PART 1: Automation, robotics helping fuel industry's resurgence
PART 2: Organizers, exhibitors tout buzz, energy at trade shows
PART 3: Most exhibitors pleased with show results
Posted June 7, 2016
By Devin Steele (DSteele@eTextileCommunications.com)
ATLANTA – Following are more reviews of the three co-located Atlanta shows – Techtextil North America (TTNA), Texprocess Americas (TPA) and JEC Americas.
American & Efird
Celebrating its 125-year anniversary this year, Mt. Holly, N.C.-based American & Efird (A&E) used the occasion of the Atlanta shows to highlight its recently unveiled Colorlink, the company’s first mobile app with a focus on thread color.
Colorlink encourages more interactive collaboration, connecting entire teams across design and production channels in the thread color selection process to ensure color is not compromised.
Available for both Android and Apple phones and tablets, A&E Colorlink was created to serve as an end-to-end tool to connect designers and production managers in the thread color selection process. The app offers a vast array of digital color choices and provides more control of thread color selection from design inception to the manufacturing floor, assuring designers that the personal connection to their color story is maintained through production.
A spokesperson for A&E called Texprocess Americas “great.”
“Our sales staff had great presence and was fully engaged with customers and potential customers throughout the show,” said Jacob Blackburn, Global Marketing coordinator. “We had a significant amount of interest in our new A&E Colorlink thread color app that was officially launched into the marketplace on the first day of the show and with A&E's innovative new product offerings. We are humbled and proud of the tremendous support demonstrated with our sewing machine partners. It was hard not to see A&E every where you turned.”
The company was able to see customers and meet many others in Atlanta, he added.
“There was a good mix of all types of people from a variety of apparel and non-apparel industries,” Blackburn said. “We couldn't have asked for a better group of people that were excited to see our A&E products, booth and staff.”
He added: “We continue to see increased overall industry support and are encouraged by the overwhelming positive comments we received at this year's TexProcess show. You could sense there was a renewed energy and were told by customers how much busier it had felt over the show from two years ago.”
Visitors were able to interact with the A&E Colorlink mobile app, launched on Google Play and Apple’s app store, at technology stations in the booth.
“They were able to a hands-on demonstration of how easy it is to use the complimentary apparel thread color identification device, the COLORCATCH NANO,” Blackburn said. “It was great to be able to see how well received our new color technology tool is and how customers plan to use it within their design and color technology design centers. Should anyone want to see what the buzz is about, feel free to visit www.amefird.com/colorlink for videos, information and tutorials. It’s a useful, fun color tool for our apparel color professionals.”
Central Textiles
A representative of integrated textiles producer Central Textiles of Central, S.C., called the Atlanta shows “well organized and well attended.”
“The shows were informative and provided a great networking opportunity,” said Harriet Scarborough, director. “We had numerous visitors who asked pertinent questions, which showed a knowledge of our testing practices. Several visitors have followed up with inquiries and orders.”
Central Textiles has been in operation since 1984 when the current owners purchased an old, existing textile mill and began a complete modernization to make it a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility able to compete in today’s global marketplace. The upgrades have been a continuing, ongoing process with the installation of the latest generation in weaving technology.
Champion Thread
You can hardly ask for more than “purpose-driven” visitors to your booth at a tradeshow, and that was the case for Champion Thread, Gastonia, N.C., at Texprocess Americas, according to a company executive.
“The majority of our visitors were purpose-driven, with specific thread, yarn or other product needs,” said Matt Poovey, vice president of Sales and Operations. “Virtually all were either decision makers or key purchase influencers. With the re-shoring trend that we have been experiencing, we were not surprised that a majority of our visitors were U.S.-based companies. We also met with a number of companies from Canada, Mexico and the CAFTA-DR region.”
In particular, Champion’s flame-resistant (FR) product lines were of strong interest, he said.
“Military, turnout gear and safety garment manufacturers were especially interested in our expanded range of UL-certified and Berry-compliant Spun Nomex threads,” Poovey said. “Our Aerotex Plus SofTouch thread was also very popular among brands and manufacturers of knitwear, hosiery and compression garments.”
The 2016 edition of the shows was “by far” the best for Champion compared to previous runs, he added. And exhibiting in the Supply Chain USA pavilion with fellow SEAMS members was a great decision, he noted.
“After taking time to walk around, it was clear to us that this was the busiest area on the entire show floor,” Poovey said.
He added: “From our viewpoint, Texprocess Americas 2016 was an excellent overall experience. We were pleased with both the volume and quality of visitors to our booth. In addition to the many new opportunities, we were pleased to connect with a number of existing customers that, after seeing our newest innovations, have engaged us to expand their programs to include new products.”
Frankl & Thomas
One exhibitor that was not particularly pleased with the shows was Frankl & Thomas, a Greenville, S.C. firm that represents global textile suppliers.
Techtextil North America/Texprocess Americas/JEC Americas review – Part 4
Several exhibitors report good mix of visitors
“We felt the show lacked the key personal we needed to see,” said Mike Alexander, vice president & general manager. “Only one of the weaving OEM’s was present and no machinery was on hand. Customers want to see what is new and exciting, not necessarily to see vendors whom they see on a regular basis.”
The quality of visitors was “moderate, at best, with no new prospects,” he added. “It was good to see old friends, but as I said more OEM’s attending would help. We saw a drop off on the numbers of customers from the last show.”
Frankl & Thomas had a number of its principals’ products on hand, including Sulzer replacement parts from Tum Kalip, aprons from Yamauchi, carbon-reinforced bobbins from Mantex and roll coverings from BOBOTEX.
“The most exciting product we have is carbon-reinforced bobbins, which could be the ‘next big thing,’ ” Alexander said. “BOBOTEX roll covering from Germany continues to be a very strong product for us and has been warmly accepted by customers.”
Carbon-reinforced bobbins from Mantex, distributed by Frankl & Thomas
Hamrick Mills
Fabric maker Hamrick Mills of Gaffney, S.C., participated in Texprocess Americas as part of the SEAMS Made in the USA Pavilion.
“We were in a great location and the traffic was fairly steady and significant through the first two days,” said Jim Hopkins, director of sales. “Thursday was a bit slow, as they always are on the last day, but we still had a couple of good meetings. In general this show is always good for us due to location and ease of access for both our domestic and foreign customers.”
Hamrick Mills saw high-quality people from various end-product manufacturers and markets, he also reported.
“There was also a good number of product development and innovation people represented,” Hopkins said. “As always, there were also some start-up companies and small manufacturers who were looking for more and less-expensive sources.”
This show was similar to previous Atlanta shows, but this one may have been busier “as neither Roy (Lockett) nor I had time to walk the rest of the show floor,” he added.
He added that all of Hamrick’s products highlighted are important to the company, but its career wear and uniform products, along with the pocketing and lining product segment, could be considered its primary product group currently, as they are the most active at the moment.
Nexis Fibers
Nexis Fibers, headquartered in Emmenbrcke, Switzerland, was impressed during its first time as a participant in Techtextil/Texprocess in Atlanta, according to Laura Murphy, the U.S. market manager.
“As a first time exhibiter, it was good to have a booth to showcase our products and have meetings with existing and potential customers,” she said. “We saw a wide range of visitors from all over the world. The folks who stopped by our booth were all very interested, and our meetings were all of high quality.”
The company saw great interest in its producer colored yarns, as well as its twisted products, Murphy added. Its new hang tag that specifies “Crafted with Nexis Fibers” is allowed to be used on a rope product, made with 100 percent Nexis Fibers products, with the bluesign® approved label, she said.
Vanguard Pai Lung
A first-time exhibitor at Techtextil North America/Texprocess Americas, Monroe, N.C.-based knitting machine manufacturer Vanguard Pai Lung reported excellent results, with a wide range of visitors to its booth.
“We saw everyone from current customers such as Alamac, Contempora and Straus Knitting to quite a few local companies that specialize in smaller diameter specialty fabrics,” said Jansen Taylor, sales rep. “We were also able to meet some new potential customers from the West Coast. We were also able to reinforce current relationships with folks such as Navis TubeTex, McCoy Machinery and Groz Beckert. We will continue to meet with the visitors to our booth and try to establish relationships with each one.”
Vanguard Pai Lung showcased one of its small-diameter circular knitting machines, used primarily in the meatpacking industry.
“It has the capabilities to make fabric with very specific patterns used in the aesthetics and even flavoring of smoked or baked hams,” Jansen said. “The level of interest was relatively high. A lot of people didn’t really know what it was. Once we explained it to them and turned the machine on, they were really impressed.
The co-located shows also provided Vanguard personnel the opportunity to get a good perspective on the industry, he added.
“The state-of-the-art innovation and technology that was on display by some of these companies was very impressive,” Jansen said. “This show gave you a glimpse as to how the textile industry is moving forward from a global perspective. Also, it is always good when you can come to a show, display your products and get to see current customers, potential new customers and industry partners all under one roof.”
Slideshow: SPESA Tailgate Party at the College Football Hall of Fame
Photos by Devin Steele
