Specialty Fabrics Review October 2021 - 22

[ PERSPECTIVE ]
But " nicer " doesn't equate to
intricate. " One of our taglines is
'simplicity,' " Russell says. " By keeping
the design clean, classic and simple, we
can avoid the unnecessary bells and
whistles that increase labor costs but
don't add value to the product. If more
customers understood this, there'd be
less sticker shock when it comes to
U.S.-made products. "
A consumer trend that's trickier for
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
A 24-step solution
Where there's a customer
will, Cross Canvas finds a
way. But working with leather
can be especially difficult-a
lesson learned the hard way
by a customer who met Wayne
Heflin, vice president, at a trade
show 12 years ago. She was
struggling to find someone who
could design a leather case for
a safety instrument that miners
worldwide attach to their belts
while they work underground.
Keeping the device safe is
of the utmost importance,
as it can track the wearer's
location and shut down nearby
machinery when a wearer gets
dangerously close to it. Sample
cases from other companies
had not met the customer's
durability standards. Using oiltanned
leather and a rigorous
testing process, Cross Canvas
developed a 24-step cut-andsew
process to produce a
6-by-4-by-2-inch case that
meets the customer's exact
specifications. Case orders
continue today, ranging from a
few hundred to a few thousand
each time.
Cross Canvas to manage is the demand
for more " green " materials-especially
from younger generations, Russell
notes. " It's not something we typically
work with, but if a customer wants
recycled material, we offer it, " Heflin
says. " That's an important instance
where we'll lean on Industrial Fabrics
Association International [IFAI] to
help us source the fabric because it's
not something we're using every day. "
No matter what material is being
requested, Heflin and Russell say
the appetite for U.S.-made products
has increased in the last year. " We've
seen this type of demand before, after
major events like 9/11, " Heflin says. " It
comes and goes, but we've streamlined
and sacrificed our way through many
periods of uncertainty over the years.
We're survivors. And by 'we' I mean our
entire team. Without our employees,
there wouldn't be a Cross Canvas today. "
Succeeding together
With nearly 25 employees to
manage, Heflin and Russell have
built a company culture around three
principles: respect, positivity and pride.
" There's no room for egos, " Russell says.
" We both remember what it's like to be
an employee and know what it means
to work as a team. Our team succeeds
together and fails together, and our
employees understand that. "
Mutual respect is essential
to maintaining a positive work
22 SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW / October 2021
atmosphere where employees feel
trusted, empowered and valued.
" We do whatever we can to keep our
employees happy, " Russell continues.
" We may not be able to offer all of the
benefits of a large company, but we pay
well and offer generous vacation time
and flexibility to ensure employees'
families come first. "
At Cross Canvas, the physical
environment is just as important to the
employee experience. Routinely getting
rid of old machinery, showcasing
company projects in dedicated areas,
repainting walls and setting time aside
daily to clean makes a difference.
Facing the future
Satisfied employees are more likely to
stay and recommend the company to
others seeking work-which Heflin and
Russell are particularly grateful for, as
skilled labor is hard to find. " There's
definitely a lack of education about the
cut-and-sew business among today's
workforce, but there's also a lack of
interest, " Heflin says. " I don't have an
answer for this issue, and that concerns
me for the future of this industry. "
" If five sewers walked into our office
today, I'd probably hire all of them on
the spot, " Russell adds. " Over the years
we've had success bringing in younger
people with an interest in sewing and
devoting the time necessary to help
them improve. Sewing is hard work,
but it's rewarding. "
Cross Canvas employees-who have
an average tenure of 15 years-are
just as invested in new hires. " They
watch over the company as much as we
do, " Heflin says. " Most of our newer
employees are referrals, but no one
wants to refer someone who won't be
able to perform at their level or fit the
team culture. "
Another constant challenge
is keeping up with advances in
Specialty Fabrics Review October 2021

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