No guessing game

March 1, 2014  |  Management

Getting good at estimating taxes. By Mark E. Battersby It will come as no surprise to anyone that Uncle Sam wants taxes paid in full during the course of the year. Avoiding the penalties associated with guessing wrong about estimated tax payments is easy—with some preparation. Any person, and …
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Positively powerful

March 1, 2014  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Industry News, Management, Perspective

Kisha Moldovan builds relationships with sincerity and enthusiasm to boost business and advance the industry. “I don’t think about other awning companies as competition or in any way as a negative, because the more people who are spreading the word about awnings, the more we all have an opportun…
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Smart—and comfortable—clothes

February 1, 2014  |  Advanced Textiles, Business, Features

Wearable technology requires pairing reliable functionality with a comfortable garment. What if a person’s heart rate, respiration and body mechanics could be monitored during various activities without being observed in person or via video feeds? What if that data could be collected and evaluated…
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Going to extremes

February 1, 2014  |  Business, Features, Markets

Despite worldwide climate issues, fabric structures meet the environmental challenges. News of a 100-year “polar vortex” in the U.S. midwestern states, increasing tsunami destruction in the Caribbean and coastal Japan, typhoons in Southeast Asia—one could begin to believe that “extreme clima…
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Making an artful dodger

February 1, 2014  |  Management, Marine

Jason Iverson’s approach is anything but business as usual. Jason Iverson is passionate about his business. It’s obvious when he talks about the details of his designs and how he works with his customers. He has been able to combine two of his passions—product design and sailing—to launch Iv…
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The failsafe questions

February 1, 2014  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Industry News, Management, Perspective

John Conroy ensures project success by asking the right questions. “We design projects by thinking about how they could fail,” says John Conroy, owner of House of Canvas, Ottawa, Ont., Canada. “By considering all the things that could possibly go wrong, before even starting the project, we min…
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Stay warm, keep cool

January 1, 2014  |  Business

Novel temperature-regulating, bi-component fibers in garments can maintain the balance between heat loss and heat generated. By Bengt Hagström Thermal comfort is dependent upon both environmental and individual factors and is influenced by the core and skin temperatures of the body. The the…
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Vinyl matters

January 1, 2014  |  Awnings & Canopies, Business, Fabric Structures, Features

What fabric manufacturers know about PVC fabrics that you should know, too. Many businesses in the industrial fabrics industry (Seaman Corp. among them) have shown consistent growth over decades by developing cost-effective, high-performance products that utilize vinyl—a polymer used safely and su…
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The important role of credit

January 1, 2014  |  Management

Why you need to establish and protect your business credit. By William J. Lynott In the specialty fabrics industry, credit used wisely can be a profitable friend; credit used carelessly can be a destructive enemy. When your business has an excellent credit score, you are likely to be offered the mos…
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Solutions in motion

January 1, 2014  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Marketing, Perspective, Tents

 “Make your customers remember you. Make them laugh—but don’t be a salesman,” says Andy Moon, CEO of Baraboo Tent & Awning, Baraboo, Wis. “It’s your presence that makes an impression. Be a problem solver and help your customers out.” Moon grew up in and around the custom awning, c…
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