April 1, 2012 Last Tuesday, Claudia and Ken left for Atlanta where, on Wednesday, Claudia (an AOBA Board Member) participated in a combined AOBA/ARI board discussion re strategic direction. Stay tuned as the two organizations continue to work on industry planning. Thursday, following the AOBA/ARI meeting, we drove up to Weaverville, NC to visit Echo ... READ MORE
Author Archives:
The story of a USDA grant – Phase 1
Ken, March 22, 2012
Good morning to the Alpaca World Suri Paco is now moving fast and furious to master the art of managing a USDA Value Added Grant. Last month we were thrilled to receive the notice that the funding was available to start working on a collaboration model for Maine farms to produce alpaca end products. I ... READ MORE
A sunset note on ITMA 2011 and Alpaca United
Ken, September 29, 2011
As ITMA wraps up and we move on to other fiber discussions, here is a concluding discussion from one of Alpaca United’s representatives. My sense is that the AU team – Nick, Liz and Robyn – (along with our new friend Brian from North Carolina State, College of Textiles) – moved the discussion of ... READ MORE
Alpaca United and ITMA, 2011 – CEO Musings
Ken, September 27, 2011
CEO Musings, Monday September 26th ITMA – 2011 – Barcelona Another excellent day, dozens of visitors with at least 9 qualified leads (inquiries) for U.S. fiber and/or yarn. The “team” attended the North Carolina State, College of Textiles Reception this evening, certainly a key place to be if you are a US Company! We ... READ MORE
Alpaca United – A Progress Report
Ken, September 25, 2011
Alpaca United , September 2011, a message from Claudia Remember November 19, 2010, Nashville and Build A Tent? Today – less than 10 months later BAT is Alpaca United! So where are we? With more than 600 investors from across the country; a CEO, and an engaged Board of Directors, AU is making it’s mark! ... READ MORE
Alpaca United and ITMA 2011
Ken, September 24, 2011
Liz and Chris Vahlkamp ”Telling Our Story” at ITMA The staffing team at the Alpaca United Booth at ITMA 2011 is growing. The report is that “traffic” is heavy with lots of interest. The real work will be on Nick’s return and leveraging the chance to start U.S. participation in a broader textile market. A ... READ MORE
Alpaca United CEO Musings from ITMA – 2011
Ken, September 23, 2011
CEO, Nick Hahn – Musings from ITMA Opening day at ITMA went very well, steady stream of visitors with 3 or 4 serious inquiries about fiber purchasing. All the exhibitors were up against the opening ceremonies (Koffee Annan’s keynote speech et al) at an outside venue; in spite of it we were got good ... READ MORE
Alpaca United – CEO Musings from ITMA 2011
Ken, September 22, 2011
Musings from Alpaca United in Barcelona and CEO, Nick Hahn Attached are random shots of a work in progress. Tried to get the look of the tile mosaic, it looks even better “live”. We had workmen and ITMA staffers coming up all day wanting to “touch” them! We have a large glass bowl on the ... READ MORE
SuriPaco’s Alpaca Shed
Ken, September 22, 2011
SURIPACO’S ALPACA SHED (Sept. 14, 2012) That’s right—SuriPaco has an Alpaca Shed. You ask: What is the “alpaca shed”. It is SuriPaco’s mobile fiber collection and grading program. It is also Ken and Claudia, a Ford F-150 pickup, a trailer, portable sorting tables, vacuum cleaners, cardboard boxes, tape and a sense of humor. Most ... READ MORE
ITMA 2011 – Alpaca United – Pre-Event Set-up
Ken, September 19, 2011
Alpaca United CEO Corner: Musing’s from Barcelona by Alpaca United on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 12:08pm Arrived here 36 hours ago after a perfect flight on Delta 94 from JFK in good shape. The Barcelona airport is modern, clean and user friendly with knowledgeable and courteous staff at each step from passport control to customs to ... READ MORE