Posted December 2, 2014

 

The textile industry is blessed with a number of specialty groups aimed at furthering the educational and networking opportunities of those involved in their specific discipline and promoting awareness of their activities. In recent weeks, I’ve had the privilege of covering two such organizations, the International Society of Industrial Fabric Manufacturers (ISIFM) and the American Flock Association (AFA). During turbulent times when a number of interest groups or associations were forced to disband or roll into other organizations, these two entities were able to weather the storms and continue as growing concerns, strong and viable.

 

Their longevity undoubtedly has something to do with the value they bring to their membership. And I would venture to guess the camaraderie and friendships established over time, along with leadership’s foresight, have figured prominently into their ability to survive. Plus, if I may surmise, each has a common thread – active senior membership – whose affiliation dates back to their group’s formative days.

 

For the ISIFM, it’s Leon Witt. For AFA, it’s Rick Horrigan, Bob Baker, Hemendrah Shah, Steve Rosenthal and Tom Witham. Celebrating its 40th year of existence, the ISIFM was formed by Witt and a small group of others in the tire fabric converting area. It was created for the purpose of discussing mutual problems in the twisting, weaving and treading areas of the production of tire fabrics – fabrics that included rayon, nylon, polyester and Kevlar fibers. Some activities also involved fiberglass and steel cord. Its meetings at the time were of the workshop variety only.

 

At its founding in 1974, the group was known as the International Society of Industrial Yarn Manufacturers (ISIYM) and typically drew about 25 or 30 people. It had little money as an association but its relevance to members helped it continue on for a number of years, Witt said. Over time, as some converters began to go out of business, leadership recognized it needed to expand its ranks by opening membership to chemical and equipment suppliers as well as others interested in this sector. It also expanded its programs to include economic forecasters and other specialized presenters. At its most recent meeting in Charlotte – it holds two meetings a year – ISIFM attracted about 100 attendees.

 

“We were fortunate in the tire reinforcement industry,” said Witt, 73, who spent his career with the same company that went through several iterations (U.S. Rubber, Uniroyal, Goodrich and Michelin) due to name changes and/or buyouts. “Our survivor rate is higher than the general textile industry. It’s more of a miracle because if you go back to the ’50s and early ’60s, a tire probably had two to three pounds of textiles in it. Now, it probably has less than a pound in it because a lot of textiles have been replaced by steel cord. We’re very fortunate that many of our converting plants survived.”

 

Witt, who served as ISIFM president in the early 1980s, retired in South Carolina about 10 years ago. But he still serves as a consultant for Finite Fiber in Akron, Ohio, and continues to attend ISIFM meetings as the longest-serving member.

 

Similarly, Baker, Horrigan, Rosenthal and Shah were among a close-knit group of flock company representatives who were very influential in AFA’s creation in 1985. They realized that an association catering to their interests in this hemisphere made sense. Twenty-six member companies came together to create the group, with the goal of promoting the flock industry. Rosenthal remained a member until his retirement from Lubrizol in 2007 and, shortly thereafter, was asked to take over the Managing Director's role of the AFA.

 

Horrigan of Lubrizol and Baker of Key Polymer are still active on the Executive Committee, although each had a break from service on the EC. Witham joined the association shortly after its founding. He later served “eight or nine” years as its chairman in its first decade. “I became chairman because I missed a board meeting,” he said with a laugh during the group’s recent 29th Annual Meeting at N.C. State University’s College of Textiles. He retired from Spectro Coating three years ago and just finished another two-year stint as chairman, having been asked to serve another time due to the wealth of knowledge he brought to the association and his experience in the flock sector. He asked to step down for 2015 to make room for a younger member but plans to remain active working on special projects for the group. Witham said the association is “in good hands” with new Chairman Rajesh Shah of Spectro Coating, Rosenthal and the Executive Committee.

 

The AFA, which became affiliated with the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) two years ago after being associated with the Northern Textile Association and later the National Textile Association, has never lost focus of its mission and continues to seek new ways to promote flocking and the association. At its recent meeting, leadership laid out its roadmap for success over the next few years and seems headed in the right direction for long-term growth. Among its means of promoting its interests, the AFA is deepening its relationships with universities with textile disciplines, including N.C. State, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and Kettering University in Flint, Mich.

 

The ISIFM and the AFA are lucky to have these senior leaders – stabilizing factors who bring continuity, immeasurable wisdom and experience to their groups. All have seen and participated in their group’s evolution since their early days and find their organizations in a good place now. And each cares deeply about their association and its long-term sustainability.