Specialty Fabrics Review June 2022 - 41

Introducing
CONNECT
by IFAI
she noted, with the Made in America
Office supporting that effort. However,
the question is, she says, " Can anybody
sustain a business just making PPE? "
When asked about the Biden
Administration's priorities for the
industry's future, Knight responded
that the priorities are to see the U.S.
textile industry become stronger and
more resilient. This involves supporting
growth in the Western Hemisphere. It
is also important, Knight says, to " find
a way for our IP to stay home. " This
means commercializing goods in the
U.S. or with our allies.
Knight pointed specifically to several
companies committed to development
in Central America, including a
multimillion-dollar investment by
global yarn manufacturer Parkdale
Mills in a new yarn plant in Honduras.
This will help alleviate supply chain
issues, support the local economy and
encourage other manufacturers to open
facilities closer to U.S. textile companies
needing those products.
This raises the question of
convincing an investor to pay for new
equipment anywhere, because the
return on investment can take, in fact,
many years.
" That's a tough problem, " she says,
" But the success of one encourages
others, " and once again pointed to the
facility investment made by Parkdale
Mills in Honduras. " Its success will
encourage others; a rising tide raises all
boats, " she adds.
In closing, Knight encouraged the
audience to use the services available
through her office to find information
and support. " Because textiles were so
important for so long, OTEXA has an
amazing database, " she says. " Please
contact us. "
Janet Preus is the senior editor of Advanced
Textiles Source and a contributing editor for
Specialty Fabrics Review.
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