Trials began in September by the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium (VICOSC) in Australia to develop flexible, large area, cost-effective printable plastic solar cells. The trial aims to speed manufacturing of organic solar cells “printed” onto polymer in much the same way as money is printed on paper. The potential to mass-produce solar cells cheaply [...]

Shelters in refugee camps, mostly tents, usually deteriorate within six months, battered by sun, wind and rain. Refugees often stay in camps for years. Swedish home products manufacturing giant IKEA and the United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency and Refugee Housing Unit joined forces in 2008 to build a better home for people already struggling with [...]

During the 2013 Specialty Fabrics Expo, agreements were signed to merge the assets and personnel of Globe Canvas Products Co., Yeadon, Pa., into Philadelphia-based D.C. Humphrys Co. According to Globe Canvas Products’ president Kevin Kelly, IFM, MFC, CPP: “Globe will continue as an operating division of Humphrys. Settlement of this transaction is expected to occur [...]

In 2010, Sunair Awnings and Solar Screens, Baltimore, Md., established a west coast presence by purchasing a 24,000-square-foot plant in Phoenix, Ariz. The company’s growth continues with the recent purchase of a 21,000-square-foot addition to its current plant at the Maryland location. The expansion will enable Sunair to meet demand created by the addition of [...]

Castle Building Centres across Western Canada will now sell Norseman Structures building packages, following a partnership agreement completed in September. Norseman Structures manufactures fabric buildings and enclosure systems for the agriculture market. The clearspan design, natural light interior, fast delivery and installation and reduced maintenance requirements make steel framed, fabric-covered buildings a popular choice in [...]

The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) product of the year award went to the ValueJet 1638 64-inch wide-format printer, made by Mutoh America Inc., Tokyo, Japan. This is the second year the Mutoh ValueJet line has walked away with honors in the Test Print Shoot Out Poster Size, Solvent or Latex Ink category, announced this [...]

Is this the way to do health insurance? Stay tuned. By Marc Hequet Kevin Yonce has gone to a lot of work trying to figure it out. He may still be uncertain—and you may know the feeling. The chief executive at TCT&A Industries, an awning maker and tent renter in Urbana, Ill. (and the immediate [...]

The Narrow Fabrics Institute, a division of ATA, has published its commissioned report “Overview of the Narrow Fabrics North American Market.” The 34-page report provides an overview of the current North American rigid and elastic narrow fabrics market; coverage includes the United States, Canada and Mexico. In addition, the report provides information on the overall [...]

Scovill Fasteners of Clarkesville, Ga., has appointed James I. Pinto to Scovill’s board of directors. The company manufactures high-performance fasteners for apparel and industrial applications, and Pinto has held operational and supply-chain roles in aerospace and industrial businesses, including Textron Lycoming, Greenlee Textron, Textron Fluid and Power and Tyco Intl. He earned a Six Sigma [...]

Phifer Inc. of Tuscaloosa, Ala., designs and manufactures textiles, and has enlisted two talented designers to enhance its products. Raymond Neuse combines 18 years of experience in the textile industry with 20 years as a freelance artist, using his expertise to design indoor/outdoor textiles, home décor, novelty and flooring. He holds a B.F.A. degree in [...]