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46 64CONTENTS

M A Y 2 0 0 7V O L U M E 9 2 N U M B E R 5

Industrial Fabric Products Review® ISSN 0019 8307, Volume 92, Issue 5 is published monthly (with an annual Buyer’s Guide in May) by Industrial Fabrics Association International, 1801 County Road B W, Roseville, MN 55113-4061. Periodicals Postage Paid at St. Paul, MN and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send address changes to: Industrial Fabric Products Review, 1801 County Road B W, Roseville, MN 55113-4061. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. Subscription inquiries, orders and changes contact: Sue Smeed, Assistant Circulation Manager, Industrial Fabric Products Review, 1801 County Road B W, Roseville, MN 55113-4061 Phone 800 225 4324 or +1 651 222 2508, fax +1 651 631 9334 e-mail: [email protected]. 1-year USA $69, Canada and Mexico $79, all other countries $169, payable in U.S. funds (includes air mail postage).


I n d u s t r i a l F a b r i c P r o d u c t s R e v i e w M AY 2 0 0 7 5

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Taking the China market by the hornsThe rise of China has presented both fundamental challenges and new opportunities. It is at once a competitor, a source of supply and a customer. Q & A with James Chan, Ph.D.

A mighty draftHow CAD drawings help those who use the software as well as those who develop it.by Julie Young

ON THE COVER CAD design can provide a benefit to your business that keeps it on the cutting edge. Photo courtesy of CAD Effects LLC. COVER DESIGN by Kari Pederson.

Seat-of-the-pants innovationYour people are full of good ideas. Quick—call a meeting.by Marc Hequet

Piracy in the China marketJames Chan answers some frequently asked questions about protecting intellectual property.

The protection businessNew developments in the science of impact-resistant materials mean more options for end-product manufacturers.by Jamie Swedberg

61

64

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CONTENTS

M A Y 2 0 0 7V O L U M E 9 2 N U M B E R 5

Columns

36

38

22

Departments

8

10

68


22 Show Preview On the floor at Techtextil Frankfurt in June: a look at exhibitors who sent us advance information about their products and services.

32 ConnectionsFederal surge brake rules finalized: The new rules eliminate the guesswork in the selection of a braking system for rental trailers. AATCC color management workshop in June.

34 ShowroomThe air up there: These aerodynamic projects focus on aerospace—the fabrication for flight—from the friendly skies to the “final frontier” of outer space.

ForeThoughtIf I can turn toxic sludge to chianti, do I really need to go to business school?

SwatchesKeen on green with textiles; Lord of the butterflies in a fabric shell; spacesuit testing in Utah; industry and international news, awards, mergers and acquisitions.

The InsiderCalypso Marine Canvas Ltd. celebrates success; a letter from the chairman; direct benefits of membership; new members of IFAI; opportunities for free publicity.

New Products and Services

Calendar of Events

Marketplace

Editorial Sources

Advertiser Index

Information Central

36 Expo WatchLucky 13: In-depth educational opportunities focus on growth. At IFAI Expo 2007, special symposiums will cover textiles that are smart, sporty and protective; design workshops that work wonders; and niche markets that offer greater profit margins for your business.

38 Fabric StructuresShipShape: Innovative solutions with tensioned membranes solve mold and moisture problems for the historic Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota.

42 Canadian IndustryNorthern exposures: IFAI Canada announces the 2007 Honours Program winners.

727475787980

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LGalynn Nordstrom, Senior Editor

Published by the Industrial Fabrics Association

International since 1915

PublisherMary Hennessy, e-mail [email protected]

Editorial DirectorSusan R. Niemi, e-mail [email protected]

Senior EditorGalynn D. Nordstrom, e-mail [email protected]

Associate EditorMelissa Kaudy, e-mail [email protected]

Contributing WritersJuli Case, Dr. James Chan, Marc Hequet,

Jamie Swedberg, John Wingate, Julie Young

Production ManagerRussell Grimes, e-mail [email protected]

Graphic DesignersHeidi Hanson, Kari Pederson, Cathleen Rose

Production Coordinator/Graphic DesignerKristen Evanson

Circulation ManagerMary Moore

Assistant Circulation ManagerSusan Smeed, e-mail [email protected]

Advertising Sales DirectorSarah Hyland, e-mail [email protected],

800 319 3349

Classified Advertising SalesShelly Arman, e-mail [email protected]

Advertising SalesJane Anthone, Terry Brodsky, Vivian Cowan,

Suzanne L’Herault, Karen Lien, Mary Mullowney, Susan Parnell, Elizabeth Welsh

IFAI PresidentStephen M. Warner

e-mail [email protected]

Industrial Fabric Products Review provides timely and accurate

industry intelligence to the members of the Industrial Fabrics Association International and the global specialty

fabrics marketplace.

Industrial Fabric Products Review is the official publication of the Industrial

Fabrics Association International.

ForeThought I N D U S T R I A L F A B R I C P R O D U C T S

If I can turn toxic sludge to chianti, do I really need to go to business school?

Last week, staff here at the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) were treated to a visit from Cheryl Gomes, senior engineer at Foster-Miller (now QinetiQ North America) in composites and advanced textiles materials technology, and an active member of IFAI’s Safety and Protective Products Division. Cheryl took the time to present a fascinating look at her company’s different divisions and the breakthrough technologies being developed there. After a few minutes spent gently explaining that enzymes and capillary action in fibers aren’t quite yet at the point of being able to pull in toxic waste at one end and spew out a nice chianti at the other, she was asked a question that seems to sum up every business discussion I’ve heard over the past few years:

“Given your company’s focus on research and development, how do you come up with new projects? Do you come up with ideas and then look for a market for them, or do you figure out what the market needs and then make that?”

Her answer, of course, was: “both.”Continuing innovation in business, and entrepreneurship, is often cited as the an-

swer to continuing success in an increasingly competitive global economy. The pace of change is increasing, and the pace of innovation will necessarily quicken as well. Most research indicates that, ultimately, it is completely futile to try to create legal, financial or even physical barriers to protect your business turf/intellectual property from competitors, whether they’re overseas or next door; eventually, someone will find ways to serve the low end of a market for any product, or they’ll find ways to bring existing products and services to entirely new markets, and the incumbents will start losing market share.

In this issue, we’ve included articles about “Seat-of-the-pants innovation” (page 58), doing business in China (page 46) and protecting your intellectual property (page 61). In each issue of the Review, we try to cover general business topics that affect spe-cialty fabrics businesses, as well as delving into industry-specific operational practices, ideas and trends. As I researched this subject, however, there’s another question that came up for me: Does innovation necessarily lead to entrepreneurship? How many specialty fabrics products manufacturers came to their business through a business education rather than an industry education, and does it make a difference to their continuing success?

AR Tech’s Bud Weisbart recently pointed me at the Web site for The Kauffman Foundation, an organization that promotes entrepreneurism in the United States and abroad (www.kauffman.org). In his new book “The Entrepreneurial Impera-tive,” Kauffman Foundation CEO Carl Schramm states that business schools and universities are failing to teach courses on entrepreneurship for non-business majors, a major flaw. I’ve been thinking about this business education/industry education ratio ever since, wondering which (if either) is the primary ingredient for innovation, entrepreneurship and business success.

My guess would be that the answer is: both.












http://www.kauffman.org


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To subscribevisit www.reviewmagazine.info

or call 800 225 4324 or +1 651 222 2508

With story ideascontact Galynn Nordstrom, +1 651 225 6928

[email protected]

To advertisecontact Sarah Hyland, 800 319 3349

[email protected] visit www.reviewmagazine.info

To order reprintscontact Russell Grimes, 800 385 9402

[email protected]

To order back issuescontact Sue Damico, +1 651 225 6913

[email protected]

Subscription inquiries, orders and changes contact Sue Smeed, Assistant Circulation Manager, Industrial Fabric Products Review, 1801 County Road B W, Roseville, MN 55113-4061 Phone 800 225 4324 or +1 651 222 2508, fax +1 651 631 9334 e-mail: [email protected]. 1-year USA $69, Canada and Mexico $79, all other countries $169, payable in U.S. funds (includes air mail postage).

How To Reach Us

1801 County Road B W. Roseville, MN 55113

USA

+1 651 222 2508800 225 4324www.ifai.com

© 2007 Industrial Fabrics Association Internationalall rights reserved

Advisory Committee

Lorne AndrasStayput Fasteners/Sunpoint Marine, Sidney, B.C., Canada

Harry Daugherty, P.E.Whitehouse, Ohio

Peter DouglasL.F. Pease Co., East Providence, R.I.

Kenneth KeberlePrime Event Group Inc., Tucson, Ariz.

Bruce Mabb, MFCJB Mabb and Associates, Mesa, Ariz

Rosemary Ward-Krienke, MFC, IFM, CPPNorth Texas Tarp & Awning,

Witchita Falls, Texas









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TEXTILES:TEXTILES: keen on green

Going green in the text i les industry means cleaner materials and applications.

Greensboro, N.C.-based Valdese Weavers has set

a new “green” standard requiring a minimum of 45-percent recycled content across the company’s entire Contract product line. To satisfy this new standard, Valdese will utilize Repreve®, 100-percent recycled yarns by Unifi Inc. (also of Greensboro), a diversified producer and processor of multi-filament textured yarns. The textile is made from recycled materials; it conserves energy and nat-ural resources by offset-ting the need to produce virgin polyester. Based on using a minimum of 45 percent of these yarns, each linear yard of fabric produced will conserve the equivalent of one-quarter

gallon of gasoline.

S W A T C H E S

Up against the wallUnlike traditional wallpaper with a PVC-based

component, special designs can be manufactured of cellulose and polyester, creating a product with reduced environmental impact. This eco-friendly version of wallpaper also affords a more “natural” texture for walls than the graphic print variety. Maharam of New York, N.Y., offers such choices in wallpaper, as well as a full range of green tex-tiles and wallcoverings that range from curtains to upholstery. It’s all part of Maharam’s cam-paign for sustainability of its textile products. With the ability to supply fabric for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) buildings, the ISO 14001-certified firm uses claims about specific attributes of their tex-tiles, such as fiber content and VOC emissions, over the more generic terms such as “nontoxic” or “biodegradable.”

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Maharam of New York designs green textiles used in wall coverings.

10

Istock

Maharam

Unifi Inc.



:

The Strong Museum of Play (SMOP) in Rochester, N.Y., recently opened its new expansion, designed by Chantreuil

Jensen Stark Architects, of Rochester and Buffalo, New York, making the 25,380-square-meter facility the second largest children’s museum in the United States. SMOP is also “green,” complying with Leadership in Energy and Environmental De-sign (LEED) requirements, as well as supporting an unusual natural habitat of particular delight.

A glass-enclosed butterfly garden at the museum is home to more than 800 free-flying tropical and native butterflies (and a few moths). The tropical rainforest environment includes a cascading waterfall, nectar plants that provide food for the colorful butterflies and a chrysalis case for emerging butter-flies. Visitors enter the lush, humid garden through a vestibule and move through the space on a paved path, before exiting through an outer chamber.

The outer tensile layer is in the shape of a modified hy-perbolic paraboloid (simulating a butterfly in flight). The liner parallels the outer fabric with a constant gap of about 15–25 centimeters, which contributes to thermal efficiency. The 396 square meters of outer fabric are Sheerfil I and the interior liner fabric is Fabrasorb II Acoustical Membrane, both manufactured by Saint Gobain of Merrimack, N.H. Originally beige in color when installed, the membrane fabrics quickly bleached to white in the sun. Both fabrics were chosen for performance characteristics including tensile strength, dura-bility (weatherability) and light transmission. The inner liner was added to improve the energy performance of the roof assembly. Birdair Inc. of Amherst, N. Y., fabricated the ten-sion membrane armature. The interior fabric elements were provided by Transformit of Gorham, Maine.

Lord of the butterflies

F A B R I C AT I O N F E AT U R E

InterfaceFabric recognized for “renewables”The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) has recognized

InterfaceFabric Inc., of Guilford, Maine, as a pioneer in using increasingly sustainable technologies. The SPE recently honored the company with their “New Technologies in Renewables” award, presented in Orlando, Fla.

InterfaceFabric teamed up with Michigan State University

Extension and the Michigan Department of Environmental

Quality, as well as customer Herman Miller Inc., Zeeland, Mich., and Shady Side Farm of Holland, Mich., to experi-ment with a composting project for one of InterfaceFabric’s biobased Terratex® fabrics. By introducing fabric scraps to a composting process at Shady Side Farm that includes waste

sawdust, straw, poultry manure and a pilot-scale rotary drum compost vessel, the project team was able to experiment with the time, temperature, moisture, pH, aeration, odor, carbon and nitrogen metabolism required to achieve complete deg-radation of the polymer.

Key to the process was keeping the compost clear of any toxic chemicals via InterfaceFabric’s dye and chemical pro-tocol, during the yarn handling stage and throughout the manufacturing process. Recently proven to be replicated at the commercial scale, the results show the compost to be suit-able as a high-quality soil amendment that can be sold to local landscape companies.


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Transformit



SWATCHES

Let sleeping dogs lie (comfortably) From retail stores to catalogs and beyond, sniffing out trendy canine fabric products is getting easier, and the

textiles used are becoming more humanitarian in nature. The comfort factor of the textiles used,

experts say, actually can be therapeutic for your pet dog, cushioning bones and joints

in supportive layers of textiles rather than having the animal stay on the cold, bare floor. Pet beds and pillows have fills that range from synthetic fibers to real down feathers; one over-the-top bed is filled with a feather boa. Cushions are plush: fab-rics used include brocade, velvet, velour, corduroy, ultra suede cashmere and faux leather, as well as cotton. Stain-resistant

outdoor fabrics that have antimicrobial and moisture- and odor-resistant properties are

available for an improved nap during the day or a better night’s sleep for that special furry friend.

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12 I n d u s t r i a l F a b r i c P r o d u c t s R e v i e w M AY 2 0 0 7

Boeing qualifies Lamart Corp. covering filmClifton, N.J.-based Lamart Corp. has announced that the

Boeing Corp., Chicago, Ill., recently qualified Lamaguard 400A, a PVF-type covering film, for use on its aircraft thermal acoustic insulation systems. This material meets the FAA’s FAR 25.856 (a) flammability requirements and will be used

on Boeing’s Legacy aircraft. The qualification follows the approval by Boeing of the very lightweight Lamaguard 30 covering film, which is an APK™-based film that will be used on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The covering film offers considerable weight savings per aircraft.

Floating on air: Lamart’s lightweight covering film has been qualified by Boeing for aircraft applications.

Digitally printed textiles dominate marketAccording to I.T. Strategies of Hanover, Mass., techno-

logical advances in ink jet printers, combined with growth in textile applications such as soft signage and apparel, are driving the market for digital printing. The firm estimates that in 2005, 2,300 dedicated textile printers (units) produced more than 900 million square feet of digitally printed textiles. Of this, 75 percent (just under 700 million square feet) was signage-related and 25 percent (233 million square feet) is in

newer applications, such as interior furnishings and apparel.By 2010, I.T. Strategies estimates that digitally printed tex-

tiles will grow to more than two billion square feet, printed on more than 5,000 dedicated digital textile printers.

Projected growth chart of digital textile roll printers worldwide throughput, for signage and non-signage applications, 2005-2010.

Lamart Corp.

I.T. Strategies




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www.manart-hirsch.com

SWATCHES

Researchers at NCSU receive donationResearchers at North Carolina State University’s College

of Textiles, Raleigh, N.C., have received a software dona-tion valued at more than $1 million from Alignent Software

Inc. (Carlsbad, Calif.), that could help shape the future of the non-woven textiles industry and enhance the com-mon, everyday products associated with it.

Textiles researchers hope the donation of Vision Strategist software will help them create interactive technology roadmaps for the non-wovens industry. Indus-try technology road maps are strategic plans that help to align research, development and the ap-plication of technology with business goals.

The goal of the road mapping project is to bring together univer-sity and business leaders

from the nonwoven textiles industry to assess and identify current and future technology needs and trends for industry growth. The road mapping process allows organizations to collaborate on ideas for future products and technologies and implement a plan to achieve their objectives.

Hudson Awning wins Forbes Enterprise AwardBayonne, N. J.-based Hudson Awning & Sign Co. Inc. re-

cently received the coveted Forbes Enterprise Award in recog-nition of its professional efforts and accomplishments.

The Forbes Awards, sponsored by Verizon Communica-

tions, New York, N.Y., recognize “outstanding businesses that demonstrate visionary practices and achievements.” Winners are selected by a panel of business experts who consider crite-ria such as product or service innovation, customer relations, community involvement, marketing, employee development and support and other efforts that lead to business growth.

Hudson Awning uses sophisticated technology to custom-de-sign awnings, canopies and signage for prestigious clients such as Ralph Lauren, Cartier, Abercrombie & Fitch, Donald Trump, Macy’s and Rockefeller Center. The company recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. Originally, Hudson Awning fabricated can-vas sails for tall ships that docked along the Hudson River.

SOLID CITIZEN: Avery DennisonAvery Dennison Corp. of Pasadena, Calif., has been

named one of the “100 Best Corporate Citizens of the U.S.” by CRO, a magazine serving corporate responsibil-ity officers. Avery Dennison was ranked 69th out of the more than 1,100 companies surveyed. The list identifies companies that excel at serving a variety of stakeholders, including customers, employees, suppliers, investors and community. The data is collected by KLD Research & Analytics, Boston, Mass., an independent investment research firm.

The survey ranks companies on eight criteria, includ-ing community, corporate governance, diversity, em-ployee relations, environment, human rights, product and total return average for shareholders. Avery Den-nison received its highest scores in employee relations, product and diversity.

Avery Dennison conducts employee relations pro-grams that focus on continuous improvement of man-agement skills and work environment. These programs include an employee survey that evaluates the work environment in its facilities in 49 countries; leadership guidelines to help ensure consistency of management; and a global job posting system. With more than half of its employees located outside the U.S., Avery Dennison has developed a very strong and diverse workforce, with approximately 50 percent of the company’s top 100 senior managers born outside the United States.

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I N D U S T R Y N E W S

NCSU

Alignent donated more than $1 million in software to North Carolina State Uni-versity’s College of Textiles (COT). Pic-tured, from left: Asad Amir, COT graduate student in textile management; Dean Blanton Godfrey, COT; Yusuf Shirazi, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Alignent; Helmut Hergeth, COT associate professor of textile and apparel, technol-ogy and management.

DSM Dyneema wins patent lawsuitLe Tribunal de Grande Instance, Paris, France, has ruled

in favor of DSM Dyneema, Galeen, the Netherlands, inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, in a patent infringement lawsuit instituted against Hangzhou Pivot International Co. Ltd., of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Prior to filing the lawsuit, in November 2005, DSM obtained authorization to seize merchandise, including fibers, intermediate products and finished articles containing such fibers, which Hangzhou Pivot intended to present at the Milipol Exhibition on State Security in Paris.

Le Tribunal has established that the merchandise seized infringes on several DSM patents, forbidding the sale or of-fering for sale of the fibers, as well as any intermediate and finished article containing such fibers, by Hangzhou Pivot in France. In addition, it was ruled that Hangzhou Pivot must pay damages to DSM, as well as compensate for the costs for the public announcement of the verdict. DSM reconfirms its policy to continuously and actively protect its intellectual property rights from infringement.




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www.vintex.com



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SWATCHES

Moss and Nicols join forcesMoss Inc., Belfast, Maine, has announced its merger

with Nichols Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah.Nichols’ printing technology is partnered with Moss’

engineering in crafting custom tensioned fabric structures. The combination of these two companies creates a com-prehensive manufacturer of tensioned fabric structures, display hardware and printed graphics.

The new entity will be known as Moss Inc. Key products from the Nichols line will retain their current brand names.

M E R G E R S & A C Q U I S I T I O N S

Tencate and Owens Corning to market paving mat

TenCate Geosynthetics North America of Pendergrass, Ga., recently announced its exclusive partnership with Toledo, Ohio-based Owens Corning to sell, market, and distribute the TruPave® Engineered Paving Mat throughout North America as part of TenCate Geosynthetics’ asphalt interlayer program. The paving mat is a fiberglass/polyester composite recyclable fabric, stable up to 495 degrees Fahrenheit (260 degrees Celsius). Under the new agreement, TenCate Geosynthetics assumes the exclusive responsibility to sell and distribute the product in North America.

Moss Inc. fabricated two curved, tunnel-like fabric panels for this dramatic showcase of Motorola merchandise for Product (Red), a campaign against AIDS supported, in part, by Motorola. Look for future displays that have additional features such as tensionedfabric structures, display hardware and printed graphics, now that Moss and Nichols Inc. have joined forces.

Moss Inc.

Choose Fabric Graphics—EXPAND Your Markets

SPONSORSThe Astrup Co.

AW Specialty Papers

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Game Time Fabrics

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Mimaki USA Inc.

NuSign Supply Inc.

Sinclair Equipment Co.

Fabric Graphics SymposiumFriday, Oct. 5, 2007

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SEE fabric, ink and printing innovations

LEARN about exciting fabric graphic applications from our experts

VISIT the IFAI Expo 2007 trade show, Oct. 3-5, 2007 with more than 450 companies

Registration materials available in June 2007. To learn more about the Fabric Graphics Symposium and

12 additional symposiums and workshops held during IFAI Expo 2007, visit www.ifaiexpo.com or contact

our show management at: Phone: +1 651 222 2508 or 800 225 4325; E-mail [email protected].

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SWATCHES

I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S

European textile sector on path to recovery

The European textile sector is slowly recovering, as evidenced by figures posted by the French and Greek textile industry.

According to INSEE Index of Textile Output, French textile production stood at the second highest level of 66.90, despite a 0.6 percent decline, while its apparel output declined 6.4 percent, year-on–year basis.

In Greece, the textile sector’s output, measured by the NSS Index of Production, was 62.0 in October, 2007. It also reflected a 4.4 percent year-on-year increase—the best performance since January, 2003.

Recovery in the European textile sector took place mainly due to the performance of the spinning and weaving sectors, with the former’s output registering increase of 1.9 percent and 0.9 percent in September and October, 2007, respectively. In the weaving sec-tor, output surge was recorded at 12.7 percent, and it reached 82.45 as per the NSS Index of Production for October, 2007.

AWNINGS—New Strategies & Solutions Las Vegas Convention Center Wednesday, Oct. 3, 20078:30 am - 12:30 pm

www.ifaiexpo.com

SAVE THE DATE

This symposium provides the tools and resources to be successful in today’s competitive awning marketplace.

GET up-to-date on codes and permits

LEARN about award-winning design strategies that produced positive results

GENERATE new product and business solutions to boost your bottom line

TAKE away the resources you need to be successful in today’s competitive marketplace

VISIT the IFAI Expo 2007 trade show, Oct. 3-5, 2007 with more than 450 exhibitors

•

•

•

•

•

Registration materials available in June 2007. To learn more about the Awning Symposium and 12 additional symposiums and workshops held during IFAI Expo 2007, visit our Web site or contact our show management at: Phone: +1 651 222 2508 or 800 225 4325; E-mail: [email protected].





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Coir Board to use natural dyesThe Coir Board, in collaboration with the Department of Tex-

tile Technology and Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India, has developed natural dyes with fast color penetration for use in coir products, to best suit consumer preferences in the European and U.S. markets. The Coir Board is planning to ramp up coir product exports to new markets like Latin America and Africa, in order to reduce the dependence on the U.S. and Euro-pean markets. Currently, the U.S. is the single largest market with a share of 40 percent of Indian coir exports; European countries altogether account for another 41 percent. With competition from Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the Phillipines, India’s position in the global coir market is viewed as unpredictable.

Coir products such as coir pith, coir fiber and geotextiles have risen as export commodities, while products such as coir rugs and carpets have diminished in export value.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W SThailand: crisis and opportunity

China and the U.S. were presented as rivals to Thailand’s competitive edge in its garment and textile industries recently. A seminar to that effect, “Future of Thailand’s Textile Industry: Crisis or Opportunity,” was held in Bangkok, Thailand, by the Office of Industrial Economics and the Thailand Textile Institute. The seminar stressed that Thailand needed to “cluster” its produc-tion plants in geographically viable parts of the country in order to reduce imports from other countries; cooperate with other countries in Southeast Asia to boost competitiveness against China; and promote Thailand as a unique textile market focused on creating differentiated value-added goods.

The Office of Industrial Economics forecasts that textile and garment exports from Thailand will grow by three to five percent in 2007, due in part to the possibility of signing a free-trade agree-ment with Japan.



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Students in spacesuits plan Utah invasionA spacesuit developed by students at the University of

North Dakota (UND) and four other schools will be tested in the Utah desert. Students from the Spaceward Bound educa-tion program will help the designers test the suit at Utah’s Mars Desert Research Station.

The Spaceward Bound program is sponsored by NASA in co-operation with the Mars Society, a group devoted to promoting Mars exploration, and seeks to train students in space-related fields. Researcher Pablo de Leon, a UND aerospace engineer, said the testing in Utah will offer the chance to solve problems in the same way an astronaut would be forced to do on Mars.

“We test the suit all the time in a controlled environment,” de Leon says. “But in the field things are different, so we have to learn to conduct the kind of research we’ll do one day on the moon or Mars. When you’re millions of miles from earth, you can’t just come back because you forgot something.”

UND tested the spacesuit in western North Dakota last May. The project was developed by students from UND, Dickinson

State University, the State College of Science and Turtle Moun-

tain Community College, using a $100,000 NASA grant.For more information regarding the Dept. of Space Stud-

ies at UND, please refer to page 22 of the August, 2006 issue of the Review.

S C I E N C E & T E C H N O L O G YSWATCHES

as lasting as the harsh outdoors Just like in nature, Erez products are made to offer maximum performance for inflatable boats, life rafts, Flex-Tanks, oil booms, tension structures and roofing membranes. Erez’s technical capabilit ies provide superior chemical resistance, great abrasion resistance and meet stringent military specifications. Your natural next step is to call Erez at 401-848-7222.

The World Leader in Polymer MembranesCorporate Office: 888-446-3877 • Marketing/Tech Support: 401-848-7222

Email: [email protected]

They came from outer Bismarck: Students from North Dakota will have a chance to test textiles used in an astronaut suit against the tough terrain of the Utah desert.

NASA




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SHOW PREVIEW

Special preview: on the f loor at

Techtext i l Frankfur tTechtexti l Frankfurt , the Trade Fair for Technical Texti les and Nonwovens, takes place at the Frankfurt Fairgrounds in Frankfurt, Germany, June 12–14, 2007. The event showcases an entire industry spectrum, from research and development, production, processing and recycling, al l the way to publishers and trade associations.

Booth J15, Hall 3.0Ad.Tech Advanced Technologies S.r.l.

Via Btg. Val Leogra, 44/a36100 Vicenza (VI)Italy+39 0444 565500Fax +39 0444 561231E-mail [email protected] site www.adtech.it Ad.Tech produces lines for coating, adhesives,

laminating, printing, embossing, wet and dry process, and R&D lines for hometech, geotech, sporttech, buildtech, clothtech, and mobiltech.

Booth A72, Hall 3.0Ateg Engineering Ltd. Co.

Tavukçu yolu cad. Ayyıldız sok. No.5 34775 Dudullu Ümraniye, IstanbulTurkey+90 216 4666404 05Fax +90 216 4663649E-mail [email protected] Web site www.ateg.com.tr Ateg produces hot melt adhesive fi lms,

barrier fi lms, and breathable and waterproof membranes, along with mattress protectors and fabrics. Other products include breath-able membranes, barrier fi lms for barrier textile production, and injection automotive parts; hot melt fi lms for hot sticking processes in the textile, shoe, and automotive industries; and mattress protectors coated with TPU membranes for medical use.

Booth C54, Hall 3.1Basofi l Fibers

P.O. Box 1238Enka, NC 28728United States+1 828 667 7327Fax +1 828 667 7918E-mail jennifer.brust@basolfi l.comSole manufacturer of heat- and fl ame-resis-

tant melamine fi bers marketed under the brand Basofi l. A variety of fabrics using Basofi l will be on display for diff erent markets, including woven, knit, and nonwoven fabrics for fi refi ghter apparel and industrial workwear; nonwoven fi ltration felt; woven, knit, matelasse, and non-woven FR mattress fabrics; the yarns that make these fabrics; and end products.

Booth F09, Hall 3.1Albany International Engineered Fabrics Europe

Z.I. Pavillon Axial1, rue Jacquard87202 Saint-Junien France +33 555 719 200Fax +33 555 719 225E-mail [email protected] site www.albint.comDesigns and manufactures woven fabrics,

pin-seamed or endless. Markets include non-woven, pulping, wood panel, fi ltration, textile, food, and other manufacturing processes. Fab-rics are designed for conveying, forming, dry-ing; fi ltering, non-cantilevered positions or not; for embossing, woven coated, heat-resistant, depending upon material, up to 240 °C.

Booth C49, Hall 4.1Asota GmbH

Schachermayerstrasse 224021 LinzAustria+43 732 6985 0Fax +43 732 6985 5526E-mail offi [email protected] site www.asota.com Produces PO staple fi bers for carpets, auto-

motive and technical applications, sun protec-tion, sports surfaces, and textiles. Asota PP, PE, and PA standard and special fi ber types between 1 and 600 dtex off er many applications. Fibers for tufted and woven carpets and needlefelts can be produced with greater UV-stability.

Product groups and 12 different application areas at the show are intended to give visitors a systematic, integrated way to find the infor-mation and suppliers they need quickly. We asked exhibitors at Techtextil Frankfurt to send us information about their products, and their locations at the show, in order to give Review readers an early look at the products and ser-vices being offered this year. Respondents are listed on the following pages; our thanks to ev-eryone who sent us information and images.

For those of you who will be visiting Techtextil this year, please use this special preview to help you plan your visit. For those of you not attending, we hope you’ll use the information listed here to contact these exhibitors directly to get more information. IFAI member compa-nies are identified for your convenience—and we’ll also be exhibiting at the show, in Booth F64, Hall 3.1. Please stop by, say hello, and let us know how the show is going for you.

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http://www.adtech.it


http://www.ateg.com.tr


http://www.albint.com


http://www.asota.com



Booth E01, Hall 3.0Ceam, Northern Milanese Export Consortium

V.le Cadorna 1221052 Busto Arsizio (VA)Italy+39 0331 633 194Fax +39 0331 332 160E-mail [email protected] site www.ceam-group.it CEAM (Northern Milanese Export Consor-

tium) is a group of 23 small- to medium-sized textile companies in an industrial area adjoining Milan, with a turnover that exceeds 350 million Euro a year, and a work force of 1,000 employ-ees. Most production is destined for export. Th e companies include these commodity sectors: spinning (2), weaving (5), dyeing (1), fi nishing (11), fumes cleaning technology (1), sensors and feeding (1), and checking and packing (2).

Booth C85, Hall 3.1Charcoal Cloth International

Rainton Bridge Industrial EstateHoughton-le-SpringTyne and Wear, DH4 5PPUnited Kingdom+44 191 584 6962Fax +44 191 584 6793E-mail [email protected] site www.chemvironcarbon.comA subsidiary of Chemviron Carbon, the

European operations of Calgon Carbon Corp. Manufactures Zorfl ex®, a true textile made of 100-percent activated carbon cloth. Available in knitted, woven, and HF high-fl ow textile forms, Zorfl ex comes in a range of densities and can be laminated, cut, or slit for use in the industries of defense, medical, and industrial markets for ad-sorption, fi ltration, and separation of chemicals in gaseous and liquid applications.

Booth B39, Hall 3.0Citel S.A.

Bosch i Cardellach, 29Sabadell 08202BarcelonaSpain+34 937262977Fax +34 937263588E-mail [email protected] site www.citel.esCitel manufactures technical fabrics for aw-

nings and solar protection units. Docril acrylic fabric off ers solar protection, decoration and privacy. Docril N is a 150cm-wide waterproof canvas with a soft fi nish for easy handling. Conceived primarily for the boat world, it is also popular for wide awnings, and is available in eight marine colors. Galaxy canvas stresses

color solidity, light fi ltration, water repellency, and, at night with only a bit of light, it creates the eff ect of sitting under a starlit sky.

Proud member of IFAI

Booth F60, Hall 3.0Collano Xiro AG

Industriestrasse 18 CH-3185 Schmitten Switzerland+41 26 497 81 11 Fax +41 26 497 81 90 E-mail [email protected], [email protected] site www.collano.com Collano is an internationally active innovation

company that specializes in adhesive systems and binders, and establishes new dimensions in material bonding applications: including single and multilayer adhesive fi lms; one- and two-component reactive adhesives; classic and radia-tion-curable hot-melt adhesives; and water-based adhesive coating systems and binders.

Booth H37, Hall 3.0Comerio Ercole S.p.A.

Via Castellanza, 10021052 Busto Arsizio (VA)Italy+39 0331 488411Fax +39 0331 488421E-mail [email protected] site www.comercole.itFounded in 1885, known globally as a spe-

cialist in designing and manufacturing turnkey plants for rubber production, PVC calendering and nonwovens thermobonding and spun-bonding. Products include hydraulic calenders for nonwovens: thermobonding, embossing, laminating, ultrasonic laminating, gauging and glazing; complete plants for thermobonding and spunbonding technology; pheripherally drilled rolls with smooth and engraved faces and choices of engraving pattern.

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SHOW PREVIEW

Booth F04, Hall 3.0Consultex Systems Inc.

P.O. Box 5751Spartanburg, SC 29304 United States+1 864 579 2900Fax +1 864 579 2942 E-mail [email protected] site www.consultexsystems.comManufactures patented, precision-coating

equipment for the application of water-soluble chemicals. On display is the patented rotor spray applicator with alternating rotor direction technology that allows an unobstructed open-ing for the liquid to proceed to the web, guar-anteeing unsurpassed application uniformity for water-soluble chemicals.

Booth C01, Hall 3.1Cordex SGPS Portugal

Rua da Estrada Nova nº 785

3885-456 EsmorizPortugal+351 256 750 800Fax +351 256 754 900E-mail [email protected] site www.cordex.comManufacturer of ropes, twines, and yarns

made of natural and synthetic fi bers. High-tenacity PP multifi lament yarns and ropes for production of safety nets and demanding ropes and narrow fabrics applications; high-tenacity cord steel for concrete reinforcement

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http://www.citel.es



http://www.collano.com


http://www.comercole.it



http://www.consultexsystems.com


http://www.cordex.com



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SHOW PREVIEWBooth D81, Hall 3.1James Dewhurst Ltd.

Altham Lane, AlthamAccrington, LancashireUnited Kingdom BB5 5YA +44 1282 775311Fax +44 1282 774717E-mail [email protected] site www.jamesdewhurst.comDewhurst is an established manufacturer

of a wide range of engineered industrial rein-forcement fabrics to a large variety of world-wide markets. Strong growth in the last 10 years has been the result of a commitment to research and innovation, and considerable in-vestment in forward technology. Manufactur-ing divisions are based in England, the United States and Hungary.

Booth F67, Hall 3.1DS Textile Platform

Industrieterrein Hoogveld 909200 DendermondeBelgium+32 52 25 83 51Fax +32 52 25 83 66E-mail [email protected] site www.dstextileplatform.comProduces technical nonwovens of PP, PES,

RPET, PLA, or blends with glass fi ber. Th ree production lines include one for PP products, one for PES nonwovens, and one for impregnated or structures or laminated felts. Products include geotextiles; nonwovens for the automotive and building markets; biodegradable nonwovens made of PLA for agro- and horticultural appli-cations; secondary backings; and specifi c tailor-made nonwovens for industrial applications.

Booth B03, Hall 3.0Fleissner GmbH

Wolfsgartenstr. 6D-63329 EgelsbachGermany+49 6103 401-321Fax +49 6103 401-440E-mail berck@fl eissner.deWeb site www.fl eissner.deOff ering production programs and new

applications for new products in all fi elds of technical textiles and nonwovens. Fleissner manufactures equipment for agrotextiles, architecture, clothing, geotextiles, medical, transportation, packaging, sports, and safety and protective products. A leading supplier of production lines for synthetic staple fi bers, with capacities from 2.5 to/day to 300 to/day.

Booth D19, Hall 3.0Forsström High Frequency AB

Datavägen 3, 453 38 LysekilSweden+46 523 666600Fax +46 523 666666E-mail [email protected] site www.forsstrom.comForsström develops, produces, and markets

machines for welding fl exible PVC and PU ma-terial using advanced high frequency (HF). Ex-hibiting a traveling high (radio) frequency weld-ing machine TDW 800 with 5-meter magnet table for easy fastening of material, and equipped with all available options, such as band holder, oil-tempered sealing bar holder and laser lines.


Booth E68, Hall 3.1Frenzelit North America Inc.

4401 Shallowford Rd., 162-199Roswell, GA 30075United States+1 770 993 6428Fax +1 770 993 9366E-mail [email protected] site www.frenzelit.netFrenzelit is a 125+-year-old manufacturer of

industrial technical textiles, expansion joints, and specialty gaskets. Fabrics, tapes, braids, cords, packings, and more are manufactured in all sizes and shapes. Also makes nonwoven needle mat insulation materials (ceramic alternatives) such as fi berglass and silica, roll goods, and precision cut parts. Products include acoustical fabrics and GT silencer pillows, insulation materials, and heat-shielding products.

Booth E42, Hall 4.1Haute Technologie S.p.A.

Via Monte Bianco, 4313882 Cerrione, BiellaItaly+39 015 671342Fax +39 015 671941E-mail [email protected] site www.hautechnologie.comCompany specializes in the design and

production of yarns, fabrics, and felts from high-performance fi bers for manufacturing technological products for: clothing, interior decoration, fi ltering, chemistry, military, sports, clutches, brakes, anti-vandalism, fi re and ac-cident prevention. Production line is a complete cycle system composed of: carding; combing; spinning; twisting; fl ock, top and package dye-ing; weaving; fabric fi nishing; and photo.

Booth C64, Hall 3.0Herculite Products Inc.

P.O. Box 435Emigsville, PA 17318United States+1 717 764 1192Fax +1 717 764 5211 E-mail [email protected] Web site www.herculite.com Herculite has produced fi lm and fabric tech-

nical textiles for more than 50 years. Manufac-tures specialty laminated fabrics in widths of up to 250 cm for a variety of commercial applica-tions, including agriculture, awnings, banners, canopies, covers, graphics, healthcare, marine, tents, outdoor structures, recreational products and window shades.





http://www.jamesdewhurst.com


http://www.dstextileplatform.com

http://www.fl


http://www.forsstrom.com


http://www.frenzelit.net


http://www.hautechnologie.com


http://www.herculite.com


SHOW PREVIEWBooth B75, Hall 3.0Julius Heywinkel GmbH

Heywinkelstrase 149565 BramscheGermany+49 5468 778 0Fax +49 5468 778 119E-mail [email protected] site www.heytex.comWeavers and coaters of technical textiles.

Under the trade name heytex®, Heywinkel off ers a range of coated fabrics for many technical ap-plications. At Techtextil, Heywinkel showcases heytex coated fabrics for bellows, infl atable boats, military, agricultural and automotive applica-tions; for large-format advertising, conveyor belts, architectural structures, pool liners, oil booms, and many other applications.


Booth C51, Hall 3.0Holtex GmbH

Holterstrasse 200D -33758 Schloss Holte-StukenbrockGermany+49 5207 999 150Fax +49 5207 999 100E-mail [email protected] site www.hol-tex.deHoltex specializes in the commission fi nish-

ing of technical textiles in its main production line, which includes camoufl age printing and coating for combat clothing and technical accessories (backpacks, protective covers for bulletproof vests) for many European armed forces. Printing methods include pigment, VAT, dispersion, and acid in widths up to 280 cm and coating widths up to 300 cm.

Booth F01, Hall 3.0Imatep S.A.

Grand-Rue 49/50 in CH-1700 FribourgSwitzerland+41 26 323 11 66Fax +41 26 323 21 23E-mail [email protected] site www.imatep.comDevelops, constructs and produces coating

and laminating machinery and installations for technical textiles. Exhibiting a model of a com-plete installation; a scatter-coating head; and a rotary nozzle coating head. Installations for technical textiles are in modular construction with one or more identical or diff erent adhesive application systems in one installation, a Euro-pean patented concept.

Booth H62, Hall 3.1Jumbo-Textil GmbH & Co. KG

Wittener Strasse 222D-42279 WuppertalGermany+49 202 6488 0Fax +49 202 6488 100E-mail [email protected] site www.jumbo-textil.deFounded in 1909, Jumbo has developed

into a specialist for functional, reinforcement and joining solutions with narrow textiles such as cords, bands, and braids. Jumbo supplies electrically conductive elastic textiles, entire components, and net systems in which textiles combined with metal or plastic elements must fulfi ll a precisely-designed function.

Booth J12, Hall 3.1 Juta A.S.

Dukelska 417, 544 15 Dvur Kralove n.L. Czech Republic+420 499 314 211Fax +420 499 314 211266 E-mail [email protected] site www.juta.czJuta manufactures of wide range of PE and

PP products: nonwoven and woven geotextiles, geomembranes, roofi ng membranes, ground cover, big bags, nets, and products for the auto-motive industry and gardening.

Booth E92, Hall 4.1Kamenny Vek Advanced Basalt Fiber & Products

28 V Tverskaya Street141980 Dubna, Moscow Region Russian Federation+7 496 2123370Fax +7 496 2125051E-mail info@basfi ber.comWeb site www.basfi ber.comManufactures high-quality basalt continuous

fi ber and products. Basalt fi bers show 15 to 20 percent higher tensile strength and modulus, extended operating temperature range, better chemical resistance, and more environmental friendliness than regular E glass, all in one mate-rial. Off ers a wide range of basalt rovings, fabrics, and geotextiles, and introduces a new product: twisted yarn for technical textiles. w

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Booth F04, Hall 3.1Khosla Profi l Pvt. Ltd.

2, Laxmi Towers, 8th Floor, ‘B’ WingBandra Kurla ComplexBandra EastMumbai-400051India+91 22 30613061 Fax +91 22 30613062E-mail [email protected] Web site www.puritytex.comManufactures and exports industrial, techni-

cal, and fi ltration fabrics. Products include belt-ing fabrics; canvas and ducks in greige, dyed, and fi nished; impression, liner, and fi lter fabrics; and made-ups. Fabrics made from diff erent types of high CSP yarns are available in plain, twill, matty, ripstop, and customized weaves, in widths to 3.6 m, jointless rolls to 2000 m, and weights to 3000 gms/sq meters.


Booth E06, Hall 3.0Klieverik

Edisonstraat 87575 AT OldenzaalTh e Netherlands+31 541 511155Fax +31 541 520545E-mail [email protected] site www.klieverik.comKlieverik shows its demo belt calender MLC

1000, demonstrating new technical develop-ments in coating with a variety of hot melts on diff erent types of substrates: thermobonding and laminating of nonwovens; laminating of all kinds of substrates with several hot melts in diff erent forms as webs, fi lms/foils and powder; printing on textiles by means of a transfer pro-cess, and also suitable for printing on cotton; fusing of carpet, replacing latex primary backing into pre-coat.



http://www.heytex.com


http://www.hol-tex.de


http://www.imatep.com


http://www.jumbo-textil.de


http://www.juta.cz

http://www.basfiber.com



http://www.puritytex.com


http://www.klieverik.com



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SHOW PREVIEWBooth H39, Hall 3.0Krelus AG

Im Wechsel 23CH-5042 HirschthalSwitzerland+41 62 739 3070Fax +41 62 739 3089,E-mail [email protected] site www.krelus.chFor 30 years, Krelus has produced custom-

made, energy-saving infrared heater systems for a wide range of applications, including thermo-forming; textile, fi lm, paper and foil coating; embossing calenders; laminating machines; and pre-drying and heating equipment. Krelus’ made-to-measure IR infrared heaters with three stan-dard models in sizes 248x248 mm, 123x496 mm and 123x248 mm, allow individually-controlled radiation zones to be constructed in any size.

Booth F46, Hall 3.1Walter Kremmin GmbH & Co. K-G

Mechanische Netzfabrik Ammerländer Heerstrasse 189-207D-26129 OldenburgGermany+49 441 361 8050Fax +49 441 777 388E-mail [email protected] site www.kremmin.netKremmin manufactures nets, braided cords

and ropes, and twines for fi shing, technical, and military applications and the food industry. At the booth of “Th e Red Spider,” Kremmin exhib-its a variety of products, including camoufl age, base nets, and high-tenacity braids, along with high-quality twines for the food industry and industrial sewing applications.

Booth H20, Hall 20Krüss GmbH

Wissenschaftliche LaborgeräteDipl.-Ing. Li XiBorsteler Chaussee 85-99a22453 HamburgGermany+49 40 514401 30Fax +49 40 51440 98E-mail [email protected] site www.kruss.deKrüss produces tensiometer and contact angle

measuring systems, including a system for mea-suring the wettability of single fi bers with fully automatic sample changing. Th e device features fully automatic wetting measurement series on single fi bers; Tensiometer with highly sensitive force sensor; automatic sample changing for up to 50 fi bers; comfortable evaluation and data management; and automatic determination of the wetted length of each individual fi ber.

Booth B02, Hall 3.0KSL Keilmann Sondermaschinenbau GmbH

Dipl.-Ing.(FH) Heide GommelBensheimer Strasse 101D-64653 LorschGermany+49 6251 9620-0Fax +49 6251 9620-26E-mail [email protected] site www.ksl-lorsch.deKSL manufactures an innovative stitching

system and automation techniques for process-ing technical textiles. Th e company produces customized units for the airbag, automotive, composites, textile fi lter technique, mattress and safety engineering industries, and manufac-tures high-tech sewing systems for 2D-/3D-as-sembly procedures.

Booth A31, Hall 3.0Laroche S.A.

PO Box. 21F-69470 Cours la VilleFrance+33 4 74 89 84 85Fax +33 4 74 89 86 56E-mail [email protected] site www.laroche.fr Laroche provides a full range of engineer-

ing, development, and support services for

turnkey projects. Lines and processes in-

clude mattress mats, automotive felts, health

care, geotextiles, carpet, building, fi lters,

wipes, and upholstery. The new Laroche

Airlay/needleloom/thermobonding line fea-

tures the Laroche Airlay feeding an A50R

Asselin needleloom, followed by the new

Strahm HiPer™Therm oven.

Booth F45, Hall 3.0Stefano Mardegan S.r.l.

Via Arona, 620149 Milano Italy+39 02 34538689Fax +39 02 34936252E-mail [email protected] site www.mardegan.com A technical textiles distributor, Mardegan of-

fers PU-coated, weldable FR fabrics on polyester and nylon; gold and aluminum lamination; polyester for digital and transfer printing; FR coating class 1 with certifi cate for advertising infl atables; PU and PVC artifi cial leather for upholstery; tarpaulin one-side PVC-coated poly-ester, UV resistant for marine coverings; Cordura fabrics; camoufl age printings on Cordura fabrics; and seawater-resistant coatings on nylon and polyester fabrics.

Booth A92, Hall 4.1Marduel S.A.

193 rue de la Quarantaine -BP60- 69652 Villafranche Sur Saone Cedex France+33 4 74 68 10 06Fax +33 4 74 62 18 33E-mail [email protected] site www.marduel.frTransformation of synthetic yarns for indus-

trial applications (polyamide, polyester, ara-mids). Also performs twisting, where the yarn is twisted on itself to provide the best cohesion of the fi laments; and spooling, where the yarn is spooled on specifi c supports adapted to the customer’s production equipment.

Booth H28, Hall 3.1MBG Techbelt Innovation GmbH

Kirchenlamitzer Strasse 100D-95213 Münchberg/Ofr.Germany+49 9251 947176Fax +49 9251 947171E-mail [email protected] site www.mbg-techbelt.deProduces webbings for the automotive indus-

try; lashings, liftings, and safety harnesses. Spe-cializes in manufacturing many kinds of techni-cal belts and straps. Webbings for automotive uses, personal protective equipment against falls, lifting and lashing purposes, and child safety.

Booth F89, Hall 3.1 Mehler Texnologies GmbH

Rheinstrasse 1141836 HüeckelhovenGermany+49 2433 459 0Fax +49 2433 456 151E-mail [email protected] site www.mehler-texnologies.comManufactures and supplies coated fabrics

under the brands Valmex®, Polymar®, and Airtex®. Mehler exhibits its technical textiles in eight application sections: textile structure, sun protection, tarpaulins (for trucks and other ap-plications), print (fabrics for large-format screen and digital printing), camping and sports, boat and pool, industry and environment.





http://www.krelus.ch


http://www.kremmin.net


http://www.kruss.de


http://www.ksl-lorsch.de


http://www.laroche.fr


http://www.mardegan.com


http://www.marduel.fr


http://www.mbg-techbelt.de


http://www.mehler-texnologies.com


SHOW PREVIEW

Booth D15, Hall 3.0Miller Weldmaster

4220 Alabama Ave. Navarre, OH 44662United States+1 330 833 6739Fax +1 330 837 2828E-mail [email protected] site www.weldmaster.comManufactures a variety of rotary hot wedge

and hot air welding machines. From acrylics to PVC, the standard line includes infl atable boats, awnings, signs, billboards, fl exible hose, tents, tarps, and geo liners. Miller’s custom-engineered equipment is designed and built to customer specifi cations.


Booth C19, Hall 3.1Artur Mönch GmbH & Co. KG

Dieselstrasse 4D-42389 WuppertalGermany+49 202 260700Fax +49 202 2607060E-mail [email protected] site www.moench-elastic.deMaterials include narrow woven and nar-

row warp-knitted fabrics; elastic and nonelas-tic; yard goods and customized cuttings and sewings; fi nishing; coating/laminating, even with silicones; water repellent; printing; and combining. Products include compression stockings, anti-embolism stockings, bandages, buttonhole tapes, transport belts, antistatic belts and elastic fastenings.

Booth B58, Hall 3.0Mondi Packaging Coating & Release

Mondi Belcoat N.V. A. Stocletlaan 11

2570 Duff elBelgium+32 15 300 300Fax +32 15 300 280E-mail [email protected] site www.mondipackaging.comHigh-performing, tailor-made, extrusion-

coated and laminated materials for the auto-motive, building and imaging industries, and for high-tech applications such as protective clothing and hygiene. Mondi off ers a specifi c carrier membrane with explicit strength char-acteristics and antislip properties as a support for artifi cial grass.

Booth B28, Hall 3.0Monti Antonio S.P.A.

Via dell’Eletrtronica 536016 Th iene (vi)Italy+39 445 364619Fax +39 445 364033E-mail [email protected] site www.montiantonio.comProducer of textile machines with more

than 45 years of technical experience. Prod-ucts include fi nishing machines and presses; fi rst pressing continuous machines; separation automatic machines; compactors and fi nish-ing calenders; sublimation printing presses; sublimation printing calenders for continuous fabrics; thermobonding/plastifi cation/gold lamination calendars; and steam boilers.

Booth D18, Hall 3.0Multi-Plot Europe GmbH

Industriestrasse 134308 Bad EmstalGermany+49 5624 92552 8Fax +49 5624 5624/92552 44E-mail [email protected] site www.multiplot.deMulti-Plot specializes in and is a dealer

for digital textile printing solutions with the newest printers for sublimation and direct printing, heating transfer machines, paper, inks and suitable accessories. Banners, fl ags, towels, advertising tools, or cloth in small and large formats are only a small selection of media available. Printers and systems on display include d.gen Teleios, Roland, FixJet, and HeatJet.

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Booth B59, Hall 3.0Narricot Industries LP

Suite C-150, 928 Jaymor Rd.Southampton, PA 18966United States+1 215 322 3900Fax +1 215 322 3905E-mail [email protected] site www.narricot.com Narricot is the leading manufacturer of

woven narrow fabrics in North America and produces highly engineered safety-related webbing for various industrial end-use ap-plications. Product applications for mil-spec webbing include military backpacks, molly bags, outer tactical vests, parachute packs, duffl e bags, slotted cargo nets, and rifl e straps. Safety-related applications include webbing for fall protection, climbing, and hydraulic hose covering.


Booth B57, Hall 3.1NC State University College of Textiles

Box 8301, 2401 Research DriveRaleigh, NC 27695-8301United States+1 919 515 6500 Fax +1 919 515 3057 Web site www.tx.ncsu.edu Off ering more than 100 years of teaching,

research, and extension experience, North Car-olina State University off ers four bachelor de-grees, four graduate degrees, and two doctoral degrees. Research areas include nonwovens, medical textiles, protective clothing, nanotex-tiles, smart textiles and transportation textiles. Distance education and short courses include Six Sigma, undergraduate and graduate educa-tion, and a graduate certifi cate in nonwovens.

Booth B15, Hall 3.0NSC nonwoven

191 rue des Cinq Voies P.O. Box 363 59363 Tourcoing Cedex France +33 3 20 11 64 64 Fax +33 3 20 24 19 33 E-mail [email protected] Web site www.nsc.frDesigns, builds, and supplies turnkey non-

woven lines for spunlacing, needlepunching, and thermobonding. Th e lines are equipped with a supervisory control assistance system that includes production recipes, maintenance, and assistance to line management. Worldwide sup-plier of Excelle® cards, crosslappers, ProDyn®, drafters, needlelooms, winders, and slitters-rewinders, with support for new and existing equipment.



http://www.weldmaster.com


http://www.moench-elastic.de


http://www.mondipackaging.com


http://www.montiantonio.com


http://www.multiplot.de



http://www.narricot.com

http://www.tx.ncsu.edu


http://www.nsc.fr


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SHOW PREVIEWBooth F61, Hall 3.0Oy Scantarp Ab

PL 1766 FIN-70421 KuopioFinland+358 17 2881188Fax +358 17 4651762E-mail [email protected] Web site www.scantarp.fi Coater of industrial fabrics. Make-up

of tarpaulins and hall covers, calender-coated knitted and woven polyester and polyamide fabrics, PVC and PVC/PU blend coated fabrics. Also off ers coated fabrics for oil booms, struc-tures, biogas plants, cow shed windbreakers, boat covers, tents and air domes.

Booth G11, Hall 3.0Pierret Industries SPRL

rue du Sommet, 32

B-6838 CorbionBelgium+32 61 46 51 00 Fax +32 61 46 62 63 E-mail [email protected] Web site www.pierret.com Pierret is a leader in feeding and cutting

equipment for the textile and plastics industries. Exhibiting the G28R1 cutter, dedicated to the cutting of glass, aramid, and carbon fi bers.

Booth H59, Hall 3.0Protan AS

P.O. Box 420 BrakeroyaNO 3002 DrammenNorway+47 3222 1600Fax +47 3222 1700E-mail [email protected] site www.protan.comEstablished in 1939, with 700 employees and

revenues of 110 million Euros in 2006, Protan

is a leading producer of PVC-coated techni-cal textiles, ventilation ducting, and roofi ng membranes, off ering extensive factory welding capability and capacity from specialized facilities in Norway, Sweden, and Poland. Protan pro-duces and factory-welds PVC-coated textiles to customer specifi cations such as temporary build-ings, halls, hangars, reservoirs, tanks, and liners.


Booth E35, Hall 3.1 Resintex Industriale S.r.l

Galleria Buenos Aires, 16 20124 Milano Italy+39 02294 01672Fax +39 02294 05143E-mail [email protected] site www.resintex.comManufactures dry laid—chemical bonded,

needle punched, laminated—nonwovens for composites, medical, clothing, fi lters, and automotive applications. Exhibiting all its nonwovens, especially the chemical bondeds for technical use; the range of needlefelts for composites; the broad range of products for the clothing industry; and a range of nonwovens for medical applications, includ-ing recently developed products with silver and aluminum.

Booth G61, Hall 3.1Rex Industrie-Produkte

Graf von Rex GmbHGrossaltdorfer Strasse 59D-74541 VellbergGermany+49 79 07 96 20 0Fax +49 79 07 96 20 80E-mail [email protected] site www.rex-industrie-produkte.deProduces and sells technical textiles for

insulation and heat protection, insulation materials against fi re and heat, and fi re-pro-tection products for building construction. Products include technical yarns, textiles for heat protective clothing; glass fabrics for insulation of all kinds; noncombustible insu-lation foam, felt, board, joint fi lling systems for building construction; and friction and sliding materials for industrial applications.

Booth D06, Hall 3.0S-Line AG

WildischachenCH-5200 BruggSwitzerland+41 56 460 67 50Fax +41 56 460 67 51E-mail [email protected] site www.sline.chS-Line AG is a young company working in

coating and laminating plants for production textile and non-textile function-laminates for industries like automobile, clothing, protec-tive clothing, hygiene, home textiles, shoe and luggage goods, building textiles and compos-ites. Th e company’s technical center is at the disposal of its customers for feasibility and test productions.

Booth B61, Hall 3.0Safety Components International

40 Emery St.

Greenville, SC 29605United States+1 864 240 2689Fax +1 864 240 2660E-mail [email protected] site www.safetycomponents.comA leader in technical textiles and automo-

tive air bag fabrication, with facilities in the U.S., Mexico, Germany, Romania, China, and South Africa, SCI manufactures products for the following industries: airbag, protective apparel, military and ballistic armor, aero-space, composite, fi ltration, and outdoor ap-plications. Globally positioned to service any regional requirement.





http://www.scantarp.fi


http://www.pierret.com


http://www.protan.com


http://www.resintex.com


http://www.rex-industrie-produkte.de


http://www.sline.ch


http://www.safetycomponents.com


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SHOW PREVIEWBooth A61, Hall 3.1Sati Grupo Textil

Ctra de Ribes s/n08530 La Garriga, Barcelona Spain+34 938642542Fax +34 938642545E-mail [email protected] site www.satitech.comSati Grupo Textil has produced technical

textiles for more than 40 years, with a struc-ture that allows a strong potential to develop new custom-made fabrics. Products include fi ltration fabrics and fi lter media for liquid and dust fi ltration, cleanroom fabrics, perma-nent antibacterial textiles and barrier medical textiles, and mesh monofi lament fabrics for fi ltration and leather.


Booth A59, Hall 3.0Sauleda S.A.

Traversera de las Corts, 10208028 BarcelonaSpain+34 93 339 71 50Fax +34 93 411 12 90E-mail [email protected] site www.sauleda.comSauleda, founded in 1897, manufactures

acrylic awning, marine, and PVC/polyester fabrics. It is a totally vertical company, with its own spinning mill and weaving and fi n-ishing plants, exporting fabrics worldwide. Sauleda designs fabrics with extremely high durability and resistance with an extensive range of polyester textiles covered with PVC, polyurethanes, and acrylic resins for diff erent applications.


Booth J47, Hall 3.0SCC Solutions for Coating & Composites

Ziegelhuette 1379793 WutoeschingenGermany+49 7746 927 348Fax +49 7746 927 349E-mail [email protected] site www.scc-europe.deSCC develops, produces, and sells coated

fabrics and foils, and does surface treatment, consulting, and project management for in-dustry and construction. SCC presents its new fl uoropolymer foils for construction and solar technology that are IR-refl ecting and UV-blocking, along with new sealing (for anti-graffi ti, for example) and corrosion protection material for industry and construction.

Booth B18, Hall 4.1Schappe Techniques

BP 8901800 CharnozFrance+33 4 74 46 31 00E-mail [email protected] site www.schappe.comSchappe is a French spinning company

that off ers a wide range of technical yarns for knitting, weaving, braiding, and sewing applications for individual protection, anti-static, packing, composites, reinforcement, and the glass industry markets. Products in-clude cut-resistant yarns for protective gloves, heat-resistant yarns for fi re-fi ghters turnout gear, bulletproof jackets, welders’ garments, and technical sewing threads for protective garment manufacturing.

Booth A22, Hall 4.1Schoeller GmbH & Co. KG

Mariahilfstrasse 296900 BregenzAustria+43 5574 609 0+43 5574 609 1306E-mail [email protected] site www.schoeller-wool.comA specialist in spinning of high-perfor-

mance long-staple fi ber and hybrid yarns.

Booth C11, Hall 3.1Schoeller Technologies AG

Bahnhofstrasse 17CH-9475 SevelenSwitzerland+41 81 786 09 50Fax +41 81 786 09 51E-mail [email protected] site www.3xdry.com Schoeller Technologies AG Switzerland

is a globally active licensing company for innovative textile technologies, including 3XDRY®, an Advanced Moisture Manage-ment Treatment that unifi es two technologies on a single layered textile. Th e textile outside is water- and dirt-repellent (hydrophobic), while the same textile inside absorbs moisture and distributes it over a large surface area (hy-drophilic).

Booth F42, Hall 3.1Sedatex S.A.

Avila 126-13808018 BarcelonaSpain+34 933440932Fax +34 933440930E-mail [email protected] site www.sedatex.esSedatex is a textile company with vertical

process: warping, weaving, dyeing, printing and fi nishing, specializing in the production of woven fabrics made of synthetic materials for: military, printing camoufl age with IRR, sleeping bags, and garments; aeronautical fabrics for balloons, parachutes, kites, para-gliding, sails; medical, fabrics with carbon for operating theaters, sanitary plasters, drapes, gowns; and industrial, for isolation, electrical, adhesion, and labeling.




http://www.satitech.com


http://www.sauleda.com


http://www.scc-europe.de


http://www.schappe.com


http://www.schoeller-wool.com


http://www.3xdry.com


http://www.sedatex.es


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SHOW PREVIEWBooth C21, Hall 3.0MRS Seitter GmbH

Kirchheimer Strasse 27D-73271 HolzmadenGermany+49 7023 6057Fax +49 7023 71862E-mail [email protected] site www.mrs-seitter-gmbh.comSeitter has distributed and serviced perme-

ation measuring instruments for more than 30 years, off ering consultation, sales, and techni-cal support, including special applications for icustomers. Also distributes test systems for paper, plastic, and textiles. Th e GraviT-est Model 6300 can determine water vapor transmission rate simultaneously on six or 12 samples, and resealable specimen holders with an integrated seal make wax sealing of the samples redundant.

Booth G34, Hall 4.1Setila S.A.

220 avenue des AureatsP.O. Box BP 1452F-26014 Valence CedexFrance+33 475 57 60 00Fax +33 475 57 44 61E-mail [email protected] site www.setila.comManufactures and distributes polyester

continuous fi lament yarn, medium- and high-tenacity yarns for all textile and indus-trial end uses. Off ers a wide range of polyes-ter yarns in fi ne and coarse counts, from 18 to 660 dtex. Major branded products include Setila HT (for top quality sail clothes), Pon-tella (for corporate wear and protection gar-ments), and Tergal FR (for fl ame-retardant upholstery fabrics).

Booth E38, Hall 4.1Spin Tech International s.r.l.

Via Calamandrei51031 Agliana (PT) Italy+39 0574 072190Fax +39 0574 072194E-mail [email protected] site www.spintech-online.com Produces spun yarns and fabrics for protec-

tion apparel, including antistatic solutions, industrial fi re blocking, composites and braided packings. Yarns and fabrics include the following range of fi bers: para- and meta-aramid, PBI, PBO, O-PAN, UHMWPE, FR rayon and metals.

Booth H95, Hall 3.1SSM Industries Inc.

211 Ellis Ave., P.O. Box 602 Spring City, TN 37381United States+1 423 365 4048 Fax +1 423 365 4461 E-mail [email protected] Web site www.ssmInd.com Fabric for protective apparel in the military,

automotive racing, fi re/rescue, bedding and industrial markets. Displaying examples of products made from Nomex®. Kevlar®, ProC™, and ProFil™, a new patent-pending fabric. Also on display are military gloves, au-tomotive racing suits, turnout gear, T-shirts and sweatshirts.


Booth F02, Hall 3.0Sultex Ltd.

Joweid Zentrum 3 CH-8630 Ruti ZHSwitzerland +41 55 250 21 21Fax +41 55 250 21 01 E-mail [email protected] Web site www.sultex.comTh e three-weft insertion systems developed

under the Sulzer brand name—projectile, rapier, and air-jet—include: Sulzer Textil Projectile weaving machine P7300HP; Sulzer Textil Rapier weaving machine G6500; Sulzer Textil Air-Jet weaving machine L5500; and Sulzer’s Customized Weaving Technology (CWT), which provides tailor-made solutions for the production of heavy and exceptionally wide fabrics.

Booth J18, Hall 3.0Suzutora Corp.

36, Hama-choGamagori-CityAichi 443-8623Japan+81 533 68 4666Fax +81 533 68 0108E-mail [email protected] Web site www.suzutora.co.jp/MASABusiness activities are dyeing, fi nishing,

interior design retailing, nanometal coating, and technology for PVD coating onto fi ber. Products of Masa™ are fi ber sheets coated with a superior nanoscale metal fi lm that include textiles, knitted materials, nonwoven fabrics, and other types of sheets. With this thin, uniform metal coating, it is possible to cre-ate highly functional fi bers that have various added values.

Booth C72, Hall 3.1TEBO A.S.

Hradecka 295378 42 Nova VcelniceCzech Republic+420 384358202Fax +420 384358109E-mail [email protected] site www.tebo.cz Produces and exports special technical tex-

tiles for sports equipments, shoes, rucksacks, haberdashery, orthopedics, protection, and fi ltration. Product line includes woven knit-works, plushes made of polyamid, polyester with special applications. Lamination with fl ame (PU/PE foams) or with glue.




http://www.mrs-seitter-gmbh.com


http://www.setila.com


http://www.spintech-online.com


http://www.ssmInd.com


http://www.sultex.com


http://www.suzutora.co.jp/MASA


http://www.tebo.cz

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31I n d u s t r i a l F a b r i c P r o d u c t s R e v i e w M AY 2 0 0 7

Booth A69, Hall 4.1Technofi lati S.r.l.

Via Bergamo, 42 24030 Medolago (BG)Italy+39 035 6198227Fax +39 035 901796E-mail sales@tecnofi lati.itWeb site www.resitex.itTechnofi lati was founded in 1995 for the

production of high-tech yarns, primarily used for protective clothing and for sport and safety apparel. Resistex® Conductive Yarns is brand name line of innovative high-tech yarns con-taining percentages of steel, carbon, copper and silver distributed by Technofi lati.

Booth B68, Hall 4.1TFG Thüringer Filamente GmbH

Breitscheidstrasse 13507407 RudolstadtGermany+49 36 72 31 31 29Fax +49 36 72 31 32 68E-mail [email protected] Web site www.tfg-rudolstadt.com TFG is a synthetic fi lament spinning plant

with a technologically-advanced warping department. TFG off ers polyamide 6 mono-fi lament and multifi lament yarn, nylon 6.6 multifi lament yarn, polyamide 6/nylon 6.6 yarn for texturizing purposes, PEN/PET high tenacity yarn, and polyester. Highly qualifi ed specialists react immediately to inquiries and requests for advice on technical matters.

Booth C27, Hall 3.0Valentin Ruis Clapers S.A.

Ctra. Manresa-Solsona, km. 4,2 Polígon Industrial “Pla dels Vinyats”E-08250 Sant Joan de Vilatorrada BarcelonaSpain+34 938 764 422 Fax +34 938 764 149E-mail [email protected] site www.rius-comatex.comEstablished in 1940, Ruis Group off ers a

large and representative line in warping and knitting. Ruis exports to 95 countries world-wide, providing an experienced technical assistance service and covering technical sup-port, training and sales. Continuous research and technological development have led to the following lines: direct and sectional warpers, crochet knitting machines, medical crochet for cords, and circular knitting machines.

Booth J68, Hall 3.1Weitmann & Konrad GmbH & Co. KG

Weko-GroupFriedrich-List-Strasse 20-24 D-70771 L.-EchterdingenGermany+49 711 79 88 106Fax +49 711 79 79 720E-mail [email protected] site www.weko.netCompany has developed, during the last

50 years, into a market leader for applying fl uids accurately and in a minimum amount. A qualifi ed partner in paper processing, coat-ing, package printing and decorative printing. Rotor-moistening technologies produce con-sistent liquid application and are applicable for installation even on machines with high production speeds; systems are operator-friendly and reliable.

Booth 18, Hall 3.0J. Zimmer Maschinenbau GmbH

Ebentaler Strasse 133A-9020 KlagenfurtAustria+43 463 3848 298 Fax +43 463 3848 319203E-mail [email protected] site www.zimmer-austria.comManufactures machinery for coating, lami-

nating, impregnation, dyeing, textile print-ing, and drying. Products include Magnoroll knife-roller screen-coating machines, Vari-opress foam coating device, twin-coat hori-zontal, and twin-coat foam application.

SHOW PREVIEW

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to provide AIA/CES to architects. This Symposium is sponsored by Fabric Architecture magazine and the Lightweight Structures Association, a division of IFAI. It is part of IFAI Expo 2007—www.ifaiexpo.com.

Sustainable Design with Fabric October 2, 2007 • Las Vegaswww.designwithfabric.com

For more information, visit www.designwithfabric.com or call Barbara J. Connett, IFAI, +1 651 225 6914 or [email protected].

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

This symposium offers insights from leading

professionals on sustainable building trends that

use fabric, energy-saving concepts and green

building sources.

Earn AIA/CES credits taught by experts in architecture.

Learn why fabric materials are the best choice for sustainability.

Learn best practices for creating exciting new environments that are durable and smart.

The world-famous Eden Project by Grimshaw Architects.Fabric: ETFE

The Best Choice for Sustainability



http://www.designwithfabric.com

http://www.resitex.it


http://www.tfg-rudolstadt.com


http://www.rius-comatex.com


http://www.weko.net


http://www.zimmer-austria.com



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CONNECTIONS

T

Federal surge brake

rules finalizedThe new ru les e l iminate the guesswork in the select ion of a brak ing system for renta l t ra i lers .

The American Rental Association (ARA) has announced that after more than ten years of struggle, rental businesses can finally declare victory on surge brakes. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in Washington, D.C., announced the publication of final regulations that will allow surge brakes on all small- and medium-sized trailers, even those used in interstate commerce. The new final rules became effective on April 5, 2007.

FMCSA had previously issued guidance and regulatory interpretations that made surge brakes illegal for use in interstate commerce; many states, but not all, followed the FMCSA lead and also outlawed the devices, resulting in a patchwork of inconsis-tent regulations that allowed surge brake use by private individuals while banning the same devices in commercial applications. Rental companies, trailer and boat manufacturers came together to form the Surge Brake Coalition, an ad hoc group, to address and change the FMCSA rules.

“The publication of these final rules is a major victory for the American Rental Association, our members and the Surge Brake Coalition,” said John McClelland, ARA’s vice president for government affairs, who led the coali-tion’s activities for the past four years.

The rules published in the Federal Register have the force of law. The new rules also contain sections that repeal previous FMCSA guidance and inter-pretations that were used to make surge brakes illegal in many situations.

ARA suggests that all rental com-panies that currently have trailers equipped with surge brakes in their inventory read the summary of the regu-lation and keep a copy of the final rule readily available at their businesses, for use with enforcement officials who may not be aware of the new regulations.

The Global Rental AllianceRepresentatives of the Global Rental

Alliance recently held their annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga., during ARA’s Rental Show. The goal of the Alliance is to increase the profile of equipment rental worldwide and to collectively in-crease membership value to the mem-bers of the respective organizations. At the meeting, the group committed to enhancing and further developing The Global Rental Alliance Web site, www.globalrentalalliance.com, to share inter-national news on a consistent basis. The site will be updated with information regarding developments throughout the year. Particular initiatives within the individual countries will be featured on the Web site to support learning within the industry, and for the benefit of their respective members.

Since the initiation of the Alliance in 2003, the working relationship of the respective associations has continued to strengthen with increased focus on common issues: equipment theft and recovery (the first priority), workforce development/rental careers, legisla-tive/regulatory issues, and education and insurance concerns that directly affect their membership.

The Global Rental Alliance (www.globalrentalalliance.com) consists of six independent equipment rental trade associations that have joined to-gether to increase the understanding and concept of rental worldwide: the Hire Association Europe (HAE), Hire



http://www.globalrentalalliance.com





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www.vidir.com • [email protected]

‘Reach New Heights’with the industry’s finestfabric storage system!

Vidir Carousels are available in many sizes &styles to fit a wide variety of applications.

• Standard height range of 8’ to 24’• Available for rolls up to 36” in diameterand lengths up to 15’

• Available in Heavy Duty version (up to3000 lbs per roll)

Robeco has distributed clear vinyl products for over 45 years. So for all your vinyl needs, turn to the company that has the products and the experience to provide the quality and service you deserve.Turn to Robeco.

Available through your local distributor.Warehouses in Chicago • Tampa • New Jersey • Seattle

We’ve Put Our Imprint on the Vinyl Industry.

• Marine use• Tent Window & Flaps• Recreational Vehicles• Welding Screen Panels

• Climate & Noise Control• Clean Room Components• Warehouse Door Strips

• Fire Resistance Specs• U.V. Inhibitors• Low Cold-Crack• Anti- Static

• Mildew Resistance• Glare-Reducing Tints• Wide Widths

THE BEST IN CLEAR VINYLS FOR:

FEATURING:

“Clearly the Leader”100 RING ROAD WEST, GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK 11530

(516) 248-1521 • (800) 992-1067 • FAX: (516) 248-1524www.robecoinc.com

and Rental Industry Association Ltd., Australia (HRIA); Hire Industry As-sociation of New Zealand (HIANZ); DLR, France; Canadian Rental Asso-ciation (CRA); and American Rental Association (ARA), United States. The Alliance will meet next in February, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Rental Show 2008.

AATCC color management workshop

The American Association of Tex-tile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) is sponsoring a Color Management Workshop June 20–21 at the College of Textiles, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. Intended for merchan-disers, retailers, manufacturers, prod-uct developers, supply chain partners and designers, sessions will cover top-ics such as: color and light, matching and controlling color, engineered color standards, dyeing processes, supplier conformance and an interactive simu-lation of a supply chain for a consumer product. For information, contact Kim Nicholson at +1 919 549 3535, e-mail [email protected].

Pictured (from left) are Graham Arundell, managing director, Hire Association Eu-rope; Carl Newman, chairman, American Rental Association; Peter Lancken, Alliance designee, Hire and Rental Industry Associa-tion Ltd., Australia; Chris Wehrman, CEO, American Rental Association; Terry Douris, chairman, Hire Association Europe; David Caruso, board member, Hire and Rental Industry Association Ltd., Australia; Mandy Maeren, executive director, Canadian Rental Association; Phil Tindle, general manager, Hire Industry Association of New Zealand; and Doug Mitchell, president, Ca-nadian Rental Association.



http://www.vidir.com

http://www.robecoinc.com



SHOWROOM

The air up there

Blankets in the skyEhmke Mfg. Co. Inc., Philadelphia, Pa.

Thermal acoustical blankets were designed, fabricated and installed in the Boeing Ch-47 Chinook, the H-47 Combat Search and Rescue, and the V-22 Osprey Tiltrotor aircraft interiors. The primary function of the blankets is to protect passengers from harsh environmental conditions and deaden the ambient noise generated by engine turbines.

The materials used to construct the blankets are comprised of three layers of quilted fabrics. The facing layer is a nonpo-rous, flame-resistant, vinyl-coated fiberglass. The insulation layer is a 1/2-inch to 1-1/2-inch thick fiberglass batting, and the backing layer is a lightweight elastomer-coated polyvinyl fluoride film. The materials are quilted in a uniform diamond configuration, and trimmings—such as hook and pile tapes, reinforcements, nylon binding tape and hardware fasten-ers—are added to the blanket as attachments to be aligned exactly to the vehicle’s internal airframe.

Approximately 75 blankets, covering a total surface area of 3,000 square feet, were installed in each aircraft. At times, Ehmke was required to provide detailed modifications to the blankets to accommodate sophisticated telemetry or avionics upgrades. As a result, the company has designed, fabricated and installed over 400 variations of thermal acoustical blankets.

Prime cockpit protectionClanton’s Quality Awning Co., Dallas, Texas

This custom-fitted cover for a Bel-lanca aircraft cockpit was manufac-tured and designed to block sun and heat out of the cockpit and to keep the instrument panel cool, while also providing windshield protection dur-ing colder weather. The cover fea-tures winglets that were added to pro-tect the wood under the fabric wings where they attach to the body of the aircraft. The antennas, air probe, and handle are all pocketed, a unique fea-ture. A zippered door over the cargo compartment provides easy access to the craft’s interior.w

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These aerodynamic pro jects focus on aerospace—the fabr icat ion for f l ight—from the f r iendly sk ies to the “f ina l f ront ier” of deep space.

Clan

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ality

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Co.

Ehmke Mfg. Co.




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Filling the gapsAR Tech Div. of A & R Tarpaulins Inc., Fontana, Calif.

High-temperature gap fillers are used on space launch vehicles to provide protec-tion for sensitive equipment during launch. Temperatures can reach more than 2,700 degrees F. in areas in which this protection is required. The fabrication demands signifi-cant skill to ensure the stability of both the ceramic fabric and the sewing process.

AR Tech

Balloon upAerostar InternationalSioux Falls, S.D.

High altitude balloons are used in the study of the ozone layer at both the northern and southern polar regions to monitor the chemical mechanisms responsible for ozone hole formation. NASA uses Aerostar balloons for very high altitude wind profile soundings. As the balloon ascends, the lifting gas inside–usually helium–expands to in-flate the rest of the balloon. The bal-loon materials do not experience any appreciable stress until the balloon is fully inflated at its peak altitude.

The materials used to construct mod-ern scientific balloons consist of plastic film and fiber tapes. The plastic film makes up the shell of the balloon while the polyester fiber load tapes provide the strength in the structure, allowing it to carry heavy loads.

The polyethylene plastic films range in thickness, the most common thick-ness being about the same as a sand-wich bag. To fabricate the balloons, layers of film are laid out on a pattern on tables up to 213 meters long. The edges of the sheets are sealed together using a specially designed, proprietary heat sealer.

NASA



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EXPO WATCH

Lucky 13:in-depth educational opportunities focus on growthAt IFAI Expo 2007 , specia l symposiums wi l l cover text i les that are smart , sporty, and protect ive ; des ign workshops that work wonders ; and n iche markets that of fer greater prof i t margins for your business.

New product developers, engineers, textile specialists and the regulatory community will discuss emerging materials and tested strategies for pro-ducing the high-performance, super-functional products of the future.

Smart E-Textiles Symposium

Wednesday, Oct. 3Sports Gear Innovations

Thursday, Oct. 4Battlefield Textiles:

A Global Perspective

Thursday, Oct. 4

Focus on designUnique, market-specific workshops

will offer an opportunity for archi-tects, graphic and interior designers and upholsterers to meet and network with experienced fabric manufac-turers, gaining fresh ideas to boost business with cutting-edge materials and equipment.

Sustainable Design with Fabric

(www.designwithfabrics.com)

Pre-show

Tuesday, Oct. 2Design Software Workshop

Wednesday, Oct. 3Fabric Welding Technologies

Thursday, Oct. 4Upholstery Done Right! Workshop

Friday, Oct. 5Choose Fabric Graphics Symposium

Friday, Oct. 5

Niche market strategiesReview new ideas and business strate-

gies on how to make the most of popu-lar niche market opportunities.

GovBiz 101

Wednesday, Oct. 3Awnings:

New Strategies and Solutions

Wednesday, Oct. 3Bold Solutions for Today’s Tents

Thursday, Oct. 4Load Covers and Cargo

Restraint Systems

Thursday, Oct. 4Emerging Marketing Strategies

for Creating Buzz and Excitement

Friday, Oct. 5For information, visit www.ifaiexpo.

com, or contact show management at +1 651 222 2508, fax +1 651 631 9334, e-mail [email protected].

TThe newest technology in “smart fabrics” that deliver the best performance; the most up-to-the-minute fabrics available in sports gear and accessories; how software design, welding techniques and upholstery tips and tricks can transform your profit margin: just some of the 13 innovative symposiums and workshops planned for this year’s IFAI Expo, the largest annual specialty fabrics event in the Americas.

More than 8,000 specialty fabrics professionals will meet to address growing con-sumer demands and breakthrough material advances, sharing cutting-edge ideas and strategies for advancing the production of specialty fabrics worldwide. Mem-bers of the supply-and-demand chain, from fiber to end-product manufacturing, will discuss emerging market issues while getting connected with the most current, cutting-edge products on the market.

After class, in the exhibit hall, you’ll see the fabrics and equipment up close, and talk with the fabric experts that can make your business plans a reality.

Going high-tech Three technical symposiums examine accessibility, product development and

growth opportunities for e-textiles, sports gear and military/government textiles.

Cutting-edge designer workshops are just a few of the educational opportunities available to attendees of this year’s IFAI Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Austin-Smith:Lord



http://www.designwithfabrics.com





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October 3–5, 2007 | Las VegasDon’t miss the most important industry event of 2007. See the newest products, breakthrough material advancements, design initiatives, production techniques and marketing strategies. IFAI Expo 2007 gives you face-to-face buying and selling opportunities that you will get nowhere else with more than 450 companies showcasing the latest in existing and emerging technologies in specialty fabrics.

IFAI Expo 2007 also offers information-packed symposiums and workshops featuring the latest design trends, tested practices and award-winning applications incorporating specialty fabrics.

Innovative SymposiumsSmart E-Textile Innovations, Wednesday, Oct. 3Awnings - New Strategies & Solutions, Wednesday, Oct. 3Battlefi eld Textiles - A Global Exchange, Thursday, Oct. 4Smart Sports Gear Innovations, Thursday, Oct. 4Bold Solutions for Today’s Tents, Thursday, Oct. 4Load Covering & Cargo Securement, Thursday, Oct. 4Choose Fabric Graphics - Expand Your Markets, Friday, Oct. 5

Workshops & SeminarsGovernment Biz 101, Wednesday, Oct. 3Design Software Workshop, Wednesday, Oct. 3Advanced Fabric Welding Technologies, Thursday, Oct. 4Upholstery Done Right, Friday, Oct. 5Emerging Marketing Strategies, Friday, Oct. 5

Pre-show Architect’s Symposium

Sustainable Design with Fabric, Tuesday, Oct. 2 (www.designwithfabric.com) To learn more about IFAI Expo 2007 visit our website www.ifaiexpo.com or contact our show management at: Phone: +1 651 222 2508 or 800 225 4325E-mail: [email protected]

www.ifaiexpo.com

PLAN NOWTO ATTEND THE LARGEST SPECIALTY FABRICS TRADE SHOW IN THE

AMERICAS.


http://www.designwithfabric.com





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TJohn Wingate is a Minneapolis-based science and technology writer.

ShipshapeInnovat ive so lut ions wi th tensioned membranes solve mold and moisture problems for the h is tor ic Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota .

By John Wingate

After nearly a quarter century, how-ever, some problems developed. The Hjemkomst Center’s fabric roof, com-posed of inner and outer layers of ten-sioned membranes, had to be replaced due to inadequate mechanical ventila-tion. The building’s previous owners reportedly failed to correctly operate the mechanical ventilation system for several years, causing condensation and mold to form on the membranes. Dur-ing the winter, bits of ice would form on the inside of the roof membrane. The center, now owned by the City of Moorhead, was beginning to sustain drywall damage when officials decided to replace the entire covering and ven-tilation system.

Back to beginnings Birdair Inc. of Amherst, N.Y., who

installed the first tensioned membrane roof in 1985, was again selected for the $2.5 million restoration project. Birdair, established in 1956, is a global leader in the technological development of struc-tural fabric applications. The company

The steeply pitched fabric roof of the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minn., is a familiar landmark in the countryside, and a visual metaphor for the replicaViking longboat it shelters.

In 1982, Robert Asp’s replica Viking longboat was sailed across Lake Superior and the Atlantic Ocean to Bergen, Norway. The Hjemkomst (which means “homecoming” in Norwegian) was the highlight of a major regatta, after which it returned to a permanent berth in Moorhead.

FABRIC STRUCTURESAll photos courtesy of the Hjemkomst Center

The white, steeply pitched and sail-like fabric roof of the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minn., offers an eye-catching profile; a visual metaphor for the iconic nautical artifact it protects inside the museum and community center.

The Hjemkomst Center is the final resting place for the ship built by Minnesota Red River Valley resident Robert Asp. In 1982, the replica Viking longboat was sailed 6,100 miles, on a 72-day journey, across Lake Superior and the Atlantic Ocean to Bergen, Norway. The Hjemkomst (which means “homecoming” in Norwegian) was the highlight of a major regatta, after which it returned to a permanent berth in Moorhead.




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has erected structures in geographically diverse settings ranging from the Arctic Circle to Saudi Arabia—which nearly approximates the temperature range enjoyed by residents of the Fargo–Moor-head twin communities.

A tensioned membrane roof was still the preferred solution. The fabric is visually pleasing and makes possible a more open space without substan-tial weight. Fabric offers high tensile strength with high translucency. “If the project were to have gone in another direction for the replacement, it would have required a significant redesign and modifications for the existing substruc-

ture,” says Martin Augustyniak, Birdair’s director of engineering.

Project planning got underway during 2005, and actual construction started in August, 2006. “The initial challenge we faced was to get the roof replaced on a tight schedule to reduce down-time for this public facility,” says Birdair project manager Eric Reese. “The ship was our huge priority; we didn’t want to damage this piece of history, and we had to maintain a wa-tertight environment so the boat would not be exposed to the elements.”

The team came up with an innova-tive plan. After dismantling the 63-foot Douglas fir mast, workers from Birdair and Safeway Services Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., erected scaffolding and decking around the ship to protect it from the work overhead.

To maintain the interior environ-ment, the project team installed the new fabric membranes while the old roof and liner were still in place. “We essentially decided to use the old mate-rials to support the new fabrics, which also would help to reduce our rigging costs on-site,” says Dave Ricci, Birdair’s director of customer service.

Fabric solutions, future opportunity

The Birdair team worked with MJ Me-chanical Inc. of Buffalo, N.Y., to create a one-of-a-kind solution to prevent future condensation problems. “We wanted to make both the outer membrane and

To mitigate condensation problems at the Hjemkomst Center, Birdair’s team created fabric ducts which were attached to the upper portion of the inner liner.

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GRAPHIC MEDIA10oz, 13oz, 13oz double-sided,

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FABRIC STRUCTURES

While under construction, as shown here, new fabric membranes were installed while the old roofing material was still in place. Crews used the old material to support the new roof, reducing onsite equipment needs.

the inner liner work as a composite system with a mechanical system,” says Augustyniak. “This involved creating long, perforated fabric ducts that were directly attached to the upper side of the liner membrane.” These ducts, Au-gustyniak explains, channel air along the entire inner surface of the outer membrane to maintain a consistent ambient temperature and avoid any moisture buildup.

“The specially designed fabric ducts were both a custom in-house design

with the mechanical input from MJ Me-chanical. It was a new, innovative system both for Birdair and the fabric industry in general,” Reese says, noting that Bird-air is constantly evolving as a company, finding new uses and materials to create effective solutions. “This fabric duct system offers great promise, especially in cold climates, as a way to reduce the potential for mold and moisture.”

For the outer membrane of the Hjemkomst Center’s roof, which will endure decades of brutal winters and



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The Hjemkomst Center’s new tensioned membrane roof was installed in four months, a tight timeline needed to minimize downtime for the busy museum and community center.

scorching summer sun, the team used a tighter-weave Sheerfill II® Architec-tural Membrane, a composite fiberglass and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fabric developed by Saint-Gobain Per-formance Plastics of Merrimack, N. H. The material is well-suited in terms of durability and appearance.

Ferrari 1002®, purchased from from Innova International of Victoria, Austra-lia, was the choice for the interior liner, in order to meet a Class C fire rating. “This PVC membrane creates a nice homogeneous look that offers optimal translucency and a stunning appear-ance,” says Augustyniak.

Celebrating historyTo make installation easier, the team

installed the membranes in pieces, bringing two halves together in a seam-less, visually pleasing way, with the aid of mechanical clamping.

Project construction, which got un-derway during August, 2006, was com-pleted during early December, 2006. The Birdair construction team had

installed (on schedule) an estimated 80,000 square feet of tensioned mem-brane fabrics. The center’s new covering is similar to the fabric roof installed in 1995 on Denver International Airport’s Jeppesen Terminal.

During daylight hours, the new ten-sioned membrane structure provides a soft, diffused translucency inside the Hjemkomst Center, reducing energy costs for lighting. The translucency is not affected over time, and sunlight keeps the fabric bleached, mitigat-ing any concerns about the potential for discoloration. When viewed from the outside, the fabric appears opaque. The soaring tent-like covering resem-bles the grand sails that once pow-ered the historic Norwegian vessel on its odyssey.

The Hjemkomst Center is now ready for its 25th anniversary celebration. “We’re honored to have been selected for this project,” says Reese.

To contact the sources used in this article, turn to page 78.



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CANADIAN INDUSTRY

I

NorthernexposuresIFAI Canada announces the 2007 Honours Program winners .

IFAI Canada Expo 2007 brought 450 participants to Toronto Feb. 21-23 to discover, explore and network within the specialty fabrics industry. In addition to educational events, tours, demos and networking, plus product information from 44 exhibitors serving the Canadian market, the winners of the 2007 IFAI Canada Honours Program were announced and presented with their awards.

The IFAI Canada Honours Program is an annual competition that recognizes the latest advancements in specialty fabric design and manufacturing in the Canadian specialty fabrics industry. Established by IFAI Canada members (formerly CIFI) more than 30 years ago, the competition is an opportunity for members to gain recogni-tion for their creativity, craftsmanship and innovation on the job.

The following criteria are used in judging the entries: 20 percent complexity, 20 percent design, 20 percent workmanship, 20 percent uniqueness and 20 percent function. This year, 33 entries were submitted. IFAI Canada is proud to announce this year’s winning entries:

Nash Award WinnerIn memory of Jeff Nash, former IFAI Canada Chairman, one Honours Program

entrant each year is selected to receive the “Nash Award.” This award is given to the Award of Excellence-winning project that best exemplifies the high standards for craftsmanship, function and innovation to which Nash held all of his projects.

Jeff Nash was a dedicated member of the IFAI Canada Board of Directors and a true supporter of the IFAI Canada Honours Program.

Congratulations to the 2007 Nash Award winner, Sollertia Inc., for their award-winning textile structure. (For more details on this project, read “The tale of the two-tiered terrace” on page 32 of the January, 2007 Review.)

Sollertia Inc.

Montreal, Quebec

Project: Val-Morin wood-frame fabric structure

This project was created for a private estate overlooking an idyllic landscape in Val-Morin, Quebec. Inspired by the site where it rests, the textile structure’s fluid expression opens up toward an expanse of water and the mountainous horizons beyond. The form of the structure, the different heights it exploits, and the supple movement evoked by the curved wooden structure all contribute to a feeling of lightness and spaciousness.

Tent Rental CategoryAward of Excellence Regal Tent Productions Ltd.

Stoney Creek, Ontario

Project: Rod Stewart Concert

An unprecedented private event, headlined by Rod Stewart, was to take place in a desert in Austin, Texas. The client requested a full-scale, no-holds-barred concert for an intimate and ex-clusive guest list of 200 people. To keep the guests from feeling swallowed by the space required to facilitate a con-cert of this magnitude, the client de-manded a small footprint tent, no larger than 40 by 20 meters, which could also accommodate Rod Stewart’s production requirements.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Regal Tent Productions Ltd.

Stoney Creek, Ontario

Project: Edmonton Grand Prix

In 2005, the Inaugural Edmonton Champ Car Grand Prix was held at a local and fully operational airport. More than 260 separate structures had to be set up in less than three weeks, while the airport remained in full op-eration. There were height restrictions that meant many structures could not be set up until a few days before the event, and the wide-open space was also extremely windy. As a result of the com-pany’s ability to overcome a complex set of site challenges, Regal Tent has been awarded a long-term contract for future events.

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foSunbrella® is a registered trademark of Glen Raven, Inc.

One touch. That’s all it takes to feel thedifference. To create Sunbrella® Supreme,we combined high water resistance withenhanced aesthetics. And in the processwe produced a gorgeous fabric that’sredefining the marine fabric industry. Andthat’s not just talk – all ten beautifulcolor combinations are backed by a five-year limited warranty.

To feel the difference of Sunbrella Supreme,go to www.sunbrella.com/supreme/

for a free sample.

Seeing isn’t bel ieving,

BUT TOUCHING IS.

SUNBRELLA®

SUPREME.

Industrial ApplicationsAward of ExcellenceValley Canvas & Awning 1994 Ltd.

Kelowna, British Columbia

Project: Green Box

The Green Box Cover was ordered for some complex and irregularly shaped military equipment that needed a protective cover robust enough to survive military conditions, but easy enough for soldiers to remove and replace.


Lethbridge Custom Canvas 2003 Ltd.

Edmonton, Alberta

Project: custom washbay curtains

A car dealership requested washbay curtains for a new building. The dealership required a completely enclosed area in which to pressure-wash equipment being serviced without affecting equipment being worked on in the adjacent bay.

Illuminated AwningsAward of ExcellencePike’s Awnings Inc.

Woodbridge, Ontario

Project: Intercontinental Hotel

An entrance to a hotel and front façade was created so that the hotel would be more recognizable on a busy city street. The illuminated awnings are made with Sunbrella® fabric and use downlighting as well as projection through natural cut-outs.


Raymond Brothers Ltd.

London, Ontario

Project: New Life

Not only is the church named New Life, the canopy adds new life to this very industrial-looking building. The customer wanted a sign to mark the entrance, but also wanted lots and lots of light, accomplished by using an aluminum staple bar system with a full mesh soffit underlay.

Commercial CanopiesAward of Excellence Groupe Bellon Prestige Inc.

Montreal, Quebec

Project: Monte Bello

This four-season canopy, which cov-ers 408 square feet, was made to be eye-catching and advertise the business. The owner of the business also wanted to offer customers a place to disembark (or just to enjoy the outdoors) without getting wet.



http://www.sunbrella.com/supreme


CANADIAN INDUSTRYOutstanding Achievement Award


London, Ontario

Project: The Sky Box

The “Sky Box” was created to help university dignitaries enjoy varsity football. Because of the location, high atop the training centre, the name Sky Box became fitting. The fully engineered structure has a “reverse” approach in the world of awnings—it slopes back toward the building. This was done to accommodate the sponsor’s logo; during wet weather, the water runs away from the viewing sitelines.

Commercial AwningsAward of Excellence Lethbridge Custom Canvas 2003 Ltd.

Lethbridge, Alberta

Project: Retractable patio

For shade with style: This project consists 1⁄8-inch width of six individual fabric panels that can be drawn out on aircraft cable tensioned two feet above the suspended heater. The system is retractable to allow for sun or shade.

Outstanding Achievement AwardValley Canvas & Awning 1994 Ltd.

Kelowna, British Columbia

Project: deluxe dome awnings

A high-end cosmetic dentistry practice needed an awning to reflect an elegant image. In addition to providing shade from the intense sunlight, the awning had to provide a clear visual statement, and do so with an understated style. Sunbrella® terracotta fabric was selected for its vibrant colors and classic look.

Residential AwningsAward of Excellence Sollertia Inc.

Montreal, Quebec

Project: Val-Morin

(See page 42: Nash Award winner)


Groupe Bellon Prestige Inc.

Montreal, Quebec

Project: Duranceau

For a luxury home, a 40-foot-long outside patio awning with many different shapes was designed for sun protection. The residential awning was welded to withstand robust and very strong winds typical of the area. Dickson natural-color canvas was chosen to blend with the aluminum siding of the house.

MiscellaneousAward of Excellence Pike’s Awnings Inc.

Woodbridge, Ontario

Project: Canada’s Wonderland

For the entrance to Halloween Park at Paramount Canada’s Wonderland, an existing structure was wrapped with foam-filled vinyl and displayed during Halloween. w

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London, Ontario

Project: trailer style

This trailer came straight off the pro-duction line, with rear patio doors, a fiberglass hinged cover and a pull-out deck. Although the fiberglass roof was fitted with gas struts, awning assist braces were added to help with movement in the wind. When ready to go, users simply remove the fabric screen (at-tached with hook-and-loop fastening), store in the bag provided, push in the deck, and close the roof to protect the patio doors.

IFAI Canada Expo 2008 will be held March 5–7 at the Hilton Bonaventure Mon-treal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. For in-formation on IFAI Canada, next year’s IFAI Canada Expo or the IFAI Canada Honours Program, contact Elizabeth Newman, man-aging director of IFAI Canada, at +1 651 225 6925, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.ifaicanada.com.

Canada Honours program call for entries

IFAI Canada is accepting entries for the 2008 IFAI Canada Honours program. Start taking photographs of your award winning projects and enter them in this prestigious awards show.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Newman, executive director, IFAI Canada, 1801 County Rd. B W., Roseville, MN 55113; +1 651 225 6925, 800 636 4973, e-mail [email protected].




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China marketTaking the

by the hornsThe r ise of China has presented both fundamental chal lenges and new opportunit ies. It is at once a competitor, a source of supply and a customer.

This typical pagoda-style building is part of the LonghuaTemple, the oldest and largest temple in Shanghai, built in 242 AD (1765 years ago).Photos courtesy of James Chan



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T

T

TR: How can communication difficulties be overcome?

JC: Whether you are exporting to China or outsourcing from China, it is critical to have someone who lives and works in China and who can communicate with you.• Find an agent, representative or distributor who lives

and works in China and has the same values and professional standards that you have.• Remember that finding a good agent, representative or dis-

tributor is a process, and it may take a few months or a few years.• Get bilingual help at your company.• Travel to China to meet with your agent, representative,

distributor or employees at least once a year.•Talk to your China contact regularly. Don’t call only when

there is a problem.• Never take anything people say for granted. Check out

the information.•To get to the truth, always talk to people individually. You won’t

get much authentic information in a crowded sales seminar.

TR: American and Chinese perspectives on issues such as

the environment and abortion may differ. Can these differ-

ences cause problems for business?

JC: There are many ills in the Chinese society. The country has many internal problems that are now masked by rapid economic growth. Americans will continue to buy Chinese for a number of reasons.

We live in a society that is deeply committed to the laissez faire system of freedom of choice. Companies and individuals have a choice to not buy Chinese, but it is hard to stop others from doing so. Consumers generally don’t care where goods are made, as long as they like the price and are satisfied with the quality. Consider Japan’s relationship with China. China has not forgiven Japan for its invasion of China and the mas-sacre of the Chinese people during the war years from 1937 to 1945. History textbooks in Japan continue to ignore the atrocities of Japanese soldiers. Yet, despite deep-seated mutual distrust, China and Japan do a lot of business.

The industrial fabric marketTR: Is it different doing business with a government-owned

Chinese company vs. a privately-owned one?

JC: Government-owned enterprises are just as likely—or unlikely—to extend credit to U.S. customers as privately held firms. It depends on how well the company knows or trusts you. Prudently-run companies ask for one-third of total pay-ment before they begin manufacturing and collect the balance upon delivery.

TR: How can companies introduce and sell their products

in China and overcome the lack of protection of intellectual

property rights?

JC: There is no easy way to protect a company’s technology in China, no matter what industry. Each company is responsible for coming up with a way to protect its secrets—and when the time comes, to let them go. A Fortune 500 company sold the Chinese government a $900 million technology transfer. The company was willing to do so because it was an older technology. In the company’s estimation, no one in America wanted that technol-ogy and it would not have sold anything like that design again. See the related article, on protecting intellectual property, on page 61.)

The social/political situationThe Review: Are there international travel restrictions on

Chinese citizens by China or by the United States?

James Chan: U.S. citizens can travel to China freely on tourist or business visas. However, most Chinese travelers to the United States are on business visas and have little control over when they can get their entry visas to plan their trips in advance.

TR: Is the yuan expected to be revalued further?

JC: Since July 2005, the yuan has gained 7.1 percent against the U.S. dollar. I think the trend will continue, but I cannot predict how much it will continue to rise and how soon that will happen. It is not China’s style to give advance notice for fear of currency speculation or to be perceived as being co-erced by the West to appreciate its currency.

TR: Is there a difference between China’s state-owned

enterprises and privately held companies?

JC: State-owned enterprises can get bank loans much more easily than privately held companies. Some industries in China are monopolized by state-owned companies. An obvious ex-ample is the defense industry; a less obvious example is the publishing industry.

With the exception of high-ranking cadres, employee wages in state-owned companies are lower than in privately held enter-prises or foreign-funded enterprises. That said, state-owned com-panies still account for 70 percent of the Chinese economy.

TR: What is the Chinese mind-set in doing business with

foreign countries or suppliers?

JC: China is self-centered in the way it looks at foreign countries and suppliers. It is trying to raise the economic well-being of the country by exporting to the West, especially to an America that is used to buying imported goods. China wants to recreate the West within its own national boundaries. If a Chinese entrepreneur finds a product he or she considers new, marketable or worthwhile, that person will find a way to duplicate the product at home.

At a temple near Shanghai, a moon door invites a pedestrian to go left or right. The Chinese character expresses “yuan,” a concept that is closely tied to the Taoist/Buddhist belief in Fate. So if we have yuan, we’ll meet even though we’re thousands of miles apart; if we don’t have yuan, we won’t know each other even though we’re face to face.

James Chan, Ph.D., is founder and principal of Asia Marketing and Manage-ment (www.AsiaMarketingManagement.com), a consultancy that specializes in advising U.S. firms on doing business in China and other Asian countries and on global entrepreneurship. He has consulted with more than 100 U.S. exporters, importers, manufacturers and trade associations on building relationships with customers and suppliers in Asia.



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TR: Reports suggest that the Chinese

government is looking at reducing cut-

throat competition and improving price

realization of goods manufactured in

China—investing in better quality and

more design. How will that affect manu-

facturing in China?

JC: Except in industries that are mo-nopolized by the government, cut-throat competition will continue, regardless of government policy, because privately held companies in China are free to compete with one another. Improving quality or coming up with better designs happen simultaneously as people find ways to wipe out their competition.

TR: What percent of manufacturing

companies in China are owned by the

government vs. privately owned?

JC: All major privately held compa-nies have ties with the government and 66 percent of “privately held” compa-nies are owned by the government.

TR: How can a North American

manufacturer of equipment for sewing

industries still located in the Western

Hemisphere insulate itself from the

threat of low-priced Chinese products?

JC: Do not think about insulating yourself. Rather, adopt an aggressive, proactive approach. Travel to China to check out the strengths and weak-nesses of your competition. Learn to sell American-made products in China instead of looking at China as a source of products. The Chinese people love and admire American things. Find a sales representative you can trust and cultivate him or her to become your “insider.” Focus on specific prod-

ucts that suppliers in China can’t com-pete with. Develop new products or designs that keep you ahead of low-priced suppliers.

TR: What difficulties do North Ameri-

can importers of products made in China

encounter? How can these difficulties be

exploited by American manufacturers?

JC: Importing is not as easy as many people think it is. An importer needs to know how to get the orders (this is the single most important reason why Chinese suppliers need a “middleman” in America). An importer also has to deal with difficulties caused by time difference, language, cultural behavior, business practices, customs and red tape on both the Chinese and American side. It is not easy for Chinese suppliers to sell directly in the American market.

TR: One reason given for the low cost

of Chinese-produced goods is their low

cost of labor. How can products having

a high material content and low labor

content still be sold at such low prices?

JC: You can’t look at low labor cost as the main reason for a low “China price.” A combination of factors contributes to the phenomenon. Some Chinese orga-nizations are able to get certain materi-als, even if they are imported from other global marketplaces, at good prices. Many Chinese suppliers get 14 percent of the 17 percent value-added tax (VAT) reim-bursed if the imported materials are used to make products for export. Wages in rural areas in inland Chinese provinces are a third of those in urban areas and coastal cities. Environmental and labor rules and regulations (such as OSHA) are

not enforced adequately or consistently. Local government officials have many cre-ative ways (some illegal) to help manufac-turers cut costs if they make products for export. Not infrequently, some Chinese suppliers make their workers work long hours (12 to 16 hours per day) or don’t pay them. Rents are low. Some companies don’t pay taxes. Unless you have an insider who is in the know about what is going on at a particular factory, you’ll never know why some prices are so incredibly low.

TR: Is it a good idea to collaborate with

a company already doing business there?

JC: Yes, it is, but you must choose your partner carefully. You have to judge the character of your partner. Even then, you must have a savvy manager who keeps track of your operations there on a daily basis. Improving industrial efficiency is welcomed by many firms in China. Anything that can give a Chinese firm an edge over its competitors will be very attractive. If you want to sell any-thing in China, hit hard on this point.

TR: When establishing a relationship

with a Chinese supplier/partner, what short-

and long-term issues must be addressed?

JC: The short-term issue is the willing-ness on the part of the U.S. company to perform due diligence on an appropri-ate and reliable supplier. It is crucial to find a partner in China with whom you see eye-to-eye on major issues. Long-term issues include political and market risks, such as the possibility of political conflicts between China and the U.S., political unrest in China or piracy.

The China market is high mainte-nance. Under no circumstance should you get a partner and expect the person to run the business without you check-ing, monitoring, talking and managing him or her.

The business climateTR: Can manufacturers of products

in other parts of the world compete with

China? How?

JC: You can compete in the China market if you have the following advan-tages or conditions:• Your company invented a product,

system, procedure, brand or method that is unique in the global marketplace.• Your product cannot easily be cop-

ied or duplicated perfectly.

MARKET OUTLOOK

This billboard in the lobby of a state-owned manufacturing company in Hangzhou City pictures model employees expressing personal mottos exhorting others to be like them. For example, the employee in the 4th column and 4th row refers to the rise and fall of a nation and indicates that each person has a responsibility.




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• You possess a raw or synthetic mate-rial that no company in China can make or that is always in short supply there.• Your industry is leaving the U.S.

and your customers are outsourcing or setting up their own factories in China.• You’ve come up with an ingenious

way to keep your proprietary secrets, and you’re able to guard such secrets.

TR: Has there been any reloca-

tion of manufacturing from China to

other countries? If so, which countries

and industries?

JC: Relocation of manufacturing from China to other countries is not new, and Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries have ben-efited from this. Labor-intensive in-dustries such as furniture and textile products fall into this category. Quite a few companies that are based in South-east Asia are owned by ethnic Chinese who have ties with relatives, friends and investors in Mainland China. A Chinese company that invests in a Vietnamese company and ships its products to the U.S. from Vietnam can eschew the perception that it is export-ing from China.

TR: The banking system in China is

reported to be in trouble. What impact

does that make?

JC: Western banks don’t seem to be fazed by the Chinese banking environ-ment, despite what has been said for years about insolvent Chinese banks, cor-ruption, embezzlement and lack of trans-parency. The Chinese government has

allegedly spent $70 billion over the past few years to bail out troubled banks.

Since January 2007, China has opened its banking sector more fully to the West to satisfy World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements. For this reason, some of the world’s biggest financial institutions are eager to gain access to the $1.46 trillion in savings accumulated by 1.3 billion Chinese citizens. They want to offer credit card, wealth management and a full range of banking services in a country in which the newly minted mid-

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dle class—defined as households with $5,000 or more in annual income—is expected to double from 80 million in 2006 to 160 million by 2010.

TR: Wages in China have increased.

What do you think will happen in the next

five years? Is there a wage difference be-

tween Eastern China and Western China?

JC: Wages in China doubled in 10 years during the 1990s. Average wages in urban China are about $1,000 per year, three times higher than wages in inland China. The same can be said between Eastern (coastal) China and Western (inland) China. Reducing the wage gap between Eastern and Western China has been a key political task for at least 10 years.

TR: Do you see prices for products

coming out of China rising significantly

over the next 10 years? Why or why not?

JC: Many factors are at work to make prices go up. One factor worth highlight-ing is the slow but gradual introduction of good business practices that some Western buyers have begun asking Chi-nese suppliers to adopt. For example, in the electronics industry, the procedure is called “Electronic Industry Code of Con-duct” (EICC). In other industries, a simi-lar compliance procedure is the “Social Accountability 8000” (SA 8000). These requirements are created by industry groups (namely, the buyers) and imposed on Chinese suppliers to root out possible abuses including child labor, prison labor, long hours, bribery, sexual harassment and harsh working conditions. These pro-cedures are voluntary industry standards, but suppliers that don’t comply will not get the business. These procedures will contribute to price increases.

TR: Are China’s companies subsi-

dized by the Chinese government? If so,

to what extent?

JC: No, if you’re talking about pri-vately held companies and companies formed by Chinese entrepreneurs. Privately held companies account for 30 percent of the Chinese economy compared to fewer than 1 percent 25 years ago. They are not subsidized by the Chinese government. In fact, entre-preneurs and privately held companies have long complained about the in-ability to get bank loans from Chinese banks, which favor state-owned com-panies. Whether or not state-owned companies are subsidized by the govern-ment is a moot point. They are arms of the government.

When China became a member of the WTO, the latter agreed that the U.S. would not have to reconsider China’s nonmarket status until 2015. Not all na-tions consider China a nonmarket econ-omy. The Chinese government claims that 37 nations have accepted China as a market economy, including such coun-tries as New Zealand and Thailand.

TR: What challenges does China face

in its quest for continued growth?

JC: Despite China’s phenomenal rise, the country faces a host of internal eco-nomic, social and political problems. It faces shortages of various raw materials. There is a shortage of food grains. Local governments are converting rural land into factories and high rises. People in rural areas go to the cities in search of higher-paying jobs. Chinese farm-ers switch from growing food grains to growing more profitable cash crops. Labor unrest is a troubling issue to the

government. State-owned companies are laying off 8 million to 9 million peo-ple a year. Air and water pollution is an ongoing problem and it is getting more severe with time. The government has begun spending to deal with water pol-lution. The problems of air pollution are put on the back burners.

TR: Now that China is a member

of WTO, is China playing by the same

rules required by WTO members?

Will China honor its WTO commit-

ments and ease trade restrictions to

allow easier access for North American

manufactured goods?

JC: China submitted its membership application to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the pre-decessor of WTO, in 1987, and became a member of the WTO in 2001. Since China’s accession to the WTO, it has re-vised more than 2,300 national laws and regulations that ran counter to WTO rules. Average import duties have de-clined from 15 percent to 10 percent. The government is gradually opening up the country’s service sector to global companies including banking, securi-ties, distribution, legal services, tourism and education.

TR: How does China plan to deal

with its insatiable need for energy and

power? Has the high price of oil hurt

China’s profits?

JC: Unlike the U.S., China is bent on raising its economic well-being by export-ing to the world. China has $1.2 trillion of foreign currency reserves as of March 2007. It will use this capital to acquire energy and fuel resources, especially in African countries. Despite high oil prices, China’s trade surplus surged to a record $177 billion by the end of 2006.

TR: Who is financing China’s huge

economical growth and expansion?

JC: China itself (for obvious reasons), multinational corporations that contrib-ute to more than half of China’s annual exports, and the global financial system. About 12 percent of Chinese exports to the United States go into the 3,500 Wal-Mart stores across the country. Wal-Mart buys in excess of $15 billion of goods each year made by 4,800 Chinese sup-pliers. Wal-Mart’s purchases from China make up about 1 percent of China’s annual gross domestic product. We live

The low buildings in the foreground show the drab building construction of Shanghai in the 1960s and 70s. The new construction with the Shanghai Orient Pearl TV tower in the background has changed the landscape since 1980.

MARKET OUTLOOK




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in a global economy, where companies seek low wages wherever they can find them and sell their products wherever they can get the highest prices.

TR: Who are China’s primary com-

petitors in the global marketplace?

JC: Vietnam, the Philippines, Indone-sia and other developing countries that know how to solicit business from the West and get organized are the primary competitors.

TR: Does China accept joint ventures

in setting up manufacturing operations

in China? Is it better to outsource or set

up a joint venture?

JC: The Chinese government defi-nitely accepts joint ventures and it is em-bracing manufacturing with open arms. Start exporting your products to China or begin an import operation on a small scale. If your business continues to suc-ceed and grow, form a joint venture. Once you feel you know the market, set up your own wholly owned subsidiary.

TR: China’s cost of manufacturing will

increase exponentially over the coming

years. Can we coexist until some parity is

seen in the world’s level of competition?

JC: Right after WWII, America helped lift Japan by its bootstraps. The eco-nomic development of Japan in the 1950s and 1960s was hailed as an eco-nomic miracle. The costs of manufac-turing in Japan began to increase, and Japan became an expensive place in which to do business. China will go through the same experience Japan has gone through, but because of China’s immense size and population, it will take decades longer for China to turn into another Japan.

TR: Will the U.S. government ever

step in to assist manufacturing in the

U.S.? Will we become a service society?

JC: The U.S. government is trying, but progress is limited. We’re already a service economy. Seventy percent of our gross domestic product is generated by services. Manufacturing now accounts for only 11 percent of the American economy.

TR: What is the ability of China’s cur-

rent economic surge to maintain itself?

JC: China’s phenomenal growth rates may level off after the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

TR: And, finally, what happens when

the bubble bursts?

JC: The “China bubble” could burst, just as it happened to Japan in the early 1990s. The disparity between the few very rich people and the vast sea of poor Chinese is a source of anxiety for the government. The disparity in income between cities and the coun-tryside, and between coastal and in-terior provinces, is widening. People have been protesting in the streets.

State-owned companies are laying off employees and have reneged on pen-sions, health and other benefits as they are prospering. China is facing severe environmental pollution problems that need to be resolved immediately.

To offer feedback or comment on this article, please contact Susan Niemi, editorial director, at +1 651 225 6984, e-mail [email protected].

Turn to page 78 for contact information on the sources used in this article.




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C

Julie Young is a freelance writer based in Indianapolis, Ind.

How CAD drawings help those who use the software as well as those who develop it .

By Jul ie Young

Computer-aided design (CAD) is a must for most compa-nies in the specialty fabrics industry. In order to compete in a market where the visual is everything, more and more manu-facturers are turning to CAD software to help design custom tents, awnings, and marine equipment as well as allowing their customers to see a “picture” of the end result. Vendors in turn respond to this need by creating software that stays on the cusp of ever-evolving technology.

According to Timothy Akes, a representative for MPanel software through CAD Effects LLC in St. Louis, Mo., most manufacturers look for a product that will provide a real ben-efit to the organization without being overly complicated.

“Ease of use and compatibility with other systems are im-portant considerations,” he says. “Most architectural firms today are based on an Autodesk®, AutoCAD® .DWG format. If a fabric consultant is also using this format, drawings can be utilized directly by the fabric designer without any translation or redrawing of space. MPanel works inside of AutoCAD and produces a 100-percent .DWG file format.”

Akes adds that CAD use has experienced a slow but steady growth over the years, and that while the cost of the program was often prohibitive to some companies, one of the largest obstacles was finding someone who knew how to operate the equipment.

“Since that time, CAD has been added to most curriculums, even at the high school and technical school levels, so there is a much better pool of people with the required skills avail-able,” Akes says.

Gerber Technology Inc. of Tolland, Conn., was at the very forefront of the CAD process. Although they specialize in soft goods and apparel, they were one of the original pioneers of the cutting table that many companies use today as part of their CAD system. According to the manager of develop-ment services, Mary McFadden, Gerber is constantly looking to improve and refine their technology with their AccuMark and AccuNest systems.

“The cutting table that Mr. Gerber invented in the ‘60s was eventually integrated into a CAD system in ’91,” McFadden explains. “After that, we noticed a huge spike in terms of inter-est because this method got the skeptics used to working on a computer. It was a huge transition for them.”

CAD & Co.When a company wants to implement a CAD program into

their daily operations, it is important to make the transition as simple as possible. Akes says that the biggest selling point for any vendor is the usefulness of the program and how well it will fill a need a particular company has. Since most general CAD systems are built around a generic set of operations to be useful to a large number of industries, a general CAD system might be used by an architect to design a house, while a civil engineer may use the same package to build a road or a bridge.

John Blasman Sr. of Jomar Softcorp International in Cam-bridge, Ontario, Canada, says that using a CAD system is vital to staying competitive in the specialty fabrics field. He says it’s a way for manufacturers to look at their wares from an engi-neering standpoint, testing durability and performance.

“When you are able to automate the process, people can see what will happen and what materials will go into it,” he says. “It is a more sophisticated operation and you can’t do it manually anymore because there is too much competition, and you’d have to be a standout.”

Event planners have to stand out among the competition, and programs such as PartyCAD are able to demonstrate to the customer what their event will look like through a very

A top model view of a CAD design for a customer’s boat from Custom Marine Canvas.

Custom Marine Canvas




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user-friendly program. Hank Hufnagel with Hufnagel Software, Clarion, Pa., says that PartyCAD was originally conceived for the interior designer before it became popular with rental compa-nies. When a company is going to “spec out” a tent, more than likely they will use one of the AutoCAD products, but PartyCAD offers them the ability to be at the other end of the spectrum.

“PartyCAD gets bigger and better every year in response to the demand of the customer who wants to see virtual ren-derings of their events,” Hufnagel says. “PartyCAD has a new edition every year based on new ideas from the users, and through those ideas is where the Tent Wizard came from, which is a way of building generic tents for an event. Every year there is going to be something new, and this program is great for those who have trouble visualizing.”

On the (shop) levelSome industries are better suited for CAD than others.

According to Akes, markets that are best served by a CAD program are those with large, complex deliverables. Big tent manufacturers and tension fabric structure companies are

typically well-served by using a CAD system, in addition to those who make smaller and complex items. Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, of Custom Marine Canvas in Noank, Conn., says she uses two CAD systems in her shop since first implement-ing them in 2000. One system is PhotoModeler®—used to generate patterns from a digital photo—along with a second system, Rhinoceros® (Rhino), in which the imported photo is used to help design the frame.

“When we first started using [CAD] it wasn’t even main-stream, but now everyone is using it,” she says. “These two systems are very user-friendly and the companies offer tutorials throughout the country.”

One job for which CAD was particularily helpful for Brad-ford was a time when she used PhotoModeler for a sailboat that was in Newport, R.I.; her shop designed a bimini top for it after the boat had been relocated to the Caribbean.

“We built the canvas based on our model. The frame and the canvas were shipped separately, but they fit and it was a big testament to the accuracy and ability to transfer our designs into reality.”

A fabric consultant can produce architectural drawings, such as this sample of MPanel software by CAD Effects, thus refining the technology of fabric design and integrating the cutting table into the virtual program.

CAD Effects LLC




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A MIGHTY DRAFTJamie Mills of the William J. Mills Co.

in Greenport, N. Y., says that his shop got their start by using a computerized cutting table that served as a plotter and cutter for upholstery products. Although these early systems did not always create an accurate reproduction, their current software program, AutoCADLT®, is an easy-to-use product that offers 2-D draw-ings of the finished item.

“We use it for any rectangular flat panel items such as awnings or curtains,”

he says. “We also use it for boat patterns that we are going to build repeatedly. Using the CAD system for us was an evolutionary process and it didn’t hap-pen overnight. We didn’t flip a switch and go over to the new system. We did it gradually and slowly.”

After a tragic fire destroyed hundreds of awnings, which needed to be replaced within a month and a half, Mills says that CAD drawings helped them avoid a major crisis. He says that there was no

way they would have been able to have cut the awnings if they would have had to have done them manually.

“If a company does not have some-one who does these kinds of drawings presently, then they should consider it,” Mills says. “Don’t look at hiring someone as an expense. It really is an investment and we wouldn’t be here without it.”

Rainier Industries Ltd. in Seattle, Wash., first started using CAD 15 years ago, originally for awnings and frames. Because the system enabled the company to have templates built into it, they did not have to reinvent the wheel each time they needed some-thing built.

“I think using a CAD system is a must move for most shops, but it is impor-tant to find the right person who is al-ready well-trained,” says Brian Rowinski,

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Using VectorWorks, PartyTime Produc-tions rendered a 3- D graphic for a client, showing the tent as installed and with a full layout. The inset shows the actual live event for Wheels Inc. of Des Plaines, Ill.

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templates and allow those who aren’t onsite to be on the same page with ev-eryone else involved. (Nemetschek is the name of the company that devel-oped the VectorWorks CAD software used by PartyTime.) They began using electronic drawings in 1995 before mov-ing to a CAD software. He says that the transition was fairly smooth, aided by a Nemetschek representative who came out to teach the staff how to use the pro-

gram. Schiml said that adding a CAD system to their shop was a “no-brainer” and something that everyone should budget for.

“When the drawing can be rendered in 3-D, the customer is going to see the final product, as opposed to hav-ing someone describe it to them. It is definitely a big part of what we offer in terms of customer service,” Schiml says.

director of public relations at Rainier. “We were a one-man show as far as draft-ing went, so our transition to CAD was a smooth one. [The drafter] had the ability to draw and use AutoCAD, so there was very little confusion.”

At PartyTime Productions Inc. in Ad-dison, Wis., Mike Schiml says his shop uses VectorWorks® in order to draw tent

A MIGHTY DRAFT

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When it comes to 3-D renderings pri-marily used for event planners and tent rental companies, PartyCAD is one of the top choices for professionals. Edgin Wright, Mahaffey Fabric Structures Inc., Memphis, Tenn., says that this type of program allows his sales staff to show their clients what their event will look like when it is pulled together.

“We have been using it for a long time,” Wright ex-plains. “The pro-gram allows the crew to see how we want the tents installed and how the in-dividual items are to be placed without the customer having to relay that to the crew. Tables and chairs can be placed inside the tent and when the customer looks at the screen, they can see what everything will look like on the day of the event.”

Wright says that when his company had to create a rooftop event at a local hotel, his crew had to assure the client that the tent installed would be able to hold up; the CAD drawings helped the client understand where everything was going and how the event would be laid out.

“It helped sell the job to the hotel that held the conference,” Wright concludes.

CAD to the futureNo doubt CAD software will con-

tinue to improve as the industry war-

rants. According to Timothy Akes, MPanel is working on several enhance-ments that should be a real plus for the fabrics industry; CAD developers are starting to take notice of this market. And as clients continue to request fab-

ric elements into their designs, Akes believes, there will need to be more packages that are geared toward the specialty fabric client.

“One [package] that will be released this summer is the addition of tools that will enable a user to map both text and graphic elements to a 3-D model, and then maintain the locations as the fabric transitions from the 3-D model to individual 2-D panels,” he says. “This has always been a difficult task for any-one working with print on a non-paral-lel surface, so we are certain it will be well-received.”

To offer feedback or comment on this article, please contact Melissa Kaudy, associate editor, at +1 651 225 6922, e-mail [email protected].


This screen shot from CAD Effects using MPanel software shows the full details of the project on page 53.

“I think using a CAD system is a must move for most shops, but it is important to find the right person who is already well-trained.” —Brian Rowinski, Rainier Industries Ltd.

A MIGHTY DRAFTCAD Effects LLC





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This comprehensive introduction to the subject is broken into five sections. After two introductory chapters, it goes on to look in a number of detailed chapters at printer and print head technologies. The next section examines the printer software required for successful color design and management. The digital printing coloration process is explored next, with chapters on substrate preparation, pigmented ink, aqueous inkjet ink, pre-treatment, and printing on cation-ized cotton with reactive inks. The book is concluded with three chapters on the design and business aspect of digital printing.

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Building electronics into clothing is a major new concept that opens up a whole array of multi-functional, wear-able electro-textiles for sensing/monitoring body functions, deliv-ering communication facilities, data transfer, individual environ-ment control, and so on. Fashion articles will carry key pads for mobile phones and connections for personal music systems; spe-cialist clothing will be able to monitor the vital life signs of newborn babies, record the performance of an athlete’s muscles, and call a rescue team to victims of accidents in adverse weather conditions. In this book, a team of international authors discusses the technical materials and processes that will facilitate all of these possibilities.

Biomechanical Engineering of Textiles and ClothingItem# TECKAGJ053(Hardcover, 412 pages, 2006)

This book addresses issues of designing and producing tex-tiles and clothing for optimum inter-action and contact with the body. It covers the funda-mental theories, principles and mod-els behind design and engineering for the human body’s biomechanics, contact problems arising between textiles/clothing and the body and the mechanics of fibers, yarns, textiles and clothing. Material properties are discussed in relation to mechanical performance. The book concludes with practical examples of clothing applications to illustrate how to carry out biomechanical engineering design for specific applications.

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This book describes the broad range of polymer composite materials with textile reinforcements, from woven and non-crimp commodity fabrics to 3-D textiles and their applications. The book gives particular attention to the mod-eling of textile structures, composites manu-facturing methods, and subsequent compo-nent performance. Design and Manufacture of

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Y

Marc Hequet is a Minneapolis-based business writer.

Your people are fu l l o f good ideas. Quick—cal l a meet ing. By Marc Hequet

You need ideas for new products? For new markets? For more effective hiring and training? For a better billing system?

You can always book a two-day retreat with a creativity consultant. That might cost you $15,000 plus travel, lodging and incidentals.

Or maybe you can do some seat-of-the-pants innovating on your own. After all … doesn’t innovation just happen out of the blue?

“It does occasionally,” says Steven Dahlberg, a Willimantic, Conn., creativity consultant. “But I think the challenge is: How do you make it happen more?” Dahlberg does a lot of thinking about thinking. Among other things, he’s an adviser to a Guggenheim Museum education-research initiative on teaching problem-solving through visual arts.

Don’t expect brilliant ideas to fall into your lap, at least not very often. It generally takes some work. “If you put the deliberate work into looking for alternatives and new ways of looking at challenges and problems,” Dahlberg says, “you may have more breakthroughs.”

How can you be more deliberate about innovating? We’ll get to that in a moment. First, however, consider this: Your own people and your own products are a pretty good source of ideas in themselves.

Bud Weisbart, vice president at A&R Tarpaulins Inc. of Fontana, Calif., suggests that you be keenly aware of two things: what your company does best, and what your custom-ers and prospective customers really need. You may find that a good product you already make also fits the bill in another context—whereupon you “tweak until you get something that works the right way,” says Weisbart.

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A&R realized, for example, that a rollover system it devel-oped for tarps made as covers for over-the-road trucks func-tions just as well for restaurant patio shades.

And when aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. wanted a peek-proof curtain around a top-secret reconnais-sance satellite it was building, A&R fabricated the enclosure

out of much the same material it was already using as a wrap for cable bundles that shield electronic transmissions against electromagnetic interference—two layers of a Teflon® sand-wiching polyester impregnated with nickel and copper.

The Lockheed Martin satellite technicians go in through zippered openings in the adapted cable wrap, which is opaque to X-rays, visually secure, and protects the satellite against weather and debris.

“Tribal knowledge”You can’t do that kind of innovation with people who just

walked in the door. Long-term workers are invaluable, Weis-bart says, for the “tribal knowledge” they wield collectively.

Turning newcomers into long-timers involves making employees feel as though they are an important part of your innovation process. “A good idea can originate anywhere in the organization,” says Jean Greaves, CEO at TalentSmart, a San Diego, Calif., leadership-development firm.

If you want those ideas, you must start early—invest in your workers. Send them to training to improve their job skills. Make it clear that you listen. That, says Greaves, “creates a culture of trust and open communication. In an environment of trust, people feel safe to experiment and take risks, which is exactly what you need to get ideas flowing.”

Or, you can just offer them money. “The employees are much more likely to speak up in a place where they actually have a chance of sharing in some of the profits—assuming there are some,” deadpans Bruce Phillips, a senior economist with the National Federation of Independent Business.

Okay, so ideas don’t always make the angels sing. That’s all part of the fun. And it should be fun, at least a little.

The right peopleThe process of innovation can start with the simple act

of calling a meeting; but thereafter, doing it properly gets complicated.

It’s important at the outset to get the right people into the room. For a new product, of course, you need the ones who will actually build it. The people who are going to sell it should be there as well. Who’s going to market it? Bring her in. Who buys supplies? That person should be there as well. You may even want to involve your lawyer upfront if you anticipate legal issues.

A key step is defining the challenge you face. Innovation that addresses a poorly defined problem—or the wrong problem entirely—is wasted brainpower.

Innovation, step by step

Creativity consultant Steven Dahlberg suggests this brainstorming process.

First, diverge:

• Capture ideas. As people brainstorm, ask somebody to write ideas on a flipchart. Number each idea for easy identification.

• Generate lots of ideas. Ask for one or more ideas from everybody. Quantity of ideas breeds quality ideas.

• Don’t judge ideas—at least not right away. Don’t criticize ideas as people generate them. Critiques come in the second round.

• Make connections. Build on and modify ideas people have offered. Look for new combinations of ideas that would work together.

• Allow “far-out” ideas. Wild ideas give you insight. Don’t be afraid to suggest something wacky. If it has a hint of a promise, you can always scale it back.

Then, converge:

• Evaluate. In the second round, identify your criteria for choosing from among the many ideas you wrote down in the first round.

• Select the best ideas based on those criteria, and discuss how the best ideas apply to the challenge at hand.

Brainstorming itself isn’t rocket science: Generate lots of ideas. Be freewheeling. Defer judgment. Look for connections between ideas. “It’s not very complicated,” says Dahlberg, “but it’s often not followed very well.”

No surprise there; you’re asking bright, hardworking people to sit and listen to screwball ideas. That’s a formula for frustration if you don’t do it right.

During this process, however, screwball ideas should be welcome. That’s the fun part. Nutty notions loosen up the group and get everybody thinking. In fact, far-out suggestions may carry the seed of a solution—or at least provide a new insight into the problem.

Say you want to boost sales. Consider the extremes: Let’s try giving it away! Or, head the other way: Let’s quadruple our prices!

Crazy? Maybe. But let those notions float for a bit. Naysayers will soon enough have a chance to jump all over them, and articulating the reasons not to do something may carry the germ of an idea about what to do instead. Maybe you want to give away a sample of a new product, and then raise your prices a little when customers come back for more.




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If you get bogged down, tell your in-novation geniuses to forget everything else and just think about a tree; and then make connections about how the tree relates to your particular business challenge. Some call this lateral think-ing, or metaphorical thinking. If noth-ing else, it kicks people out of their ruts for a while.

From clueless to close-mindedPeople already know how to be cre-

ative, says innovation consultant Min Basadur of Burlington, Ontario, Canada. His clients range from Microsoft to an in-dustrial-fabrics firm that makes coverings for office chairs and cubicle dividers.

The trick, says Basadur, is getting people with different innovation styles to work together.

If you gather eight people to discuss a challenge, you may get eight differ-ent creativity styles in the room. One guy might be clueless on both problem and solutions. He’s the one who doesn’t even know why there’s a meeting, or why he’s been told to come. Another person,

your conceptualizer, is raring to go, excited about brainstorming solutions. Still another type, your implementer, already has a solution and is ready to put it into place.

A meeting of such minds can mean frustration and wasted time. “Imple-menters tend to downgrade concep-tualizers because they take too long,” says Basadur. “Conceptualizers tend to downgrade implementers because conceptualizers think the implement-ers don’t think.” So Basadur uses an eight-step process that engages, step by step, all the innovation styles he has identified.

This approach means asking your hurry-up implementers to be patient while the group first works on defining the problem. “When that’s done, this process always works,” Basadur claims. However, “if you let the implementers run roughshod, you may end up with the wrong problem, and it doesn’t work so well.”

Got that? A key step is defining the challenge you face. Innovation that ad-

dresses a poorly defined problem—or the wrong problem entirely—is wasted brainpower.

Basadur was with consumer-prod-ucts giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) when its competitor, Colgate, came out with Irish Spring bath soap. P&G quickly set out to counter the success-ful brand with a knockoff … but found consumer testers still preferred Irish Spring to P&G’s own green-striped trial brand.

Developers were defining the wrong problem, says Basadur, who was with P&G through 1981. It wasn’t about the stripes: It was about feeling refreshed after bathing. So P&G product develop-ers began to think instead about how to give the showering public a little zip. The result: What turned out to be P&G’s Coast brand beat Irish Spring in some consumer testing that followed. (P&G has since sold the brand to Dial Corp.)

If your innovators “take some time to define the problem,” concludes Ba-sadur, “they’re well on the way to con-sensus.”

In short, you’ve got an innovative bunch there—if they think you’ll listen to them. And, if they will take time to listen to each other. And, if you know how to draw them out without driving each other crazy.

To offer feedback or comment on this article, please contact Galynn Nordstrom, senior editor, at +1 651 225 6928, e-mail [email protected].




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James Chan answers some f requent ly asked quest ions about protect ing inte l lectual property.

China marketPiracy in the

Turn the pirate into a distributor. I used to sell books and journals to Asia and I knew a pirate in Taiwan who printed Western-language scientific, technical and medical books and sold them there. As copyright laws improved in Taiwan, and as more students and professors could afford to buy the real, imported books, we signed him up as a distributor. After decades of selling pirated copies, he had the perfect customer list!

Find and groom a sales representative you can trust. If you want things to work in China, you must have a sales represen-tative who can be your eyes and ears on the ground, giving you information from the marketplace.

Send the best and brightest people. If you decide to do business in China, send your best people to tackle the China market. You need people who are smart and intelligent, but who are also able to read people’s character and personality and manage them effectively. The China market is not for amateurs.

James Chan, Ph.D., is founder and principal of Asia Marketing and Management based in Phila-delphia, Penn. (See related article on page 46.)

Piracy or permission? The Chinese obsession with branding is evident in this building in Shenyang City, made to look like a Louis Vuitton piece of luggage.

It is said that the Chinese will copy any item with disregard to patents and copy-

rights. Why doesn’t the U.S. government enforce its own laws?

Responding to pressures from the U.S. government and private industry, the Chinese government has tried to curb rampant piracy. The severity of piracy in China might subside somewhat in one industry, but intensify in another. More than 90 percent of all copyrighted products sold in China are counterfeit. Piracy of copyrighted music CDs, computer software and movies cost U.S. companies alone $2.6 billion in lost sales.

It is crucial to know that Chinese companies pirate one another’s products all the time. The behavior is not aimed only at the United States. A successful furniture maker in Shanghai came out with a very popular wood wardrobe, and the product was so successful that the “pirates” copied it, made cheaper, look-alike wardrobes and drove the inventor out of business.

Despite rampant piracy, don’t become frozen by the fear of piracy and not at-tempt to sell in the China market. There are many ways to make handsome profits if you’re able and willing to conquer the fear of entering a new market.

How can a product design be protected if it’s being made in China?

Put it in writing. Make sure to have a written agreement (or order) with a Chinese partner. Even though law enforcement is shaky in China, it is important to prove that your rights have been violated. Chinese fear losing face in public, but you must be willing to go public.

Register your trademark. You can apply for trademark, copyright and other forms of intellectual property rights protection in China. This procedure may not give complete protection, but it can deter potential offenders.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. A high-end furniture maker in China said that his designs are often copied by pirates, who sell cheaper versions overseas, but he prevails because the pirates can only imitate the look, not the craftsmanship. Still, to protect his designs, he spreads his know-how among craftsmen in different depart-ments. A pirate would have to hire his entire top management and craftsmen team to truly duplicate his designs.

Guard your core secret. A major U.S. company has a joint venture with a Chinese partner to manufacture cable equipment used with television sets. Everything is made in China except a crucial technical element, which the joint venture company must import from the U.S. company.

Sell what cannot be duplicated. I’ve helped a specialty bearing manufacturer market very sophisticated, high-end bearings since 1984. The Chinese are able to duplicate the low-end bearings, but they can’t duplicate the high-end ones because they use a specialty metal that the Chinese simply can’t make.

Be mindful of what you’re asked. Perhaps the most effective way to protect your se-crets is to be aware at all times that your customers in China will ask for your source codes, machine tolerances, machining procedures or software that you use. Don’t answer them.

Turn the pirate into a partner. For decades, a Chinese pharmaceutical company was able to duplicate a European company’s pills and sold them in the China market at such a low price that the European company could not compete. The European company sought out the pirate and offered to form a joint venture with the Chinese company and to teach them how to perfect the manufacturing process. The joint ven-ture included the condition that the European company will market the China-made tablet in Western markets in which they have effective legal controls.




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Jamie Swedberg, based near Athens, Ga., is a former magazine editor and frequent contributor to the Review.

New developments in the science of impact-res is tant mater ia ls mean more opt ions for end-product manufacturers .

By Jamie Swedberg

An impact is defined as the striking of one thing against another—a forceful collision. It can come from a bullet or a boulder; it can take the form of a wall of fiery shrapnel-bearing air, or of a snowboarder’s rear end against the ground.

Some materials can protect people and their possessions from nearly any kind of impact. Concrete bunkers and thick steel plates, for example, are practically impervious to most impact forces and sources. But their protection comes with a price: They are too heavy, stiff, and cumbersome to be practi-cal in most situations where one might want them. They are certainly not portable or wearable.

The challenge, then, has been to create materials that are light, breathable, and flexible, yet can absorb the shock of an impact. Fabric manufacturers are leading the way.

Developing marketsThe name that springs immediately to mind—or should,

if you haven’t been living in a concrete bunker for the last 30 years—is Kevlar®. DuPont’s revolutionary para-aramid fiber, invented in 1965 and introduced to the market in the 1970s, is five times stronger than steel, so it offers significant protec-

tion when made into fabrics that are light and comfortable enough to wear. It’s a key component in most bulletproof vests and vehicular shrapnel shields.

A bullet does not deliver the same type of impact as a boul-der, however. Some other materials are designed specifically to absorb the shock of larger, blunter traumas such as blows and falls. So in addition to continually improving the popular fiber, DuPont envisions combining Kevlar with other impact-resistant materials in personal body armor, hunting apparel, athletic shoes, and similar products.

Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont is not the only large com-pany interested in expanding its impact-resistance offerings. It was Dow Corning, Midland, Mich., that sponsored the research and paid for the international patent for the tech-nology developed at Auxetix Ltd., Tiverton, England. The technology in question is a helical auxetic system, explains inventor and managing director Dr. Patrick Hook.

Most materials become thinner when they’re stretched and fatter when they’re compressed. But auxetic materials do exactly the opposite—they become fatter when they’re stretched. Fabrics made from these helical auxetic fiber systems are being prototyped by John Heathcoat & Co., England; they are currently referred to specifically as blast curtains.

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Let’s back up for a moment. Most materials become thinner when they’re stretched and fatter when they’re compressed. But auxetic materials do exactly the opposite—they become fatter when they’re stretched.

Auxetic fiber systemsHook’s helical auxetic system works like this: A high-

strength, inelastic fiber is wound in a spiral around a thicker elastic fiber. (It doesn’t really matter much what the two ma-terials are as long as they have these properties. They could be carbon fiber wrapped around an epoxy resin, for example, or Kevlar wrapped around nylon.) Upon impact, the elastic fiber expands to absorb the shock. Then the inelastic fiber, as it is pulled straight, limits the expansion.

Fabrics made from these helical auxetic fiber systems are being prototyped by John Heathcoat & Co., Devon, England. The fabrics are currently referred to specifically as blast cur-tains, mostly because Auxetix got a small government grant to test them for suitability as such.

“So it was a convenient label to put on them,” Hook says. “But actually what we’ve got is a blast mitigation [material] that also could be used for linings on vehicles. Troops out in the Middle East could potentially have linings for increased protection against land mines and roadside bombs.”

Other applications, he says, may include “rapidly deploy-able protection”—a portable anti-explosive screen that troops, medics, or emergency workers can erect wherever they stop to work. He also points to the fibers’ potential usefulness in mine shaft explosion shields, composite panels for airplane cargo crates, and protective curtains to shield coastal buildings from typhoons.

“It could be used for bullet-resistant armors,” he adds. “Right now I wouldn’t want to wear it and have somebody fire a bullet at me, but it can be engineered for that purpose. We are hoping to work through a particular major company that I can’t name right now to create body armors for ballistic and other protec-tions. I’m also particularly interested, having been a motorcycle racer for 25 years, in helping protect people in motorsports.”

When will this technology be available to end-product fab-ricators? Depending on your needs, Hook says, the answer is either “right now” or “very soon.”

“We’ve got a collaboration agreement with [Heathcoat] so that when we refine the technologies, or even use the technologies as they are, they can produce them for a cus-tomer,” he says. “If a customer came on tomorrow and wanted 25,000 square meters of the existing fabric, we could make it as soon as the machines are free to run it through. The first generation of the blast fabrics are ready for market now. But I have since come up with a new fiber combination that will potentially result in a lighter, stiffer, cheaper, and more trans-parent curtain than we’ve got currently; we’ve got to do the testing and development work on it, so that one would be a few months away.”

Flowing orange goo?Auxetix has approached the impact-resistance problem at

the fiber level; there are also companies that have tackled the issue on the molecular level. One of these is d3o lab, a Hove, England, company that specializes in custom protective sports gear components.

The key to these components, says public-relations and market-ing executive Georgina Wright, is the d3o material itself.

The helical auxetic system from Auxetix Ltd. works like this: A high-strength, inelastic fiber is wound in a spiral around a thicker elastic fiber. Upon impact, the elastic fiber expands to absorb the shock. Then the inelastic fiber, as it is pulled straight, limits the expansion.

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THE PROTECTION BUSINESS

“There’s quite a lot of confidential-ity around the actual technology be-hind it,” she says. “But it’s a polymer that contains what we call intelligent molecules. Basically, these molecules have interlocking bands or structures, which on impact actually lock together and create the impact protection. As soon as the impact energy is absorbed, it goes back to its original free-flowing state. The whole process takes about 10 milliseconds.”

In practice, that translates into a substance that is light and flexible and won’t hamper movement, yet has the capacity to seize up instantaneously to take the brunt of any blow.

In its basic form, the d3o material is a flowing orange goo that was discov-ered “randomly one day in a blender” by CEO Richard Palmer, Wright says. Palmer and company engineers then figured out a way to incorporate the material into pads and panels, while retaining its innate impact-absorbing characteristics. The in-house lab can custom-design and custom-mold these components for inclusion in just about any item of clothing or protective gear.

The material is unusual in that it provides both shock absorption (cush-ioning against an impact) and energy return (bounciness); most materials are much better suited to one than the other. That makes it ideal for sports or certain kinds of safety and protective

One company tackling the issue of impact resistance on the molecular level is d3o lab, a Hove, England company that specializes in custom protective sports gear components. d3o has partnered with companies such as Reusch, Spyder, and Quiksilver to produce gloves, racing suits, beanies, pads, and other protective sports gear.

d3o

lab

gear. What it won’t do is stop a small-weapons attack.

“Because the material is lightweight and flexible, a knife or a bullet will still go through it,” Wright explains. “It hasn’t got any plastic or hard-shell coating. But blunt impact will be ab-sorbed, and the shock reverberated throughout.”

She says d3o labs prefers to focus its energy on the sports industry; it’s

In its basic form, the d3o material is a flowing orange goo, using what the company terms “intelligent molecules”; interlocking bands or structures lock together upon impact and create the impact protection. As soon as the impact energy is absorbed, it goes back to its original free-flowing state. By incorporating the material into pads and panels, the in-house lab can custom-design and custom-mold these components for inclusion into almost any item of clothing or protective gear.

where the company originated, and its outdoorsy employees particularly enjoy working with athletes. In fact, there’s a whole “team” of development athletes—snowboarders, downhill mountain bik-ers, motocross racers, and the like—who have signed on to try out d3o products in the field and offer their feedback.

d3o has partnered with companies such as Reusch, Spyder, and Quiksilver to produce gloves, racing suits, beanies, pads, and other protective sports gear.

“The beanies that we’ve produced are not a replacement to the helmet in any way,” emphasizes Wright. “But it’s better than a [plain] beanie, because it’s got that added impact protection to it. They’re a really good option if some-one doesn’t want to go the full hog and wear a helmet. It’s style, comfort, and fashion, with d3o applied.”

More intelligent moleculesDow Corning has also approached

the impact-resistance problem on the molecular level. Their product, the Active Protection System, is similar to d3o in that it flows under normal condi-tions and forms rigid molecular bonds when it’s struck. Neither company wishes to be too specific on what dif-ferences there may be in the products’ formulation on that count. But there’s a definite difference in the way Dow Corning’s is applied.




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A line oftechnologywith noboundaries.

Vectran™ is a high-performance thermotropic multifilament spun from liquidcrystalline polymer (LCP). A unique combination of properties differentiatesVectran™ fiber from other high-performance fibers and makes it the material ofchoice in demanding applications where other fibers fail to meet performancerequirements:

High strength and modulus • Excellent creep resistance • High abrasion resistance • Excellent flex/foldcharacteristics • Minimal moisture absorption • Excellent chemical resistance • Low coefficient of thermalexpansion (CTE) • High dielectric strength • Outstanding cut resistance • Excellent property retention athigh/low temperatures • Outstanding vibration damping characteristics • High impact resistance

803-396-7351 • www.vectran.nete-mail: [email protected]

“[It] consists of two key compo-nents,” says Fernando Vazquez, global technical leader for Dow Corning fab-ric finishing and senior applications engineer for textiles in North Amer-ica. “There’s a specially-engineered fabric spacer carrier, and a silicone coating. The silicone coating material has the unique property of being soft, malleable, and formable under normal conditions, but hardening instantly upon impact. After the force has been dissipated through the silicone/fabric system, the silicone is again soft and flexible.”

Unlike d3o, which is manufactured in a pad-like form, Active Protection Sys-tem™ technology is delivered in the form of a fabric just 4.5 mm thick. This fabric can be used to back a hard-shell plastic shield, or can be used on its own—sewn into a garment, for example.

“The Dow Corning Active Protection System has been introduced in motor-cycling protective apparel, and other sports protective apparel applications are being explored now,” Vazquez says. “We believe this technology also offers potential in a number of other applica-

tions in medical products, military and civil defense, transportation, and archi-tectural markets, to mention a few.”

All of these approaches to impact resistance would have been pure sci-ence fiction a few decades ago. It’s hard for many laypeople to believe that such airy materials can actually offer signifi-cant protection.

“We like to prove to everyone that this stuff works,” Wright says. “A lot of people

Providing both shock absorption (cushion-ing against an impact) and energy return (bounciness), d3o material is ideal for sports or certain kinds of safety and protective gear. What it won’t do, however, is stop a small-weapons attack.

look at it and say, ‘It’s too lightweight and flexible—it’s not going to help at all!’ But our technology produces some-thing that’s quite amazing.”

To offer feedback or comment on this article, please contact Galynn Nordstrom, senior editor, at +1 651 225 6928, e-mail [email protected].




http://www.vectran.net



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THE INSIDER Your source for today’s industry news, activities and opportunities from IFAI.

Best Business PracticesFabric frontiers in the Caribbean: Calypso Marine Canvas Ltd. celebrates innovation

In 1966, Riad Shakeer joined his father in the family’s Chaguanas, Trinidad-based upholstery business. At the time, their focus was mainly on automotive upholstery, with Shakeer & Sons upholstering vehicles for private car owners as well as custom-ers such as the Caroni Sugar Refinery (the largest in the Caribbean), the Trinidad & Tobago Electricity Commission, and the Tobago Taxi Association. By the time Riad’s younger brother, Fuad, joined the business, the company was upholstering furniture for residential customers as well.

When their father died in 1972, Riad and Fuad Shakeer continued the business, now providing upholstery services to four large restaurants on the island. In 1976, both brothers were actively involved in the local automotive racing circuit, becom-ing good friends with Brian Bowen, a pioneer in the boat building industry in the Caribbean. After seeing what the Shakeers could do with racing seats, Bowen hired them to provide upholstered boat seats for his new production line of pirogues.

Marketing fabric structuresThe Caribbean market has become more receptive to the idea of using fabric in

an architectural form, so becoming a member of IFAI’s Lightweight Structures As-sociation, Shakeer and long-time sales manager Neala Bhagwansingh felt they would be better-informed about marketing fabric structures effectively to the Caribbean

market. As a result of that planning, Calypso Fabric Architecture Caribbean Ltd. of Chaguanas, Triniad, was officially launched at the Building and Interiors Trade Show 2006, where the company received an award for the “Most Innovative Product on Display.” The new entity designs, manufactures and installs tensile fabric structures, awnings and canopies for internal and external applications.

Expanding the lineBy the mid-1980s, Shakeer & Sons

expanded their line of expertise by manufacturing awnings and pole tents. They also had opened a sales division, supplying customers with residential and commercial carpets, upholstery fabrics and trimmings. A third brother, Aga, ran this part of the business.

Riad moved the marine division of the business to the northwestern part of the Trinidad, closer to the bur-geoning yacht services industry. Es-tablished in 1990, Calypso Marine Canvas Ltd. was the first canvas shop in Trinidad, and the growth of the shop ran parallel with the growth of the yacht services industry. Situ-ated below the “hurricane belt,” Trin-idad/Tobago is where many yacht owners wait out the hurricane sea-son, taking advantage of the local yacht services available.

Shakeer’s first marine shop was less than 1,000 square feet in size, with two sewing machines and Riad himself turning out marine canvas and awning work. Calypso expanded to include a sales division, supply-ing other canvas shops with tools, fabrics, fittings, foam and trimmings. Currently, Calypso includes a work-shop, stockroom, showroom and ad-ministrative offices, occupying 5,000 square feet. The firm sells marine can-vas supplies to Trinidad/Tobago, Gre-nada, Cariacou, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As a member of IFAI’s Marine Fabricators Association (MFA), Shakeer and his staff keep up-to-date with the marine industry by attending the MFA Na-tional Convention.

In 1998, Shakeer decided to market retractable awning systems in Trini-dad/Tobago, adding further to the product line.

Neala Bhagwansingh, regional sales manager, and Riad Shakeer, founder and owner of the Calypso Canvas conglomerate in Trinidad.

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Membership Matters

In the Spotlight

A letter from the chairman:Using the power of the press

Note: The IFAI Board of Directors operates using the Carver Governance Policy. Carver directs boards to write the results they wish the organization to achieve, and they are referred to as “Ends Statements.” Jeffrey W. Kirk, IFM, Chairman of the IFAI Board, is referring to one of these Ends Statements regarding IFAI publications in the following message.

Dear IFAI Members:Our third Ends Statement asserts that IFAI will publish

magazines, directories and other print resources for or about the industry. Publishing printed material is a very important source of revenue for our Association. The Review is consid-ered very healthy, by any publishing standard, and has been the voice of this industry for more than 90 years. It has no direct competitor in the U.S., and the readership is strong.

In addition, the Association publishes six other magazines, targeted at niche markets. They act as effective advertising

vehicles and offer valuable information for us, the members, and the global specialty fabrics industry. All of these magazines, directories and guides that promote our products, applications and services reach a broad and diverse audi-ence of more than 80,000 readers (and perhaps twice that if pass-along reader-ship is considered). They also have been recognized by the publishing industry with many awards over the years.

IFAI’s publishing efforts are yet another great benefit to you, whether you use the information contained in the ar-ticles, contribute to articles, or are better able to reach your intended market through advertising. The revenue gener-ated by advertisers helps support all the other programs offered by IFAI, to your benefit.

Sincerely,Jeffrey W. Kirk, IFMThe Astrup Co. Cleveland, Ohio

Kristy Osman, certification project manager and managing director for theTruck Cover & Tarp Association and the Automotive Materials Association

For more than eight years, Kristy Osman has supported IFAI members as the managing direc-tor of two IFAI divisions: the Truck Cover & Tarp Association and the Automotive Materials Association. Recently, Kristy added another title to her association expertise:

certification project manager. “Some companies now prefer certification with IFAI,” Osman

says about the impact that changes in the industry are generat-ing. She has worked with the certification task group to increase the number of credits needed to recertify. Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, of Noank, Conn.-based Custom Marine Canvas, states: “Being certified set me apart from my competition, so much so that they [the competition] got certified the following year!”

Osman also has created new ways to educate consumers, creating informative brochures that explain the benefits of hiring a certified professional; the brochures can be attached to bids. “With the certification process, I have been able to convey to my customers that I am qualified to do the work

IFAI Chairman Jeffrey W. Kirk

they are asking me to do,” says Faith Fredericks, MFC, IFM, of Banner Canvas, Ham Lake, Minn.

Even the judges that grant certification in the final stages of the program are being primed to become more astute in the process. At IFAI Expo 2007, they will have their first in-structional seminar, which will focus on their actual training, emphasizing such topics as the proper questions to ask (and what not to ask) during the certification process. Osman was able to implement these positive changes with the help of the Professional Certification Task Group, which includes: Edward Hunzinger, MFC, Evanston Awning Co.; Lyon Kerby, MFC, SeaLyon Marine Canvas; Dan Lesch, MFC, Lesch Boat Cover Co.; Chet Opdyke, MFC, Bluegrass Awning Co. Inc.; Richard Yale, IFM, MarChem Coated Fabrics Inc.; and Kevin Yonce, MFC, IFM, TCT&A Industries Inc.

IFAI sponsors four professional certification programs that reward and recognize individuals for their knowledge, skills, experience, and demonstrated abilities that contribute to advancing the specialty fabrics industry as a whole.

Kristy Osman




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THE INSIDER

How does IFAI membership benefit you?

Transformit winsGood Design award

IAA 2006 Award of Excellence in the banners and flags, large scale/special event category.

“Our membership is an important part of main-

taining contact with the current codes from around

the country—it’s invaluable to have this type of

national presence.”

Steve Fredrickson, Sales Manager

Ferrari Textiles Corp.Pompano Beach, Fla.Member since 1988

“Being a long-standing member of the United

States Industrial Fabrics Institute, (a division of IFAI)

has enriched our business through participation in

extensive networking opportunities at the annual

Outlook Conference and Lobby Days in Washington,

D.C. Additionally, their recent leadership role with

DSCP and Natick on military specifications has, and

continues to address, many long-term issues in mili-

tary applications. As international trade impacts our

business, they provide ... a lobbying arm in Washing-

ton, and coordinated trade missions with the U.S.

Department of Commerce.”

Joey Underwood, Senior Vice President

Safety Components Fabric Technologies Inc.Greenville, S.C.Member since 1969

A member of IFAI since 1991, Trans-formit of Gorham, Maine, recently won the Good Design award for their inno-vative and striking design called “The Dynamics Modular Tension Fabric Com-ponents.” The award is organized by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Archi-tecture and Design. The Good Design award honors companies in industrial and graphic design in categories such as fabric and textiles, urban furniture, architecture, and graphics.

Transformit has a history of receiv-ing awards from IFAI’s International Achievement Awards (IAA) since 1991. Transformit won two IAA awards in 2006: the Award of Excellence in the banners and flags, large scale/special event cat-egory, and the Award of Excellence in the interior projects category.

“Since joining MFA (a division of IFAI), I have

learned so much—and shared so much—information.

What a great source! My certification brings a new

level of confidence to my business. The Marine

Fabricators Association (MFA) takes the entire shop

to a higher level of excellence and professionalism.

It’s a great resource of information. Attending the

annual MFA National Convention is a great time to

meet fellow fabricators and share many ideas. The

exhibitors at the conventions bring along new and

exciting products, tools and services. I have made

so many new and great friends, I am truly thankful

for all that MFA has done for my business.”

David Hickey, MFC, Owner

DRH Canvas & Marine Ltd.Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaMember since 2001




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New Members

THE INSIDER

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), publisher of the Review, is a not-for-profit trade association that facilitates the development, application and promotion of specialty fabric products manufactured by its diverse membership. The following companies have made an investment in their future by joining IFAI.

Capital Awning & Tarpaulin Co.Susan Mann, Vice Pres.P.O. Box 90248East Point, GA 30364-0248United States+1 404 761 8431, fax +1 404 767 7831E-mail [email protected] site www.capitalawning.comIFAI division(s) joined: Professional Awning Manufacturers AssociationRetractable and residential awnings

ICI MetalsLaura Steidl, Sales15200 Foltz Pkwy.Strongsville, OH 44149-4733United States+1 440 846 9500, fax +1 440 846 8446E-mail [email protected] site www.icimetals.comIFAI division(s) joined: Professional Awning Manufacturers AssociationMetal distributor, supplier to industry, aluminum extrusions

Iverson’s DesignJason Iverson, Owner6141 Kiel Ct. S.E.Olympia, WA 98513-6539United States+1 206 849 2274, fax +1 360 866 9506E-mail [email protected] site www.iversonsdesign.comIFAI division(s) joined: Marine Fabricators AssociationCanvas dodgers, boat tops

Jomar Softcorp InternationalJohn Blasman, CEO1760 Bishop St.Cambridge, ON N1T 1J5Canada+1 519 740 0510, fax +1 519 740 9812E-mail [email protected] site www.jomarsoftcorp.comEnterprise software and services for textile and related industries

Lake Shore Boat Top Co. Inc.Robert Kotowski, Pres.27095 Campau LaneHarrison Township, MI 48045-2446United States+1 586 465 1731, fax +1 313 821 2534E-mail [email protected] site www.lakeshoreboattop.comIFAI division(s) joined: Marine Fabricators AssociationFull service custom marine fabricating and upholstery

Lalonde AwningsRachelle Lalonde, OwnerP.O. Box 4501007 Notre-DameEmbrun, ON K0A 1W0Canada+1 613 443 5434, fax +1 613 688 6211E-mail [email protected] site www.lalondeawning.caIFAI division(s) joined: Residential and commercial awnings

Lorenzo Canvas & UpholsteryTodd Lorenzo, Owner1900 N. W. 33rd Ct., Ste.8Pompano Beach, FL 33064-1332United States+1 954 695 3785, fax +1 954 781 6311E-mail [email protected] site www.lorenzocanvas.comIFAI division(s) joined: Marine Fabricators AssociationFull marine canvas and interiors

Reliable Analysis Inc.Ken-jen Lang, Pres.379 Indusco Ct.Troy, MI 48083-4646United States+1 248 558 9770, fax +1 248 558 9769E-mail [email protected] site www.ralab.comIFAI division(s) joined: Automotive Materials AssociationTest lab

Thermal Control Products Inc.Paul Matte9280 Davidson Hwy., Suite 500Concord, NC 28027-8801United States+1 704 795 2225, fax +1 704 795 2244E-mail [email protected] site www.thermalcontrolproductsinc.comIFAI division(s) joined: Safety & Protective Products DivisionRacing products

Valeshade Sdn BhdDaniel Loh, Mgr.356 Pahang Rd.Georgetown, Penang 10400Malaysia+1 604 229 9371, fax +1 604 229 6900E-mail [email protected] site www.valeshade.comIFAI division(s) Lightweight Structures AssociationShade sail canopy, French canopy, retractable, parasol,tension membrane structure, roller sun shades

How do you use IFAI to benefit your business?

We’d like to feature your stories about the benefits you have gained, and the partner-ships and friendships you have formed, as a member of IFAI. Topics may include:

• Mentor opportunities you’ve had to share your expertise with others;

• IFAI research or government relations, lobby efforts, standards for your industry that helped your business;

• Any new processes or ideas you got from the Information Central hotline;

• What would you attribute your success to, and what are your best practices? Could you share some trends in your business?

• Why did you join IFAI, and how has it ben-efited your business?

Send your stories to Kathy Mattson, director of membership, at [email protected], or call +1 651 225 6923.

We want your ideas and opinionsWe’d like to share your ideas and opinions with our members and Review readers. Next month’s member question: What symposiums have you attended at IFAI Expo? Please e-mail your response to Melissa Bibeau at [email protected]




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NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICESClean comfort , contemporary s ty le

From inter ior sun shading to ant imicrobia l suede, new fabr ics combine fashion and funct ion for a wide range of possib i l i t ies .

Scrabble 80262 and Circle 40706, two high-quality jacquard fabrics in the “Luxury & Comfort” collection.

Patterns and colors in the “Design & Protect” collection are de-signed to coordinate with each other.

The Clean Living collection.

The Hyde Me collection.

1. From Junkers & Müllers, three new lines for window fashions that offer heat protection, optimal light transmission and sophisticated style:

• Galaxis Solartec FR blind fabric is semi-transparent, structured and bound to a functional film that adds a silky shimmer to the back of the blind. The multi-functional fabric ensures high intervisibility with the outside, with simultaneous high daylight throughput, but without relinquishing any heat protection. Now offered in white, with more colors under development.

• New collection of blind and pleated fabrics, “Luxury and Comfort,” combines designer visuals with discreet sheen and first-rate functionality with the latest color shades. The line includes high-quality jacquard fabrics with varied matte-sheen styles; silky sheen in reduced floral patterns, up-to-the-minute stripe designs and noble black/silver two-ply combinations; light transmission can be selected to match various types of rooms.

• For contract business, the “Design & Protect” collec-tion offers three quality grades: BlackLight dim-out fabric, providing up to 95-percent darkness; DayLight semi-trans-parent decorative textiles, and SunLight transparent curtain material. All three are available in contemporary two-tone color combinations, designed for easy color coordination and combinability.

For information, contact Junkers & Müllers GmbH, M ö n c h e n g l a d b a c h , G e r m a n y ; + 4 9 2 1 6 6 3 9 3 9 0 , fax +49 2166 390980, e-mail [email protected].

2. Stretching the boundaries of style and comfort with vinyl and suede, two new collections from Silver State Inc.:

• The Clean Living collection of performance fabrics features built-in antimicrobial and antibacterial properties in vinyl and suede for the residential, hospitality, healthcare and fitness industries, in a wide variety of colors and styles. “Invincible” high-performance suede includes stain-release technology and moisture-barrier protection; four new em-bossed vinyl offerings include “Modular,” “Etching,” “Impres-sion” and “Crackle,” in pleasing natural patterns and soothing color palettes.

• The Hyde Me vinyl collection offers a “real leather” hand and appearance, with fashion-forward colors and high performance standards that include stain protection and antibacterial/antimicrobial resistance. Designs were inspired by exotic animals such as crocodiles, ostrich, lizards and rhi-nos, as well as natural woven textures like basket weaves and woven braids.

For information, contact Silver State Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, United States; +1 801 972 6770, 800 453 5777, Web site www.silverstatefabrics.com.

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Spot-testing fabricsThe Portable Air Permeability Tester FX 3360 PORTAIR

is a state-of-the-art device for determination of the air perme-ability (or the pressure drop at a selectable air velocity) as well as the thickness of fabrics, nonwovens, felts, films and paper machine clothing. Can be used for both spot tests and profile measurements at stationary or moving webs directly in the production machine, finishing machine, or at the inspection table. Lightweight, battery-operated instrument is suitable for single-handed operation.

For information, contact Textest AG, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland; +41 44 321 21 41, fax +41 44 321 21 43, Web site www.textest.ch.

Post-consumer polyester yarn

Eco-Fil™ is the only existing filament poly-ester yarn made from 100-percent post-con-sumer plastic beverage containers, according to manufacturer O’Mara Inc. By recapturing the PET from emptied bott les , the Eco-Fi l process ensures a true “closed-loop” product lifecycle. As a synthetic material, it also eliminates the need for herbicides and pesticides used for many natural fibers. Superior performance characteristics include a soft, luxurious hand, strength, shrinkage resistance, dye uptake, colorfastness, stretch, durability and manufactur-ability in a wide range of markets.

For information, contact O’Mara Inc., Rutherford College, N.C., United States; +1 828 874 2100, e-mail [email protected], Web site omarainc.com.

Promoting a breakdownUltraflex Systems Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of

diverse digital UV and screenprinting media, is now offering BIOflex™—an internationally patented biodegradable frontlit

sign media that breaks down and turns into dust when exposed to landfill conditions (darkness, high heat, moisture, and lack of oxygen). The company is also working on additional biodegrad-able substrates to encourage environmental responsibility.

For information, contact Ultraflex Systems Inc., Randolph, N.J., United States; +1 973 627 8608, fax +1 973 627 8506, Web site www.ultrafleXX.com.

Breathable foamViscool™ visco-elastic

foam has a porous cell structure that dramatically reduces heat retention, making it a natural choice for applications requiring prolonged use, such as mattresses, medical pads, recreational and other specialty cushions. The foam offers superior com-fort with substantially increased air-flow characteristics.

For information, contact American Excelsior Co., Arlington, Texas, United States; +1 817 385 3500, fax +1 817 649 7816, Web site www.americanexcelsior.com.

Fabric and fittingsNew from John Boyle & Co. Inc.:• Clear vinyl is specially formulated for windows in tent

sidewalls and commercial drop curtains. UV inhibitors and a cold crack of –20 degrees F. ensure a long useable life. A variety of weights and widths is available.

• A new finish on National Fittings awning hardware fea-tures a new “ecoating” offering increased rust resistance. The finish covers the entire surface of the hardware, including the inside and threads.

• PVC-coated awning fabric BTF-19™ is now available in three new colors: pearl white, terra cotta and emerald. Wide-width fabric is coated under tension, providing exceptional dimensional stability.

• Ace in the Hole grommet machine simplifies grommet setting: With one stroke, the machine cuts the grommet hole, inserts and sets the grommet. Comes complete with a #2 cut-ting and setting die; other dies are also available.

• Taco® Metals ball and socket top fittings are now available from John Boyle, manufactured from 316 marine-grade stain-less steel. The fittings include two top cap designs, one jaw slide and three deck hinge styles. Intended for use in a boat frame with compound curves, where standard fittings might bind up when folding the frame down. The pin and lanyard systems permits quick, easy fold-down and removal of tops.

For information, contact John Boyle & Co. Inc., Statesville, N.C., United States; +1 704 872 8151, fax +1 704 878 0572, e-mail [email protected], Web site www.johnboyle.com.

Pure IronThe Wagner Companies im-

ports Pure Iron from Europe for distribution in the United States, in-stock in a variety of shapes and sizes, available for same-day ship-ment. A long-time choice for art and forged decorative metalwork due to its superior malleability and weldability, the high-purity iron is corrosion-resistant and holds heat approximately 40-percent longer than mild steel. Stocked in 2-, 4- and 6-foot lengths, with custom lengths also available.

For information, contact The Wagner Companies, Butler, Wisc., United States; 888 243 6914, e-mail [email protected].

Before and after: a standard PVC-coated product in a one-week ac-celerated landfill, and a PVC-coated product with BIOflex additive in a one-week accelerated landfill.

AfterBefore

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CALENDAR

Plan now to attend to the largest specialty fabrics trade show in the Americas.

• IFAI expo 2007 will present existing and emerging technologies in specialty fabrics—bringing together all levels of the value chain – from fi ber producer to end-product manufacturer.

• IFAI expo 2007 gives you face-to-face

buying and selling opportunities. This dynamic trade show will be fi lled with more than 450 companies showcasing the latest in fi bers, fabrics, fi ndings, hardware, equipment, emerging technologies and solutions for the marketplace.

• 12 symposiums and workshops educate all members of the special fabric supply chain about new and emerging technologies, designs, and market trends.

Fabric Structures 2007 (pre-conference on Oct. 2)

Awnings & Canopies Equipment Graphics Marketing Military & First Responder Smart Textiles Sport Materials Tents & Events Truck Covers, Tarps & Tie Downs Upholstery Welding

To learn more about IFAI Expo 2007 visit www.ifaiexpo.com or contact our show management at: Phone: +1 651 222 2508 or 800 225 4324E-mail: [email protected] Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) 1801 County Road B W., Roseville, MN 55113-4061

SAVE THE DATE!

October 3–5, 2007Las Vegas Convention Center

2 0 0 7May

May 2-3, USIFI MilSpecs MeetingIn conjunction with the Joint Committee on Tactical Shelters (JOCOTAS) meeting, in Panama City, Fla. Working to update military specifications pertaining to coated and laminated tent fabrics. For information, contact Ruth Stephens, USIFI, at +1 651 225 6920, e-mail [email protected].

May 3–5, AIA 2007 National Convention and Design ExpositionIn San Antonio. The premier event for architects and building industry professionals, with the theme “Growing Beyond Green.” More than 250 continuing education programs, 60 tours, and 40 events will be offered, with 800 leading-edge companies exhibiting their products and services. For information, visit www.aiaconvention.com.

May 8-10, SPESA Expo, Material World, Technology Solutions: Triennial EventOccurring in the spring every third year, these events will be co-located to provide a comprehensive solu-tions resource for the sewn products industry. To be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Fla. For information from SPESA, contact Benton Gardner at +1 919 872 8909, e-mail [email protected]. For information from Material World/Technology Solutions, contact Suzanne Pruitt, +1 678 285 0307, e-mail [email protected].

May 13–17, Coastal Sediments In New Orleans, La. For more information, visit www.asce.org/conferences/cs07/index.cfm.

May 21-22, Outlook 2007At Mills House, Charleston, S.C. For more informa-tion, contact Ruth Stephens, +1 651 225 6920, 800 636 4942, fax +1 651 631 9334, e-mail [email protected], Web site www.usifi.com.

May 26-29 Australian Canvas and Synthetic Products Association (ACASPA) Expo 2007 At the Adelaide Hilton, Adelaide, South Australia. For more information, contact Russell Brown, ACASPA Executive Officer, +61 3 9593 9733, fax +61 3 9593 8033, e-mail [email protected], Web site www.acaspa.com.au.

May 29–31, Techtextil Rossija 2007Will be held in the Crocus Expo Exhibition Center in Moscow, Russia, concurrent with “International Industrial Week,” which consists of nine interna-tional exhibitions. At the same time, “Telogreyka,” an international exhibition for uniforms, special clothing, footwear, protection facilities and sewing machinery, will be held at the Sokolniki Exhibition Center, connected to the other halls by shuttle bus. For information, contact Christine Kern at [email protected].

May 29-June 1, Waste Tech 2007 In Moscow, Russia. The 5th International Trade Fair and Congress on Waste Management, Recycling and Environmental Technology. For more information, contact +7 495 101 4621, fax +7 495 782 1013, e-mail [email protected], Web site www.waste-tech.ru.

JuneJune 7–9, The Truck ShowAt the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brings together buyers and sellers of heavy- and medium-duty truck equipment and services. For information, visit www.truckshow.com.

June 11–13, 39th Annual NeoCon® World’s Trade FairThe contract furnishings industry’s premier event will take place at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. For infor-mation, call Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. at 800 677 6278 or visit www.merchandisemart.com.

June 12-14, Techtextil Frankfurt 2007 In Frankfurt, Germany. For more information, visit Web site techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/home.html.

June 18–20, 4th International Conference on Advances in Textiles, Machinery, Nonwoven and Technical Textiles (ATNT 2007) The conference, to be held in Coimbatore, India, is jointly organized by Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A., and the Kumaraguru College of Tech-nology, Coimbatore. Industry and academic leaders in the textile field will gather to exchange knowledge on the latest technological developments taking place in the global textile industry. For information, contact Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, organizing secretary, at +1 806 885 0228, e-mail [email protected], or visit Web site www.atnt2007.com.`

June 22–23, 2007 OFPANZ Conference Will be held in New Zealand’s Garden City, Christ-church, at Chateau-on-the-Park. For information, con-tact the Outdoor Fabric Products Association of New Zealand, +64 3 3799756, Web site www.ofpanz.co.nz.

June 27-29, IAAPA Asian Expo 2007At the Royal Paragon Hall, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand. For information, visit www.iaapaasia.expoplanner.com.

AugustAugust 20–23, Event Solution’s 2007 Idea FactoryAt the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Fla. Includes IFAI’s Tent Rental Division Steering Com-mittee Meeting. For more information, visit www.eventsolutions.com.

August 22–23, NeoCon XpressAt the Los Angeles Convention Center, giving the West Coast design community the opportunity to see hun-dreds of new products in a variety of market segments, including hospitality, health care, government, technol-ogy solutions and eco-friendly/sustainable design. For information, call Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. at 800 677 6278 or visit www.merchandisemart.com.

SeptemberSeptember 11-13, China ConferenceAt the Doubletree Hotel San Pedro, San Pedro, Calif. Successful logistics strategies for the Chinese market. Six general sessions over two days will drive a series of workshops led by recognized experts in their field. For more information, visit Web site www.thechinaconference.com.

September 12–14, VA-CA CPA 2007 Annual ConventionThe Zone 4–Virginia-Carolinas Canvas Products As-sociation will hold its annual convention this year at the Hospitality House Hotel in Williamsburg, Va. For information, contact Jeri Perillo, secretary, at [email protected].

September 13–20, International Textile Machinery Exhibition (ITMA) 2007Will take place in Munich, Germany, in the New Mu-nich Trade Fair Centre. The theme “Place for Innova-tion” will focus on the benefits (and concerns) about nanotechnology in fibers, textiles and treatments. For more information, visit www.itma.com.





http://www.aiaconvention.com

http://www.aiaconvention.com



http://www.asce.org/conferences/cs07/index.cfm

http://www.usifi.com


http://www.acaspa.com.au



http://www.waste-tech.ru

http://www.truckshow.com

http://www.merchandisemart.com


http://www.atnt2007.com.`

http://www.ofpanz.co.nz

http://www.iaapaasiaexpoplanner.com

http://www.eventsolutions.com

http://www.eventsolutions.com

http://www.merchandisemart.com

http://www.thechinaconference.com

http://www.thechinaconference.com

http://www.itma.com

http://www.acaspa.com.au


http://www.iaapaasiaexpoplanner.com

techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/home.html

techtextil.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/home.html

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I n d u s t r i a l F a b r i c P r o d u c t s R e v i e w M O N T H Y E A R2

For more information on classified advertising in IFAI’s Industrial Fabric Products Review, contact Shelly Arman at IFAI, 1801 County Rd. B W., Roseville, MN 55113-4061 USA.

Phone: 800 225 4324, fax: +1 651 225 6966 , e-mail: [email protected]

Wanted

Help Wanted

Look for classifieds on our website www.ifai.com

For Sale

Phone 864/242-3491 Fax 864/232-5658

P.O. Box 1984, Greenville, SC 29602

E-mail: [email protected]

Visit our Web site for additional

positions: www.godshall.com

Call Richard Heard

Nedgraphics Designer, $70K Acrylic Fiber R&D Engineer, $75K

Warp Knit Development Eng., $68K Composites Technical Account Mgr., $85K

2nd Shift Thermosol Dyer, $52K

Call Robert Graham

Narrow Fabric Weave Supervisor, $45KBallistic Fabric Sales, $90K

Nonwovens Plant Manager, $85K Webbing Technician/Supervisor, $55K

Filter Media Sales, $75K Textile Marketing Specialist, $70K

GODSHALL & GODSHALL CONSULTANTS

Textile Industry Specialists Since 1969Fee Paid Positions

Texas based Retail/Wholesale Interior/Exterior Manual/Motorized Window Cov-erings Company seeks well seasoned professional product Installers, Lead Installers & Project Manager. For more information on these great opportunities go to:

www.shademarket.com

INSTALLER / LEAD INSTALLER / PROJECT MANAGER

Multiple award winning awning company with impeccable reputation on the east coast serving large Mid-Atlantic met-ropolitan region. 27 years in one of the most dynamic markets in the country. $2 Million in annual sales each of last the 10 years $10.1 Million in proposals gener-ated in 2006

• 16 IFAI - “Achievement Awards”

• 2 IFAI - “Awards of Excellence”

• Grand Prize Steel Stitch - “Up to Speed Competition”

• 3 Zone 4 - “John Boyle Awards of Excellence”

• Accessible to multiple highway systems

• Extremely large labor market

UNLIMITED GROWTH POTENTIAL!Owner/Manager is planning to relocate.

Send resume in confi dence to:

IFAI, 1801 County Road B W

Box 725, Roseville, MN 55113

or e-mail [email protected]

BUSINESS FOR SALE

101G and 102G vinyl welders. Nice con-dition, good welders. $5000 each or both for $9000.

Best Tarps, Inc.

1-800-765-6127

MILLER WELDMASTER

FOR SALE

166 rolls of 10’ 2” W by 290’ L, black on white, 14.8 oz. per sq.ft. designated as QSF500

180 rolls of 11’ 2” W by 301’ L, black on black, 10 oz. per sq.ft. designated as QSF340

70 rolls of 5’ 2’’ W by 290’ L, black on white 14.8 oz. designated as QSF500

72 rolls of 6’ W by 301’ L, black on black, 10 oz. designated as QSF340

Dan Hillesheim

Power Blanket LLC

801-506-0198

801-601-2222 fax

877-927-6432

American subsidiary of Sattler AG, a world renown producer of high quality, solution dyed acrylic fabrics for awning and marine applications, seeks several sales reps. for expansion into new territories.

Please fax resume to:

(631) 393-5141

or email to:

[email protected]

SALES HELP WANTED

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Own your own business in growing marine trade community. Marine Canvas Fabricator specializing in exterior and interior work. Wonderful work space, great location in the heart of the boat haven. Well known, well regarded, over a decade in business. Unlimited work for motivated owner. Potential for business growth for sail maker or sail repair expansion. Lease assignable. Seller will train New Buyer.

Michelle Sandoval (360) 385-9344

Windermere Real Estate/Port

Townsend

FOR SALE

KEDERCORDWeld-ABLE PVC kedercordHigh-FLEX POLY kedercord

any size - any length - virgin resin

Tel 902,892,2929

Fax902,892,2995

www.kedercord.com

[email protected]

WE BUY

SHELF-DATED BANNER FABRIC, IND. FABRIC, LAMINATED & COATED VINYL,

SECONDS & CLOSEOUTS.

CALL CANVYL 514/866-4255

SURPLUS AND SECONDS OF CLOSED CELL FOAM

Available in rolls, sheets and buns. Our prices are cheap cheap cheap.

McCullough Corp.248-646-6195 fax: 248-646-8913

email: [email protected]

For Sale

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0507RVW68_cv4.indd 750507RVW68_cv4.indd 75 5/9/07 8:59:28 AM5/9/07 8:59:28 AM


http://www.ifai.com/Home/classifieds.cfm


http://www.godshall.com

http://www.shademarket.com



http://www.kedercord.com





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CALENDAR

OctoberOctober 1–3, Web Sling and Tie Down Association fall meetingwill take place at Bally’s in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tech-nical committees meet in open forum to discuss industry issues, testing, government regulations, the development of WSTDA products, and to continue standards-writing efforts. For information, visit www.wstda.com.

October 3-5, IFAI Expo 2007Takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada. The specialty fabrics industry’s annual get-together in North America. For information, contact IFAI Conference Management at 800 225 4324, or visit www.ifaiexpo.com.

October 10–12, Techtextil IndiaAt the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (East), Mumbai, India. Application areas: Agrotech, Build-tech, Clothtech, Geotech, Hometech, Indutech, Medtech, Mobiltech, Oekotech, Packtech, Protech, Sportech. For information, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].

October 22–24, The 12th Shanghai International Nonwovens Conference & Exhibition (SINCE’07)The show will take place at INTEX (Shanghai In-ternational Exhibition Center), in Shanghai, China, and will provide companies in the global nonwovens industry a platform to access the huge potential non-wovens market in China. For information, contact Flora Xu, CNTA, the China Nonwovens Technical Association, at +86 21 64641527, fax +86 21 64812993, e-mail [email protected].

NovemberNovember 12–16, IAAPA Attractions Expo 2007At the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla. The year’s leading event for the amusement parks and attractions industry. For information, contact the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions at +1 703 836 4800, e-mail [email protected].

November 21–22, IMB Forum 2007The IMB Forum 2007 will take place in Cologne, Ger-many, under the banner “Information Technology for the Textile Processing and Apparel Industry.” The exhibition, and the accompanying trade congress, is organized by Koelnmesse in cooperation with the VDMA German Garment and Leather Technology Association. The event promotes direct dialog be-tween users and suppliers, driving the development of specific solutions for the textile and clothing industry as a whole. For information, e-mail [email protected].

November 30–December 2, HIGHTEX 2007, The Technical Textiles & Nonwoven Trade Fairwill take place at the Istanbul Expo Center in Istan-bul, Turkey. The 3rd International Technical Textiles Congress, organized by Dokuz Eylül University Textile Engineering Department, will take place at the same time. For information, call Teknik Ltd. at +90 212 592 5992, or e-mail [email protected].

2 0 0 8January

January 24–26, IFAI Tent Conferenceat the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach, Calif. The theme will be “Catch the opportunity, capture the market,” presenting a mix of educational sessions, special events and networking opportunities. For information, contact Jan Schieffer, managing director of IFAI’s Tent Rental Division, at +1 651 225 6944, or visit www.tentexperts.org.

January 30–February 1, 2008 Tri-Zone ConventionThe combined convention for the Mid America 8, Upper Midwest and Zone 7 Canvas Products As-sociations will take place in St. Louis, Mo., at the Millennium Hotel (for reservations, call 866 866 8086 and ask for the Tri-Zone Canvas Products room block). Events will include a kick-off dinner, a tour of Lawrence Fabric Structures’ plant, Friday seminars and Market Day, which will feature more than 30 table-top vendor displays. For information, visit www.canvaszone7.com.

MayMay 13–16, The International Apparel Machinery (JIAM) Trade ShowThe Japan Sewing Machinery Manufacturers Associa-tion has announced that the JIAM trade show will be held in Singapore at the Singapore Expo, the first time that the triennial show will be held outside of Japan since its debut in 1984. The theme, “The Gateway to Advance Technology from JIAM to the World,” is intended to address significant global changes in the textile and apparel industry. For information, visit www.jiam2008.com.

Ergo & Plano series:

Portable or wall-mounted transmitters.Ideal for any architectural style

Nice offers you the most advanced technology you could possible imagine...from the Nice Radio Connection system to the exclusive Neomat MHT...the only motor with emergency override mechanism and automatic encoder tension adjustment of the fabric sheeting.

Nice USA, Inc.7037-3 Commonwealth Ave.

Jacksonville, FL 32003(904)786-3867

www.niceforyou.com

Nice Home AutomationAwnings

Screens

Rolling Shutters

®

Volo series:

Directional Wind-Sun sensors with variable sensitivity on multiple levels.Radio-controlled or TTBUS versions

Better for the User

Better for the Installer

Better for the Retailer

TTP & TTI:Palm-top programmers or computer interface with programming software.The simplest programming available.

Providing Quality Components & Service to Manufacturers

around the world since 1970.

(310)763-1111 • www.lowyusa.com • [email protected](310)763-1111 • www.lowyusa.com • [email protected]



http://www.wstda.com

http://www.wstda.com







http://www.tentexperts.org

http://www.canvaszone7.com

http://www.canvaszone7.com

http://www.jiam2008.com

http://www.niceforyou.com

http://www.lowyusa.com




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Name ___________________________________________________________

Company _________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

City ________________________ State _____________ Zip ______________

Phone ________________________ Fax _______________________________

Title (please check):

Owner/President/CEO

Purchasing Manager/Director

Research & Development Manager/Director

Sales Manager/Director

Product Designer

Primary business (check one):

Awning Infl atables

Banner Sign

Filtration Structures

Graphics Supplier

Bill me

Check Enclosed $__________

Credit Card Payment Visa Master Card Amex Discover

Card Number: __________________________________

Expire Date: ___________________________________

Card Holder Name: ______________________________

Signature: _____________________ Date: __________

Fax: +1 651-631-9334Mail: IFAI, SDS-12-2108, PO Box 86, Minneapolis, MN 55486-2108Offer ends June 30, 2007. Please allow 4-6 weeks for shipment of fi rst issue. Offer valid for new subscribers only.

$129 $69 / 2 Years U.S.A.

$149 $79 / 2 Years Canada/Mexico (U.S. funds)

$299 $169 / 2 Years Other Int’l (U.S. funds)

$129

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Introductory Offer—Subscribe today and Save!

The specialty fabric expert for over 91 years.

Future topics include:• Impact-resistant

fabrics & products• Smart fabrics at work• Fabrics in transportation• Banners: the large medium• Printing on textured fabric



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Get listed on this page!Share your knowledge and expertise; offer input on Review stories. We are pre-paring future issues, and we’re looking for knowledgable sources on these topics:

Upcoming features• IFAI Expo 2007 show preview• Care and cleaning of marine fabrics• Commercial upholstery• Showroom: soft signage

Don’t forget your cameraWe rely on our readers for most of the im-ages that appear in the Review. However, we have specific requirements for photos. We can use high-resolution digital imges—spe-cifically, 300 dots per inch (dpi), sized at least 4-by-5 inches (1200 by 1500 pix-els)—in jpg, tif or eps formats (NO images imbedded in Word, PowerPoint or PDF files, please!) In order to get print-quality images, your digital camera has to be a 2.4 megapixel model or higher. We can also use hard-copy photos printed from film. (NO images printed from your computer printer, please!)Cover photos: If you provide us with very large, clean and crisp, attractive electronic or hard-copy photos, they can be considered for the magazine’s cover. For electronic files, that means at least 300 dpi resolution, sized at least 9-by-11 inches (2700 by 3300 pixels). For hard copy photos, 8-by-10 prints are best. Also, we generally choose vertically aligned pictures for the Review cover.

Contact Galynn Nordstrom

+1 651 225 6928,

e-mail [email protected].

L is ted below is contact in format ion for the ind iv iduals and companies consul ted for th is month’s ar t ic les .

EDITORIAL SOURCES

Page 32

Federal surge brake rules finalizedAmerican Rental AssociationMoline, Ill.800 334 2177Web site www.ara.org

Canadian Rental AssociationWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada+1 204 452 1836Web site ww.rentalhq.org

Global Rental AllianceMoline, Ill.+1 309 764 2475Web site www.ararental.org./globalrentall

Hire and Rental Association Ltd.Mona Vale, Australia+61 2 9997 5166Web site www.hireandrental.com.au

Hire Association EuropeBirmingham, England, U.K.+44 12 1380 4600Web site www.hae.org.uk

Hire Industry Association of New ZealandAuckland, New Zealand+61 21 72 7249Web site www.hireandrental.com.au

U.S. Dept. of TransportationFederal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationWashington, D.C.800 832 5660Web site www.fmcsa.gov

Page 38ShipshapeBirdair Inc.Amherst, N.Y.+1 716 633 9500E-mail [email protected] site www.birdair.com

Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive CenterMoorhead, Minn.+1 218 299 5511Web site www.hjemkomst-center.com

MJ Mechanical Inc.Buffalo, N.Y.+1 716 874 9200Web site www.mjmechanical.com

Page 46

Taking the China market by the hornsAsia Marketing and ManagementPhiladelphia, Pa.+1 215 735 7670E-mail [email protected] site www.asiamarketingmanagement.com

Page 52

A mighty draft

CAD Effects/MPanelSt. Louis, Mo.+1 314 631 6300Web site www.cadefx.com

Custom Marine CanvasNoank, Conn.+1 860 572 9547E-mail [email protected] Web site www.custommarinecanvas.com

Eide Industries Inc.Cerritos, Calif.+1 562 402 8335E-mail [email protected] Web site www.eideindustries.com

Gerber Technology Inc.Tolland, Conn.+1 860 871 3779Web site www.gerbertechnology.com

Hufnagel SoftwareClarion, Pa.+1 814 226 5600Web site www.hufsoft.com

Jomar SoftCorp InternationalCambridge, Ontario, Canada+1 519 740 0510Web site www.jomarsoftcorp.com

Mahaffey Fabric Structures Inc.Memphis, Tenn.+1 901 363 6511Web site www.fabricstructures.com

William J. MillsGreenport, N.Y.+1 631 466 1616Web site www.millscanvas.com

PartyTime Productions Inc.Addison, Wis.+1 630 261 1900Web site www.partytimeproductions.com

Page 58

Seat-of-the-pants innovationA & R Tarpaulins Inc.Fontana, Calif.+1 909 829 4444E-mail [email protected] site www.artech.com

Steven DahlbergWillimantic, Conn.+1 860 450 1287E-mail [email protected]

National Federation of Independent BusinessNashville, Tenn.+1 615 872 5800Web site www.nfib.com

TalentSmart San Diego, Calif.+1 858 509 0582Web site www.talentsmart.com

Page 64

The protection businessAuxetix Ltd.Tivertson, England, U.K.E-mail [email protected] site www.auxetix.com

Dow Corning Corp.Midland, Mich.+1 989 496 4000Web site www.dowcorning.com

DuPont Co.Wilmington, Del.+1 302 999 3965Web site www.usa.dupont.com

John Heathcoat & Co.Devon, England, U.K.+44 18 8425 4949 E-mail: [email protected] site www.heathcoat.co.uk




http://www.ara.org

http://www.ararental.org./globalrentall

http://www.hireandrental.com.au

http://www.hae.org.uk

http://www.hireandrental.com.au

http://www.fmcsa.gov


http://www.birdair.com

http://www.hjemkomst-center.com

http://www.mjmechanical.com


http://www.asiamarketingmanagement.com

http://www.cadefx.com


http://www.custommarinecanvas.com


http://www.eideindustries.com

http://www.gerbertechnology.com

http://www.hufsoft.com

http://www.jomarsoftcorp.com

http://www.fabricstructures.com

http://www.millscanvas.com

http://www.partytimeproductions.com


http://www.artech.com


http://www.nfib.com

http://www.talentsmart.com


http://www.auxetix.com

http://www.dowcorning.com

http://www.usa.dupont.com


http://www.heathcoat.co.uk

When you contact an advertiser in this issue, please tell them that you saw their ad in Industrial Fabric Products Review.For advertising rates and information call Sarah Hyland at 800 225 4324.

Alpha Productions800 223 0883www.alphaproductions.com . . 45A Proud Member of IFAI

American Cord & Webbing Co. Inc.+1 401 762 5500www.acw1.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A Proud Member of IFAI

Arquati USA800 832 8393www.arquatiusa.com . . . . . . . . 60A Proud Member of IFAI The Astrup Co.+1 216 696 2820www.astrup.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2A Proud Member of IFAI

John Boyle & Co. Inc 800 438 1061www.johnboyle.com . . . . . . . .Cv4A Proud Member of IFAI

CaMillion Fabric Insert+1 713 443 4368www.permastitch.com . . . . . . . 54

Coletech800 872 6950www.coletech.net . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Covin Sales & Converting888 862 6846www.covinsales.com . . . . . 40, 41A Proud Member of IFAI

DAF Products Inc.800 228 9837www.dafproducts.com . . . . . . . 39A Proud Member of IFAI

Eastman Machine Company800 872 5571www.eastmancuts.com . . . . . . . 51A Proud Member of IFAI

Erez USA, Inc.888 446 [email protected] . . . . . . . . . 21A Proud Member of IFAI

Fasnap Corporation800 624 2058www.fasnap.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 45A Proud Member of IFAI

Glen Raven Custom Fabrics+1 336 221 2211www.sunbrella.com . . Cv2, 1, 43A Proud Member of IFAI

ADVERTISER INDEX

Herculite Products Inc.800 772 0036www.herculite.com . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Proud Member of IFAI

J.N. Zippers & Supplies Corp888 699 1188www.jnzipper.com . . . . . . . . . . . 21A Proud Member of IFAI

Kuraray America, Inc., Vectran Division+1 803 396 7351www.vectran.net . . . . . . . . . . . . 67A Proud Member of IFAI

Lowy Enterprises+1 310 763 1111www.lowyusa.com . . . . . . . . . . 76A Proud Member of IFAI

Manart-Hirsch Co. Inc.+1 516 887 1133www.manart-hirsch.com . . . . . . 13A Proud Member of IFAI Metro Tag & Label Co. Inc.800 221 7840 www.metrotag.com . . . . . . . . . . 20

Miller Weldmaster Corp.877 WELDMASTERwww.weldmaster.com . . . . . .Cv3A Proud Member of IFAI

Nice USA Inc.+1 904 786 3867www.niceforyou.com . . . . . . . . 76A Proud Member of IFAI

Rivets Unlimited NY Inc.800 267 9334www.rivetsunlimited.com . . . . . 20A Proud Member of IFAI

Robeco Inc.800 992 1067www.robecoinc.com . . . . . . . . . 33A Proud Member of IFAI

Sattler North Americaformerly known as European Outdoor Fabrics Corp.866 992 9646www.sattler-corp.com . . . . . . . . 49A Proud Member of IFAI

Sinclair Equipment Co.800 624 2408www.sineqco.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A Proud Member of IFAI

Stimpson Co. Inc.877 765 0748www.stimpson.com . . . . . . . . . . 3A Proud Member of IFAI

SuperTex Fabrics800 858 8033www.supertexpvc.com . . . . . . . 55A Proud Member of IFAI

Texas Thread Mfg. Co.800 840 3670 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56A Proud Member of IFAI

303 Products800 223 4303www.303products.com . . . . . . . 19A Proud Member of IFAI

TMI Inc.800 888 9750www.tmivinylsolutions.com . . . 17A Proud Member of IFAI

Vidir Machine Inc.800 210 0141www.vidir.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33A Proud Member of IFAI

Vintex800 846 8399www.vintex.com . . . . . . . . . . . . 15A Proud Member of IFAI

The advertisers highlighted in color are exhibitors at IFAI Expo 2007. Plan to attend and visit their booths at the show, which will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on October 3–5 2007.

For more information on IFAI Expo 2007, please visit www.ifaiexpo.com, or contact Exhibit and Registration Coordinator Tracie Coopet at +1 651 222 2508; or e-mail: [email protected].


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http://www.alphaproductions.com

http://www.acw1.com

http://www.arquatiusa.com

http://www.astrup.com

http://www.johnboyle.com

http://www.permastitch.com

http://www.coletech.net

http://www.covinsales.com

http://www.dafproducts.com

http://www.eastmancuts.com


http://www.fasnap.com


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I N F O R M A T I O N C E N T R A L?w

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Compiled by Juli Case, IFAI Information and Technical Services Manager, and Christine Malmgren, IFAI Information Services Representative.

Don't le t a quest ion

s idetrack your

business. The

textile professionals at

Informat ion Centra l

answer quest ions

about sources of

supply, bu i ld ing

codes, technical

issues, and more.

This f ree serv ice

is exclus ive ly for

IFAI members .

For membership

in format ion, contact

IFAI at 1801 County

Road B W. , Rosevi l le ,

MN 55113-4061;

800 225 4324,

+1 651 222 2508,

fax +1 651 631 9334.

Need an answer?

Contact Informat ion

Central , 800 328 4324,

+1 651 225 6935,

fax +1 651 222 2508 ,

e-mai l in focentra l@

ifa i .com.

How do testing labs get accredited?Having your fabric tested by an accredited lab is a way to show to customers and ven-dors that your material has been assessed by an objective party. Some organizations that

write standards also have an accreditation procedure, but there are also independent entities that accredit labs. ASTM is one of the largest standards-related entities in the United States, and they have a program called the Laboratory Crosscheck and Proficiency Testing Program. ASTM can be contacted at 100 Barr Harbor Dr., P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959; phone +1 610 832 9585, fax +1 610 832 9555, or Web site www.astm.org.

There is also an association that does laboratory ac-creditation: the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation. They’re located at 5301 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 350, Frederick, MD 21704; +1 301 644 3248, fax +1 301 662 2974, Web site www.a2la.org.

Finally, the National Cooperation of Laboratory Accreditation (NCLA) recognizes a number of orga-nizations for providing lab accreditation. For more information, contact NCLA, 103 Commerce St., Suite 160, Lake Mary, FL 32746; +1 321 275 0610, fax +1 407 333 3309, Web site www.nacla.net.

Who sells quarter-inch binders that can work with double-edge turn trim?

We found a number of companies that sell binding attachments for sewing machines. Be advised that you may need to clarify what type of machine, model, etc., before most

suppliers will be able to assist you:• W.S. Bessett Inc., 1923 Main St., Sanford, ME

04073-4407; +1 207 324 8375, fax +1 207 324 1702, Web site www.wsbessett.com.

• Bill’s Sewing Machine Co. Inc., P.O. Box 1760, Hildebran, NC 28637-1760; +1 828 397 6941, 800 445 5657, fax +1 828 397 6193, Web site www.billsewing.com.

• The Feit Co., 1325 S. Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90015; +1 213 747 9383, 800 526 7426, fax +1 213 748 7178, Web site www.feitcompany.com.

• Henderson Sewing Machine Co. Inc., P.O. Box 966, Andalusia, AL 36420-1219; +1 334 222 2451, 800 824 5113, fax +1 334 222 4085, Web site www.hendersonsewing.com.

• Lowell Distributing LLC, 4506 S State Road 9-57, Churubusco, IN 46733-9606; +1 260 693-6375, 866 556-9355, fax +1 260 693 2246, Web site www.lowelldirect.com.

A• Manart-Hirsch Co. Inc., 314 Hendrickson Ave.

Lynbrook, NY 11563-1054; +1 516 887 1133, 800 626-2781, fax +1 516 887 1158, Web site www.manart-hirsch.com.

• Orange County Industrial Sewing Machine, 608 E. 4th St., Santa Ana, CA 92701-4706; +1 714 953 0977 x110, 888 853 0977, fax +1 714 953 1042, Web site www.ocisewing.com.

• Sloan Machinery Inc., 110 Haverhill Rd., Ste. 250, Amesbury, MA 01913-2123; +1 978 388 8883, 800 832 0050, fax +1 978 388 8547, Web site www.sloanmachinery.com.

• Seiko Sewing Machine Co. Ltd., 2-13-6 Sakae-cho, Funabashi Chiba, 273-0018 Japan; +81 47 4203561, fax: +81 47 420 3560, Web site www.seiko-sewing.co.jp.

My client is requesting an upholstery fabric called Warp Speed. Isn’t this a term from Star Trek?

Your client is partially right; there is an in-stock program called Warp Speed that is offered by Absecon Mills Inc. The company is a manufacturer of upholstery and wall

coverings for commercial upholstery applications. Fabrics under their Warp Speed program are shipped much faster than their other collections. For more information, contact Absecon, Aloe and Vienna Ave., Cologne, NJ 08213-0672; +1 609 965 5373, fax +1 609 965 7474, Web site www.absecon.com.

My client is requesting a fabric covering for an airplane that has the ability to conform to the aircraft when heat is applied. It’s called aircraft Dacron. Do you have a source?

We found two suppliers of aircraft Dacron, a material that is typically used on ultralight aircraft. For more information, contact:

• Air Tech Coatings Inc., 1 Paradise Park, Jacksonville, AZ 72076; +1 501 985 1484, fax +1 501 985 1359, Web site www.airtechcoatings.com.

• Aircraftspruce West, 225 Airport Circle, Corona, CA 92880; +1 951 372 9555, fax +1 951 372 0555, Web site www.aircraftspruce.com. Or, contact their eastern location: Aircraft Spruce East, 452 Dividend Dr., Peachtree City, GA 30269; +1 770 487 2310, fax +1 770 487 2308.

A

A

A



http://www.astm.org

http://www.a2la.org

http://www.nacla.net

http://www.wsbessett.com

http://www.billsewing.com

http://www.feitcompany.com

http://www.hendersonsewing.com

http://www.hendersonsewing.com

http://www.lowelldirect.com

http://www.lowelldirect.com


http://www.ocisewing.com

http://www.sloanmachinery.com

http://www.sloanmachinery.com

http://www.seiko-sewing.co.jp

http://www.absecon.com

http://www.airtechcoatings.com

http://www.aircraftspruce.com

http://www.billsewing.com


http://www.seiko-sewing.co.jp

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