Baldwin’s TexCoat G4 finishing system empowers unprecedented productivity and sustainability for Graniteville Specialty Fabrics

Non-contact precision-spray technology enables no-waste finishing processes, and single- or dual-sided application

ST. LOUIS — May 26, 2022 — Baldwin Technology Company Inc. has announced the installation of its state-of-the-art TexCoat G4 finishing system at Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, a recognized leader in the production of specialty coatings and coated fabrics. With Baldwin’s cost-efficient and highly sustainable spray finishing technology, Graniteville Specialty Fabrics has been able to increase production efficiency, and minimize chemical and water waste.

Graniteville Specialty Fabrics team members Bennie Mathis, Plant Superintendent (left), and Doug Johnson, Executive Vice President of Development and Technical Services (right), stand with the newly installed TexCoat G4 from Baldwin.

Based in Graniteville, South Carolina, Graniteville Specialty Fabrics produces coatings and coated fabrics that are resistant to water, fire, UV and weather for the military, marine and tent markets, and others. The installation of Baldwin’s TexCoat G4 is part of a major facility upgrade to maximize production efficiency and capacity in the durable water-repellent finishing and coating line to meet growing customer demand for advanced engineered products.

With extensive sustainability benefits, unprecedented tracking and process control, and Industry 4.0 integration, the TexCoat G4 provides consistently high-quality fabric finishing, with no chemistry waste, as well as minimal water and energy consumption. This system utilizes non-contact precision-spray technology, ensuring precise finishing coverage with the exact amount of chemistry for reaching the optimal performance of the fabric. Changeovers (pad bath emptying, cleaning and refilling) are significantly reduced, resulting in substantial chemical conservation and increased productivity.

“We are pleased to be a key partner in Graniteville Specialty Fabrics’ modernization project,” said Rick Stanford, Baldwin’s Vice President of Global Business Development, Textiles. “The team reached out to us, and it was clear that the TexCoat G4 was the right tool to help them minimize waste and increase productivity.”

Doug Johnson, Graniteville Specialty Fabrics’ Executive Vice President of Development and Technical Services, said the company needed to increase its productivity and sustainability, without sacrificing fabric quality and performance.

“Anytime you change from a traditional process like padding, it is human nature to be a little skeptical,” said Johnson. “Baldwin organized production-scale trials for us at a nearby TexCoat-equipped factory. We took the finished fabric and scrutinized the look and feel, and performed a battery of tests in our lab to American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists spray-rating and hydrostatic-head standards.  The results were impressive. Moreover, when we commissioned our TexCoat, we duplicated and exceeded the fabric performance realized during the trials.”

ABOUT BALDWIN TECHNOLOGY COMPANY INC.

Baldwin Technology Company Inc. is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of innovative process-automation equipment, parts, service and consumables for the printing, packaging, textile, plastic film extrusion and corrugated industries. As a total solutions provider, Baldwin offers our customers a broad range of market-leading technologies, with a focus on improving the economic and environmental efficiency of production processes. Through a global footprint of 21 company-owned locations and an extensive network of partners, our customers are supported globally, regionally and locally by dedicated sales and service team members who add value by forming long-term relationships. Baldwin is privately owned by BW Forsyth Partners, a Barry-Wehmiller company. For more, visit baldwintech.com.

ABOUT BW FORSYTH PARTNERS

BW Forsyth Partners is the investment arm of multibillion-dollar global manufacturing and engineering consulting firm Barry-Wehmiller. Established in 2009, BW Forsyth Partners blends Barry-Wehmiller’s unparalleled legacy of value creation and people-centric culture development with keen investing experience to help companies realize their true potential. With a focus limited to areas known well, BW Forsyth Partners seeks to partner with leadership teams to acquire small- to middle-market companies in the capital and component equipment, and professional services sectors. In each of our operating companies, BW Forsyth Partners deploys operational improvements and strategy development without compromising the autonomy, strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit of their leadership teams. For more information, visit bwforsyth.com.