Custom-made screens for retractable awnings

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Marine, Products

Custom-made screens for retractable awnings in sizes up to 20 feet by 16 feet, 6 inches are available to give awning companies an opportunity to expand their offerings to their customers for whom a screen option is a key element. Units are custom made for almost any retractable awning utilizing mari…
Retired postman starts self-supporting shade structures company

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Marine, Markets

Charlie Sotirkys retired in February 2009 from the U.S. Postal Service in Plymouth, Mass., to launch a new career selling self-supporting shade structures that fit trucks, boats and campers. Sotirkys had an idea, and when he discovered his neighbor, Kenn Medeiros, owned KM Canvas, his own boat cover…
Rowley expands annual product catalog

April 1, 2009  |  Industry News, Marine, Upholstery

The catalog of tools for home decor design, quilting, upholstery and marine applications keeps growing at Rowley Co., Gastonia, N.C. The company just released its 2009 catalog, which includes nearly 200 new items that can be shipped the same day. View all of Rowley’s 2,700 products online or r…
Luxurious marine fabric protects boaters

March 1, 2009  |  Marine, Products

Sunbrella® Supreme uses a proprietary bonding process that adheres an acrylic fabric for the face of the product to an acrylic flocking for the reverse side, while also creating a waterproof barrier. The result is a marine fabric that protects boaters from rain and spray while offering a luxurio…
Nylon snap caps protect against oils and solvents

March 1, 2009  |  Marine, Markets, Products

Problem: Non-reflective fasteners may be critical to an application and need to hold up just as well as the fabric. Solution: Fasnap® Corp.’s line of non-reflective nylon (thermoplastic) snap caps are tough, strong, impact- and UV- resistant, and offer good protection against oils and solv…
State of the Industry 2009: Marine fabrication

March 1, 2009  |  Marine

Challenge, opportunity and growth: Our market forecast for marine fabricators By Jeff Rasmussen The U.S. marine fabric market has been in a state of flux in 2007 and 2008. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, OEM boat sales could be down about 25-30 percent for 2008. Marine fa…
Herculite designs fabric for marine applications

February 1, 2009  |  Marine, Products

Herculite Riviera Marine Fabric™ is designed for a variety of marine applications, including bimini tops, enclosure curtains, cockpit and boat covers. Specially formulated with high-quality vinyl that features a soft, supple hand for easy fabrication, the lightweight fabric has a reinforced in…
Outdura expands performance fabric awning-weight line

January 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Marine, Products, Upholstery

The Outdura performance fabric awning-weight line has added dozens of new stripes to its existing inventory of solids and tweeds, in the 60-inch width favored by the industry. Solution-dyed acrylic fabric is stain-resistant, water-repellent and breathable; properly used and maintained, Outdura will …
Marine fabric resists pencil and ink mark absorption

January 1, 2009  |  Marine, Products

Problem: Many popular exterior marine vinyls have a tendency to absorb and retain patterning marks from both pencil and pen, making the fabric assembly process tedious and time-consuming. Solution: Herculite Riviera Marine Fabric™ is made with a high-performance stabilized PVC and coated with …
IFAI releases marine fabric survey

November 1, 2008  |  Marine, Markets

The marine fabric market segment needs an overall U.S. economic rebound, but small growth in 2009 is possible. By Jeff Rasmussen This summary of the U.S./Canadian marine fabric market segment focuses mostly on the U.S. marketplace, particularly as it relates to the state of the marine fabric market …