GMA’s Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., is set for March 2 and will be held in conjunction with a cooperating division from the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).
Geotextile manufacturers are keen to update the specifying community regarding specifications that are outdated and no longer acceptable in the industry.
The objective of the conference is to learn about current reality in the use of the geosynthetic materials, presenting also the perspectives for the near future and the potential applications of these products in the Mexican Engineering.
The workshop will provide insightful information on the use of geosynthetic and textile materials that promote the design of sustainable, energy efficient environments and buildings.
Representatives from 10 member companies of the Geosynthetic Materials Association traveled to Washington, D.C., March 16-17 to participate in another successful GMA Lobby Day.
GMA’s managing director, Andrew Aho, announced April 20 that John Henderson was re-elected to serve a second term as chairman of the GMA Executive Council.
In April, members of Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) came to Washington, D.C., for the annual “Bring your executive to Capitol Hill.”
It is easy to sit on the sidelines and complain that the industry has stagnated, that some all-encompassing, ambiguous organization should do a better job of growing our industry, or my industry association does not care about me.
The use of geosynthetics-geotextiles, geomembranes, geosynthetics drainage composites, and geogrids-in construction for applications such as erosion control, road construction, soil stabilization, bridges, and liquid containment is growing.
There are approximately 50 companies in the U.S. and Canada making these types of products. In 2008, the use of geosynthetics grew at 5% in the U.S. and Canada to about 850 million square yards.
There is great optimism in the U.S. regarding the market for geosynthetics even during these times of economic turmoil. The recently passed economic stimulus plan includes the single largest new investment ever for repairing the U.S. infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway systems (”interstates”) in the 1950s and ’60s.
Normally, construction projects take years of planning before they are actually implemented but there is a popular term now used called “shovel ready.” Shovel ready means the actual construction projects are ready to start as soon as funding is allocated. So, the effects of the stimulus plan funding will be immediate for our industry.
This information is taken from the 2009 IFAI State of the Industry Report.

