By Jeff Rasmussen

Changes cited by suppliers and end-product manufacturers in the survey ran the gamut from having a greater number of fabrics to choose from to the dramatic increase in the prices of key materials, especially petroleum-based fabrics. Specific changes cited include:

For suppliers

• Many more fabric choices are available worldwide.
• More acrylic suppliers are aggressively selling their products.
• More mills are selling directly to the customer.
• The number of boat manufacturers has decreased.

For end-product manufacturers

• More consolidation; more competition for less work.
• More fabrics to choose from.
• More technology is available.
• Dramatic increase in prices, especially for petroleum-based fabrics.
• More smaller boats are being manufactured.
• More buying groups.
• Fewer customers.
• Customers are being more frugal in how they spend their money (more used boats are selling).
• A trend toward buying cheaper fabrics, especially imported fabrics.

Jeff Rasmussen is market research manager at the Industrial Fabrics Association International. He can be reached at +1 651 225 6967, jcrasmussen@ifai.com.