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COVID-19
NEW Covid-19 Resource Center
March 24, 2020
As we navigate through the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, we want to remind you that IFAI is with you every step of the way. We have developed a COVID-19 Resource Center that will be updated daily on recent developments surrounding the virus and our industry. In this Resource Center, you will find up-to-date information on: Government and Agency Information Financial Information …
COVID-19
IFAI Member Forum Webinars set
March 24, 2020
IFAI division members are invited to attend a Member Forum Webinar. We encourage you to take part in an open conversation with other members about the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic and discuss how your company is doing/navigating through this situation. Discussion questions include: What practices are you implementing to keep staff working further apart and at a …
Awards
Seaman Corporation recognized for favorable work culture
March 23, 2020
Established in 1949, Seaman Corporation is a world leader in the production of innovative, high-performance coated fabrics. Headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, with additional manufacturing in Bristol, Tenn., Seaman was recently named one of the top companies to work for in Ohio by Comparably. Comparably is a platform that provides culture and compensation data for public …
COVID-19
Message from INDA regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 23, 2020
Dear Colleagues, INDA is committed to safe working principles for our members, our staff and the industry as a whole. We are all making adjustments in our business to minimize the impacts and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are carefully monitoring and following the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control, and the North …
COVID-19
NCSL tracks state fiscal responses to COVID-19
March 23, 2020
As the global and national response to COVID-19 dominates public attention, state legislatures are taking steps to address budgetary and economic threats. To find current state by state information, The National Conference of State Legislatures website outlines state budget legislation to prepare and respond to the coronavirus through supplemental appropriations, rainy day fund transfers and …
COVID-19
Financial resources for small businesses
March 23, 2020
America’s SBDC, the association that represents the country’s nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), is working to help small businesses address the business challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. It has compiled a list of excellent resources for small businesses looking for information about disaster recovery loans, protecting the safety of workers and customers, …
COVID-19
Gerard Systems offers sewing assistance on gowns and masks
March 23, 2020
Girard Systems, an RV awning manufacturer in San Clemente, Calif., is offering assistance in producing COVID-19 supplies. Monica Girard says, “My mother, Marcia Girard, is the owner, and was just notified the RV industry is closing their doors for the next two weeks. We have warehouses that are currently sewing fabrics for hundreds of awnings each …
COVID-19
IFAI offers template letter for shelter-in-place orders
March 23, 2020
Dear IFAI member, I hope you are doing well and staying healthy during the COVID-19 crisis. IFAI and other industry associations have been working with officials at the highest levels of the White House, the administration and senior congressional officials, who have enlisted our industry’s help to meet the country’s needs for medical-related personal protective …
COVID-19
Beverly Knits joins coalition for produce face masks
March 23, 2020
Beverly Knits Inc. is proud to be involved in the effort led by Hanes and Parkdale to help support the fight against COVID-19. Working with a coalition of textile companies, the company is ramping up production in the U.S. to provide face masks for health care workers on the frontlines. With the combined efforts of …
COVID-19
FDA continues to facilitate access to crucial medical products
March 23, 2020
On March 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took significant action to help increase the availability of ventilators and accessories, as well as other respiratory devices, during the COVID-19 pandemic to support patients with respiratory failure or difficulty breathing. “The FDA’s new actions will mean America can make more ventilators during this crisis,” said Health and …
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Company Profiles
Case Studies
Over View: a 3D fabric ceiling
March 1, 2020
Walk into the central lobby of MuseumLab, an experiential learning center for older children created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, and look up. While you may think you’re looking at a historic leaded glass ceiling, you’re actually viewing a textile reproduction of the original 19th century ceiling that was removed years ago. The …
Case Studies
A fort for the record books
February 1, 2020
Remember as a kid the fun of building a fort with your friends? The folks at Time4Sleep, a U.K.-based bed and bedroom furniture retailer, channeled those good memories when they decided to build a record-breaking fort made out of blankets. The Time4Sleep team chose Millennium Square in Leeds, U.K., for the location of the project. …
Case Studies
The Eco Pavilion at Wonderfruit 2018
October 1, 2019
While the U.S. has Burning Man and Coachella, Thailand has Wonderfruit, a pioneering festival that attracts more than 10,000 people to the lush hills west of Pattaya on the Gulf of Thailand. Held in December, the four-day event attracts international music acts and celebrates the arts, sustainability and social responsibility with immersive experiences, workshops, talks, …
Case Studies
Enhancing corporate culture with fabricated space
October 1, 2019
Capital One Corporation had a vision for their new Canadian headquarters in Toronto’s financial district: a design to enhance the company’s collaborative culture and be attractive to young tech talent. The financial services organization worked with IBI Group, a Toronto-based architecture and design firm, to create an interior design for the existing five-floor office space. …
Case Studies
Memories and history in thread and paper
August 1, 2019
Berlin’s historic museum Gropius Bau was recently the setting for a distinctly modern exhibition. “And Berlin Will Always Need You. Art, Craft and Concept Made in Berlin” ran from March to June 2019 and featured commissioned works that explored crafts and handmade processes in Berlin’s contemporary art scene. The artists showcased works that engaged with …
Case Studies
Laminated fabric for distinctive building design
August 1, 2019
The Horw Secondary School located in Lucerne, Switzerland, was ready for a facelift. Built in the 1970s, the dated building needed to join the modern world, including meeting the requirements of Minergie, the Swiss sustainable building standard, as well as improving its overall appeal. One key to meeting the sustainable building standards was to reduce …
Case Studies
Sustainable infrastructure and construction textiles
July 1, 2019
Infrastructure and construction textiles succeed with a focus on sustainable alternatives. By Seshadri Ramkumar and Marie O’Mahony Today’s advanced textiles offer new forms for use in infrastructure projects and in building design and construction. These “hidden” textiles may be found in small-scale applications such as home furnishings as well as in huge projects such as …
Case Studies
Chic retractable roofing
July 1, 2019
The trendy London restaurant Chotto Matte recently opened its first U.S. outpost in Miami Beach, Fla. Specializing in Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine, the restaurant has a cool, modern aesthetic that combines an urban Tokyo vibe with the South Florida tropics. Colorful murals created by local street artists splash across the walls and contrast with the graphic …
Case Studies
Michele Quadri-Butterfield keeps Al’s Awning Shop up to date and focused on customers
July 1, 2019
by Jill C. Lafferty The mission of Al’s Awning Shop is to be the leading provider of quality fabric solutions and to be dedicated to providing professional customer service and exceptional products,” says owner Michele Quadri-Butterfield. “Fabric solutions is key for me. It’s about taking a fabric and helping the customer find the solution to …
Case Studies
Setting a high standard: Owens Corning
July 1, 2019
Owens Corning’s philanthropic efforts, charity work and progressive employee policies have produced impressive results. By Paul Johnson For more than 40 years, Owens Corning, a developer and producer of insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites, has been a supporter of a wide range of philanthropic endeavors and a key partner assisting charitable organizations across the globe. …
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Company Profiles
Company News
IFAI president responds to Coronavirus, adjusts upcoming events
March 17, 2020
As concern over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, I want all IFAI members to know we are closely monitoring developments and following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We will follow their recommendations to keep our employees, their families and our members healthy and safe. With this in …
Awards
IFAI’s 2019 Outstanding Volunteer Awards
October 8, 2019
At this year’s annual meeting during IFAI Expo 2019, IFAI presented the Outstanding Volunteer Awards, recognizing members who generously gave of their time to serve on different boards, task forces and committees, judged competitions and provided education and leadership to others in the industry. This year’s winners: Amy Bircher, president, MMI Textiles Inc. Jonathan Chakales, …
Expo News
2019 Chairman’s Award winner: Scott Campbell, Rainier Industries
October 8, 2019
The Chairman’s Award (originally, the President’s Award) is an honor bestowed by the chairman of IFAI to an individual that has had an extraordinary and meaningful impact on the association. It is rarely given, and awarded at the sole discretion of the IFAI chairman. At IFAI’s annual meeting at IFAI Expo 2019, IFAI chairman Steve …
Expo News
Designing with shade cloth for human protection
October 4, 2019
Australia has a very high rate of skin cancer, so it’s not surprising that the country has led the world in the development of shade cloth, Chris Nolan told attendees of a shade cloth educational session at IFAI Expo 2019 in Orlando, Fla. “Even in the temperate areas where most people live, we have an …
Expo News
Award breakfast transforms into a networking event
October 4, 2019
Keynote speaker Thom Singer hosted IFAI’s annual award ceremony October 3 at Expo 2019, continuing his message to “see people.” As Expo exhibitors and attendees entered the breakfast event, Singer encouraged people to separate from familiar colleagues and sit with new people. This year’s award ceremony was infused with an additional goal—that of networking with …
Expo News
Puerto Rico pups steal hearts at IFAI Expo 2019
October 3, 2019
Amid the latest fabrics, equipment, technology and services for the specialty fabrics industry, Lorenzo, Lilo, Lolo, and Lulo stole hearts, and, according to some dog lovers—the show—at IFAI Expo 2019 in Orlando, Fla. For this Expo, the Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) and the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando came together to promote two great causes. …
Expo News
Follow the right steps to successfully bid on military contracts
October 2, 2019
The U.S. government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, and there are enough opportunities available for everyone to participate in military contract bidding, if you follow the right steps, according to Jennifer Fennell, CPM, director of procurement for Polo Custom Products, Topeka, Kan. Fennell and Jeff Papalia, textiles program manager …
Expo News
2018 Fabric Structures Student Design Competition Winners Announced
October 18, 2018
The Fabric Structures Association (FSA), a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), recently announced the recipients of the 2018 Fabric Structures Student Design Competition awards. The winners were announced at IFAI Expo 2018, held Oct. 15-18 in Dallas, Texas. First Place Rafael Dias Simoes, Kevin Barthelmebs and Fabien Burgeat from ENSAVT University won …
Expo News
IFAI Expo 2018: Show Stopper winners on the floor
October 17, 2018
All the best from Texas: Wednesday morning, Oct. 17, at IFAI Expo led off with lists of winners for the year, including the most popular products on the show floor. The seventh annual Show Stopper competition was designed to showcase the best of the best in the industry, from fabrics, equipment and chemicals to services …
Expo News
2018 International Achievement Award Winners Announced
October 17, 2018
The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has awarded this year’s International Achievement Awards (IAA) for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications, announced at the awards breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at IFAI Expo 2018. IFAI Expo is the largest specialty fabrics trade show in North America, held this year at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention …
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Company Profiles
Feature
Textiles and Lifestyle
March 1, 2020
Textiles have become more responsive, providing health and wellness benefits while creating worlds of possibilities for manufacturers and users alike. by Pamela Mills-Senn It wasn’t long ago that the demands placed on textiles were relatively straightforward. Whether apparel, furnishings, car seats, bedding, medical fabrics or others, textiles were tasked with meeting a generally standard set …
Feature
Retractables: part of the shade package
March 1, 2020
There has been growth in the U.S. market for retractable awnings, but today they’re part of a wide range of shade products designed to offer comfort, color, convenience, style and protection from insects as well as weather. by Laurie Junker The awning industry had been anticipating a boom in retractables for a long time. Scouring …
Awards
Stunning shade
March 1, 2020
Exterior Shades and Screens, International Achievement Awards 2019 Award of Excellence The client wanted an eye-catching element to provide protection from the sun and to establish a shady destination area. These shade panels span the area between two buildings and create a comfortable and attractive protected area for shoppers at this high-end shopping center. The …
Awards
Artful camouflage
March 1, 2020
Exterior Shades and Screens, International Achievement Awards 2019 Outstanding Achievement As part of the renovation of the outdoor Muny Theatre (St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre), the client wanted to hide the enormous stage speakers from the audience. Two large mesh panels, each 10 feet 10 inches by 34 feet 6 inches, were installed behind cables to …
Feature
Members only content
Shady dealings: screens, shades and shutters
February 1, 2020
As awareness over the protections and savings offered by shading systems grows, screens, shades and shutters are finding wider acceptance and use, fueled by innovations in technology and fabrics. by Pamela Mills-Senn While many people appreciate the outdoors, most folks prefer to be shielded from the elements, with their environment climate controlled. Products like screens, …
Feature
Members only content
A community space, upcycled
February 1, 2020
What do you see in used scrap material? Designers Ann Ha and Behrang Behin saw a work of art. Their Behin Ha Design Studio LLC was commissioned to create a temporary shade structure by the Pomerene Center for the Arts in Coshocton, Ohio. The setting was artPark, created by the Pomerene Center at the site …
Feature
Members only content
Perfecting sound with acoustical fabrics
February 1, 2020
Fabric applications create acoustic environments that control sound, allowing the featured entertainment to be clearly heard. by Sigrid Tournquist Fabric plays a critical role in sound control. On the most basic level, hard surfaces send sound bouncing around a room, while soft surfaces absorb sound and soften the impact on listening ears. For environments designed …
Feature
Get your glamp on
January 1, 2020
Traditional camping isn’t for everyone; some people prefer a more glamorous way to experience the outdoors. For these folks, glamping offers a way to enjoy nature without any mess, fuss or inconvenience. by Pamela Mills-Senn Sure, there are some folks who enjoy the pup tent/sleeping bag approach to camping. But others don’t see why spending …
Feature
The fabrics of modern food production
December 1, 2019
Textile products for the agricultural market help to protect livestock and grain, improve yields, and make a farmer’s job a little easier and more profitable. by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby Call them the unsung heroes of modern food production.Today’s durable agricultural fabrics combat wind, sun, mud, moisture and other threats, helping farmers protect their grain and …
Feature
Finders, keepers: long-term customer loyalty
December 1, 2019
Attracting customers in the market for shade products is one thing; retaining them for future business is another. Managing both objectives requires establishing connections that are meaningful and lasting. by Pamela Mills-Senn A quick Google search on “connecting with customers” reveals all sorts of advice, usually in the form of the “seven best ways,” or the …
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Company Profiles
Industry News
Serge Ferrari, Miami Corporation announce distribution partnership
March 3, 2020
Serge Ferrari North America (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Miami Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio) have announced a distribution partnership. Miami Corporation, a distributor for the marine, awning and automotive industries, has added Serge Ferrari’s upholstery fabric line to its product offerings. Serge Ferrari’s Stamskin® One and Stamskin® One Allure are currently stocked and available in 24 colors, …
Industry News
25th Anniversary Textile Roofs 2020
January 16, 2020
The 25th anniversary of the International Workshop on Design and Practical Realization of Architectural Membrane Structures—Textile Roofs 2020—will be held May 18-20, 2020, at the Archenhold Observatory in Berlin, Germany. This year’s event is programmed to combine its traditional workshop and educational formats with several anniversary celebrations. Mornings will focus on business networking opportunities and …
Industry News
En-Fold® provides all-weather solution at new Pier 17 restaurant
December 2, 2019
Pier 17 is a massive 300,000 square foot building at the waterfront along the East River in New York City. Encompassing retail, entertainment, architectural features and seasonal attractions, the area is intended to further the transformation of the Seaport district into a true destination. The new cocktail bar, R17, is located on the building’s rooftop …
Expo News
2019 Chairman’s Award winner: Scott Campbell, Rainier Industries
October 8, 2019
The Chairman’s Award (originally, the President’s Award) is an honor bestowed by the chairman of IFAI to an individual that has had an extraordinary and meaningful impact on the association. It is rarely given, and awarded at the sole discretion of the IFAI chairman. At IFAI’s annual meeting at IFAI Expo 2019, IFAI chairman Steve …
Industry News
New leadership for IFAI
October 2, 2019
Each year, the Leadership Development Committee of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) follows a detailed process outlined in association bylaws for electing new board members. As recently announced at IFAI’s annual meeting at IFAI Expo in Orlando, the following individuals have been chosen to serve on the IFAI board of directors: Ron Houle, president …
Industry News
Ulrich Tombuelt hired as CEO of Sattler Corp.
July 31, 2019
Sattler Corp. of Hudson, N.C., has hired Ulrich Tombuelt as its new CEO. Tombuelt has many years of executive management experience in the textile industry in the U.S. and in Europe. Sattler Corp., a division of The Sattler Group, Austria, is known for its high-tech fabrics.
Industry News
Bally Ribbon Mills Announces E-WEBBINGS® E-textile Product Base
July 29, 2019
Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), an industry leader in the design, development, and manufacture of highly specialized engineered woven fabrics, announces its proprietary E-WEBBINGS® e-textile product base, specifically designed to serve as a customizable base for a wide range of smart textile applications within the Internet of Things (IoT). These smart textiles are made from a …
Industry News
IFAI Expo 2019 exhibitor Early Bird deadline is March 30
March 13, 2019
Exhibitors: Book your IFAI Expo 2019 booth by March 30 to take advantage of the Early Bird discount. Don’t be left out! IFAI Expo is the largest specialty fabric trade event in the Americas. Each year, more than 5,000 high-level decision makers, industry insiders and qualified buyers meet in an unrivaled face-to-face environment, where networking …
Industry News
Ennis Fabrics is committed to community support—from the top down
March 1, 2019
Ennis Fabrics in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has a history that’s steeped in community support. James Ennis Sr. launched Ennis Fabrics in 1972 with a goal to provide better industrial fabrics and service. From a modest 2,500 square-foot warehouse, the company steadily grew, and today it sells 9,000 products from a state-of-the-art office and warehouse that …
Industry News
Recasens expands distribution network
March 1, 2019
Recasens, a manufacturer of performance fabric for sun protection, textile architecture, screens, decoration and marine use, has added Industrial Solutions Inc. (IIS) as its newest U.S.-based master distributor. The new partnership will provide greater access to the Recasens line of European-designed fabrics for fabricators and designers in the awning, marine and decor industries. “The RECacril …
