IFAI is the only trade association in the world representing the entire specialty fabrics/technical textiles industry, a world market estimated at $120 billion in 2010. We support nearly 2,000 member companies in 11 defined market niches and three country sectors; sponsor the largest industry tradeshow in the Americas, IFAI Expo; and publish seven trade magazines and buyers guides.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Cleanup IFAI Members Respond
The specialty fabrics industry has supplied materials and products for disaster recovery around the globe.
Our association represents the manufacturers who provide the materials and the end products.
View a list ofIFAI member suppliers of oil containment products and the components to make them. The list is broken up into three sections:
1) Components such as fabrics 2) End products such as oil boom 3) Related items, such as shelters for workers, canopies for Vessels of Opportunity, etc.
Interested agencies may contact our members directly or contact IFAI, 651-225-6923.
Come to IFAI Expo Americas 2010 to do business with exhibitors who have all the materials used to produce oil boom you're looking for.
Also safety vests, storage structures, temporary shelter, shade/canopy for Vessels of Opportunity, geotechnical products for landfill and beach protection, stopping the oil flow, and more.
To exhibit or attend, visit www.ifaiexpo.com. Attendee registration is now open.
The Gulf Disaster: How the Technical Textiles Industry Responded - Panel Discussion Thurs, 28 Oct, 1:30-3:00 pm at IFAI Expo Americas 2010, Orlando
Key industry leaders review how the technical textiles industry responded to the oil disaster in the gulf. Register at www.ifaiexpo.com.
A Standout in Camo-- Here’s what it takes to produce camouflage fabric for the Army: Develop seven colors that blend into wildly different terrains, don’t run or fade in the most extreme conditions, and reflect infrared light to obscure soldiers from night-vision devices.
Print those colors in a complex pattern that can never vary by more than a thousandth of an inch. And then produce yard after yard, for millions of yards.
That is what Duro Textiles LLC has done in recent months, as it rushed to provide US soldiers with new camouflage designed to provide better cover in Afghanistan, where the landscape varies from scorching deserts to lush valleys to stark mountainous regions. More...
Duro Textiles, LLC has a tradition going back to 1947 and is one of the country's largest dyers, printers, finishers and distributors of textile products.
Haiti Shelter
Eureka!® Tents Launches "Sheltering Haiti 2010" Campaign on Facebook
IFAI member company Eureka! Tents has announced the launch of its "Eureka! Sheltering Haiti 2010" campaign on Facebook.
The campaign makes it easy for consumers to get involved in Haitian relief efforts by becoming fans of the Eureka! Facebook page.
Active fan participation will determine when Eureka!'s 100 tents will be donated to the OASIS Institute in Haiti, an "adopt a child at a distance" program that enables Haitian children orphaned during the 2010 earthquake to be raised in their native country. More...
IFAI actively promotes and supports our members in the specialty fabrics industry through numerous high-profile activities. Read about the latest lobbying victories benefitting IFAI member companies.
"We are extremely pleased that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking that will require lining of coal ash containment sites. GMA has been advocating for such a regulation through our government relations program. We successfully lobbied Members of Congress in sending a letter to the EPA mandating lining of coal ash sites and we have been assisting in the development of legislation that would require geosynthetic lining of these sites. When adopted, these new regulations will have a tremendous impact on the geosynthetic materials market in the U.S."
“Sustainability has become one of the most pressing issues facing the textile industry.” --Allen E. Gant Jr., President and CEO, Glen Raven Inc.
Click on the icon above to access the most comprehensive collection of resource materials available for the specialty fabrics industry.
Special Feature: IFAI's 2010 State of the Industry Report Buy online now
This comprehensive report focuses chiefly on the U.S.,specifically:
Market size, key markets, changes in the market, how U.S. companies are meeting the challenge of market changes, emerging markets such as nonwovens, and the outlook for the market.
It also includes brief overviews in four specific specialty fabric market segments: awnings and canopies, tent rental, fabric graphics and geosynthetics.
Our training sessions are all about networking and our workshops provide member companies for how-tos and great suggestions. IFAI's Tent Rental Division recently held a tent installation training workshop and this is what one member had to say about the value to her business:
"The workshop was excellent and made me aware of the basics of site surveys and how important they are. The potential of saving up to 5% on insurance was a great return on investment. This is why I joined IFAI!" --Marlene Leonard, Big Top Tent Production
IFAI Advocacy and Government Work
Read a recap of the recent Lobby Days conducted by two IFAI divisions in Washington, DC. The Geosynthetic Materials Association and United States Industrial Fabrics Institute combined forces to hold a series of meetings which covered key congressional offices and trade officials. Here is what some of our members had to say about the value to their businesses of getting face-to-face with policy makers:
"Participating in USIFI's Lobby Days is the most effective way to become engaged in the legislative process and speak with our congressional members about issues pertinent to our industry." --Andrea Russell, Seaman Corporation
"Lobby Days was the best way to meet with your congressional representative or senator to voice the concerns of the industry and your company's specific issue." --Jane Johnson, UNIFI
IFAI gives you the knowledge and skills to succeed.
Contact IFAI INFO CENTRAL at 800 328 4324 (US & Canada) or +1 651 225 6935.
Learn how IFAI can help you! Read the Member Spotlightin every issue of Specialty Fabrics Review magazine. This month's feature: Ken Jacobs -Raymond Brothers Ltd.
The annual Review Buyer’s Guideis your comprehensive guide to products, services, equipment and supplies for the specialty fabrics industry.
Events coming up... Training for the Tent Professional 4-5 Aug. Marietta, GA USA
2010 MFA Great Lakes Workshops 15-17 Oct 2010 Traverse City, MI USA
Advanced Textiles Conference 2010 26-27 Oct. at IFAI
Expo Americas,2010 Orlando, FL USA
IFAI Expo Americas 2010 - 27-29 Oct. Orlando, FL USA
MFA National Convention 2011 - 21-23 Jan. 2011 San Diego, CA USA
IFAI Tent Expo 2011 - 24-27 Jan. St. Pete Beach, FL USA
Geo-Frontiers 2011 - 13-15 March Dallas, TX USA
IFAI Expo Asia 2011 -22-25 March Singapore
Outlook Conference 2011 - 2-3 May White Sulphur Springs, WV USA
