Sales support driving the way

October 1, 2013  |  Features, Management, Perspective, Tents

Alex Kouzmanoff translates customer service into customer satisfaction—by listening. By Sigrid Tornquist “When someone is totally incentivized by sales, there is no backup after the sale is made,” says Alex Kouzmanoff, vice president, Aztec Tents, Torrance, Calif. “We wanted to focus our sal…
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The Solar Impulse, sheltered

September 1, 2013  |  Projects, Tents

The term “barnstorming” means traveling around the countryside giving speeches, lectures or performances. Solar Impulse, the first aircraft that runs completely on solar energy, barnstormed across America to make a point about dramatic progress in renewable solar power. The Swiss team th…
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Architect’s lightweight permanent structure

August 1, 2013  |  Fabric Structures, Projects, Tents

[Structurflex LLC.] , Kansas City, Mo., U.S.A. Working with an architect’s concept, Structurflex LLC. developed this lightweight permanent structure to provide entertaining space for fans at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif. The fabricated membrane (Ferrari 1202 T2…
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Membrane structure for special events and conferences

August 1, 2013  |  Projects, Tents

[Lonas Lorenzo SA de CV] Guadalajara, Mexico Lonas Lorenzo created this spacious and elegant structure for special events and conferences hosted by the State Workers Union Federation in Mexico. The 1480-square-meter membrane is mounted without inside columns for aesthetic appeal, providing functiona…
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Supporting disaster relief

August 1, 2013  |  Advanced Textiles, Features, Tents

Companies respond to catastrophic situations when demand spikes for specific goods. By Janice Kleinschmidt Tents should be for parties and festivals. Bags should be for gifts and carrying groceries. Curtains should be for showers and window dressing. Yet these and many other fabric-based items play …
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Interior textiles

August 1, 2013  |  Fabric Structures, Features, Tents

Fabric technology has taken designers from tents and art installations to a mainstream commercial business in hospitality and retail spaces. By Nicholas Goldsmith With the advent of the turbulent 1960s, there was a departure from the hard-edged architecture of the 1950s to more organic and softer fo…
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Breaking ground in Africa

July 1, 2013  |  Marketing, Tents

A big, wide-open market equals growth opportunity for the tent business. By Barb Ernster Having grown up in Uganda until age seven, Nick Lavy, managing director at Röder UK Ltd., says, “There’s something about the lure of Africa that brings you back. It gets in your blood.” Fr…
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Raising the bar from tent rentals to event services partner

June 1, 2013  |  Features, Industry News, Marketing, Markets, Perspective, Tents

Dan Nolan III expands services to bring clients what they need and want. By Sigrid Tornquist “We don’t want to plan your event; we want to support your event,” says Dan Nolan III, managing partner of Tents Unlimited Inc., Marietta, Ga., and chairman of IFAI’s Tent Rental Division. “We offe…
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Kenafine recyclable coated fabric for architectural structures

June 1, 2013  |  Fabric Structures, Products, Tents

PTFE- and PVC-coated fabrics are often used in tents and membrane structures, but have been difficult to recycle due to the difficulty of separating the fibers from the coating resins. Taiyo Kogyo has developed Kenafine™ for architectural structures, a “green” fabric made by weavin…
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BetterVue screen enclosures from Phifer Inc.

June 1, 2013  |  Products, Tents

BetterVue® Improved Visibility Insect Screen is recommended for all screening applications: windows, doors or porches. Its increased openness and smaller yarn diameters offer increased protection against insects and maximize the outward view, making it sharper and more brilliant. Phifer Inc. pro…
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