TI Centenary Celebration and World Conference


    Manchester, UK , Four keynotes, 86 oral presentations and over 50 posters plus social events will ensure that The Textile Institute Centenary Conference in Manchester in November will be a complete celebration of all that is textiles now and in the future.



    Key Note Ashroff Omar, chief executive officer, Brandix Lanka Ltd (Brandix), leading industrialist and a prominent figure in the apparel industry will focus his presentation on problems currently being addressed in ‘Manufacturing’ on the Global Stage. For decades, the migratory patterns of the apparel industry in pursuit of cheap labour, dictated by the availability of quota and preferential market access has left the industry heavily fragmented. This drive for cheaper and cheaper product over time has in effect frozen the industry in a time warp. The retailers, in order to control this vastly fragmented supply base, had to participate in many non-value adding activities, while the suppliers driven by cost found little incentive for innovation.



    Ashroff’s presentation will argue the need for new business models, realignment of interests and collaboration in the value chain, employing breakthrough technologies and innovations, enabling agile manufacturing and mass customisation.



    Andy Rubin, MA MBA, CEO of Pentland Brands plc, will give a key note titled Fashion and Sustainability – A View From a Brand. His presentation will cover the fact that today we are living in a world where “there are too many people using too much stuff”. Given the concern for the impact this is having on our planet, consumers are increasingly looking for brands with a social purpose. There has been some progress in recent years with increasing engagement of employees, consumers and other organisational stakeholders. However, a lot more can be done and there is a need for an industry wide definition and consensus relating to fashion and sustainability. In his presentation Andy will look at some of the key issues relating to sustainable fashion. He will also discuss Pentland’s ‘4P’s of Sustainability’; Policies, Product, Production and Partnerships.



    ‘A Global Overview of Research and Innovations in Intelligent and Functional Textiles, Clothing and Footwear’ is the title of Professor Xiaoming Tao’s Key Note presentation. Intelligent textiles, clothing and footwear, an emerging transformative technology, has great potential to play important  roles and have enormous impacts on the quality of life of human kind. Prof Tao’s presentation will give an overview of research and development activities, recent technological innovations and major challenges in this field.



    The final Key Note will be given by Lord Mervyn Davies CBE who will be presenting on current affairs and finance.



    The first afternoon of the conference on 3rd November will concentrate on three key areas, Sustainability; Technical Textiles; and Design, Fashion and Footwear. The second day will have presentations covering, Product and Materials Innovation; Healthcare and Medical Textiles; Marketing and Management; Education and Training; Smart Fabrics and Wearable Technologies; Clothing Manufacturing; Quality Control and Testing; Future Trends and Visions; Personal Protective Equipment; Composites; Natural Fibres and Products; and Dyeing, Finishing and Printing.



    Guests at the conference will also have the opportunity to attend outstanding social events, including a very special Awards and Centenary Dinner, taking place at one of Manchester’s fantastic architectural masterpieces, The Monastery, and a special closing ceremony party, sponsored by Brandix, at what is probably one of Manchester’s most famous sites, Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.



    The Centenary Conference will also have an ‘Industry Innovative Product Award 2010’ which will be presented to the most innovative product during the conference. Celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2010 The Textile Institute, its Sections and Special Interest Groups worldwide will be organising special events, culminating in the Institute’s Centenary Conference taking place in Manchester in 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 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; World Textile Publications; the University of Manchester; UKFT; Skillset; AWI; Karl Mayer; 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.



    Full information regarding the conference is available on the website including a full programme and booking. www.tiworldconference.org



    The Institute may be celebrating one hundred years but is today a vital, enlivened and important organisation providing a truly global network for the fast moving, international textile industry.



    If you have any questions please contact Vanessa Knowles



    E: vanessa@pebbleinternational.com



    T: +44 1942 886402

    Leave a Comment