Features

An architectural take on permanent shade umbrellas

February 1, 2026

Taiwanese architect Cheng-Tsung FENG took inspiration from traditional oil-paper umbrellas to create an airy park pavilion that has a pocket garden and benches for people to gather and relax inside. The structure takes an umbrella’s design and turns it on its head—well, more literally on its side. The shape appears as if three giant umbrellas …

Features

Association board chair Craig Zola on textile industry goals

February 1, 2026

For Craig Zola, stepping into the role of board chair felt like the natural next step of a decades-long career dedicated to textiles and association leadership. Inspired by his father, J. Richard (Dick) Zola, an Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) Honored Life Member with a distinguished career in industrial textile manufacturing, Craig followed his father’s career …

Features

You can stand under their umbrella: Stunning shade for fans

February 1, 2026

“The Organic Tree” was created to make a fan experience at the Australian Open more comfortable. VDM Group and Pattons implemented a detailed breakdown of the design, engineering, fabrication and installation process and spent the first week planning. Although this used up a week of its 12-week timeline, it resulted in thorough project management. They …

Projects

Sinovac Tianfu plant area landscape

February 1, 2026

To give its employees a covered walkway between buildings and more places outdoors to take a break, the rapidly growing Sinovac Biotech company, south of Beijing, China, turned to Pfeifer Spatial Structures (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. The ETFE structure covers an area of about 1,700 square meters (18,299 square feet), and the shell structure system is …

Markets

Securing the supply chain

February 1, 2026

In today’s data-driven environment, it is better to have an abundance of information rather than a shortage—especially in supply chain operations. Businesses must be able to keep track of various moving parts, such as shipping and arrival dates for materials or products and the quantity to be received. While there is no shortage of information, …

News

Vomela acquires Moss

February 1, 2026

On Dec. 16, The Vomela Companies announced the acquisition of Moss Inc. As part of the acquisition, Vomela will merge its Fusion events business unit into Moss, which will operate under the unified name Moss, A Vomela Company, to be led by its president and CEO Jason Popp. With 1,600 employees at 20+ locations across …

Industry News

Renson and Corradi North America appoint Michael Ackelbein as president

January 29, 2026

Renson, based in Carrollton, Texas, has announced the appointment of Michael Ackelbein as president of Renson and Corradi North America. Ackelbein brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in architectural products, building materials and multi-channel distribution. He most recently served as vice president of sales and distribution at Fräsch/Catalyst Acoustic Group. At Renson, Ackelbein …

Industry News

AATCC announces Coloration Conference speakers

January 15, 2026

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has announced the speakers who will present at the 2026 AATCC Coloration Conference, Feb. 24–25 at the StateView Hotel in Raleigh, N.C. This event will bring together professionals from across the textile and color industries to explore the latest trends and technologies in coloration. Conference presentations …

Industry News

Michelin to acquire Tex-Tech, Cooley Group

January 13, 2026

Michelin has announced two acquisitions, including Tex-Tech Industries and Cooley Group. Arlington Capital Partners, a private investment firm focused on government-regulated industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Tex-Tech Industries to Michelin. As part of the transaction, FMI Industries Inc., which includes two Tex-Tech divisions—Fiber Materials Inc., acquired from Spirit AeroSystems, and the Engineered Composites …

Industry News

Fifteen U.S. state attorneys general oppose proposed revision to TSCA PFAS reporting policy

January 9, 2026

Fifteen U.S. state attorneys general have submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expressing their opposition to a proposed revision to PFAS reporting policy under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The comments were submitted Dec. 22 by attorneys general of Connecticut, Illinois, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, …

Case Studies Members only content

Your ship has come in

November 1, 2022

Along-awaited waterfront ferry terminal is up and running on Seaplane Lagoon, Alameda, Calif. Against a backdrop of the decommissioned USS Hornet aircraft carrier and the Alameda Naval Air Museum, the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal provides regular weekday commuter services from Alameda, Oakland and other areas east and across the Bay from San Francisco. While helping …

Case Studies

Time, time again

October 1, 2022

Shigeru Ban’s corporate campus in Biel/Bienne for the Swiss watch company Swatch Omega Group is a study in contrast. Expanding on a motif the international architect first developed for the Centre Pompidou-Metz, France, Ban created a massive load-bearing timber diagrid shell that encloses and forms the main building. As with the Metz project, the Swatch …

Case Studies

The Feeling: We’re in Kansas now!

September 1, 2022

Overland Park, Kan., is the second largest city in its state, as well as within the Kansas City metro area. The city’s website claims it is “America’s largest inhabited park,” and it feels like it if you stand in any open field and look northeast toward downtown Kansas City where the green-glass iconic towers of …

Case Studies

Sails that sign: Enter here!

August 1, 2022

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indigenous community in Scottsdale, Ariz., has a dedicated space that is surrounded by a high-end commercial plaza on its land. Located at the crossroads of two major roads, the shopping complex is composed of numerous brick-faced masses that have tribal art affixed to the curved walls. One corner of the complex …

Case Studies Members only content

Right of passage

July 1, 2022

Vicinity Centres at Chadstone, located in Melbourne, Australia, is considered by some as the Fashion Capital of Down Under. Chadstone’s high-end fashion shopping precinct includes retail, commercial and leisure zones and recently was grafted to a new five-star hotel, the Hotel Chadstone Melbourne MGallery by Sofitel, via a fabric tensile canopy dubbed “The Link.” “The …

Case Studies

Opening up The Shell

June 1, 2022

Fans of the San Diego Symphony have been singing praises for the new outdoor performance venue featuring The Rady Shell, inaugurated August 6, 2021, with a full-orchestra concert and a packed audience. As any musician will tell you, acoustics at outdoor performances are often a disappointing aural experience due to wind, intrusive noises and other …

Case Studies

Fabric structures reduce environmental impact

May 1, 2022

More than ever before, architects are being called upon to dramatically improve the performance of their buildings, and fabric can help with this mandate. The key to implementing this is to reduce the embodied carbon in buildings.  It’s a given that 40 percent of global resources goes to the built environment, so our construction industry …

Case Studies

Upholstered pods offer spot for creative immersion

January 1, 2022

With commissioned work coming to a halt last year because of the pandemic, artist Liam Hopkins set out to design his own project—a venue that would inspire and evolve. The result is Lazerian Space, a combination art gallery and cafe on King Street in Manchester, England.  Inside the space, guests lounge and nosh within one …

Case Studies

Paris debuts a ‘grand’ temporary venue

December 1, 2021

While the Grand Palais, Paris’ historic exhibition hall and museum complex, is closed for a multi-year restoration project, a membrane-wrapped temporary venue installed on the Champ de Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower is taking its place. Designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte of Wilmotte & Associates, the temporary structure dubbed “Grand Palais Ephémère” …

Case Studies

Michigan dining outdoors, under cover

October 1, 2021

In the autumn of 2020, while Michigan was experiencing a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, the governor and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services put in place a three-week ban on indoor dining in restaurants. To keep their doors open, many Detroit restaurants turned to tents, heaters and other ways to extend their …

ATA News

Registration now open for Advanced Textiles Expo 2025

May 1, 2025

Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) is excited to announce that registration is now open for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place November 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. As the industry’s leading trade show for specialty fabrics, advanced textiles, and shade and weather protection, the Expo draws thousands of professionals for three days …

Expo News

Plan your stay: Official housing for Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 now open

March 11, 2025

We are pleased to announce that Site & Stay has been selected as the official housing partner for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place Nov. 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Hotel booking is now open, offering attendees and exhibitors exclusive access to discounted rates at our official host hotels—all conveniently located …

Expo News

Call for presenters open for Advanced Textiles Expo 2025

February 1, 2025

Advanced Textiles Association invites industry leaders, innovators and experts to present at Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025 and Emerging Technologies Conference (ETC). Advanced Textiles Expo and the ETC allow textile industry participants to showcase their knowledge and innovations, inspire other industry professionals, and engage with peers and thought leaders in a dynamic, collaborative environment. Presentation applications …

Expo News

Advanced Textiles Expo 2024 brings more than 4,200 attendees, showcasing innovation and collaboration

October 17, 2024

Advanced Textiles Expo® 2024, the largest event of Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA), concluded with resounding success Sept. 24–26 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Once again held in conjunction with Sun Shading Expo North America—organized by Messe Stuttgart, founders of R + T and the world’s largest trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading …

Expo News

ATA negotiates lower rates for exhibitors at Advanced Textiles Expo

August 14, 2024

The Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) has renegotiated its General Services Contractor contract for the 2025–2027 Advanced Textiles Expo® shows. By selecting Freeman through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, we have secured rates that significantly lower the cost burden on our exhibitors. RFP process Key achievements This successful negotiation translates directly to cost savings for …

Expo News

IFAI Expo 2022 call for presentations

December 20, 2021

The Industrial Fabrics Association International is now accepting proposals for presentations at IFAI Expo 2022. IFAI Expo will take place Oct. 12-14, 2022, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., with education Oct. 11-14. IFAI is accepting proposals for 50-minute classroom sessions in several categories: Advanced Textiles Shade & Weather Protection Specialty Fabrics Marine …

ATA News

Messe Stuttgart’s Sun Shading Expo North America moves co-location debut with IFAI Expo to 2022

July 6, 2021

Messe Stuttgart announced that its new U.S.-based show Sun Shading Expo North America will not be held in 2021 as a separate trade show but will instead contribute its expertise in internal and external sun shading systems at IFAI Expo 2021 in the form of expert talks, open discussions and more. IFAI Expo 2021 will still take place …

Expo News

Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021

May 10, 2021

Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021. IFAI Expo celebrates the 100th anniversary of the show this November, and you won’t want to miss it! After a long hiatus of in-person events, this year’s show is the perfect place to reconnect with your industry. Register now to get the Early Bird rate! Early Bird rates end …

Expo News

Get stand-out awnings with digital printing

December 1, 2020

With today’s digital printing options, there’s no reason for an awning client to be limited to colors and patterns in a book or traditional customization methods, according to Andrew Medley, regional sales manager for Trivantage. “Digital printing offers unlimited capabilities, and it is a solution to providing the customer exactly what they want—personalized messaging, the …

Expo News

Welding technology for your business

December 1, 2020

During IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, Jeff Sponseller, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Miller Weldmaster, led a campfire session titled “How to Select the Correct Welding Technology for Your Business.” “Essentially a good weld means that the fabric will tear before the weld does,” says Sponseller. Many types of different materials can be …

Features

An architectural take on permanent shade umbrellas

February 1, 2026

Taiwanese architect Cheng-Tsung FENG took inspiration from traditional oil-paper umbrellas to create an airy park pavilion that has a pocket garden and benches for people to gather and relax inside. The structure takes an umbrella’s design and turns it on its head—well, more literally on its side. The shape appears as if three giant umbrellas …

Features

Association board chair Craig Zola on textile industry goals

February 1, 2026

For Craig Zola, stepping into the role of board chair felt like the natural next step of a decades-long career dedicated to textiles and association leadership. Inspired by his father, J. Richard (Dick) Zola, an Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) Honored Life Member with a distinguished career in industrial textile manufacturing, Craig followed his father’s career …

Features

You can stand under their umbrella: Stunning shade for fans

February 1, 2026

“The Organic Tree” was created to make a fan experience at the Australian Open more comfortable. VDM Group and Pattons implemented a detailed breakdown of the design, engineering, fabrication and installation process and spent the first week planning. Although this used up a week of its 12-week timeline, it resulted in thorough project management. They …

Features Members only content

Dynamic parking design

January 1, 2026

Fabritecture was tasked with improving the aesthetics and functionality of the existing parking garage at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. The architect’s concept included replacing the existing rectangular facade panels with a more geometrical design and layout. Fabritecture carefully refined the transformation, ensuring not only structural integrity but also a seamless integration with the existing …

Expo Report

Highlights from Advanced Textiles Expo 2025 in Indianapolis

January 1, 2026

Advanced Textiles Expo this year returned to the Midwest for the first time in more than a decade, coming back to a region with thousands of fabricators. That resulted in a lot of first-time attendees at the show as new faces filled the expo hall show floor at the Indiana Convention Center. This year’s Advanced …

Features Members only content

Ark Nova travels outside Japan for the first time

January 1, 2026

The Ark Nova, a mobile inflatable amphitheater created in response to the 2011 natural disasters in Tohoku, was installed for the first time outside of Japan at the Lucerne Festival Sept. 4–14 in Switzerland. At the festival, the Ark Nova hosted workshops, guided tours and 35 concerts featuring international musicians and local talent, with styles …

Features Members only content

Happenings in fabric graphics

December 1, 2025

The textile industry is an international beast, subject to the effects of supply availability, sustainability, worldwide regulations and changing tariffs. Successful companies deal with those changes by being nimble, focusing on core strengths and planning for the years ahead. Tariffs and de minimis Glaser Mills, based in Huntington, N.Y., is a supplier that specializes in …

Features Members only content

Shade solution covers Miami Carnaval

December 1, 2025

The Miami Carnaval project comprises six zones, known as bays, divided into over 120 panels, and spans a total area of 8,420 square meters. The project involved the installation of more than 31,000 screws and approximately 6,000 linear meters of a sophisticated clamping system. The selected material, PTFE B18039 Versaideg, was chosen for its exceptional …

Features Members only content

Textile regulations in the U.S. and abroad

December 1, 2025

Laws and regulations are inherently part of doing business in the textile industry. Compliance challenges are compounded by shifts in both U.S. and international textile markets, driven by new laws and regulations—including the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the revised Waste Framework Directive (WFD) in Europe and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates globally. …

Features

A public face

November 1, 2025

When a major credit union moved its corporate headquarters to the center of downtown Jacksonville, Fla., it wisely made a commitment to renovate several buildings along the primary pedestrian throughway that fronts its new property. VyStar Credit Union serves more than 825,000 military service members across the country, and as one of the largest financial …

Industry News

Renson and Corradi North America appoint Michael Ackelbein as president

January 29, 2026

Renson, based in Carrollton, Texas, has announced the appointment of Michael Ackelbein as president of Renson and Corradi North America. Ackelbein brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in architectural products, building materials and multi-channel distribution. He most recently served as vice president of sales and distribution at Fräsch/Catalyst Acoustic Group. At Renson, Ackelbein …

Industry News

AATCC announces Coloration Conference speakers

January 15, 2026

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has announced the speakers who will present at the 2026 AATCC Coloration Conference, Feb. 24–25 at the StateView Hotel in Raleigh, N.C. This event will bring together professionals from across the textile and color industries to explore the latest trends and technologies in coloration. Conference presentations …

Industry News

Michelin to acquire Tex-Tech, Cooley Group

January 13, 2026

Michelin has announced two acquisitions, including Tex-Tech Industries and Cooley Group. Arlington Capital Partners, a private investment firm focused on government-regulated industries, has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Tex-Tech Industries to Michelin. As part of the transaction, FMI Industries Inc., which includes two Tex-Tech divisions—Fiber Materials Inc., acquired from Spirit AeroSystems, and the Engineered Composites …

Industry News

Fifteen U.S. state attorneys general oppose proposed revision to TSCA PFAS reporting policy

January 9, 2026

Fifteen U.S. state attorneys general have submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), expressing their opposition to a proposed revision to PFAS reporting policy under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The comments were submitted Dec. 22 by attorneys general of Connecticut, Illinois, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, …

Industry News

PFAS laws in several U.S. states take effect

January 8, 2026

Several U.S. state laws related to the use of PFAS in products, such as bans and warning label mandates, went into effect Jan. 1. These states include Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota and Vermont. Visit Advanced Textile Association’s PFAS Resource Center for information and updates about other state PFAS laws and regulations. Connecticut Most products (including …

Industry News

President Trump extends pause on China tariff rate for 90 days

August 13, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Aug. 11 that the tariff on Chinese imports will remain at the same rate—30%—for an additional 90 days. China’s 10% tariff on American imports will also stay at the same rate. The announcement was made shortly before the U.S. tariff on Chinese imports was set to increase to 145%. This …

Industry News

European Union and U.S. announce trade agreement, modifying tariffs on most goods

July 29, 2025

The European Union (EU) and the U.S. announced a trade agreement July 27 that sets a 15% tariff on most EU goods, effective Aug. 1. The 15% tariff applies to all EU exports currently subject to reciprocal tariffs, including automobiles and automobile parts, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. It does not apply to the U.S. tariff on …

Industry News

U.S. Court of International Law ruling about tariffs put on hold

June 2, 2025

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal District granted the Donald Trump administration’s request to put a temporary hold on the New York-based U.S. Court of International Trade’s judgment May 29. The Court of International Trade Law’s May 28 judgement ruled in favor of six American-based companies, ruling that President Trump overstepped his authority …

Industry News

Public comments on trade open, tariffs begin next week

February 27, 2025

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) opened its invitations last week for public comments on foreign trade practices and the Section 301 sanctions on China. The deadline to submit comments on foreign trade practices is March 11. The deadline to submit comments on Section 301 sanctions is March 24. USTR will hold …

Industry News

Herculite launches charitable foundation fund

February 12, 2025

Herculite Products Inc. announced the establishment of the Herculite Charitable Foundation Fund, a corporate charitable foundation dedicated to addressing critical social challenges and making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves. Herculite said in a press release that this initiative represents the company’s ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and its mission to foster …