Volume 3, Issue3

Welcome to this issue of the Journal of Textile and Apparel Management with a focus on
Emerging Technologies.
Robert Barnhardt, Professor, Gilbert O'Neal, President, ITT

Technological change and the Industrial Revolution have a common thread in the history of the textile industry. That thread continues through ITMA, the single largest textile machinery trade show in the world. Since 1951 there has been an ITMA show in Europe on a four-year cycle.

New machine concepts, innovation, productivity, flexibility, efficiency, cycle-time reduction, quick change over, and automation have historically been the stalwarts of the show for each of its 50 year history. More recently software systems such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CIM), and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) have been a growing component of each exhibition.

ITMA 2003 was extremely important since strategic concepts of coupling technology with management systems along the entire Supply Chain from fiber to retail were evident. The integration of technology and information is one key requirement for global competitiveness.

This issue of JTATM has a focus on the 14th International Exhibition of Textile Machinery held in Birmingham, England. For the first time ever, ITT (Institute for Textile Technology) sponsored 14 professionals at the show – 9 from the College of Textiles and 5 from ITT.




The integration of the two allied groups (NCSU and ITT) provided the industry with a shared perspective of the significance of the exhibition for the future of the U.S. industry.

This issue also focuses on industry and educational perspectives. Be sure to view perspectives on the global textile dynamics --- including both scholarly papers as well as reports on recent industry-related conferences. In addition, Recruiting News is a new addition to this issue, and includes profiles of our students’ experiences as well as information about our programs.

In these competitive times, it may be good to think of the famous quote from Alice in Wonderland “The time has come the walrus said to think of many things…”

Technology knows no international boundaries Information and systems know no international boundaries Intelligence and creativity know no international boundaries Business acumen knows no international boundaries The list is almost endless! The where-with-all to integrate all of these, may provide the advantage many are seeking.