The 2022 Federal and Defense Textile (FEDTEX) Summit took place in Charlotte on 24 and 25 May with great success. 

Hosted by the Offices of Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC), and the North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH), the FEDTEX Summit connected US Department of Defense and federal agencies with industry in this two-day event. Program level representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Defense Logistics Agency, and Soldier Systems Center Natick attended this seminal event to brief industry on their needs for clothing, footwear, individual equipment, and organizational equipment.  

The textile manufacturing and supply chain industry representation at the FEDTEX Summit was enormous. The full gambit of the textile industry was represented at the event, from woven and non-woven fabrics, to warp and circular knit fabrics. And the non-fabric manufacturers were there as well from footwear to tent and shelter manufacturers. Contrary to what many may have believed, all of these facets of the textile industry were by no means static. The degree of new product development, innovation, and breakthrough technology that was on display at FEDTEX certainly grabbed the attention of both the Federal and Defense agencies that attended.

The May 24 tours of Parkdale Mills and the Textile Technology Center (TTC) at Gaston College set the tone for the event. Both tours highlighted the new technological, efficient, and highly productive aspects of the state-of -the-art textile industry that is still a vital part of the economy in the Carolinas.

A consistent theme ran throughout the event. Whether in the general session, or the numerous breakout sessions, a continuous dialog between government and industry was evident, as was the amount of collaboration between industry members. The challenges of the past two years of pandemic, coupled with new supply chain and inflationary pressures created the need for dialog between all the players in this industry to successfully navigate the issues. New solutions to these new problems must be forthcoming, and the FEDTEX Summit fostered dialog to begin creating those solutions.

Part of the incredible success of the FEDTEX was due to the Community College team. Administrative and logistical support was provided by Fayetteville Technical Community College and the Harris Center at Central Piedmont Community College, with its amazing staff provided the venue for the Summit. The US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration’s financial support received from the Manufacturing Solutions Center at Catawba Valley Community College was essential, as was the marketing and program support from Manufacturing & Textile Innovation Network, TTC and other partners. 

The bottom line is that this government, industry, and community college FEDTEX event was the place to be if you wanted to grow your textile-related business. So, if you missed it this year, make sure you plan to attend the 2023 event. You’ll be glad you did. 

For textile-related assistance, connect with the NCMBC’s industry team: 

• Lee Moritz, moritzl@ncmbc.us
• TJ Gilroy, gilroyt@ncmbc.us
• JD Cassani, cassanij@ncmbc.us