Zhejiang Hongtu Warpknitting New Material Co. Ltd. IFAI Expo 2012 Booth: 1022-A What: Warp-knitted fabric Why: Excellent base material for lamination and coating for end uses in banners, membrane structures, truck covers, tents, inflatables and conveyor belts. SOURCE Zhejiang Hongtu Warpknitting New Material Co. Ltd.

Zhejiang Huasheng Warpknitting New Material Co. Ltd. IFAI Expo 2012 Booth: 1104 What: PVC tarpaulin and industrial fabrics Why: PVC-coated, laminated and drop-stitch fabrics used in truck covers, container curtains, tents, marquees, oil booms, inflatable boats and inflatable pools. Camouflage PVC available. SOURCE Zhejiang Huasheng Warpknitting New Material Co. Ltd.

Zhejiang MSD New Material Co. Ltd. IFAI Expo 2012 Booth: 1022-E What: PVC-coated fabrics Why: Woven with 1000 to 2000 denier low-shrinkage, high-strength yarn. Features smooth, durable, glossy finishes with excellent resistance to soiling and flex cracking. Applications include transport or boat cover, tenting, matting, tarpaulins and awnings. B1 flammability standard. SOURCE Zhejiang MSD New [...]

The aging of the U.S. workforce is predicted to cause skilled workforce shortages. By Sarah Sladek Fact: In the wake of the Great Recession, some Baby Boomers are delaying retirement, hoping that a few extra years of work will help them replenish nest eggs devastated by the economic downturn. Myth: Delayed retirements have become the [...]

Fabric companies committed to recycling give testimony to long-term success. By Dara Syrkin The news is rich in stories about companies and individuals realizing the benefits of being “green,” and recycling is a part of that sustainability equation. Fabric manufacturers are continuing to recycle and create recyclable products. Some systems are closed-loop; some span continents. [...]

A Canadian creek gets geosynthetic reinforced soil walls to prevent large-debris flooding. By Alex Strouth, Mark Pritchard, David Roche and Calvin VanBuskirk Picturesque Fitzsimmons Creek flows through the heart of Whistler, B.C., Canada—about 80 miles north of Vancouver, and it was one of the sites for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Few visitors to Whistler realize [...]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has joined with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to launch a training program for transitioning service members and veterans to help them become entrepreneurs and create jobs. Operation Boots to Business: From Service to Startup is a national initiative that will be [...]

As part of its initiative to improve plant operations, product quality and service to its customers, Aurora Specialty Textiles Group Inc., Aurora, Ill., will no longer offer small-lot jet dyeing at its Travelers’ Rest, S.C., location. This operation will concentrate on continuous and other open-width fabric processing while the Aurora, Ill., plant will continue to [...]

Miller Weldmaster’s UK distributor, Solent Sewing & Welding, has completed the installation of a Miller Weldmaster 112 Extreme at sign and graphics specialist Hollywood Monster’s Birmingham production facility. The combined welding, eyeleting and cutting machine finishes a range of materials, including “green” recyclable polyethylene. Monster used the 112 Extreme’s hot air and hot wedge welding to fulfill [...]

The University of Michigan’s solar car, Quantum, wrapped in Avery Dennison’s vehicle films, competed in the 2012 American Solar Car Challenge. “The wrap is an important improvement to the car,” said Cole Witte, engineering director for the University of Michigan solar car. “We eliminated a significant amount of weight with the wrap. The vinyl conforms very [...]