June 1, 2018
Madrid’s historic Plaza Mayor, a popular gathering place and tourist destination, celebrated its 400th anniversary in February 2018. In honor of the occasion, the city of Madrid, Spain, commissioned an original sculpture by American artist Janet Echelman. Known for colorful large-scale fiber sculptures, Echelman created an installation—1.78 Madrid—that explored the cycles of time. It was …
Craig Briggs, a senior director at Vertilux Ltd., has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credential from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Vertilux, headquartered in Miami, Fla., seeks to be a trend setter in the solar shade protection industry, creating, educating, developing, and advising professionals and companies on a global scale. …
Gary Buermann and Beth Brenny, owners of G & J Awning, have announced the purchase of Hoigaard’s Custom Canvas and Awning, Plymouth, Minn. Hoigaard’s, an awning manufacturer, was founded 120 years ago and was one of fourteen companies that founded Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) in 1912. Approximately six months ago Buermann and Brenny, co-owners …
“A lot of what I’ve accomplished in this industry was about survival—being able to have what I need to get the job done,” says Mike Reilly, owner and CEO of Miami Awning Co. in Miami, Fla. “Now, my aim is to convey what knowledge I can to my sons to make it easier for them …
Roller coasters belong in amusement parks, not on a company’s balance sheet. Yet for many specialty fabricator businesses susceptible to seasonal ups and downs, it may sometimes seem as if the operation is being taken for exactly that kind of ride. Not every business is prone to periodic slowdowns in work. But for those that …
The issue of compliance can be complicated for textile companies, which have to comply with various regulatory and voluntary company standards for product safety and restriction of substances. In the United States, for example, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) contains provisions that aim to improve the safety of children’s products. The European Union …
May 9, 2018
June 12, 2018 | Noon EST Free to IFAI Members/$79.00 for Nonmembers The presenters will cover four components used in a cutting room: digitizing, cutting, material handling and ROI. Learn what applications are best suited for full automation and how to implement them and increase your product volumes. Presenters Truy Pham Autometrix Inc. Truy “Tree” …
June 20, 2018 | Noon EST Free to IFAI Members/$75.00 for Nonmembers Learn about increasing your bottom line and how to encourage your clients to upgrade to better quality materials. Find out how upselling reflects company image, leads to future referrals and produces long-lasting products. Presenter Dave Callahan Granite State Cover & Canvas Inc. …
May 4, 2018
Each year, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) sponsors a Student Design Competition for students enrolled in a post-secondary college or university program studying textiles, apparel, engineering or design. The annual competition offers students a valuable opportunity to build their portfolios and advance their career opportunities—and first-place winners also receive a $6,000+ Prize Pack with …
May 1, 2018
The International Achievement Awards (IAA) are an annual competition with a goal to promote awareness of the specialty fabrics used in thousands of products and applications ranging in size and shape. For more than six decades, the awards have recognized innovation, technical skill and design excellence. Entries are judged by industry experts, editors, architects, educators …