As we move forwards into 2011 The Textile Institute takes an opportunity to reflect on one of its most successful years - 2010. A year when Manchester was host to academics and professionals from all areas of the textile industry who came together to celebrate The Textile Institute's Centenary with the largest textile conference of its type.
The Textile Institute Centenary Conference was a huge success and provided an opportunity to advance knowledge both within business, industrial practice and academic research and also provided a networking platform to encourage the exchange of ideas and sharing of best practice.
As part of the conference the textile industry was invited to showcase its most innovative products as part of The Centenary Conference Industry Innovative Product Award 2010. All entrants to this award displayed their products at the conference and took the opportunity to discuss with the delegates their innovation. A panel of judges, drawn from knowledgeable industry professionals and academics, assessed the individual strengths and innovativeness of each product.
The judges united to discuss each entry and unanimously decided that the winner should be Baltex for it's XD Coolmax spacer fabric. This innovative product is a three dimensionally knitted fabric designed to promote cooling in body armour, sports and medical applications.
Mr Charles Wood BSocSc CText FTI, Managing Director of Baltex was at the closing ceremony of the conference where he was announced as the winner and collected a monetary award as well as a certificate. Baltex will also be able to utilise the newly designed logo within their promotional material. Professor Subhash Anand MBE CText FTI, the Chair of the Centenary Conference presented the award at the special closing ceremony party, which was sponsored by Brandix at the Manchester United football ground.
Charles was thrilled that Baltex were awarded stating "We were delighted to have been given this prestigious award during the Centenary celebrations of The Textile Institute. Baltex is fortunate to have some great partners in the UK, working on the development of 3D fabrics with some of our finest Universities and companies. It is a tremendous honour for all of us in the company".
The Textile Institute Centenary Conference is supported by industry and education, sponsors of this prestigious event include the Pentland Group, a leading international brand management group involved in the sports, outdoor and fashion markets; Manchester Metropolitan University, Department of Clothing Design and Technology; Brandix Lanka Ltd; World Textile Publications; the University of Manchester; UKFT; Skillset; AWI; Karl Mayer; Oerlikon; Marks and Spencer; and Swisstex Winterthur AG amongst many others. Magazines supporting the event include Textile Asia; TekstilForum; Bangladesh Textile Today; and Textile Media Services.
Celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2010 The Textile Institute, its Sections and Special Interest Groups worldwide organised special events, culminating in the Institute's Centenary Conference which took place in Manchester, 3-4 November, immediately followed by the Parliamentary Lunch at the Houses of Parliament in London. Manchester is not only the historic birthplace of the Institute but also continues to be the home of its international headquarters. The Institute is also a registered charity and gained Royal Chartered status in 1925, allowing members to gain chartered qualifications (becoming an Associate, or a Fellow, as well as a non-Chartered Qualification of Licentiate).
The Institute may be celebrating one hundred years of history but is today a vital, enlivened and important organisation providing a truly global network for the fast moving, international textile industry.
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