March 1, 2026
Large frame awnings and fabric structures are what most of us in the industry want, or at least a few of them per year. They usually take substantial labor hours and material, and as such, can be very profitable and keep your staff busy. For the customer they solve big problems, or allow previously unusable …
March 1, 2026
2026 marks 85 years of business for SugarHouse Industries in Midvale, Utah. The fabrication shop specializes in awnings and custom-made products in the marine, military and aerospace industries. “Overall I just feel incredibly proud and grateful for the legacy my grandpa and father built for SugarHouse long before I stepped into this role,” says Mike Peterson, …
March 1, 2026
To expand beyond their core business, some awning companies may offer ancillary services. A painting service, either powder coating or electrostatic painting (ESP), is one option. Two Advanced Textiles Association member companies offer their insights on why they chose the technology and how the ability to protect metal framing and metal awnings for their projects—and …
March 1, 2026
Business leaders continually explore new ways to recruit and retain workers. This is especially true in the textile industry in regard to drawing in younger people who may not be knowledgeable about the industry and its employment offerings. “There is a demand for skilled and qualified people, both at the shop floor and at the …
March 1, 2026
Architectural Fabrication, Fort Worth, Texas, and Armetco Systems, Justin, Texas, announced a strategic merger of their operations. The merger builds on the long-standing partnership between the companies and expands offerings of architectural cladding, fabrication and specialty aluminum products. “This merger represents a natural next step for our businesses,” says Jeff Cash, CEO of Architectural Fabrication …
March 1, 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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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” …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
March 1, 2026
Large frame awnings and fabric structures are what most of us in the industry want, or at least a few of them per year. They usually take substantial labor hours and material, and as such, can be very profitable and keep your staff busy. For the customer they solve big problems, or allow previously unusable …
March 1, 2026
2026 marks 85 years of business for SugarHouse Industries in Midvale, Utah. The fabrication shop specializes in awnings and custom-made products in the marine, military and aerospace industries. “Overall I just feel incredibly proud and grateful for the legacy my grandpa and father built for SugarHouse long before I stepped into this role,” says Mike Peterson, …
March 1, 2026
To expand beyond their core business, some awning companies may offer ancillary services. A painting service, either powder coating or electrostatic painting (ESP), is one option. Two Advanced Textiles Association member companies offer their insights on why they chose the technology and how the ability to protect metal framing and metal awnings for their projects—and …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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