Alan J. Freedman Award nominations

July 27th, 2011

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is accepting entries for the 2011 Alan J. Freedman Memorial Leadership Award, one of the industry’s most prestigious honors given to an individual in the marine accessory sector. The award will be presented on Monday, Oct. 17 at the 2011 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) in Louisville, Ky., […]

Read More

Outdura earns Oeko-Tex certification

July 20th, 2011

C.P. Davis, CEO of Outdura Corp., announced that Outdura has been granted authorization to use the Oeko-Tex mark, according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100. The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 has become the best-known and most successful label for textiles tested for harmful substances. “The Oeko-Tex label is a recognized benchmark for the consumer and also serves as […]

Read More

IBEX 2011 announces Innovation Awards call for entries

July 13th, 2011

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced that entries are being accepted for the 2011 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 Breakfast on Monday, Oct. 17 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. IBEX Innovation Awards are judged by […]

Read More

Life jacket reform

July 6th, 2011

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has removed exclusivity for Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as the only USCG-approved lab to test inflatable life jackets, opening up the possibility for new life jacket innovations and cost-effective options for consumers. “The rulemaking signals that the USCG is seriously considering approving an inflatable life jacket standard that will remove […]

Read More

Boating comes to Capitol Hill

July 1st, 2011

The 2011 American Boating Congress, the recreational boating industry’s legislative conference, took to Capitol Hill in May to discuss with the country’s lawmakers key policy issues facing the recreational boating industry. More than 175 members from 26 states and Canada attended. Featured speakers at the two-day event addressed critical economic concerns and legislation, providing a […]

Read More

New MarChem CFI sales rep

July 1st, 2011

MarChem CFI appointed Cameron Weldon its upper Midwest regional sales representative. Weldon has 18 years of experience in the textile industry, primarily with Astrup and Tri Vantage. Based in Oakwood Hills, Ill., Weldon’s territory encompasses Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and far western Pennsylvania.

Read More

YKK elects chairman

July 1st, 2011

YKK Corporation of America (YCA), a subsidiary of global fastener manufacturer YKK Corp., elected Alex Gregory chairman of the company’s board of directors. Gregory was named president and CEO of YCA in 2001, and will continue to serve in that role in addition to his duties as chairman of the board. “We develop hundreds of […]

Read More

Boat sales tied to gas prices

July 1st, 2011

While the recreational boating industry is on the mend, expectations of a 10-percent increase in sales this year have been tempered by rising gas prices and economic unease following the Japan earthquake, according to a report from CNBC. The news outlet predicted it could take at least two years before powerboat sales return to 2007 […]

Read More

Senate appeals 1099 reporting requirement

July 1st, 2011

The Senate passed the “Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act,” repealing the onerous 1099 tax reporting requirement established in the health care overhaul passed last year. The 1099 provision would have required businesses to send a 1099 tax form and collect W9 information from every vendor it purchases more than $600 worth of goods or […]

Read More

Top Value Fabrics new website

July 1st, 2011

Top Value Fabrics launched a new website geared toward both new and returning customers. The user-friendly site includes information on the company’s extensive collection of fabrics and makes it simple for visitors to request information and contact individual sales consultants. Visitors can sign up for e-mail marketing programs.

Read More