Training a new generation
January 1st, 2020
Kathryn Maisto mastered her marine canvas skills over a lifetime and across oceans, and now she’s training a new generation. By Jill C. Lafferty I’m always looking for ways to enhance our product line,” says Kathryn Maisto, owner of Fairwinds Canvas LLC, Racine, Wis. “In what we do and what we offer, we have truly […]
Planning and pricing are key to making custom projects pay off
May 1st, 2019
Custom projects offer fabricators a numbers of advantages, such as interesting work, a broader customer base and a reputation as a can-do company. The owner of this 2003 Chaparral 232 Sunesta had a simple request of Southern Stitch Canvas & Upholstery—make it new. Shown here is the one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted, tailor-trimmed interior featuring textured material and […]
Software management to canvas bliss
September 1st, 2018
Keri Ames is the sole owner and fabricator of Yachtsman’s Canvas in North Wales, Pa. She’s been a marine fabricator for eight years and works with powerboats and sailboats on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay (Md.), southeastern areas of Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. She began sailing the waters of the Chesapeake Bay […]
Marine business passes to next generation
September 1st, 2017
In 2007, Kate Mitchell set up a 10-year plan to transition her business on the Alaskan frontier to her children. Today her children value the company’s courageous past and anticipate a bright future. We didn’t homestead like the Kilcher family from Discovery Channel’s Alaska: The Last Frontier but we were here before the roads were […]
Shop organization tips and techniques
July 1st, 2017
"For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” That sage advice from American founding father Benjamin Franklin holds true for any marine fabrication business, because an organized shop can improve employee efficiency and affect the bottom line all while keeping customers coming back for more. Streamlined Processes Marine fabricators are always looking for ways […]
Marine industry survey
January 1st, 2009
This summary of the U.S./Canadian marine fabric market segment focuses mostly on the U.S. marketplace, particularly as it relates to the state of the marine fabric market over the past few years: trends, top marine fabric applications and the market outlook. Much of the information was derived from a recent survey conducted by the Industrial […]