RETURN TO NTA HISTORY | RETURN TO NTA HOME

American Flock Association

Background

THE AMERICAN FLOCK ASSOCIATION was formed in 1985 with 26 member companies to promote the flock industry. AFA member companies are active in every aspect of flocking in North America. Our members include: flock coaters, suppliers of equipment, substrate, fiber, flock, and adhesive, and consultants to the flock industry. Members operate in the U.S. and Canada. AFA also has foreign associate members in South America, Europe, and Asia.

Flocking is a highly technical process of applying small precision-cut fibers to an adhesive-coated surface. Flocked roll goods are used for upholstery, apparel, packaging, decorative ribbon, and many other applications.

Major AFA Accomplishments

Created
  • Articles of Association And Related Documents
  • Design With Flock In Mind
  • Dick Bourdon Flock Fund
    • Responded to
  • Work Place Safety and Combustibility of Flock
  • Respiratory Health of Flock Workers

    • History

    Historic Records

  • AFA Current and Past Members
  • AFA Meetings under construction
  • AFA Officers and Directors
  • AFA Flock Schools
  • AFA Meeting Speakers

    2005-Present

  • 24th Annual Meeting TBA
  • Fundamentals of Flocking, August 5-7, 2009, UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Mass.

  • 23rd Annual Meeting, October 19-20, 2008, DoubleTree Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Participated in 2008 in Techtextil North America and Automotive Interiors Expo.

  • 22nd Annual Meeting November 1-2, 2007, Eastland Park Hotel, Portland, Maine
  • Implemented major revision of website in September 2007.

  • 21st Annual Meeting, October 12-13, 2006, Mohegan Sun Resort Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut
  • Fundamentals of Flocking, August 9-11, 2006, UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Mass.
  • Participated in 2006 in Automotive Interiors Expo and Hospitality Design Expo.

  • 20th Annual Meeting, October 20-21, 2005, Embassy Suites Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina
  • Participated in 2005 in Hospitality Design Expo.

    1995-2004

    Membership Statistics
    2002 - 59 Companies
    2000 - 67 Companies
    1998 - 66 Companies
    1996 - 57 Companies
    Business Leads
    1998 - 408 business leads
    1997 - 394 business leads
    1996 - 512 business leads
    1995 - 274 business leads
    AFA Member Directory
    1998 - 1,500 copies distributed
    1996 - 1,500 copies distributed
    1994 - 1,000 copies distributed

  • 19th Annual Meeting, October 21-22, 2004, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut.
  • Participated in 2004 in Techtextil and Automotive Interiors and Hospitality Design Expo.

  • 18th Annual Meeting, October 23-26, 2003, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • Fundamentals of Flocking, August 13-15, 2003, UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Mass.
  • Participated in 2003 in Auto Interiors Expo and Material World - Miami.

  • 17th Annual Meeting, November 1, 2002, Warwick, Rhode Island.
  • Participated in 2002 in NeoCon and Material World - Miami.

  • 16th Annual Meeting, May 9-11, 2002, Scottsdale, Arizona.
  • Participated in 2001 in Automotive and Transporation Interiors Expo and NeoCon and Material World Miami.

  • 15th Annual Meeting, October 26-28, 2000, Providence, Rhode Island
  • Fundamentals of Flocking, August 9-11, 2000, UMass, Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Mass.
  • Participated in 2000 in Automotive and Transporation Interiors Expo and NeoCon.

    AFA Executive Committee Photo, October 26, 2000
    REAR Todd Der Manouelian, Bob Poletti, Edwin B. Martin, Thomas Witham, Bob Baker, Oscar Der Manouelian, Steve Rosenthal
    FRONT: Peter Hadley, Alex Fergus, Jim Fulks, Laura Ouimet
    At the 15th Annual Meeting, Providence, R.I.

  • 14th Annual Meeting, November 4-6, 1999, Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Participated in 1999 in Automotive and Transporation Interiors Expo.
  • February 10, 1999 AFA Respiratory Health Communications Committee one-day seminar on Respiratory Health of Flock Workers.

  • 13th Annual Meeting, October 22-24, 1998, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Participated in 1998 in Society of Automotive Engineers Expo

  • 12th Annual Meeting, October 23-25, 1997, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Fundamentals of Flocking, August 6-8, 1997, UMass, Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Mass.
  • Participated in 1997 in Automotive and Transportation Interiors Expo.
  • In February 1997 launched website www.flocking.org/.

  • 11th Annual Meeting, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 1996, Embassy Suites, Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, Florida
  • In 1996 established the Dick Bourdon Flock Fund
  • Participated in 1996 in Automotive and Transportation Interiors Expo and Recreational Vehicles Show and Society of Manufacturing Engineers "Manufacturing Trends in Automotive Interiors" Conference.

    AFA Executive Committee Photo from early 1996
    REAR David Trumbull, Edwin B. Martin, Thomas Witham, Steve Rosenthal
    FRONT: Peter Hadley, Laura Ouimet, Robert Baker
    At the NTA Office at 230 Congress St., Boston.

  • 10th Annual Meeting, November 2-3, 1995, Wyndham Paradise Velley Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona.
  • Participated in 1995 in Automotive and Transportation Interiors Expo and Bobbin Show and Recreational Vehicles Show.
  • AFA flocking presentation to Clemson University Industrial Textiles Seminar, 1995

    1985-1994

    Membership Statistics
    1985 - 26 Companies
    1992 - 47 Companies

  • Annual Meeting and Trade Show, November 2-4, 1994, Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston, Mass.

  • Fundamentals of Flocking: August 3-5, 1994, UMass Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Mass.

  • Annual Meeting, October 28-30, 1993, Radisson Suite Hotel, New Orlean, Louisiana

  • Annual Meeting, October 22-23, 1992, Boston Vista Waltham Hotel, Waltham, Mass.
  • Participated in 1992 in Society of Automotive Engineers Exposition and Bobbin Show.
  • AFA flocking presentation to AATCC Symposium on Coated Fabrics, 1992
    AFA Sponsored Plant Tours
  • Nissan Auto Assembly Plant, 1991
  • O'Sullivan Corporation, 1990
  • Dupont Seaford, Delaware,
    Nylon Manufacturing Plant, 1987
  • Milliken Research Center, 1987

    • AFA Sponsored Flocking Presentations at Related Industry Seminars
  • Clemson University
    Industrial Textiles Seminar, 1995
  • AATCC Symposium on
    Coated Fabrics, 1992
  • AATCC New England
    Convention, 1991
  • Textiles in Automotives
    Conference, 1989, 1991
  • Clemson University
    Specialty Yarns Seminar, 1990
  • AATCC National
    Convention, 1990
  • RETEC, Society of Plastics
    Engineers, 1989
  • American Association of
    Textile Technology, 1988

  • Annual Meeting, October 21-22, 1991, Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tenn.
  • Participated in 1991 in Society of Automotive Engineers Exposition and INDA Industrial Fabrics Show.
  • Flocking presentation at 1991 Textiles in Automotives Conference.
  • AFA presentation to Chrysler Engineers, 1991.
  • AFA flocking presentation to AATCC New England Convention, 1991

  • 6th Annual Meeting, 1990, September 26-27, 1990, Radisson Park Terrace Hotel, Washington, D.C.
  • Fundamentals of Flocking, August 6-7, 1990, Southeastern Massachusetts University, North Dartmouth, Mass.
  • Participated in 1990 in IDEA Nonwovens Fabric Show.
  • AFA flocking presentation to AATCC National Convention, 1990
  • AFA flocking presentation to Clemson University Specialty Yarns Seminar, 1990

  • Annual Meeting and Trade Show, October 30-31, 1989, Sheraton Rolling Green, Andover, Mass.
  • Participated in 1989 in New England Packaging Show and Natl. Association of Display Industries Show and Society of Plastics Engineers Conference.
  • Flocking presentation at 1989 Textiles in Automotives Conference.
  • AFA flocking presentation to RETEC, Society of Plastics Engineers, 1989

  • Annual Meeting, September 26-27, 1988, Radisson Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Participated in 1988 in Bobbin Show and New England Packaging Show.
  • AFA flocking presentation to American Association of Textile Technology, 1988

  • Annual Fall Meeting, September 14-15, 1987, Carousel Hotel, Ocean City, Maryland.
  • Testing and Quality Control Equipment Seminar, September 1987
  • Participated in 1987 in Contract Manufacturers Exposition and INDA Industrial Fabrics Show.

  • Membership Meeting, October 6, 1986, Sheraton Inn and Conferece Center, Goat Island, Newport, R.I.

  • Annual Fall Meeting, October 28, 1985, Sheratin Rolling Green Inn, Andover, Mass.
  • Flock Testing Equipment Seminar, August 1985
  • AFA Trade Show, 1985
  • General Membership Meeting, August 12, 1985

    On August 12, 1985, at Rolling Green, Andover, Massachusetts, the AMERICAN FLOCK ASSOCIATION was officially constituted with 27; 46 more were invited to join. The first official meeting with all legally necessary procedures such as election of the Executive Committee was held on October 28, 1985.

    In November 1984 Joachim Mueller organized the first study-tour for American flockers to Europe and to the International Flock Symposium in Germany. In February 1885 the participants of the study tour reunited on the occassion of Mr. Mueller's visit the U.S. It was at this informal gathering that the idea of forming an association was born. A preliminary meeting was held March 5th, with 40 participants at Rolling Green in Andover, Massachusetts. Then on April 29, 1985, at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts, the first meeting, with 60 participants, took place with the clear target of forming the American Flock Association. Provisional subcommittees were formed and Cliff Harvey was elected chairman.

    [History compiled from AFA Executive Committee meeting minutes and from FLOCK trade journal.]

  • American Flock Association Meeting, June 10, 1985

  • Flock Industry Meeting, March 5, 1985