A social media presence has become ubiquitous for nearly every type of business. And while that constant presence may be beneficial, social media interaction can become stale, routine and consequently less effective. For a company that has been engaged with social media for multiple years, it may be time to take a fresh look at how to utilize this tool, especially if a business’s initial foray into this arena wasn’t well-planned.

Most kids don’t dream of running an awning and canvas company when they grow up. Neither did James Dillport, chairman of the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association, but in 2017, he stumbled onto an opportunity to help lead Maple Leaf Awning and Canvas (MLAC) in Sherwood, Ark. After taking a chance on this new career, he and his team have made the most of the situation.

New regulations are affecting shade products, but that’s not the only thing going on in this market. Changes in motorization, the way products are used for light control, available color options and demand for sustainability are all happening too.

Advanced Textiles Expo returned to Anaheim, Calif., this year, highlighting the unique West Coast textile industry and plenty of recent innovations.

The owner of a Ranger Tug wanted a full permanent top along with an enclosure on the aft deck, recalls Joshua Davis, owner of Hayden Island Canvas in Portland, Ore. Additionally, the client wanted extension awnings on the sides for more shade, and he wanted them to be angle adjustable.

Innovative technological advances sometimes require intensive research and partnership efforts with years of dedicated government funding. Such a program in the smart textiles area is the SMART ePANTS program, which stands for the Smart Electrically Powered and Networked Textile Systems. Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) launched the program last year. Its goals include creating active smart textiles with sensor systems that can record and store audio, video and location data that aren’t bulky devices but act, feel, move and function like regular clothing. Effectively, they need to be invisible to the wearer—and they need to be machine washable. The aim is for the tech to support personnel such as FBI agents, arms-control inspectors and first responders in dangerous environments. Future commercial applications could include detecting and monitoring medical conditions.

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 program that allowed it to be cultivated for research purposes only. Four years later, the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, and industrial hemp became a fully recognized agricultural product.

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 contracts, export controls and international regulations.

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.

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 displays that maximize available space are on trend, and their light weight makes setup and disassembly, transportation, and storage easier. Customers appreciate it even more when the textiles are recyclable or made of recycled materials.

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 products must overcome to achieve commercial success. The Advanced Textiles Association’s Emerging Textiles Conference in late September in Anaheim, Calif., had several sessions addressing the latest smart fabric and e-textile research and development—even art.

As textiles move away from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the firefighter turnout-gear market, for one, faces specific concerns. In the past, the market intentionally used PFAS treatments to achieve goals such as oil repellency. Now, health concerns about the “forever” chemicals have led to increased regulations such as New York and California laws effective January 2025 that ban the sale and distribution of textile goods containing PFAS and other state laws that regulate firefighter gear specifically (see sidebar).