Kevin Greenwood and Stage Tops USA cover lives events around the globe

June 1, 2020  |  Features, Perspective

by Jill C. Lafferty “Everything is visual today,” says Kevin Greenwood, owner/CEO of Stage Tops USA, a Manchester, Tenn.-based company that manufactures and installs roof skins, wind walls, stage scrims and other fabric projects for major live events around the world. “[My clients] want to be …
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2020 Specialty Fabrics Showcase, Part 2

May 1, 2020  |  Features, Specialty Fabrics Showcase

Fabrics, always combining performance and style, are the natural choice for applications ranging from awnings and tents to marine fabrication, outdoor structures, indoor architecture, arts and apparel, medical and aerospace products, to name just a few. We asked our contributors to send us informati…
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Metalwork and framing for fabric applications

May 1, 2020  |  Features

Fabric is only half of the equation for many manufacturers in the specialty fabrics industry. The other half, metalwork and framing, requires its own set of capabilities.  by Laurie F. Junker A frame is the essential component that transforms fabric into architecture, turning a piece of cloth i…
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Sustainability in textiles

May 1, 2020  |  Features

As sustainability becomes more important to consumers, suppliers and manufacturers are pressed to verify product claims and become more eco-friendly. by Pamela Mills-Senn There are plenty of fashion trends hitting the runways this season, such as this year’s hottest color (orange is very in), patt…
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Market watch: The specialty fabrics industry responds to COVID-19

May 1, 2020  |  Features

By Elisa Bernick, Sammi Jones, Jill C. Lafferty,  Galynn Nordstrom, Rebecca J. Post and Janet Preus The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, with the textile industry playing a key role. Suppliers and end product manufacturers have pivoted at lightning speed to produce much-ne…
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Innovative fabric facades

April 1, 2020  |  Features

Changing the look and function of architecture for a sustainable future.  by Bruce N. Wright, FAIA Architects are fond of describing their buildings in the metaphoric terms of the human body. The supporting structure is often referred to as the skeleton that holds it up; the enclosure (or envel…
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2020 Specialty Fabrics Showcase

April 1, 2020  |  Features, Specialty Fabrics Showcase

Fabrics, always combining performance and style, are the natural choice for applications ranging from awnings and tents to marine fabrication, outdoor structures, indoor architecture, arts and apparel, medical and aerospace products, to name just a few. For our annual two-part showcase, we asked our…
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Attract younger workers to the trades

April 1, 2020  |  Features

Tech and training are sparking interest. by Jeff Moravec There’s a simple, well-known and significant problem in the fabrication business: too much work, not enough workers. “Fabricators have more business than they can handle,” says Russ Griffin, co-owner of Northcoast Marine Specialties LLC …
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Promoting shade in the marketplace and happiness in the workplace

April 1, 2020  |  Features, Perspective

For Patrick Howe and Wholesale Shade, high-quality custom shade sails are the product of a happy and efficient workplace. by Jill C. Lafferty My day consists of making sure my employees are happy. That’s my number one job,” says Patrick Howe, owner of Wholesale Shade™, a private label shade sa…
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Bob Grambsch leads Canvas Replacements in making new canvas tent tops for old pop-up camper trailers.

March 1, 2020  |  Features, Perspective

by Jill C. Lafferty We bring over 65 years of knowledge and experience to a growing and changing industry,” says Bob Grambsch, president of Canvas Replacements/Camper & Recreation Inc., a Loyal, Wis.-based manufacturer of replacement canvas tent tops for pop-up campers. “My dad had been buil…
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