Per Lindstrand sees obstacles as stepping stones as he develops new methods and products for fabric engineering. Never be afraid to stick your head out. I’d rather have my head slapped one time too many than too little,” says aeronautical engineer Per Lindstrand, founder and president of Lindstrand Technologies, Oswestry, U.K. “You get nowhere unless [...]

Frei Otto pioneered architectural use of tensile membranes, but also worked with other materials and systems, such as grid shells, bamboo and wooden lattices. The late Walter Bird, founder of Birdair Inc., collaborated with Otto on various tensile membrane structures. Photo: Birdair Inc. The first name of Frei Otto, a pioneer in tensioned [...]

A job that requires working high above the ground may require added safety precautions and equipment, which need to be figured into expenses. Keeping good records allows the company to bid more accurately and maintain expected profit margins. Photo: Baraboo Awning Understanding the customer’s unique wants and requirements goes to the heart of [...]

The gymnasium at Ichioka Commercial High School in Osaka, Japan, was part of a recent ceiling innovation experiment to test two types of membrane ceiling: tensioned (left) and suspension (right). The fabric used was G-1025BT white, flame-retardant PVC polyester from Teijin Frontier. Photo: Japan Tent Sheet Manufacturers Association Fabric ceilings are gaining impetus [...]

Inflatable products need not be oversized to have a big impact; small can be mighty, especially when it comes to inflatables designed to provide relief on an individual basis, such as those popping up in wellness centers, hospitals, nursing homes and even on clothing racks and in closets. Here’s a quick overview of three companies [...]

NuLeather™ is The Mitchell Group’s newest offering in high-performance faux leather; with a luxurious texture and feel and the ability to withstand demanding applications, it is being marketed to hospitality, health care, contract and residential markets. Engineered with the highest quality polycarbonate resins for strength and durability, the fabric’s formulation offers hydrolysis resistance, and its [...]

Altaeros Energies successfully tested a BAT prototype in 45 mph winds at 500 feet in 2013, putting it in contention with other companies seeking the high-altitude wind energy sweepstakes. These include Google’s recently acquired Makani Power (U.S.); 3M’s funding of Nature Technology Systems (Germany); DSM Venturing’s investment in SkySails (Germany); KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ [...]

Transformit’s Red Ribbons Aloft project won the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Fabric Art category of ATA’s 2014 International Achievement Awards. Photo: ©Matt Rawdon, Transformit. The Guildford Town Center in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, wanted to spice up the looks of its newly renovated mall with long fabric ribbons above two of the [...]

LINA® modular furniture products make a bold, colorful statement in round balls, cubes and even a low-to-the-floor moonscape. The manufacturer also sells a line of children’s furniture. Photos: LINA design d.o.o. Oddly shaped spaces in hotel lobbies, galleries or multi-use public buildings can be an interior designer’s nightmare. Designers selecting furnishings for a [...]

Is your company growing as fast as it should? Over the years, you’ve built a reasonably profitable business; but lately, sales and profits have either increased only slightly or have remained flat. You know your business has far greater potential, but you’re not quite sure how to make it happen. To get that process going, [...]