Comprehensive Product Portfolio

At the heart of Our Place in Paper’s offerings lies a diverse array of colorants spanning various platforms. Whether you’re in search of direct dyes, basic dyes, or pigment dispersions, we have you covered. Our extensive product range ensures that you’ll find the perfect solution to meet your specific coloration requirements.

Superior Performance and Quality Assurance

Quality is paramount in everything we do. Our pigments boast excellent lightfastness properties and are free from granulation issues, guaranteeing consistent and long-lasting coloration. Furthermore, our ISO 9001 certified manufacturing and laboratory facilities serve as a testament to our commitment to quality assurance and customer satisfaction.

Tailored Solutions and Technical Expertise

Navigating the world of colorants can be daunting, which is why our dedicated team of lab technicians is here to assist you every step of the way. Whether you need help selecting the optimal dye for your papermaking needs or require assistance with testing and execution, our experts are on hand to provide personalized guidance and support.

Innovative Packaging Solutions

In addition to our cutting-edge colorants, we offer innovative packaging solutions designed to streamline your manufacturing processes and minimize waste. Our pulpable bag packaging options not only facilitate easy integration into your production workflow but also help maintain a clean and efficient working environment.

10 Point Advantages of Partnering with Us

1. Broad Product Range: Across various colorant platforms.
2. Dedicated Color Laboratories: Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
3. Laboratory Scale Papermaking Capability: Ensuring accurate color and strength verification.
4. Expert Technical Support: Access to knowledgeable color analysts and technical sales staff.
5. Flexible Packaging Options: Tailored to your specific requirements.
6. Supply Chain Redundancy: Multiple production sites for enhanced reliability.
7. Scalable Production Capabilities: Catering to small to large-scale operations.
8. Comprehensive Chemical Solutions: Including fixing agents, optical brighteners, resins, coatings, and more.
9. Advanced Water Treatment Chemistries: Ensuring environmental sustainability.
10. Extensive Industry Experience: Across paper, wood, composites, nonwovens, and cellulosic fibers.

Conclusion

At First Source Worldwide, we understand the pivotal role that colorants play in the papermaking process. With our comprehensive product range, unwavering commitment to quality, and dedicated technical support, we aim to empower paper manufacturers to unlock new possibilities in coloration and enhance the appeal of their products. Join us on the journey to elevate your paper quality and leave a lasting impression with every sheet produced.

The post Our Place in Paper first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

This philosophy of 5S extends beyond mere production floors; it permeates every corner of our organization, from visual control to lean production areas. Recognizing that the condition of our workspaces speaks volumes about our commitment to excellence, we prioritize maintaining impeccable 5S standards. After all, these standards not only shape our employees’ experiences but also serve as the bedrock of our customers’ initial impressions.

Goal = “Best In Class” for Performance, Safety & Customer Image!

The 5S quality tool is derived from five Japanese terms beginning with the letter “S” used to create a workplace suited for visual control and lean production. The English language pillars of 5S are simple to learn and important to implement:

• SORT: To separate needed tools, parts, and instructions from unneeded materials and to remove the unneeded ones.
• SET: To neatly arrange and identify parts and tools for ease of use.
• SHINE: To conduct a cleanup campaign.
• STANDARDIZE: To develop daily routines to maintain a workplace in perfect condition.
• SUSTAIN: To form the habit of always following the first four S’s, by auditing: “Inspect what you Expect.”

SORT

The Sort step separates items in your workspace that you know you need from those that you do not need or may

not need by moving the “un-needed” to a “red tag” holding area (place for people to browse latter or dispose). 

Why Do You Need Sort?

• Sort enables you to have a more productive workspace by removing unneeded clutter (and eliminating distractions). It also is a first step towards opening up the space to be used for other things.

How Do You Implement Sort?

• Separate necessary items (e.g., tools, parts, and materials) from unnecessary items. Recommend sorting items into four categories:

1. Items needed in this work area. These are items you know that you regularly use in the context of this work area and thus will stay in this work area.
2. Items needed in another work area. Essentially, these are misplaced items. If an item is used in another work area, “sort” it into that area by delivering it to whomever is responsible for that work area.
3. Items you may need. For items you are unsure about, use the 5S “red tag” system. Mark such items with tags, which at a minimum, should include the name of who tagged the item, why it is thought to no longer be needed, a proposed review date, and the name of the manager who must approve of disposal. Move the item to a red tag holding area, which should be organized by review month to make it easy to manage the area.
4. Items you do not need. These are items that you are 100% confident are not needed. They should be immediately discarded.

SET

The Set step thoroughly organizes the items that remain after sorting, such that frequently used items are easy to access and every item has a clear and easy-to-find home.

Why Do You Need to Set?

• Set enables every item to have a specific home where it can be easily found and to which it can be easily returned. It reduces the waste from excess motion as items are placed in more ergonomic locations. It is also the second step towards opening up space to be used for other things.

How Do You Implement Set?

After you’ve sorted items, it’s time to decide how you want to organize them. Recommend the following methodology:

1. Provide easy access to frequently used items. The key to reducing waste from excess motion is to place frequently used items within easy reach.
2. Group like items. Group the remaining items into logical categories and brainstorm the best way to organize and store each of these categories.
3. Visualize item homes. For each group, decide on the best way to make it clear when an item is missing or misplaced. A classic example is creating a shadow board for tools.
4. Use containers. If it is appropriate for the type of item, consider organizing it within a container.
5. Label items. If an item is too big to put into a container, find a place to store it and put a label on the item / area.
6. Be agile. Your initial set pass will likely deliver a significant improvement – but you are also likely to overlook some potential improvements. Meet with your team after one week and again after two weeks to brainstorm further improvements as part of your initial implementation.

SHINE

The Shine step improves the work area by thoroughly cleaning and inspecting tools, equipment, and other items.

Why Do You Need to Shine?

• Shine creates a work environment that engages and empowers operators by giving them more responsibility over their work area. It also helps them to identify problems before they interfere with production. For example, in a clean work environment, it is much easier to spot emerging issues such as fluid leaks, material spills, metal shavings from unexpected wear, hairline cracks in mechanisms, etc.

How Do You Implement Shine?

After you’ve set items, it’s time to elevate the work area by cleaning, inspecting, and in some cases performing routine maintenance. Recommend the following:

1. Clean…Clean…Clean. Using appropriate cleaners and cleaning tools, make the work area sparkle. With every sweep, mop, brush, wipe, wash, and wax, strive to return your workspace to its former glory.
2. Find the source. The guiding principle of this step is “clean to understand.” If there are any signs of leaks, spills, or unexpected debris, strive to understand the source. It is likely an early warning of a future problem.
3. Inspect. After cleaning each item, take a moment to look it over and examine its condition. Does it need updating, maintenance, or repair.

STANDARDIZE

The Standardize step is a bridge between the first three steps (Sort, Set, Shine) and the last step (Sustain).

In this step, your goal is to capture best practices for 5S as standardized (pictures & checklists) work for your team.

Why Do You Need to Standardize?

• Standardize makes 5S repeatable. It transforms 5S from a one-off project to a reproducible set of activities.

How Do You Implement Standardize?

It’s time to make sure all your hard work continues to pay dividends into the future. Set expectations for the future with a documented 5S process. To do so, we recommend that you:

1. Capture the essence. Focus on the important things! Capture the essence of each task and no more. Otherwise, your documentation will very likely not be maintained.
2. Prefer checklists. Checklists feel easy. Short checklists feel even easier. A great format is to have a name for each task that serves as a quick reminder and a more detailed description for training.
3. Organize to simplify. Organize your checklists by role, by shift, and by frequency (daily, weekly, monthly). This will make the 5S process much less intimidating to your team.
4. Final Picture of Standard: Post a picture of how the area is to look (clean, organized, labeled, etc.).

SUSTAIN

The Sustain step assures that 5S is applied on an ongoing basis. It transforms your standardized 5S processes into regularly completed tasks through Empowerment & Accountability.

Why Do You Need to Sustain?

• “Inspect What You Expect” on 5S processes to lock in your gains and ensure further and continued progress.

How Do You Implement Sustain?

Once you’ve standardized, it’s time to continually act upon those standards.

1. Create a schedule. Develop 5S practices as scheduled tasks (by role (production & supervision), shift, and frequency).
2. Teach through demonstration. Instruct employees on how to conduct 5S tasks through demonstration and training. Showing employees what is expected of them will prepare them to complete tasks on their own.
3. Supervise to solo. After initial 5S training for employees, gently supervise while they continue to form habits. It is easy to make mistakes or fall off the wagon, so patiently and helpfully offer corrections when necessary.
4. Adapt as necessary. When giving or receiving feedback on tasks, see where changes can be made to make the tasks easier and more efficient. Standardized work is intended to be living documentation.

Presentation Case – in each common area

• Area Standard Pictures (what is it supposed to look like)
• Weekly Champion Checklist (daily sign off)
• Management Audit (12-month retention)

Low Cost – High Visual Impact

• Selection of proper cleaning tools (brooms, dust pans, scrappers, floor dry, etc.)
  • Labeled area (tool bar to hang up items), tool shadow boards, or containers
• Paint: Floor markings, Aisle lines, Aisle locations
  • Items in area marked out on floor / wall (garbage, equip, etc.)
• Broken pallet replacement, Small pallet replacement
• Broken powder bag repack into drums for internal use
• Drums need pallet straps
• Boxes higher than 2, need shrink wrapping
• Presentation Display Cases – hung in local area (can combine some areas)

In conclusion, at First Source Worldwide, our steadfast dedication to excellence is the driving force behind all our endeavors. This commitment is vividly demonstrated through the comprehensive implementation of 5S methodology across our sites. 5S is not merely a set of principles but a philosophy deeply ingrained in our culture.

As outlined in the 5S methodology, each step—Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain—plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficacy and longevity of our efforts. Through meticulous sorting, thoughtful organization, rigorous cleanliness, standardized processes, and ongoing commitment to sustainability, we create an environment conducive to continuous improvement and success.

Moreover, our approach emphasizes low-cost solutions with high visual impact, ensuring that even the smallest details contribute to a workspace that is both efficient and aesthetically pleasing. From proper cleaning tools to presentation display cases, every element is carefully considered to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

In essence, the integration of 5S methodology at First Source Worldwide is not just about improving our physical workspaces; it’s about fostering a culture of excellence, empowerment, and accountability. By embracing these principles wholeheartedly, we pave the way for sustained success and unparalleled customer satisfaction.

The post Streamlining Success: Implementing the 5S Program Across our Facilities first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

The focus of the Business Systems Internship lies in the optimization of our ERP System Deacom, ensuring Data Integrity, and harnessing innovative tools like macro automation and AI to streamline repetitive tasks.

During her tenure as an intern, Shanticia has seamlessly navigated the domain of Information Technology, acquiring proficiencies in data management, SQL programming, data security, among other valuable skills. In her own words, Shanticia aptly summarizes her experience:

“Working at First Source Worldwide has been a remarkable experience, allowing me to gain real-world experience in my field while also learning content that I would not have learned in a school setting. I have had the opportunity to work on individual and collaborative projects for many different IT topics. I have gained so many new skills that I can apply in the rest of my career, even after college. Working alongside Macy has been inspirational and motivating as my goal for my career is to have a leadership role in the IT field. I was initially hired as a seasonal intern, but towards the end of the program, I was offered to stay on during the school year. I look forward to continuing to grow and learn with First Source Worldwide, as they have supported my goals and provided many learning opportunities.”

Currently in her junior year, Shanticia is enrolled at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, majoring in Information Systems with an emphasis on Data Analytics. Her anticipated graduation date is 2025. Shanticia’s contributions have been invaluable to FSW, and her promising future is undeniably bright.

Are you interested in real-world experiences like what Shanticia experienced? See our internship opportunities and contact us!

The post Intern Spotlight – Business Systems Edition first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

“I wanted to be in purchasing because I like seeing things from start to finish, how it plays out from placing the order to the final product being shipped. I like being a key player in that entire process and making it happen.

The job was posted on Handshake, a recruiting portal for college students, and when I applied and I received a response within a few hours. When I interviewed for the opportunity, I felt a connection almost immediately. Anne, our Director of Procurement, was so sweet and she has been my mentor ever since. She saw potential in me and wanted to help me go somewhere… bring that out in me. It was one of the main things that attracted me to the job.

I was a bit terrified my first day, but more so excited. I didn’t know what the acronyms and scientific terms were (just like a foreign language). The biggest challenge was adjusting to the chemical industry; It was overwhelming trying to learn the different products, what they are, how they come in as raw materials, and what goes into the lab to formulate and produce what we need for our customers.

First Source gave me a career, the general skills for my future, and even life skills. I am actively using what I learned in school. I am comfortable with what I am doing, where I am at, and knowing that I have “leveled-up” (advanced from where I came). As soon as I started, I wasn’t being looked at as an intern; I felt included right away and participating in all of the company activities. Everyone was helpful; it’s like a big family here and that’s big for me. It’s personal.”

If you’re interested in learning more about interning or working for First Source Worldwide, click the logo below!

The post EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: LEXI LEFFEW first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

Most Dyecom manufacturers will buy the finished dye from one manufacturer and then make the finished pigment by complexing this dye.  First Source Worldwide, LLC has a Dyecom source that in vertically integrated and makes both the soluble dye and then complexes it to make the finished pigment. This allows for more quality control of the final product, allowing for shade adjustments to match specific applications.

It should also be mentioned that these pigments are manufactured in India, thus avoiding the high tariffs currently in place for Chinese products.

Current products include Red 169, Red 81:3, Violet 27 and Violet 3.  If customers require other Dyecom pigments, they might already be in the development stage.

The post DYECOM PIGMENTS first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

Founders, Dale, and Carrie Clark are both Fox Valley natives with deep ties to the community raising two Neenah High School alumni, and one soon to be Neenah alumni. CFO, Carrie Clark CPA, is currently serving as a board member and treasurer of the Future Neenah, not-for-profit. Future Neenah, incorporated in 1983, is a civic development group engaged in the leadership, management, and funding of a wide range of programs, projects and events in Neenah, Wisconsin, a city of 25,000 situated in a region of over 300,000.  FSW has shown it’s commitment to the civic development of Neenah, Wisconsin through sponsoring events at the local farmers market in the summer, and holiday events in the winter.

This strategic acquisition grants the additional office space that is needed to align with the growing business. As our journey continued, it was clear that we needed to expand our space.  We needed more space, more people, and the flexibility to grow our corporate office to better service our customers overall. We’re excited about the possibilities that comes with owning a location in Neenah, WI. The value of the location, the vitality of business partners in the area, and the space to customize for our growth will allow us to continue delivering value to our customers.

The post First Source Worldwide Finds Permanent Home in Neenah, Wisconsin first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

This blog discusses some of the more important variables to take into consideration for exhaust dyeing of cotton fiber.

Dyeing Equipment

If you have multiple size machines or varying load sizes being dyed in the same machines you must be aware of varying liquor to goods ratios.  You should consider a newer generation of reactive dyes that have been developed with minimal affect of varying liquor ratios. This means that the dye selection is forgiving when salt and/or alkali fluctuates, resulting in consistent reproducibility.

Fastness Requirements

Your dye selection must satisfy your specific fastness requirements.  For example, some dyes offer good chlorine fastness or superior light fastness.  Make sure that you select a system that will meet your fastness requirements.

Effluent / Water Usage

If you are looking for optimum water usage and reduced effluent load, you would consider “high fixation” dyes.  High fixation dyes result in more dye on the fiber and less in the wastewater.  High fixation dyes require less water use during the post scouring and less color in your effluent.

Auxiliaries

There are a multitude of chemical additives that are available for use in reactive dyeing.  Dyebath additives, such as sequestrants, are used as necessary to neutralize impurities in your water and/or improve dyestuff solubility.  Post scouring chemical additives can assist in a more efficient washing, saving time and water.

These are just a few of the variables to consider when choosing the right reactive dye system for your operation.

First Source Worldwide offers a wide range of reactive dye systems.  From classic commodities to state of the art, engineered products that will meet your specific needs.

One of our latest developments:

Sorafix SS Range

Our Sorafix SS range consists of highly concentrated reactive dyes developed for economical dyeing of very deep shades.  These dyes offer good fastness with excellent washing off properties at an economical cost.  They have almost perfect compatibility in ternary shades leading to shorter dye cycles and excellent reproducibility.

Main benefits:

• Achieve deep shades with low recipe costs and reduced water usage.
• The best available technology for excellent lab to bulk and bulk to bulk reproducibility.
• Easy wash-off properties and good overall fastness
• Eco-friendly that meet Bluesign and ZDHC MRSL requirements

First Source Worldwide has the experienced technical staff that can assist you with determining the best reactive dye selection for your operation.  We can also assist with any of your preparation, dyeing and finishing needs with a wide range of products and experienced staff.

The post What is the Best Reactive Dye System to Use? first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

It may look like a simple task to pick a yellow and a blue to make a green, but I promise you there is more to it than meets the eye (no pun intended), if you want to create a color that is a successful match.

The following is a list of things that you should consider when making any combination shade.

• Make sure you are using the same type of dye in your combination. If you can, use all Acid dyes or Direct dyes and not a combination of Acid + Direct.  Many different problems can come up if you do, but the major one is that the dyes you choose must be able to dye the substrate you are trying to color.  Acid Dyes may dye wool, but Direct dyes will probably not.  Check and make sure.
• Use dyes that are pH compatible and stable to the same degree. If one dye is stable at a pH of 6 and the other dye is not, you will have a big problem.  pH stability is one of the most important characteristics of a dye.  Understand it and use it wisely.
• All dyes have light fastness ratings that reflect how fast they will fade over time. It is critical to your combination color that it fades in a way that projects an on-tone fade.  Imagine that you have made a Violet by combining a Red and Blue but that the two colors used have different light fastness ratings which means one will fade faster than another.  Over time, your Violet will become either redder or bluer depending on which dye fades first.  Be careful and choose dyes with the same or similar lightfastness ratings. They are rated 1-8. 8 being the highest.

• Some dyes when used in combination can create what we call a “blocking effect” This happens when one of the dyes used blocks out the other from getting to the dye site on the substrate you are dying. As an example, you choose a Blue and a Yellow to make a Green, but you only get a yellow as your final shade. What has most likely happened is that the Yellow dye molecule has prevented the Blue dye molecule from getting to the dye site either because it is too large or has a faster reaction time getting to the dye site.

Whether you are creating a new shade or matching an existing one it can either be fun or frustrating.  Make it fun by considering all the above points.  You will save time, money and have a much more enjoyable experience.  Have fun with color!

The post What To Consider When Combining Dyes first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

Leather is typically processed from raw skin to finished leather in larger pieces, either a full hide or a half hide called a side. Finished leather is then almost always cut into small pieces to suit the final application. In the case of a shoe or glove, several cut patterns are sewn together to make the final product. It’s obvious that if a hide had a hole in it, you wouldn’t want that hole in the middle of the palm of your glove, so you cut around it to maximize the quality of your product. Most defects, however, are not so easily visible when your have a large side of leather in front of you. Small insect bites, scars, loose grain, veins etc. are best seen under good lights with the leather stretched out over a rounded surface. This is done by hand on a hard, rounded piece of metal, similar to an anvil and then marked with a special pen to highlight the defect for the cutter. It’s slow and very hard on the operator over a day’s work but the result is that the highlighted defects will not end up ruining an expensive pair of shoes or the steering wheel in a premium car. What we are proposing is actually a simple way to stretch the leather under excellent lighting conditions to speed up the process, reduce operation strain and fatigue while maximizing the number of defects that can be identified. The new machine, called the ‘Balloon” does exactly that.

The Balloon is simply a table with an inflatable base, a frame to secure the leather in place and a combination of fixed lighting together with a secondary examination light. The stretching of the leather is done evenly and consistently without any strain by the operator whose hands are free to quickly mark the defects identified. The process is lightning fast, and defects are identified with greater accuracy when compared to the manual system. Our small test group found that by using the Balloon prior to pattern cutting for glove making, defects were reduced on the final product by 35%. Identifying and marking defects prior to cutting out patterns ensures that the maximum yield is achieved while reducing the number of quality control fails in the final product. While we haven’t yet calculated what the financial saving were in the precut test case, it’s estimated to be a 15% improved over the manual marking method.

Another test group making shoes used a small version of the Balloon as a quality control tool. The smaller machine was designed for identifying defects in pieces that were already cut and eliminate those pieces from the production floor before they found their way into a finished product. A shoe, for example, is made up of several different pieces of cut leather sewn together. If one of those pieces contains a defect, the entire shoe fails. Identifying defects in pieces that have been cut but not yet sewn together is critical in reducing quality fails in the finished product. Our test group was able to identify that 14% of the pieces cut that were previously considered to have passed quality control were rejected before they were manufactured into shoes. In our test case, final product rejects due to leather defects went from 12 rejected shoes out of 150 to 0 rejected shoes out of 150 when cut pieces were inspected prior to assembly. While it’s unfortunate to discard a cut piece of leather, it’s much less expensive than discarding a finished shoe!

For more information on this simple idea that achieves great results, reach out to one of our team and ask for some information about the Balloon. It’s very early our study but we will be posting more test results as information comes in. We realize it’s difficult to quantify these results because the defect still has to be spotted and identified by a skilled operator, but we’re confident that the Balloon is the tool that will give your operator the best chance to eliminate defects in your final product.

Brought to you exclusively in the USA, and Canada through partnership with Kymera, Italy.

The post Managing Defects on Leather to Maximize Yield and Reduce Rejects first appeared on First Source Worldwide.

Primary colors are those pure colors that cannot be obtain by mixing with no other color from which obtain, together with white and black and any other color.  The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.

Secondary colors are those that are obtained when mixed with primary colors between them. The red and the blue form violet; red and yellow form orange; blue and yellow form green.

Tertiary colors are those that are obtained when we mix in equal part’s primary colors with secondary colors.

Pure colors are the ones that are integrated in the chromatic circle without blends with white, black and grey.

Hue it is that which makes green green and blue blue or violet violet. There are many different hues that we can see but there only four basics hues: yellow, red, blue, and green. We know that yellow and red are neighbors of sort because they are connected through reddish yellow, orange and yellowish red. Similarly for blue and green, red and blue, and blue and yellow. The two pair of colors that are not connected in this way are yellow and blue on the one hand red and green on the other. We can think of these as diagonally opposed. We think of white and black as colors but as colors that do not have a hue; They are called achromatic colors. What it is yellow? We can not really express it. We can only say the most yellow yellow is that in which we see neither reddishness nor greenish. The other 3 fundamental hues can be defined in comparable way. In the middle between yellow and red we have orange; between red and blue we have violet; between blue and green we have turquoise; between green and yellow we have chartreuse. Between the four basic hues and the four intermediate hues we have many more hues in each of the sections

Value or Strength indicates the grade of brightness of a color related with black or with white. The type of value or strength goes from a saturated color to a dull color. While the saturated color it is the intensity, brightness or purity of the color, the dull color it is described as spotted or blurred.

Neutral colors are those who cover from white to black going through the grey color. Includes all the colors predominantly the grey color, raw white color and shades of maroon color, from the creamy colors to the tan color.

The post Color Theory first appeared on First Source Worldwide.