentSmart line, the new clothing will feature VisaEndurance Shield, Milliken’s newest odor-adsorption fabric technology that fights odors, wicks moisture, dries quickly and repels-and-releases stains to deliver superior comfort and enhanced performance for hunters.