eTC Weekly Newsletter • January 22, 2026 • Vol. 12, Issue 44

 
Dornier ad

Forward this newsletter and ask your colleagues to sign up here!

 
Follow eTC on social
 
Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  X  YouTube

Looming

 

January 22-24

Impressions Expo, Long Beach, Calif.


February 3-4

American Apparel & Footwear Association seminar: Product Safety & Compliance

 

February 16-20

NC State Wilson College of Textile Zeis Textiles Extension course: Textile Fundamentals

 

February 18

Southern Textile Association Winter Seminar, Belmont, N.C.

 

February 18

NCMBC webinar: Textiles and Tactical Equipment Quarterly Industry Forum


February 18

American Apparel & Footwear Association webinar sponsored by Hohenstein

 

February 24-25

AATCC Coloration Conference, Raleigh, N.C.

eTC Weekly Newsletter

Greetings!

A strong voice for Made in America: Alexis Diaz

I had the pleasure Thursday of being interviewed by Alexis Diaz, founder of Lead Megaphone, for her LinkedIn podcast, and I am truly inspired by her dedication and impact within the manufacturing world – especially in support of the Made in America movement. “Alex” is not only a U.S. veteran with a decade of military service, but she’s also brought her logistical expertise from her time as a clothing & textiles industrial specialist at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) into her career helping manufacturers communicate and thrive in today’s challenging business landscape.


What impresses me most is Alex’s passion for connecting people and ideas. Through her podcast, she brings together thought leaders and trailblazers across the textile and manufacturing sectors, providing a valuable platform for education, collaboration and inspiration. She doesn’t just give voice to industry stories – she draws out the underlying challenges and opportunities facing American manufacturers and helps amplify innovative solutions. She asks smart questions, listens closely and then translates those ideas into posts and takeaways that cut through the noise and help people understand what’s happening in the marketplace, what’s changing and where opportunities are emerging.


Alex is also a powerful presence on LinkedIn, where her insight, authenticity and willingness to share have rightfully made her an influencer. She uses her growing network to connect others, champion industry successes and encourage honest conversations about both the difficulties and triumphs of making things in America. Her commitment to fostering community and spreading knowledge is making a real difference.


I commend Alex for all she is doing to advance the Made in America movement, for amplifying worthy voices in our field, and for the integrity and drive she brings to every project. If you are not already following her work or podcast, I highly recommend checking out Lead Megaphone and connecting with her on LinkedIn – she is someone you’ll want in your network. And if you’ve got a story to tell, a lesson learned or an innovation you want the market to understand, Alex is the kind of communicator who will help you share it the right way.

Welcome new advertisers to eTC

I’m pleased to welcome two new advertisers to eTextileCommunications’ weekly newsletter: SYMTECH, Inc. and American Starlinger Sahm, Inc. Both companies are well known in our industry, and I appreciate their support and confidence in eTC as a platform to reach the U.S. textile and manufacturing community.


SYMTECH, Inc., which recently merged with 63-year-old Lang Ligon & Co., is a leading distributor of textile and nonwoven machinery serving the U.S. and Canadian markets. Based in Spartanburg, S.C., SYMTECH offers a comprehensive range of solutions including automation, weaving, knitting, yarn processing, finishing and nonwoven equipment, backed by installation, service, repairs and spare parts support.

 

American Starlinger-Sahm, Inc. represents Starlinger & Co. GmbH and SAHM winding technology in North America, providing sales, service and spare parts for advanced machinery used in woven packaging production, plastics recycling and high-performance winding applications. Based in Fountain Inn, S.C., the company supports customers with demonstrations, technical support and equipment tailored to their production needs.


One of the things I hear most often from readers is how closely they follow this newsletter each week – not just for headlines, but for insight into who’s investing, innovating and expanding across the supply chain. Our advertisers aren’t appearing in front of random eyeballs; they’re being seen by decision-makers, engineers, executives and partners who are actively engaged in this industry.


If you’re looking for a way to raise visibility, reinforce your brand and stay top of mind with customers who are already paying attention, I encourage you to consider promoting your company on eTC. This community is reading, sharing and acting on what they see here – and I’m grateful to the companies that choose to be part of that conversation.


Please contact me to discuss promotional opportunities.

Classifieds

Cotton Incorporated taking resumes for manager


Cotton Incorporated searching for Manager in Textile Chemistry Research (Finishing)


_______________________________________


Hickory Brands Inc. has several openings


Hickory Brands Inc. and its textile division Wincord have several job openings, including a Hand Bander, a Packaging Boxer and a Packaging Fixer.

Please click here for job descriptions and more info.


_______________________________________


Kimbrell Fiber Innovation Center seeking director/engineer


The Fiber Innovation Center (KFIC) at Gaston College is seeking a Process / Product Development Director / Engineer (Polymer and Fiber)

Techtextil North America accepting submissions for 2026 Innovation Awards

French textile regeneration company Reju plans to invest $390 million to build its first North American textile-to-textile regeneration hub in Rochester, N.Y., transforming post-consumer waste into high-quality polyester while creating new manufacturing jobs. The project signals growing momentum behind large-scale textile circularity in the U.S.


Read more.

1888 Mills receives Champion of Cotton Award from Cotton Incorporated


BekaertDeslee announces strategic realignment in North American


SMART applauds House passage of AGOA extension, urges Senate action


AATCC to move all committee meetings to remote format in 2026


AATCC releases Manual of International Test Methods and Procedures


Standard Fiber appoints two longtime leaders as presidents


Trivantage® to presents new shade sail seminar


Next Level Apparel debuts product-focused booth at PPAI, Impressions Expo


eVent Fabrics partners with WHITESPACE, premium apparel brand


Sonobond featuring ultrasonic bonding technology at SHOT Show 2026


DuPont Artistri to showcase complete DTF printing solution at Impressions


Indorama Ventures introduces textile-recycled Trevira CS Eco fibers


Alchemie partners with Acatel to advance jet precision dyeing technology


Devan unveils textile innovations at Heimtextil 2026


KARL MAYER unveils raschel machine


Terrot introduces T-Frame platform for large-diameter circular knitting


emtec Electronic opens 2026 trade show calendar at EXINTEX


CHT advances permanganate-free denim bleaching with organIQ seek


Oerlikon Barmag honored as Gold Partner by yarn manufacturer


Avient Specialty Inks launches compact automated ink dispensing system


ACM unveils spring/summer 2027 collection at Milano Unica


Officina39 expands into new markets with exhibitions in Egypt and Colombia


Lenzing, Energie AG extend RVL partnership through 2040

Web Watch:

The Sewing Conundrum: U.S. apparel manufacturing faces talent and automation challenges – interview with SPESA’s Michael McDonald (whattheythink.com, January 19)


Textile industry support organizations: AFFOA and Textile Innovation Engine efforts in the works (specialtyfabricsreview.com, January 5)


AFFOA: A decade of fabric innovation and commercialization in the U.S. (advancedmanufacturing.org, January 18)


Parkdale to shut Stokes County, N.C., plant in March, costing 72 jobs (bizjournals.com, January 16) [Subscription required.]


How fast fashion stays fresh – and adapts to U.S. tariffs (gsb.stanford.edu, January 16)

Thanks for your interest in keeping up with the industry via eTextileCommunications.com. We've surpassed the 7.000 subscriber mark and continue to exponentially grow on a weekly basis. Please forward this newsletter to your colleagues.  


Also, please keep us in mind for your advertising and marketing activities. Click here to contact us.


Devin Steele, publisher