Being there for your customers

January 1, 1970  |  News

Advice on providing excellent customer service By Holly O’Dell Be available—and responsive. We all know what it feels like when someone won’t return our calls and emails. It’s easy, and sometimes even necessary, to postpone a return message. We may even wait to call someone b…
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A good value is priceless

January 1, 1970  |  News

Whether selling or buying, using the language of “value,” rather than price, is critical. By Holly O’Dell Price can be defined as: the amount of money asked for or given in exchange for something else. Valuecan be defined as: the desirability of something, often in terms of usefuln…
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From the supply side

January 1, 1970  |  News

Equipment suppliers and manufacturers offer advice to EPMs in making wise investments in machinery. By Holly O’Dell Who you buy from is as important as what you buy. “You should be working with [a supplier] who asks questions, who encourages dialogue back and forth,” says Steven Ka…
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When to upgrade equipment

January 1, 1970  |  News

When should I upgrade, even if existing equipment is functional? The technology life cycle. On digital equipment, it does just become obsolete after some period of time. When new features and capabilities become available. The 80 percent rule: Our production manager watches capacity on a daily basis…
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Build a better website

January 1, 1970  |  News

Tips on how to stand out from the crowd. By Holly O’Dell Some 71 percent of business purchase decisions in the U.S. begin with an Internet search. Make sure to capture potential customers with a professional website. Here’s how to stand out from the crowd: Hire a Web designer. Your websi…
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One employee, two jobs

January 1, 1970  |  News

Employees can contribute to process improvement, and the bottom line. By Jill C. Lafferty Finding employees with the skill set necessary for the specialty fabrics industry can be challenge enough, but Tom Trutna of BIG INK Display Graphics, Eagan, Minn., looks for more: “One of our core values…
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Growth markets

January 1, 1970  |  News

Manufacturers and suppliers keep close eye on industry to provide the right products. By Holly O’Dell Manufacturers and suppliers of equipment for the specialty fabrics industry are keeping a close watch on market developments to provide the right types of products. Doug Hardy, sales manager a…
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Adding printing equipment?

January 1, 1970  |  News

What else should an end product manufacturer consider when adding printing equipment? Odor (for inks). UV inks are touted as being VOC free, but they are not odor free by a long shot. We’ve had to add about $4,000 worth of ventilation per machine. We have been running 10-foot-wide solvent dye …
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How Lakeside Marine Canvas went mobile

January 1, 1970  |  News

Company outlines steps to take when building a mobile shop. By Jill C. Lafferty Lakeside Marine Canvas of Buford, Ga., has been creating custom canvas marine products—from small boat covers and biminis to an engineered Party Top designed to withstand winds up to 100 mph and snow loads of 20 po…
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Top tips for shop arrangement

January 1, 1970  |  News

How to set up shop for permanent facilities and mobile operations. By Jill C. Lafferty For permanent facilities Put equipment on castors for easy rearrangement. Locate equipment that can’t be moved around the perimeter of the room to open up flexible space in the center. Install plenty of vent…
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