Specialty Fabrics Review April 2022 - 6

[ FIRST IMPRESSIONS ]
Why you should CONNECT
T
he Industrial Fabrics Association International's CONNECT is an
active forum where members can ask questions and get helpful
answers from others who have faced similar challenges.
For example, a recent question asked was, " Everyone is
experiencing supply chain challenges, but which categories are the
most challenging? Which types of products are you having the most
trouble sourcing? "
The responses underscored CONNECT's value as a resource where
members see that they are not facing challenges alone.
One response came from Ed Vander Vegte,
operations manager at OutFront Portable Solutions
in Beamsville, Ontario. He noted, " The current
difficulty, for us, is in the supply of vinyl and
plastic products. For some reason, certain resins
seem to be difficult to get. With help from this
IFAI forum, we managed to get enough vinyl to
make it through our busy season. "
Amy Bircher, CEO and founder of MMI Textiles
Tim Goral,
Senior Editor
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in Brooklyn, Ohio, and recently elected IFAI board
chair, said, " There isn't one specific area for supply
chain issues for us-it is across the board. It has
required a lot more planning on our end for all
the components that go into manufacturing our
fabrics, trim items, and so on. "
Thomas Auer, president of Bearse USA, in
Chicago, Ill., said the supply chain has led to delays
in finishing products. " In the Makers world, it
doesn't matter if we're missing a 10-cent snap, a
50-cent zipper, or a $10 piece of fabric, we can only
build and ship when we have everything on our bill
of material, " he said. " When we have double what we
need of one, but none of the other, we're not able to serve our customer. "
As for getting materials, David Davis, manager of Quinte Canvas
Mfg. (Top Shop), in Westbrook, Ontario, Canada, said: " When I needed
aluminum for September, I placed my order last June, only to be given
a response time of February 2022, " he said. " Now I'm reaching out to
suppliers, asking for their current lead time and ordering accordingly,
and doubling the order just in case. "
Connect with CONNECT by IFAI and be part of a community intent
on helping its members. As the saying goes, " A rising tide lifts all boats. "
[ CALENDAR OF EVENTS ]
April 2022
Fabricators Conference
and Showcase
APRIL 12 / Northcoast Canvas Training
Workshops, Port Clinton, Ohio
ifai.com/fabricatorsconference/
Outlook Conference 2022
APRIL 24-26 / The Omni Homestead Resort,
Hot Springs, Va.
ifai.com/outlook
May 2022
GMA Spring Lobby Day
MAY 11-12 / Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
ifai.com/event/gma-spring-2022-lobby-daywashington-dc/
October
2022
Oct. 1-4, 2019
Orlando, FL
Orange County Convention Center
SAVE THE DATE
Oct. 12-14, 2022 | Education: Oct. 11-14
Charlotte Convention Center
Charlotte, N.C. USA
ifaiexpo.com
January 2023
Tent Conference 2023
JANUARY 11-13 / Hyatt Regency Savannah,
Savannah, Ga.
ifai.com/tentconference/
Marine Fabricators Conference 2023
JANUARY 26-28 / Sheraton New Orleans,
New Orleans, La.
ifai.com/marineconference
February 2023
Midwest Fabric Products
Association 2023
FEBRUARY 8-10 / Knoxville, Tenn.
midwestfabricproducts.com
All calendar events are subject to change.
Please check event websites for the latest information.
6 SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW / April 2022

http://www.ifai.com/fabricatorsconference/ http://www.ifai.com/outlook http://www.ifai.com/event/gma-spring-2022-lobby-day http://www.ifaiexpo.com http://www.SpecialtyFabricsReview.com http://www.ifai.com/tentconference/ http://www.ifai.com/marineconference http://www.midwestfabricproducts.com

Specialty Fabrics Review April 2022

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