Joyce Read has joined the national sales team of Moss Inc. to direct a breakthrough sports marketing initiative. With a background in sales, a lifelong love of sports and a fine-tuned sense of design, Read recently worked with architects and construction companies on the Dallas Cowboys’ new $1 billion stadium. With operations in Chicago, Maine, [...]

by Susan Niemi In Europe, where the building sector is the largest energy consumer—more than transportation or industry—solar shading is key to addressing the European Union’s directives on the energy performance of buildings that will be strengthened by 2012. The present directive has been effective since 2006, superseding national policies and applying to all member [...]

Acqua waterproof leather from Spinneybeck is made using a unique process that ensures its waterproof formula penetrates fully into the hide, as opposed to topical applications. The formula also results in a more durable leather that can withstand abrasion and mildew. Acqua is available in 40 standard colors, and custom colors can be ordered. SOURCE [...]

Despite the economic downturn in 2009, with operating and travel budgets slashed, nearly 200 delegates from 15 countries attended the RITE (Reducing the Impact of Textiles on the Environment) Group conference on sustainable texiles and clothing held in London in October. The founding members of the RITE group, an industry association, are Marks & Spencer, [...]

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a settlement with The M Group Inc., operating as Bamboosa, a company that produces bamboo clothing, over allegations that it was making false environmental claims and mislabelled merchandise. According to the FTC, the company has agreed that it will “not make any future bamboo claims unless they [...]

When the American Textile History Museum (ATHM), Lowell, Mass., reopened its doors to the public this summer, it was with a major triumph: an affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian Affiliations program allows selected organizations to have greater access to the collections and educational resources of the museums, libraries and research [...]

Coatings customize fabrics for the perfect match with customers’ applications. By Barb Ernster There are countless combinations of fabrics, coatings, finishes and coating methods to achieve different specifications for a wide spectrum of applications. From simple vinyl tarps to highly engineered ballistic liners, the coated fabrics industry is more diversified than ever and encompassing more [...]

Shade sails expand architectural aesthetics and functional fashion. By Holly O’Dell Whether it’s the need to provide UV protection for schoolchildren or outdoor shopping plazas looking to offer extra attractions for their customers, the need for healthful, comfortable shade continually increases. One high-impact—and aesthetically pleasing—solution is shade sails. Borrowing from the concept of ship sails, [...]

Strong, sustainable performance management strategies create links among like-minded businesses—and with your customers. By Don Carli If your company isn’t planning to address greening your supply chain this year, you may want to rethink your plan. More likely than not, your customers, your competitors and your government are already making plans and progress with the [...]

Compiled by Juli Case When will Awning Composer be updated with current fabrics? Awning Composer is the trade name of a computer software program that enables you to scan a picture of your client’s building and then show your customer how it would look with awnings. The company that originated the program, Canvas Link, was [...]