The Changing Faces of Non Woven

For those who are not familiar with the non woven fabric's origination, it is a kind of fabric that does not need knitting or weaving like our more traditional cotton, linen and wool. This fabric is simply made by blending or bonding separate synthetic fibers in a solution until they fabricate into porous sheets. The non woven fabric is not very strong in its nature but it is cheap to produce and very Eco-friendly since it can be made by recycling fabric and altered to be soluble leaving no long term footprint like the plastic does.

Felt from wool which everyone is familiar with is one such fabric which has a dense quality without any warp or weft. The non woven fabric made from it retains some of the wool's nature and the resultant fabric is warm and insulating whereas the non woven fabric made from polyester is light in nature and elastic.

The non woven fabric is made in varying thickness called the GSM. The grams per centimetre is inversely related to the loop length of the fabric. Because of its cost effectiveness and light weight quality, it has risen in popularity among the food and medical industries for disposable use. The non woven fabric is both the easier and the more hygienic option.

In Kenya, the use for the non woven fabric peaked after the government banned the use of plastic bags in the year 2017. Following this law, while some reverted to the paper bag as an option, most opted to use the non-woven bag which became easily available almost immediately after.

This fabric can also be made water proof. More recently, it has also been modified to be perfumed or anti-bacterial. As time goes, the fabric is showing great promise in its versatility and has been a manufacturer's dream raw material. At MLW, we manufacture all sorts of items using this fabric, and every so often we realize we can make this one more product, for example, a pouch to put jewellery in or an envelope to put an invitation, or a holder for TV remote controls or simply covers for blankets or other electronic items when keeping them in storage. All this has shown us how non woven is a glove that fits all hands.

Initially, the ban on plastic bags forced us to make supermarket, fashion and general product or promotional bags. Soon thereafter, the demand for laundry bags and shoe bags opened up meaning that there was a market for these items in the non woven disposable use range. Aprons and head covers for the food industry followed, and then the most unexpected occurrence, the Corona Virus hit the globe.

The Covid-19 changed the world and is continuing to do so even today. We are still in the midst of this pandemic and the horror of the matter is that we don’t really know how long it is going to last, and what its long term effects are going to be. The only thing the whole world knows for certain is that we need to protect ourselves from it. Our entire concentration is on manufacturing affordable and disposable Medical PPE at the moment. Humanity dictates that we don’t see this moment as an opportunity to milk the cow but rather as the lesson we want to teach our children.

Starting with just face masks in the beginning, demand for products fashioned out of this fabric has spiked due to a need for coveralls, head covers, foot covers, aprons, and scrubs. Today dire as the situation may be, we have to stay positive and do all we can to help the greater community around us as manufacturers and as citizens of this world.

The Life of a T-Shirt

            

                                         

The T-shirt is among the 5 vital essentials of any wardrobe. I am yet to meet a single individual of any age who does not own one. It is the only underwear that has promoted itself by becoming a statement-making fashion essential. While the general T shape of it from where it derives its name has not changed over the years, its selling point lies in the message it is portraying. And what a range of messages do T-shirts portray!

From its humble origins in the 1890's when this simple comfortable garment was fashioned to be worn as an undershirt for the U.S. Navy, to its snug modern makeover modeled around the world as a perfect match for any denim bottom, this cotton garment has had an interesting journey.

While the t-shirt is mostly 100% cotton, there are some blends with polyester that can be found today since it has also been known to be referred to as a 'top' when shaped even more flatteringly and paired with a skirt. More recently it has also been pulled to make the t-shirt dress. This garment leaves no man or woman behind.

This garment has earned every pedestal it has been placed on. It is the super-garment of the century. From making political statements in campaigns, to being the better half of a pyjama set. From promoting sports events and being the main highlight of the visual aspect of a marathon run to humbling itself as a plain background to a printed shirt worn with the buttons undone. From essential beach wear to comfortable flight wear. From sequined ponies to gothic skulls. From any occasion to any location.

The new age artists are using this apparel to exhibit their work, their ideas and quotes, their memes. The teenager is lashing out through the message on their tshirt. The mid-life crises loves the comfort and forgiveness on the mid section the tshirt provides. The celebrities are loving the edginess and ageless chic this garment provides when worn with a flair. The t-shirt becomes the wearer, often times at the end of a relationship the t-shirt is the one item that is not returned to its owner. The t-shirt lives its dreams through the entire world and is never going out of fashion.

Its ability to go from sleep wear to red carpet by simply popping a blazer on top of it is amazing. In my line of work, the tshirt is a corporate's most cost efficient and effective form of advertising. Not only does the person wearing your logo present it to everyone they meet reminding them of your brand's existence but that 100% cotton t-shirt is going to be a continuous marketing tool for you for up to 10 years. It will live out your marketing idea until it is in shreds and being used to wipe walls, floors, and baths. Now that's credible ROI.

The t-shirt is the canvas that you need to imprint your brand colour and logo onto the minds of all existing and potential customers. That t-shirt you are giving away is taking itself all over town for you. For the hospitality industry, the t-shirt is making your staff look friendly and approachable, which is the exact impression you want to create. For the service industry, it shows that your staff is not afraid to get their hands dirty. The t-shirt is not only your uniform or your giveaway gift, it is your brand ambassador.

So go on and use the t-shirt, or wear it. It is 'comfortable' in its existence.

This article is based on my personal observations and my experiences over time, being in the business of manufacturing t-shirts. I have gained a lot of respect for the ordinary t-shirt which in fact is not so ordinary after all. You can visit my website or leave me a message on the following addresses

http://www.mlwinvestments.co.ke wanzah@mlwinvestments.co.ke