GLEN RAVEN, N.C. — March 1, 2018 — Sunbrella® received fourPlatinum awards in this year’s ADEX awards competition, an industry recognition of design excellence and product innovation. The honor was awarded for the Bali and Fiji patterns by Arc|Com, Dickson® Woven Flooring, and the Pendleton® and Makers Collections.

“We are dedicated to introducing innovations that go beyond traditional design,” says Greg Voorhis, executive design director for Sunbrella. “All four of these fabric offerings bring something unique to our customers. We are honored to receive the highest award for each, and we will continue pushing the design and performance envelope with new and exciting fabric designs.”

Arc|Com channels the spirit of two of the world’s most beautiful islands through patterns Bali and Fiji. Engineered using Sunbrella solution-dyed fibers, both patterns are designed specifically for indoor and outdoor use.

Much like a chameleon can adapt to its environment, Dickson Woven Flooring changes in perception as the tiles are turned and reflect light differently, projecting ever-changing color compositions within a space. This striking effect is produced by reflected light on bicolor fabric threads and is further intensified through the texture and placement of patterns on the covering. This material effect allows for the ability to create customized spaces and distinctive environments by mixing tiles of different sizes and colors.

Born from the idea of bringing two heritage brands together, the Pendleton by Sunbrella collection combines Pendleton Woolen Mills’ distinct jacquard and plaid patterns and the enduring performance qualities of Sunbrella fabrics—fade resistance, durability and easy care. The Pendleton collection is comprised of 53 fabrics and is grounded by five hero patterns: Lahaina Wave, Eagle Rock, Canyon Lands, Zapotec and Mountain Majesty. The hero patterns are supported by a range of textural solids and coordinating patterns.

Fabrics in the Makers Collection incorporate the performance qualities of Sunbrella with authentic designs tied to generations of makers. This collection portrays the importance of preserving the conventional element of craft while advancing technologically. By combining new, experimental techniques with traditional style, the artisan fabrics are perfectly suited for both indoor and outdoor upholstery.

Posted March 1, 2018

Source: Glen Raven Inc.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — March 1, 2018 — Homes become soft and sustainable retreats with the addition of Grund America’s new Savannah collection of organic cotton sateen sheets and Sea Pines throw blankets.  The items round out Grund’s home and bath collection which includes plush and absorbent organic bathroom rugs and towels.

The Matthews, N.C.-based company will uncover its new collection at the 2018 International Home + Housewares Show held March 10-13 at McCormick Place in Chicago (booth #N6466). The throws and 300 thread count sheets provide true southern comfort, and are available in ivory, white, driftwood and slate grey, reflecting the colors of the earth after which the company is named. The collection is color-coordinated with the Grund® organic cotton bath rug, towel, and throw blanket collections.

All Grund products are made of 100-percent certified organic cotton, and their manufacturing is certified to the strict Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) which prohibits the use of toxic pesticides, dyes and finishing agents (with the exception of the Namo™ rugs which have non-slip rubber backing certified to Oeko-Tex®).

“From the field to your dreams, Grund America’s goal is to create an organic safe haven,” says Grund America Vice President Michael Twer. “Consumers can feel good knowing that each Grund item is responsibly made to the absolute highest social and environmental standards and the organic cotton used can be traced to the very community of cultivation.”

The interest in, and demand for, organic fiber products is only growing. Organic fiber sales in the U.S. reached another record in 2016, hitting $1.4 billion and posting a 9.2 percent increase from 2015, according to the 2017 Organic Industry Survey from the Organic Trade Association. The organic fiber and textiles category continues to rank as the largest non-food organic category in the $43.3 billion U.S. market. Organic fiber sales now account for almost 40 percent of the total $3.9 billion in organic non-food sales in 2016.

Growing conventional cotton requires the use of enormous amounts of pesticides, which has a large environmental impact and presents health risks for those working around it. Conventional cotton may cost less, but organic cotton has less impact on the land, farm workers, the planet and thus your well-being. Addressing the processing of cotton is also vital, given the use and discharge of toxic chemicals during conventional textile production.

Posted March 1, 2018

Source: Grund America

GREENVILLE, S.C. — March 1, 2018 — The exhibitor slate for the upcoming Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo in July offers a wide variety of companies, including a number of exhibitors returning from last year’s event.

The show, July 18-19 at the TD Convention Center in Greenville is specifically designed for American producers of furniture and home furnishings products looking for the latest in manufacturing technology and services. It is the second annual event for the show and represents the first time it will be held in the Carolinas, convenient to the industry manufacturing centers.

At the initial Expo last year, attendees saw a number of companies focused on upholstery furniture production and automated cutting machinery, in addition to other technologies for domestic production. Show-goers were impressed. “We wanted to come and talk to the people we do business with here as well as see if there are other people we should be doing business with,” said a representative for the Woodhaven Furniture division of Aaron’s. “This is a positive market and one that’s needed since the others like it have gone away.”

One of the Expo exhibitors this year is Global Systems Group, which makes upholstery furniture and mattress machinery, according to David Eidson, vice president of sales for the Midwest and Southwest. The company is returning to the show for a second time based on the results of the first show. This year it will show new fiber processing equipment as well as filling equipment.

Another returning exhibitor is Clarity Web Solutions, which produces cloud-based solutions for sales, marketing and customer management for home furnishings manufacturers. Doug Cottrell, president, said the company’s decision to come back to the show was based on customer feedback. “We hear from our clients that they have needed a single event to meet with their vendors and explore new connections,” he said. “We feel this event is necessary, and will only contribute to benefiting the entire industry by bringing customers and vendors together.”

Among the introductions Clarity will be bringing to the Expo this year is an Interactive 3-D Visualization system for design-it-yourself custom furniture products, he said. Also there will be new features to the company’s Pricing Configurator. Clarity’s products, he added, “launch quickly, reduce upfront expenses and offer the convenience of off-the-shelf software with the ‘perfect fit’ of custom software.” Cottrell said he has seen an increase in furniture and home furnishings manufacturing activity in the U.S. and expects it to continue in 2018 and 2019?” Being located in Hickory, N.C., we see first-hand the resurgence of manufacturing activity at our clients and in the industry, as evidenced by the current shortage of skilled labor and the efforts by manufacturers to offer training to a new generation of craftsmen.”

Eidson of Global Systems Group said he is encouraged by what he’s seen in the industry so far this year: “This year has started out promising based on the economy growth.”  Cottrell of Clarity agreed, saying he was “bullish” about business this year. “With the current economy and the growing number of people needing to furnish their new homes and apartments, I believe 2018 will be a great year,” he said.

Posted March 1, 2018

Source: Exposition Development Company