Made in the Northland: From bow to stern, ShipShape Products has it covered

What: Custom boat covers, other marine canvas and upholstery

Company: ShipShape Products Inc.

Address: 732 E. Fourth St., Duluth

Owners: Barbara and Jim Welinski

Former jobs: Barbara was a high school counselor; Jim was a special education teacher with a background in aerospace manufacturing.

Founded: 2005

Products: While ShipShape's leading product is winter boat covers, the business also makes dodgers, biminis and other boat canvas.

"Anything on a boat can be made at our shop, from curtains to upholstery to covers to a variety of miscellaneous things," Jim Welinski said.

ShipShape also makes ski bags out of recycled billboard, tuba covers and hot tub covers, as well as repairing sails and canvas quickly.

"We've done just about anything," he said. "Our strength is in our diversity."

Market: Recreational and commercial boaters on Lake Superior, other Great Lakes and coastal areas stretching from Florida to Alaska. Most products are made for large sailboats at least 25 feet long, though they also make items for power boaters.

"We've really got a wide base of customers," Jim said. He reaches potential customers through their website and word of mouth and by visiting marinas and boat shows.

Company history: The Welinskis were operating Meteorological Products Inc., which makes weather balloons, when they started ShipShape. They enjoyed boating and saw a niche to fill in marine canvas. Jim's background in industrial manufacturing made it possible.

"The ShipShape business started as a complement to Meteorological Products," he said. "It's a great business, but tends to be hot and cold, not steady. So ShipShape was created with its own brand name and to provide steady work for employees."

They operated at the Spirit Lake Marina in Duluth's Riverside community until January, when they moved to the Fourth Street site to be more accessible for customers.

Company growth: Every year, they've seen strong sales growth and an expanding customer base.

Employees: Four to six, depending on the season

How products are made: Each product is custom-made and designed. With made-to-order patterns, heavy-duty polyester canvas and thread are used to make the covers and other products that are sewn on-site.

"Utilizing an accurate pattern allows us to finish goods with precision," Jim said. "Our goal is to manufacture goods that are a custom fit when put on the boat."

Biggest seller: By far, they sell more winter boat covers, which last at least 10 years. This time of the year, ShipShape's production staff spends all their time making them.

How are products sold: Orders are taken through e-mail and by telephone. Products are not sold through the company's website because the work is customized.

Prices: Costs of winter sailboat covers range from $1,200 for a 25-foot boat to $3,000 for a 40-foot boat. Cost of other items vary greatly.

For more information: Go to www.shipshapecanvas.com , call (218) 624-5677 or simply stop in.

Of special note: ShipShape was recently chosen as the regional representative for Sobstad Sails, a national manufacturer of quality sailboat sails. So ShipShape will soon be selling Sobstad sails as well.