America's Oldest Industry Brings Innovative New Materials to Market

In 2022, the owner of a Rhode Island textile company, National Velour-Wintech, acquired Massachusetts textile company Fifield, Inc. Both companies are well known in the American flock industry. National Velour was founded in 1970 to service the jewelry box industry and has been under the leadership of the DerManouelian family. Fifield, while now owned by Todd DerManouelian, remains a separate business and is celebrating its 100 anniversary this year. Former President and CEO Edwin Martin was also, for many years, Chairman of the American Flock Association. Todd is also a former Chairman of the association.

While both companies offer many flocked or otherwise specialty fabrics, we are going to focus on their support for the jewelry packaging and display industry. The region of Rhode Island and neighboring Southeast Massachusetts was a major center for jewelry production. It is said that in 1880 Rhode Island accounted for a quarter of all American jewelry production. That tradition continues, but on a smaller scale.

One of Fifield's recent additions to its product line to support the jewelry packaging and display industry is Vienna Eco, a corn based sustainable fashion material. It is made from agricultural waste products and sustainable biomaterials, making it an eco-friendly choice. It is being used in footwear, upholstery, handbags, and most any fashion use for animal hide leather.

Vienna Eco is a premium fabric compared to some conventional jewelry packaging and display materials, but Todd reports that his customers respond well to this greener alternative. Vienna Eco is made in Europe, where they have strict regulations on the use of the solvents in traditional production of packaging materials. No solvents are used in the production of Vienna Eco.

Vienna Eco corn silage based leather substitute