RHODE ISLAND TEXTILE INNOVATION NETWORK

New Trade Group Signals Wave of Opportunity in the Ocean State. 
By Emily Walzer - Textile Insight: November/December 2018 
http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1045322-november-december-2018/17?

Rhode Island Ready

Leading edge, high-tech, next-gen materials and advanced manufacturing are just a few examples of what’s happening with textiles in Rhode Island these days. Yet many people in the Ocean State and surrounding areas have no idea that Rhode Island’s 70 textile manufacturing companies employ more than 2,500 people and have a combined revenue of between $2 and $3 billion dollars annually. Nor do they realize that these companies are innovating for markets ranging from aerospace to marine and military to recreation.

That low profile is about to change. A newly formed textile trade group is raising awareness of employment opportunities, highlighting potential business partnership opportunities and communicating career opportunities via social media encouraging students currently enrolled at local universities to re-think textiles.

The Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network (RITIN) formally kicked off this Fall, having evolved over recent years with support from U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, other members of the RI Congressional delegation and the University of Rhode Island Business Engagement Center. A committee of textile companies and representatives from the University of Rhode Island applied for funding to form the network and received $85,000 from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and $53,000 from the Department of Labor and Training.

The network’s recently launched website ( www.ritin.org) effectively portrays the state’s textile industry as modern manufacturers working in compelling markets. The slick-looking site reflects RITIN’s contemporary approach to business development and is chock-full of industry information.

The group is aware of the negative attitudes about textiles and that these perceptions are contributing to the skills gap. “We are efforting to change that image,” explains Michael Woody, CEO of Cranston, RI based Trans-Tex LLC. “The industry is not about making T-shirts but about advanced manufacturing. It is less about us re-inventing ourselves, and more about convincing students and others about what we do and what we can offer,” says Woody, who has been instrumental in getting RITIN off the ground. “We want to push the edge of the envelope further from an R&D standpoint by partnering with the universities.”

Collaboration is RITIN’s strong suit, and is timely in today’s marketplace. “During the massive wave of offshoring, companies were in survival mode. When in that atmosphere you become very protective of your IP, for example,” Woody states. Now, however, with an improved economy, and help on the trade agreement front, business is better, and as such the corporate culture is receptive to collaborating. “Not only with other businesses but also with academia,” Woody adds.

Other RITIN members agree. “We still have rich textiles in this area,” says Steve Perry, president, Darlington Fabrics, Westerly, RI. “We have sat in our silos, and now we have the opportunity to (literally) come together. ‘Better together’ is the strength of this network.”

‘Better together’ is the strength of this network.

Perry explains that member firms have different needs and capabilities — some want help finding employees, others are focused on training — but the overarching mission is to show “we are high tech and there is opportunity for those who want a career in this industry.” Perry says, “I think it is phenomenal for a small state to work together. It’s a great network. Now, for instance, I know whom to call if a project presents and I’m looking for some capacity I don’t have... It might be challenging to work with others, but there is a lot of opportunity. I think the timing of RITIN is excellent.”

Accomplishments and Future Plans

Woody cites the launch of RITIN’s social media as “helping change the hearts and minds of people” about textiles in Rhode Island. Another accomplishment is a new jobs program that is gaining traction. The idea generated in Rhode Island and now looks to go national in proposed legislation. According to Mary Johnson, program manager of Providence-based Polaris MEP, who serves as RITIN’s executive director, the Act may be cited as the ‘‘Retain Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence (RIME) Act of 2018’’ to allow state manufacturing extension partnerships to award grants to small and medium sized manufacturers for the purpose of training new workers to replace departing experienced workers.

Woody credits the help of Johnson and POLARIS MEP in leveling up RITIN as a professionally run trade organization beyond its initial volunteer roots, and acknowledges Sen. Whitehouse for his tenacity and commitment to making RITIN a reality. “He has been a force from the beginning,” states Woody.

Looking ahead, Woody envisions a Rhode Island textile status with global reach. “As we get our story out, and look to get the Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University involved, we can achieve worldwide recognition of what the Rhode Island supply chain looks like.”

For more information, visit www.ritin.org