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Two large, colorful shade sails in orange and green, stretched over a patio area near a pool, with a grassy backdrop and blue sky.

How fabricators estimate jobs and ensure profitability

June 1st, 2026

Large jobs are a tentpole for many successful businesses, but their prices can cause sticker shock for the customer. Accurately breaking down the costs of material, time, labor and other expenses behind that number can actually strengthen the business-customer relationship. Image: Sonoma Shade Sails Fabrication work can be rewarding, but it often includes long hours. […]

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Marine fabrication finishing touches

December 1st, 2020

The pneumatic long nose upholstery staple gun from Sailrite® is engineered to set the staple without the crown penetrating the fabric, reducing rips and tears that can sometimes occur when attaching gimp to an upholstery project. Photo: Sailrite. Materials and techniques for marine trimmings that improve form and function. by Sigrid Tornquist It all matters. […]

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Attract younger workers to the trades

April 1st, 2020

Tech and training are sparking interest. by Jeff Moravec There’s a simple, well-known and significant problem in the fabrication business: too much work, not enough workers. “Fabricators have more business than they can handle,” says Russ Griffin, co-owner of Northcoast Marine Specialties LLC in Port Clinton, Ohio. “The downside is that customers aren’t getting service […]

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