ATA News

ATA announces multiple new benefits for members

May 8, 2025

Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) is excited to introduce ATA Perks Plus, a new suite of benefits to support members in both their personal and professional lives. All benefits are available to ATA members in the U.S. and Canada and their employees; some perks extend to international members. To add employees to your roster to take advantage …

Company News

Milliken & Company releases 2024 Sustainability Report 

May 8, 2025

Milliken & Company released its seventh annual sustainability report, disclosing performance against its 2025 sustainability goals and 2030 net-zero targets. “Sustainability is at the core of Milliken’s business strategy, and our 2024 sustainability report highlights our performance, processes and progress,” says Halsey Cook, president and CEO at Milliken. “The progress we have made would not be possible …

Company News

AFFOA collaborates with University of Oregon and Bemis Associates

May 6, 2025

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) has announced that its Transdisciplinary Workshop model will be brought to the West Coast, in partnership with the University of Oregon’s sports product design graduate program and Bemis Associates. This initiative invites students to collaborate in studio teams to prototype advanced tactical apparel and gear utilizing Bemis’ EverFit™ Sewfree® elastic replacement …

Company News

Jones Family of Companies appoints Dennis St. Louis to chief sales officer

May 5, 2025

Jones Family of Companies, a textile nonwovens manufacturer in Humboldt, Tenn., announced the promotion of Dennis St. Louis to chief sales officer of Jones Nonwovens. In this role, he will lead the company’s continuing efforts to improve its sales approach and customer engagement model, focusing on expanding market presence and strengthening industry partnerships in bedding, …

Company News

Ultraflex Systems appoints Steven Spriggs as central territory sales manager

May 2, 2025

Ultraflex Systems Inc., a high-performing textiles and substrates manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Steven Spriggs as its central territory sales manager. With a background in procurement, supply chain management, and strategic sourcing, Spriggs brings nearly two decades of expertise in manufacturing, wholesale, and distribution to the role. Before joining Ultraflex, Spriggs held leadership positions …

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 …

Features

Creating a great place

May 1, 2025

Most architects are familiar with urbanist William H. Whyte and his studies of vibrant urban places, especially small public places such as pocket parks and plazas, streets and hardscapes. After close observations of scores of public places, Whyte listed a number of key factors that pertain to successful popular usage of these spaces, including sitting …

Features

Fabric architecture on display for millions in Osaka

May 1, 2025

A projected 28 million visitors to the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, will marvel at dozens of fabric architecture pavilions and shade structures as they learn about cutting-edge technology and imagine a potentially more sustainable future. The event opens April 13 and continues through Oct. 13. This year’s theme is “Designing Future Society of Our …

Features

Pvilion’s solar ag buildings could take farmers off the grid

May 1, 2025

Solar-structure manufacturer Pvilion, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is partnering with fabric ag building manufacturer Accu-Steel Inc., headquartered in Templeton, Iowa, to test an “agrivoltaic” structure for farmers. With the addition of walls, it could serve as an off-grid shop or livestock shelter or have other uses. The 12,000-square-foot structure integrates 42 kW of solar power and …

Projects

Church members help raise a new fabric roof in Lomé, Togo

May 1, 2025

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. A new 2-ton roof was hoisted and assembled for New Life Evangelical Church in Lomé, Togo, in West Africa, with the help of a crew of 14 community and church members. To streamline the installation process, Dunn Lightweight Architecture, Houston, Texas, manufactured the membrane in a single piece …

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

Creating a great place

May 1, 2025

Most architects are familiar with urbanist William H. Whyte and his studies of vibrant urban places, especially small public places such as pocket parks and plazas, streets and hardscapes. After close observations of scores of public places, Whyte listed a number of key factors that pertain to successful popular usage of these spaces, including sitting …

Features

Fabric architecture on display for millions in Osaka

May 1, 2025

A projected 28 million visitors to the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, will marvel at dozens of fabric architecture pavilions and shade structures as they learn about cutting-edge technology and imagine a potentially more sustainable future. The event opens April 13 and continues through Oct. 13. This year’s theme is “Designing Future Society of Our …

Features

Pvilion’s solar ag buildings could take farmers off the grid

May 1, 2025

Solar-structure manufacturer Pvilion, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is partnering with fabric ag building manufacturer Accu-Steel Inc., headquartered in Templeton, Iowa, to test an “agrivoltaic” structure for farmers. With the addition of walls, it could serve as an off-grid shop or livestock shelter or have other uses. The 12,000-square-foot structure integrates 42 kW of solar power and …

Features Members only content

Fabric awning replaces metal—fast

April 1, 2025

A New Zealand seafood restaurant in need of a refresh to its outdoor patio turned to Kolorful Kanvas Ltd., of Christchurch. The project replaced the restaurant’s metal awning with a retractable fabric solution and outfitted the outdoor dining area with new screens and signage, making it look more like a part of the structure than an …

Features Members only content

Fabric awnings vs. metal

April 1, 2025

There’s no denying it: Metal has become popular for shading products and is taking market share from fabric. However, that doesn’t mean that fabric awnings can’t compete. Fabric brings qualities to the table that metal does not have. Representatives from two companies that offer both options to their clients say that most of their projects …

Features Members only content

With myriad shapes and materials, tents continue to evolve

April 1, 2025

While traditional tent styles are always popular with consumers, there also are numerous requests for new and different event venues. As a result, tent and event rental companies are constantly on the lookout for the “next big thing” to offer clients. In this article, several tent manufacturers showcase their latest creations—a diverse collection of shapes, …

Features Members only content

GuildWorks gives a California park its first shade

March 1, 2025

River Park in Petaluma, Calif., is transforming. Its inaugural structure is the peninsula’s first shaded area—there aren’t even any trees—underneath a shade sail array composed of diamond shapes and providing a covered area more than 70 feet in diameter. It rises 20 feet and was created by GuildWorks LLC of Portland, Ore. “We see our …

Features Members only content

Blue and green roofs use many kinds of geosynthetics

March 1, 2025

In the global push to lower buildings’ carbon footprint and energy and water use, some look to blue and green roof construction. These roofs can help combat urban environmental challenges such as the heat island effect and rapid inundation of sewer systems from stormwater and are a small but growing market for geosynthetic materials. While …

Features Members only content

Awning business succession: An in-and-out approach

March 1, 2025

The awning business is incredible. It offers enough challenges to keep you growing, consistency you can plan around, and is rewarding enough to keep you fulfilled. It’s also not building rockets, so being a genius isn’t a prerequisite. These are a few reasons why Scott Neville, Welhener – H.B. Wall Awning, and Travis Jenkins, Charlotte …

Features Members only content

Australia’s Wangun Amphitheater honors cultures

February 1, 2025

Fabric architecture includes innumerable possibilities with shape and form, which can result in imbuing even an amphitheater with rich cultural symbolism. Wangun Amphitheatre in Kalimna West, Australia, commissioned by the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC), is such a place. The design features five overlapping elliptical canopies over the seating areas, representing the five …

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 …

Industry News

ATA introduces PFAS Resource Center

September 17, 2024

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the regulation of them continue to be one of the top issues facing the textiles industry. Although federal reporting rules have been delayed until next year, there are still a number of state and federal regulations to manage. To help companies in the industry navigate those challenges, Advanced Textiles …

ATA News

In memoriam: Kevin Yonce

May 1, 2023

Former Industrial Fabrics Association International (now ATA) Chairman Kevin Yonce passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on April 29, 2023. Yonce was born January 24, 1970, in Urbana, Ill. He was a lifelong resident of Champaign-Urbana and a 1988 graduate of Urbana High School. Yonce is survived by his mother, Wanda, brother …

Industry News

Spatial Structure Sub-association hosts 11th National Membrane Structure Technology Exchange Conference

April 18, 2023

The “20th Anniversary Celebration of Membrane Structure Innovation and Development and the 11th National Membrane Structure Technology Exchange Conference” hosted by the Spatial Structure Sub-association of China Steel Construction Association and undertaken by Beijing University of Technology was successfully held this spring in Beijing, China. Nearly 400 delegates from all over the country participated. A …

Industry News

OSHA administers $11.7 million in training grants

June 22, 2022

The U.S. Department of Labor will provide a funding opportunity for $11.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to support the delivery of training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. Administered by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the grants will target disadvantaged, underserved, low-income, and other hard-to-reach, …

Industry News

Oeko-Tex Association releases annual updates

January 10, 2022

Oeko-Tex Association has released its annual updates to test criteria, limit values and requirements. In addition, its new Impact Calculator is now available for STeP by Oeko-Tex customers. The industry-specific tool will provide carbon and water footprint data essential to meeting climate goals. Later in 2022, Oeko-Tex will also introduce a new certification for corporate …

Industry News

Steve Fredrickson joins Rainier Industries

December 21, 2021

Industry veteran Steve Fredrickson is joining Rainier Industries as the National Sales Director for Rainier Shade. Frederickson has more than 25 years of experience in the textile industry, with several different companies. Most recently, he was sales director at Sattler Corp. “I started working with Rainier Industries in 1997; loved my time here and am …

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 …

Industry News

Pantone announces Color of the Year for 2022

December 17, 2021

Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions for the design community, has introduced a new blue shade, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri, a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone as the Pantone Color of the Year selection for 2022. Blending the faithfulness and constancy …