Fabric Training Document_FINAL_020708.pdf - KI.com

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KI INGRADE FABRIC PROGRAM TRAININGI. INTRO TO THE PROGRAMSince the last introduction of a KI in-grade fabric program, there has been a significant shift in contractmaterials for both seating and vertical applications – materials, colors, patterns. The in-grade programbegan to look dated, especially when compared to the refreshed surface materials program. Toprovide a complementary selection of fabrics and finishes, KI began researching and refining a new ingradeoffering.The materials used in the program are crisp and clean, often a fresh version of a classic such as crepe.Ushered into contract seating in the 1980s and onto vertical surfaces the following decade, crepe hasbecome a staple of this market. Crepes upholster beautifully, accept color well and can look eithertailored or textural.The color palette is brighter, cleaner and warmer than the previous offering, which looks heavy, darkand rough in comparison. As mentioned, KI positioned its color palette through the surface materials,which will allow customers and specifiers to coordinate fabrics with finishes.Some patterns and textures are re-emerging in different forms. For example, the texture of Cahootskeeps with today's direction, but the colors are no longer fresh. In these cases, KI selected patternssimilar in scope that were offered in a fresh palette.The supply chain was also evaluated as the textiles industry experienced some turmoil recently. Eachsource of supply is reliable and can meet the high expectations of KI and its customers.The result is a new fabric in-grade program that parallels the surface materials palette as well ascoordinates, correlates and builds for the future. With improved sampling and Web-based tools suchas See It…Spec It, KI is making it easier for customers to do business with KI.With the launch of this program, you will also notice a different approach to updating surface materials.In the past, the industry typically introduced surface materials using a “big bang” theory, offering awholesale conversion once every several years. KI is advancing from this common industry practice toone of continuous introductions. That is, you will see updates and improvements to the surfacematerial line on a regular basis. This shift allows several advantages:• More timely releases in response to new trends and material availability• Quicker retiring of dated selections• An ongoing improved balance between classics and trends in color, patterns and materials• An improved ongoing integration with all surface materials as the strategy moves frominfrequent major changes to continuous introductions• Better flexibility, response and support from the supply chainPage 2 of 20
KI INGRADE FABRIC PROGRAM TRAININGII. MIGRATIONThe new in-grade fabric program is not designed to be an exact replacement for the former program.However, there are “best suggestions” for those customers who want a fabric that closely matches orcomplements a previous order.The surface materials team developed migration charts under the theory that when possible, the chartsoffer a “best suggestion” for a new fabric that holds the same place (looks the most similar) in a roomas the former fabric.Sometimes, there are numerous alternate choices given, sometimes just a few. The various optionsmay offer similar color choices, but a range of textures. Or, the choices may capture a diverse aspectof the discontinued fabric. In most instances, substitutions are made within the same grade.In some cases, there are no best suggestions or even a good alternative, because the former fabricswere outdated and the team did not want a new fabric that appeared outdated.Page 3 of 20
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Fabric Training Document_FINAL_020708.pdf - KI.com

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