A bit of in-house business first: You’ll soon see a slight change in the way the Marine Fabricators Association presents itself. Our parent group—IFAI—is undergoing a new branding effort that will bring all of its member organizations under a more-unified image. The aim is to simplify and drive decision-making for the company and also signify [...]

Silver State introduces Modern Eclectic, a Sunbrella® collection. The look is modern to transitional, with a heavy traditional influence in the pattern design. Modern Eclectic colors are vibrant blues, greens and yellow. Reds, pinks and oranges run to the warm side, and all is tied together with stark whites, soft neutrals and grays. Modern Eclectic [...]

Faith Roberts' Banner Canvas is a virtual museum of the history of industrial canvas sewing. By Jim Tarbox A first-time visitor to Faith Roberts’ Banner Canvas shop in Ham Lake, Minn. (just north of Minneapolis), might be excused for taking an initial look around and being amazed at the array of equipment and supplies. But [...]

An improved economy and concerns about solar exposure shine new light on sunshades. By Pamela Mills-Senn People are taking to the water in record numbers, encouraged in part by plummeting gas prices. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, approximately 89 million to 90 million Americans went boating in 2013 and 2014, respectively—the highest levels [...]

Shop operators should consider these items: Automated external defibrillator Proper workspace ventilation for paints, solvents and other chemicals Respiratory protection Eye protection Gloves Operating fire extinguishers Shop evacuation plan and procedures Find more on shop safety with "Better safe than sorry" in our July 2015 issue of Marine Fabricator. More shop-safety information is available online [...]

OSHA standard 1910.151 (b) mandates an employer have “adequate first aid supplies...readily available,” although specific first-aid supplies are not listed. OSHA does not have a minimum requirement, but references ANSI Z308.1-2003 Minimum Requirements for Workplace First Aid Kits. According to the ANSI document, a basic workplace first-aid kit should include*: At least one absorbent compress, [...]

By Jeffrey C. Rasmussen The world economy: key statistics It was a recovery year, to be sure, but an uneven global rebound kept the lid on the world economy. For the past three quarters of the year in 2013 and 2014, the United States has been an economic island, showing noticeable improvement in comparison to [...]

Contact: Brad Schmeets Location: Colorado Springs, Colo. Year established: 2011 Number of employees: 2 Shop size: 3,200 sq. ft. How did your shop get started? This is my third shop. I learned to sew in the Air Force, and opened my first shop in 1980 in Alaska, doing furniture. Then someone asked me to do [...]

Restoration of a sofa on a 1996 50-foot Bertram features reshaped arms to match the larger sofa frame. Photo by Alayna Wood. By Terri Madden The waters of San Juan, Puerto Rico, have been home to many Bertram yacht enthusiasts ever since Richard Bertram opened a 25-acre plant in 1962. I have had [...]

By William J. Lynott If you’re like many busy business owners, you don’t pay much attention to income taxes until the filing deadline looms. “That can be a costly mistake,” says public accountant Jay Blumenthal of Abington, Pa. “One of the most effective ways to pare your business as well as personal income taxes to [...]