February 2009 Issue

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  Fabric canopies transform Oldham Schools

  Fabric canopies unite revitalized buildings for Oldham Schools in England.

• State of the Industry 2009

  The turmoil in the U.S./global economy and its impact on the specialty fabrics industry

• Awning creates shade in corners and tight spaces

  The 90-degree SeaShell Awning is designed for creating shaded areas in corners or troublesome tight locations.

• 

  Weisbart uses responsible business practices

  Bud Weisbart makes a success of applying principles of social responsibility to the business world.

• Sun shade regulations recommended in preschools

  The consumer group Choice audited seven Australian childcare centers, none of which complied fully with regulations governing UV protection in shading structures.

• 

  Geotextile reinforces I-35W bridge reconstruction

  he 10-lane bridge with a 100-year lifespan set new records for design-build construction.

• 

  Printer offers backlit camera option for outdoor applications

  The camera enables reverse printing of material with excellent registration to produce brilliant backlit signage.

• 

  Carpet ideal for indoor digital printing

  UltraCarpet Extra by Ultraflex is a white tufted pile carpet especially made for solvent, eco-solvent and UV inkjet printing.

• 

  Flatbed protection system acts as traveling billboard

  Customers can digitally print their corporate message on their soft-sided load cover and turn it into a traveling billboard.

• 

  Portrait reproductions exhibit town’s historic textile industry

  The original portraits were scanned with special 3-D scanner technology, printed on Mediatex and finished with surface varnish.

• 

  Safe options for tensioned fabric structures

  Atex™, by P-D Interglas Technologies, provides environmentally friendly, completely non-combustible fabrics in almost any color.

• SKYShades offers investors money-back guarantee

  SKYShades, manufacturer of tension membrane shades, is so confident that its products will sell that it is offering franchise investors a money-back guarantee.

• 

  Herculite designs fabric for marine applications

  The applications include bimini tops, enclosure curtains, cockpit and boat covers.

• 

  Fabrics protect firefighters

  Specialty fabrics meet critical needs in firefighting protection gear.

• 

  Decontamination wipes take on the toughest toxins

  The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory recently tested 30 different decontamination wipes to clean up chemical warfare agents and other toxins.

• Tests assess effective pressure of compression products

  The Hohenstein Institute, has inexpensive, speedy tests to assess the effective pressure of medical compression products, as well as travel and sport stockings.

• 

  Tarps cover hazardous debris for transport

  The disposal team decided on 10 new forty-yard dumpsters with roll tarps to cover the dumpsters front and back, with flaps that would be strapped down for transport.

• Chinese advised to use U.S. tests for auto fabrics

  Chinese auto materials manufacturers have been advised to fully understand the test requirements and methods used by U.S. car makers before making fabrics for export.

• Eton Systems boosts FoamLabs production

  By installing three Eton conveyor production systems in one year FoamLabs has enhanced productivity and provided real-time data to management.

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• AMTAC offers five-step plan on trade

  President Obama will receive advice on economic recovery from many quarters, and the textile industry is no exception.

• NTA adopts purchasing objectives

  A Government Textiles Committee of the National Textile Association (NTA) has adopted objectives to increase purchases of domestic textiles in U.S. government agencies.

• USDA offers User Agreement for textile mills

  The agreement is for textile mills participating in the Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program authorized by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

• HIA supports 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibers

  The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) is a supporting organization of the International Year of Natural Fibers (IYNF) 2009, a program of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

• 

  Top 10 home decor trends for 2009

  Decor Place consults interior designers and industry experts each year to pinpoint the Top 10 Home Decor Trends for 2009.

• Consumer Safety Product Improvement Act

  Manufacturers and retail customers may have large inventories of stock that become unsafe or illegal to sell.

• Tests assess effective pressure of compression products

  The Hohenstein Institute, has inexpensive, speedy tests to assess the effective pressure of medical compression products, as well as travel and sport stockings.

• Sun shade regulations recommended in preschools

  The consumer group Choice audited seven Australian childcare centers, none of which complied fully with regulations governing UV protection in shading structures.

• Chinese advised to use U.S. tests for auto fabrics

  Chinese auto materials manufacturers have been advised to fully understand the test requirements and methods used by U.S. car makers before making fabrics for export.

• Web site creates online community for rental companies

  A Web site where rental companies can ask questions, raise issues and network with others invites more people to join the conversation.

• 3M selects U.S. distributor for fabric protectants

  Bozzetto Inc., a chemical company focused on the textile industry, will offer 3M Protective Materials stain management and repellent materials to the apparel industry.

• Production of sustainable biomass from hemp in the works

  Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. is developing ways to produce renewable and sustainable biomass from hemp.

• SKYShades offers investors money-back guarantee

  SKYShades, manufacturer of tension membrane shades, is so confident that its products will sell that it is offering franchise investors a money-back guarantee.

• Athletic giant acquires Textronics

  By acquiring Textronics, Adidas brings new technology to sporting markets focused on measurement and performance.

• Bruin Plastics appoints Midwest sales force

  Bruin introduced its new Midwest sales and warehousing agents in late November.

• Eton Systems boosts FoamLabs production

  By installing three Eton conveyor production systems in one year FoamLabs has enhanced productivity and provided real-time data to management.

• MMI Textiles Inc. wins best upstart business award

  At the Weatherhead 100 awards in December, the number one ‘upstart’ was MMI Textiles Inc.

• Arquati USA introduces new Web site

  Updated user interface and easy navigation make the site much more informative and user-friendly.

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• 

  Safe options for tensioned fabric structures

  Atex™, by P-D Interglas Technologies, provides environmentally friendly, completely non-combustible fabrics in almost any color.

• 

  Carpet ideal for indoor digital printing

  UltraCarpet Extra by Ultraflex is a white tufted pile carpet especially made for solvent, eco-solvent and UV inkjet printing.

• Keder can be welded to polyethylene panels

  Polyethylene keder made by American Keder Inc. offers the strength of a polyester fabric with the ability to be welded to polyethylene panels.

• Lightweight spunmelt fabric reduces noise

  Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) has developed a spunmelt fabric that can be used with foam, insulation, meltblown, high loft or other sound-absorbing materials.

• 

  RF technology allows RF machines to weld polymers

  Genesis Manufacturing Inc. offers a unique proprietary RF technology that expands the use of most RF machines.

• Awning creates shade in corners and tight spaces

  The 90-degree SeaShell Awning is designed for creating shaded areas in corners or troublesome tight locations.

• 

  Thermocutter features handle that never gets hot

  The transformer found on other cutters has been replaced by high-tech electronics so the handle will never get hot.

• 

  Climate control system humidifies textile plants

  The system prevents problems with yarn breakage, static build-up, dust and lint.

• 

  Color-changing film indicates temperature

  The patented product line indicates temperature changes visually, through color change by the touch of a hand or when exposed to unsafe higher temperatures or even cold temperatures.

• 

  Nonwoven wall coverings available in variety of styles

  Surface IQ wall coverings feature bold colors, striking patterns and rich, subtle textures—using only water-based inks and coatings.

• 

  Printer offers backlit camera option for outdoor applications

  The camera enables reverse printing of material with excellent registration to produce brilliant backlit signage.

• 

  Variable-temperature heat gun incorporates classic features

  Steinel’s Classic Heat Gun Kit features the HL 1910 E variable-temperature electronic heat gun.

• 

  Herculite designs fabric for marine applications

  The applications include bimini tops, enclosure curtains, cockpit and boat covers.

• 

  Flatbed protection system acts as traveling billboard

  Customers can digitally print their corporate message on their soft-sided load cover and turn it into a traveling billboard.

• 

  Mesh fabric increases tarpaulin life expectancy

  Roll-Rite worked with TenCate, Pendergrass, Ga., to develop a tarpaulin that could handle demanding conditions.

• 

  Fabric shelters double as solar-powered billboards

  FTL Solar, Austin, Texas, recently introduced PromoMods, graceful 20-by-20-foot fabric shelters that double as solar-powered billboards.

• 

  Backpack doubles as fleece throw blanket

  The Throw-to-Go backpack unfolds into a comfortable fleece throw blanket for those mid-morning snoozes.

• 

  Decontamination wipes take on the toughest toxins

  The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory recently tested 30 different decontamination wipes to clean up chemical warfare agents and other toxins.

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• Maintaining quality standards in a tough economy

  Times are tough, so should you cut corners to compete? “No!” is the adamant response from quality advocates.

• 

  Weisbart uses responsible business practices

  Bud Weisbart makes a success of applying principles of social responsibility to the business world.

• 

  Banking strategies save money

  How to boost your bottom line at your bank’s expense.

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• 

  Fabric canopies transform Oldham Schools

  Fabric canopies unite revitalized buildings for Oldham Schools in England.

• 

  Tarps cover hazardous debris for transport

  The disposal team decided on 10 new forty-yard dumpsters with roll tarps to cover the dumpsters front and back, with flaps that would be strapped down for transport.

• 

  Inflatable theater to house 2009 multi-media performance

  The 40,900-square-foot Mobile Performance Venue features self-supporting exterior walls that consist of inflatable PVC hexagons and translucent cushions.

• 

  Portrait reproductions exhibit town’s historic textile industry

  The original portraits were scanned with special 3-D scanner technology, printed on Mediatex and finished with surface varnish.

• 

  Geotextile reinforces I-35W bridge reconstruction

  he 10-lane bridge with a 100-year lifespan set new records for design-build construction.

• 

  Canvas cover helps replicate Wright flyer

  After extensive research, the canvas cover was painstakingly created and attached the replica of the flyer.

• 

  Fabric Images Inc. utilizes Japanese designs

  Japanese design traditions provide a functional solution for one American company.

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• Roofing industry introduces new requirement

  I-90 comes from FM 4470, Approval Standard for Class 1 Roofs, and has to do with whether the membrane can withstand 90 pounds per square foot for at least one minute.

• SIC codes to be replaced by NAICS codes

  Although they are being replaced by NAICS codes, (North American Industry Classification System), SIC codes are still being used.

• Regentex sold exclusively by trade name holder

  The trade name holder, J.T. Inglis & Sons, told us that they work directly with customers, rather than selling through distributors.

• Meeting FMVSS 302 standards

  FMVSS 302 is an abbreviation for “flammability of interior materials,” and is a frequently referenced U.S. government specification for flammability.

• Plastic tab system with matching pairs

  The headliner system for boats is from a company headquartered in New Zealand.

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