In memoriam: Roger Gant Jr.

July 27th, 2010

Former Glen Raven president Roger Gant Jr. has died at the age of 86. Gant served Glen Raven Inc. for 55 years in a variety of management positions and as president and board member. He also led the Glen Raven team that created Glen Raven’s Sunbrella® brand of performance fabrics in the early 1960s. “It […]

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IBEX Innovation Awards’ call for entries

July 12th, 2010

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) recently announced entries are being accepted for the 2010 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) Innovation Awards, one of the marine industry’s most prestigious honors. The Awards presentation takes place during the show’s annual Industry Awards Breakfast on September 28. IBEX Innovation Awards are judged by Boating Writers International […]

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On the road again

July 1st, 2010

Being on site in a marina with a van, truck or trailer emblazoned with your canvas business' name on the side is one way to build business. It's a valuable marketing tool, one that people can see with their own eyes. The primary reason many fabricators set up mobile shops is to avoid wasting time […]

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New hiring incentives in a troubled economy

July 1st, 2010

By Mark E. Battersby The 2010 Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, which was recently signed into law, includes a whopping $17.6 billion in tax breaks for businesses, while pumping an additional $20 billion into highway and transit programs. The “Hire Now Tax Cut” combines payroll forgiveness for Social Security Taxes paid on qualified […]

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Hit the road with a mobile shop

July 1st, 2010

Mobile shops accelerate business opportunities and drive new customers. by Mary Jo Morris Marine fabricators that serve customers who keep their boats on the water must take their workshops on the road. For some, going mobile is as straightforward as tossing a tool bag into the back of a truck for a quick measure or […]

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Small jobs, big profits

July 1st, 2010

More than just patches and stitches, fixes and repairs can build your business. by Jay Hanks Most canvas shops offer repairs but sometimes underestimate the value of them. Unfortunately, due to the tight economy, many fabrication shops are looking to shore up their business. By offering an alternative to new canvas, repair work can not […]

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Fabricating with virtual vision

July 1st, 2010

Katie Bradford uses computer imaging to fabricate hard-to-design projects. by Sigrid Tornquist “We can take a photograph of a boat, create a computer model of it and add to it the virtual structure that we intend to build,” says Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, owner of Custom Marine Canvas in Noank, Conn. “That way the customer […]

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Easily install zippers with zipper jig

July 1st, 2010

The ZSJ Zipper Jig from Manart Hirsch makes installing sliders on YKK zipppers a breeze. Attach the jig to any table with the winged screw, place the slider in the slot, feed both sides of the zipper into the slider and pull forward. Sliders can be inserted backwards on zippers. SOURCE Manart Hirsch

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Joiner securely fastens tubing

July 1st, 2010

The Lever Lock Joiner from Intermold provides a secure, easily-adjusted grip for adjustable support poles. The joiner connects standard 3/4-inch tubing to 7/8-inch tubing without having to modify the tubing or use screws. The Lever Lock Joiner is molded from high-strength composite materials with a stainless steel hinge screw. SOURCE Intermold

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Fabric with antimicrobial protection

July 1st, 2010

Victor Group, a leading textile company specializing in sustainable fabrics, introduced new fabrics featuring Agion as a part of their Eco Intelligent line of products. Agion uses silver and copper ion technology to offer long-lasting protection and minimize the impact of destructive micro-organisms on the fabrics’ protected surface. The recycled polyester fabrics offer an eco-friendly […]

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