Michael Ciferri Jr. gets tough to enhance profits

August 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Michael Ciferri Jr. of Donovan Enterprises boosts truck cover and tarp sales despite the sluggish economy By Sigrid Tornquist “Don’t make excuses—in my family [as I was growing up] it wasn’t allowed,” says Michael Ciferri Jr., vice president of Donovan Enterprises in Stuart, Fla. “It doe…
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Ken Jacobs gets his company noticed

July 1, 2010  |  Features, Marketing, Perspective

Ken Jacobs combines custom innovation and targeted advertising strategies to generate sales. By Sigrid Tornquist “That’s always the challenge—keeping the phones ringing and customers coming in the door,” says Ken Jacobs, owner of Raymond Brothers Ltd. in London, Ontario, Canada. “We get re…
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Jeff Viehmeyer takes a custom approach to business

June 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Marine, Perspective

Jeff Viehmeyer balances quality, cost and time in a customized approach to customer satisfaction. By Sigrid Tornquist “Excessive perfectionism can strangle success. Every project has a correct balance between quality, cost and time—and you have to find the balance between them,” says Jeff Vieh…
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Scott Campbell makes room for unexpected opportunities

May 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective, Tents

Scott Campbell’s acquisitions span market segments and expand profits. By Sigrid Tornquist “It was not my plan to diversify and grow this company—my plan was to work in this company for about five years and then return to the seafood industry. But that didn’t happen,” says Scott Campbell, …
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Branis seeks no-limits approach to problem-solving

April 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Marcel Branis takes a collective approach to developing products and improving processes. By Sigrid Tornquist “I love developing a new product or improving a product we already have,” says Marcel Branis, vice president, manufacturing for DHS Systems in Orangeburg, N.Y. “What will happen if we …
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Fawcett values employee relations

March 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Craig Fawcett builds up a business by building up the staff. By Sigrid Tornquist “Skills can be taught, but you either have character or you don’t. When you find an employee with character and work ethic, those people are your golden people—people you’ll do anything to build up,” says Crai…
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Kelly blends art and architecture to produce fabric sculptures

February 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Maureen Kelly draws on her tenacity and talent to create one-of-a-kind fabric sculptures. By Sigrid Tornquist “I never thought I couldn’t work in a space 200 feet tall,” says Maureen Kelly, owner of The Design Loft (TDL) in St. Louis, Mo. “I always thought there would be a way to construct t…
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Belli relies on relationships

January 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Joe Belli drives business by making the most of relationships. By Sigrid Tornquist “Relationship selling is absolutely where it’s at,” says Joe Belli, design and estimating department manager and part owner of Eide Industries Inc. in Cerritos, Calif. “Sometimes people think it’s the lowest…
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Welander solves design problems for fabric structures

December 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Mark Welander uses his penchant for simplicity and accuracy to solve fabrication dilemmas. By Sigrid Tornquist “When you’re trying to get information, try to find the bull’s-eye,” says Mark Welander, MFC, owner of Fabricon in Missoula, Mont. “You need to have accuracy and good information …
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McKernan strives for integrity, quality and excellence

November 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Pete McKernan makes a commitment to action for the specialty fabrics industry. By Sigrid Tornquist “Be trustworthy. Be proactive. Do right. Respect others. Conduct yourself in such a way that when those you do business with think of integrity, quality and excellence—they think of you,” says Pe…
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