Rhode Island-Based Textile Company Announces Name Change: Brand And Oppenheimer Is Becoming Ocean State Innovations

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — March 12, 2019 — Textile supplier Brand and Oppenheimer Co. Inc. has announced today that a name change is in order. Brand and Oppenheimer Co. Inc. is becoming Ocean State Innovations (OSI).

“In consideration of our corporate strategy and our deep roots in Rhode Island, we feel our identity is best associated with the Ocean State,” said CEO Edward Ricci, a Rhode Island native. “The Brand and Oppenheimer brand represented stability and quality within a very specific segment of the textile space. Today we offer a broader scope of innovative textile expertise and needed a moniker to represent who we are.”

Owned by 1947 LLC and Praesidian Capital, Ocean State Innovations is a growing textile company with 35 employees, all dedicated to building upon the company’s heritage and leadership within the textile industry. OSI maintains a tradition of quality textiles with a refocused message. A new logo and marketing message have been created — “Textile Solutions” —which is now part of Ocean State Innovations’ corporate identity. “This name change better reflects the current and future direction of our growing company,” Ricci added.

Founded in 1913 as Brand and Oppenheimer Company (B&O) as a supplier of garment linings, the company celebrates a rich history in the textile industry. In October 2011, Praesidian Capital and StoneCreek Capital LLC became investors. In 2014 Brand & Oppenheimer acquired Performance Textiles, a US textiles supplier. In 2015 B&O entered into an equity partnership with 1947 LLC’s management team; Ed Ricci, Ben Galpen, and Bryan Boulis, all industry experts with over 100 years of combined experience. The 1947 LLC Management team has grown the business through organic sales, strategic partnerships, and acquisitions. In 2017 B&O acquired the assets of Cutting Edge TexStyles, a global supplier of Bindings, Trims and Piece Goods. In 2018 B&O acquired the assets of General Fabrics Inc., a global designer and wholesale distributor of quilting fabrics. In 2019, Brand and Oppenheimer became OSI to continue the tradition of quality textiles, while focusing on the company’s innovative industry expertise and strong Rhode Island roots. OSI, based in Portsmouth, has distinguished itself as the premier global source for textile products and services. Ocean State Innovations continues as a leader in the textile industry for the U.S. Military and is now bringing that same innovative textile expertise to many commercial market segments such as medical, industrial, automotive and traditional apparel.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: Ocean State Innovations

HanesBrands Announces Board Of Directors Leadership Succession Plan

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — March 12, 2019 — HanesBrands, a global basic apparel marketer, today announced that its board of directors has approved the appointment of Ronald L. Nelson as chairman of the board effective April 23, 2019, contingent upon his re-election to the board at the company’s annual shareholder meeting to be held that day.

Nelson would succeed Richard A. Noll, who is not seeking re-election to the board and is retiring as chairman, concluding a smooth and seamless leadership transition at the company. Noll served as CEO of the company from 2006 to 2016, as chairman of the board from 2009 to 2016, as executive chairman of the board from 2016 to 2017, and as non-executive chairman of the board since 2018.

Nelson, 66, has served as a board director since 2008 and as lead director since 2015. He has served on all three of the board’s committees in his tenure, including as chairman of the Audit Committee. He has significant public company board experience and knowledge of the chairman role, including formerly serving as chairman of the board and CEO of Avis Budget Group Inc.

“After careful consideration, the board of directors strongly feels Ron has the leadership skills, successful public company experience, and well-versed understanding of HanesBrands to be the ideal successor as board chairman,” HanesBrands CEO Gerald W. Evans Jr. said. “Rich is completing an inspiring leadership career at Hanes, having led the company through the spinoff as an independent public company and driving significant growth and profitability. We all wish him the very best in retirement.”

HanesBrands is a socially responsible leading marketer of everyday basic apparel under some of the world’s strongest apparel brands in the Americas, Europe, Australia and Asia-Pacific, including Hanes, Champion, Bonds, Maidenform, DIM, Bali, Playtex, Bras N Things, Nur Die/Nur Der, Alternative, L’eggs, JMS/Just My Size, Lovable, Wonderbra, Berlei, and Gear for Sports. More information about the company and its award-winning corporate social responsibility initiatives, including environmental, social compliance and community improvement achievements, may be found on the Hanes corporate website at www.Hanes.com/corporate.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: HanesBrands Inc.

Latest X-Rite Color iMatch Release Accelerates Color Formulation For Coatings, Plastics And Textiles 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — March 12, 2019 — X-Rite Inc., a global supplier of color science and technology, and Pantone LLC, announced a new release of Color iMatch formulation software that accelerates color development for the paint and coatings, plastics and textile industries through better initial matches and fewer corrections. The new version features a smarter multi-flux matching engine with a revolutionary new search and correct algorithm that enables better utilization of legacy data. With Color iMatch, lab managers and formulation professionals can streamline complicated workflows and deliver better color matches in fewer steps for faster formulation times, cost savings and reduced waste.

“In today’s just-in-time manufacturing environment, the first plastic, coating or textile supplier to deliver the best color match to a customer’s bid often secures the business,” said Richard Knapp, Product Manager, X-Rite and Pantone. “Speed and accuracy are essential — even as larger color palettes, complex materials and effect finishes add time to the formulation process. We have redesigned the formulation engine in Color iMatch to significantly improve initial match and correction performance, which can cut the number of steps in half to get an approved color match. This provides a significant competitive advantage to resin, colorant, pigment and dye suppliers helping them to submit bids quickly and win new business.”

The new version of Color iMatch release features:

  • Industry-leading multi-flux formulation engine that identifies the best candidate formulas, provides specific formulation guidance, and incorporates leftover materials to work off waste. This increases the initial match rate by up to 50 percent, cuts correction steps in half and reduces waste.
  • New Search and Correct algorithm that uses proprietary search metrics to more accurately identify candidate formulas containing the most likely colorant combinations for more rapid formula convergence.
  • Optimize legacy data with colorant performance indicators and history-based dynamic correction factors to improve formulation and reduce the number of correction steps.
  • Updated Colorant Assortment Editor provides specific guidance and guarantees match prediction confidence for maximized productivity and efficiency.
  • Dynamic formulation rules and batch processing allows users to quickly switch between jobs by standardizing process, material and customer specifications.
  • Gamut Viewer to visually evaluate achievability using a unique target overlay to help users make educated formulation decisions.
  • Modern, intuitive interface that reduces training time and improves operator confidence.

Color iMatch is compatible with current and future Microsoft Operating Systems and offers support for X-Rite and non-X-Rite instruments. It is PantoneLIVE™-enabled for easy access to the most up-to-date spectral values for Pantone standards. For more information on Color iMatch, visit https://www.xrite.com/color-imatch.

European Coatings Conference

X-Rite will showcase the new Color iMatch release at the European Coatings Show Conference 2019, March 18-19 in Nuremberg, Germany. In Hall 5, Stand 5-448, X-Rite’s top color experts will demonstrate the latest color management technology including color formulation, quality control, lighting, multi-angle and retail applications. X-Rite will be presenting a session on color and appearance.

  • Complete Appearance Control for Effect Paint Systems from Design to Application, Matthew Adby, Retail & Automotive Product Portfolio Manager, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 18 in the Istanbul room.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: X-Rite

Hexcel, Lavoisier Composites Form An Alliance To Up-Cycle Composite By-Products
From The Aerospace Manufacturing Cycle

STAMFORD, Conn. — March 12, 2019 — Hexcel has joined forces with a Lyon-based startup, Lavoisier Composites. This company has developed CARBONIUM®, a new generation of material sourced entirely from carbon composite by-products generated by the French aerospace sector.

Hexcel supplies high-performance composite materials for the latest generation of aircraft such as the Airbus A350 XWB (53 percent composite structure). This has greatly contributed to the reduction of the aircraft’s weight, thereby reducing its fuel consumption and carbon footprint. Composites are a significant first step toward tackling environmental and economic challenges, and eco-sourcing of the industry by-products also plays a key role.

Carbonium, which was developed with a process based on three patents pending, reduces overall environmental impact by 40 to 50 percent, compared to equivalent products derived from virgin materials. Based on the “climate change” factor, the life cycle assessment carried out with Hexcel revealed that the up-cycling of by-products from the aerospace composites industry leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions of 13kg per kg of Carbonium used.

In its first year of operation, Lavoisier Composites has already enjoyed commercial success, including the launch of two top-of-the-range watch models by Swiss luxury watchmaker ULYSSE NARDIN using this new material.

From aircraft fuselages to watchmaking, the composites manufacturing cycle presents opportunities for reducing our impact on the environment.

Visit:

Hexcel – JEC Booth No. J41 Hall 5

Hexcel Corp. is a leading advanced composites company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance structural materials including carbon fibers, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, adhesives, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense and industrial applications.

Lavoisier Composites – JEC Startup Booster Village No. C55 Hall 5

Lavoisier Composites is a young Lyon-based start-up specialized in the development and the manufacture of composite materials and components with low environmental impact.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: Hexcel Corporation

Hexcel, Arkema To Open
 A Joint Research And Development Laboratory In Les Avenières, France

STAMFORD, Conn. — March 12, 2019 — Hexcel and Arkema have announced that they will open a joint research and development laboratory in Les Avenières (Isère), France in April.

This follows the companies’ previous announcement in March 2018 that they were forming a strategic alliance to develop thermoplastic composite solutions for the aerospace sector, combining the expertise of Hexcel in carbon fiber and Arkema in polyetherketoneketone (PEKK).

The companies’ objective at this new lab is to develop carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg tapes to enable lightweight parts to be produced for future generations of aircraft. These solutions will provide lightweight and cost effective technologies including faster production cycles for customers in the aerospace and the space and defense sectors.

Thanks to Hexcel and Arkema’s close collaboration, an initial industrial pilot line will be installed in the new lab in the coming weeks. The companies expect to start supplying carbon/thermoplastic UD tapes from this pilot line to customers for evaluation beginning in Q3 2019.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: Hexcel Corp.

Devan Chemicals Joins Consortium Addressing The Recycling Of Coated And Painted Textile And Plastic Materials

RONSE, Belgium — March 12, 2019 — The EU-funded Project, in which Devan Chemicals is a key partner, held a kick off meeting on February 20-21, 2019, at the EU Commission in Brussels, Belgium. The project consortium, led by Belgian R&D centre CENTEXBEL, consists of 17 European partners from across the value chain including design, manufacturing, NGOs, and research and innovation.

The focus of the consortium is on coated and painted textiles and plastic materials which are currently not recyclable. Ambitious plastic recycling targets of 50 percent have been set by the European Plastics Industry, and to meet these targets, smart solutions to enable the circular use of textile and plastic parts with multi-layer coatings must be considered.

DECOAT has therefore been established to investigate triggerable smart polymer material systems and appropriate recycling processes. The solutions will be based on smart additives (like microcapsules or microwave triggered additives) that will enable the efficient of coatings and other finishes, activated by a specific trigger (heat, humidity, microwave, chemical) to permit recycling.

Devan’s specific role is in the development of microcapsules that will release its active core on application of a certain trigger (e.g. heat) at the end of life of the article. This active core material may be something that, for example, will promote the detachment of different coating layers (by separating them), opening the possibility for recyclability/re-use of the base materials. Different active core ingredients will be evaluated, and Devan will develop processes for each type of core ingredient and for each type of coating layer/matrix.

The bold aim of the four-year project is to decrease landfill by 75 percent of coated articles that are presently difficult to recycle, such as clothing, electronic goods and automotive components. A reduction in the carbon footprint by at least 30 percent for the considered products is aimed for. By enabling the recycling of such materials, DECOAT is expected to generate in the medium term a new market valued at over 150 million Euros in Europe.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: Devan Chemicals NV

World Trade And The Textile Machinery Market — Mayer & Cie. Faces Up To The Challenges Of 2019

ALBSTADT, Germany — March 12, 2019 — The Albstadt-based circular knitting machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. (MCT) generated sales of around 110 million euros in 2018. Compared with the previous year, the long-established company reported a slight increase in sales even though 2018 was a year of considerable challenges and the global economic situation remains difficult, clouding the outlook for the year ahead. The company does, however, expect the industry’s leading trade fair ITMA to trigger a textile machinery recovery in early summer. In future, Mayer & Cie. would like to make itself less dependent on the technical machinery market by developing its second mainstay, the manufacture of braiding machines.

Review of 2018: A positive balance despite massive fluctuations

“2018 was a very challenging year,” said Benjamin Mayer, managing director of Mayer & Cie., reviewing the past 12 months. “We had a great first half until trade policy developments led to a marked decline in sales revenue. Nevertheless, sales were good overall and at 110 million euros we even managed to achieve a slight increase.”

Mayer & Cie. was affected most by turbulence in Turkey, traditionally one of the company’s most important markets. At the beginning of the year the order intake was at a peak, only to collapse in the second half due to devaluation of the Turkish lira. In addition, the trade conflict between the United States and China unsettled the entire global economy. Repercussions on the textile trade took their toll. Business with Iran, for example, an interesting market for Mayer & Cie. as a potentially strong textile country, was made impossible by the reimposition of US sanctions. “2018 again made it clear that the textile market and with it the demand for circular knitting machines is repeatedly subject to strong fluctuation,” Mayer concluded.

Against this backdrop the integration of a successful line of business, the manufacture of braiding machines, should prove to be a good investment in the future. By establishing a second mainstay that is independent of the first, Mayer & Cie. is making itself less reliant on the state of the textile economy. Preparations required for the production of this special machinery were completed on schedule at the end of 2018 and series manufacture of braiding machines began punctually at the company’s Albstadt headquarters in January 2019.

Outlook for 2019: Growth potential for braiding machines

Unlike the currently declining market for circular knitting machines the sales outlook for braiding machines is excellent. “From today’s perspective the production of braiding machines is fully booked until the end of 2020,” Mayer said. He anticipates 2019 sales of more than EUR 10 million in this line of business. The Albstadt team, consisting of 12 employees, is scheduled to make about 40 braiding machines in 2019. Until the year’s end production will be supported by the firm’s US affiliate Mayer Industries because demand exceeds current German production capacity. Mayer & Cie.’s aim is to further develop what is already a very good market position in braiding machines. Production capacities are to be increased in Albstadt and an in-house research and development department is to be set up.

Circular knitting machines: long-term outlook stable to rising

In the circular knitting machine sector the downturn in demand can be offset by in-house measures such as running down working time accounts. Mayer & Cie. is also looking at countries like Uzbekistan and Bangladesh, where developments are positive. Uzbekistan, a cotton producer, is becoming an increasingly interesting market for circular knitting machines due to intensive government promotion of domestic textile production, while Bangladesh has for years been one of the company’s most important markets.

Mayer & Cie. anticipates a positive impetus from the industry’s leading trade fair, the ITMA, to be held in June this year in Barcelona. Mayer & Cie.’s trade fair presentation will focus on sport and sportswear and on digital customer services. “We are hoping that ITMA will kick-start a textile industry recovery, for in principle nothing has changed. The world’s population continues to grow and people continue to prefer jersey knitwear,” Benjamin Mayer says. Against this background his view of the new year remains positive: “We are looking forward to 2019 despite of all the challenges because our company is well positioned as regards our portfolio of machines, our corporate structure and our market position”.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: Mayer & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG

INSQIN® Technology: Sustainable Coating For Outdoor Textiles

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — March 12, 2019 — Water-based, waterproof and water-vapor permeable but also to allow water vapor from sweat to escape to the outside air. More and more buyers are also looking for outdoor textiles that are sustainable. All three of these requirements are met by INSQIN® technology, which stands for water-based textile coatings that don’t use any solvents. At the European Coatings Show 2019 from March 19–21, Covestro will present outdoor clothing that owes its functional properties to this coating technology at its “City of Sustainnovation” in hall 4A, booth number 528.

Two layers are responsible for giving the outdoor clothing on display its soft, comfortable feel: an adhesive coating, which is based on the polyurethane (PU) dispersion Impraperm® DL 5310, and a surface coating, which is based on the PU dispersion Impraperm DL 5249. Covestro has been offering its customers both products for a few months.

One square meter of fabric coated with the INSQIN system allows more than five kilograms of water vapor to escape per day. Both layers contribute to the excellent breathability. On the other hand, layered garments can withstand a water column of more than eight meters during testing. The water column is a measurement of how water-resistant a functional textile fabric is: when the measurement is carried out in accordance with DIN EN ISO 811, the outer side of the textile fabric is exposed to liquid. The water pressure is then steadily increased — until the third drop is seen on the inner side. The effective pressure at this point is then specified in millimeters of water column.

Highly versatile — not just for textiles

“It is quite easy to customize the breathability and water resistance of the coating to the intended purpose and function of the textile fabric,” said Thomas Michaelis. The head of Textile Coatings for the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America (EMEA/LA) region added: “Tailor-made properties can be achieved by varying the formulation and coating thicknesses.” Due to the many configuration possibilities of the INSQIN® system, its use is not limited to just garments. Owners of backpacks, shoes and gloves also benefit from it.

Water-based coatings with Impraperm DL 5310 and Impraperm DL 5249 provide garments with good, uniform breathability over the entire surface. This is a clear advantage over other technologies for outdoor clothing, in which membrane films are spot-bonded with the textile fabric. Adhesives are usually not breathable, which means that no water vapor can escape at the adhesive points. However, water-based Impraperm dispersions not only offer an alternative to this membrane technology, but can also be used to improve them: when used as an adhesive, they guarantee permeability for water vapor at the adhesive points.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: Covestro

INDA Welcomes Seven New Members To Board Of Directors

CARY, N.C. — March 12, 2019 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, announces the election by membership of seven industry leaders to serve on its board of directors for a three-year term. These accomplished professionals represent a cross-section of INDA membership and bring a high level of expertise and perspective to the management of the association:

Lewis Barnhardt, president and COO of Barnhardt Manufacturing Co.

Barnhardt has more than 30 years of experience in commercial and operational roles within this privately held, family owned company. He oversees the operations and the distribution of Barnhardt’s products on six continents.

Philip Champagne, president of Groz-Beckert USA.

Champagne is responsible for sales and technical developments for North, Central, and South America. Before stepping into the president’s role he was responsible for sales and the manufacturing facility in Quebec, Canada. Holding multiple degrees in Science, Engineering, and Business, he has more than 35 years of experience in the greater field of textiles and nonwovens.

Dr. Bryan Haynes, director of Research and Engineering in Global Nonwovens, with Kimberly-Clark Corp.

Haynes holds 43 U.S. Patents and 13 Trade Secrets and is recognized for his career involvement and commitment in bringing innovative science-based polymer process approaches and process issues to the nonwovens industry.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Hurley, vice president, Nice-Pak Products Inc.

Hurly is responsible for overall technical and innovation of nonwovens from supply partners through consumers. Hurley is also a member of Nice-Pak’s Operating Committee. His former roles include technical materials development and commercialization, and business management with Buckeye Technologies and Hoechst Celanese.

Lynda Kelly, senior vice president – Care Business, Suominen Nonwovens.

Kelly develops and executes strategies for the hygiene and medical business area for this global manufacturer. Prior to joining Suominen, she was with First Quality Nonwovens as the global director of Medical and Wipes responsible for the establishment of First Quality Nonwovens in the medical and wipes merchant market.

Chris Peart, president and CEO of Tenowo Inc., the North American division of Tenowo GmbH

Peart has more than 19 years’ experience in sales, product engineering, and business development within the nonwovens industry.

Tom Zaiser, CEO of FiberVisions.

Zaiser has over 35 years of experience in the chemical and fibers industries. Before FiberVisions, he worked in the pulp and paper industry, holding a number of senior positions within Hercules Inc. before joining FiberVisions in 2005 as President & General Manager of ES FiberVisions, a 50/50 joint venture between FiberVisions and JNC of Japan in the area of bicomponent fibers.

INDA’s Board of Directors provides critical stewardship of the strategic affairs of the Association. The Board provides oversight of INDA’s finances and direction to its operating plans as well as counsel to the President to organize and perform activities that contribute to the success of the nonwovens industry and its members.

Board responsibilities include formulating, reviewing, and approving the strategic plans, policies, programs, dues and operating procedures affecting the association’s 366 members. The 21-member board comprises elected Board Officers and the immediate Past Board Chair. One-third of the entire Board is elected each year for a three-year term by a majority vote of INDA’s general membership.

“These new Board Members will be tremendous resources for INDA as we further our mission to grow the nonwovens and engineered materials industry. This is a strong group of accomplished industry executives I look forward to working with,” said Dave Rousse, INDA President.

When INDA’s board of directors is not in session, the executive committee is authorized to act in its place and includes the following officers and appointees:

  • Todd L. Bassett, Chair — Managing Director, Fi-Tech Inc.;
  • Paul A. Marold, Jr., Vice Chair of Planning — President, Lydall Performance Materials Inc.;
  • Christopher Astley, Vice Chair of Finance — President-Advanced Airlaid Materials Business, Glatfelter;
  • Karen Castle, Past Chair — Director of Americas, Sales, Jacob Holm;
  • Walter G. Jones, Appointee — CEO, Precision Fabrics Group Inc.; and
  • Nick Santoleri, Appointee — vice president of Manufacturing & Strategic Sourcing, Rockline Industries.

INDA’s Board of Directors meets semi-annually and reviews INDA performance quarterly. The Executive Committee may meet more frequently as issues arise between Board meetings. “INDA’s Board structure ensures leadership continuity, directional clarity, and crisp decision making for advancing the success of our industry and our industry,” said Dave Rousse, INDA president.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: INDA

Techtextil North America Experiences Record Growth in 2019 Edition

ATLANTA — March 12, 2019 — Techtextil North America took place February 26-28 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh North Carolina. Moving the show from its 2017 location in Chicago back to the Southeast proved popular among the industry, making the 2019 edition the highest attended odd-year show to date.

Techtextil North America 2019 brought 165 exhibitors to the Raleigh area from North America and beyond, and total attendance grew to 3,185 – showing a 52% increase* over the Chicago event, with 32 countries represented in total.

Decision makers from all of the major industries that touch technical textiles and nonwovens attend Techtextil North America to conduct business and discover the latest product developments and industry trends. This year, visitors included top industry executives, buyers, engineers, technical directors, plant managers, product development managers, and more from the world’s leading brands including Apple, Nike, Ford, Target, Lear Corporation, Georgia Pacific, Arc’teryx, Hanes Brands, Mohawk Industries, General Motors, and CamelBak, among others.

Educational Symposium

The 2019 Symposium ticketholders attended sessions covering today’s hot topics in technical textiles and nonwovens. Many sessions sold out during the last weeks of pre-registration; sessions including “Fiber Innovation: From Concept to Commercialization”, “Advancements in Nonwovens”, and “Textiles in Aerospace Applications” proved to be in high demand.

The Lab: Testing Demonstration Area

A new addition to Techtextil North America, The Lab featured short sessions and hands-on demonstrations of the latest equipment & technology used in textile testing and standards. Powered by the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College and AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists), topics including electrical resistance, clothing comfort, color fastness, water repellency and more. Many of these complimentary, show-floor sessions were left with standing room only.

Student Research Poster Program & Tech Talks

The Poster Program returned to Techtextil North America again in 2019, this time boasting 61 participants from across the United States, making it the largest program the show has seen to date. Participants included undergraduate research students and those pursuing their Master’s or Ph.D. from North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles, The Nonwovens Institute, Cornell University, Thomas Jefferson University, The University of Georgia and more.

Participants had the opportunity to share their research findings with peers and potential employers on the show floor each day, and a handful were given the opportunity to present their research in front of a captive audience during the three days of Tech Talks, once again powered by The Nonwovens Institute. The Tech Talks feature area remained a popular destination throughout the three days of mini-sessions.

Reception & Tours at North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles and The Nonwovens Institute

Techtextil North America, North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles and The Nonwovens Institute hosted an evening of education and exploration on night two of the show. The sold out event provided ticketholders with light hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and an opportunity to network with other show attendees off of the show floor, as well as the chance to see the top-of-the-line laboratories and fabrication facilities of the Wilson College of Textiles and The Nonwovens Institute.

Attendee Statements

“I thought it was really inspiring to see all facets of the functional textiles industry,” said Daniel Christe, a recent graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia. “The symposium had great speakers, who were all selected from a broad variety of perspectives: we saw scientists, business development folks and product management. The textiles industry has a really exciting future and I couldn’t be more excited to join it as an early career professional.”

“I have made connections here that will change the future of my business,” said George Gianforcaro of Indutex USA. “This has been a great show – I am so glad I came.”

The show’s return to the Southeast proved wildly popular among exhibitors who were thrilled with the high-traffic and quality of visitor interactions:

“The show was fantastic for us,” said Dan St. Louis, director of the Manufacturing Solutions Center at Catawba Valley Community College. “We saw more customers and potential customers than any other show we have attended, and we have attended many over the years. We had a full crew manning our booth and I still missed lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday due to seeing so many customers – which was great! I also got a lot of business after my Symposium presentation, and certainly appreciated the opportunity to present. The Techtextil North America team did a great job with this event, and I look forward to coming again!”

“The show exceeded my expectations,” said Hancho Lee, President of Polytex Plastics, South Korea. “It is smaller [than the Atlanta show], but with very high quality visitors. Those walking the show really know what they’re looking for, and it’s brilliant.”

*Percent increase based on total number of attendees from Techtextil North America only.
2017 attendance number used for comparison excludes JEC Americas attendees.

Posted March 12, 2019

Source: Messe Frankfurt

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