Craft Focus - December 2020/January 2021 (Issue 82)

23 PROFILE Made in America Sharron Belcher, Bosal sales manager UK, talks to Craft Focus about the company’s new distributor Marent Crafts, their bestselling foam interlinings and how the company has survived the ups and downs of the Covid-19 pandemic Tell us a little bit about the history behind the company. Who started it and when? Located in Limerick, Maine, Bosal has been distributing American-made products for more than 60 years. Bosal Foam and Fiber offers the highest quality interfac- ings, stabilisers, foams and fibres to its customers. A family owned business, Bosal strives to meet the needs of the consumer and stay up to date with the newest designs and exciting new projects. Bosal Foam and Fiber sells all the products directly to distributors, allowing the opportunity to find the product that works best for you. Bosal products are available at numerous retail stores and online sites throughout the US, Canada, Australia, Costa Rico, Spain, Portugal, Germany, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Panama, the United Kingdom and places in between. How has the company evolved? Bosal Foam and Fiber came about from the Owner Robert Harrisburg who wanted to find a hyper allergenic foam for a mattress for his wife Sarah Lee. Initially dealing in foams Bosal expanded into the polyester and fibres. Bosal then expanded the polyester and fibre products by bringing into the business Rolando Berdion a specialist in foams, fibres, and interfacings. Rolando developed a range of retail products for the sewing and the craft market. The company has evolved now into not only providing the best highest quality American Quilting Battings, interfacings and bag making foams and stabilisers, to providing handy pre cut packs of all shapes and designs. Bosal work closely with a host of popular crafting designers and design bespoke packs to go along with the designer’s patterns. Two years ago, Bosal Foam and Fiber enlisted Sharron Belcher working in the UK to grow the business in UK and Europe. Sharron has a wealth of experience in interfacings and the craft market in the UK. The company hopes to grow brand awareness and availability in the UK and Europe. What challenges have you overcome during this time? The challenges within the company in the US during Covid-19 are to do with being able to staff the factory and work in a Covid-19 safe environment. As the supply chain are all affected by the same challenges it has a knock-on effect and therefore lead-times have been affected. 