If Mike Boatman were to write a book on what he’s learned from 30-plus years in the marine fabrication industry, it would be one page with a single line: “Don’t be a jerk.” This short and simple philosophy has grounded him through the ins and outs of navigating a family business and cultivating a strong [...]

Marine Tops Unlimited displays its awards in the shop to demonstrate the company’s craftsmanship to customers. Photo: Kyle Van Damme The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Fabrication Excellence Awards started in 1994, sponsored by the MFA, to showcase projects that represent the best in design excellence and quality workmanship that our industry has to offer. Projects [...]

© 9dreamstudio | Dreamstime.com Have you ever witnessed a unique method used by an industry colleague and thought to yourself, “That’s so simple—why didn’t I think of that?” This is the concept behind the Tools, Tips and Tricks contest, which the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) runs every year at the Marine Fabricators Conference. Business owners and employees [...]

© Andrea Muscatello | Dreamstime.com It takes skill to be a fabricator, but it takes even more to be a successful fabricator—because at some point, your business may grow enough that you need more space. The steps required for a successful move might be new to you. “Moving a factory is not something you just know how [...]

© Aleksei Todosko | Dreamstime.com As consumers increasingly recognize the impact of good sleep on physical and mental health, they’re paying more attention to the quality and comfort of their sleep environments. Some fabricators say that demand is spilling over into the marine market, where many clients are seeking custom foam mattresses—and specially tailored custom [...]

Over the past 20 years, the question I’m asked most often by canvas makers, upholsters and my students is “How much should I charge for this project?” Daily, someone is asking that question on the Advanced Textiles Association forums and industry Facebook groups. As business owners, we must consider several factors, such as: Markup, Hourly [...]

Sunbrella® Horizon® marine vinyl is engineered to maximize durability, stretch and recovery, fade resistance and reduce pink staining, so it needs replacement less frequently. Photo: Sunbrella Driven by ethics, increasingly stringent regulations and demand by customers, marine fabricators continue to fine-tune their raw materials, products and practices to be gentler on the environment. Some industry [...]

Like everything else COVID-19 hit, the pandemic delivered a blow to workplace leadership development. At the same time, the pressure on leaders to deliver outstanding results hasn’t abated, often leaving millennials who are stepping into more senior roles—and Gen Zers who will begin doing so—struggling to develop their “managerial instincts.” Today’s leaders not only need [...]

A wall displaying nearly 30 years of industry awards marks the entrance to Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas in Virginia Beach, Va.—a testament to the shop’s history of quality and craftsmanship.  An idea sparked during a conversation between Dan Johnson, owner of Mike’s Marine Custom Canvas, and an industry colleague at a Marine Fabricators Conference helped solve [...]

Regardless of the style, make your seat covers wrinkle-free and pleasing to the eye. Some canvas fabricators get excited when a customer asks for seat covers, helm covers and bolster covers, while others begin to get anxious.  Those that welcome these types of jobs find them to be manageable in size—having less fitting time, less [...]