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INDUSTRY
NEWS
COMFORTEX CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Comfortex Window Fashions, Maplewood, NY, marks its 20th anniversary
this year. In the two decades since its founding, the company has
grown from a small specialized fabricator to a recognized industry
leader.
Established in 1986 by Tom Marusak and John Schnebly to adapt insulating
cellular shades to residential greenhouses and solariums, Comfortex
has gone on to expand its scope beyond motorized track systems to
include a variety of window treatment products for the home.
“Since closing the books on our first year of business, Comfortex
has grown by over 400 times in size,” Marusak says. “We
employ nearly 800 people, support three growing facilities in the
United States, and ship our products to over 60 countries.”
The company’s commitment to innovation and quality has led to
receiving more than 30 product and marketing awards from the Window
Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA).
EVAN MARSH RELEASES DREAMDRAPER
G4
Evan Marsh Designs has released its DreamDraper‚ G4 design system
for window treatments. The G4 is a standalone program that does not
require the use of any other software. The program retains popular
features, including a wide range of break-apart designs and design
elements, the ability to add any color or fabric pattern, design on
a photograph and space planning. Additionally, the next generation
G4 contains many new features to greatly enhance DreamDraper’s
capabilities.
ALKENZ OPENS U.S. OFFICES
Alkenz, a Korean mill offering PVC-coated polyester solar screen products,
has opened a U.S. operation, Alkenz USA, Richmond, VA.
Alkenz USA will stock and distribute to U.S. fabricators its complete
line of products, the company states. It offers roll goods in both
78- and 98-inch widths, as well as a cut yardage program. Alkenz USA
will inventory a complete line of openness factor fabrics that meet
all U.S. testing standards, it adds. The fabrics have also received
the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, the company states.
In addition to its Virginia warehouse, Alkenz USA also will maintain
a warehouse in Seattle, WA, to provide on-time delivery to all of
the U.S. continent within three days.
STUDY REPORTS BIOLOGICAL BENEFITS
OF WINDOW FILM
For the first time, a scientific study asserts the biological benefits
of ultraviolet absorbing window film in countering the effects to
humans known as photoaging and potentially other detrimental effects
such as skin cancer and ocular damage. The report was presented by
Dr. Eric F. Bernstein, Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Centers,
Bryn Mawr, PA, to the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser
Medicine and Surgery in April.
Bernstein’s study is the first in vitro research to demonstrate
that the use of window film presents a barrier to ultraviolet A (UVA)
exposure and its potential detrimental effects. The study used Llumar®
UVShield by CPFilms Inc., Martinsville, VA, the first product to be
tested with live cells, the company states. Previously, film manufacturers
have only been able to use spectrophotometric testing to report UV
screening performance. The in vitro testing of glass fitted with UVShield
film reduced transmitted radiation of all UVA and ultraviolet B frequencies
by 99.6 percent.
TECHTEXTIL NORTH AMERICA MOST
SUCCESSFUL YET
The fourth edition of Techtextil North America proved to be the event’s
most successful yet with its highest number of buyers, exhibitors
and symposium attendees. An international trade fair for technical
textiles and non-wovens, Techtextil North America was held March 28
to 30 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, GA. The show hosted 329
exhibitors representing 25 countries while the total registration
reached 4,081 from 43 countries, according to the show’s producer,
Messe Frankfurt.
The Techtextil-Symposium North America held concurrently with the
show also hosted a record number of attendees, it was reported. The
two-and-a-half-day program kicked off with a keynote address by Greg
Rogowski, president and CEO, Performance Fibers, focusing on the future
global marketplace of the industry.
Other popular session topics in the symposium included technical textiles
research and development at the university level, advanced non-wovens,
developments in fibers, emerging technology, specialty applications,
protection for law enforcement and military, automotives, and user-driven
future technology.
Several special feature areas were set up on the show floor, including
the inaugural Technology Showcase. This showcase provided attendees
the opportunity to see several important and new industry applications
displayed in a practical and user-friendly format.
The fifth edition of Techtextil North America will be held April 1
to 3, 2008, at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA. |
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