Critical insurance lessons for fabricators

April 1, 2026  |  Business, Markets

For years, I viewed insurance premiums as a necessary evil—an expensive line item that seemed to grow annually without tangible benefit. That perspective changed dramatically when fire tore through our marine canvas workshop. What I learned in the aftermath could save your business if disaster str…
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Geotextiles and geogrids mean longer-lasting roads

April 1, 2026  |  Markets, Product Trends

Can geotextiles and geogrids help build roadways that last for 100 years—or longer? Yes, say both industry and transportation representatives, although wider adaptation may require overcoming a few bumps in the road.
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Maintaining critical funding

April 1, 2026  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Among the factors that have made the U.S. a superpower are its investment in R&D and contributions from highly skilled foreign nationals in scientific fields. The innovation borne out by this funding—as well as policies promoting domestic manufacturing—eventually influences home markets for …
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Doing business with the U.S. military

March 1, 2026  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

How to introduce a product into the U.S. military marketplace is a big question for companies. For many of those who have tried to do so, these attempts are met with frustration. Case study examples of missteps can be seen across a wide range of technologies, not just for textile products.
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The ESOP solution

March 1, 2026  |  Business, Markets

What happens to an owner’s company when they retire and no successor is available to take the reins? The answer might be all around them—on the shop floor, among the sales staff or within human resources, finance and legal departments.
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PFAS testing: What textile companies need to know

March 1, 2026  |  Markets, Product Trends

Many jurisdictions have current and forthcoming regulations banning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a variety of products, including textiles. Laboratory testing can help prove compliance with such bans of these so-called “forever chemicals,” although not without some caveats and c…
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A presentation survival guide

February 15, 2026  |  Business, Markets

If you’re like most people, the thought of giving a presentation ranks somewhere between a root canal and rush-hour traffic on the list of things you’d rather avoid. In fact, studies estimate that nearly 75% of the population experiences some level of anxiety about public speaking.
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How professional sales practices prevent buyer’s remorse

February 10, 2026  |  Awnings & Canopies, Markets

Buyer’s remorse is largely preventable when sales professionals take a more disciplined, professional approach from the first conversation through follow-up.
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