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NMMA president appointed to consumer goods committee
July 30th, 2012
The National Marine Manufacturers Association's (NMMA) president, Thom Dammrich, has been appointed to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC) on Consumer Goods. The ITAC is a part of the International Trade Administration, a government agency devoted to strengthening U.S. industries through trade, investments and support for the National Export Initiative. Dammrich will represent the recreational […]
NMMA distributes E15 warning labels to manufacturers
July 26th, 2012
Beginning this week, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is distributing 100,000 E15 warning labels to NMMA member boat manufacturers across the country to place on their boats in hopes of alerting boaters to the potential dangers of fuel with a high volume of ethanol. The labels will help educate boaters that E15 should not […]
NMMA launches Export Development program
July 23rd, 2012
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) launched an Export Development initiative to help its members better connect with emerging international growth opportunities and realize untapped potential in the international market. Nearly 69 percent of consumers live outside the U.S. (International Trade Resource Center), creating significant potential for the U.S. recreational boating industry, which is already […]
Understanding insurance
July 1st, 2012
The facts on the New Longshore Recreational Vessel Regulation. By Maura Keller Gather together manufacturers and fabricators within the marine industry and it won’t take long for them to determine they share a common malady: the changing structure of insurance. In 2009, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) was amended by the American […]
Shop talk with Mike Erickson of Canvas Designers Inc.
July 1st, 2012
Describe your shop layout. Our shop consists of four and a half 5,000-square-foot bays. The machine shop and metal fabrication area occupies one bay. The canvas shop occupies one bay. The CAD and cutting department, along with the woodworking area, occupies a full bay, and the upholstery/interior department is in a bay. The showroom, offices, […]
Safety with a tax deduction
July 1st, 2012
By Mark E. Battersby Every marine canvas and upholstery business, large or small, is responsible for protecting the safety and health of its employees. In addition to being the right thing to do, safety is also good business. Doing it right pays off in increased productivity, lower costs and higher employee morale. An effective safety […]
Bending plastic for new applications
July 1st, 2012
Custom bending and forming bolsters from Starboard and PVC board and inside corner wraps can be the coolest part of an upholstery job. We are often confronted with difficult corner pieces that require a special formed piece to give that full custom appearance. Usually I start with 6 mil poly (plastic) and lay it over […]
Traditional dodger challenges
July 1st, 2012
At Hood Canvas we fabricate California dodgers as well as traditional dodger styles. The style we use depends on the aesthetics of the boat and the owners’ preferences. In the last article we covered fabricating a traditional dodger forward side panel. In this article, we are going to expand on this same fabrication, but focus […]
Chandler Clark makes important business decisions
July 1st, 2012
Interview by Sigrid Tornquist How have the increased gas prices affected your business? If it costs a client too much to take the boat out, they’re not going to do it as often, which means they won’t need as much work done. Gas prices also impact the cost of materials. But because we’ve oriented ourselves […]
Growing a business against the odds
July 1st, 2012
“In the Navy they call it deckplate leadership,” says Chandler Clark, owner of Signature CanvasMakers in Hampton, Va. “It’s a leadership style that involves teamwork, common sense and taking care of your people—and I try to apply it to my dealings with customers and employees.” Chandler, who owns the canvas shop that manufactures exterior and […]