The Clover, S.C.-based Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association (SYFA) held its 2012 Spring Conference
March 13-14 at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel in Charlotte. The conference drew more than 120
participants from 76 companies to share ideas, hear presentations covering 12 topics of interest to
the industry, and view exhibits from conference sponsors.
SYFA conference sponsors included: Glen Raven Inc., Glen Raven, N.C.; Goulston Technologies
Inc., Monroe, N.C.; Industrial Plating Co., Chattanooga, Tenn.; Nan Ya Plastics Corp. USA,
Livingston, N.J.; National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), Washington, D.C., and Gastonia,
N.C.; Oerlikon Textile Inc. (Oerlikon Barmag), Charlotte; O’Mara Inc., Rutherford College, N.C.;
Polyspintex Inc., Charlotte; David C. Poole Co. Inc., Greenville; Premiere Fibers Inc., Ansonville,
N.C.; Textile World; Unifi Inc., Greensboro, N.C.; and Valdese Weavers LLC, Valdese, N.C.
Presentation topics and presenters included: “Duke Energy Smart $aver Energy Efficiency,”
Perry Stephens, Duke Energy Corp.; “Synthetic Fibers: Boom to ????!,” Alasdair Carmichael, PCI
Fibres (Americas); “Ultimate Comfort, Lighter, Easier, Greener, Better Looking, Longer Lasting,
Higher Value: Textiles for New Trends in Transportation,” John Wilson, The Quantum Group;
“Reclamation of Polyester Waste: Cost Effective Improvement in IV and Melt Viscosity,” David Moniz,
Goulston Technologies; “2012: An Evolving Landscape for Textile Trade,” Mike Hubbard, NCTO; “Bakken
Oil: A New Link in the Supply Chain,” John Edwards, SafeRack LLC; “Bio-Based and Green Fiber,”
Darrel Collier, Tecnon OrbiChem; “Economic Update,” Tim Quinlan, Wells Fargo; “High Performance
Finishing Without Compromise,” Hardy Sullivan, Crypton Inc.; “Performance from a Bottle,” David
Poole, Poole Co.; “Opportunities for Synthetics in the New Sustainability Assessment for Commercial
Furnishings Fabric,” Carol Derby, Designtex; and “The Use of Copper Compounds in Synthetic Polymers
for Medical Applications – The Cupron Experience,” Alastair Monk, Ph.D., Cupron Inc.
In addition, SYFA members elected Joe Capobianco, Precision Fabrics; and Stan Pendergrass,
Milliken & Company, to the Board of Directors for 2012/13. Officers re-elected include: Keith
Adams, ITG/Burlington Worldwide, president; Ernie Hundley, Nilit America Inc., first vice
president; Michael S. Becker, Michael S. Becker Inc., second vice president; and Alasdair
Carmichael, PCI Fibres (Americas), secretary/treasurer. The following board members also were
re-elected: Machell Apple, Valdese Weavers; Joel Cornelius, Unifi; and Roger Crossfield, Goulston
Technologies (retired). John Amirtharaj, Premiere Fibers, will continue to serve as membership
chairman; and Jerry Eskew, Oerlikon Textile Components, as conference chairman.
March 27, 2012
