Armijos connects with clients

November 1, 2008  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Sam Armijos creates connections with clients—in person, in cyberspace and in the pages of a book. By Sigrid Tornquist “There is no alternative to meeting face-to-face. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether I showed potential clients something I designed or not. It is whether they fe…
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Rising costs of logistics affect U.S. supply chains

October 1, 2008  |  Business, Markets

How soaring fuel costs are affecting your supply chain in the U.S. By Mac Isaacs Logistics is defined as the flow of material, information and money between consumers and suppliers, according to the Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL) at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Another term for logistics is …
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Nanotechnology provides more function with less space

October 1, 2008  |  Business

By Barbara Ernster Nanotechnology, the engineering of functional systems at the molecular level, is all about getting more function on less space. Next-generation nano materials have already hit the textile market in the form of nano-enhanced fabrics with antimicrobial properties able to kill germs,…
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Recycled polyester benefits companies

October 1, 2008  |  Business, Graphics

By Barbara Ernster Different sustainable fabrics made of natural fibers, including cotton, bamboo, hemp, corn and soy products, are making their way into the printing market. Jon Weingarten, president and CEO of Dazian Fabrics in Secaucus, N.J., will present the pros and cons of each in his presenta…
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Industry professionals discuss recycling mandates

October 1, 2008  |  Business

By Barbara Ernster Building the cost of recycling into the cost of a project is a popular idea, but if a company is in a competitive market, that extra cost could drive customers to seek cheaper alternatives, unless recycling is mandated for everyone. There is intense debate on whether government ma…
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Textile industry finds ways to go green

October 1, 2008  |  Business

By Barbara Ernster The Cradle to Cradle (C2C) concept has been influential in moving the U.S. textile industry toward more sustainable practices. Developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart, C2C transforms industry by creating products for cradle-to-cradle cycles, whose ma…
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Planning eco-friendly weddings

October 1, 2008  |  Business, Tents

Going green helps event companies gain both conscience and capital. By Shelby Gonzalez What does a green tented wedding look like? Just ask Alison Hotchkiss of Alison Events LLC in San Francisco, Calif. In 2007, she planned two weddings that included some of the same eco-friendly elements. Yet they …
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Egnew combines business and community

October 1, 2008  |  Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective, Tents

J.C. Egnew builds a business where the community and company support each other. By Sigrid Tornquist Success? “It’s about assessing risk. One of the things I spend a lot of time doing is looking for opportunities and assessing risk,” says J.C. Egnew, founder and owner of Outdoor Venture Corp.,…
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Digital printing offers diverse opportunities for awning makers

September 1, 2008  |  Awnings & Canopies, Business, Features, Graphics

Awning makers use digital printers to adapt to changing industry By Janice Kleinschmidt In the natural world, the strength of a species lies in its diversity. In the business world, the strength of a company lies in its ability to serve customers. Like living organisms, diverse companies adapt to a …
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Skoldeberg values people-driven business

September 1, 2008  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective

Ben Skoldeberg employs people skills and skilled people to bring solar protection to central Texas. By Sigrid Tornquist “This business is really about people. The rest is just aluminum and fabric,” says Ben Skoldeberg, co-founder and co-owner of Texas Sun & Shade. Well … high-quality, high…
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