October 2008 Issue

• Restricted substances list published

  The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) published its third release of the global AAFA Restricted Substances List, which covers home textiles, apparel and footwear.

• 

  Record jump in jute

  The jute industry achieved a record production high by around 30 percent to 1.78 million tons in 2007-08, up from 1.35 million tons in 2006-07.

• 

  Mills increase green fabric output

  Fabric mills are receiving more requests from their customers for eco-friendly upholstery fabric options.

• 

  Sustainable materials used in performance auto

  The Eco Elise from Lotus uses unique green materials in innovative ways that don’t revolve solely around tailpipe carbon dioxide.

• 

  One Good Chair award winners

  The One Good Chair International Design Awards announced winners at the Las Vegas Market. Jessica Konawicz of Raleigh, N.C., and Jittasak Narknisorn of Woodland Hills, Calif., won the top prizes.

• 

  Fabric recycling program

  The Sample Waste Initiative for Furniture and Textiles industries (SWIFT) started a fabric recycling program called the Green Initiative for Furniture and Textiles (GIFFT).

• 

  Silicone softener from Dow Corning launches

  Dow Corning introduced its OP-8800 Premium Hydrophilic Softener, a technology that helps fabric finish formulators produce better-performing fabric finishes.

• 

  Westlake fabric production moves to China

  Decorative upholstery fabric line Westlake will now be produced by Westlake-Rugao in Rugao, China.

• 

  Carpet manufacturer acquired by textile supplier

  Textile supplier Milliken & Co. acquired carpet manufacturer Thomas Industries, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

• Sunbrella and Glen Raven on the greens

  Glen Raven Custom Fabrics earned membership in the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program.

• 

  Sunbrella and Glen Raven on the greens

  Glen Raven and Sunbrella are sponsoring Jerry Richardson Jr. and his quest for a PGA Tour card.

• Target sponsors Ringling college design summit

  Target Stores will sponsor the third Sarasota International Design Summit, produced by the Ringling College of Art and Design.

Back to Top

• Abrasion- and fire-resistant fabric

  Fire-Foil poly cotton fabric from Mauritzon uses a Solarbloc Bionic finish that is water- and abrasion-resistant.

• 

  New fabric line from Phifertex

  Marquésa from Phifertex is 100-percent recyclable and suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

• 

  Boltaflex offers three new styles

  Viva, Vista and Venue from Omnova feature bright, vibrant colors and metallic sheens for contract applications.

• 

  No-glue berber carpet

  Berber carpet from Tri Vantage features a specially designed backing that doesn’t have to be glued down.

• 

  Recycled nylon

  Repreve nylon from Unifi Inc. offsets the need to produce virgin nylon by using all recycled materials for its product, conserving the equivalent of 6 million gallons of gasoline.

• 

  Low VOC vinyl trim product

  Teknor Apex Co. uses a new innovative formulation technology to manufacture flexible vinyl compounds for trim profiles in furniture applications.

• 

  Trim for fabric line

  J. Ennis Fabrics now offers the Gemstone Trim Collection to complement its Everyday Color Gemstone fabric collection.

• 

  Shears for cutting Kevlar

  Bent Kevlar Shears from Clauss are specially designed for cutting Kevlar materials, as well as plastic, canvas and upholstery.

• 

  Titanium bonded utility knife

  The SpeedPak utility knife, a titanium bonded, cartridge-based knife from Clauss, features easy and safe blade replacement and an ergonomic, slip-free grip.

Back to Top

• 

  Outdoor fabrics used on indoor furniture

  Technological advancements and changing lifestyles mean more furniture options for you and your customers.

• 

  Custom Adirondak sofa case study

  Communication, problem solving and experience help upholsterer create unique custom sofa for an Adirondack ranch.

• 

  Cowboy chair and ottoman

  A New Yorker’s chair takes a ride on the Western side.

• 

  Inexpensive door panel reupholstery technique

  How often does a customer roll into your shop with a problem that he wants you to solve for practically nothing?

Back to Top

• 

  Planning for the coming boom

  As the song “Dedicated to the One I Love” by The Mamas & the Papas goes, “...and the darkest hour, is just before the dawn,” it seems that the darkness of an economic slowdown will never end until it swallows your business like a pelican gulping down a fish.

• 

  Strategies for solving your biggest business problems

  Every business has problems, like low cash flow, slow turnaround times, out-of-date technology and long sales cycles, that can halt progress and cause the company to stagnate.

Back to Top