On Monday, February 11, ORCO and a number of other Innovative Rhode Island Textile Companies (through RITIN) took part in the first annual Academic Textile Industry Networking Fair on Monday, at the University of Rhode Island Memorial Union Ballroom in Kingston. (Pictured l to r – Derek Williams, Technical Manager; Rhody the Ram; Barry Brady, Sales Manager)

We were honored to be be part of this important milestone for the textile industry bringing together the  Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network (RITIN), the University of Rhode Island College of Business and Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Design, and the URI Business Engagement Center.

The main speaker’s program featured URI President Dooley, the Congressional Delegation, Professor Doug Hales of the URI College of Business and Briannah Plasse, a student at URI who is currently an intern at Kenyon Industries. A panel discussion featured Professor Martin Bide, Professor Karl Aspelund, Professor Ji Hye Kang, Professor Kunal Mankodiya, Brittany Scuncio, a URI alumna from Trelleborg Engineered Coated Fabrics Dartex Coatings, Jessica Zaretzky, a URI alumna from Kenyon Industries. The panel was presided over by Dr. Peter Snyder, VP of Research and Economic Development at URI, and moderated by Michael Woody, President of RITIN and CEO of Trans Tex LLC.

ORCO is proud to be an active participant in RITIN, helping to focus on new Innovations from Rhode Island Textile Companies.