The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) recently announced Don Wedge of the Marine Canvas Training Institute as the first inductee to the MFA Hall of Fame. Mr. Wedge will be honored during the awards luncheon at the 2013 MFA National Convention held Jan. 18-20, 2013 at the Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral, Fla.

Wedge began the Marine Canvas Training Institute in 1982. The institute was the first of its kind to teach quality marine canvas and upholstery fabrication. When the institute first opened he conducted seminars around the country while based in Palmetto, Fla. Today, the institute is still based in Palmetto, and Wedge’s daughter, Dawn Taylor owns the company.

Wedge was one of the original founders of MFA as well as helped develop the Master Fabric Craftsman certification program, still in existence today. He was a certified Master Fabric Craftsman and always encouraged his industry colleagues to seek this certification.

Wedge developed many techniques for the marine fabrication trade that are still being used today. He developed the “dot system” of patterning, minimizing trips to the boat, thereby making the fabrication process more efficient.

For more information on the association, contact Beth Hungiville, IFAI Director, Core Markets, 1801 County Road B West, Roseville, Minn 55113; +1 651 225 6952; blhungiville@ifai.com. 

MFA is a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), a not-for-profit trade association whose member companies represent the international specialty fabric marketplace. IFAI is the largest, most comprehensive trade association serving this industry, and provides many products, services and programs through its magazines, bookstore, information services and conferences.