According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the U.S. boating industry is expected to have its seventh consecutive year of growth in 2017, surpassing the pre-recession peak set in 2006. The article, which included an interview with National Marine Manufacturer Association (NMMA) president Thom Dammrich, attributes part of that growth to boaters upgrading to bigger, automated, [...]

Valdese Weavers, Valdese, N.C., designers and producers of fabrics for specialty markets including RV, marine, luggage, apparel, pillows, drapery and bedding, has purchased the Circa 1801 facility in Connelly Springs, N.C. The 156,000-square-foot structure houses the Circa 1801 Design studio, administrative offices and manufacturing plant. The building was constructed in 1997, and is located five [...]

The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has named William V. McCrary Jr. NCTO chair at its annual meeting in March. McCrary is chair and CEO of William Barnet and Son LLC, a synthetic/fiber/yarn/polymer firm located in Spartanburg, S.C. Marty Moran, CEO of Buhler Quality Yarns Corp., a Jefferson, Georgia-based fine-count yarn supplier, has been [...]

Given the changes in consumer shopping and online behavior, the Grow Boating Board of Directors commissioned a study to better understand today’s first-time boat buyer. Study findings include definitions of six different types of first-time boat buyers including their interests and psychographic traits, what motivates them to explore boat ownership, how they move from “boating” [...]

More than 2,100 attendees and 193 exhibitors gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando, Fla., in March for Geotechnical Frontiers 2017, the biggest geosynthetics show in the industry. Geotechnical Frontiers combined the annual Geo-Congress and the biennial Geosynthetics Conference into a super-event held once every six years. “We had a great show and we’re [...]

Spradling International Marine, Maryville, Tenn., has confirmed that its marine performance products comply with the European Biocide Product Regulation. Spradling products do not contain OBPA (Oxybisphonoxyarsine), a biocide banned by the European Union that is processed in marine vinyl material to prevent pink staining. Spradling marine-grade products have been manufactured without OBPA since 2013. They [...]

Heytex and BondCote Corporation, Pulaski, Va., providers of coated, laminated and composite fabrics, announced the hiring of Steve Moses as the purchasing/materials manager. Moses will assume the responsibilities of cross-plant global purchasing strategy of Heytex and BondCote, manage the division materials activities and process, and participate in the global purchasing strategy, supplier rating process and [...]

Marine Fabricators Association welcomes the following new members. For complete contact information, visit www.ifai.com/marine. Duneland Custom Canvas LLC James Torres Portage, Ind. Design Techniques LLC David Weatherly La Conner, Wash.

http://smallbiztrends.comSmall businesses are spending a lot of time and money on federal taxes, a new survey has found. According to the National Small Business Association 2017 Small Business Taxation Survey, federal tax burden is one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses. The report finds the majority of small businesses (67 percent) are spending more [...]

The Crypton® Companies, Bloomsfield Hills, Mich., providers of performance fabrics in the contract, home furnishings and apparel markets, announced that Berkley Capital LLC has acquired a majority stake. Berkley Capital is the private equity investment vehicle of W. R. Berkley Corp., a Fortune 500 property and casualty insurance company. Company co-founders Craig and Randy Rubin, [...]