Textiles in Rhode Island: Education, Sustainability, and the Future of Manufacturing

Textiles in Rhode Island: Education, Sustainability, and the Future of Manufacturing

In this episode of Talking Textiles, host Michael Woody speaks with Dr. Karl Aspelund of the University of Rhode Island about the growing future of the textile industry and the importance of collaboration between academia, manufacturers, and community organizations. Together, they explore the origins and impact of the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network, efforts to close the textile skills gap, and the development of regionally focused workforce education programs designed to reconnect students with modern textile manufacturing.

Designing Large Canopies: Collaboration with Engineers

Listen in as Dan Litster [Keyston Bros] sits down with featured guests Michael Yungman, [Yungman Engineering], Ethan Halpern [American Awning and Blind Co.], and Scott Neville, [Welhener – H.B. Wall Awning and Kansas City Tent and Awning Co.]. Yungman shares on how he became interested in engineering and his experiences with his clients. The conversation covers communication with your engineer and your customers. The guests touch on building relationships, the design process and problem solving, surveying your site, and identifying the scope of work.

Inside the FASTR Lab with Lynn Wagner

Listen in as Jasmine Cox, Executive Director at Gaston College's Textile Technology Center and ETC Chair, interviews, Lynn Wagner, Senior Research Textile Manager, FASTR Lab at the University of Maine and ETC Board Member. The discussion focuses on the Fiber & Specialty Textiles Research (FASTR) Lab at the University of Maine. The lab is a is a state-of-the-art research and development facility dedicated to advancing the frontiers of industrial fabrics. Lynn notes that while the university does not directly teach textiles, it emphasizes advanced composites, where materials can function as sensors or integral components within larger systems. Learn more as the discussion continues about priorities for the lab and student work within the lab.

Branding and Rebranding Your Marine Canvas Business

Kyle Van Damme, MFC [Marine Tops Unlimited], got together with Mike Boatman [Boatman Marine Canvas], and Justin Jones [SewLong Custom Covers] to talk about branding and rebranding your marine canvas business. The importance of being consistent across your digital and social media platforms to build customer trust and company perception was discussed. Using brand as a tool to take your company to the next level, along with being intentional about your brand at the start of your business was covered. Plus, tips on when it's important to transition to a rebrand and how making gradual changes is key to rebrand success.

Seasons of the Marine Canvas Business

Julie Tinsman [Strataglass LLC] sat down with featured guests: Charlene Clark, IFM [Signature CanvasMakers LLC], Jeff Newkirk, MFC [Precision Custom Canvas], and Andrew Oatley [Oatley's Top Shop] at the Advanced Textiles Expo to talk about seasonal business. They covered the year-round business and strategies for slow times, from products to training to business improvements, to setting expectations with customers during peak times. They shared on common client misconceptions about being a skilled trade, negotiating for a better price, and trying to jump ahead of other customers.