Talking Textiles

Adam Penner has a background in engineering, but after college he began his career as a CAD designer and developed a passion for automation. After transitioning to work for an automation company, he traveled nationally installing automation equipment and training others on how to use it. He discovered a love for teaching and ventured into consulting, founding AP Consulting and Tech

Listen in as Justine Decaens, Director of Research and Development from CTT Group in Quebec, Canada, discusses how her company supports industrial development. CTT Group’s research and development teams help take innovations from development all the way to the testing phase to ensure products meet certain criteria and specifications. Tune in as Justine discusses the products and

Listen in as Natalie Cormier, Owner of Able Canvas in New Brunswick, Canada, discusses how she took on the challenge of becoming the owner in 2011. Cormier loves a challenge, so becoming an owner of a business in an industry she had no knowledge of was something she wanted to take on. She further discusses the challenges of hiring skilled workers in the New Brunswick area. She does

Kyle VanDamme sits down with Keith Purves, Jeff Newkirk, and Johannes Lombard at the Marine Fabricators Conference. The guests share from different backgrounds—from what it was like growing up in the family business to being recruited by a sail maker and coming into the business after a career in the yachting industry. They cover the trades and hiring for character and teaching t

Listen to part two as we dive deeper into why NC State doctoral student Erin Parker chose to further her education in textiles and wanted to focus on wearable technology for her thesis research. Also, new attendee Todd Pusser discusses how he got into the textile industry and how being CAD certified not only helped him hone his skills on the job, but also how he found a passion for

Listen in as Kyle VanDamme and Mark Tyrrell interview Jeff Sponseller, Michael Woody, Todd Pusser, and Erin Parker. You will hear the viewpoint of regular attendees Jeff Sponseller and Michael Woody on how Expo has evolved, the connections and friends they have made with other individuals in the industry, the business opportunities they have received, and advice for new attendees.

On this episode, Michael Boatman discusses how his passion for boat covers grew by learning and working alongside his father in their family business. Ultimately, this passion led him to start his own boat cover business - Boatman Marine Canvas. He also recalls his first experience attending an MFA conference, how he “found his people” and loved everything about the conference.

Listen as Kyle VanDamme interviews Justin Jones and Clint Halladay of SewLong to discuss how they both got into the wake boat cover business and the overall culture of the business. Also, they will discuss how their company survived COVID, how they compete with the bigger shops, and how the younger generation has changed the way they view work life balance.

On this episode Tom Auer interviews Mar Ricketts of GuildWorks, Karina Gentry of Boatswain Locker, and Robin DuBroy of Wholesale Shade to discuss how ATA is making the demo area better at the Advanced Textiles Expo with new contributors to help diversify the knowledge and incorporate hands-on education and training. Listen now to learn more of the experiences our guests have had in

Host Kyle Van Damme sits down with guest Mike Charlton to have a candid conversation about life choices and the marine canvas business. Mike shares memories of his parent’s conversion van business, and how this impacted his creativity. He also touches on finding time for family and ways to work smarter through developing tools and implementing strategic scheduling.