How to make your business attractive to a buyer
November 6th, 2020
Thinking about selling your business—either to an outside party or the next generation? Then it’s time to start considering how your equipment and processes fit into your succession plan. Jonathan Palmer, the second-generation owner and CEO of equipment supplier Autometrix, and Autometrix director of global sales Truy Pham, led an educational session at IFAI Virtual […]
Research and development partnerships work one-on-one
November 6th, 2020
The process of working with a research and development center was discussed in Dr. Thomas Stegmaier’s presentation, “Testing and Standards Integral to Timely Product Development.” Dr. Stegmaier is with DITF [Deutsche Institute Fur Textil Und Faserforschung Denkendorf], a large, textile research center located in Germany. It partners individually with industry participants to develop new technologies […]
Use market data to make sense of the moment
November 5th, 2020
The attacks on 9-11 forever changed how we look at security. The 2008 economic collapse forever changed how we look at finances. And the 2020 pandemic will forever change how we look at hygiene. Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab, the market research division of Interior Design and a SANDOW® brand, told attendees of IFAI Virtual […]
Responsive textiles with infrared technology
November 5th, 2020
In a presentation titled, “Amplifying Human Energy to Drive Performance and Recovery,” Hologenix LLC co-founder and CEO Seth Casden described the company’s Celliant® technology and explained how responsive textiles using infrared energy can increase tissue oxygen levels, which can improve athletic performance and recovery, sleep quality and general health and wellness. All sentient beings emit […]
Shade sail design: How to get it right
November 5th, 2020
During IFAI Virtual Expo 2020’s educational presentation “Shade Sail Design: How to Get It Right,” Timothy Akes, a software expert for MPanel Software Solutions, told participants that design is by far the most important, misunderstood and underestimated aspect of delivering a great and long-lasting shade sail project. “The shade sail shape and how you design […]
Tips for making the right product decisions
November 5th, 2020
A Trivantage-sponsored education session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020 called “Making the Right Product Decisions” was filled with detailed information about product choices and installation tips to help fabricators successfully create shade projects in commercial, vertical, shade sail, upholstery and marine applications. The session gave participants an in-depth survey of the company’s shade products and […]
A primer on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
November 5th, 2020
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) offers lots of attractive benefits: studies have shown that ESOPs improve productivity, increase sales and improve return on assets, plus they offer great tax advantages. But more than any of these attributes, an ESOP offers the owner of a company peace of mind and an enduring legacy. “Many times, […]
Understanding intelligent textiles
November 4th, 2020
The Advanced Textiles Conference of IFAI’s Virtual Expo 2020 continued Nov. 4 with a detailed presentation by Justine Decaens on “Smart Textiles: From Lab Prototypes to Commercial Products.” Decaens is R&D director with CTT Group, a testing laboratory and R&D facility specialized in technical textiles, headquartered in Quebec, Canada. Decaens first offered to define “smart […]
NMMA announces modified 2021 boat and sport show schedule
November 4th, 2020
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has announced significant modifications to its boat and sport show schedule in the first quarter of 2021. Following a thorough market-by-market analysis regarding the feasibility of producing safe and successful winter events, NMMA is canceling nine shows in the first quarter of 2021 and planning to move forward with […]
Registration opens for MFA Marine Workshop 2021
November 4th, 2020
Registration is now open for The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) Marine Workshop 2021 being held Feb. 18–19, 2021, at the Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel in Jacksonville, Fla. Co-located with the Fabricators Conference and Showcase, the MFA Marine Workshop 2021 offers hands-on training and marine fabrication education, networking opportunities with like-minded business owners, and opportunities to solve […]