SBA announces funding opportunity through the State Trade Expansion Program 2020

Feb. 7, 2020  |  Management

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the opening of the submission period for a funding opportunity through the State Trade Expansion Program. The purpose of the grant opportunity is to invite proposals for funding from eligible state entities interested in and capable of provi…
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Before selling, determine the true value of your company

Jan. 1, 2020  |  Business

By Larry Oxenham Succession planning can be a tricky matter, especially if you’re passing your business on to a family member. Sometimes keeping it in the family is viable, but not in every case. If it comes time to sell the business instead, you should be armed with some strategies for getting wh…
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Levi Strauss & Co. and Hohenstein collaborate to bring safer chemicals to the apparel industry

Nov. 19, 2019  |  Business, Company News, News

Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) and Hohenstein have announced a collaboration to utilize the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification system in the LS&Co. supply chain. This will amplify the capabilities of the Screened Chemistry program developed by LS&Co., helping establish a clearer p…
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Customer service is king

Nov. 1, 2019  |  Business

Strategic service makes your company memorable.  By Randy Westlund We live in a constantly connected culture of instant gratification. We want what we want and we want it right now—with no delays. Between instant messaging, next-day delivery and online services available 24/7, the marketplace…
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Tax laws can help with startups and expansions

Sep. 1, 2019  |  Business

Tax laws can help or hurt new and expanding businesses. By Mark E. Battersby In today’s economy, it’s not unusual for an existing fabrication business to branch out, or for the owner or self-employed canvas professional to start another business in the same or a different field. Few realize, how…
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Common mistakes cost more than you think

Jul. 1, 2019  |  Business

There’s a high cost to being too busy to get work done. By Randy Westlund I was consulting for the owners of a company recently. They’d worked hard last year. They did a record number of jobs. They even had to hire two installers and a welder to get it all done. But at the end … <div…
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OFPANZ annual conference, July 25-27, New Zealand

May. 22, 2019  |  Industry News, Management, News

The Outdoor Fabric Products Association of New Zealand (OFPANZ) will hold its 2019 Annual Conference at the Napier War Memorial Conference Center in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, on July 25-27. The conference will bring together a diverse range of speakers and workshops, offering a variety of educ…
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Merger of Academy Awning and Zebra Awning announced

May. 1, 2019  |  Business

Academy Awning Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., and Zebra Awning, San Francisco, Calif., have merged. Michael Spear, owner of Zebra Awning, a San Francisco fixture since the mid-1980s, will continue in the role of Northern California representative for the corporation. Michael Richman and Jim Richman, own…
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Are you ready for the new digital future?

May. 1, 2019  |  Business

Industrial Revolution 4.0 is here. by Connie Huffa Humans were born to learn and innovate. By nature, we constantly define, measure, analyze, improve and control our environments. Whether we know it or not, by wanting the latest and greatest we are changing not only how we make and buy things, but h…
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Women in Textiles Summit 2019

Mar. 27, 2019  |  Industry News, Management

Women leaders in textile industry share expertise—and encouragement More women than ever now own textile companies, and IFAI’s recent Women in Textiles Summit brought together many of these business leaders to share their unique expertise within a highly specialized industry. This year’s inaug…
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