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Government report highlights national economic benefits of outdoor rec
November 19th, 2020
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released updated economic data on outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy showing $788 billion in economic output, comprising 2.1% of U.S. GDP and supporting 5.2 million jobs, as reported by the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association. The report includes national and state level data for […]
Marine CEOs optimistic in third quarter
November 18th, 2020
Data from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Q3 2020 Marine CEO Sentiment Report, fielded in October, shows marine CEO sentiment was overwhelmingly upbeat with 96% of CEOs reporting stable or expanding business conditions following the increase in new boat sales during the summer and early fall. The quarterly survey assessed the state and needs […]
Submission deadline extended for MFA Awards
November 17th, 2020
The deadline to submit fabrication projects for a chance to win a Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Fabrication Excellence Award has been extended to Dec. 1, 2020. The submission process has been streamlined, the MFA has added two new categories, and entrants have the option of uploading up to six photos of a project. Fabrication Excellence […]
2021 Marine Fabricators Conference cancelled
November 17th, 2020
The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Board and Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) have announced that the 2021 Marine Fabricators Conference, which was to be held in New Orleans in January 2021, has been cancelled. The MFA Board and IFAI leadership staff made the decision to cancel the in-person event based on the continuing COVID-19 pandemic […]
Registration opens for MFA Marine Workshop 2021
November 16th, 2020
Registration is now open for The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Marine Workshop being held Feb. 18–19, 2021, at the Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel in Jacksonville, Fla. Co-located with the Fabricators Conference and Showcase, the MFA Marine Workshop 2021 offers hands-on training and marine fabrication education, networking opportunities with like-minded business owners, and opportunities to solve manufacturing […]
Standard for active illumination developed in Europe
November 16th, 2020
In a session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, “Smart Textiles Standardization, Active Illumination,” Dr. Jan Beringer, senior scientific expert Hohenstein Group, explained the new standard for active illumination that will soon be implemented in European Union countries. Organizations worked together to develop the standards. It is notable, he said that both textile and electronics industries […]
Rapid prototyping = faster market launch
November 16th, 2020
A presentation at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, titled, “Rapid Prototyping and Textile Product Development” urged attendees to use “sticks and glue … whatever method you have to get your idea out there.” The presenter, Dr. Andre West, director of the Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE), Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University, may not have meant […]
Textile industry leaders call for policy changes to support U.S. production of PPE
November 13th, 2020
The U.S. textile industry has stepped up to meet the demand for face masks, medical gowns, wipes and other products necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but it needs policy changes from Washington so that the U.S. is not caught off-guard again in a future crisis, according to association leaders speaking at Industrial Fabrics Association […]
The larger issues in respiratory protection
November 12th, 2020
Dr. Bryran Ormond, assistant professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State explained respiratory protection in an “Ask an Expert” session with Jing Liang, Medical PPE Consulting LLC. Dr. Ormand has typically worked in the area of chemical and biological protective equipment, but with the onslaught of the pandemic, began to focus on respiratory protection generally, […]
2020 Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipients announced
November 12th, 2020
Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is very fortunate to have so many volunteers who give of themselves selflessly, helping every day by serving on different boards, task forces and committees. These volunteers judge competitions, provide education and impassioned leadership to others day-in and day-out. To acknowledge their service, IFAI developed a program in 2012 called […]