'Speed to Market: Are You in the Loop?' to take place on Feb 13

The Materials at WSA segment will feature exhibitors who focus on innovative and efficient solutions for speed to market, product differentiation, customization, and product safety and testing – all in one convenient location at the upcoming exhibition, February 12-14, 2009. Now centrally located on the second floor of the Sands Expo Center, Materials at WSA allows product developers, designers, sourcing executives and buyers to meet with new and existing suppliers, and attend world-class workshops that offer expert insight on how best to navigate today’s market demands.

“These are challenging times for the industry as a whole,” says Courtney Harold, show director, Materials at WSA. “The suppliers who are exhibiting at the upcoming Materials at WSA represent an understanding of what the current needs are, and how they can be met.”

The resources focused on speed to market solutions will cater to manufacturers looking for more competitive production schedules in order to get new product on store shelves faster and stay ahead of their competition. Also, present will be exhibiting suppliers willing to work with manufacturers on lower volume productions to allow for greater differentiation and customization options.

Visitors will also be able to take advantage of resources to help them comply with new product safety and testing laws, especially as it relates to lead levels in children’s products.

In addition to a wide array of suppliers from around the globe such as CICB Brazilian Leather Pavilion, More Shoeparts Co. LTD and Wolverine Leathers, some of the other innovative new exhibitors next month will include:

• Cocona Inc based in Boulder, Colorado, is focused on developing innovative, eco-friendly technologies from natural resources. This cutting-edge material is already used in footwear and apparel by companies such as New Balance, which launched the fabric in a selection of men’s and women’s sneakers and apparel last fall.

• Yili Shoe Materials Co based in China, will debut its innovative insoles made of Coconut Beard cork centered on deodorization without chemical processing and an inner system that allows footwear to better withstand the force of hiking and power walking.

• Shandong Zehui Hi-Tech Coating Co based in China, offers breathable products with the most advanced composite technology to maintain waterproof and windproof, while staying cool for the wearer, no matter how much energy is exerted while the shoe is worn.

“We’re very excited to have the opportunity to share with the world Cocona’s new innovative lining at Materials at WSA,” said Alan Lekan, VP product development. “Cocona fabrics provide both comfort and protection in a wide variety of products. We combine multiple features and benefits into one environmentally-friendly technology.”

Cocona, (the consumer brand name chosen for apparel applications), specializes in natural, quick dry, odor and UV managing fabric technology, which was created because the activated carbon in their fabrics is made from recycled coconut shells – a natural and renewable resource. Early this year, Cocona Inc. will introduce a new line of footwear lining and mesh upper materials in the U.S. featuring Cocona technology.

Materials at WSA will also host two informative workshops presented by the industry’s leading experts, “The Magic of Color—Spring/Summer 2010 Trend and Color Forecasting” and “Speed to Market: Are You in the Loop?,” which will serve not only to inform, but inspire.

“The Magic of Color—Spring/Summer 2010 Trend and Color Forecasting” will be presented by Leatrice Eiseman, worldwide recognized color specialist, and Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. This workshop is tailored to designers, and anyone needing to design or forecast 18 months out. Eiseman will share her expert knowledge and insight of the color trends for Spring/Summer 2010.

“Speed to Market: Are You in the Loop with South American Suppliers?” will be presented by Mercedes Gonzalez, director of Global Purchasing Companies, a full-service buying office that plans and implements retail strategies with specialties in new store planning and streamlining established businesses. Gonzalez will target this workshop to sourcing, design, and product developers from small to mid-size brands and companies, and will share her personal experience with using material suppliers from South America in order to meet physical properties, price points and quantities.

“The Magic of Color—Spring/Summer 2010 Trend and Color Forecasting” will take place at 3:30pm on Thursday, February 12, and “Speed to Market: Are You in the Loop?” will take place at 9:00am on Friday, February 13. Pre-registration can be completed online at www.materialsatwsa.com.

The show will also host its popular, cutting-edge trend forecast area, which will reflect the direction of the new season by showcasing innovative materials from exhibiting suppliers, and have onlookers buzzing.

Source: WSA Show