Four-dimensional leadership

February 1, 2025  |  Business, Markets

Traditional leadership philosophies focus on what it takes for a leader to have sway over a team, to drive toward an outcome and to create coordinated movement. These aspects of reaching a goal are critical components of leadership, but they are one-dimensional.
Blue and green roofs use many kinds of geosynthetics

February 1, 2025  |  Markets, Product Trends

In the global push to lower buildings’ carbon footprint and energy and water use, some look to blue and green roof construction. These roofs can help combat urban environmental challenges such as the heat island effect and rapid inundation of sewer systems from stormwater and are a small but growi…
Awning business succession: An in-and-out approach

January 14, 2025  |  Awnings & Canopies, Business

The awning business offers enough challenges to keep you growing, consistency you can plan around, and is rewarding enough to keep you fulfilled.
Navigating global trade

January 1, 2025  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Advanced textile manufacturers often are new participants in young markets, so the regulatory hurdles can be challenging or unexpected. To succeed in the international market, newcomers must learn to navigate the various regulatory issues related to global trade compliance, such as government contra…
Hemp, hemp, hooray

January 1, 2025  |  Industry in Focus, Markets

Industrial hemp has the power to revolutionize the manufacturing industry. It can be used for a variety of applications in everything from farming to textiles. However, the U.S. hemp industry is nascent, the crop having been banned for 82 years until the 2014 Farm Bill legalized hemp through a pilot…
Zipper manufacturers are ever innovating

January 1, 2025  |  Markets, Product Trends

Manufacturers have set out to make a “better zipper” for nearly a century—even longer, if you consider early “slide fastener” and “clasp locker” concepts. When it comes to this small but vital mechanism, innovation is constant.
Surmountable challenges in making e-textiles

December 1, 2024  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

According to a Business Research Insights market report, the smart fabric segment of the textile industry is poised to grow from $4.19 billion in 2024 to $15.21 billion by 2032, indicating future opportunities to commercialize more smart textiles. However, there are still obstacles that smart produc…
Fabric + tech: Trade show displays draw in customers

December 1, 2024  |  Markets, Product Trends

Trade shows are all about connecting with customers new and old, and an engaging display using lightweight, vertical assets in eye-catching colors can make that happen. Bright and colorful booths with distinctive features attract foot traffic, and lighting and projection create an experience. Pop-up…