Mobile software solutions keep you on site and on the job

June 1, 2013  |  Features, Industry News, Management, Markets

Enterprise mobility software is next generation, real-time supply chain integration. By John A Blasman Jr. The ongoing innovation and technology advancements of smartphones and tablets have given software solutions providers a natural opportunity to develop a new generation of Web-based enterprise m…
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Outstanding in the field: fabric finds a home on the range

June 1, 2013  |  Fabric Structures, Features, Industry News, Management

Agricultural operations are reaping the benefits of innovative structural solutions for crops, grain and livestock. By Janice Kleinschmidt Twenty years ago, the Calhoun family started another business on their beef farm: selling tarps for hay storage. Somewhere around 1996 or ’97, president Je…
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India approves 21 new textile parks

June 1, 2013  |  Industry News, Management, Markets

In a move to build capacity and employment in the textile sector, the Government of India has sanctioned 21 new textile parks. These parks are planned centers for textile production, and will include all facets of the industry, including spinning, weaving, knitting, processing and garment manufactur…
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Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations continue

June 1, 2013  |  Industry News, Management, Markets

Trade ministers in 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries charted a path to concluding negotiations in 2013—and allowing Japan to join the TPP negotiations in progress. The next round of talks is set for May 15-24, 2013, in Lima, Peru, and will include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, C…
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Starting a high-tech business?

May 29, 2013  |  Industry News, Management

Looking to start or grow your high-tech entrepreneurial venture? Need financing to help fund research and development (R & D) efforts and realize your business potential? The U.S. federal government may be able to help. In 2012, nearly 5,000 small businesses received more than $1.8 billion in fe…
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Making research pay off

May 1, 2013  |  Management, Markets

Looking for write-offs in all the right places. By Mark E. Battersby Few specialty fabric professionals seem to be aware that many of their business activities constitute “research” under current tax rules. Your business could be sitting on a lot of ignored or overlooked research and dev…
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Planning for the next generation: leadership transitions in family businesses

May 1, 2013  |  Features, Management, Markets

Keeping family businesses strong when the owners retire requires a long-term strategy and realistic planning. By Jamie Swedberg Evanston Awning Co., Evanston, Ill., is a family business currently being operated by its fourth and fifth generations. Edward Hunzinger Jr., MFC, is the president; his wif…
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Vocational education in Australia

May 1, 2013  |  Industry News, Management

Australia’s STA (formerly ACASPA) has received a sizeable grant for workforce development. By Chris Nolan Australia’s high dollar has pushed local labor costs to relatively high levels internationally, which has affected manufacturing competitiveness and led to industry pressure to modif…
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Cindy Boersema adapts to the unexpected—and succeeds

April 1, 2013  |  Features, Management, Marine, Perspective

Cindy Boersema takes an unexpected partnership dissolution and builds a sound sole proprietorship. By Sigrid Tornquist “I think the most significant lesson I’ve learned over the past couple of years is not to get too comfortable,” says Cindy Boersema, owner of The Nautical Needle in Holland, M…
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CREED Act extension introduced to bolster access to capital

April 1, 2013  |  Industry News, Management

U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.), chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, (D-N.H.), a senior member of the committee, have introduced legislation that would extend for five years a provision allowing small business owners to use Small Bu…
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