Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/105367
18 • FEBRUARY 2013 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Fencer's Field Report continued from page 16 seeming finished for the season, but then it started to pick up and he is now hopeful that the two home shows they do in the spring will jump start the season. We then asked about the economy in the area, and we were told that there are positive signs occurring, but they are subtle. T.J replied that construction is going on, trucks are moving on the interstate, and residential building is fair but improving; nothing stands out, but there is activity. Finally, we asked about the company strategy for 2013 and T.J. re- GET PROFITABLE See page 53 sponded that they are going to try to be smarter about how they go about things; they are going to try to buy their materials better; and are going to be more competitive on the commercial side. T.J. pointed out that there is estimated to be more than $100 million per year in internet sales regarding the fence business. We then spoke briefly with Don Roche of D.P. Roche Fencing Inc. in Frankfort, Kansas, who told us that this past season ended up fine. The company does 100% of its business in ag fencing. The company service radius is generally 100 miles, however, on occasion, for a good customer, they will travel farther. For instance, at the time we spoke, he was working on a job site some 300 miles away from his home base. As was said earlier, this is an exception to his general rule and he is really honored for a special customer request or a referral. Don, who has been in the business for some 33 years, shared with us some thoughts regarding farming in general. He said that older people pass on farms that have work that has been completed; there are efforts to try to get new people involved in farming, but more often than not those efforts are not too successful. He said that most farms that are in the area which the company services are fourth, fifth, or sixth generation, people who "have farming in their blood, not newcomers." Don pointed out something very interesting: The land is often owned by wealthy people; the tenant farmer pays for those things that are considered to be nonpermanent to the farm. The landowner, however, pays for things that would be considered permanent to the farm. We then asked about the economy in the area and Don replied that it wasn't bad, farmers are making money. He indicated that on the Kansas/Oklahoma border drilling for natural gas wells is booming, and on the north side of Kansas there are a couple of ag manufacturing plants expanding. In communities along the way, they are starting to open up restaurants, run mostly by retired people. As Don points out, these communities are where everyone knows everyone. Finally, we asked Don about what strategy will be implemented for 2013, and he very succinctly said that "we are going to keep on doing what we do best; we have a niche and it works for us." And last for this column, we spoke with Mark Schmitt, who is the first vice-president of Qual-Line Fence Corp. in Waunakee, Wisconsin. Mark told us that they had a decent year this past year. The company business mix is 70% residential and 30% commercial. He said that the company is a family-owned firm located outside Madison, Wisconsin and has been in business over 50 years. For the most part their basic service area is a 20 mile radius and that while they carry a full product line, wood fence is predominant over other types of fencing. On the commercial side, they mostly do security type fencing. Further, we were told the company has the space to keep a large inventory of chain link fencing. Mark said that they procure western cedar fencing from Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Further, he said the company manufactures their own gates, at the shop or on site. In addition to wood and chain link, Qual Line does split rail fencing, PVC, ornamental metal, farm fencing, cat fence, and swimming pool fencing, along with gates, flagpoles, kennels, railings and sports fencing. We asked Mark how has the continued on page 70 Danuser Hammer One-Man Driving Solution • Full 40" stroke with every cycle • Drives t-posts to railroad ties • Hammer weight hits a striker plate, not the top of the post • Grapple option allows you to pickup, position, and move the post around • Mounts to a skid-steer NOW AVAILABLE (shown right) Skid-Steer and Euro/Global Quick Attach for front-end loader 75 HP minimum For more information visit www.hammerinfo.com or call 573.642.2246 Made in the USA