In memoriam: Stephen J. Franta, Canvas Craft

September 29, 2025  |  News, People

Stephen J. Franta of Medina, Minn., former owner of Canvas Craft, passed away Sept. 15, 2025, after battling cancer. He was 84. Stephen started Canvas Craft in 1988 as a one-man marine canvas shop, and in 2004, his son, Max, joined the business, who is now the company’s president. He was preceded …
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Seshadri Ramkumar receives Lifetime Achievement Award

August 6, 2025  |  News, People

Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., a professor at Texas Tech University (TTU), received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Science Monitor. The foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals for their contributions to science and technology. Ramkumar was recognized for his wor…
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In memoriam: Hank Truslow, former CEO, Sunbury Textile Mills

July 21, 2025  |  News, People

Henry A. Truslow (Hank) of Northumberland, Pa., former chairman and CEO of Sunbury Textile Mills and chairman of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute and the Northern Textile Association, died July 10 after a six-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 86. In 1962, Truslow began his c…
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In memoriam: Kevin Crean, EVP of sales, Bondcote Performance Textiles

July 17, 2025  |  News, People

Advanced Textiles Association member Kevin Crean, executive vice president (EVP) of sales for Bondcote Performance Textiles, formerly Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, passed away Fri., July 4, at the age of 76. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Kevin began his career in 1973 as a sales trainee at the Gran…
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Value Vinyls Inc. promotes Marc Shellshear to president

June 6, 2024  |  Company News, News, People

Value Vinyls Inc., a specialty textiles and fabrics provider based in Grand Prairie, Texas, announced the promotion of Marc Shellshear to president. Shellshear brings over 30 years of extensive experience in operations, sales and marketing across multiple industries including specialty textiles, fab…
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Former longtime SP Associates owner Gabe Hill dies

April 24, 2024  |  News, People

Gabe Hill, who spent 60 years in the textile industry–including 43 at SP Associates in Charlotte, N.C.–died April 13, 2024 in Abbeville, S.C. He was 89. Hill was owner and general manager of SP Associates, a well-known textile, nonwovens and apparel placement firm, before his retirement in 2017.…
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Texas Tech University lab director elected to National Academy of Inventors

March 13, 2024  |  Industry News, News, People

Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., director of the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas, was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Inventors’ 2024 class of senior members. The U.S. National Academy of Inventors is a global network of academic in…
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Apex Mills announces the appointment of Molly Kremidas to its business development team

February 29, 2024  |  Company News, News, People

Apex Mills, a manufacturer of U.S.-made industrial textiles announced the appointment of Molly Kremidas to join its business development team. In her new role, Kremidas will be responsible for driving the growth of warp, circular knits, elastics, 3D spacer fabrics and finishes and treatments within …
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