Feature – Page 2 – Specialty Fabrics Review

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Cargo control: move it. Ship it. Store it. Contain it.

June 1, 2019 | Feature

The global economy is in constant motion. For cargo from consumer goods to dangerous chemicals, a new generation of textile products is helping to get things where they need to go, safely and economically. by Amy Goetzman Everything’s on the move. As economies expand around the world and gro…

Michele Quadri-Butterfield keeps Al’s Awning Shop up to date and focused on customers

June 1, 2019 | Feature, Perspective

by Jill C. Lafferty The mission of Al’s Awning Shop is to be the leading provider of quality fabric solutions and to be dedicated to providing professional customer service and exceptional products,” says owner Michele Quadri-Butterfield. “Fabric solutions is key for me. It’s about taking a …

2019 Specialty Fabrics Showcase

May 1, 2019 | Specialty Fabrics Showcase

Performance is everything now for fabrics, as valuable to customers as appearance and style—from applications in awnings and tents to marine fabrication, outdoor structures, indoor architecture, apparel, medical and aerospace products, to name just a few. For our annual two-part showcase, we asked…

Additional services enrich relationships and bottom line

May 1, 2019 | Feature

Adding services to core offerings can provide a way to cement customers to your business, meeting more of their needs and strengthening your appeal—and bottom line—in the process. Once a company has a firm grip on its core business, attention often turns to broadening the services already offere…

Crafting skilled employees and happy customers at Charman Motor Trimmers

May 1, 2019 | Feature, Perspective

With a growing business and a dearth of skilled labor, Kimber Buglass trains his own employees, fostering project ownership and pride in the job. “Treat every job as if it’s your own job,” says Kimber Buglass, owner and managing director of Charman Motor Trimmers and Upholsterers Ltd. “I…

Recycle, repurpose, reclaim

April 23, 2019 | Feature

Companies are finding creative ways to address the growing push toward recycling and repurposing used fabrics. It’s tempting to think that recycling was “invented” sometime in the late 1960s, but that would ignore the fact that back in the 11th century, Japan was figuring out ways to reuse its…

Up-to-date upholstery

April 1, 2019 | Feature

The commercial upholstery market is always evolving and changing,” says Lori Roop, director of design for CF Stinson LLC, a textile manufacturer based in Rochester Hills, Mich. Yet, Roop adds, “it’s always the same.” A contradiction? Not really. “There is always a huge value placed on colo…

Making custom projects work

April 1, 2019 | Feature

When Eric Walton and Devlin McKee opened Custom Canvas Alaska LLC in Fairbanks 14 years ago, the partners knew they had to offer custom canvas work beyond the boat tops they started out providing. After all, a marine fabrication shop in Alaska faces some extreme seasonal ups and downs, making…

Crafting shade at Auvents Ombrasole Awning

April 1, 2019 | Feature, Perspective

Ombrasole designs, manufactures and installs awnings of all types for North American climates—many of which feature Emilio Petrongolo’s custom and patented motors. Emilio Petrongolo can trace his fascination with canvas and sewing back to his childhood in Italy, where his grandmother made jute b…

Extreme sports, tough textiles

March 1, 2019 | Feature

Fabricators go to great lengths to make sure every piece of material they produce or distribute will be up to difficult tasks. But sometimes the task is so specialized—or so extreme—that production requires a truly exceptional level of care, expertise and, often, regulation. Products such as the…

Category: Feature