Deep dive into roller shades

Interior shade can be an important aspect of how people perceive the comfort of a room in terms of lighting, temperature and acoustics. While people may take that shading for granted, says Colin Blackford, director of business development at Mermet USA, the right type of shading gives “occupants a sense of control over their environment.” [...]

By |2020-11-13T14:09:25-06:00November 13, 2020|

The larger issues in respiratory protection

Dr. Bryran Ormond, assistant professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State explained respiratory protection in an “Ask an Expert” session with Jing Liang, Medical PPE Consulting LLC. Dr. Ormand has typically worked in the area of chemical and biological protective equipment, but with the onslaught of the pandemic, began to focus on respiratory protection generally, [...]

By |2020-11-12T13:04:24-06:00November 12, 2020|

Rodgers: Textiles are the “T” in STEM

How do you create a channel from research to application? How do you create a pathway toward understanding complex human problems across supply chains and market sectors? STEM—a curriculum based on teaching science, technology, engineering and math—has branched out from basic chemistry and biology and physics classes, into collaborative efforts, including textiles, according to Stephanie [...]

By |2020-11-11T21:35:18-06:00November 11, 2020|

Partnerships in smart textile products

The second week of IFAI’s Virtual Expo 2020 advanced textiles educational sessions began with a presentation that illustrated the importance of collaboration. “Smart textiles for healthcare and wellbeing: a collaborative approach” had three presenters speaking from different perspectives, but with one, unified message about reaching across geographical distance and areas of expertise to create successful [...]

By |2020-11-11T16:17:33-06:00November 11, 2020|

Welding technology for your business

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 [...]

By |2020-11-10T22:12:40-06:00November 11, 2020|

Get stand-out awnings with digital printing

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 [...]

By |2020-11-11T13:30:33-06:00November 10, 2020|

Guidance offered in commercial insurance market

Wildfires, hurricanes, a pandemic and civil unrest have wreaked plenty of chaos on the commercial insurance market in 2020. Steve Christenson, with Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, offered guidance to business owners Nov. 9 at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020. “The business insurance market has been going through several changes this year,” says Christenson, with U.S. [...]

By |2020-11-10T14:54:45-06:00November 10, 2020|

How to make your business attractive to a buyer

Thinking about selling your business—either to an outside party or the next generation? Then it’s time to start considering how your equipment and processes fit into your succession plan. Jonathan Palmer, the second-generation owner and CEO of equipment supplier Autometrix, and Autometrix director of global sales Truy Pham, led an educational session at IFAI Virtual [...]

By |2020-11-06T19:53:35-06:00November 6, 2020|

Research and development partnerships work one-on-one

The process of working with a research and development center was discussed in Dr. Thomas Stegmaier’s presentation, “Testing and Standards Integral to Timely Product Development.” Dr. Stegmaier is with DITF [Deutsche Institute Fur Textil Und Faserforschung Denkendorf], a large, textile research center located in Germany. It partners individually with industry participants to develop new technologies [...]

By |2020-11-06T13:36:01-06:00November 6, 2020|

Use market data to make sense of the moment

The attacks on 9-11 forever changed how we look at security. The 2008 economic collapse forever changed how we look at finances. And the 2020 pandemic will forever change how we look at hygiene. Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab, the market research division of Interior Design and a SANDOW® brand, told attendees of IFAI Virtual [...]

By |2020-11-05T17:15:23-06:00November 5, 2020|
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