The U.S. Army tells the textile industry exactly what it wants in the next generation of clothing, gear and structures. By Sigrid Tornquist Fiber reinforced, insect repellent, modular, ergonomic, chemical resistant, paper thin but super tough, omniphobic. These are some of the properties the U.S. Army’s Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) is [...]

High-performance fabrics and finishes stretch the capabilities of athletes and recreational sports enthusiasts. Once upon a time, recreational sports were pretty tame: croquet, badminton, golf, rowing. But as humans eyed what new technology afforded them in the way of action, they began pushing the physical limits. When ESPN launched the X Games in 1995, it [...]

The right hardware makes every job a snap. With the right outlook— it’s a riveting subject. In this global economy, when business people can order supplies from around the globe at the click of a mouse, it’s easy to assume that we can get whatever we want, whenever we want. But in fact, long-term trends [...]

The "art" of having the right amount of hardware and supplies available–and organized. It’s an ebb and flow, like the change in the seasons. It’s the annual ritual of fabricators in seasonal markets preparing for the year ahead. Many will have let their inventory of hardware, tubing and finishing supplies shrink to practically nothing in [...]

Hardware and fittings suppliers continually pursue improvements in their products to meet changing needs and increasing demands in the specialty fabrics industry. Lighter, stronger, more versatile and easier to install. End product manufacturers (EPMs) want these qualities in the hardware, findings and accessories they use in their products. Suppliers of these components understand the challenge [...]