By Juli Case Flammability specification revision NFPA 701 is one of the most commonly cited U.S. flammability standards in the specialty fabrics industry, and is entering into its 2010 revision cycle. Proposals were due in May 2008, with revision work taking place throughout 2009. The revision cycle includes an opportunity to comment on proposals. Contact [...]

By Juli Case The ATA Code Committee is comprised of members from four divisions of the Advanced Textiles Association: the Fabric Graphics Association, Lightweight Structures Association, Professional Awning Manufacturers Association and the Tent Rental Division. The committee has submitted industry definitions to the ICC, testified in related hearings, and will be exhibiting at the ICC [...]

By Sigrid Tornquist Roy Chism, president of The Chism Co. in San Antonio, Texas, is committed to instilling the possibilities of specialty fabrics to the next generation. Chism believes that sustained industry sponsorships at the university level and innovation through academic research will yield the best return on investment for the future of the specialty [...]

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist What is your industry prediction? There will be a growing demand for fabric products as flexible, low-cost, environmentally responsible solutions addressing many structural and energy needs. What is your business philosophy? Ongoing improvement. Always be open to change in how we do things, where we look for business and where we [...]

By Marc Hequet Find out more about making your business energy efficient: The U.S. Small Business Administration provides a free document, “The Small Business Guide to Energy Efficiency,” at this site: www.sba.gov or www.business.gov. Energy Star, a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, offers a free downloadable document on [...]

By Janice Kleinschmidt If using an outdoor fabric indoors brings to mind a red-checked picnic tablecloth upholstered onto Queen Anne dining room chairs, you’re thinking inside a very strange box. It’s time to step outside and smell the colors. Gina Wicker of Glen Raven, which makes Sunbrella®, notes a few trends from the International Textile [...]

By Jamie Swedberg Atlantic Coast Canvas, Lexington, S.C., is an OEM manufacturer, so it does tend to make the same boat covers over and over. However, office administrator Debbie Van Newhouse says the company switched to digital patterns mainly for security, not for the time savings. “We have 30 years’ worth of patterns, and losing [...]

By Sigrid Tornquist Thompson’s philosophy of “pursue art first and the money will follow,” and her success with that approach, is why Maine’s Gov. John Baldacci invited her to be on a steering committee for the “Creative Economy,” an initiative begun under Baldacci’s predecessor, Angus King. The initiative, which was launched in 2000 by the [...]

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist What is your industry prediction? I think the concept of rental will become more popular instead of making more stuff for the planet. Hopefully, with fabric structures walking lightly on the earth, we will play a big part in change for the better. What is your best advice? When you fail, [...]

By Galynn Nordstrom Before you pack up those lightweight suits, comfortable shoes and a bottle of something comforting for your hotel room, remember that in many respects you get out of a show what you put into it. Make some notes about what your objectives and your company’s needs are before you go, and bring [...]