The mission of the United States Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) is to build a strong coalition of US fiber, fabric, and end product manufacturers and to serve member company interests both domestically and internationally. Learn more. USIFI member companies must:
be incorporated
have business headquarters or significant manufacturing in the United States
service or supply the United States specialty fabrics industry with products
USIFI is part of the not-for-profit Industrial Fabrics Association International (www.ifai.com), the global association for the specialty fabrics industry.
U.S. Textile Industry Strongly Supports Wear American Act of 2012
USIFI supports the industry's work on the Wear American Act of 2012. See the information from NCTO.
(Washington DC – July 26, 2012) -- The National Council of Textile Organizations put its Made in the USA seal of approval on the Wear American Act of 2012. This legislation introduced today by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) would require all government agencies to source 100 percent Made in the USA when procuring textiles, textile components, and apparel items. The Wear American Act would increase the content requirements under the Buy American Act for textiles, textile components, and apparel only and would still be subject to Buy American Act exceptions in the case of domestic non-availability of an item. Read on....
IFAI names Mary Hennessy president and CEO
June 6, 2012 --- The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) named Mary Hennessy president and CEO on June 6, 2012.
An IFAI employee for 24 years, Hennessy most recently held the position of interim executive vice president. Prior to that, she worked as vice president of communications and publisher of IFAI’s six industry magazines.
“I am honored and humbled to have been chosen to lead this association,” Hennessy says. “IFAI is an amazing organization with passionate members and volunteers. Over the last seven months as I served in the interim role, I have been touched by the many members who have offered support and encouragement for me and for IFAI. Our membership is a close-knit, diverse community of companies, and I have often heard it described as a family: noisy, raucous, opinionated and loyal. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Mary is an engaging individual who has made the effort to interact with members and build a great rapport with IFAI staff,” says Kevin Yonce, MFC, IFM, CPP, chairman of the IFAI Board of Directors.
The board appointed a search committee to fill the position after former IFAI President and CEO Stephen Warner stepped down in October 2011. The search committee, comprised of former IFAI board members, hired a search firm to help identify and recruit potential candidates at a national level. A selection committee of current board officers and the search committee chair then interviewed two of the more than 50 applicants on June 5, 2012.
“We felt a full search was imperative to find the best candidate to represent our members and move this association forward,” Yonce says. “We believe we’ve found that person in Mary.”
About IFAI --- The Industrial Fabrics Association International is the largest and longest-running textile trade organization in the world. Celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2012, IFAI publishes six market-specific magazines in print and online; organizes industry events such as IFAI Expo Americas 2012 (Boston, Nov. 7–9); and supports the growth of nearly 1,900 member companies located in 54 countries.
Industry Meeting at TPP Negotiations in Dallas
The United States hosted government delegations from the eight other Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries during the 12th round of TPP negotiations this past week in Dallas, Texas. Private sector stakeholders from the various TPP nations were invited to attend. Executive Director Auggie Tantillo participated on AMTAC’s behalf.
Progress in the negotiations was slow due to continued significant differences among TPP countries in major areas such as agriculture and textiles. The United States and Vietnam remain at loggerheads over the basic rule of origin in the textile chapter because Vietnam is seeking an extremely lenient origin rule based on a simple cut and sew requirement. On the other hand, the U.S. government remained firm in its position of support for a yarn-forward arrangement, similar to origin rules negotiated under other U.S. free trade agreements, such as DR-CAFTA.
"Friend of the Industry" Awarded to Rep Larry Kissell
The technical textile industry has a hard-working, knowledgeable friend in Washington - Representative Larry Kissell has served the industry well during his time as Congressman from North Carolina's 8th district. USIFI recently conferred the "Friend of the Industry" to Mr. Kissell for his work as co-chair of the bipartisan Textile Caucus, his work on Berry Amendment issues, and his support for textile manufacturing and fair business practices.
Facts about U.S. Textile Industry
KEY FACTS ABOUT THE U.S. TEXTILE INDUSTRY (from NCTO, May 2012)
• The U.S. textile shipments totaled $53.3 billion in 2011.
• The U.S. textile industry is one of the largest manufacturing employers in the United States, the overall textile sector - from textile fibers to apparel - employed over 390,000 workers in 2011.
• Textile companies employed 238,000 workers.
• U.S. government statistics estimate that one textile job in this country supports three other jobs.
• The U.S. textile industry is the third largest exporter of textile products in the world. Exports in 2010 grew 13.4 percent to more than $17 billion in 2011. Total textile and apparel exports were a record $22.4 billion.
• Nearly two-thirds of U.S. textile exports during 2011 went to our Western Hemisphere free trade partners. The U.S. textile industry exported to more than 170 countries, with 22 countries buying more than $100 million a year.
• The U.S. textile industry supplies more than 8,000 different textile products per year to the U.S. military.
• The U.S. is the world leader in textile research and development, with private textile companies and universities developing new textile materials, constructions, product capabilities, and functions for textiles that go far beyond basic wearing apparel.
• The U.S. textile industry invested more than $16.5 billion in new plants and equipment from 2001 to 2010. And recently producers have opened new fiber, yarn and recycling facilities to convert textile waste to new textile uses and resins.
• The U.S. textile industry has increased productivity by 45 percent over the last 10 years, making textiles one of the top industries among all industrial sectors in productivity increases.
• In 2011, textile workers on average earned 151% more than clothing store workers ($575 per week vs. $229) and received health care and pension benefits.
Berry Amendment change benefits U.S. textile industry
Two-and-a-half-year mission in Washington D.C. ends in victory for military tent makers/supply chain
(Roseville, MN – January16, 2012) At a time when President Obama and his administration are on a new mission to repatriate American manufacturing jobs, the U.S. Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) recently scored a victory for the textile industry.
USIFI is the manufacturing segment of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), and has a long track record of fighting policy decisions that kill American manufacturing jobs--semper vigilans.
This mission began two-and-a-half years ago when a surprise reinterpretation of the Berry Amendment was announced by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) saying that military tents could be constructed with components made offshore. That subtle interpretive phrasing would curtail American companies, and was contrary to the spirit of the Berry Amendment, (USC, Title 10, Section 2533a), a law which requires the Department of Defense to give preference in procurement to domestically produced, manufactured, or home grown products. Congress originally passed domestic source restrictions as part of the 1941 Fifth Supplemental DoD Appropriations Act in order to guarantee a domestic source for products needed during war.
As the United States seeks to reinvigorate its job market and move past economic recession, MIT News examines manufacturing’s role in the country’s economic future through this series on work at the Institute around manufacturing.
The loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs is a topic that can provoke heated arguments about globalization. But what do the cold, hard numbers reveal? How has the rise in foreign manufacturing competition actually affected the U.S. economy and its workers?
Textile World's Economics Editor Robert S. Reichard offers this somewhat positive economic forecast for the U.S. textile and apparel industry.
The $70 billion U.S. textile and apparel sector is alive and, in fact, doing quite well. Too upbeat an appraisal? Not really — given the fact that even in today's relatively lackluster business climate, these industries have managed to rack up gains for two consecutive years.
To be sure, the increases have been rather modest. Nevertheless, they mark a major change from the steady tattoo of declines and retrenchments that marked most of the past decade.
And the good news is almost sure to spill over into the new year. Again, any improvements will be far from spectacular. But, by and large, overall production, shipments and profit numbers should end up at or above 2011 levels when all the results are in.
CHINA’S INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES The Freeman Briefing offers analysis of major economic, trade and related developments in China of interest to the international business community, drawing largely from Chinese language sources. Click here to access the full report.
Foreign Ownership, Small Business Size Standards and Transparency
GRANITEVILLE SPECIALTY FABRICS ACQUIRES COATING MACHINES TO ADVANCE
Greenville, SC – May 22, 2012
Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, a recognized leader in the production of specialty coatings and coated fabrics (and a member of U.S. Industrial Fabrics Institute), announced today the purchase of two coating machines from Mascoe Systems Corporation, the largest manufacturer of coating machines in the US.
As many as six different coating methods are built into the coating machines. The coaters are built with high-tolerance machining practices and digital set point technology which allows for absolute repeatability of required coating specifications.
“We selected machine features that will allow Graniteville to continue our high-quality coating development, yet enable us to explore new coating practices and specialized technical solutions,” said Jim Egan, president of Graniteville Specialty Fabrics. He continued, “Although we have been perfecting coated fabrics for more than 60 years, we remain committed to developing the most innovative, custom, fabric offerings for our diverse client base. This new machinery will assist us in continuing those efforts and allow us to further expand our custom coatings’ capabilities,” said Egan.
For more than 60 years, Graniteville Specialty Fabrics has been a recognized leader in coated fabrics, continually inventing and perfecting their coating methodology. Through innovative processes that combine modern chemistry and technology, Graniteville excels in the development and sourcing of custom coatings and creating specialized technical solutions to meet specific, and often unique, end-user requirements. As a premier specialty coatings provider, Graniteville takes great pride in the spirit of innovation, quality production, and a rigid commitment to protecting the environment. For more information about Graniteville, its custom coatings, or coated fabrics, visit www.graniteville.net.
Manufacturing Strategy Needed
Click here to watch why the U.S. needs a manufacturing strategy:
Congressman Wilson Visits Graniteville Specialty Fabrics
Employees of Graniteville Specialty Fabrics received a visit Wednesday from Congressman Joe Wilson, who toured the facility and saw firsthand the innovative and historic contributions the facility has made that are now used worldwide.
Nicole Crews -- Furniture Today, February 20, 2012 GLEN RAVEN, N.C. - The story of Sunbrella Performance Fabrics is a yarn of fairytale proportions. The Glen Raven Custom Fabrics brand began as an alternative to cotton awning fabrics in 1961 when Roger Gant Jr., grandson of Glen Raven founder John Q. Gant, came across a sort of fairy godmother in the form of Monsanto - then a purveyor of colorfast fiber.
Gant knew that Glen Raven had been making the same essential cotton awning fabric since the late 1800s and that it was time for a change. He struck a deal with Monsanto and replaced cotton with its acrylic fibers with pre-extrusion pigments. He followed the decision up with an unheard-of five-year warranty and made the strategic decision to advertise the Sunbrella brand directly to consumers.
Once the 1970s rolled around, boating opened up a new channel for Sunbrella fabrics in the marine market, convertible tops for the automotive industry followed, and field-marketing initiatives were well on their way to making Sunbrella a household name.
Click here to read the rest of the history of Glen Raven's signature brand.
BondCote Corporation Reaching You Through Social Media
BondCote strives to provide high performance quality engineered fabrics at a fair price in the military, industrial, athletic, recreation, and medical markets. It is critical that current and potential customers have immediate access to new developments and means to view extensive testing on these developments.
BondCote can now be followed on YouTube and LinkedIn. BondCote’s website, www.bondcote.com, is continually updated with news releases, product introductions, and videos.
A Wake Up Call: Manufacturing - The Savior of a Declining Empire?
Observers say the US needs a paradigm shift in its economic direction. This involves a re-strengthened manufacturing base. A return to what once worked best – what a radical thought!
Appropriately, during the last Labor Day weekend, we were provided harsh messages about the US job situation. The strongest didn’t come from our president or his large field of challengers (these people should be engaged in more urgent activities than premature campaigning).
Lost Jobs: Why fixing the trade deficit matters most
Food for Thought....
This article by Donald Barlett and James Steele gives good historical information about how trade deficits are preventing any significant jobs growth in America.
An excerpt: "Congress is wrought up over the wrong deficit. The real deficit issue that has been out of control for 35 years is the trade deficit. That's the one that has decimated the American workforce, blocked the creation of millions of jobs, created millions more jobs for people in other countries, triggered pay cuts for millions of workers who still have jobs in the United States, and generally lowered the standard of living for many at the bottom and in the middle of the economic pile. Those at the top have flourished quite nicely under this policy."
Textile Coalition Supports Funding for Textile Research
Fourteen trade associations that represent the overwhelming majority of our nation’s nearly 500,000 fiber, yarn, fabric, apparel, home furnishings and specialty fabrics applications workers are asking Congress to support funding for a competitive research program specifically designed to advance the technological capabilities and overall competitiveness of the U.S. fiber, textile and apparel industries.
It is essential that the U.S government continue to serve as a partner in the ongoing effort to transform the U.S. textile and apparel sector into a highly flexible supply chain, capable of responding to rapidly changing market demands. Specifically, the Coalition has requested that the House Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations subcommittee include $5 million for a competitive textile research program for FY 2012. Read the full letter to Congress here.
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