Momentum Monthly - Issue 1 - August

MOMENTUM MONTHLY

Issue 01

AUGUST

2025

HERE’S WHAT’S INSIDE:

PAGE 2 KAREN WEHNER’S 40 MOMENTOUS YEARS

PAGE 4 GREENSBORO GOES TO BAT

PAGE 6 ENERGY-SAVING SOLUTIONS

Woven In: Karen Wehner’s 40 Momentous Years

Karen’s appreciation her for the Momentum community is overflowing and she would love to stay in touch. She finally has a personal email account for the first time in 40 years! Feel free to send her well wishes at wehnerk63@gmail.com.

03 I think it has to be Sheila Hicks because I’m a textile geek and her beautiful, intricate, ginormous artworks that are in major museums around the world are stunning. Do you have a favorite Momentum collaboration?

06 It’s going be a big exhale. I’m not quite sure yet how I go from 70 miles an hour by choice and in love with my work to, I don’t know, three miles an hour? But I’m looking forward to spending more time with my 92 year old mother, my husband, my dog. I love to cook and garden and sew, and so I look forward to filling every day with spiritual activity, physical activity, creative activity, and having that time to exhale and heal as I continue to battle Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. My health and wellness is really what precipitated the decision to retire. So I’m going to find joy in different ways and reinvent myself. I have a lot of interests and maybe I’ll join some clubs and do some activities that I would normally never have the time to do. I live in nature. I love nature. There’s a whole new horizon for me so let go and let God. Trusting in new possibilities is really my motto. I mentor a couple of other Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer patients through Imerman Angels, an organization based in Chicago, and it’s really important to me. Momentum’s culture of community service involvement has been a key reason I’ve loved my career. I’m also finding other ways that I can help in my own community, whether it’s with cancer organizations or making quilts for the homeless. It’s been an amazing, amazing career. I really have had so much opportunity to meet and collaborate with the most wonderful creative people. I’ve traveled so many places in my career with my different roles of being in sales leadership or working with our correctional industries market to go to trade shows. And I’ve always been a traveler. I love learning about a city’s culture and international culture and how people choose to live their life in certain places versus other places. So it’s given me so much opportunity for fulfillment and ways to give back that I’ll always have a heart for Momentum and Momentum alone. How do you plan to spend your retirement?

Do you have a favorite story from your time here that sticks in your memory?

It was love at first sight for Karen in 1984 when a couple visiting sales managers from Momentum rolled out a mill blanket filled with vibrant warp and weft yarns while in her Style Club in the home economics department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. As a self-proclaimed textile geek, this sight made her heart race and something clicked. “This is what I want to do,” she thought, “this is the company I want to work for.” That same day, she called her parents and her boyfriend (now her husband of nearly 40 years) and declared “I found the company I’m going to work for today.” She was only a junior so the team told her to come back next year, and that’s exactly what she did. Karen landed her first role as sales trainee in 1985, and within a year, she had gained experience in purchasing and stepped into a full sales role covering Orange County and San Diego. That was only the beginning. In 40 years, Karen has watched and helped Momentum evolve from a small regional residential textile company to a national leader in contract textiles and wallcovering. She pioneered states, such as Florida and Georgia, and covered territories including Arizona, Boise, and Honolulu. She also helped grow the correctional industries business. While there has always been great challenge, there has also been great reward.

It was actually my first day of work on July 1, 1985. I show up to our office in Cerritos, California dressed in my 80s power suit ready to learn, grow, succeed. And I walked into the office to be introduced to my supervisor and the air conditioning was out. And I thought, “huh, did I make a good choice? What kind of rinky-dink company is this? Their aircon doesn’t work!” So I just never forgot that. It makes me laugh hysterically because there I am ready to conquer the world, new hire, ready to go, and then walk in and everybody’s wearing their shorts and t-shirts.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?

05 I think it’s about digging in and doing the work. Really using your talents to meet the requirements of the role you’re in and identifying where your talents can take you within the organization. Doing the work day in and day out. Driving for excellence, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps if you need to. Learning can be a challenge because often times for new people or new roles there’s a lot of learning that needs to be done. So it’s about being committed to doing the work and bringing excellence to what you do. What advice would you give to someone starting career? customers, just being kind. I think that’s always been the thread of our culture is to treat other people the way you want to be treated and bring a great deal of empathy to our interactions with each other. It really is the root of our culture to treat others the way you want to be treated. And that sums it up for me in simple words. You never know what other people are walking in. So bringing that to all our interactions, whether it’s with eachother as employees or our internal customers or our external

What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry or at Momentum over the years?

Karen eventually hit a personal milestone: $2 million in textile sales in a single year. After conquering her sales role, she became the Director of Western Sales for the last 10.5 years. It’s been a natural fit, allowing her to do what she loves: coaching and mentoring others. “I found a very personal connection to our culture and my ethics and values, and I simply never thought the grass would be greener somewhere else.” When asked why she chose to stay at Momentum for 40 years, Karen said “culture” without missing a beat. Even as a small regional company, the foundation of the culture was well established by the executive leadership team. She felt connected, inspired, and proud to be part of the growing business. In many ways, she’s grown up here, and the culture shaped her just as much as she helped shape it. What an incredible journey.

Oh gosh, so, so many, because I’ve had such a long career within our company growing from being that small regional residential company to contract textiles and then growing the business to be a national entity. There certainly has been a lot of change there, but contract textiles at first were pretty darn basic, kind of ugly, actually. And I look back and I think, “how did I make a living selling some of that stuff?” It was pretty ugly. It was a less sophisticated industry, but we’ve always been developing our brand. And I think seeing the amazing collaborations we’ve had with artists like Sheila Hicks, Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, Shantell Martin, and Rebecca Moses, increased the level of sophistication and our products just kept rising and rising and rising. And the quality of the personnel we have on our team, whether it’s from the marketing department, our sales team, all of our other workgroups that support us in the warehouse, we’ve got amazing people.

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Community Thread

Settle into Stillness: NeoCon 2025

On June 28, the Greensboro team, along with spouses and immediate family, took over Section 101 at the High Point Rockers game! The picnic area buzzed as they enjoyed stadium favorites including hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and soda. With their seats right along the field, they were even close enough for most of the kids to snag a foul ball. The Rockers defeated the Lancaster Stormers with a thrilling 5-3 win. Next up, they’re bringing the flavor to the warehouse with an end-of-summer taco truck lunch. And to round out the year, they’re planning their end-of-year celebration at Top Golf, which is always a hit among the group! GREENSBORO GOES TO BAT

NeoCon 2025 was a show to never forget. We relaxed, listened, and exhaled. We discovered that in the presence of nature, we are more present.

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Benefits Wallet

7,125 Showroom Leads 14% increase from 2024

Healthcare Concierge

Rx Savings Review

STRIKES & STORIES IN NEW CASTLE

Appointment Booking

The New Castle team enjoyed a bowling night out, where Brian Butler, our in-house pro, won the first round and even scored a “turkey” (three strikes in a row!). Suzette McIntosh bowled her highest score ever in round two with a 148, while the running joke of the night was Chandra Carter throwing a gutter ball in nearly every frame—she’ll get ‘em next time! They caught up on life and shared grandbaby photos over pizza and some seriously amazing breadsticks and cheese sauce, an Indiana classic. More than the strikes, they loved reconnecting and soaking up some of that in-person magic. HSA/FSA Support Provider Recommendations

38 Alliance Showrooms with Momentum Product Becloud - Chicory shown at Global Furniture Group’s Showroom

266 Attendees: Peak Occupancy on Monday at 4:03pm

7 Awards Won BON Innovation

HR HUB

Renaturation Collection BON Business Impact Renaturation Collection BON Sustainability Better by Nature Collection BON Silver Idyllwild Collection HiP Renaturation Collection HiP Rebecca Moses Collection HiP Frattini Collection

Scan the QR code to download HealthJoy today!

697 Renaturation Collection Wallcovering Samples Ordered

HEALTHCARE MADE EASY HealthJoy is your all-in-one healthcare app that makes benefits easy to access, navigate, and afford. From finding in-network providers to saving on prescriptions and getting 24/7 support from benefits experts, HealthJoy helps you get the care you need. Welcome to HealthJoy HealthJoy helps make your healthcare & wellness easier Welcome to HealthJoy HealthJoy helps make your healthcare & wellness easier Welcome to HealthJoy HealthJoy helps make your healthcare & wellness easier HealthJoy HealthJoy helps make your healthcare & wellness easier Scan the QR code to download HealthJoy today!

DON’T WAIT, HYDRATE WELLNESS CHALLENGE Challenge Dates: July 21 - August 17 Track at least 48oz of water intake for 20 out of the 28 days. Let’s stay energized and refreshed together this summer!

IRVINE SUMMER EVENT When: August 9, 11am-3pm Where: Boomers Irvine Amusement Park Join the Irvine team for a group activity, lunch, and unlimited rides, bumper boats, laser tag, go cars, and mini golf!

46 Clips for NeoCon/ Showroom-Specific Press Coverage

WGSN Trending Materials: Energy-Saving Solutions 01

Industry Intel: Where Trends and Insights Intersect

Plant-Based Innovation Lower emissions during manufacturing by choosing biomaterials that are technically comparable to their fossil-based counterparts. A wall-hung table by Studio Tooj (Sweden) and MycoWorks (US) highlights new uses for Reishi, a mycelium-based biomaterial, which is expanding into wall and floor finishes.

Go-To Brands by Vertical Market 04 Performance Fabric Brand Evaluation Go-To Brands by Vertical Market 04 Performance Fabric Brand Evaluation

COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL

Strategic Cooling Identify how materials absorb, store, and release heat using thermal modelling to design with improved thermal efficiency. Accoya – pine wood modified with acetic acid to enhance its resilience – is used for the Jalis-solar shading panels by SJK Architects (India).

HEALTHCARE COMMERCIAL

Performance Fabric Brand Evaluation

EDUCATION

OUTDOOR

CORPORATE

HOSPITALITY

EDUCATION

OUTDOOR

CORPORATE

HOSPITALITY

HEALTHCARE

Go-To Brands by Vertical Market

1. Sunbrella 2. Momentum & Carnegie 3. Perennials 4. Maharam 5. Designtex 3. Perennials 4. Maharam 5. Designtex

1. Momentum 2. Maharam 3. Designtex 4. Carnegie 5. CF Stinson

1. Momentum 2. CF Stinson 3. Designtex 4. Mayer 5. Maharam

1. Momentum 2. CF Stinson 3. Designtex 4. Maharam 5. Architex

1. Momentum 2. Maharam 3. Architex 4. Wolf Gordon 5. Designtex

1. Sunbrella 2. Momentum & Carnegie

1. Momentum 2. Maharam 3. Designtex 4. Carnegie 5. CF Stinson

1. Momentum 2. CF Stinson 3. Designtex 4. Mayer 5. Maharam

1. Momentum 2. CF Stinson 3. Designtex 4. Maharam 5. Architex

1. Momentum 2. Maharam 3. Architex 4. Wolf Gordon 5. Designtex

Most __________ Brands 04 Performance Fabric Brand Evaluation

RESIDENTIAL

NON-LUXURY RESIDENTIAL

OUTDOOR

LUXURY

OUTDOOR

LUXURY

NON-LUXURY

Note: Question was unprompted. Survey respondents wrote in their favored brands rather than selecting from a predetermined list of options. HAND/TACTILE QUALITY 1. Momentum 2. Maharam 3. CF Stinson 4. Designtex 5. Architex

COMMERCIAL

Note: Question was unprompted. Survey respondents wrote in their favored brands rather than selecting from a predetermined list of options.

1. Perennials 2. Kravet ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

1. Kravet 2. Crypton 3. Sunbrella 4. Perennials 5. Fabricut

1. Sunbrella 2. Perennials 3. Kravet 4. Crypton & Fabricut QUALITY

Performance Fabric Brand Evaluation

3. Crypton 4. Thibaut 5. Schumacher & Co. 1. Perennials 2. Kravet

1. Kravet 2. Crypton 3. Sunbrella 4. Perennials 5. Fabricut

1. Momentum 2. Maharam 3. Designtex 4. Carnegie 5. CF Stinson 1. Sunbrella 2. Perennials 3. Kravet 4. Crypton & Fabricut

DESIGN DRIVEN

VALUE FOR THE $ BREADTH OF LINE

Solar Control Explore heat-activated window treatments and UV-reactive pigments to create dynamic effects while reducing energy costs.

3. Crypton 4. Thibaut 5. Schumacher & Co.

Most

Brands

1. Momentum 2. Maharam 3. Designtex 4. Architex 5. CF Stinson

1. Momentum 2. Carnegie 3. Designtex 4. Maharam 5. CF Stinson

1. Momentum 2. CF Stinson 3. Designtex 4. ArcCom 5. Maharam

1. Momentum 2. Designtex 3. Maharam 4. CF Stinson 5. Architex

Ecco Leather (Netherlands) has developed the Fourth Dimension collection that changes colour in response to UV light.

RESIDENTIAL

1. Perennials 2. Kravet 3. Crypton & Thibaut 4. Sunbrella

1. Perennials 2. Kravet 3. Sunbrella 4. Crypton & Thibaut 5. Pollack

1. I’m not sure 2. Sunbrella 3. Kravet 4. Perennials 5. Carnegie

1. Kravet 2. Sunbrella 3. Crypton 4. JF Fabrics 5. Pindler

1. Kravet 2. Perennials 3. Sunbrella 4. Crypton 5. Fabricut &

1. Perennials 2. Kravet 3. Sunbrella 4. Thibaut 5. Schumacher & Co.

Great Outdoors THINKLAB PRODUCT CATEGORY BENCHMARK STUDY 2025 ThinkLab collects proprietary survey data from more than 275 respondents across the country, and their goal is to benchmark the evolution of this category to help their partner brands keep a finger on the pulse of the market. Momentum has officially taken the top spot across 4 out of 5 key verticals, including a new Outdoor category. We’ve climbed the ranks from #3 to #1 in Corporate, from #2 to #1 in Hospitality, and made a huge leap in Design Driven. This steady rise is the result of consistent, creative, and strategic work from all corners of our team. We continue to not only get ahead of trends, but set them. And there’s always more greatness ahead! Note: Question was unprompted. Survey respondents wrote in their favored brands rather than selecting from a predetermined list of options.

Material Optimization Look to natural structures like bones, shells and cellular structures to optimise materials and fabrication processes. Crafting Plastics (Slovakia) and Lexus (Japan) demonstrated Software Designed Vehicles, or parametric design. The structure is 3D printed in bio-based material, Nuatan.

Artful Insulation Reduce emissions by improving building insulation while embracing new aesthetics and emerging regenerative material options. Researchers at The University of Stuttgart (Germany) 3D-printed bio- based cellulose fibres into bi-layered structures inspired by pine cone scales.

MPS ACOUSTICS MAKES CUSTOMIZATION STANDARD SHADES, a custom program by MPS Acoustics, offers capabilites ranging from Pantone-matching and woodgrain effects to custom artwork. The team frequently collaborates on unconventional surface treatments, pushing the limits of acoustic PET through visual experimentation.

STINSON ACQUIRES ARC-COM Stinson, a provider of high-performance commercial textiles, acquires Arc-Com, a textile and wallcovering company, in July. As Stinson acquired Anzea in 2020, this acquisition unites all three brands and offers designers and specifiers an expanded library of textile and surface solutions.

SERGE FERRARI GROUP: SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION Serge Ferrari Group, a designer, developer, and manufacturer of composite fabrics, introduced Batyline Eden Life. Engineered for high-performance outdoor furniture and marine applications, Eden Life features a core yarn made from 100% recycled polyester and 50% recycled acrylic outer layer, making it durable, sustainable, and low maintenance.

Local and Lo-Fi Draw inspiration from vernacular architecture, local materials, and traditional skills to incorporate resilience into design. This window decal at the Soil exhibition, Somerset House (UK), is made from mud and offers a locally available, creative and sustainable alternative to vinyl.

AUGUST

2025

ACROSS

DOWN

Trademark for a polyester film made of metal sheeting, which can be applied to the decorative print of a wallcovering. Pure state of any color, without a tint or shade. Yarns running lengthwise in a loom or woven textile. Batch of textile fibers, yarns, or woven goods dyed in one production run. A type of intaglio printing process, which involves engraving the image onto an image carrier. Edges of a roll of material that are not intended as part of the design, used to protect the weave. In printing, an allowance of image that extends beyond the design outline or trim edge. Textile treatment that uses nanotechnology to permanently bond oil, liquid, and stain stain repellency to the structure of the fibers, while maintaining the fabric’s natural hand and breathability.

Technique of hanging wallcovering horizontally (side to side) rather than from ceiling to floor. Medium weight woven backing usually made from a blend of polyester and cotton, used for most Type II wallcoverings. Biodegradable performance vinyl for sustainable upholstery, breaking down 90% in 24 months, offering a durable, sustainable alternative to vinyl. Creates a pattern of tiny holes in the wall covering to make it more permeable. Short length of a textile made prior to production to verify design accuracy and adjust color. Novelty yarn with an irregular pattern of curls and loops, used to create a textile that exhibits a looped or knotted surface texture. A construction or device which reduces the strength (level) of airborne sound.

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Full of fresh, bright flavors, this sandwich combines creamy burrata, salty pesto, lemony zucchini, and peppery arugula tucked into a heavenly baguette. FROM OUR TABLE TO YOURS: BURRATA, PESTO, & ZUCCHINI SANDWICH

2 zucchini, sliced Juice of 1 lemon 1/4 cup of olive oil 1 baguette, halved 8 oz burrata cheese

1. In a large bowl, toss the zucchini in olive oil and lemon juice. 2. Preheat the grill or grill pan to high.

3. Rub each half of the bread with olive oil. Grill the bread, cut side down, for 3-5 minutes or until light grill marks appear. At the same time, grill the zucchini until softened, 3-4 minutes per side. 4. Working with the bottom piece of bread, drizzle with a couple spoonfuls of pesto, then layer on the zucchini, burrata, and arugula. Cut into 4-6 sandwiches.

1 cup arugula 1/2 cup pesto

ABOUT MOMENTUM MONTHLY Momentum Monthly is an internal newsletter that provides company and industry updates and offers discussion and inspiration about the following topics: HR news/holidays, industry dates/intel, product launch updates, Q&A with employees or industry leaders, WGSN trend reporting, helpful hints, book/song/podcast/recipe recommendations. Share feedback with us at momentummonthly@momtex.com.

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