How do you replace a huge rotor at the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania without risking accidents or down time? SlingMax Rigging Solutions, Aston, Pa., pioneered synthetic slings in the mid-1980s, and handled the rotor replacement using Twin-Path® slings with K-Spec® cores that include Kuraray America Inc.’s liquid crystal polymer Vectran® fibers. Traditional wire [...]

The world’s poor coastal regions may have a new market for waste coconut husks, following research at Baylor University, Waco, Texas, that uses coconut fibers in automotive trunk liners, floorboards and interior door covers. The technology uses coconut fiber to replace synthetic polyester fiber in compression-moulded composites. Coconut fibers are fire-resistant and less expensive than [...]

Health Savings Accounts are an increasingly popular option, especially for smaller businesses. By Mark E. Battersby How many small businesses can afford to offer fringe benefits, let alone good health insurance, to keep or attract good workers? Why, especially in these troubled economic times, are the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Internal Revenue [...]

Challenge, opportunity and growth: Our market forecast for manufacturers of lightweight structures By Jeff Rasmussen In a market survey article published in the January issue of the Review, ATA Market Research Services reported a growth rate of roughly 2 percent for the U.S./Canadian lightweight structures market in 2008. We also forecasted a growth rate of [...]

Challenge, opportunity and growth: Our market forecast for marine fabricators By Jeff Rasmussen The U.S. marine fabric market has been in a state of flux in 2007 and 2008. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, OEM boat sales could be down about 25-30 percent for 2008. Marine fabric suppliers experienced approximately a 15 to [...]

Challenge, opportunity and growth: Our market forecast for tent renters By Jeff Rasmussen In 2008, tent manufacturers, who produce and sell tents to tent rental companies in the U.S. and Canada, consumed 24.3 million square yards of fabric, a 1 percent increase from 2007. For 2009, growth in total fabric consumed will probably be flat, [...]

Challenge, opportunity and growth: Our market forecast for manufacturers of awnings. By Jeff Rasmussen In 2008, nonresidential construction amounted to $712.9 billion, 11.8 percent above the $637.5 billion figure for 2007. This helped to offset a weak residential construction market in 2008, which was down 26.8 percent in 2008. The numbers for nonresidential construction continue [...]

[Textronics Inc.] Wilmington, Del.,U.S.A. NuMetrex® by Textronics® has premiered a new seamless control heart-sensing sports bra designed for even greater support during high impact sports. The NuMetrex Heart Sensing Sports Bra features electronic sensing technology integrated directly into the fabric. The textile electrodes are knitted into the bra so they stretch and move, maintaining contact [...]

[QIO Systems] New York, N.Y., U.S.A. French fashion brand Celio has launched the iPod compatible Celio Club Suit, and Canadian brand Killa has launched a range of hip-hop clothing for fall 2009, both incorporating advanced e-textile technologies from QIO Systems. QIO manufactures, licenses and sells made-for-iPod electronics to apparel manufacturers. The traditionally tailored Celio jacket [...]

[InteractiveWear] Starnberg, Germany InteractiveWear AG provides the technology services again for Italian menswear designer Ermenegildo Zegna with an innovative new product. The two companies previously collaborated on the Solar JKT Jacket in 2008. The Freeway Jacket, part of the spring/summer 2009 collection, is designed to improve safety in urban outdoor travel situations. Integrated into the [...]