Specialty Fabrics Review interviews Chris Atkins, president of Atkins Fabrication

Interview by Sigrid Tornquist

What is your industry prediction?

The tensile structures market is going to keep growing. The stadiums around the world—the roofs are fabric. And schools, councils, shopping malls—they all need shade.

What is your business philosophy?

Quality is number one. There are some people in our industry who think close enough is good enough. All my people understand what quality is.

What is your advice for others?

Take time to find the right employees and then carefully train them. There is a real science to building a tensile membrane structure.

What is your business strength?

Communication. It’s amazing how effective it is if the client can talk to the person controlling the business.

Sigrid Tornquist is a freelance author and editor based in St. Paul, Minn. She is also the editor of InTents magazine, another IFAI publication.