Spring Technical and Trade Conference

The NTA/AATCC Spring Technical and Trade Conference at The Colony Hotel, Kennebunkport, Maine, June 1-4, 2000 was a success with 175 textile industry leaders and spouses attending. Attendees from the US and Canada came from 14 states and provinces.

Below: The Wool Manufacturers Council relaxes after studying the Trade and Development Act of 2000.

Scott Grey, Jagger Brothers; Steve Sharpe, Mt. Jefferson Woolen; Neal Grover, Victor-Forstmann; Merrit Loring, Dorr Woolen Company; and Bill Ball, Acheron Engineering Services.

The program started Thursday afternoon with the meeting of NTA's Wool Manufacturers Council at which specific versions of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 were discussed. The Act, which was passed in May and takes effect October first includes special trade benefits for sub-Saharan Africa and for the nations of the Caribbean Basin, as well as reductions in wool import tariffs. NTA has produced an annotated edition of the Trade and Developement Act of 2000 which highlights the sections most of interest to American textile producers. For a copy of the legislation contact David TextileNTA@aol.com or (617) 542-8220.

NTA Finisher Group members Barry Schiano, Zenith Dyeing and Finishing Corp. and George and Susan Shuster, Cranston Print Works.

Jock Nash, Milliken and Company and Hilda and Sandy Archibald, The Britex Group

The program offered an enticing mix of technical sessions and discussion of international trade deals. In light of the aborted Seattle Round of world trade talks in December, and current congressional debate over China's trade status, RECENT AND PENDING TRADE AGREEMENTS have taken on great significance for North American textile manufacturers. Jock Nash, Washington Counsel for Milliken and Company presented an industry perspective on trade liberalization. George W. Shuster, President and CEO of Cranston Print Works Company, looked at trade from the perspective of the textile printing industry. Sanford L. Archibald, CEO of The Britex Group, presented the perspective of mills operating in our NAFTA partner Canada.

Augie Reis, Carolina Mills, Inc. and William and Gabrielle Giblin , Tweave, Inc.

The session on WOVEN STRETCH FABRICS which featured William Giblin, President, Tweave, Inc. as a speaker.