Chandler Clark beats the recession with hard work and ingenuity

May 1, 2012  |  Features, Management, Marine, Perspective

Chandler Clark relies on hard work and ingenuity to build a thriving business during the recession. By Sigrid Tornquist “In the Navy they call it deckplate leadership,” says Chandler Clark, owner of Signature CanvasMakers in Hampton, Va. “It’s a leadership style that involves teamwork, commo…
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Cheryl Gomes emphasizes safety throughout the manufacturing process

April 1, 2012  |  Advanced Textiles, Features, Management, Perspective

Cheryl Gomes tracks quality and reliability from process through life-saving product. By Sigrid Tornquist “If you make a mistake when you’re developing safety and protective products, people could be injured or die,” says Cheryl Gomes, lead principal materials engineer for QinetiQ North Americ…
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Bryan Loane keeps his 197-year-old business focused and flexible

March 1, 2012  |  Features, Management, Perspective, Tents

Bryan Loane grows his family’s company by planning ahead and thinking on his feet. By Sigrid Tornquist “We’re unusual because we’re probably the oldest tent company in the country,” says Bryan Loane, president of Loane Brothers Inc. in Baltimore, Md. “A lot of people feel that’s really…
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Ken Robinson’s commitment to employees pays off

February 1, 2012  |  Features, Geosynthetics, Management, Perspective

Ken Robinson leverages economics and human resource strategies to increase productivity. By Sigrid Tornquist “One of the most universally disliked classes I took while pursuing my MBA at Tulane University was one about human resources,” says Ken Robinson, president of Engineered Textile Products…
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Kathy Schaefer applies science to business

January 1, 2012  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective, Tents

Kathy Schaefer draws on a background in psychology for a smooth and productive workflow. By Sigrid Tornquist “Can you imagine sitting at a sewing machine for eight hours a day?” asks Kathy Schaefer, COO of Glawe Awnings and Tents, Fairborn, Ohio. “I learned to sew this past summer and though I…
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Kevin Yonce outlines his leadership strategies

December 1, 2011  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Kevin Yonce, IFAI’s new chair, identifies three goals to strengthen the specialty fabric industry’s leading association. By Sigrid Tornquist “I was taught early on in my experience with volunteer leadership that you should have between three and five goals in order to be effective,” …
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Jim Miller unleashes innovation

November 1, 2011  |  Awnings & Canopies, Fabric Structures, Features, Marketing, Perspective

Jim Miller experiments with improbable concepts until they become a reality. By Sigrid Tornquist “We love working with architects because they often have great ideas and challenge us more than anyone else,” says Jim Miller, president of J. Miller Canvas Inc. in Santa Ana, Calif. “Sometimes I t…
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Alain Perez pushes the limits

October 1, 2011  |  Features, Management, Perspective, Tents

Alain Perez embraces challenge to create extraordinary temporary structures. By Sigrid Tornquist There came a point in our business when we realized that if we were really going to make a difference for our clients and our company, we had to control the product from design to fabrication to installa…
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Andy Morse builds a successful business

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

Andy Morse uses opportunities other companies overlook. By Sigrid Tornquist “The business atmosphere right now demands change,” says Andy Morse, IFM, owner and president of Ohio Awning and Manufacturing Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. “You’ve got to constantly be looking for alternatives, innovation…
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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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