U.S. textile, fiber trade associations announce merger

National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) and the American Fiber Manufacturers (AFMA) have announced a merger of their organizations effective April 1, 2018.

NCTO Chairman William V. “Bill” McCrary Jr., Chairman and CEO, William Barnet & Son, Spartanburg, S.C., says, “The NCTO merger with AFMA strengthens the U.S. textile industry’s ability to influence federal policy. It brings new members and financial resources to NCTO and extends the organization’s political reach. It also cements NCTO’s status as the voice of every facet of the U.S. textile production chain, a fact that will help NCTO to more effectively influence federal policies that affect U.S. textile investment, production and workers.”

AFMA Chairman Mark Ruday, Senior Vice President, DAK Americas, Charlotte, N.C., says, “AFMA’s merger with NCTO will allow U.S. fiber producers to keep the sector’s seat at the federal policy table. As a multi-billion industry with tens of thousands of employees, it is critical that the U.S. man-made fiber sector stay engaged in Washington.”

Noting that NCTO constantly monitors and engages in all major textile policy matters that impact the entire production chain, including key international trade negotiations, congressional initiatives and federal procurement and regulatory matters, Ruday says, “Merging with NCTO will ensure the U.S. fiber manufacturers have an effective voice on policy matters affecting the sector.”

The merged organization will be called by the name National Council of Textile Organizations, and NCTO President and CEO Auggie Tantillo will continue in that position.