In memoriam: Stephen J. Franta, Canvas Craft

September 29, 2025  |  News, People

Stephen J. Franta of Medina, Minn., former owner of Canvas Craft, passed away Sept. 15, 2025, after battling cancer. He was 84. Stephen started Canvas Craft in 1988 as a one-man marine canvas shop, and in 2004, his son, Max, joined the business, who is now the company’s president. He was preceded …
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Value Vinyls Inc. promotes Marc Shellshear to president

June 6, 2024  |  Company News, News, People

Value Vinyls Inc., a specialty textiles and fabrics provider based in Grand Prairie, Texas, announced the promotion of Marc Shellshear to president. Shellshear brings over 30 years of extensive experience in operations, sales and marketing across multiple industries including specialty textiles, fab…
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Former longtime SP Associates owner Gabe Hill dies

April 24, 2024  |  News, People

Gabe Hill, who spent 60 years in the textile industry–including 43 at SP Associates in Charlotte, N.C.–died April 13, 2024 in Abbeville, S.C. He was 89. Hill was owner and general manager of SP Associates, a well-known textile, nonwovens and apparel placement firm, before his retirement in 2017.…
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Texas Tech University lab director elected to National Academy of Inventors

March 13, 2024  |  Industry News, News, People

Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., director of the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas, was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Inventors’ 2024 class of senior members. The U.S. National Academy of Inventors is a global network of academic in…
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Amy Bircher appointed to advisory committee by President Biden

February 26, 2024  |  ATA News, Industry News, News, People

President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint nine individuals as members of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, including former Advanced Textiles Association chairman Amy Bircher Bruyn. The advisory committee provides overall policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representati…
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GOZEN welcomes Sedef Uncu Aki as chief product officer

January 3, 2024  |  Company News, News, People

GOZEN, a San Francisco-based biomaterials startup, announced the appointment of Sedef Uncu Aki as its new chief product officer. Aki joins GOZEN with a background in sustainability and textile innovation spanning more than 20 years. Her previous tenure as the director of product development and rese…
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In memoriam: Phillip “Phil” Eugene Russell

November 28, 2022  |  Industry News, People

Phillip "Phil" Eugene Russell, 70, of Mansfield, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.  He passed away quietly in his home surrounded by close family members after a very long, courageous battle with cancer.
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2020 Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipients announced

November 12, 2020  |  Awards, Division News, In the Industry, Industry News, Member News, News, People, Press Release

Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is very fortunate to have so many volunteers who give of themselves selflessly, helping every day by serving on different boards, task forces and committees. These volunteers judge competitions, provide education and impassioned leadership to other…
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