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Company News
Glen Raven announces new chief marketing officer
August 13, 2019
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, makers of Sunbrella®, announced the hiring of Steve Pawl as its first chief marketing officer. Pawl has a track record of developing growth strategies and strengthening brands for global companies including Husqvarna Group, Fruit of the Loom, Newell Brands and Pfizer. He will direct the global brand strategy, positioning and activation …
Industry News
EPT and Erez form E Squared
August 8, 2019
Engineered Polymer Technologies (EPT) and Erez Technical Textiles have announced a joint venture, forming a new company: E2. EPT and Erez combine their experience in U.S. manufacturing and Israeli business to expand operations and capabilities. E2 produces coated fabrics and polymers in a range of industries, including military, safety, air containment & inflatables, geomembranes, secondary …
Industry News
Fiber Industries announces Donald Bockoven as new CEO
August 5, 2019
Donald Bockoven has been announced as the new CEO of Fiber Industries LLC, Darlington, S.C., a textile production operation established by MHR Fund Management LLC. Fiber Industries has also named Andrew Rosenfeld as vice chairman of the company. Previously, Bockoven served as president and CEO of Leigh Fibers, held senior positions at Hollingsworth & Vose, …
Industry News
Brommer joins Herculite
August 2, 2019
Matt Brommer has been named marketing manager for Herculite, Inc., a leader in flexible composite textiles for performance applications in solar protection, marine, tents and structures, healthcare and digital graphics. In this newly created position, Brommer is responsible for Herculite’s marketing communications programs designed to increase awareness and promote growth of the company’s products and …
Industry News
Technical textile market growing
August 1, 2019
According to the Global Technical Textile Market – Forecasts from 2019 to 2024, a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global technical textile market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.16 percent to reach $244.172 billion by 2024, from $180.579 billion in 2018. Increasing industrialization and development of emerging countries is driving technical textile market …
Swatches
An experiential exhibit of fabric color, texture and performance
August 1, 2019
When Belgian textile designer Casalis returned to Milan Design Week in April after a three-year absence, the company made a statement with its signature style. Casalis worked with designer Anita Kars to create an experiential display inspired by a labyrinth. Visitors walked through a series of spaces and were met with the colors and textures …
Products
Universal take-up system
August 1, 2019
ReelPRO V2™ is an easy to install, easy to use universal take-up system for wide-format printers and laminators, allowing users to improve efficiency when printing vehicle wraps, banners, wallpaper and signs. System allows the user to operate the printer unattended and automatically shuts down when running in manual mode at the end of the print …
The Greater Good
Mermet Corporation seeks to protect ecology, promote sustainability and improve communities
August 1, 2019
By Paul Johnson Mermet Corporation was not content to create just any standard environmental stewardship program for the company. Instead, the Cowpens, S.C.-based innovative solar shade manufacturer went several steps further to create its Weaving Change initiative. The program is a broad-based movement that supports sound environmental textile manufacturing, resource conservation, environmental protection and charitable …
Feature
Carl Pellegrini’s SeaCanvas: managed growth through quality, creativity and customer focus
August 1, 2019
By building his business slowly, Carl Pellegrini keeps SeaCanvas focused on quality, creativity and customer service. by Jill C. Lafferty Each project we accept is a new chance to make a change in the current design,” says Carl Pellegrini, the owner-operator of custom marine fabrication company SeaCanvas, based in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. “Let’s say …
Feature
Textiles team up with technology for smart medical products
August 1, 2019
Technological advances in the medical field are nothing short of mind-blowing. by Pamela Mills-Senn Take operating room (OR) technology. In today’s ORs, one might find an array of smart surgical tools, augmented reality devices and precision robotics that assist surgeons in performing the most complex and exacting of procedures. Patients are greatly benefiting from these …
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Business
Common mistakes cost more than you think
July 1, 2019
There’s a high cost to being too busy to get work done. By Randy Westlund I was consulting for the owners of a company recently. They’d worked hard last year. They did a record number of jobs. They even had to hire two installers and a welder to get it all done. But at the end …
Conference
OFPANZ annual conference, July 25-27, New Zealand
May 22, 2019
The Outdoor Fabric Products Association of New Zealand (OFPANZ) will hold its 2019 Annual Conference at the Napier War Memorial Conference Center in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, on July 25-27. The conference will bring together a diverse range of speakers and workshops, offering a variety of educational, social and professional networking opportunities, including the annual …
Business
Members only content
Merger of Academy Awning and Zebra Awning announced
May 1, 2019
Academy Awning Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., and Zebra Awning, San Francisco, Calif., have merged. Michael Spear, owner of Zebra Awning, a San Francisco fixture since the mid-1980s, will continue in the role of Northern California representative for the corporation. Michael Richman and Jim Richman, owners of Academy, will serve in their same capacities for the …
Business
Are you ready for the new digital future?
May 1, 2019
Industrial Revolution 4.0 is here. by Connie Huffa Humans were born to learn and innovate. By nature, we constantly define, measure, analyze, improve and control our environments. Whether we know it or not, by wanting the latest and greatest we are changing not only how we make and buy things, but how we communicate our …
Conference
Women in Textiles Summit 2019
March 27, 2019
Women leaders in textile industry share expertise—and encouragement More women than ever now own textile companies, and IFAI’s recent Women in Textiles Summit brought together many of these business leaders to share their unique expertise within a highly specialized industry. This year’s inaugural summit, held March 6–8 in Savannah, Ga., facilitated what IFAI President and …
Business
Members only content
Strategies that can change the workplace and workforce
March 1, 2019
Picture this: It’s bedtime and children are getting their goodnight kisses. The parents wish them sweet dreams, leave the room and close the door behind them. With their defenders gone, the children begin their nightly debate: Is the boogeyman here? And if so, what exactly are they going to do about it? The boogeyman comes …
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 …
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Expo News
IFAI Expo 2019 Early Bird Rates End June 26
June 19, 2019
For Immediate Release June 18, 2019 PR Contact Christian Weiland 651 225 6916 caweiland@ifai.com IFAI Expo 2019 takes place Oct. 1-4 in Orlando, FL, USA. The Early Bird Rate deadline is approaching fast, and those who wish to save on their Expo registration must do so by June 26. This year’s Expo is held …
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 …
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Feature
Carl Pellegrini’s SeaCanvas: managed growth through quality, creativity and customer focus
August 1, 2019
By building his business slowly, Carl Pellegrini keeps SeaCanvas focused on quality, creativity and customer service. by Jill C. Lafferty Each project we accept is a new chance to make a change in the current design,” says Carl Pellegrini, the owner-operator of custom marine fabrication company SeaCanvas, based in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. “Let’s say …
Feature
Textiles team up with technology for smart medical products
August 1, 2019
Technological advances in the medical field are nothing short of mind-blowing. by Pamela Mills-Senn Take operating room (OR) technology. In today’s ORs, one might find an array of smart surgical tools, augmented reality devices and precision robotics that assist surgeons in performing the most complex and exacting of procedures. Patients are greatly benefiting from these …
Feature
Prepare now for a future disaster
August 1, 2019
by Jeff Moravec Although extreme events such as fires, floods, hurricanes and other disasters were once considered rarities, they are becoming more common. Business owners need to ask themselves how they would survive such an ordeal—and what they need to do to prepare for the possibility. “Don’t think it can’t happen to you,” says Randi …
Exhibitor Product Preview
Expo 2019 Exhibitor Product Preview
July 1, 2019
Your first look at the new products and value-added services waiting for you on the show floor at IFAI EXPO 2019 in Orlando, October 1–4. This fall, hundreds of exhibitors will bring you the latest products and information from the entire textile supply chain, from fibers to fabrics to shade systems; from state-of-the-art equipment and …
Feature
Animal care and protection
July 1, 2019
As awareness heightens over the contribution that pets and other animals make to our lives, more attention is being paid to their comfort and well-being. by Pamela Mills-Senn Nobody ever really thinks about how swimming pools might affect frogs, toads, snakes, squirrels, mice and other small critters. Rich Mason, owner of Crownsville, Md.-based FrogLog®, didn’t …
Feature
A bright future: fabrics that generate electricity
July 1, 2019
Pvilion’s Colin Touhey is working to forge strategic partnerships to integrate photovoltaic technology into all kinds of fabric products. by Jill C. Lafferty Every time you are building what you think is a one-off project, you’re probably going to do something similar a second time, a third time, a hundredth time,” says Colin Touhey, CEO …
Feature
Set a course: the aerospace market
July 1, 2019
As NASA sets a course for Mars and a return to the moon, and private companies engage in a new space race, textile companies navigate the aerospace market with high-performance fabrics and products designed for the next frontier. by Amy Goetzman When does a single lemon cost $2,000? When it’s in space. NASA reports that …
Feature
Members only content
Metal framework deserves more of a starring role
June 1, 2019
It’s time for metalwork and framing to move from being bit players to getting top billing. by Jeff Moravec Fabric is typically the star of the show in any fabrication project. What often gets overlooked, however, is the role supporting metal frameworks play—often behind the scenes—in fabric structures. The metal framework may frequently be an …
Feature
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Gain and retain: creating a rewarding culture for employees
June 1, 2019
Today’s tight labor market can turn employees fickle, posing challenges for companies that need to maintain a strong and skilled workforce. But with the right approach—and good benefits and wages—employers can keep ‘em coming back. by Pamela Mills-Senn After spending 18 years as an employee, Chris Ritsema, owner of Holland, Mich., Canvas Innovations LLC, knew …
Feature
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Cargo control: move it. Ship it. Store it. Contain it.
June 1, 2019
The global economy is in constant motion. For cargo from consumer goods to dangerous chemicals, a new generation of textile products is helping to get things where they need to go, safely and economically. by Amy Goetzman Everything’s on the move. As economies expand around the world and gross domestic product rises, more commodities—food and …
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Advanced Textiles
Soft robotics and shape memory alloys
August 1, 2019
Shape memory alloys are a fit with textile technologies. by Janet Preus What makes a material robotic? According to Brad Holschuh, Ph.D., assistant professor of wearable technology and apparel design in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota (UMN), the simplest explanation is that it’s a synthetic product with mechanical actuation that can …
Markets
Channeling nature through fabric at Allianz Field
August 1, 2019
Dramatic Allianz Field soccer stadium in Minnesota takes its cues from Lake Superior and aurora borealis. By Bruce N. Wright, AIA Soccer is an internationally loved sport for many reasons, but one draw has to be the fluid physicality of the athletes. The new Allianz Field soccer stadium in St. Paul, Minn., reflects this dynamic …
Advanced Textiles
E-textiles in health monitoring
July 1, 2019
Progress, potential and challenges for next-generation applications. by Debra Cobb Among the many benefits promised by the smart fabric revolution has been the “consumerization of health care.” Wearables are enabling the remote monitoring of a wide range of chronic medical conditions, from diabetes, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (CHF) to symptoms of disease, …
Markets
Creativity CUBED
July 1, 2019
Electra’s inventive flat-top temporary fabric structure helps it keep pace with Dubai’s fast-evolving event industry. By Holly Eamon In a world where customers increasingly expect their demands to be met instantaneously, companies that don’t prioritize active listening—or engagement—risk being left behind. Based in the competitive market of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), event and exhibition …
Advanced Textiles
Sustainable infrastructure and construction textiles
June 1, 2019
Infrastructure and construction textiles succeed with a focus on sustainable alternatives. By Seshadri Ramkumar and Marie O’Mahony Today’s advanced textiles offer new forms for use in infrastructure projects and in building design and construction. These “hidden” textiles may be found in small-scale applications such as home furnishings as well as in huge projects such as …
Markets
Members only content
Worth the weight: an invention designed to help one child transformed into a company primed to help everyone
June 1, 2019
By Holly Eamon Whether they’re being touted by a celebrity, promoted by major retailers or recommended by a friend, weighted blankets are the latest must-have household item. But as their transformative capabilities are increasingly introduced to and embraced by medical patients and professionals, their relevance is poised to long outlive similar fads—thanks to the determination …
Awnings & Shades
Members only content
Wholesale Shade introduces Shade Sail University
May 10, 2019
Wholesale Shade, a premier shade sail fabricator, has developed a comprehensive guide for the shade sail industry. Covering design, selling, installation and more, this guide is a must-have for anyone looking to get into the shade business or to train new employees. It includes standard industry forms and a glossary of terms. A redesigned website …
Advanced Textiles
The protective textiles market
May 1, 2019
Advanced textiles sector participants can benefit from strong growth predictions. by Seshadri Ramkumar The protective textiles sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4 percent, according to a recent report by Leeds, U.K.-based WTiN Intelligence Service. Earlier estimates by other market survey agencies, such as Grand View Research, estimated the annual growth …
Advanced Textiles
Advice for understanding IP law
April 23, 2019
Advice for innovators from innovators. by Janet Preus Editor’s note: Select entrepreneurs were asked to answer questions about intellectual property (IP) law and their experiences with it. Those interviewed are at various stages in their careers. Questions asked: What do you wish you had known early on when you were first dealing with IP law/patent …
Markets
Members only content
Sustainable sourcing
April 1, 2019
Following her recent podcast Sustainable Textile Sourcing for Performance Textiles in Munich, I caught up with Anne-Marie van Hoof, owner and creative director at 4-Options Studio in The Netherlands, to get her take on what she sees as driving sustainability within the industry now and into the future. Fiber credentials The 4-Options Studio offers a …
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Company News
Glen Raven announces new chief marketing officer
August 13, 2019
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, makers of Sunbrella®, announced the hiring of Steve Pawl as its first chief marketing officer. Pawl has a track record of developing growth strategies and strengthening brands for global companies including Husqvarna Group, Fruit of the Loom, Newell Brands and Pfizer. He will direct the global brand strategy, positioning and activation …
Industry News
EPT and Erez form E Squared
August 8, 2019
Engineered Polymer Technologies (EPT) and Erez Technical Textiles have announced a joint venture, forming a new company: E2. EPT and Erez combine their experience in U.S. manufacturing and Israeli business to expand operations and capabilities. E2 produces coated fabrics and polymers in a range of industries, including military, safety, air containment & inflatables, geomembranes, secondary …
Industry News
Fiber Industries announces Donald Bockoven as new CEO
August 5, 2019
Donald Bockoven has been announced as the new CEO of Fiber Industries LLC, Darlington, S.C., a textile production operation established by MHR Fund Management LLC. Fiber Industries has also named Andrew Rosenfeld as vice chairman of the company. Previously, Bockoven served as president and CEO of Leigh Fibers, held senior positions at Hollingsworth & Vose, …
Industry News
Brommer joins Herculite
August 2, 2019
Matt Brommer has been named marketing manager for Herculite, Inc., a leader in flexible composite textiles for performance applications in solar protection, marine, tents and structures, healthcare and digital graphics. In this newly created position, Brommer is responsible for Herculite’s marketing communications programs designed to increase awareness and promote growth of the company’s products and …
Industry News
Technical textile market growing
August 1, 2019
According to the Global Technical Textile Market – Forecasts from 2019 to 2024, a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global technical textile market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.16 percent to reach $244.172 billion by 2024, from $180.579 billion in 2018. Increasing industrialization and development of emerging countries is driving technical textile market …
Industry News
AATCC to Conduct Textile Testing Workshop September 25-26
July 31, 2019
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., USA, July 31, 2019— If you are responsible for product evaluation, specifications, and quality control for apparel and textile materials, this workshop is a must for you. Register today for AATCC’s limited attendance Introduction to Textile Testing Workshop to be held September 25-26 at the AATCC headquarters in Research Triangle Park, …
Industry News
Ulrich Tombuelt hired as CEO of Sattler Corp.
July 31, 2019
Sattler Corp. of Hudson, N.C., has hired Mr. Ulrich Tombuelt as its new CEO. Tombuelt has many years of executive management experience in the textile industry in the U.S. and in Europe. Sattler Corp., a division of The Sattler Group, Austria, is known for its high-tech fabrics.
Industry News
Global industrial fabric outlook
July 31, 2019
The Global Industrial Fabric market accounted for $113.65 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $190.98 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.9 percent during the forecast period according to a new report by ResearchAndMarkets.com. Factors for market growth include an increased use of fabric in the automotive industry and rising demand …
Industry News
FILTREX™ Europe: the future of filtration
July 30, 2019
Held in Berlin in May, the 2019 FILTREX conference offered delegates the opportunity to hear leading spokespersons for the industry discuss the future of filtration for vehicles, new developments in nonwoven media, media design and filter converting, and modeling and testing for the high-performance requirements expected by the market. The second edition of the FILTREX …
Industry News
Bally Ribbon Mills Announces E-WEBBINGS® E-textile Product Base
July 29, 2019
Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), an industry leader in the design, development, and manufacture of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics, announces its proprietary E-WEBBINGS® e-textile product base, specifically designed to serve as a customizable base for a wide range of smart textile applications within the Internet of Things (IoT). These smart textiles are made from a …
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Products
Universal take-up system
August 1, 2019
ReelPRO V2™ is an easy to install, easy to use universal take-up system for wide-format printers and laminators, allowing users to improve efficiency when printing vehicle wraps, banners, wallpaper and signs. System allows the user to operate the printer unattended and automatically shuts down when running in manual mode at the end of the print …
Products
Efficient flatbed printer
August 1, 2019
The VersaUV® LEF2-200 20-inch benchtop UV flatbed printer offers features that increase ease of use and efficiency. The printer inherits the VersaUV LEF series’ ability to print full-color graphics and unique textures, including premium finishes, onto an array of materials and objects up to 3.94 inches (100 mm) thick, including leather and other fabric substrates. …
Products
Stylish woven collection
August 1, 2019
Zealand is a woven collection with a rattan-like look and a metallic finish developed for hospitality, contract seating, lounge and casino, and health care applications. The collection is produced with antibacterial and antimicrobial agents and further fortified with a proprietary topcoat, FORBID SRT, which combats blue jean dye transfer, lipstick, Sharpie and pen marks, and …
Products
Automotive leather cutter
August 1, 2019
Digital leather cutting solution Versalis® 2019 improves productivity and nesting efficiency performance with an evolution in equipment and software design based on customer feedback. Cutting precision is improved by a large pressure plate that flattens wrinkles before the start of the cutting operation to deliver a higher level of performance and production standardization. Its ergonomic …
Products
Radiant barrier
August 1, 2019
HeiQ XReflex is an innovative radiant barrier technology that allows products such as outerwear, midlayers and sleeping bags to maintain the required level of warmth while reducing bulk by as much as 50 percent. With an ultra-thin reflective surface applied through a high-tech vapor deposition process, the technology reflects the body’s radiant heat, increasing thermal …
Products
Durable upholstery fabric
August 1, 2019
Designed for beauty and strength, Batyline Lounge performance upholstery fabrics for exterior applications hold up under the demands of weather, UV rays and active lifestyles. Its dimensional stability resists sags and tears. With subtle colors that blend with nature, the fabric is low maintenance, quick drying, easy to clean and fire-retardant to IMO standards, the …
Products
HEYstore fabrics for shipping, storage and disaster relief
June 20, 2019
The Heytex Group, headquartered in Bramsche, Germany, has 17 different product groups for technical textiles and works closely with customers to determine the appropriate material for their applications. “Due to increasing numbers of global disasters and the need to support people that need help, we see increasing demand for our HEYstore products in the future,” …
Products
Portable press
June 1, 2019
C.S. Osborne’s portable grommet press works well for brass grommets and fasteners. The portable press with screw action is constructed of lightweight aluminum and is easy to move and carry. It effectively sets snaps, self-piercing grommets, ventilators and rivets, plain grommets up to size 4 and spur grommets up to size 3. Dies are interchangeable …
Products
Outdoor yarn
June 1, 2019
ESG RA Outdoor is a new generation of solution-dyed acrylic yarns designed for outdoor applications. The yarn, powered by Durashine™, is suitable for awnings, outdoor furniture, carpets and marine applications. Developed so that color brilliancy, durability and performance characteristics remain unchanged year after year, the yarn resists UV fading for up to five years, and …
Products
Tougher marine zip
June 1, 2019
Sunbrella® SunZip zippers for marine environments feature tape made using 100 percent Sunbrella fibers, known for their UV and fade resistance, mold and mildew resistance and bleach cleanability. The zippers have Delrin teeth with high UV resistance, and are well-suited for marine applications with large or difficult areas such as boat covers and windows. Backed …
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Projects
Fabric transforms camper design
April 1, 2019
What’s the bottom line for camping gear? For many outdoorspeople, it comes down to fabric that is waterproof yet airy and comfortable, along with convenience and a dash of style. A new camper that is more like a geodesic dome on wheels checks those boxes. A collaboration between BMW Design Works Division and The North …
Projects
Germ-fighting fibers keep hospitals clean
April 1, 2019
It’s a common joke—don’t go to the hospital, it will make you sick. Yet there is some amount of truth to the idea. One study demonstrated that 92 percent of privacy curtains were contaminated with infectious bacteria within one week of laundering. Another study concluded that up to 60 percent of nurse and physician clothing …
Projects
Vest offers inflatable protection for bicyclists
April 1, 2019
If you fall off your bike, you want to make sure you protect your thorax, back and neck. A vest that takes its cue from automobile airbags can do just that. B’Safe features an airbag that inflates instantly in the event of an accident. Developed by the French airbag technology company Helite, B’Safe features a …
Projects
Sustainable shade technology
April 1, 2019
It’s only fitting that the new research and development facility for the Kolon Group, a leading South Korean manufacturer of innovative textiles, would stretch the boundaries of design. The company wanted the facility, dubbed the Kolon One & Only Tower, to embody its commitment to creativity, technology and sustainability. The 820,000-square-foot building is designed to …
Projects
Patio canopy expands church services
April 1, 2019
Summers are hot in San Ramon, Calif., located 35 miles east of San Francisco in the San Ramon Valley. The community is home to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, designed in the 1980s by Aaron Green, an associate of Frank Lloyd Wright. The church features a beautiful patio that congregants like to use for …
Projects
From waste to waterproof shoe
April 1, 2019
Each year, 23 billion pairs of shoes made from raw materials are tossed in the trash, where they end up incinerated or are left to decompose in landfills. Sympatex Technologies, the high-tech company that produces and distributes membranes, laminates and functional textiles, has a better model for the lifecycle of shoes than creating tons of …
Projects
Fashion meets furniture with TAPE
April 1, 2019
Benjamin Hubert of design agency LAYER likes to consider how fashion trends and the latest ideas in technology can be combined to realize his creations. For his furniture collection, TAPE, Hubert was inspired by design practices for garments in the sporting industry—specifically the use of tape to construct snowboard, ski and wet-weather gear. Hubert recognized …
Projects
Hand-woven folk art with character
March 1, 2019
Folk art meets Pokémon Ukrainian artist Oksana Levchenya has long admired the craftsmanship of traditional hand-woven rugs and tapestries. She founded OLK Manufactory in Kiev to create woven rugs and tapestries that exemplify the same kind of expertise. Her vertical kilims are created by hand using an intricate technique dating back to the 16th century. …
Projects
Marathon lamp is a bright idea
March 1, 2019
Sometimes inspiration is found in a most unexpected place. For designer Victor Moynier, the spark of an idea for a lighting fixture came from sportswear. The Lausanne, Switzerland-based industrial designer looked at running jackets and saw the possibility to produce a lamp using ripstop nylon. His Marathon lamp was one of nine lighting fixtures created …
Projects
Animated display for Brussels airport uses kinetic fabric
March 1, 2019
There are many “must sees” in the Flanders region of Belgium: charming cities and towns graced with medieval architecture, the paintings of the Flemish masters, historical sites, fashion, food and design. The tourism bureau, Flanders Tourism (Toerisme Vlaanderen), wanted to give travelers flying into the Brussels Zarventem Airport a taste of the adventure that awaits. …
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The Greater Good
Mermet Corporation seeks to protect ecology, promote sustainability and improve communities
August 1, 2019
By Paul Johnson Mermet Corporation was not content to create just any standard environmental stewardship program for the company. Instead, the Cowpens, S.C.-based innovative solar shade manufacturer went several steps further to create its Weaving Change initiative. The program is a broad-based movement that supports sound environmental textile manufacturing, resource conservation, environmental protection and charitable …
The Greater Good
A common thread
July 1, 2019
Diamond Brand Gear is leading a regional effort to revive the art of sewing through education and collaboration. By Holly Eamon With roots extending to 1881, Diamond Brand Gear in Fletcher, N.C., continually works to build upon its legacy. The outdoor and military gear manufacturer is revitalizing not only its brand but also the industry’s …
The Greater Good
Setting a high standard: Owens Corning
June 1, 2019
Owens Corning’s philanthropic efforts, charity work and progressive employee policies have produced impressive results. By Paul Johnson For more than 40 years, Owens Corning, a developer and producer of insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites, has been a supporter of a wide range of philanthropic endeavors and a key partner assisting charitable organizations across the globe. …
The Greater Good
Parà Group’s green initiatives focus on conservation, preservation and clean energy.
May 1, 2019
By Paul Johnson As a world leader in the manufacture of marine, awning and outdoor fabrics, Parà Group makes a wide range of products for iconic brands, such as Ralph Lauren Home, Fendi Home and Missoni. Five state-of-the art factories in Northern Italy produce more than 33,000 pounds of yarn and 32,000 feet of fabric …
The Greater Good
YKK Group’s global commitment to efficiency and sustainability
April 1, 2019
The YKK Group, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, has implemented a bold and broad-based strategy for energy efficiency, reduced carbon output and sustainability. YKK’s green approach has substantially decreased the environmental impact of its 111 facilities operating in 73 countries and regions. But beyond the environmental benefits, these measures have also lowered operating costs, improved safety …
The Greater Good
A&R Tarpaulins’ mentorship program takes internships to a new level
March 1, 2019
Bud Weisbart was determined to make a difference. He transformed A&R Tarpaulins into a leader in fabric and equipment manufacturing for the aerospace industry, and also turned the company into a beacon of inclusiveness, diversity and multiculturalism. After earning a degree in social service and serving in many social service roles, Weisbart entered the business …
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. …
