Claim OwnershipTalking Textiles
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Created by the Advanced Textiles Association, Talking Textiles provides the latest in industrial fabrics and highlights key players and up-and-comers in the business.
50 Episodes
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Liz Johnson [Brookwood Companies] sits down with featured guests Tanya Wade [Manufacturing Solutions Center at CVCC]; Jennifer Fennell [Polo Custom Products]; and Robert Finnegan [AFFOA] to record a live podcast from Advanced Textiles Expo 2025, focusing on how to assess and hire talent. They open by exploring key qualities to define strong candidates—such as drive, curiosity, adaptability, and a desire to contribute to a larger purpose. The discussion then shifts to the importance of educating prospective workers about the opportunities within the industry and the landscape of today's industrial fabric trades. The guests also highlight the value of creating environments that support work–life balance, foster leadership development, and offer pathways of innovation and technology growth. They conclude by discussing innovative training tools like Thread X, which uses augmented technology to help train employees on manufacturing processes.
In part two of the podcast on tariffs, the conversations centers around the current landscape and how companies are navigating through uncertainty. Host Tony Ehrbar [Renegade Plastics/American Tent] sits down with Brian Coughlin [Sioen]; Victor Jensch [Ennis Fabrics]; and Jonathan Palmer [Autometrix] at the Advanced Textiles Expo 2025. The group talks about being flexible, keeping calm, and staying in communication, and offers advice on building your relationships and your business despite the current challenges. They talk about changes in lead times, pricing strategies, forecasting, onshoring and offer their opinions on the current policies.
Listen in as host Dan Litster chats with featured guests Nick Deninno (Block & Roll Innovations), and Paul Armstrong (PACCS) about the codes and standards in the tent and shade industry. They share practical advice on building relationships and best practices for working with code officials. The conversation also covers the upcoming ICC Code Action Hearing, including proposals related to loads and installations for temporary structures in high-hazard areas and floodplains. Plus, get a preview of the AHJ session planned for Tent Expo 2026.
Tune in for a sneak peek of featured education sessions at the upcoming Advanced Textiles Expo, taking place November 4–7 in Indianapolis. Expo presenters Elizabeth Denly (Technical Strategy and Innovation) and Terry Kelm (Sunbelt Franchise Re-sales) join with Jonathan Sweet (ATA) to preview their sessions. Denly offers insights into her session on PFAS, where she'll discuss how to stay ahead of evolving regulations, prepare for upcoming changes, and manage the liabilities and complexities surrounding PFAS. Kelm highlights key points from his session on selling a business—including how to navigate valuation, avoid common pitfalls, and develop effective planning strategies.
The episode looks at the uncertainties of tariffs and how companies are making things work amongst the policy changes. They touch on onshoring and nearshoring, being transparent with customers, evaluating new sources, and what can be gained through customer loyalty. Our host is Tony Ehrbar (Renegade Plastics and American Tent) who is joined by Brent Nussbaum (Miller Weldmaster), Kristi Reiherzer (SHADE Industries) and Brian Coughlin (SIOEN).
In part three of the Workforce Special Series, host Robert Finnegan, Director of Education and Workforce Development at AFFOA, focuses on how companies can leverage traditional Career and Technical Education (CTE) to develop a talent pipeline for next-generation employees. The discussion covers the historic textiles city of Fall River MA, and how community, school, and industry come together to strengthen career pathways in fashion, design, and technology. Our guests are Judi Vigna, CEO of Specialized Career Guidance, and Patti Rego, Executive Director of Viva Fall River.
In this episode, Jonathan Sweet, ATA, sits down with podcasters Kyle Richardson (L&A Tent Rentals) host of Under the Vinyl, along with Lori Antone and Dan McGowan (TVF) hosts of The Textile Nerd Podcast. Our featured guests talk about how they got into the industry and why they do a podcast on the side. They share on the importance of storytelling and offer tips on how to engage listeners, gain rapport and what makes a good guest.
In the second installment of our Workforce Special Series with AFFOA, host Robert Finnegan, Director of Education and Workforce Development at AFFOA, leads a compelling discussion with industry leaders and technologists about how digital engineering and automation are transforming the textiles manufacturing industry. Join us as we delve into the workforce implications of these cutting-edge advancements. Our guests include Gabrielle Ferrara, President of Ferrara Manufacturing; Christine Spiegel, Director of Marketing at Parkdale Mills; Caitlin Knowles, Senior Textiles Engineer at AFFOA; and Jon Zornow, Inventor and Founder of Sewbo.
Next generation leader Donato Fraioli is joined by Kyle Van Damme, James Dillport and Jason Storozum to discuss running a textile product company. Listen in as they share previous experiences and how they entered the industry, from joining the family business to running a company for silent partners. They discuss finding new talent through word of mouth, challenges with HR and discovering success through an employment agency. The conversation leads to team motivation and the leaders share how they create a strong workplace culture with examples. They touch on current obstacles such as navigating tariffs and end with experiences at the Advanced Textiles Expo.
In this episode, Robert Finnegan, [Director of Education and Workforce Development, AFFOA], hosts a discussion on best practices for recruitment, retention, and workforce development, including work-life balance, company culture, training younger staff, onboarding, automation, government involvement, and engaging local academia to attract the next generation of textile manufacturers. Guests include Rachal McCarthy, [Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of NTI Global]; Nicole Holroyd, [Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of Spiritus Systems]; Bill Ackerley, [Director of Sales and Operations at Bearse USA]; and Michael Woody, [CEO of Trans Tex and author of American Dragon: Winning the Global Manufacturing War Using the Universal Principles of Fewer, Faster, and Finer].
Listen in as Jasmine Cox interviews Eleanor Enochs, Kathryn Kittrell, Max Ring, and Preston Bullock have a discussion on how they transitioned from college life to professional careers, highlighting the challenges, growth, and experiences they encountered as they adapted to the workforce.
Listen in as Joey Smith, Chad Twombly, Mark Harries, Sydney Price, and Matt Clark give a recap of USINFI Advocacy Days held on March 4-5 in Washington D.C. Day one included introductory meetings, while day two focused on meetings with elected representatives and legislative staff. New attendees Sydney Price and Matt Clark shared their experiences. They also mentioned that many of the representatives wanted to hear what they had to say, making the event a success. Another part of this discussion included the upcoming Outlook Leadership Conference, scheduled for June 2-4 in Green Bay, WI, at Lambeau Field.
Listen in as Charlene Clark interviews Chris Ritsema, Travis Jenkins, and Scott Neville as they provide valuable insight into succession planning and the long-term success of a business. They discuss how they got their start – whether through acquisition, external purchase, or as long-term employees. They also talk about the must haves when it comes to acquiring and keeping businesses going, and emphasize the importance of retention strategies that keep employees happy and contribute to profitability. They further highlight the need for staying informed and prepared, whether it's through having solid standard operating procedures (SOPs), effective training materials, or clear exit and transition plans. All these elements are key to ensuring your business remains adaptable and profitable for years to come.
During the Marine Fabricators Conference in Corpus Christi, Kyle Van Damme sat down with David and Barbara Huntington to talk about doing canvas work for boaters vacationing in the 1000 island region. Barbara shares about her start in the quilting industry, and how the love of boating led the Huntingtons to the marine canvas trade. They touch on their business plan, how they fabricate and making the business work as a husband-and-wife team through homing in on their fabrication skills and separating out their marine canvas work. They also share about encouraging the next generation to enter the trade and their future exit strategy.
Listen in as Mark Harries, Joey Smith, and Chad Twombly discuss the 2025 Advocacy Days held on March 4-5 in Washington, DC. They will discuss their own experiences participating and how being involved has helped them within their companies. In addition, they will discuss why it is important for members to be part of advocacy efforts, who should participate, and highlight the work that our USINFI consultants do on our behalf.
Listen in as Michael Woody, Rachal McCarthy and Bill Ackerley share about the challenges of training and recruitment in the textile product industry. They discuss attracting people to the industry while facing competition with the Instagram-worthy phenomenon and offer solutions to overcome it through explaining the why and what of their products. They also touch on the attraction to CAD and automation, along with tiered training and other strategies they are implementing to help retain the workforce.
Listen in as Erin Parker Tillery, Ph.D. Student and Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles, interviews Prateeti Ugale, Ph.D. Student in Fiber and Polymer Science at North Carolina State University. Prateeti discusses her current research of working on integrating technology into textile structures with a particular emphasis on wearable applications. She also discusses why she chose electronic textiles (e-textiles) and how it is an interdisciplinary field that involves a research and intersection of textiles, electronics, material science, design, and product development.
Listen in as Jonathan Palmer, CEO of Autometrix and member of the ATA Board of Directors, interviews Ethan Halpern, President of American Awning & Blind Co., Daniel Cuppels, Operations Manager at Blithe Defense Industrial Covers, and Alberto Ramirez, CEO of Just 4U Custom Canvas, Inc. They will discuss what makes their textile businesses unique and different on the West Coast. They will also discuss how ATA has helped them become more knowledgeable in the industry with online resources like the member directory and holding Expo each year so they can meet and network with individuals and companies.
Listen in to get a sneak preview of education sessions that will be happening at the Advanced Textiles Expo in Anaheim, CA, Sept. 23-26. Jeff Sponseller, Miller Weldmaster, enlightens us with a few fun facts about Expo and interviews presenters Erin Parker Tillery, North Carolina State University, Bruce Danziger, Danziger Engineering Collaborative, Inc. and Apurba Banerjee, Innovation at Standard Textile. Be sure to stop by each of our guests' educational sessions to gain more insight.
On this episode, we have an all-women's panel featuring Donielle Lorelli, Product Manager of Textiles at National Industries for the Blind, Kaylee Smith, Senior Sales Executive at MMI Textiles, and Lindsay Zientek, Channel Account Manager at Gold Eagle Company. They will discuss how they got their start in the textile industry, how they build and manage personal and professional relationships with colleagues, how they navigate a healthy work-life balance, the steps they take to manage burn-out, and what's next in their careers.
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