Trivantage has launched a new look to the Market Corner blog, complete with new features designed to enhance your overall experience with our monthly marketing newsletter and streamline access to information on new products, design expertise, Awning Composer^® tutorials, and much more.

From a design standpoint, the blog’s modern look is more responsive than ever before and can be accessed on any device, including mobile. The URL – www.trivantage.com/blog – is more user-friendly, and we think you will agree the new layout also is easier to navigate. Just click on the photo, headline or “Read more” links in each post to access the full article or keep scrolling for an at-a-glance look at recent posts.

New features include a “Filter By” tab for ease of finding topics of interest to you and your customers. You also can do a keyword search (located top-right) and content featuring the keywords entered will be returned. In addition, the blog is now on an “infinite scroll,” meaning as you scroll to the bottom, more articles will appear rather than having to navigate from page to page. Topics also can be accessed by clicking on the tags in any article on the main blog page or within individual articles.

Each issue of Market Corner includes fresh, timely content delivered to your inbox. Our goal is to be a resource for you and our newsletter is part of our commitment to provide you with even greater access to content developed with your business in mind. Please contact your sales representative at any time with your questions or comments on Market Corner, including news and information you would like to see featured.

At Trivantage, our mission has always been to do more than just supply materials; we aim to be your most reliable partner. To ensure we continue providing a best-in-class experience, we are thrilled to be growing our team with experts who share your passion for excellence. This expansion allows us to double down on the personalized customer care you deserve, providing the technical support and premium products needed to bring your most creative visions to life.

Leading this charge on the West Coast is our newest team member, Kate McCracken. In her role as a furnishings sales representative, Kate strengthens customer relationships across the West Coast, focusing primarily on the outdoor furnishings and OEM segments.

Kate has nearly a decade of building experience across textile sales, hospitality project management, and the architectural industry. She has worked across a variety of textile and hard surface brands and is passionate about connecting people with the right solutions and thrives in dynamic, relationship-driven environments.

She is based in San Diego, CA, and has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arizona.

Get to know more about Kate below.

What does customer care mean to you?

“Customer care is about being reliable, responsive, and easy to work with. It’s not just about taking an order; it’s really about understanding what the customer is trying to accomplish and helping make that process as smooth as possible. A lot of the connection comes down to communication, follow-through, and building trust over time.”

What trends are you noticing amongst customers?

“While attending HD Expo, I noticed a strong trend toward brighter colors. Customers seemed really interested in bold, vibrant fabrics that stand out and add more personality to their spaces.”

What are some of your favorite activities or hobbies outside of work?

“I love travelling and being outdoors whenever I get the chance.”

We would like to share two video updates with you: Awning Composer™, our ultimate software solution for awning fabricators, and a final message from IFAI Expo on how, after all we’ve collectively managed in the last two years, there’s nothing quite like being together.

Awning Composer is an easy-to-use rendering software designed to move projects to production in half the time. As Mark Stiver, Director of eCommerce for Trivantage explains in this video, the idea is as simple as the promise: Instead of asking customers to imagine an awning, the software allows you to show it to them.

We value your input, which is why our customer care teams stand ready to help you every step of the way. As sales representative Hofler Williams noted at the Expo, let’s continue to work together to build our partnership.

To see how Trivantage is committed to exceptional service, hassle-free ordering, and having the largest inventory and product availability for the industries we serve, please contact your sales representative, shop on trivantage.com, or call us at 800-786-1876.

Bret Kelley has officially begun his tenure as president of Trivantage^®, and for our first issue of Market Corner in 2024, we asked him to share his message to our customers and thoughts on how Trivantage can deliver for you.

What are your goals as president of Trivantage?
First and foremost, it is important to me that I have a clear understanding of customer preferences, which is why I spent the second half of 2023 visiting and listening to our customers in one-on-one meetings. Only through active listening will Trivantage continue to deliver a best-in-class, end-to-end experience. I also want to better understand what is working well, those areas to emphasize, and where we have areas of opportunity. I have no doubt our customers can count on Trivantage for innovative new products and services, and I value their input on how we can deliver for them.

How would you describe the evolution of Trivantage in recent years?
Trivantage is not the same company it was five years ago, and it won’t be the same company five years from now. This is due in no small part to how our company takes the long view with a drive to improve mindset and exemplifies high integrity and determined resolve. We also are forward thinkers, and to that end, we remain focused on an omnichannel environment, which provides customers with a seamless brand experience regardless of channel. Given increased shopping habits through technological advancements, including for online, mobile, and app experiences, we must identify new and different ways to connect with our customers and move their business forward.

What’s your message to Trivantage customers?
At our core, we remain firmly committed to their success and will work very hard to earn their business each and every day. They can count on Trivantage to listen and understand areas we need to emphasize and where we have opportunities to improve. There is always room to improve. We must lean into the strong partnerships we have developed for more than two decades and really listen to what our customers are telling us. If we all get a little better at what we do each day, the tide will lift everyone’s boat.

In the latest episode of “Talking Textiles,” a live podcast produced by Advanced Textiles Association, our very own Keith Purves joined a panel discussion on the state of the marine industry and tips for teaching and learning the craft. Purves, business development and training manager for Trivantage^®, is a marine industry veteran, having operated a custom marine canvas shop for 20 years prior to joining Trivantage.

The podcast, hosted by Marine Fabricators Association member Kyle Van Damme, seeks to inspire the next generation of textile professionals. Purves and the panel delved into trade careers, including hiring for character, teaching skills necessary to succeed, learning a craft, and managing a multi-generational staff. They also discussed building an “environment of belonging” and ended their conversation with succession planning and how to prepare for selling your business, topics Purves knows well.

“I grew up in this business, and my experiences as a fabricator have helped to shape my career,” Purves said. “There’s nothing that gives me a greater sense of value than when I can share my experiences and help make someone’s job easier, better, faster, or more profitable.”

Purves is immediate past chair of MFA, longtime member of ATA, and was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Volunteer Award from the industry organizations.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

We are thrilled to share the news that Bret Kelley, our vice president of sales since 2014, will be the next president of Trivantage. Steve Ellington, who joined Glen Raven in 1983 and has led Trivantage since 2009, has announced his plans to retire on January 1, 2024. Bret and Steve will work closely in the months ahead to ensure the transition is seamless and provide you and our industry with continued support.

Bret is no stranger to the high-performance textile industry. He joined Trivantage after 21 years with Highland Industries, Inc., where he led sales and marketing efforts for technical fabrics in commercial, industrial, and military applications. During his tenure at Trivantage, his focus has not wavered on identifying solutions for our customers.

In making the announcement, Bret said: “At Trivantage, we need to be where our customers are before they get there. Our partners are evolving at a rapid pace and we are committed to their success over the long term. My priority is to ensure customers can count on Trivantage for new product innovation, best-in-class service, and a customer experience that is second to none.”

It’s hard to put into words how much Steve means to Trivantage, Glen Raven, and the industry. He served as president and general manager of Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, the makers of Sunbrella^®, and was instrumental in the acquisition of Dickson-Constant, which established Glen Raven as a global company. He also was instrumental in the formation of Trivantage, which due to his leadership is today one of Glen Raven’s largest subsidiaries. Steve’s contribution to the growth of Glen Raven’s global business during his 41-year career with the company is nothing short of remarkable.

If you know Bret you are already well aware of his passion for partnering with customers, and Steve noted how his focus on partnerships will continue to transform Trivantage in the years ahead: “Bret’s deep industry knowledge, strategic vision, and customer-centric approach make him the ideal choice to lead Trivantage. He is a trusted advisor who is steadfast in his commitment to our industry and the customers we serve.”

Please join all of us at Trivantage in congratulating Bret on his new role and recognizing Steve for his tireless efforts in the industry we support.

At Trivantage, we are committed to delivering a best-in-class experience and hassle-free ordering of industry-leading brands, and having everything you need all in one place. Case in point, the new 2023-24 Trivantage Digital Catalog.

Available only at trivantage.com, you can browse, research, or download the digital catalog. You can access the full catalog, or to save time and space, you can download separate market-specific catalog sections – Fabric, Shade Solutions, Clean/Protect/Adhere, Hardware, Trim & Cord, and Reference.

With a wide range of products to choose from and a Customer Care Team dedicated to your business, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of hassle-free, easy ordering from Trivantage.

Download your copy

In the last issue of Market Corner, which coincided with Earth Week, we shared how Trivantage is committed to sustainability best practices through Recycle My Sunbrella, a program designed to prevent Sunbrella^®, FIRESIST^®, Dickson^® Collection, Exceed^™, and select Hydrofend^® fabrics from entering landfills. This month, we take a broader look at the sustainability goals of our parent company, Glen Raven.

Each year, Glen Raven updates its Sustainability Report, and the 2023 report details our progress and outlines a path forward over the long term. Glen Raven has always believed that respectful stewardship of the environment isn’t just a choice; it’s a responsibility. With a global footprint, our parent company understands the impact its operations can have on the planet. That’s why the company and its subsidiaries, including Trivantage, is increasing the use of renewable energy in order to reduce its carbon footprint. By purchasing renewable electricity certificates from sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, we’re collectively reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and avoiding the related environmental impacts.

Overall, Glen Raven is using renewable electricity for over 50% of its global needs, and its manufacturing facilities in France and China have gone even further by using 100% renewable electricity. At Trivantage, 100% of the electricity for our facilities is renewable electricity, and the same is true at Glen Raven Logistics.

We encourage you to read the report and learn how Trivantage and Glen Raven are proud to lead on this issue in the communities we call home.

We are excited to share that we have created Trivantage Plus^™, a new membership program custom built for you. At Trivantage^®, we’ve always been committed to our customers’ satisfaction and success, and now we’re doubling down on that commitment. The Trivantage Plus membership program will give you special access to tools that will help you grow your businesses.

Our annual membership program offers several key benefits to help you gain a competitive edge plus peace of mind:

• Flat-rate, same-day shipping on parcel package orders (exclusions may apply)
• Special offers on tools, software, and more from industry partners
• Year-round discounts on select Trivantage products and brands

And there’s so much more! Sign into your trivantage.com account to learn more about two membership levels and lock in introductory pricing today.

Click here to learn more about membership, or you can contact your sales representative or call us at 800-786-1876.

We could not be prouder to share that Steve Ellington, who is retiring in January after a 41-year career at Glen Raven, including more than 15 years as president of Trivantage®, was honored with the Chairman’s Award at ATA’s annual meeting during Advanced Textiles Expo. Steve was not expecting the award, which made the surprise ceremony even more special for those of us who have been honored to be a part of this industry legend’s team.

Steve has made a significant contribution to the growth of Glen Raven’s global business since joining the company in 1983. He served as president and general manager of Glen Raven Custom Fabrics – Global and was instrumental in the acquisition of Dickson-Constant, which established Glen Raven as a global company. He was also instrumental in forming Trivantage, one of Glen Raven’s largest global subsidiaries, and has led our company since its founding in 2008. Steve also has served on ATA’s board of directors and is a former board chair, and in 2022 he was recognized as an Honored Life Member of ATA for his distinguished contribution to the textile industry.

The Chairman’s Award, formerly called the President’s Award of Merit, is only given when the ATA chairman of the board feels there is an individual worthy of special recognition for their unique contribution to the industry. Previous recipients of this prestigious industry award include Allen Gant, Jr., former CEO of Glen Raven, and Roger Gant, Jr., also a former Glen Raven CEO who led the team that created Sunbrella®. Perfect company indeed.

We also demonstrated Awning Composer^®, an easy-to-use rendering software designed to move products to production in half the time, and shared real-time show floor highlights on our social channels: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Be sure to check out our Revival Blue, and give us a follow on all of our channels so you won’t miss the latest news and information on project applications, fabricator experiences, and more.

In a recent interview for Glen Raven’s customer magazine, Raven, Steve was asked what’s next for him in 2024 and beyond. His answer indicates he won’t be going far:

“In the short term, I’ll unplug, relax, and refocus. Longer term, I suspect I’ll remain involved in an industry that has been so good to me. Once textiles are in your blood, they become part of who you are. I don’t see that changing.”

Cheers to our mentor and friend!