“Also surprising was the diversity of attendees, which ranged from small factories to large retailers,” he said. “It was interesting to see such a diverse group of attendees with a common interest.”

 

Another noticeable common thread was attendees were not only seeking new types of ways to manufacture but also new fibers to get increased value in their products, Llewellyn said.

 

“In combining new fiber with new technology for manufacturing, it seems to me that American innovation is returning with a vengeance,” he said.”

 

Shima Seiki showed several of its WHOLEGARMENT machines, including the SWG091N2 15G and the new SRYU123LP inlay knitting machine.

 

“Attendees were very excited to see never-before ways to produce 3D knitted products from the SWG091, along with inlayed knitted fabrics from the SRY123LP, which creates a hybrid fabric combining woven and knitted technology to create new value-added fabric with unique properties,” Llewellyn said.

 

Klϋber Lubrication

 

Despite slightly less traffic – perhaps due to the Atlanta and Boston shows overlapping – the quality of visitors was good, according to Charles Poston, market manager-Textiles, Klϋber Lubrication.

 

“We ended up with the same number of leads as two years ago here, which was great considering there was a competing show going on at the same time,” he said.

 

Klϋber emphasized several new synthetic gear oils, including Klübersynth 80 KV, a synthetic high-performance gear oil for weaving machines, and the single-point lubrication system called Klϋbermatics.

 

“Both areas drew much attention, so we are happy from that aspect,” Poston said.

 

Zimmer America Corp.

 

Roland Zimmer, president of Zimmer America, Spartanburg, S.C., called the show “good” despite the conflicting shows, then offered a suggestion to organizers of each exhibition.

 

“The conflict with the IDEA16 show was bad,” said Zimmer, whose company exhibited in Atlanta and Boston. “Maybe to make up, they can combine the two shows next time?”

 

He said good decision makers stopped by the company’s dynamic booth, and several new leads were gained – and the show gets better every two-year cycle in Atlanta, he said.

 

Zimmer America, which started representing Santex Rimar Group this year, exhibited Santex’s new CAVIMELT P+P, a streamlined machine developed with the goal of precision, production and cost effectiveness in hot-melt coating and laminating using the rotogravure system.

 

In addition, Zimmer America presented Zimmer Austria digital printing & coating technology. Representatives were on hand to discuss ChromoJET digital printing and coating machines, COLARIS digital inkjet printers, COLARIS NF for narrow fabrics and accessories.

 

Briggs-Shaffner Co.

 

Yadkinville, N.C.-based Briggs-Shaffner, a manufacturer of textile beams, enjoyed a positive experience in Atlanta, according to Kyle Winslow, vice president of textile sales.

 

“We felt the show had really good overall energy and we were pleased with the quality of visitors to our booth,” he said. “ We were able to touch base with our normal customers in a different setting and we also had some strong quality leads for potential business.”

 

In addition to its beams, the company highlighted its beam repair services and its new CNC machining business.

 

Dell’Orco + Villani

 

Sergio Dell’Orco, president of Italy-based Dell’Orco + Villani, has a good frame of reference when he discusses trade shows in this city.

 

“We have been to many textile machine shows in Atlanta,” he said. “In comparison, this show was particularly fruitful. At first glance, there didn’t seem to be as much traffic or as many people as in previous venues. However, those who visited us at the Dell’Orco & Villani booth were very interested in pursuing possible purchases for current replacements and new start-up companies and lines. Therefore, this was a very good show for us.”

 

His only wish was that the show did not conflict with IDEA16, he said.

 

Dell’Orco + Villani, represented in the Western Hemisphere for many years by New York-based Stellamcor, was “fortunate” to receive excellent prospects and leads, he added.

 

“Perhaps this means that manufacturing is picking up in the USA,” he said. “Certainly, the interest the next generation has in regeneration seems to be translating into business models.”

 

Dell’Orco + Villani has more than 50 years of experience in textile waste recycling.

 

Dell’Orco and Frank Levy of Stellamcor were on hand to discuss the new Titan opening line, as well as its single- and double-cylinder carding line and fiber blending line.

 

The Twin Carding Opener TCO is the evolution of the single-drum opener model CO, according to Dell’Orco. This new opener is a state-of-the-art machine composed of two cylinders working in tandem and equipped with a number of peripheral working rollers.

 

The Carding Opener CO has been developed for the fine, accurate pre-opening of synthetic virgin fibers in the blending processes in order to obtain a better and even distribution of low-denier binder fibers in the blend.

 

 Stellamcor has  been in business since 1946 and has helped many companies in the U.S. and around the world. 

 

EMS-Griltech

 

The "bleed off" from the concurrent IDEA16 nonwovens show in Boston did not negatively impact the number and quality of sales leads to the EMS-Griltech booth, according to Dean Johnson, business manager, Americas. But overall attendance did seem down, he added.

 

“My general impression is that the show was not as well attended compared to previous years but the quality of visitors continued on a high level,” he said. “I had the chance to meet with several companies – based in the U.S., Mexico and India – that were exhibiting for the first time.”

 

Compared to 2014, fewer “window shoppers” were on hand at this show, and more visitors were on specific missions to address needs or issues, Johnson said.

 

“Many current and prospective customers for our hot melt adhesives, technical fibers and bonding yarns stopped by to visit,” he said. “It was gratifying that more customers from Mexico also attended.”

 

Highlighted products included:

 

• For technical Fibers: the GRILON PA6 Siliconized for soft and silky textiles; NEXYLON PA66 HT (high tenacity) and NEXYLON PA66 FR (flame retardant) for performance/protective wear; and

• For hot melt adhesives: the GRILTEX CoPolyester for bonding of even (smooth) surfaces.

 

“Exhibiting at Techtextil provides our company an excellent platform from which to highlight our products and reach out to existing and prospective customers,” Johnson said. “All in all, it is a good and worthy investment.”

 

Henderson Sewing Machine Co., Inc.

 

Texprocess Americas exhibitor Henderson Sewing Machine of Andalusia, Ala., displayed several robots integrated into sewing, autonomous, automated work cells for producing sewn products without operator intervention, “vision directed” sewing machines and wireless integrated production control systems.

 

Overall, all good, according to Frank Henderson, company CEO.

 

“The expo was positive for Henderson Sewing Machine Co.,” he said. “We had a significant number of visitors to our booth and very positive feedback for the automation and robotics integration that we displayed. The visitors were serious to learn what is available in the marketplace today to strengthen their competitive position in the global economy.”

 

Visitors hailed from the U.S., Mexico, Latin America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, Henderson said. “Most visitors were looking to establish strategic partnerships with vendors to develop automation and innovations and increase vertical supply chain integration to meet the ever-increasing demands of the global marketplace. 

 

“TexProcess Americas 2016 was one of the most upbeat and well attended expos in the Americas in some number of years,” Henderson said.

 

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG

 

SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler, represented in this hemisphere by Spartanburg, S.C.-based SYMTECH, exhibited at three international shows this spring, including Techtextil North America.

 

In Atlanta, visitors had a chance to learn more about the DURO-TW precision winder for all technical yarns up to 50,000 dtex. The DURO platform offers a new level of flexibility and winding quality in one machine, thereby ensuring the fulfilment of all customer requirements.

 

Besides of the new introduction in the area of dye packages/rewinding machines, SSM provides solutions in air texturing, false twist texturing (SSM GIUDICI), air covering, draw winding, assembly winding, yarn singeing, sewing thread finish winding and conventional covering.