Specialty Fabrics Review interviews J.C. Egnew, founder and owner of Outdoor Venture Corp.

January 1, 1970  |  News

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist What is your most important lesson learned? Good will is the best capital business can have. You can be out of money, but if you have the good will of your supply base, your customers and your bankers, there’s always an opportunity to work your way out. What is yo…
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Specialty Fabrics Review interviews Claude Le Bel, president and founder of Sollertia Inc.

January 1, 1970  |  News

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist What is your industry prediction? Almost everyone is or will be affected by the economic downturn, but companies that are strong and have the necessary knowledge will survive. What is your business philosophy? If you’re honest, fair and take care of people, everyt…
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Le Bel invests in education

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Sigrid Tornquist Investing in the education of others is one of Claude Le Bel’s passions. In November 2008 Le Bel and others from Sollertia traveled to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in West Africa to install a circus school for the city’s youth. Le Bel and his team volunteered their time…
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Tips for a green shop

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Holly O’Dell Set up a recycling program and offer clearly marked bins for disposal. When you’re in the market to buy light bulbs, consider compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or bulbs rated as an Energy Star product. Manage energy costs by turning off the light any time you leave a room…
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Consumers’ opinions on eco-friendly furniture

January 1, 1970  |  News

From March 2009 Cargill BiOH Bulletin Consumers demand style, comfort and quality first…but a green angle can help put a product on their short list. In fall 2008, Cargill BiOH sponsored a qualitative research initiative to gain insight into consumers’ opinions on furniture buying and t…
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Incentives help maintain relationships with customers

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Abbie Yarger To encourage relationships with customers, and to spur business, some fabricators offer distinctive incentives for using their services. Dennis Bueker, branch manager of Tri Vantage LLC in Cleveland, Ohio, says Tri Vantage has an annual new product show that explains products and ser…
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Top 10 tips for high-quality customer service

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Alton Martin 1. Have a service strategy for organization. 2. Keep customer satisfaction data. 3. Use the data to take specific action based on customer feedback. 4. Model good companies that provide excellent service. 5. Look for examples of excellent service outside of your industry. 6. Be open …
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Strong supplier-manufacturer relationships benefit businesses

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Abbie Yarger The supplier-manufacturer dynamic is of equal importance to the manufacturer-customer relationship in the marine fabrication industry. “We try to be open and straightforward with our suppliers, just as we are with our customers,” says Jeri Perillo, Custom Canvas of Charle…
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What to do when a customer complaines

January 1, 1970  |  News

From “Start and Run Your Own Business”, by Alan Le Marinel, reprinted on www.howto.co.uk. Even the most conscientious companies, delivering high quality products and services consistently, can face an unhappy customer on occasion. All customer-facing employees should know what to do if t…
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Statistics on the changing workforce

January 1, 1970  |  News

By Pat Hayes, CPP 41% of American adults are over the age of 50, the highest percent in U.S. history 80% of Congress is over 50 50% of the Americans who voted in the 2006 elections were over 50 By 2011 the American 50-plus population will surpass 100 million Pat Hayes is founder and chairman &hellip…
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