Business View Magazine | April 2019

65 nies from all over the country participating. It’s usually a three-day event where we touch on different methodologies for putting up frame tents and tension tents. It’s a great to way to share information, network, and learn some- thing new.” The majority of TopTec customers are event planners, party planners, or rental companies. When they purchase a tent, they put it in inventory, typically for a wedding, or other large event. These companies are experts at installation and taking the tent down after an event. Having a good banking relationship is very important for a seasonal business. Managing cash flow becomes that much more important; you need a good line of credit in place, and someone who understands the seasonal nature. Ciniglio admits that Meyco’s financial picture looks very different in March than at the end of September. In that regard, he credits Bridge Hampton National Bank on Long Island as be- ing “very good to us since we switched to them during the recession in 2008.” Looking ahead, Ciniglio says, “The pool cover and event tent industries are both mature – diluted with different levels of competition. You’re going to see consolidation in both, as companies evolve. We’ll see more technology. From my customers’ standpoint, tents are a very labor-intensive business; if tech can help them out, they would have a lot to gain - certainly, on the pool cover side, as well, just not necessar- ily to the same extent in the way of inventory management, handling of product back and forth, and labor. Different technology could be used to make that better. I see growth in our existing businesses, and opportunities outside of our current customer base that play to our strengths as a manufacturer. The design of custom products is our strong suit and having other customer channels is something I defi- nitely see in our future.” PREFERRED VENDORS n Tencate - www.tencategeo.us n Marksman Manufacturing Corp. www.marksmenmfg.com