Have you ever looked at the inside of your garments? Or wondered about the trim? How about its drape? Or perhaps, its safety features?
Delving into the details so that end users can look their best has been the business of Block Bindings & Interlinings since 1924. Founded that year by Jonas Block, the company began life as a small family business. Today, it is one of the largest suppliers of trimmings across Canada.
In the 100 years since its inception – Block Bindings is in the midst of its centennial – the company has seen many changes, expanded market share, acquired businesses and adapted to an ever evolving landscape.
Few companies achieve such a milestone. How did they do it? The Pulse reached out to Block Bindings president Allan Rais, to get its backstory, and the answers.
Previously known as Fabric Bindings, the company’s main focus in the beginning was on bias binding and waistbands for men’s clothing. Biasing operations were done manually. Each piece was hand-cut on a bias, and sheets were then sewn together and pressed. Of course, much has changed since then. The process is now fully automated
Uniforms started to play a more prominent role in the business model during World War 2, and continued throughout the decades. By the 1980s, the marketplace was changing, and in 1987, Fabric Bindings became known by its current moniker. “When I joined the company in 1988 as sales manager, the product offering had reached all of our potential clients,” Allan recalled. “I saw a need in the market for interlinings which would allow us to grow our existing clientele and reach out to clients that we had never supplied to previously.”
The product expansion included becoming an authorized distributor of 3M Scotchlite™ reflective materials. Allan says that when they started as a 3M converter, companies were looking for better wash results, especially for coveralls used in the oil and gas sector. “We started by sewing a 3M Scotchlite reflective on grosgrain ribbon which was much more IL- wash friendly than what people had previously used.”
Customers soon started to ask for a flame resistant version, which led to the development of Firetrim X, an inherently FR fabric cut and folded to size with 3M Scotchlite sewn on top. The product was a hit, quickly becoming a top seller. Soon after, Block developed a narrow woven tape made of the same yarn and 3M came out with a laminated FR/IL reflective. This allowed them to laminate instead of sewing. These developments revolutionized the world of FR/IL reflective tape, making sewing easier and providing a smooth finish.
A different revolution occurred in 2020 when the pandemic upended many businesses, including Block Bindings. After a mandated shutdown, a customer received a government contract to produce hospital gowns, enabling Block to reopen. “We started by supplying bias binding with our fabrics and then kept adding products as more domestic manufacturers got involved with medical gowns and masks,” Allan noted. “We started to supply gown cuffs and switched our weaving machines from hi-vis ribbon to 3/8” natural twill tape for gown ties. This kept the entire staff working for the duration of the pandemic.”
The business continued to evolve with the acquisition in 2021 of waistband manufacturer MSB Prestige. That same year, Block Bindings completed the purchase of Interforme Interlinings, a producer of chest pieces, coat fronts and sleeveheads principally for the men’s clothing and uniform industries.
And they’ve rounded out their offering of reflective products by introducing two new products in their graphics department. Topgrade FR is a UL certified heat transfer that can be used as either an emblem or a label. “It can be IL washed to 100 cycles and the print still looks like new,” Rais noted. The second item, called Sun-safe, is a heat transfer for hi-vis garments that enhances garment safety by providing a visual indicator for when a garment needs to be replaced.
While product innovation and adaptability are contributing factors to the company’s longevity, so too, is its culture. “We take a very hands-on approach to teaching and sharing acquired knowledge throughout the company,” Allan said. That includes bringing in a new generation of potential leaders. Allan’s son, Jason, has been with the company for eight years and is a key person on the management team.
Rais is heartened by all the new blood he sees coming into the industry, and believes it bodes well for Block Bindings and the entire sector. “It’s imperative to be able to learn from everyone around you, including employees. New ideas can come from anywhere.”
You can learn more about Block Bindings & Interlinings here.
