Session Focus: Navigating Legislative Updates and Challenges for a Berry-Compliant Textile Industry

For more information or to register as an attendee or exhibitor visit: https://fedtex.ncmbc.us/
Stay ahead of critical legislative developments impacting the textile industry with this essential session on the Berry Amendment and its implications. The Berry Amendment mandates that certain textiles used by the DoD must be produced in the United States, promoting a robust domestic industrial base. This session will provide an in-depth overview of recent legislative actions affecting the textile sector, including updates on compliance requirements, funding opportunities, and policy changes. Understand how these legislative shifts influence your operations and strategic planning and explore how to effectively align your business with evolving federal standards.
Discussion will also center around the significant challenges facing the industry in maintaining a Berry-compliant supply chain, such as rising production costs, supply chain disruptions, and competition from global markets. Learn about actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles, from enhancing domestic production capabilities to leveraging policy support and industry collaborations. This session aims to equip textile professionals with the insights and tools needed to navigate the legislative landscape, ensuring your company remains competitive and compliant in a rapidly changing environment. Gain valuable knowledge and strategies for sustaining a resilient and compliant textile industry.
Speakers:
- Moderator: Lee Moritz, Business Development Professional (Hickory), NC Military Business Center
- David L. Costello, Executive Director, Warrior Protection & Readiness Coalition
- Kim Glas, President & CEO, National Council of Textile Organizations
The Federal and Defense Textile and Tactical Equipment (FEDTEX) Summit hosted by the Office of US Senator Thom Tillis, Office of Senator Ted Budd, the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and the North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (DEFTECH) connects the US Department of Defense (DoD) and federal agency clothing and individual equipment buyers with US textile manufacturers, textile supply chain suppliers, cut and sew contractors, research and development (R&D) facilities, testing labs and academic resources.
WHEN. May 20-21, 2025
WHERE.
North Carolina State University – McKimmon Conference Center
1101 Gorman Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27606
WHO SHOULD ATTEND– All prime textile manufacturers and textile supply chain manufacturers currently producing clothing, footwear, parachutes and textile-based tactical equipment for DoD, and producers of medical, PPE and related soldier systems. Any textile manufacturers that have interest in learning, understanding or possibly entering the DoD/federal marketplace should attend this Summit. The event is open to all United States and Puerto Rico based textile firms.
FEDTEX 25 objectives
- Engage with existing contractors and attract new capable businesses into the federal and defense clothing, textiles, and tactical equipment marketplace.
- Engage existing textile supply chain suppliers and attract new capable businesses into the federal marketplace, and to connect these component suppliers with federal prime contractors.
- Inform the industrial and academic R&D ecosystem about desired future military technology requirements, and likewise inform DoD agencies about emerging and future textile innovations.
- Establish a productive and DIRECT dialogue between businesses, government, and academia around critical warfighter issues in the defense textile marketplace – including workforce, supply chain, inflation challenges, and barriers to entry.
TOUR. Cotton Incorporated. Guests will view firsthand how cotton is processed from a fiber into a textile, then finished, and tested for quality assurance through a guided tour of Cotton Incorporated’s state-of-the-art textile pilot facility with five main laboratory areas. Expert research staff will guide guests through the Fiber Processing, Product Development, Dyeing and Finishing Applications, Color Services, and Product Evaluation Laboratories, sharing innovative research efforts and the textile manufacturing process. Guests will learn how Cotton Incorporated supports the U.S. Cotton Industry through research and promotion.
WELCOME SOCIAL. A welcome social for the Summit will be held on May 20th at the North Carolina State University McKimmon Conference Center from 5:00 – 7:30 pm. There is no cost for attendees of the Summit to attend. Attendees must be registered to attend the Summit on May 20th. To RSVP for the social, please indicate your attendance on your respective registration form for the Summit.