Editor’s note: Following is a Q&A with Roger Crossfield, president of the Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) and managing partner at CTC Development Co., LLC. He answered questions submitted by Devin Steele, editor and publisher of eTextileCommunications.com. Crossfield’s two-year term comes to an end next week when the SYFA holds its annual Spring Conference in Charlotte, N.C.

 

Posted April 20, 2017

 

eTC: Roger, you’ve been an SYFA member for many years. Please speak to the privilege of serving the industry and the association as SYFA president.

 

Crossfield: Having been a part of the synthetic fiber industry and a member since the mid-1970s, it has been a special honor to have served for the past eight years on the board of the SYFA and, more recently, as president of the association. It has been particularly exciting to be involved, with others on the board of directors, in rebuilding the association following the textile industry decline in the late 1990s to early 2000s.

 

eTC: Do you remember what year you joined SYFA’s predecessor organization, the Textured Yarn Association of America (TYAA)? I ask because, given your history with the organization, you have seen its evolution over the years from TYAA to the Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association to, just recently, the Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association. Please speak to the organization’s evolutionary milestones and factors that led it to broaden its scope, particularly its latest iteration from “fiber” to “fabric.”

 

Crossfield: I joined the Textured Yarn Association of America in the 1973, about a year after it was founded. It was established to address the needs of a rapidly growing textured yarn industry. The response in the industry was very positive and, after the first meeting in February 1972, more than 350 individual and 170 company members joined the organization. The group included 135 texturizers along with companies representing the whole synthetic fiber supply chain.

 

In the first 10 years there was a rapid expansion of texturizers (known as throwsters), unfortunately followed by significant decline due to the Arab oil embargo and also the fast rise and fall of a new fashion using textured polyester called “double-knits.” Many of the more senior members will remember this.

Texturing technology improved through the ’70s & ’80s with the development of draw texturing, friction texturing and air-jet texturing. The industry consolidated during the ’80s and ’90s with significant texturizing capacity moving to the fiber producers, again causing a decline in the number of throwsters.

 

By the early 2000s, the TYAA was struggling to survive as a large part of the U.S. fiber and textile industry had moved overseas and few texturizing companies were left. Conference attendees barely reached 80 people,
 

Around 2007, under the leadership of past President John Edwards and past Director Kim Pettit, the decision was made to change the name of the association to the Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association (SYFA), reflecting our focus on the synthetic fiber through final fabric supply chain. In 2008, we organized a conference on sustainability, which was attended by more than 300 people. This was a shot in the arm for the association and membership began a pattern of steady growth along with the resurgence of the industry itself.

 

Our main focus now is to offer our members and the industry two conferences each year with relevant, interesting topics, a wide range of speakers and ample time for networking opportunities.

 

Again, in 2016, after extensive discussion, the board decided to change the association name to the Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association. This small change maintained our well-known initials (SYFA) while indicating our expanding coverage of the supply chain through final fabric and actually to finished, branded products.

 

eTC: Does the membership trend line over the last couple of years reflect the industry’s resurgence? What are you up to now, numbers wise?

 

Crossfield: Yes, for sure. Membership has been increasing in line with the resurgence of the domestic market. Our membership is now around 225, including corporate and individual members.

eTC: What is your elevator speech to prospective members looking to broaden their knowledge, insights and networking opportunities through the SYFA – especially as it, like many other organizations, seek to attract the younger generation?

 

Crossfield: I would tell them that the SYFA offers two very well attended conferences every year, with strong mix of technical and relevant marketing topics often including top name brands. Average attendance is around 150 people representing the whole supply chain. Networking opportunities are excellent. Also, popular features are an excellent fiber industry update by Alasdair Carmichael and a current financial update and forecast by a prominent economist.

Currently, the board is working hard to attract younger people and is currently working on an initiative to bring into the SYFA, reaching out to the industry as well as colleges and universities. This is being spearheaded by our board member Christopher Shultz of Newell Brands.
 

eTC: What are some of the important topics you’re hearing from members that they want to hear more about at your semi-annual conferences?

 

Crossfield: Of course our members want to hear what is new in our industry, both from the technology side and the business side. Efficiency and sustainability are always of interest.  
 

eTC: Speaking of, what’s on tap from a thematic standpoint for your forthcoming Spring Conference, and what sectors of the industry may be interested?

 

Crossfield: The title is “Building Competitive Advantage in Textiles – New Value Drivers.” A good mix of interesting speakers and subjects are on the docket. We are highlighting sourcing/marketing/branding with two papers on facilitating moving new products to market. On the environmental/safety side, we address the current situation on micro-plastics and the use of fluorochemicals in textiles. Our website has the full conference agenda.

 

eTC: Diane Bayatafshar has been on board as managing director for several years now. As the “glue that holds everything together,” administratively so to speak, please speak to her strengths in keeping the SYFA board and membership organized, informed and engaged.

 

Crossfield: First of all, I would like to recognize the work of the SYFA board of directors who work very hard to put together the programs for both the spring and fall meetings as well as performing their regular day-to-day jobs. At the center, of course, is Diane Bayatafshar, who handles all the administrative duties of the association as well as organizing conferences. There is no question that Diane is doing a great job for us as along with a similar function for the AMFA (American Fiber Manufacturers Association).
 

eTC: You spent the majority of your career at Goulston Technologies, of course, and now serve as a managing partner at CTC Development Co., LLC. Can you tell us more about what your company does?

 

Crossfield: CTW is an innovative research company, formed in 2010 to develop and commercialize new technical textile technologies. The company develops unique functional fabrics and durable surface treatments for a wide range of applications. Currently we are developing a new fabric for the military.

 

eTC: Machell Apple of True Textiles is your anticipated successor. Having worked closely with her, please comment on the skills, insights and leadership skills she brings to the table.

 

Crossfield: Machell has been a valuable member of our board for more than six years and her work experience will serve her well at our next president – she is a fabric design professional known for creative thinking and new business/product development.

 

Currently, Machell is product director for True Textiles, a vertically integrated North American textile manufacturing company providing high-performance panel, upholstery, acoustic and cubicle curtain fabrics to the corporate, healthcare, education and hospitality markets. 

 

She will be only the second female to serve as president of the TYAA/SYFA after Pat Murray. I am sure Machell will do a great job.