ADVERTISEMENT Q& A with keith gordon president, architex Describe your business in one sentence. Creative fabric producer designed to enhance interior environments. How has your company evolved over the years? Transitioned from strictly a fabric source for corporate interiors to include: health, educational, welfare, and hospitality textiles What trends are you seeing in the industry? How will you incorporate them in your products? Durability is as important as functionality and aesthetics. Fast food requires, as an example, performance and maintenance similar to healthcare. How was your business changed in the face of healthcare reform? Architex has developed and is in further development of both easy-to-maintain and clean fabrics to those supporting the latest in clean manufacturing. How important is customization? How has it enhanced your products or relationships with clients? Customization can apply to both value engineering and also the development of various finishes which serve to protect and enhance textiles and support changing fire code requirements. Tell us about new products/ innovations you're introducing. Architex is introducing their first Silicone upholstery collection; our Crypton Believing collection; "everyone believes in something" a world peace-inspired collection, and a host of pediatric privacy curtains. Why is collaborating important to your company? Tell us about some of your product collaborations. For over 10 years we have collaborated with HDR Architecture to bring a range of high performance textile solutions to the contract market. This collaborative relationship has allowed us to stay ahead of the curve on product releases for what solutions designers and end users need in 24/7 public spaces. Tell us something surprising about your company that people may not know. Architex is a family-owned business and we have retained many of our employees who were with us when we opened the doors more than 38 years ago.http://www.architex-ljh.com/