SYFA Spring Meeting 2016 — “Textile Materials In Motion – Moving Industry Forward”

The Synthetic Yarn and Fibers Association (SYFA) Spring Conference took place April 21-22, 2016, at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel in Charlotte. Attendees heard from 10 speakers on a variety of topics, but wearable and electronic textiles were in focus. The next conference will be held September 29-30, 2016.

1 of 42
SYFA President Roger Crossfield opened the event.
James Hayward, Technology Analyst, England-based IDTechEx
Hayward's presentation was titled, "Innovations and Opportunities in Electronic Textiles"
IDTechEx provides independent market research and business intelligence to companies across the supply chain to help them make strategic decisions
Oliver Meier is North American Textile Sales Representative with Duncan, S.C.-based Stäubli Corp.
Meier's presentation focused on advanced weaving technologies
Dr. Sean McAlinden, vice president, strategic studies, and chief economist, Center for Automotive Research
Dr. McAlinden spoke to conference attendees about the U.S. automotive outlook.
Dr. McAlinden's presentation was entitled, "The Short- and Long-Term Forecast for the U.S. and North American Motor Vehicle Market."
NCSU College of Textiles, Textile Engineering, Chemistry & Science Assistant Professor Dr. Jesse S. Jur.
Dr. Jur's presentation was entitled," Advancements Toward Textile Electronics."
Dr. Jur shared information on just a small slice of textile electronics research that is taking place at NCSU.
Machell Apple, True Textiles Inc., is SYFA's vice president
Paul Schiffelbein, Thermal Apparel Technical Marketing Leader,DuPont Protection Technologies
Schiffelbein's presentation was titled "Developments In Nomex® and Kevlar® Fibers"
Schiffelbein showed conference attendees several new products made using Nomex and Kevlar fibers
Attendees had the chance to network and mingle at a cocktail reception on the first day.
(l to r): Roger Crossfield, CTW; Jerry Eskew, Saurer Inc.; Meredith Boyd, Unifi; Aaron Ledet, VF Corp.; Christopher Schultz, Brawer Bros.; and Alasdair Carmichael, PCI Fibres
Nik Casstevens, Palmetto Synthetics; Paul Schiffelbein; Diane Bayatafshar, American Fiber Manufacturers Association; and Marty Moran, Buhler Quality Yarns Corp.
(l to r): Kari Martin, Messe Frankfurt Inc.; Mike Becker, Michael S. Becker Inc.; Keith Adams, ITG-Burlington; and Anatol Schweizer, PolySpinTex Inc.
Dr. Sean McAlinden (l); and David Thompson, O'Mara Corp.
(l to r): Hardy Sullivan, Crypton Inc.; Casey Strauch, IFAI; and Machell Apple
James Hayward (l), and Dr. Jesse Jur
Keith Adams, ITG Burlington, and SYFA past president
Hardy Sullivan, Crypton Inc.
During his presentation entitled, "What's New in Fabric Finishes and Coatings," Sullivan shared Crypton's newest technologies with the crowd.
Dan Sistrunk, Milliken & Company, and member SYFA Board of Directors
Mark Vitner, managing director, senior economist, Wells Fargo Securities
Vitner presented an outlook on the U.S. economy
Aaron Ledet, vice president of Americas Sourcing, VF Corp.
Ledet's presentation was entitled, "Reshoring Apparel Manufacturing."
Alasdair Carmichael, director - Americas, PCI Woods Mackenzie
Carmichael reviewed the fiber market
Jeff Dugan, cofounder and vice president of research, Fiber Innovation Technology
Dugan's presentation was entitled "Adaptive Breathability in an Apparel Fiber - Delivered by Precise Cross Section Control'
SHARE