Feature – Page 4 – Specialty Fabrics Review

Fabric’s role in revitalizing neglected urban areas

January 1, 2019 | Feature

Like other rust belt cities, Detroit began declining decades ago, propelled by a combination of bad luck, bad timing, bad decisions and economic transformations that delivered additional crushing, seemingly fatal, blows. Its condition was such that not so long ago, numerous companies sprang up offer…

Long-term clearspan tent installations offer a clear advantage

December 1, 2018 | Feature

For Jeff McInnes, what better proof of the validity of clearspan structures being used for permanent buildings than having his recently installed aquatic center survive Hurricane Florence in North Charleston, S.C. “We often install permanent structures that sometimes need to be in place for extend…

A dazzling duo: indoor fabrics and lighting

December 1, 2018 | Feature

Fabrics have always been an essential component in commercial interior spaces. But, historically, their inclusion has been limited to more conventional roles, such as draperies and curtains, or flexible room dividers. With some exceptions, fabrics were not intended to serve as a focus in and of them…

Going the distance: Rob Kotowski rebuilds the family business

December 1, 2018 | Feature, Perspective

“We don’t anticipate that the completion of a project is the last time we talk with our clients,” says Rob Kotowski, owner and president of Lake Shore Boat Top Co., St. Clair Shores, Mich. “We typically follow up with them a couple of weeks after they’ve taken delivery of their project…

A commitment to growth: Don Alhanati uses automation and lean manufacturing to ensure market diversity and growth for CustomFab USA

November 1, 2018 | Feature, Perspective

One of the keys to our success is our investment in advanced automated equipment,” says Don Alhanati, founder and president of CustomFab USA in Garden Grove, Calif. “That, and the fact that we have a creative staff. We are always looking at ways to do things smarter.” Alhanati had worked 12 ye…

Seeing is believing: make sure your website and social media strategies are smart, engaging, informative, and visually appealing

November 1, 2018 | Feature

Perhaps your company relies on good old-fashioned word-of-mouth publicity and steers clear of social media. Maybe your marketing efforts emphasize trade shows and real-world connections, quite successfully, rather than online communications. But you did just update your website … five years ago. T…

Growth in the inflatables market is coming from safety and protection

November 1, 2018 | Feature

Managing urban water issues with geosynthetics

November 1, 2018 | Feature

As more land is lost to urban sprawl, and managing stormwater and wastewater runoff from hard-surface pavements has become a growing necessity, green infrastructure strategies are front and center in the minds of city planners, engineers and others focused on environmental and quality-of-life issues…

To sew or to seal: expanding the toolbox

October 1, 2018 | Feature

To sew or to seal is a question that some fabricators have answered by gearing their offerings toward products that utilize either the former or the latter, but not both. While this kind of specialization can be a viable and lucrative strategy, expanding the toolbox to incorporate both sewing and se…

Performance finishes for performance textiles

October 1, 2018 | Feature

Perhaps the people who develop textile finishings by coating or laminating could best be described as the unsung problem solvers—superheroes, even—of the textile performance world. Do they wear capes? Maybe they should—textile capes finished with performance-enhancing treatments. Problem solvi…

Category: Feature

Fabric’s role in revitalizing neglected urban areas

Long-term clearspan tent installations offer a clear advantage

A dazzling duo: indoor fabrics and lighting

Going the distance: Rob Kotowski rebuilds the family business

A commitment to growth: Don Alhanati uses automation and lean manufacturing to ensure market diversity and growth for CustomFab USA

Seeing is believing: make sure your website and social media strategies are smart, engaging, informative, and visually appealing

Growth in the inflatables market is coming from safety and protection

Managing urban water issues with geosynthetics

To sew or to seal: expanding the toolbox

Performance finishes for performance textiles