Price plays key role in interior fabrics

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Holly O’Dell Although it’s not always the determining factor, price will play a key role in interior fabrics going forward. “Price pressure will continue on the commodity fabrics that are frequently copied in Asia and sold under market prices in the U.S.,” says Chris Duerk…
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Bridging the gap with a redesigned bridge enclosure

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Sigrid Tornquist When Keith Purves’ clients approached him to refit a trawler with a new bridge enclosure, he immediately began interviewing the clients regarding how they used the boat. The existing bridge enclosure basically only gave protection at the helm, which left several seats towar…
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Specialty Fabrics Review interviews Keith Purves, MFC, owner of Riverside Covers

January 1, 1970  |  News

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist What has been the biggest turning point to date for your business? About five years ago when my wife Tammy came on board she started computerizing our records and billing procedures. Less than a year ago she launched our website. We’re one of the only custom canva…
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Rules of banking

January 1, 1970  |  News

Don’t deposit operating funds into a savings account Consider Certificates of Deposit (CDs) as a place to stash cash Never allow maturing CDs to roll over automatically Shop around before you sign Ditch the ATM card Prepare for meeting with a bank loan officer with: Financial statements for yo…
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The perfect customer

January 1, 1970  |  News

We asked equipment manufacturers to describe their perfect customer. By Holly O’Dell The perfect customer… …is open to new ideas and the benefits they can bring to the bottom line. No one likes changing the way they do things—if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. It go…
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What to consider when buying equipment

January 1, 1970  |  News

Thinking about buying equipment? These manufacturers recommend that you start by considering some important questions. Eric Walton, Custom Canvas Alaska Do you have the need or will you have the need? Do you have the space? Is the price right? Will the equipment open new markets? Tim Searfoss, Roll-…
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Comparing new and used equipment

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Janice Kleinschmidt Reasons to buy used “I would be willing to purchase a plotter and cutter and racking system used, mainly because the tool heads are replaceable,” says Tim Robinson, American Fabric Filter. “If it’s from a good company, I don’t see where years of u…
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Print specs

January 1, 1970  |  News

When choosing a printer, consider this. Fabric What fabrics do you need to print on? For polyester, dye sublimation is the usual rout. If the fabrics are stretchable, the deciding factor is how the fabric is transported through the printer without stretching it. Shop size For a small print shop inte…
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Incentives make capital investments more affordable

January 1, 1970  |  News

Bonus depreciation The percentage has increased from 50 percent to 100 percent for qualifying property placed in service after September 8, 2010, and before January 12, 2012. Layering opportunity In addition to federal tax write-offs that help reduce the cost of capital investments, many businesses …
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Entrance canopy stretched to fit

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Sigrid Tornquist The St. Louis Children’s Hospital entrance canopy project Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures Inc. installed in 2002 stretched the company’s capabilities in many ways, says president Jerry Grimaud. The hospital brought the concept of a butterfly design to Grimaud s…
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