Specialty Fabrics Review interviews Ben Skoldeberg, co-founder and co-owner of Texas Sun & Shade

January 1, 1970  |  News

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist What is your industry prediction? The energy crisis and “green” movement will continue to create interest in our industry. More and more people will recognize the benefits of retractable awnings. What is your business philosophy? We want to be the company in…
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Skoldeberg provides retractable awnings year-round

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Sigrid Tornquist In Texas, the benefits of retractable awnings are evident year-round. To a degree, architects design passive solar houses—houses that require a minimum of energy for space heating or cooling. But in many homes in the southern United States, the position of the winter sun ca…
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Medical textiles must comply with medical industry regulations

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Holly O’Dell Compliance, like performance characteristics, is a vital consideration of medical textiles. First, a medical textile manufacturer needs to determine if a particular product is regulated by the FDA, which then has to approve the way in which a product is labeled. “That mea…
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Awnings used as signs to comply with city codes

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Janice Kleinschmidt When Blockbuster planned to open up shop in Santa Barbara, Calif., the tony coastal city objected to the video rental giant’s standard backlit awning. Steve Fredrickson, West Coast architectural market manager for France-based Ferrari Textiles, synopsizes the resulting e…
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Business plans help companies prepare for trade shows

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Galynn Nordstrom Before you pack up those lightweight suits, comfortable shoes and a bottle of something comforting for your hotel room, remember that in many respects you get out of a show what you put into it. Make some notes about what your objectives and your company’s needs are before …
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Specialty Fabrics Review interviews Cynthia Thompson, founder and owner of Transformit

January 1, 1970  |  News

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist What is your industry prediction? I think the concept of rental will become more popular instead of making more stuff for the planet. Hopefully, with fabric structures walking lightly on the earth, we will play a big part in change for the better. What is your best advi…
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Thompson joins Creative Economy initiative

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Sigrid Tornquist Thompson’s philosophy of “pursue art first and the money will follow,” and her success with that approach, is why Maine’s Gov. John Baldacci invited her to be on a steering committee for the “Creative Economy,” an initiative begun under Baldacc…
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Digital patterns offer security and save time

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Jamie Swedberg Atlantic Coast Canvas, Lexington, S.C., is an OEM manufacturer, so it does tend to make the same boat covers over and over. However, office administrator Debbie Van Newhouse says the company switched to digital patterns mainly for security, not for the time savings. “We have …
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Various colors and patterns add style to outdoor fabrics

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Janice Kleinschmidt If using an outdoor fabric indoors brings to mind a red-checked picnic tablecloth upholstered onto Queen Anne dining room chairs, you’re thinking inside a very strange box. It’s time to step outside and smell the colors. Gina Wicker of Glen Raven, which makes Sunbr…
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Resources help businesses become energy efficient

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Marc Hequet Find out more about making your business energy efficient: The U.S. Small Business Administration provides a free document, “The Small Business Guide to Energy Efficiency,” at this site: www.sba.gov or www.usa.gov/business. Energy Star, a collaboration between the U.S. Department …
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