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Industry News
Report shows outdoor recreation’s positive role on economy
September 24, 2019
Newly released economic data on the national and state levels show outdoor recreation is a powerful driver of national and local economies, and it is growing faster than the U.S. economy as a whole. This is the second consecutive year that the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, …
Industry News
Michigan to promote outdoor recreation industry
September 19, 2019
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced this week that Brad Garmon will serve as the new director of Michigan’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry–an office established earlier this year to build public awareness about the economic, social, and public health benefits of outdoor recreation and provide a unified voice for the diverse businesses and organizations that …
Industry News
STEP Ahead Awards call for nominations
September 17, 2019
Nominations for The Manufacturing Institute’s 2020 STEP Ahead Awards close on Friday, Oct. 4. The STEP Ahead Awards honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering and production (STEP) careers. On April 30, 2020, in Washington, D.C., the Institute will recognize 100 women and 30 Emerging Leaders, a category to honor …
Industry News
Boating safety statistics improved in 2018
September 12, 2019
There were 633 boating fatalities nationwide in 2018, a 3.8 percent decrease from 2017, according to the recently released U.S. Coast Guard 2018 Recreational Boating Statistics Report. From 2017 to 2018, overall recreational boating injuries also decreased 4.5 percent (2,629 to 2,511), and the total number of accidents decreased 3.4 percent (4,291 to 4,145). Alcohol …
MFA Excellence Awards
MFA Awards entry now open
September 10, 2019
The deadline for submissions to the 2020 MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards is November 15, 2019. From design excellence to quality workmanship, the awards showcase projects that represent the breadth of the industry—from tops and covers to interior and exterior upholstery. Awards will be announced at the 2020 MFA Conference. To enter or for more information, …
Industry News
New powerboat registrations up 1.1 percent through June
September 5, 2019
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) New Powerboat Registration Report has been updated with data through June. Preliminary data from the report show new powerboat registrations were up 1.1 percent through June on a rolling 12-month year-over-year basis and down 1.3 percent on a rolling 3-month year-over-year basis. “While we’re down 2 percent YTD YOY …
Events
Tampa boat show postponed due to Hurricane Dorian
September 3, 2019
The 2019 Progressive Insurance Tampa Boat Show, originally scheduled for Sept. 6-8, has been postponed to Oct. 25-27 due to uncertainty surrounding Hurricane Dorian. The show will remain at the Tampa Convention Center for its new October dates. “While we are disappointed to postpone the event, our main concern is the safety of the boaters, …
Advice
Tools, tips and tricks
September 1, 2019
These are submissions to the 2018 and 2019 Marine Fabricators Conference Tools, Tips and Tricks contest. The 2020 contest submission deadline is Dec. 10 at marine.ifai.com/marine-fabricators-conference/tools-tips-and-tricks/. Tip 1 Prevent burning on stainless steel frames Here is a simple and clean solution for keeping window materials from touching and burning stainless steel frames. Attach a narrow …
Business
Common mistakes cost more than you think
September 1, 2019
There’s a high cost to being too busy to get work done. By Randy Westlund I was consulting for the owners of a company recently. They’d worked hard last year. They did a record number of jobs. They even had to hire two installers and a welder to get it all done. But at the end …
Feature
Prepare now for a future disaster
September 1, 2019
When the worst happens to your business, it’s already too late. The time to prepare for a disaster is now. By Jeff Moravec Although extreme events such as fires, floods, hurricanes and other disasters were once considered rarities, they are becoming more common. Business owners need to ask themselves how they would survive such an …
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Expo News
IFAI Expo 2019 Early Bird Rates End June 26
June 19, 2019
For Immediate Release June 18, 2019 PR Contact Christian Weiland 651 225 6916 caweiland@ifai.com IFAI Expo 2019 takes place Oct. 1-4 in Orlando, FL, USA. The Early Bird Rate deadline is approaching fast, and those who wish to save on their Expo registration must do so by June 26. This year’s Expo is held …
Expo News
Small shops: Tips for shortening your lead times
October 17, 2018
Torey Heinz, of Teagles Consulting, has a background in small manufacturing jobs shops. This gives him a good sense of how poor workflow and other issues can affect a small shop’s lead times. Shortening lead time is important, Teagle told participants at his Oct. 17 Expo session, because shorter lead times mean increased sales and …
Expo News
The right technology can save you money
October 17, 2018
Trying to figure out which technology can save a business money can be confusing given all the options available. In his Oct. 17 Expo session, “Using Technology to Improve the Bottom Line,” Mark Stiver, manager of ecommerce, strategy and analytics for Trivantage, gave a high-level view of the primary types of technology available to specialty …
Expo News
IFAI Expo 2018: Show Stopper winners on the floor
October 17, 2018
All the best from Texas: Wednesday morning, Oct. 17, at IFAI Expo led off with lists of winners for the year, including the most popular products on the show floor. The seventh annual Show Stopper competition was designed to showcase the best of the best in the industry, from fabrics, equipment and chemicals to services …
Expo News
2018 International Achievement Award Winners Announced
October 17, 2018
The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has awarded this year’s International Achievement Awards (IAA) for design excellence in specialty fabrics applications, announced at the awards breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at IFAI Expo 2018. IFAI Expo is the largest specialty fabrics trade show in North America, held this year at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention …
Expo News
Sharpen your competitive edge
October 17, 2018
Asking yourself one simple question can help make your business a magnet for new customers, says marketing professional Madeleine MacRae, owner of MM MacRae Coaching & Consulting. “That question is ‘Who is your ideal client?’” In her Oct. 16 Expo session on distinguishing yourself in the marketplace, MacRae says answering this question is the key …
Expo News
Digital presence is key to acquiring new customers in 2019
October 16, 2018
It’s no surprise the digital world means a company’s ability to attract and keep customers requires a dramatic shift in strategy, tools and resources. Ed Keough, vice president of sales for FutureGuard Building Products Inc. in Auburn, Maine, told business owners they need to embrace digital advertising or be “left in the dust” during his …
Expo News
IFAI Expo keynote speaker Mark Scharenbroich: “acknowledge, honor and connect” with employees and customers
October 16, 2018
Keynote speaker Mark Scharenbroich has straightforward advice for growing a business: Make a true connection with employees and customers and positive results will follow. Scharenbroich shared his humor and motivational wisdom with a packed room at IFAI’s 2018 Expo annual meeting October 16. Rain, wind and cold outside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in …
Expo News
Textile testing for comfort
October 16, 2018
IFAI’s Pre-Expo Conference Oct. 15 in Dallas offered a range of presentations—many of them focused on topics of particular interest in the advanced textiles area. Textile testing is one topic that will be addressed in more than one session. At the beginning of his talk yesterday on testing and evaluating fabrics’ human comfort, performance and …
Expo News
Useful social media for companies of all sizes
October 15, 2018
Should you bother with social media? Most definitely yes, says Luke Gusman, marketing manager for Sta-Lok Inc., a longtime manufacturer of marine and architectural rigging hardware. Gusman says that no matter how large or small your company, there are five social media platforms that can increase engagement with your product or service and raise your …
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Supplier Spotlights
MFA Excellence Awards
MFA Awards entry now open
September 10, 2019
The deadline for submissions to the 2020 MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards is November 15, 2019. From design excellence to quality workmanship, the awards showcase projects that represent the breadth of the industry—from tops and covers to interior and exterior upholstery. Awards will be announced at the 2020 MFA Conference. To enter or for more information, …
Feature
Prepare now for a future disaster
September 1, 2019
When the worst happens to your business, it’s already too late. The time to prepare for a disaster is now. By Jeff Moravec Although extreme events such as fires, floods, hurricanes and other disasters were once considered rarities, they are becoming more common. Business owners need to ask themselves how they would survive such an …
Feature
Automation advantages
September 1, 2019
Technology solutions offer marine fabricators expanded capabilities, opportunities for greater creativity, and new project and market options. By Pamela Mills-Senn Ask Thomas Carlson, manager of Tulsa, Okla., Carlson Design Corp., about his number one competitor and he offers up a surprising response. “It’s a pair of scissors. Most of our customers have been cutting manually …
Feature
Focusing on quality, creativity and customer service
September 1, 2019
By building his business slowly, Carl Pellegrini keeps SeaCanvas focused on quality, creativity and customer service. by Jill C. Lafferty Each project we accept is a new chance to make a change in the current design,” says Carl Pellegrini, the owner-operator of SeaCanvas, based in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. “Let’s say an enclosure for a …
Feature
Sustainable boating includes the john
July 4, 2019
Sustainable boating takes many forms, from solar panels to using wind or water for power, eco-friendly cleaning products, low-flow showerheads and LED lights. Joe OBrien, of Schwenksville, Pa., has been outfitting his sailboat with an earth-friendly component that is about as elemental as they come—a composting toilet. OBrien and his wife, Julie, have been renovating …
Feature
Pros and cons of digital measuring tools
July 2, 2019
Any boater knows that the way you handle a vessel changes with the weather. The same is true with a fabricator’s measuring tools. Many fabricators now have both touchpoint 3D and touchless laser systems in their toolkits, and which one works best depends to some degree on the environment. “I use a variety of digital …
Feature
Members only content
Solar panel savvy
July 1, 2019
Improvements in solar panels give boaters more power and choices. By Jeff Moravec There may or may not be any truth to the notion that solar power wouldn’t exist on boats were it not for the desire to find an energy-efficient way to keep adult beverages cold. But if in fact that’s a motivation, …
Feature
Members only content
Metal framework takes top billing
July 1, 2019
It’s time for metalwork and framing to move from being bit players to getting top billing. By Jeff Moravec Fabric is typically the star of the show in any fabrication project. What often gets overlooked, however, is the role supporting metal frameworks play—often behind the scenes—in fabric structures. The metal framework may frequently be an …
Feature
Members only content
No-fail boat covers
July 1, 2019
There’s more than one way to build a boat cover—but the best fabricators ask clients these critical questions before they settle on a design. by Sigrid Tornquist Fabricators agree—custom boat cover fabrication starts with a conversation with the boat owners. What canvas professionals do with the information they get, coupled with experience and innovation, can …
Feature
Workstation ergonomics saves backs and increases efficiency
May 2, 2019
Sewing machines are an integral part of the workflow at most marine fabrication shops. But while fabricators may be careful about the machines they buy, and work to keep them operating properly, there are other aspects of the sewing operation that deserve attention. Just the way a shop’s sewing workstations are set up can increase …
Sponsored Content
Supplier Spotlights
Industry News
Report shows outdoor recreation’s positive role on economy
September 24, 2019
Newly released economic data on the national and state levels show outdoor recreation is a powerful driver of national and local economies, and it is growing faster than the U.S. economy as a whole. This is the second consecutive year that the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, …
Industry News
Michigan to promote outdoor recreation industry
September 19, 2019
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced this week that Brad Garmon will serve as the new director of Michigan’s Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry–an office established earlier this year to build public awareness about the economic, social, and public health benefits of outdoor recreation and provide a unified voice for the diverse businesses and organizations that …
Industry News
STEP Ahead Awards call for nominations
September 17, 2019
Nominations for The Manufacturing Institute’s 2020 STEP Ahead Awards close on Friday, Oct. 4. The STEP Ahead Awards honor women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering and production (STEP) careers. On April 30, 2020, in Washington, D.C., the Institute will recognize 100 women and 30 Emerging Leaders, a category to honor …
Industry News
Boating safety statistics improved in 2018
September 12, 2019
There were 633 boating fatalities nationwide in 2018, a 3.8 percent decrease from 2017, according to the recently released U.S. Coast Guard 2018 Recreational Boating Statistics Report. From 2017 to 2018, overall recreational boating injuries also decreased 4.5 percent (2,629 to 2,511), and the total number of accidents decreased 3.4 percent (4,291 to 4,145). Alcohol …
Industry News
New powerboat registrations up 1.1 percent through June
September 5, 2019
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) New Powerboat Registration Report has been updated with data through June. Preliminary data from the report show new powerboat registrations were up 1.1 percent through June on a rolling 12-month year-over-year basis and down 1.3 percent on a rolling 3-month year-over-year basis. “While we’re down 2 percent YTD YOY …
Industry News
Michigan boaters spend $1 billion in 2018
August 29, 2019
Retail expenditures for new boat, motor, trailer and accessory purchases in Michigan exceeded $1 billion in 2018, an increase of almost 11 percent over 2017 and the ninth consecutive year of growth in the state. That’s according to the Michigan Boating Industry Association (MBIA), citing new data from the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “We’re the …
Industry News
Gulf Islands National Seashore decision impacts PWCs
August 27, 2019
Personal watercraft (PWC) owners won and lost in the National Park Service decision announced in August regarding access to the Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS). GUIS comprises sections of shoreline near Pensacola, Fla. and Pascagoula, Miss., offering pristine beaches and shorelines. The final decision on these regulations ends a nearly 20-year history of opposition to …
Industry News
Massachusetts continues to invest in marine workforce training
August 22, 2019
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker formally approved the state’s budget with continued funding for the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association’s (MMTA) Workforce Development and Career Technical Education program. MMTA’s workforce program will receive $100,000 in Fiscal Year 2020. The MMTA has made strong progress on delivering workforce solutions for Massachusetts’ recreational boating industry. Part of the funding …
Industry News
US boat building production forecast shows slight dip
August 20, 2019
In the latest Forecast on U.S. Boat Building Production from ITR Economics, growth in boat building production is expected to decline slightly throughout 2020 and rebound strongly in 2021. According to ITR’s forecast, at its lowest (summer 2020), production is expected to be on par with levels seen in spring 2019. The strong rebound in …
Industry News
Industry sales by category and state stats available
August 8, 2019
The Total Industry Sales by Category and State, 2006 – 2018 section of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2018 Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is now available. Total new recreational boat sales (powerboats and sailboats) increased 4 percent in 2018 to an 11-year high of 281,800 units–an increase of 5 percent over 2008 levels. Total …
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Products
Powerful products
September 1, 2019
These latest products are changing the marine fabricator industry. Want to see your products here? Email: erbernick@ifai.com. Fire-retardant clear vinyl Visilite™ FR passes NFPA-701 Test Method 2 for fire resistance and is part of a collection that also includes double polished, extruded and interleaf styles. The vinyl offers lasting visual clarity and durability for a variety …
Fabric & Film
New Hydrofend coated fabric for marine applications
August 1, 2019
Hydrofend™, a solution-dyed polyester designed to balance high water resistance with breathability, is now available from Trivantage, a one-stop shop for fabrics, hardware, and accessories. “Our goal was to create a fabric that lets little water in and water vapor out,” says Dan Fouratt, director of business development for Trivantage. “Hydrofend achieves this balance.” Applications …
Products
Smart supplies
July 1, 2019
These latest products are changing the marine fabricator industry. Want to see your products here? Email: erbernick@ifai.com. Colorful faux suede The KnollTextiles Contour Collection includes new colors of Ultrasuede®, its premier high-performance, multi-use faux suede. The durable fabric is inherently stain resistant and versatile with a soft hand. It is appropriate for upholstery, wrapped panels …
Products
New products
March 1, 2019
These latest products are changing the marine fabricator industry. Want to see your products here? Email: erbernick@ifai.com. Self-piercing grommets ClipsShop® Self-Piercing Grommet Sets are made from solid brass and feature gripping teeth on the washers that provide extra holding power for a wide range of industrial applications subjected to constant tension such as awnings, sails, …
Products
New products
January 1, 2019
Waterproof shade on land and sea Recognized in the marine market for its weather resistance and durability, Sunbrella® SeaMark® is now available in a wider selection of colors and has expanded from marine applications into the commercial shade market. Fabricated from durable Sunbrella performance fabric and 100 percent impervious waterproof backing, SeaMark is available in …
Products
New products
September 1, 2018
These latest products are changing the marine fabricator industry. Want to see your products here? Email: erbernick@ifai.com. Temperature resistant Designed to resist the harshest environments, Stamskin One handles extreme temperatures (-58°F to 302°F) and is insensitive to UV radiation and water. Formulated by Serge Ferrari, the elastomer gives it an ultra-soft touch and “peach skin” …
Products
Tips for keeping marine fabrics clean and protected
July 3, 2018
Care and maintenance of clear vinyl products, especially those like Strataglass® that are coated to be scratch-resistant, requires cleaning methods using specific cleaning and protection products, according to Craig R. Zola, vice president for marketing and distribution at Herculite® Products Inc., parent company of Strataglass, based in Emigsville, Pa. In the harsh marine environment, it’s …
Fabric & Film
Lightweight durability
July 1, 2018
For marine applications, gazebo covers, patio furniture covers, tarps, canopies and campers, Top Notch 1S is a 100 percent solution-dyed polyester fabric with a clear urethane back coat. At 60 inches wide, 7.4 oz. per sq. yd., it offers exceptional strength, durability, water resistance, tear resistance, abrasion resistance and UV- and mildew-resistance. Because it is …
Equipment
Seam sealer
July 1, 2018
Most fabrics are only as waterproof as their seams. For boat covers, awnings, rucksacks and other outdoor gear, Iosso’s Seam Sealer keeps moisture where it belongs—on the outside. It forms an effective, invisible seal against water intrusion without altering the color or feel of the material. It prevents leaks on cotton, cotton blend, polyester and …
Hardware & Findings
Quick-release fasteners
July 1, 2018
Loxx® Fasteners are durable self-locking quick-release fasteners precision engineered from brass and stainless steel. Versatile and reliable in the harshest environments, these fasteners are appropriate for marine, architectural, cover and tarp, and industrial fastening applications. They are easy to install by simply punching a hole and screwing on the mating washer. There is no need …
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Interiors & Upholstery
Window Treatment Trends
July 1, 2017
Interest in window coverings for marine applications has experienced a rebirth of sorts and more consumers, fabricators and designers are using innovative window treatment designs. When Krisha Plauché, owner of Onboard Interiors in Marblehead, Mass., is fabricating drapery for a stateroom, she often uses blackout applications, but Plauché has found that lining drapery with a …
In the Shop
Members only content
Fresh updates for older vessels
January 1, 2017
Most interior fabrication projects occur on fixer-uppers. The vessel might be vintage or it might be less than ten years old. While I always welcome the challenge of doing a better design than the original, there is a fine line between aesthetics and practicality. After all, the boat needs to be both comfortable and secure …
How-To Articles
Members only content
Constructing snow flies for the Alaskan climate
January 1, 2017
Our winters in Fairbanks, Alaska, can be cold or very cold with lots of snow or little snow; it all depends. One condition we don’t see often is wind. In my 26 years of living here, I can remember only one time when the wind blew and the snow flew. Most of our snow falls …
How-To Articles
Meticulous prototyping leads to attractive cylinder cushions
September 1, 2016
Over the years I have been asked to fabricate several unusual items. I never know if that item will be a one-hit wonder or will become a customer favorite. In most cases, I create prototypes that help me creatively solve design challenges. I charge a prototype fee of a few hundred dollars to develop and …
How-To Articles
Marine fabricators meet customers’ window wish lists
August 1, 2016
When making boat windows for customers, marine fabricators often have a specific set of requirements of their materials. “Our fabricators require a sheet that is easy to handle, durable and can be cut and sewn easily without fear of damaging the product,” says Lyle Shipley, product manager at O’Sullivan Films, Winchester, Va., for O’Sea and …
How-To Articles
Complex and compound frame bending
July 1, 2016
Incorporating unconventional design into dodgers and biminis. I often suggest that my customers try to think out of the box when envisioning what their boats can look like. I tell them, “If I have done my job properly, the cover will become part of the boat.” Take a spray dodger, for example. I generally recommend …
Interiors & Upholstery
The art of project management on contour cushions
July 1, 2016
Marine fabricators are a unique group of craftspeople and business owners. Many of us are familiar with the notion that creative pursuits are right-brain activities, while math and logic are left-brain activities. As marine fabricators, we utilize the right sides of our brains for design solutions that meet customers’ aesthetic and practical expectations. At the …
Interiors & Upholstery
Restyled sleeping cabins
May 1, 2016
Interior sleeping cabins on a vessel have always been my favorite projects. I enjoy researching options and ultimately providing customers with tidy solutions that offer easy accessibility. Cabin spaces and mattresses come in all shapes and sizes. One of my clients claims to sleep 14 people on his 54-foot Bertram with only three interior cabins, …
How-To Articles
Lazy Jack – stack pack sail covers
March 1, 2016
These names are some of the descriptions for a process of suspending sail covers. I started making these Lazy Jack covers 20 years ago, as a progress/advance of the Lazy Jack rope system, designed to help flake a main sail as it is put away. The idea was to connect the rope to a sail …
Interiors & Upholstery
Elegant performance in stripes
March 1, 2016
Stripes come in every color, shape and size. A two-color stripe can even be juxtaposed to form an eye-catching pattern. Striking stripe patterns can be matched or combined with solid colors to provide dramatic effects for your next project. Stripes are more popular than ever. Sunbrella likes them so much, subtle as well as dramatic …
