Global expansion

May 1, 2014  |  Features, Marketing

Practical advice from an expert on how to get started selling your products and services internationally. By James Chan, Ph.D You don’t have to be a big company to do business internationally. What you need to succeed are high-quality, niche products or services, management commitment and good…
Tent safety in severe weather

April 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Business

Storm safety and evacuation is a matter of planning, preparation and communication. Weather is a way of life in the tent rental and event industry. We are the “rain or shine” people. Tent and structure professionals deliver a finished product when most other people have decided it’s too hot, c…
Textiles and trade

April 1, 2014  |  Business

NCTO supports Textile Enforcement and Security Act (TESA), Yarn-Forward rule. The Yarn-Forward Rule spurs investment in the U.S. textile industry, according to information from the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO). The U.S. textile industry has seen a surge in foreign direct investme…
Cut-to-fit belts for frequent flyers

April 1, 2014  |  Business

StarBelt Collections, manufactured by WeatherTech®, Bollingbrook, Ill., assures all potential customers that the colorful thermoplastic polyolefin and elastomer StarBelts are completely recyclable and “vegan.” These may not be the biggest market advantages StarBelt offers in its comp…
Award-winning geosynthetics

April 1, 2014  |  Business

Two IAA-winning projects demonstrate the benefits of geotextile tubes for marine engineering. Award of Excellence TenCate Geosynthetics, Pendergrass, Ga., USA The Embraport Container and Bulk Liquid Terminal was permitted for construction on the north shore of the port of Santos, Brazil, estuary in …
Seven steps to success

April 1, 2014  |  Features, Management, Perspective

A professional shares his formula for improved sales and customer relationships that last. By Bill Foster There is certainly no lack of advice on how to increase your sales success. Books and seminars can be counted by the hundreds, and many of these are quite good. Firsthand experience working for …
Sharp focus, broad impact

April 1, 2014  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective

Hal Lapping tightens his company’s focus to make quality products affordable. We remain focused on our core products, and because we stay focused we offer the best quality products at the most competitive prices,” says Hal Lapping, president of Economy Tent Intl. (an Anchor company), Miami. Fla.…
The energy around us

March 1, 2014  |  Business

Energy harvesting researcher Dr. Shashank Priya, Virginia Tech, responds to questions about the status of kinetic energy harvesting technology. What is your assessment of the commercial viability of kinetic energy harvesting? Kinetic energy harvesting prototypes have been demonstrated by several res…
Surfing banners catch the upcycle wave

March 1, 2014  |  Business, Industry News

Reef, a Carlsbad, Calif., manufacturer of sandals and surfing wear, sponsors the annual Reef Hawaiian Pro surfing competition, bringing surfing fanatics from around the globe to the first stop on the Vans Triple Crown of surfing. Vinyl banners from this and other sponsored events once ended up in la…
OEKO-TEX sustainability tracking tool

March 1, 2014  |  Business, Industry News

Textile companies have a new option to have production plants independently evaluated and certified as using sustainable technologies and social working conditions. “STeP by OEKO-TEX®” certification helps brand providers, manufacturers and retailers select textile companies that meet…