Archives

Why you should CONNECT

April 1st, 2022

The Industrial Fabrics Association International’s CONNECT is an active forum where members can ask questions and get helpful answers from others who have faced similar challenges. For example, a recent question asked was, “Everyone is experiencing supply chain challenges, but which categories are themost challenging? Which types of products are you having the most trouble […]

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IFAI Expo 2017: Report from New Orleans

November 1st, 2017

Despite the hurricanes and wildfires of late summer, IFAI Expo 2017 attracted many new first-time attendees to New Orleans in late September. And exhibitors reported that attendees were more likely than previous years to purchase their products, services and equipment. Aside from exhibitor-attendee interaction, the show floor was a hive of lively “campfire” educational sessions […]

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Manufacturing for Good demo booth debuts at Expo 2017

November 1st, 2017

A new addition to IFAI Expo 2017 in New Orleans, La., was the Manufacturing for Good booth. Workers at the live manufacturing booth made 70 bright red duffel bags from start to finish. The bags were donated to Raintree Children & Family Services, a nonprofit organization that has assisted at-risk children and youth in the greater […]

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Making connections in smart textiles

September 29th, 2017

When E.M. Forster wrote the words “only connect” in his Victorian novel Howards End, he was linking poetry and prose. But the phrase was given new meaning at IFAI Expo’s Advanced Textiles Conference Smart Fabrics Track on Tuesday by presenters who encouraged better connectivity between the textile and electronics industries. One company working to bridge […]

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Best business practices for working with engineers

September 29th, 2017

Mike Sullaway, principal engineer, president and owner of Sullaway Engineering Inc. in San Diego, Calif., presented a campfire session “Working with Engineers” at IFAI Expo 2017 in New Orleans, La. Throughout the presentation, Sullaway offered tips and advice on the best ways to go about working on a project with an engineer. How to find […]

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First annual Greater Good Award given to Scott Massey of Awning Cleaning Industries

September 29th, 2017

Scott Massey, owner of Awning Cleaning Industries, was awarded the first annual Greater Good Award at the IFAI Expo 2017 in New Orleans, La. Massey’s business is based in New Haven, Conn. The Greater Good Award focuses on an IFAI member company that does good business—and strives to be a good neighbor, good citizen, and […]

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Manufacturing for Good Booth volunteers sew bags for Raintree Children and Family Services

September 29th, 2017

Christine Gerard (left), IFAI division supervisor, and Whitney Armentor (right), Raintree Development Coordinator, are pictured at IFAI Expo 2017 in the Manufacturing for Good Booth. Several companies contributed supplies, equipment and labor to sew 70 large tote bags for young people who receive services at Raintree Children and Family Services. Raintree is a nonprofit that […]

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How to inspire the next generation

September 29th, 2017

A critical issue in the textile industry is how to attract and inspire the next generation. North Carolina State University in Raleigh may have an answer: develop student/industry partnerships that solve real-life open-ended problems. During a presentation at EXPO, co-directors Jesse S. Jur and Russell E. Gorga, from the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and […]

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Sewing a quality product depends on asking lots of questions

September 28th, 2017

Getting a contract sewing job is great, but making sure a customer’s needs align with one’s business capabilities is a key consideration. “Company fit” is all important, according to Chad Miller, director of contracting at American National Manufacturing. American National Manufacturing was started by Miller’s father in the 1970s. What began as a water bed […]

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2017 Student Design Challenge Winners: Fabric Structures

September 28th, 2017

The Fabric Structures Association (FSA), a division of IFAI, announced the winners of the 2017 Fabric Structures Student Design Challenge at IFAI Expo in New Orleans on Sept. 28. First Place: Ahmad Nouraldeen, from Anhalt Hochschule, took the top prize for his project “Tenso Refugee Shelter,” a non-permanent structure to be used as a weather-protected […]

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