00:00:00 Hello, I'm Bill Martin, Executive Director of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

00:00:23 I welcome you to our special presentation, AATCC, Your Leader in the Textile Industry.

00:00:35 The world's largest and most influential association for textile professionals is the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

00:00:43 Practically all dyes, finishes, and textile chemicals produced or sold in the USA are controlled and evaluated by test methods developed by AATCC research committees.

00:00:55 Many of the tests have been adopted worldwide to provide a common international language for quality control.

00:01:01 Thus, a purchase contract can specify in detail the performance requirements expected of the manufacturer,

00:01:08 and the converter can know how to evaluate the scouring, desizing, bleaching, dyeing, printing, and finishing that will go into the finished product.

00:01:17 Technical and scientific personnel engaged in product evaluation and quality control rely heavily on AATCC standardized test methods.

00:01:26 These tests are a major factor in assuring consumer confidence in the billions of yards of textiles produced and purchased each year.

00:01:34 It wasn't always so. In 1921, Dr. Louis Olney of the Lowell Textile School expressed concern about the lack of standardized methods for testing the performance of dyes and recording the test data.

00:01:46 The textile industry responded with enthusiasm, sending 140 of its leaders to the organizational meeting of what would be the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

00:01:57 Today, close to 7,000 individual members and more than 200 corporations in the U.S. and over 50 other countries promote and participate in AATCC's stated objectives.

00:02:09 To provide education in the application of textile dyes and chemicals.

00:02:13 To encourage research on chemical processes and materials of importance to the textile industry.

00:02:18 To establish communication channels for exchange of professional knowledge and problem solving.

00:02:26 AATCC, working for the textile industry.

00:02:32 The success of any industry in the global market depends on maintaining the lead in research and development of products, processes and machinery.

00:02:40 Standardizing quality control makes the new products and processes marketable.

00:02:45 In 1922, the first AATCC research committee developed the washing test for dyed silk.

00:02:53 The success of that test formed the basis for further test development.

00:02:57 Today, the association acts as a clearinghouse for information about all aspects of the textile industry.

00:03:03 All AATCC activities are coordinated from the award winning 20,000 square foot technical center located on 10 acres of land in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

00:03:14 The facility houses offices for the 23 permanent staff members, meeting rooms for symposia and workshops, plus state of the art laboratories and equipment.

00:03:24 Today, over 1,000 volunteers working in committees continuously develop and update test methods as the textile industry demands new standards for evaluating new products.

00:03:35 It's quite clear that AATCC benefits the textile industry, and the association also works hard for the individual.

00:03:44 AATCC, working for the textile professional.

00:03:50 The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists is the professionals inside track to a productive career in textile wet processing.

00:03:58 AATCC members are dyers, finishers, educators, students, chemists, mill superintendents, lab technicians, sales and tech reps, managers and workers involved in any way in the application of chemicals to textiles.

00:04:12 These professionals realize that participation in AATCC activities will give them the knowledge, experience, and personal contact with industry leaders that will enhance their own career opportunities.

00:04:25 Each year, the association offers a series of workshops and symposia.

00:04:29 Many workshops, such as the Introduction to Textile Testing, Basics of Dyeing and Finishing, and Color Measurement Principles are so popular that they are repeated annually.

00:04:39 Members receive discounts on all workshop and symposia fees.

00:04:43 Most often, the discount on a single workshop is greater than the annual dues.

00:04:48 Symposia are sponsored by technology committees composed of member volunteers with interest and expertise in timely concerns such as environmental regulations, garment wet processing, and near infrared technology.

00:05:02 Participation in workshops and research committees keeps you abreast of the newest technology, and the newest technology is always the center of attention at AATCC's International Conference and Exhibition.

00:05:14 It's an annual gathering of industry professionals from all over the world, and it's the forum from which many companies launch new products and services.

00:05:22 Member discounts apply here, too.

00:05:24 The conference features informative technical sessions on the hottest topics in wet processing and textiles.

00:05:30 In addition, a broad range of machinery, equipment, dyes, and chemicals for the wet processing industry is on display throughout the conference.

00:05:38 AATCC offers its members in the USA and Canada a full program of group insurance options.

00:05:45 Other association benefits include regional and section meetings, which promote professional networking among members.

00:05:51 In addition, discounts on a wide variety of AATCC quality control aids, videos, and publications, such as symposia and conference papers, keep you current on the latest developments in your field.

00:06:04 AATCC publications keep everyone in wet processing up to date.

00:06:09 The most widely used technical publication in wet processing, the AATCC Technical Manual, contains all AATCC test methods, plus rosters of technology and research committees.

00:06:21 The manual is updated annually.

00:06:23 The eight-volume Color Index International, published jointly by AATCC and the Society of Dyers and Colorists in England, is a valuable reference for anyone involved with color.

00:06:34 Members receive, as a part of their membership, a subscription to the wet processing industry's foremost technical journal, Textile Chemist and Colorist.

00:06:42 Each month, TCC covers the industry with technical articles on current research and developments, as well as features and news about people and products you work with.

00:06:51 The subscription includes the 300-page Buyer's Guide, which lists manufacturers of dyes, pigments, chemical specialties, machinery, and equipment.

00:07:00 It's a year-round reference published as the July issue of TCC.

00:07:05 The monthly employment register lists both opportunities and personnel available.

00:07:09 Unemployed members are entitled to six one-inch ads in consecutive issues free of charge.

00:07:15 As an additional member benefit, AATCC conducts a personnel service at the International Conference and Exhibition, where confidential interviews can be arranged.

00:07:25 Each year at the International Conference and Exhibition, the Association honors those in service to the industry.

00:07:31 Dr. Olney's founding spirit inspired the Olney Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Textile Industry.

00:07:37 The Henry E. Milson Award for Invention recognizes contributions to textile wet processing technology.

00:07:44 And the Harold C. Chapin Award recognizes outstanding service to the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

00:07:51 So you can see what AATCC has in mind for its members.

00:07:54 Hands-on work in research committees, informative publications, workshops, symposia, and videos to keep you on top of your specialty.

00:08:03 Conferences where you can meet and greet your peers from around the world and across the street.

00:08:08 And recognition for superior performance.

00:08:11 In short, career advancement through education and communication.

00:08:15 It gives AATCC members the edge.

00:08:19 AATCC, working for the corporation.

00:08:23 Corporate members receive several publications annually as a part of their membership.

00:08:28 The AATCC technical manual containing all AATCC standardized test methods.

00:08:35 The membership directory listing all corporate and individual members.

00:08:39 The resume book of student member graduate and undergraduate degree candidates.

00:08:44 Plus a year's subscription to the monthly journal, Textile Chemist and Colorist.

00:08:48 Employees of corporate members can take advantage of discounts on publications and registration fees at conferences, symposia, and workshops.

00:08:56 Corporate members also have the opportunity to suggest and participate in new research projects that influence test method development and updating.

00:09:05 Developing just one test method would cost a corporation between $600,000 and $1 million.

00:09:11 Instead, the work is done cooperatively by association members and other industry experts who participate as volunteers.

00:09:19 The results are shared with corporate members in pre-publication research committee updates three times a year.

00:09:25 Corporate members with questions about textile dyes and chemicals can receive assistance just by calling the technical center.

00:09:32 Even when it's a tough question.

00:09:34 We may not know all the answers, but we generally know who does.

00:09:38 Corporate members display their corporate member plaque with pride.

00:09:42 It says that your company supports, with people and money, the professional association that helps assure the success of your business.

00:09:50 And corporate member dues are tax deductible as a business expense.

00:09:56 AATCC, working for you.

00:10:01 The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists benefits the entire textile industry.

00:10:06 Individual members enhance their career potential.

00:10:10 Corporate members get a well-educated employee pool and the opportunity to participate in research projects with other volunteers.

00:10:18 And the industry relies on test methods developed by its members.

00:10:22 Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of our group of professionals who support research, education and communication in the textile web processing industry.

00:10:32 We hope you've enjoyed learning more about your leader in the textile industry and we appreciate your interest in AATCC.