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Workers in the electric utility, oil and gas, emerging energy and manufacturing lines face daily risk from flash fires, arc flash and related dangers—and often have to trade comfort for safety in their fire-resistant apparel. Bulwark® FR, Nashville, Tenn., part of VF Corp.’s portfolio of brands, makes durable, flame-resistant protective garments, and in partnership with Milliken & Co., sought to deliver both comfort and safety in its new iQ series line. “The iQ series offers workwear garments that combine active wear performance, protection and a new age of FR fabric,” said Chris Holcombe, vice president and general manager of Bulwark FR. “It’s better, smarter, more comfortable FR gear that people will want to wear—and not just while they’re working.”
Milliken & Co., Spartanburg, S.C., developed patent-pending FR protection that’s integrated into Milliken® Amplitude G2™ fabrics, used in Bulwark’s iQ workwear product line. The Amplitude G2 fabrics offer better protection against flash fires and arc flash, increased breathability and greater durability, even after multiple industrial washes. Nine Bulwark iQ products, including six knits and three wovens, will be manufactured in both men’s and women’s styles. The products will be introduced in June 2014 at the American Society of Safety Engineers Trade Show. Find out more about the iQ series at www.bulwark.com, and about Amplitude G2 fabrics at www.millikenfr.com.