MFA announces two fall regional workshops
June 28, 2022
The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) is offering two fall regional workshops that will provide networking and hands-on education in a shop setting. The workshops give fabricators an opportunity to see how other shops approach various projects as well as learn new options for shop layout, material and equipment placement/storage. The MFA Southeast Regional Workshop will […]
MFA Tools, Tips and Tricks contest open
June 27, 2022
The Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) annual Tools, Tips and Tricks contest is now open for submissions. Submissions can include anything fabricators do to save time, money or perform a job in a unique way. Even the simplest solutions are a great help to other shops. Submission ideas include using a tool or piece of equipment […]
Ocean Shipping Reform Act updates U.S. shipping law
June 23, 2022
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the first major update to U.S. international ocean-shipping laws in more than two decades. The Senate passed the shipping reform bill earlier this year, and President Biden is expected to sign the measure into law in the coming days. Bipartisan legislation, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 […]
OSHA administers $11.7 million in training grants
June 22, 2022
The U.S. Department of Labor will provide a funding opportunity for $11.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to support the delivery of training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. Administered by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the grants will target disadvantaged, underserved, low-income, and other hard-to-reach, […]
USDA partners with Port of Houston to ease agriculture shipping bottlenecks
June 22, 2022
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced plans to increase capacity for exporting chilled and frozen agricultural commodities at the Port of Houston in Houston, Texas, to help improve service for shippers of U.S. grown agricultural commodities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with the Port of Houston to lease additional chassis, used to position […]
IBEX 2022 registration opens
June 21, 2022
Visitor registration for the 2022 The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) show is now open. Set to take place September 27-29, 2022, at the Tampa Convention Center, the large trade event for marine industry professionals offers access to more than 600 exhibitors from 14 countries spread throughout three exhibit halls, docks, and outdoor displays, […]
IAA Award deadline extended to June 30
June 20, 2022
The deadline to submit a project to the 2022 International Achievement Awards (IAA) has been extended. Entries will now close on June 30. The IAA awards recognize the best projects across the specialty fabrics industry. Awards are given in seven major categories and 42 subcategories and are judged by industry experts. Major categories include: •Advanced […]
New hires at Miami Corporation
June 17, 2022
Steve Szenay, MFC, has joined Miami Corporation as its new Technical Director for Marine Fabrics. With 40-plus years of experience in the marine canvas industry, Szenay is widely regarded as an industry expert. He is a longtime ATA member (formerly IFAI) and has shared his expertise at many MFA Conferences and is the author of […]
Textile groups urge U.S. to maintain penalty tariffs on China
June 16, 2022
The Biden administration should maintain Section 301 penalty tariffs on finished textiles and apparel from China or risk reversing once-in-a-lifetime nearshoring trends and undermining critical investments and jobs in the U.S. and Western Hemisphere, three key American textile manufacturing groups said today. In a formal submission to the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office, which is […]
TikTok campaign targets younger boaters
June 16, 2022
To further engage the next generation of boaters, Discover Boating, an online resource for recreational boating sponsored by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, recently launched a pilot campaign on TikTok to tell the industry’s story through influential content creators who encourage their engaged followers to get on […]
Viking Group chair wins congressional primary
June 15, 2022
Robert Healey Jr., chairman of Viking Group, won the Republican primary for New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District. Healey will face incumbent Congressman Andy Kim in the general election on Tuesday, November 8. Aside from his corporate responsibilities, Healey’s philanthropic activities include board positions on the Healey Education Foundation, which helps Catholic schools become self-sustaining and […]
2021 sailboat sales trends report now available
June 14, 2022
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Sailboat Sales Trends section of the 2021 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract is now available. The data show retail unit sales of sailboats increased 20% compared to 2020. Other key insights from the report include: Sailboats accounted for $126.1 million in sales in 2021.Exports of sailboat units from the […]
MARAD announces new Marine Highway Project designations
June 9, 2022
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the immediate designation of four new Marine Highway Projects as part of the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP) located in North Carolina, Alaska and Puerto Rico. These projects now have access to record levels of funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help address supply chain challenges. […]
Free employment branding webinar offered by ATA
June 8, 2022
The Advanced Textiles Association (formerly IFAI) is offering the webinar “Employment Branding–What message does your brand send?” The webinar, which is free for ATA members and $39 for non-members, will take place June 22, 2022, from 12-1 p.m. CST. Webinar presenter Rita Revels, president & CEO of the Employers Network, has more than 20 years […]
New powerboat sales normalizing, outpace pre-pandemic levels
June 7, 2022
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) reports new powerboat sales through Q1 2022 are showing signs of normalizing following two years of historic growth. In the first quarter, new powerboat retail sales totaled 54,000 units, down 20% compared to Q1 2021, while continuing to surpass pre-pandemic levels, up 20% from Q1 2019’s 45,000 units. “Not […]