DON ALHANATI

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

CustomFab USA

Garden Grove, Calif.

www.customfabusa.com

IFAI MEMBER SINCE 2014

MOST VALUED BENEFIT

Networking

A commitment to growth: Don Alhanati uses automation and lean manufacturing to ensure market diversity and growth for CustomFab USA

November 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

One of the keys to our success is our investment in advanced automated equipment,” says Don Alhanati, founder and president of CustomFab USA in Garden Grove, Calif. “That, and the fact that we have a creative staff. We are always looking at ways to do things smarter.” Alhanati had worked 12 ye…
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Riding the pendulum of industry change: Awnings by Bigley and Hogshire

October 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

“We have to be diverse and knowledgeable about the various types of products people are making in the industry,” says Taylor Bigley, co-owner and president of Awnings by Bigley & Hogshire, Hampton Roads, Va. “What’s in demand changes—the pendulum swings each way—and we have to re…
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Harold Warner and Dynamic Air Shelters develop larger and tougher inflatable structures

September 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

“I love the word resilience,” says Harold Warner, majority owner and president of Dynamic Air Shelters in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “Whether you’re operating on a physical plane or a psychological plane, resilience enables you to deflect danger and harm. What our company has done is exp…
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Brenda Hagerty and Porcupine Canvas: sales and customer-focused marketing

July 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

“Cold calls are a thing of the past,” says Brenda Hagerty, co-owner and president of Porcupine Canvas Manufacturing Ltd. in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. “Calling someone out of the blue to try to sell them something just doesn’t work in today’s industry. What clients want are our feet…
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Geoff Kilmer at PhotoWorksGroup matches technology with clients to stay successful

June 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

We focus on identifying industries versus just finding customers to generate new business,” says Geoff Kilmer, founder and CEO of PhotoWorksGroup, Charlottesville, Va. “When we specialize in an industry, we become better known within it, which results in more references so we don’t have to sel…
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Mike, Joe and Dan Reilly: leadership transition for Miami Awning

May 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

“A lot of what I’ve accomplished in this industry was about survival—being able to have what I need to get the job done,” says Mike Reilly, owner and CEO of Miami Awning Co. in Miami, Fla. “Now, my aim is to convey what knowledge I can to my sons to make it easier for them … <di…
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Amy Poe builds Wyckam from a marine canvas business into a custom sewing shop

April 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

As a small business owner you have to be able to adapt to many different situations and needs,” says Amy Poe, owner of Wyckam in Portland, Ore. “You pretty much need to be able to do everything. Even if you hire something out you still have to have a basic understanding of what it is … <d…
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David Murray at Fiesta Tents goes for the gold

March 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

Running a business is hard work. There’s always a time when you’ve got to change the way you’re doing things,” says David Murray, founder and president of Fiesta Tents Ltd. in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada. “Every year you have to review your business—you have to review and correct.” T…
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The business of yurts: round architecture

February 1, 2018  |  Features, Perspective

I never had an interest in going into business to just duplicate a product that already existed,” says Alan Bair, founder and owner of Pacific Yurts Inc. in Cottage Grove, Ore. “But early on I realized the yurt is a unique warm space that is limited only by the imagination. When you go into tha…
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