The digitization of marine canvas design and production holds many promises, including time savings and fewer errors. However, many small fabrication shops have found that going digital doesn’t make good business sense. Digital measuring machines, cutters and computers that support computer aided design (CAD) software require a large upfront investment in equipment and training. “It [...]

Transportation industry upholsterers do their homework If you run a successful business, you’re probably looking outside your office walls for consumer trends and industry innovations. We asked fabric manufacturers and upholsterers involved in interiors for the transportation market how they accomplish this important task. Here’s what some of them had to say: Jason Estes, director [...]

Government agencies mandate fire-resistance standards for fabrics used in modes of transportation; however, design aesthetics cannot be regulated. So, aside from the first priority of safety, what do fabricators’ customer want in the interiors of their automobiles, buses, trains and planes? Ron Larabie, president of Dallas-based JetSet Interiors, says his customers rank weight at the [...]

Buddy Sliva has been hired as western regional sales manager–awning and marine at Herculite Products Inc. Sliva comes to Herculite with many years of successful sales and business development experience, both nationally and regionally. He is an avid supporter of the industrial fabrics industry, serving on IFAI committees and division boards and participating in industry [...]

The Reverso Automatic Outboard Flushing System eliminates the cumbersome process of manually flushing outboard engines after a day on the water. The flushing system has received the National Marine Manufacturers Association Product Innovation Award and a Boating Industry 2016 Top Products Award. www.reversopumps.com

The Check Valve from Centek Industries helps prevent water from flowing back into engines and gensets. The check valve is useful on boats and yachts that navigate in a following sea, or when a backdown is needed while fighting game fish. Manufactured from flame-retardant and heat resistant resin, it is available in a wide range [...]

The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) recently announced the winners of the 2016 Innovation Awards in 11 areas of the marine industry. Winners were selected by a panel of judges from Boating Writers International (BWI), a professional organization consisting of writers, editors, publishers, photographers, broadcasters, public relations specialists and others in the communications profession. [...]

Safety Components has extended the limited warranty of WeatherMAX® 80 to 10 years. The change became effective October 1, 2016. UV-resistant WeatherMAX 80 is woven from 100 percent pigment solution-dyed fibers. It has a breathable finish that resists water, dirt and mildew. Safety Components’s WeatherMAX holds U.S. and Canadian patents. Safety Components manufactures technical fabrics [...]

Marlen Textiles, manufacturers of outdoor textiles, has announced an agreement with Action Upholstery Supply of Sarasota, Fla., to be a full line distributor. “We are very excited to partner with Action Upholstery Supply. They will help us expand our sales in to some underserved markets,” Jonathan Chakales, Marlen national sales manager, says.Action Upholstery Supply was [...]

The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) has appointed Bruce R. Burrows as president, effective December 1, 2016. Burrows joins the chamber as the bi-national industry association enters a new chapter, having recently completed a merger with the Canadian Shipowners Association in September. Burrows brings almost 35 years of government relations, business development and consensus-building expertise [...]