Sponsored Content
Sponsored Content
Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
Sponsored Content
IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
Sponsored Content
The 2018 Specialty Fabrics Review Online Buyer’s Guide is now available.
News
McCollum joins MMI Textiles
February 19, 2019
Shawn McCollum has joined MMI Textiles as the director of sales and business development. He brings more than 28 years of successful sales experience in the textile industry, having built and managed successful sales teams for companies such as Velcro USA and the Paiho Group. McCollum has broad OEM and distribution experience across market segments …
Industry News
Thrace-LINQ completes expansion project
February 18, 2019
Thrace-LINQ in Summerville, S.C., announced the completion of the installation of a new Andritz needlepunched nonwoven line. The Thrace Group invested more than $9 million in the project to satisfy the growing demand for high-performance nonwoven fabrics in North America. The state-of-the- art needlepunched nonwoven line was designed to produce world-class-quality fabrics for geosynthetics, automotive …
Industry News
Joint venture gets go-ahead for PET/PTA plant
February 15, 2019
Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL), a global chemical producer, announced recently that its joint venture has received all regulatory clearance required from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the proposed joint asset purchase of M&G USA Corp. and its affiliated debtors. On March 21, 2018, Indorama Ventures, Alpek, and Far Eastern Investment (Holding) …
Industry News
Tent Expo 2019 shines with education and networking opportunities
February 14, 2019
More than 500 tent professionals gathered in Orlando, Fla., in January at Tent Expo 2019 for valuable education and networking opportunities under dozens of structures featuring the latest tent technology. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with more than 65 exhibitors, including innovative tent manufacturers, equipment suppliers offering hands-on education, as well as vendors for …
Industry News
Enter the 2019 IFAI Student Design Competition
February 13, 2019
The 2019 IFAI (Industrial Fabrics Association International) Student Design Competition is searching for talented students to enter their best projects in an effort to be recognized within the textile industry. Students pursuing degrees in textiles, apparels, engineering, architecture or design can now enter the 2019 Student Design Competition. This is an elite competition focused on giving …
Industry News
Key issues for North American polyester
February 7, 2019
Michael Bermish, chemical principal analyst for energy research consultants Wood McKenzie, offers analysis on what to expect in the coming year in the opinion piece, “Will 2019 be another tumultuous year for the North American polyester industry?” In 2018, the North American polyester and upstream intermediates markets experienced major changes. Various plant outages tightened up …
Industry News
NCTO endorses trade agreement
February 6, 2019
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) board of directors has voted to endorse the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which was signed by the three countries on Nov. 30, 2018. NCTO regards the agreement to be an improvement over NAFTA in many ways for the U.S. textile industry. Improvements include a standalone chapter for textile and apparel; …
News
Recasens expands distribution network
February 5, 2019
Recasens, a manufacturer of performance fabric for sun protection, textile architecture, screens, decoration and marine use, has added Industrial Solutions Inc. (IIS) as its newest U.S.-based master distributor. The new partnership will provide greater access to the Recasens line of European-designed fabrics for fabricators and designers in the awning, marine and decor industries. “The RECacril …
Industry News
EU restricts chemicals
February 5, 2019
The European Commission has adopted new restrictions for the use of 33 chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive health problems. The restrictions limit exposure to chemicals including benzene, formaldehyde and heavy metals that may be particularly harmful with frequent contact with human skin. These new rules set maximum concentration limits in clothing and textiles …
Industry News
American Cord & Webbing Co. certified to ISO 9001:2015
February 4, 2019
American Cord & Webbing Co., Inc. (ACW), a manufacturer and distributor of plastic and metal fasteners, narrow textile webbing, elastic and non-elastic cords and custom strap assemblies, announced that the organization has been certified to ISO 9001:2015 by TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. The International Standard (ISO) 9001:2015, Quality Management Systems – Requirements, is …
Sponsored Content
More Than Just Grommets & Washers, Discover the Stimpson Difference
Sponsored Content
Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
Sponsored Content
IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
Sponsored Content
The 2018 Specialty Fabrics Review Online Buyer’s Guide is now available.
Business
Members only content
How to solve the labor shortage
January 1, 2019
Think about your local hospital. Picture it in your mind. Think about the people who work there and the work they do. Now imagine that this hospital closed, and so did many of the clinics. Can you imagine your community without access to health care? How would that change your life? As far-fetched as this …
Business
Fringe benefits benefit employers and employees
November 1, 2018
Whether it’s a result of a booming economy, tighter immigration laws or an educational system gone astray, finding qualified job applicants has become increasingly more difficult for those in the specialty fabrics industry. How can small businesses compete for badly needed, qualified workers? Thanks to our unique tax laws, every business can afford to offer …
Business
Members only content
Tax law changes make adding equipment and vehicles more affordable
September 1, 2018
Last December’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) not only slashed tax rates, it also enacted rules that allow businesses to treat as an expense and immediately write off more—including 100 percent temporary expensing for certain assets. This means adding needed equipment, vehicles or even a new shop building is now a lot more affordable. …
Business
Stop sexual harassment in your workplace
July 1, 2018
Far too often, the process of making bad and/or unethical choices begins with a simple, almost thoughtless decision. How do I know this? Well, I’ve seen it happen far too often. Harassment is not a sexy subject, and ethics are more than words. “The times they are a changing,” and that’s more than just song …
Business
Members only content
Tracking supplier compliance for sustainable textile companies
May 1, 2018
The issue of compliance can be complicated for textile companies, which have to comply with various regulatory and voluntary company standards for product safety and restriction of substances. In the United States, for example, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) contains provisions that aim to improve the safety of children’s products. The European Union …
Business
California Community College Makerspaces offer work-based learning for students
April 10, 2018
The CCC Maker Initiative, administered by Sierra College (www.sierracollege.edu), is offering internships and work-based learning experiences for students through 24 California Community College makerspaces, where students gain technical, entrepreneurial and work-ready skills sought by employers. California Community Colleges participating in the CCC Maker (cccmaker.com) initiative to build makerspace communities are preparing students for careers through …
Business
Members only content
Outside expertise: how to find affordable, professional help when you need it
March 1, 2018
While most owners of small- and medium-size businesses know the details of their companies intimately, there are often highly technical matters of law, accounting, management and marketing that are best handled by outside experts. Attorneys, accountants, and management and marketing advisers have specialized knowledge about niche areas that few business owners can hope to duplicate. …
Business
Members only content
Savvy cash management helps your bottom line
January 1, 2018
Cash flow—the amount of money flowing into and out of your shop—is an easy concept to understand, yet not always well managed. Not every owner is aware of the impact skillful cash management has on net income, probably because the importance of managing revenue is far easier to recognize in some types of businesses than …
Business
Members only content
New IRS accounting method changes
October 1, 2017
The tax returns of many businesses in the specialty fabrics industry have been—and will most likely continue to be—extra thick. Thanks to newly issued “repair regulations,” tax return filings for last year included more work on “Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method” than usual. Fortunately, the IRS recently made it easier for small …
Business
Members only content
Smart documentation is key to selling your business
September 1, 2017
No matter where in the world we run our businesses, we aspire to be successful, profitable and happy. We have either started the business from nothing, purchased an existing enterprise or taken the reins of the family business. Often, we begin with limited skills, have minimal formal industry training and largely “learn by our mistakes.” …
Sponsored Content
More Than Just Grommets & Washers, Discover the Stimpson Difference
Sponsored Content
Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
Sponsored Content
IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
Sponsored Content
The 2018 Specialty Fabrics Review Online Buyer’s Guide is now available.
Expo News
2018 Outstanding Volunteer Awards presented at IFAI Expo
October 18, 2018
At the annual meeting during IFAI Expo 2018 in Dallas, Texas, IFAI presented this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Awards, to people who generously gave of their time by serving on different boards, task forces and committees, judging competitions and providing education and leadership to others in the industry. The Outstanding Volunteer Award program was developed in …
Expo News
Mary Hennessy: IFAI’s newest Honored Life Member
October 18, 2018
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, at IFAI’s annual meeting at IFAI Expo in Dallas, Texas, association leaders announced that Mary Hennessy had been given Honored Life Member status for her many years of service to IFAI and, most notably, for her leadership as president and CEO of the association for the six years before her retirement …
Expo News
2018 Fabric Structures Student Design Competition Winners Announced
October 18, 2018
The Fabric Structures Association (FSA), a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), recently announced the recipients of the 2018 Fabric Structures Student Design Competition awards. The winners were announced at IFAI Expo 2018, held Oct. 15-18 in Dallas, Texas. First Place Rafael Dias Simoes, Kevin Barthelmebs and Fabien Burgeat from ENSAVT University won …
Expo News
2018 Advanced Textiles Student Design Competition Winners Announced
October 18, 2018
Advanced Textile Products and the Narrow Fabrics Institute, divisions of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), recently selected the winners of the 2018 Advanced Textiles Student Design Competition. The awards were announced during IFAI Expo 2018, held in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 15-18. First Place First-place honors went to J. Walter Lee, Stephanie Wang and Caroline …
Expo News
Small shops: Tips for shortening your lead times
October 17, 2018
Torey Heinz, of Teagles Consulting, has a background in small manufacturing jobs shops. This gives him a good sense of how poor workflow and other issues can affect a small shop’s lead times. Shortening lead time is important, Teagle told participants at his Oct. 17 Expo session, because shorter lead times mean increased sales and …
Expo News
Shade sails clinic
October 17, 2018
On October 17 at IFAI Expo 2018 in Dallas, Texas, Brydon Roe from Shade Sails Canada Inc., Revelstoke, British Columbia, led a shade sails campfire session where he shared his business’s top dos and don’ts for installing shade sails. When it comes to shade sail fabric options, Roe recommended polyester, Commercial95 (or a mid-grade shade …
Expo News
The right technology can save you money
October 17, 2018
Trying to figure out which technology can save a business money can be confusing given all the options available. In his Oct. 17 Expo session, “Using Technology to Improve the Bottom Line,” Mark Stiver, manager of ecommerce, strategy and analytics for Trivantage, gave a high-level view of the primary types of technology available to specialty …
Expo News
Testing basics provide key communication points on textile products
October 17, 2018
When you plan to sell a textile product, there are numerous reasons to test it before taking it to market. Many of those testing results tell you what you can ultimately communicate to others about your product, and what they can expect of your product. Dr. Emiel DenHartog, North Carolina State University, College of Textiles, …
Expo News
IFAI Expo 2018: Show Stopper winners on the floor
October 17, 2018
All the best from Texas: Wednesday morning, Oct. 17, at IFAI Expo led off with lists of winners for the year, including the most popular products on the show floor. The seventh annual Show Stopper competition was designed to showcase the best of the best in the industry, from fabrics, equipment and chemicals to services …
Expo News
The way forward with geosynthetics in the US Army Corps of Engineers is focus of plenary at GeoDallas
October 17, 2018
Jeb Tingle, senior research engineer at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., delivered the plenary address at GeoDallas on Oct. 17 on “Advancing the Nation’s Infrastructure: The USACE Role.” “There’s a big role for research and innovation,” Tingle said. “Doing business as usual won’t give …
Sponsored Content
More Than Just Grommets & Washers, Discover the Stimpson Difference
Sponsored Content
Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
Sponsored Content
IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
Sponsored Content
The 2018 Specialty Fabrics Review Online Buyer’s Guide is now available.
Feature
Changing the markets—and the marketing—of custom fabric graphics
February 1, 2019
The company’s founders could never have imagined the products that Art Display Company is making for its customers today. Back in 1947, when the Maryland sign shop began printing business signage, awnings were cotton canvas, neon signs were cutting-edge technology and everything from painting to sewing was done by hand. Today, the company produces a …
Feature
Whether indoors or out, custom graphics have a strong appeal with brand-savvy businesses
February 1, 2019
Those contemplating adding fabric graphics to their professional repertoire will find an arena poised for expansion and strong demand, driven by advancements in print and ink technology as well as by fabrics that increasingly deliver stunning results more reliably. Also fueling activity is the accelerating movement toward personalization and customization, says Randy Anderson, product marketing …
Feature
Getting into fabric graphics means doing your homework
February 1, 2019
Ron Nissenbaum, CEO of Humphrys CoverSports in Philadelphia, Pa., has been in the business long enough—51 years to be precise—to have witnessed a few changes in the way fabricators use graphics. When Nissenbaum started at Humphrys, which itself is nearly 150 years old, graphics were a rarity on the tarps, sports field covers and other …
Feature
Paul Aumento relies on employees and customers to keep Creative Textile Solutions a responsive manufacturer
February 1, 2019
Nova Scotia is a small market and Halifax is a smaller city compared to some others, so we’ve had to diversify to continue a successful year-round employment,” says Paul Aumento, co-owner and president of Creative Textile Solutions Ltd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. “So we expanded our markets right away to include whatever can be manufactured …
Feature
Working innovation: all successful companies innovate to grow, but each approach is unique
January 1, 2019
If there were a formula for writing a hit song, we could all do it. Efforts have certainly been made to figure out just what’s required to reach the top of the charts, but there simply isn’t a single defined path that can be taken to ensure musical success. In manufacturing, businesses that look to …
Feature
Women’s work: challenges and rewards in the specialty fabrics industry
January 1, 2019
Since the earliest days of civilization, women have sewn garments, constructed the tents they called home, and woven the textiles that made life more comfortable and defined distinctive cultures. Over the millennia, textiles produced by women have been essential to life and enterprise. As industrialization made these goods profitable, however, the textile world became a …
Feature
Melynda Norman-Lee brings tented events to life, continuing a tradition of success at JJL Events Inc.
January 1, 2019
“When I work on challenging projects I see the possibilities, not the restrictions,” says Melynda Norman-Lee, event project manager for J J L Events, Toronto, Ont., Canada. “I start visualizing the final outcome when I first start talking with the client. If I haven’t captured that vision from the beginning, I won’t be able to …
Feature
Fabric’s role in revitalizing neglected urban areas
January 1, 2019
Like other rust belt cities, Detroit began declining decades ago, propelled by a combination of bad luck, bad timing, bad decisions and economic transformations that delivered additional crushing, seemingly fatal, blows. Its condition was such that not so long ago, numerous companies sprang up offering tours of the city’s ruined buildings and factories—a somewhat morbid …
Feature
Long-term clearspan tent installations offer a clear advantage
December 1, 2018
For Jeff McInnes, what better proof of the validity of clearspan structures being used for permanent buildings than having his recently installed aquatic center survive Hurricane Florence in North Charleston, S.C. “We often install permanent structures that sometimes need to be in place for extended durations; anywhere from three to 30 years,” says McInnes, North …
Feature
A dazzling duo: indoor fabrics and lighting
December 1, 2018
Fabrics have always been an essential component in commercial interior spaces. But, historically, their inclusion has been limited to more conventional roles, such as draperies and curtains, or flexible room dividers. With some exceptions, fabrics were not intended to serve as a focus in and of themselves. That has changed—decidedly. Fabrics are now looked to …
Sponsored Content
More Than Just Grommets & Washers, Discover the Stimpson Difference
Sponsored Content
Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
Sponsored Content
IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
Sponsored Content
The 2018 Specialty Fabrics Review Online Buyer’s Guide is now available.
Markets
Members only content
Fabricators and boat owners have a world of choices in windows
February 1, 2019
When it comes to choosing their windows, most boat owners don’t want to make it too complicated—they want a quality product that will last at a reasonable price. As fabricators know, however, it’s not quite that simple. In fact, according to Zach Grant, marketing manager at Sailrite®, a distributor of marine fabrics and supplies for …
Advanced Textiles
Advances in smart medical textiles
February 1, 2019
A series of novel developments in medical textiles see smart textiles coupled with smart design to deliver benefits to both patients and medical professionals. With the medical textile market predicted to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 4.23 percent during the period 2018–2022, the industry is positioning itself to meet this demand. …
Markets
Members only content
Taking the lead: women in the tent rental industry
January 1, 2019
When Sarah Crews, director of sales and marketing for Miami, Fla.-based Economy Tent International (ETI), started going to outdoor trade shows 13 years ago, she didn’t see many women attending the events. Tent rental companies headed by women were even scarcer. But over the years that situation has changed, says Crews (formerly Lapping). “As the …
Advanced Textiles
Growing interest in using natural “smart” fibers
January 1, 2019
Since the industrial revolution, textiles have transitioned from natural fibers of cotton, wool, silk and linen to textiles created from petroleum products and reconstituted wood pulp. Today’s synthetic fibers are stronger, cheaper to manufacture, and have proven easily adaptable to a wide range of technical, performance and smart textiles, to the benefit of modern life. …
Advanced Textiles
New smart fabrics and protective gear innovations keep first responders safer
December 1, 2018
First responders—from firefighters to law enforcement to emergency medical services technicians—need to be ready to handle any situation they encounter, and they need the appropriate gear to respond quickly to emergencies. Responders draw on their experience to make sound decisions in the chaos of a crime or accident scene, or in the heat of a …
Advanced Textiles
Early adopters affect product development
November 1, 2018
IoClothes describes itself as “A Community Fusing Tech & Textiles™” that exists to support those who innovate in the smart textile industry by providing information and helping them to establish the right connections to move forward. Managing director Ben Cooper says, “About 30–40 percent of the [textile] industry has a warm-to-hot interest in innovation—new processes, …
Markets
Members only content
A faster path to market through industry dialogue and profitable partnerships
November 1, 2018
If innovation is a key to growth and profitability because of the differentiation it can offer in our broadly commoditized industrial fabrics industry—one that for decades has been under strong pricing pressure from low-cost imports—then R&D is an essential component of a company’s toolbox for financial success. My experience, however, coincides with the observation of …
Markets
Members only content
Basic training principles for new and long-time tent installers
October 1, 2018
Labor is a problem everywhere, with tent rental companies experiencing constant turnover and the need to train new installers. Desperate to fill out their crews, tent renters will often send new employees on the road for installations right off the bat, with training coming on the job from long-time employees. But just because a crew …
Advanced Textiles
Incorporating new materials into composites
October 1, 2018
In material science, strength alone is often found to have its limitations; a combination of hard and soft, rigid and flexible is an area of increasing interest for a wide range of applications from construction, to sports equipment, to protective apparel. Composites bring together two or more materials to provide one that has novel features, …
Markets
Members only content
Recommended fabric cleaning products
September 1, 2018
It’s pretty simple. People buy boats because they want to have fun. The reality, however, is that work—the opposite of fun—is required to keep any watercraft in tip-top condition. Therein lies the rub. “A lot of boaters don’t want to do all the cleaning and maintenance,” says Marianne Iosso, vice president of Iosso® Products of …
Sponsored Content
More Than Just Grommets & Washers, Discover the Stimpson Difference
Sponsored Content
Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
Sponsored Content
IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
Sponsored Content
The 2018 Specialty Fabrics Review Online Buyer’s Guide is now available.
News
McCollum joins MMI Textiles
February 19, 2019
Shawn McCollum has joined MMI Textiles as the director of sales and business development. He brings more than 28 years of successful sales experience in the textile industry, having built and managed successful sales teams for companies such as Velcro USA and the Paiho Group. McCollum has broad OEM and distribution experience across market segments …
Industry News
Thrace-LINQ completes expansion project
February 18, 2019
Thrace-LINQ in Summerville, S.C., announced the completion of the installation of a new Andritz needlepunched nonwoven line. The Thrace Group invested more than $9 million in the project to satisfy the growing demand for high-performance nonwoven fabrics in North America. The state-of-the- art needlepunched nonwoven line was designed to produce world-class-quality fabrics for geosynthetics, automotive …
Industry News
Joint venture gets go-ahead for PET/PTA plant
February 15, 2019
Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL), a global chemical producer, announced recently that its joint venture has received all regulatory clearance required from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the proposed joint asset purchase of M&G USA Corp. and its affiliated debtors. On March 21, 2018, Indorama Ventures, Alpek, and Far Eastern Investment (Holding) …
Industry News
Tent Expo 2019 shines with education and networking opportunities
February 14, 2019
More than 500 tent professionals gathered in Orlando, Fla., in January at Tent Expo 2019 for valuable education and networking opportunities under dozens of structures featuring the latest tent technology. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with more than 65 exhibitors, including innovative tent manufacturers, equipment suppliers offering hands-on education, as well as vendors for …
Industry News
Enter the 2019 IFAI Student Design Competition
February 13, 2019
The 2019 IFAI (Industrial Fabrics Association International) Student Design Competition is searching for talented students to enter their best projects in an effort to be recognized within the textile industry. Students pursuing degrees in textiles, apparels, engineering, architecture or design can now enter the 2019 Student Design Competition. This is an elite competition focused on giving …
Industry News
Key issues for North American polyester
February 7, 2019
Michael Bermish, chemical principal analyst for energy research consultants Wood McKenzie, offers analysis on what to expect in the coming year in the opinion piece, “Will 2019 be another tumultuous year for the North American polyester industry?” In 2018, the North American polyester and upstream intermediates markets experienced major changes. Various plant outages tightened up …
Industry News
NCTO endorses trade agreement
February 6, 2019
The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) board of directors has voted to endorse the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which was signed by the three countries on Nov. 30, 2018. NCTO regards the agreement to be an improvement over NAFTA in many ways for the U.S. textile industry. Improvements include a standalone chapter for textile and apparel; …
News
Recasens expands distribution network
February 5, 2019
Recasens, a manufacturer of performance fabric for sun protection, textile architecture, screens, decoration and marine use, has added Industrial Solutions Inc. (IIS) as its newest U.S.-based master distributor. The new partnership will provide greater access to the Recasens line of European-designed fabrics for fabricators and designers in the awning, marine and decor industries. “The RECacril …
Industry News
EU restricts chemicals
February 5, 2019
The European Commission has adopted new restrictions for the use of 33 chemicals known to cause cancer and reproductive health problems. The restrictions limit exposure to chemicals including benzene, formaldehyde and heavy metals that may be particularly harmful with frequent contact with human skin. These new rules set maximum concentration limits in clothing and textiles …
Industry News
American Cord & Webbing Co. certified to ISO 9001:2015
February 4, 2019
American Cord & Webbing Co., Inc. (ACW), a manufacturer and distributor of plastic and metal fasteners, narrow textile webbing, elastic and non-elastic cords and custom strap assemblies, announced that the organization has been certified to ISO 9001:2015 by TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. The International Standard (ISO) 9001:2015, Quality Management Systems – Requirements, is …
Sponsored Content
More Than Just Grommets & Washers, Discover the Stimpson Difference
Sponsored Content
Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
Sponsored Content
IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
Sponsored Content
The 2018 Specialty Fabrics Review Online Buyer’s Guide is now available.
Products
Labor saving products for productivity
January 1, 2019
Slick tent setup Rainier’s High Peak tent system provides an elegant, streamlined look with a frame design that allows for quick and easy installation without tools. The system features a flying center pole tension top with a catenary (arched) design and does not use interior support poles, maximizing usable space. The tent comes in a …
Products
New products: Savvy textile solutions
December 1, 2018
Breathable textiles Teijin Frontier has developed a polyester high-gauge knitting material laminated with a breathable film to produce thin, lightweight and breathable textiles. Textiles laminated with breathable film are widely used for high-functional sportswear due to their waterproofness and stretchability. The new material is compact as well as stretchable, form-stable and moisture-permeable. It has a …
Products
New and flexible fabrics
October 1, 2018
Sound barrier EPT’s XTRM Ply SoundSafe™ is uniquely designed to act as an acoustic barrier, reducing noise transmission through floors, walls and ceilings. It is a smooth, reinforced high-density Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) recommended as an acoustic wrap for machinery, equipment and ductwork. A typical application consists of applying the product over studs, joists or …
Products
Practical products with punchy effects
September 1, 2018
Versatile webbing Bally Ribbon Mills offers high-quality, high-performance webbing to meet the demands of recreational applications including the commercial and sport markets. The webbing is appropriate for a range of recreational applications including binding tape, chin straps, harnesses, packs, climbing webs, pet leashes, and parachute and balloon setups. Available in nylon, polyester, polypropylene, Kevlar®, Nomex®, …
Products
Faster printer
July 1, 2018
The Mutoh ValueJet 1948WX is recommended for everyday and high-production sublimation printing. With its staggered four-head design, it prints at speeds up to 2,199 sq ft./hr., with applications for trade show graphics, promotional items, flags, interior decor, apparel and more. Designed with advanced features such as a rear media feed lever for easy material handling, …
Products
Durable health care upholstery fabric
July 1, 2018
KnollTextiles’ Between the Lines collection offers performance, bleach-cleanable upholstery, privacy fabric and wallcovering for the health care and industrial markets. The collection includes coated upholstery fabrics such as Brigadoon 21, a phthalate-free vinyl upholstery fabric priced at less than forty dollars per yard. Ribbon Stripe is a certified Healthier Hospitals Initiative-compliant privacy fabric stocked with …
Products
High visibility striping
July 1, 2018
World Emblem’s high-visibility striping can be applied to work apparel, vests and many other clothing items to increase visibility and safety. Appropriate for construction workers, firefighters, police officers and others who need as much visibility as possible while working in low light or potentially hazardous conditions. Offered in 10 different trims and 48 standard placement …
Products
Ultra-light composite grid fabric
July 1, 2018
TeXtreme® has added ±45° Grid fabric to its Spread Tow line of ultra-light composites to further optimize solutions for new applications in advanced aerospace, industrial and sports product markets. Used alone or in combination with other TeXtreme products, the Grid fabric helps reduce the weight of products without sacrificing mechanical properties. The new grid fabric …
Products
Flame-resistant stretch fabric
July 1, 2018
Teijin Aramid’s Teijinconex Coolnex Stretch is a flame-resistant, durable stretch fabric that is also highly comfortable for workwear applications. The unique single-layer, high-performance textile combines FR protection with Solotex® stretch technology, which offers excellent fabric memory, elasticity and flexibility. Current workwear fabric using polyurethane is susceptible to reduced stretch and recovery over time, has poor …
Products
Slide-in-wire canopy
July 1, 2018
The patented Infinity Canopy is a dynamic and versatile slide-on-wire canopy. Its modular design allows it to adapt to any space, be configured in one or multiple colors, and change within minutes to create new designs and patterns—even on existing pergolas. It uses readily available parts and shade panels, which eliminates production time and simplifies …
Sponsored Content
More Than Just Grommets & Washers, Discover the Stimpson Difference
Sponsored Content
Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
Sponsored Content
IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
Sponsored Content
The 2018 Specialty Fabrics Review Online Buyer’s Guide is now available.
Projects
Eight-story banner helps Seattle sizzle
February 1, 2019
The new mixed-use building 9th & Thomas, located in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, takes a fresh approach to commercial space with floor-to-ceiling glass, gardens, integrated outdoor decks and a welcoming lobby that serves as a community living room. Developed by the Redman family, whose Sellen Construction Company occupied the site for 70 years, the …
Projects
Apartment honors history with fabric images
February 1, 2019
Designer Cory Gans of Boston’s Planeta Design Group had a unique idea to honor the history of the site where the new Montaje Apartments in Sommerville, Mass., now stand. Gans wanted to incorporate photographs from the old Ford Motor Company assembly plant that once inhabited what is now Assembly Row, a residential and commercial redevelopment …
Projects
Truck wraps promote Wreaths Across America program
February 1, 2019
Each December, wreaths are laid at Arlington National Cemetery as well as more than 1,400 cemeteries across the U.S. and abroad to remember fallen soldiers during the holiday season. What began in 1992 as a gesture of respect by Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company, Harrington, Maine, has developed into an annual nationwide tribute …
Projects
Dramatic visuals for luxury car show
February 1, 2019
It’s all about the visuals when you want your brand to make an impression at a busy exhibition. That’s something that Belgian exhibit builder Conceptexpo understood when it was contracted to create stands for Porsche and Ferrari at the January 2018 Brussels Motor Show. Conceptexpo chose Van Straaten, a Netherlands-based visual brand producer with large-scale …
Projects
Helping children heal through fabric graphics
February 1, 2019
A hospital can be a scary place for children facing serious illness. Medical equipment and sterile surroundings hardly make for a comforting atmosphere. Step into Nino Jesus University Hospital in Madrid, Spain, and it’s a much different story. Colorful butterflies and birds cover the ceilings of the pediatric cancer treatment center while fish and ducks …
Projects
Mural brings a taste of the tropics in San Francisco
February 1, 2019
Tanduay Rum, the Philippines-based international brand, wanted to create a little bit of home on the rooftop terrace of the company’s U.S. headquarters in San Francisco. They looked to Moss Inc., a developer of brand environments, to create custom art to transform the expansive space. Moss designed a mural that combines jungle flora and fauna …
Projects
Exhibition combines the physical and digital worlds
January 1, 2019
Contemporary artist Michael Rees likes to create artwork that connects to a specific space. His experimental exhibition at Grounds for Sculpture, a 42-acre sculpture park, museum and arboretum founded on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds, began in the exhibit hall looking for inspiration. His show, “Synthetic Cells, Site and Para (Site)” …
Projects
Upward mobility: on-the-go hot air ballooning
January 1, 2019
Who doesn’t wish they could just fly away once in a while—especially at the sight of hot air balloons gracing the horizon? But expense, equipment and accessibility can make hot air ballooning prohibitive for the average person. FlyDOO, a start-up company based in southeast France, is aiming to change all of that. Founder Leandro Corradini, …
Projects
Robotic fabric flowers react to people
January 1, 2019
The natural world is constantly changing. Take a walk through a meadow and the view is different from one moment to the next. That’s the idea behind the kinetic sculpture called “Meadow,” on display at Dutch Design Week 2018 last October. Studio Drift, an Amsterdam-based design firm, created the sculpture to explore the way in …
Projects
Safety in style: the foldable bike helmet
January 1, 2019
Let’s face it, even though a bike helmet is essential for protection, many people won’t wear one because it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient or not particularly attractive. Two former SpaceX engineers hope to change that. Co-founders David Hall and Jordan Klein have introduced Park & Diamond™, a helmet that looks and feels like a traditional baseball cap—yet …
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Choosing the Right Awning Fabric
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IFAI Expo 2018 Report from Dallas Wrap Up
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The Greater Good
Ennis Fabrics is committed to community support—from the top down
February 1, 2019
Ennis Fabrics in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has a history that’s steeped in community support. James Ennis Sr. launched Ennis Fabrics in 1972 with a goal to provide better industrial fabrics and service. From a modest 2,500 square-foot warehouse, the company steadily grew, and today it sells 9,000 products from a state-of-the-art office and warehouse that …
The Greater Good
In the pink: Cooley Group supports breast cancer patients and families
January 1, 2019
Social stewardship and community outreach have been woven into the culture at Cooley Group, headquartered in Pawtucket, R.I. Nearly every quarter, Cooley Group conducts a specific outreach program under the “Cooley Cares” banner to improve lives and make positive changes in the community. Founded as a cotton awning fabrics manufacturer in 1926, Cooley Group has …
The Greater Good
IFAI’s Manufacturing for Good booth assembles duffel bags for homeless recovery center
December 1, 2018
IFAI’s Manufacturing for Good booth made its second appearance at Expo 2018 held in October in Dallas, Texas. Workers at the live manufacturing booth assembled 74 red duffel bags from start to finish. The bags, made from 14 oz. vinyl, were donated to The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, a North Texas-based organization devoted to helping …
The Greater Good
MMI Textiles builds a better community, and workplace, one volunteer event at a time
November 1, 2018
Integrity, service and teamwork are at the center of everything MMI Textiles does, extending beyond working with customers and hiring employees to supporting its community. “Giving back not only goes with our core values, but it also provides an opportunity to work as a team to affect and impact the lives of others less fortunate. …
The Greater Good
Safety Components puts its business acumen to work for charity
October 1, 2018
Following the events of 9/11, Joey Underwood, senior vice president of Safety Components in Greenville, S.C., witnessed several neighborhood efforts to raise money for families of the fallen firefighters in New York City. “I remember driving past a bake sale and thinking, ‘We’re in that business—we should do something, too,” he says. Safety Components develops …
The Greater Good
Aurora Specialty Textiles Group invests in American manufacturing
September 1, 2018
When it became obvious to Aurora Specialty Textiles Group (ASTG) that its 132-year-old facility in Aurora, Ill., was no longer adequate, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the company had given serious consideration to moving operations overseas. But that was not the case. “There might have been a split-second mention of Mexico, but only because …
The Greater Good
O’Sullivan Films’ creek cleanup is the centerpiece of its community work
August 1, 2018
When employees at O’Sullivan Films work to improve the world around them, they don’t have to go any further than their headquarters in Winchester, Va. Winchester, part of the Shenandoah Valley located 75 miles west of Washington, D.C., is home to Abrams Creek, a stream that runs through O’Sullivan’s campus, which includes offices and a …
The Greater Good
Haartz Corporation’s community involvement goes deep
July 1, 2018
Many mission statements of companies claim that part of their corporate responsibility is to support the communities where their employees work and live. Often, this means making a donation to a worthy cause. But at the Haartz Corporation, a world leader in convertible toppings and interior surface …
The Greater Good
Service Thread believes that business success and community success go hand in hand
June 1, 2018
When it comes to serving the community, no need is too great or too small for Service Thread, a Laurinburg, N.C.-based designer and developer of engineered yarns and sewing threads. “We usually try to participate in everything,” says Hope Dohogn, human resources manager. “It’s very rare that we would say no.” Whether that need is …
The Greater Good
Ascend Performance Materials supports its employees and communities
May 1, 2018
After a tornado outbreak swept through northern Alabama in 2011, Ascend Performance Materials LLC sprang into action. The Houston, Texas-based company provided housing for employees from their Decatur facility who lost everything, and volunteers from the company helped with cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Out of that tragedy, it founded the Ascend Cares Foundation to support …
