LENZIP Manufacturing Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial and commercial grade zippers based in Rolling Meadows, Ill., has released the LENZIP No. 12 Marine Grade UV Zipper. No. 12 gauge is larger than the industry standard No. 10, but smaller than LENZIP’s BIGZIP® No. 15 gauge. The No. 12 gauge is available with 316 stainless steel [...]

The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) will have a presence this year at IFAI Expo in New Orleans, La. Join MFA for sessions on upholstery and enclosures, as well as a case study and successful employee retention.  The current schedule is as follows: Monday, September 25 1:00 p.m - 5:00 p.m. - Specialty Fabrics Cover Tour [...]

SEAMS, the National Association for the U.S. Sewn Products Industry, announced that Will Duncan and Associates (WDA) will assume daily management and operations of the not-for-profit organization. Duncan brings more than 30 years of experience in management development, process improvement, etc. to his new role. This board level selection of Will Duncan, founder and CEO of [...]

The fifth and sixth sections of the National Marine Manufacturers Association’s (NMMA) 2016 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract are now available and can be downloaded here.  Data shows retail unit sales of outboard, inboard and sterndrive boats were up 6 percent in 2016 and corresponding dollars were up 8 percent. Saltwater fishing boat unit sales were up [...]

The 2017 Innovation Awards program is open for entry. The Innovation Awards program recognizes top visionaries and new products in the marine industry. Winners will be announced during the industry breakfast on the opening morning of the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) on Sept. 19 in Tampa, Fla. Products can be submitted for the [...]

The University of Michigan is establishing a research institute focused on sustainable management of the Great Lakes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is funding the new Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research with a five year, $20 million grant. Scientists with the institute will work with NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada released a new study outlining the economic impact of recreational boating in Canada. In 2016, the influence of the recreational boating industry in Canada resulted in revenues estimated at $10 billion that generated $5.6 billion in GDP and supported nearly 75,000 jobs throughout the country. The study’s release coincides [...]

All fabrics in the Sunbrella® Alaxi Newport collection are known for being fashion focused and style driven. They are covered by a color match guarantee and are protected from dye lot issues and eliminate the need of cuttings for approval. Collection colors include Trippin’, a swirling three color pattern or there’s Lost Horizon, a large repeat ombré strip [...]

HEYtex & BondCote Corp. has hired Earle Wolynes as sales manager–industrial. Wolynes has more than 20 years of experience in the textile industry in manufacturing, development, sales, marketing and outside consulting. Over his career he has received eight patents in textiles and is a multi-time member of Milliken’s Innovators Hall of Fame. Wolynes will be [...]

Robert Hinsch, vice president of Top Value Fabrics, Carmel, Ind., is celebrating his 30th year with the company. Hinsch is recognized throughout the industry as an expert in developing custom textile solutions for a range of industries. He joined the company in 1987 with the idea to build a West Coast sales and distribution center. [...]