Research and development at Victor concentrates on incremental improvements in sourcing, dye chemistry, weaving, and finishing. With R&D operations based on Continuous Improvement practices, the focus on recycled and sustainable fabrics emerged as a natural fit for the business. In fact, Victor’s Continuous Improvement system, which extends from R&D production, is based on widespread participation: staff and managers come up with ideas, which are then tested and implemented using Continuous Improvement methodologies.

In addition, Victor has an advanced development team, which is responsible for seeking out new ideas for discussion, brainstorming, and product or technology development.

Over the past three years, we’ve developed a new knit fabric platform for seating applications. Part of our proprietary program, the resulting line of fabrics is available to North American customers exclusively through our partnerships with furniture manufacturers.

The company’s product development process helps minimize business risk and time-to-market. Based on a 3-stage process, each seating or panel project must meet strict criteria before moving ahead, shifting development time to the beginning of the process and enhancing quality of execution. During each stage, cross-functional teams execute defined concurrent activities based on our Eco Intelligence Initiatives and industry best practices.

Production at Victor is optimized for quality and growing sustainability. In pre-production, the Victor quality control lab fully inspects raw materials. Before shipping and packaging, yarn and fabric dye lots are inspected for consistency, and all products must meet or exceed industry standards for abrasion, fire retardance, color-fastness, and other properties. In addition, a Kanban electronic inventory control system manages the supply chain, so production never falters because of material shortages.

Through lean manufacturing practices, we’ve reduced waste in materials and time: raw material rejects, inventories, time and motion on the floor, overproduction, finished product rejects, and more. The result for Victor clients: better quality seating and panel textiles, delivered faster.

Other sustainable business practices include the following:

• Manufacturing processes that save natural resources
• Dyestuff and filtration technologies that protect water quality
• Seating and panel fabrics designed for recycling
• Plants powered by renewable energy
• Facilities that meet and exceed ISO 14001 standards
• Active association memberships to improve skills and participate in the next generation of sustainable business practices: US Green Building, BIFMA (supply chain and sustainability committees), ACT (sustainable design and education committees)