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Clariant releases ColorForward Interiors 2016
March 3rd, 2015
Full color palette presented in PP, polyamide and polyester fibers. Specialty chemicals company Clariant has released ColorForward Interiors 2016, the third annual trend and color forecasting guide for the fiber and textile market. Expanded this year to reach those serving the carpeting, upholstery, automotive and interior decoration sectors, the tool defines four trends expected to […]
Mobile marketing for small businesses
March 2nd, 2015
SCORE releases infographic depicting new data on mobile optimization. New statistics gathered by small business mentoring organization SCORE show the importance of mobile optimization for small business websites and how small business owners can convert mobile visitors into customers. According to the data, consumers use their smartphones to make buying decisions at every step of […]
Your taxes at work
March 1st, 2015
The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. By Mark E. Battersby The passage of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 late last year retroactively extended 54 tax breaks—but only for the 2014 tax year. The so-called “tax extenders” law opens the door for specialty fabric professionals to claim many of these popular (but temporary) […]
Expansion in layers
March 1st, 2015
Flexible composites are finding practical application in a growing number of industries. The world of composites covers a range of materials and applications. Flexible composites have long been manufactured to perform specific functions in generally demanding environments. Their tremendous strength-to-weight ratio and design flexibility make them ideal in structural components for the transportation industry. High […]
Energy for the future
March 1st, 2015
Flexible and durable power-generating textiles are poised to make a difference in meeting tomorrow’s energy requirements. Looking forward, before imagination meets prototype, the next generation of energy-producing products seems unattainable. Looking backward, after such innovations are readily available, the development process seems logical—and simple. It’s the “hindsight is 20/20” phenomenon. While photovoltaic power-harvesting technologies are […]
State of the Industry 2015: Part 2
March 1st, 2015
It was a year of respectable growth in the specialty fabrics industry and hope for an even better future, grounded in promising statistics. IFAI surveys specialty fabrics industry end product manufacturers (EPMs) once a year to learn how they are doing and what they anticipate for the future. All but one of the traditional end […]
To the rescue
March 1st, 2015
The Haaglanden Safety Region challenged Spark Design & Innovation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with finding a solution guaranteeing the Dutch fire service a raft that would allow a safe water rescue up to 650 feet from shore. Spark went to work, developing the Rescue TIP-Board® inflatable safety raft with unique properties that allow Dutch fire teams […]
Shade sales: Just add water
March 1st, 2015
The resurgence in boating and the concern over sun safety have been a boon for marine fabricators offering products that protect and beautify without spoiling the fun, or the view. People are taking to the water in record numbers, encouraged in part by plummeting gas prices. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, approximately 89 […]
Energy for the future
March 1st, 2015
Flexible and durable power-generating textiles are poised to make a difference in meeting tomorrow’s energy requirements. Looking forward, before imagination meets prototype, the next generation of energy-producing products seems unattainable. Looking backward, after such innovations are readily available, the development process seems logical—and simple. It’s the “hindsight is 20/20” phenomenon. While photovoltaic power-harvesting technologies are […]
Q&A with Charles Webster
March 1st, 2015
By Sigrid Tornquist Q: You’ve taken your company from one location with 14 employees to four locations with more than 200 employees. How have you changed your management style to accommodate that kind of growth? A: I’ve found that as your company grows, sometimes you have to replace staff—which is difficult to do, but if […]