Market Corner Blog

Updated regularly, the Trivantage Market Corner Blog spotlights new products, industry updates, and growth opportunities for you and your business.

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Sustainability: Think Differently

Our parent company Glen Raven has updated its Corporate Sustainability Report highlighting the progress the company, including Trivantage, has made on sustainability goals introduced in 2019 that encourage us to think differently and more ambitiously about how Glen Raven can be a better corporate citizen.


You may recall that Glen Raven’s sustainability ambitions are organized around two pillars – Supporting associates and communities and sustaining our planet. The updated report includes metrics demonstrating the company’s pattern of good for both pillars. In terms of energy management, all Trivantage facilities are 100% powered by certified renewable electricity, as are Glen Raven facilities in France and China and Glen Raven Logistics facilities.


Please take a moment and read the report and learn how Glen Raven has set a high bar for its sustainability goals, as well as how Trivantage and other company business units share a vision of a more sustainable world and prosperous communities.


Executive Transition: Bret Kelley Named President of Trivantage®

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.


New Customer Membership Program Custom Built for You

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.


ATA Expo: See You Next Week

It’s almost go time: We are mere days away from seeing you at Booth #1327 at ATA Expo on Nov. 1-3 in Orlando. If you haven’t already reserved your spot at the flagship show for the industrial textile industry, Trivantage® has you covered.


When registering, apply code EX23VIPTRI for a free Show Floor Registration or code EX22TENTRI for 10% off the All Access or Expo Plus Registration packages. Go to AdvancedTextilesExpo.com/Register now. The flagship show for the industrial textiles industry will be held Nov. 1-3 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, and will include the latest innovations in technology and textiles, including from Trivantage®. We invite you to visit Booth #1327 and see for yourself how you can count on Trivantage as your primary provider for new and exclusive products and services.


When you visit us at Booth #1327, you will see for yourself the quality products and innovative solutions behind our game-changing marine, shade, and upholstery offerings, including:



While at the Expo, be sure to join our Campfire education session on digital printing at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 1. Andrew Medley, our regional sales manager, will present a session on the Expo floor titled “Digital Printing: Unique Solution Offering That Differentiates.” If you know Andrew, you know his background in sales training makes him the perfect presenter to lead a discussion on how digital printing can propel business growth. The central tenant of his presentation – if you can imagine it, it can be printed – includes examples of how businesses of every size have deployed the technique with impressive results.


For agendas and details on the full Expo experience, click on ATA Expo. For real-time updates from Trivantage during the Expo, follow us at Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn – and be sure to tag us if you share your visit to our booth on your pages. We look forward to seeing you next week and learning how we can partner with you every step of the way.


See you at Booth #1327!


Trivantage Plus™ Membership Program: Custom Built For You

Your response to the news that we have created Trivantage Plus, a new membership program custom built for you, has been phenomenal. Thank you to everyone who signed up, and if you haven’t yet done so, we would welcome the opportunity to tell you about the exclusive membership advantages available through the program.


Trivantage Plus provides members with exclusive benefits and opportunities to support their competitive edge and provide additional peace of mind. Members enjoy flat-rate, same-day shipping on parcel orders (exclusions may apply), hundreds of year-round discounts on select Trivantage products and brands, special offers on equipment and software from leading industry partners, and much more.


When you visit us at Booth #1327, you will see for yourself the quality products and innovative solutions behind our game-changing marine, shade, and upholstery offerings, including:

If you are planning on attending ATA Expo next week in Orlando, be sure to stop by Booth #1327 and hear from our team firsthand how the Trivantage Plus membership program can strategically support your business. You’ll also learn how, as your one-stop shop for the supplies you need quickly and easily, Trivantage is here for you every step of the way.


In the meantime, sign into your account today and visit Trivantage.com/Plus to learn more about membership level details and lock in introductory pricing. You can also contact your sales representative or call us at 800-786-1876 for additional information about Trivantage Plus membership.


Steve Ellington Receives Chairman’s Award from ATA

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!



Talking Textiles: Inspiring The Next Generation of Textile Professionals

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.

Ready to Download: Trivantage Digital Catalog

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

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A Message from Bret Kelley

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.



Thank You

The results are in and the responses were overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who completed our Market Corner survey to let us know how we can enhance our monthly e-newsletter and blog to better serve you. Your input was invaluable to ensure Trivantage® provides you with information you find relevant to strengthen your business and better serve your customers.


Sixty-five percent of respondents indicated they were most interested in product information, and this issue highlights three products to keep in mind for spring and summer projects. This also is the first issue of Market Corner in a new template designed to keep the newsletter fresh and top-of-mind in 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.


We’ve also refreshed our social pages; click on the following to access: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to follow us and share details of your projects for a chance to be featured on our social pages, or as part of a Customer Spotlight in a future issue of Market Corner.


Thank you again for sharing your voice. Please contact your sales representative at any time with your questions or comments.