Newark, DE (January 20, 2010)—W. L. Gore & Associates and Sefar AG (Heiden, Switzerland) announced they have entered into a strategic alliance to produce and market TENARA® Architectural Fabrics. This alliance combines Gore's patented technologies and innovative expanded PTFE (ePTFE) fibers with Sefar's expertise in weaving and their strong presence in the architectural fabric market.
"Sefar's interest in selling TENARA® Architectural Fabrics is a tribute to the quality of the product and the success of our innovation," said Matt Murphy, Product Specialist for Gore's ePTFE Weaving Fibers.
"Extending our product range with TENARA® Architectural Fabrics is a major step forward to realize Sefar's vision to be the worldwide leading and innovative partner of choice for uniquely aesthetic and functional textile architecture," said Ingo Thalhammer, Business Unit Manager for Sefar Architecture Solutions.
TENARA® Architectural Fabrics will be produced exclusively by Sefar under license from Gore. It will remain the same unique, high quality fabric that is the choice for innovative installations worldwide, such as the retractable roof over the Centre Court at Wimbledon. TENARA® Architectural Fabrics, one of the most recognizable and successful fabrics for use in architectural applications, provide a unique combination of aesthetics and durability. With the broadest range of natural light transmission and the ability to fold or drape like no other building textile alternative, it is the ideal choice to create, protect and extend the usefulness of outdoor spaces.
Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology products for the electronics, fabrics, industrial and medical markets. Perhaps best known for its waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX® fabric, the company's portfolio features a diverse array of innovations, including everything from guitar strings to life-saving cardiovascular devices. Gore is headquartered in Newark, Del., posts annual sales of $2.5 billion, and employs 9,000 associates in 30 countries worldwide. It is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. "100 Best Companies to Work For" lists since the rankings were introduced in 1984. Visit gore.com to learn more.
Sefar is a leading manufacturer of technical textiles with a global presence with subsidiaries in 21 countries and representations in another 75 countries. The annual sales are 360 million Swiss Francs and 2100 employees worldwide. Over the past 180 years, the Swiss company has grown into the world's leading producer of precision-woven fabrics. Working alongside experienced architects, lighting engineers and polymer experts, Sefar has developed a new generation of fabrics and installation solutions. Particularly where light and sound are concerned, these textile solutions display qualities which other materials cannot match. Visit sefar.com to learn more.
What does this strategic alliance include? Gore has licensed the TENARA® Architectural Fabric brand for use specifically for architectural fabrics, including structures, signage, and sculpture and other forms of artistic expression. Appropriate licenses are also in place to allow Sefar to use Gore-patented processes for the manufacture of architectural fabrics. Details of the agreement are not disclosed.
Who will produce TENARA® Architectural Fabric? The fabric will be produced by Sefar AG using ePTFE fibers supplied by Gore.
Where can TENARA® Architectural Fabric be purchased? The fabric will be marketed and sold by Sefar AG.
Where can GORE® ePTFE Fibers be purchased? Gore offers a full line of ePTFE fibers for a variety of end-uses. Please contact Gore to discuss your applications and fiber needs.
What about other usage of the TENARA® brand? GORE® TENARA® Sewing Thread is not affected by this alliance and will still be produced, marketed and sold by Gore.
Contact at W. L. Gore & Associates:
Europe Middle East & Africa
Carole Boisdron
W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH
D-85640 Putzbrunn
Email: cboisdro@wlgore.com
Tel: +49 89 4612-2216
USA
Susan Crow
W. L. Gore & Associates
Elkton, MD
Email: scrow@wlgore.com
Tel: +1 410 506 7776
Contact at Sefar AG:
Ruth Wiesmann
Sefar AG, Sefar Architecture Solutions
CH-9410 Heiden
Email: ruth.wiesmann@sefar.ch
Tel: +41 (0)71 898 51 04