Keith Purves customizes tools to streamline projects

August 1, 2011  |  Features, Management, Marine, Perspective

By Sigrid Tornquist “It’s usually after I’ve banged my head a few times when facing a problem that I think: There’s got to be an easier way,” says Keith Purves, MFC, owner of Riverside Covers in Ft. Myers, Fla. “And then I just try it.” About five years ago Purves and his wife took ove…
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Profiting from strategic alliances

August 1, 2011  |  Features, Management

Expanding possibilities—and profitability—through strategic alliances. By Jamie Swedberg A great many companies in the specialty fabrics industry are small businesses. Two people, 10 people, 50 people—they can only do so much in a day. Crosslink, a materials development company bas…
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Invigorate email marketing with social media

August 1, 2011  |  Marketing

Each effort should include an element of the other. By Joe Dysart Specialty fabrics businesses trying to get a handle on social media as a promotional tool have found one easy solution: simply integrate the medium into existing email marketing programs. For some, this fusion of social media and emai…
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The right tools

July 1, 2011  |  Business, Features

Running an efficient operation means asking the right questions—and securing the right equipment to help you answer them. By Galynn Nordstrom & Sigrid Tornquist For thousands of years, our tools have defined our progress. When they’re well designed and specifically matched to the tas…
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Tools for setting up shop

July 1, 2011  |  Business, Features

End product manufacturers offer insight about the equipment and tools that got them this far—and where they want to go next. By Janice Kleinschmidt Custom Canvas Alaska LLC set up shop in 2005 with a sewing machine, computer and file cabinet. Then they built a workbench and racks and installed…
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The development of new and improved equipment

July 1, 2011  |  Business, Features

Key factors driving the development—and sales—of new equipment for specialty fabrics manufacturers. Whether fabricators are finishing an awning or designing a banner, they have to choose from a plethora of equipment to get the job done. Representatives from four major equipment manufacturing cat…
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Jerry Grimaud stays ahead of the game

July 1, 2011  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective

Jerry Grimaud risks changing products and policies based on market trends. By Sigrid Tornquist Today’s business challenges are different than they were four years ago,” says Jerry Grimaud, president of Lawrence Fabric & Metal Structures Inc. in St. Louis, Mo. “The market is tight, with sma…
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Affordable capital investments

July 1, 2011  |  Management

The combined use of incentives and bonus depreciation can make capital investments much more affordable. By Mark E. Battersby Thanks to the 100 percent bonus depreciation write-offs created by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, many specialty fabrics…
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Driving the future of fabric structures

June 1, 2011  |  Business, Fabric Structures, Features

Today’s advanced technologies will drive the future of fabric structures. By Blaine Brownell Fabric is one of the oldest materials humans have used for shelter; it remains an important material with diverse applications in design and construction today, and it will play an even more important …
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David Nickerson encourages industry guidelines

June 1, 2011  |  Fabric Structures, Features, Management, Perspective

David Nickerson applies high standards to building fabric structures and encourages industry players to set collective guidelines. By Sigrid Tornquist “At the end of the day, I want to be able to look myself in the mirror,” says David Nickerson, president of Rubb Inc. in Sanford, Maine. “And t…
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