Technologies meet demand for digitally printed fabric products

January 1, 2009  |  Business, Features, Graphics

As the digital fabric printing industry matures, the machines are faster, the inks are more vibrant, and the most important color in the spectrum is green. By Janice Kleinschmidt The marketing phrase “new and improved” has been slapped on every kind of product at one time or another, wit…
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Sales representatives take on a tough economy

January 1, 2009  |  Management, Marketing

Does an economy on the skids change anything for sales reps? Maybe—but remember the basics. It’s still about relationships. By Marc Hequet Sales is the lifeblood of any business. So—how’s your blood pressure? These are interesting times. With the economy on the skids, the job…
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Burak cuts labor costs to improve business

January 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Ed Burak improves the bottom line by shaving time off labor costs. By Sigrid Tornquist “The greatest expense for our business is the labor—shaving time off labor is key to our success,” says Ed Burak, president of Hudson Awning and Sign Co. Inc. in Bayonne, N.J. Burak, who runs the company wit…
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Partnerships and subcontracting benefit businesses

January 1, 2009  |  Features, Graphics, Marketing, Tents

Partnerships and subcontracting offer opportunities and solutions. By Janet Preus It’s not so complicated: there are certain things your company does very well, and there are other things that could be done more expediently by someone else. It could be a matter of expertise, time available, or…
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Narrow fabrics manufacturers use technology to innovate

December 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Business, Features

The future is high-tech if you’re planning to stay ahead of the game. By Jamie Swedberg There’s nothing particularly predator-like about narrow fabrics designers and manufacturers. By and large, they’re helpful folks, always working with their clients to create webbings and ropes w…
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Petroleum prices impact specialty fabrics industry

December 1, 2008  |  Business, Markets

Fabric makers depend doubly on oil, for fuel and for raw materials. By Marc Hequet How are you managing in this slalom economy? Staying flexible? Not signing long-term, fixed-price contracts? Scouring your shop for efficiencies? Sourcing globally? Those are top industry pros’ suggestions&mdash…
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Specialty fabrics industry remains optimistic in tough times

December 1, 2008  |  Management, Marketing

Working to stay healthy in an ailing economy. By Susan Niemi With news of the economy a daily presence, whether one opens investment statements or not, leaders in the U.S. specialty fabrics industry remain optimistic about the health of the industry. The Review magazine talked to several industry le…
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The benefits of entering the global marketplace

December 1, 2008  |  Features, Marketing, Markets

As the world shrinks, businesses can capitalize on widening their pool of customers. By Janice Kleinschmidt If we needed proof that we’re in an economic environment where lines on a map lose significance, September and October delivered. Though perhaps first to the trough, the United States he…
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Takai works to provide innovative products

December 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Features, Marketing, Perspective

Junko Takai’s dedication to providing products that make a difference rests on a conservative fiscal foundation. By Sigrid Tornquist “Sometimes when companies make a lot of money, they invest that money into stocks—they invest profits into something other than their own businesses— we reinve…
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Taking advantage of year-end tax savings

November 1, 2008  |  Management

Year-end equipment deduction: tax strategy that makes sense. By Mark E. Battersby The fourth quarter of the year is when many publicly traded companies prop up their performance records to show more favorable year-end results. The owners and operators of many specialty textile products businesses ma…
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