TEXTILES.ORG
Marketing to millennials
December 1st, 2017
Take two ideas and put them together to make one new idea. After all, what is a Snuggie but a mutation of a blanket and a robe? ~Jim Kukral For years now, I’ve been endearing myself in meetings with manufacturers by asking questions like: “So when will there be an awning that is delivered by […]
Manufacturing fuels innovation
November 1st, 2017
And I know this happens because I took economics, and I’d explain it to ya, but I flunked that course. Not my fault. They taught it at 8 o’clock in the morning. And there is absolutely nothing you can learn out of one bloodshot eye. ~Lewis Black When I was in college, I took a […]
Elissa Decker’s fabric expertise helps Moss Inc. build global growth
September 1st, 2017
The properties of any fabric will be determined by the combined characteristics of its fiber, yarn, construction method, and dyeing and finishing processes,” says Elissa Decker, senior manager of materials, Moss Inc., Chicago, Ill. “It’s such an exciting time to work in the industry, because there’s a lot of performance that you can build into […]
The efficiencies and versatility of advanced and automated equipment are helping bring back the U.S. sewing industry
September 1st, 2017
When U.S. textile jobs started to leave en masse for China and other cheap-labor countries in the 1990s, an entire industry scrambled to pick up the pieces. Companies that survived the upheaval frequently shared one common trait: adaptability. Some contract sewers courted niche non-apparel product makers, while others invested in equipment to become leaders in […]
Hybrid technology: a new approach to design and production
August 1st, 2017
When technology and textiles intersect, it’s not surprising that the nomenclature often has us scratching our heads. Just what do we call this stuff? Smart textiles? E-textiles? Something else? Are they all the same? If that’s not enough of a conundrum, we’ve got something else to add to the lexicon: “hybrid technology.” The term was […]
Innovation road tour
June 1st, 2017
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched an 11-state, 15-stop National Innovation Road Tour. It is led by the SBA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, with participation from 11 other federal agencies. Now in its third year, this year’s tour, “Seeding America’s Future Innovations,” is a national […]
Management plans for innovation in process and product
June 1st, 2017
Centering business processes on continual improvement clears the path for innovative ideas to become innovative products. Every industry-changing product started as a great idea. But without an effective organizational structure in place, not every great idea has the opportunity to come to fruition. A good manager knows this. An innovative manager puts it into practice. […]
Business innovation throughout the textile supply chain
June 1st, 2017
Pushing, planning and budgeting for innovation relies on creativity, construction, communication and collaboration throughout the industry. It was a tough night for firefighters called out to three major blazes overnight. One exhausted man slogged back to the rig in his soaking-wet turnout gear. When another firefighter touched his shoulder, he screamed. It’s a steam burn—moisture […]
Building the best teams and the best practices to put innovation to work
June 1st, 2017
By building the best teams, improving continuously and putting the customer first—always—companies that put innovation to work keep customers coming back. When Steve Jobs, the late CEO of Apple, introduced the iPhone in 2007, his name became synonymous with innovation—a business practice and marketing advantage that isn’t particular to any one industry. Nor is it […]
“Future of Shade” Design competition call for entries
January 22nd, 2016
Sunbrella and Architizer announce the fourth annual “Future of Shade” design competition call for entries. The “Future of Shade” design competition invites designers and architects from around the world to envision elegant and pioneering shade designs. Artisans, architects, designers and students are encouraged to push the innovation envelope in their entries. Categories create three distinct […]