Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/231234
22 • JANUARY 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Las Vegas to host IDAExpo in 2014 IDAExpo™, the premier educational venue for those who derive their living from the door and access systems industry, is slated for April 23-26, 2014 at the Paris & Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Door companies come from as far away as the Russian Federation and Australia to attend this event. The 2013 IDAExpo drew individuals from the United States, England, Germany, Canada, Mexico, and China who took advantage of the program offerings. The IDAExpo is owned and produced by the International Door Association, a trade association with membership focused on door dealers, but also including a diverse group of product manufacturers and distributors. The industry's educational and trade show event has been produced by the IDA for several decades. For more information, call 800-355-4432, e-mail info@longmgt.com or visit www.idaexpo.org. ® Swedge Lock ALUMINUM FENCE AND RAILING SYSTEMS MADE IN AMERICA MADE IN AMERICA Specializing in Apartment Railing "Fencers, there is a huge and profitable market in apartment railing, one that is overlooked by many contractors. Take advantage of those lucrative apartment railing projects! Call me, and let me show you how." – Ronnie Allen, Owner, Swedge Lock Aluminum Fence and Railing Systems More accessories than any other aluminum fence or railing manufacturer We have all the models available plus some new ones, and we have added the following new products: Arbors • Trellis • Mailbox • Cable Railing • Round Picket Railing • ADA Aluminum Grip Rail Best commercial aluminum railing on the market Call today to get your exclusive territory 888-754-2301 • www.swedgelock.com FENCER'S FIELD REPORT A monthly column of industry bits & pieces Compiled by contributing editor Jim Lucci We had the opportunity to speak with Bob Miller of Miller Fence Company in Middletown, Connecticut. Bob told us that he has been in the business some 40 years and that this past season had "gaps" but overall wound up slightly down over last year. Bob explained that the spring was good, the summer slowed a bit, and then there was a pick up in commercial work in the fall. The company business mix at the time we spoke was 60% residential and 40% commercial generated within a 50 mile radius. On the residential side, Bob told us that vinyl was a mover for the company; not a lot of colors, just white. On the commercial side, the company is involved with a range of municipal and industrial projects, many of which involve chain link and hand railing. We then asked Bob what are some of the major changes or trends that he has seen in the fence business in his area. He responded that he has seen more wood grain vinyl being installed. He has also seen ornamental, both aluminum and steel, on the rise, and consumers seem to really like black color coated chain link. We asked Bob how the economy was faring in the area. Bob told us that Connecticut's economy has been declining. It is fiftieth in the nation in economic growth, he noted. Further, he said that people are making an exodus out of the state. On the residential side, some new building is going on, but basically only high end. Further, we were told that he has seen the middle class shrinking. For the most part, foreclosures have leveled off at this time. On the commercial side, there are a lot of schools beefing up security. Businesses are also beefing up security, we were told. Overall, commercial work in general seems to be picking up. We then asked about the strategy for 2014. We were told that the company is going to try to increase market share through advertising and marketing with yard signs. As for the internet, the company is in the process of ramping it up. Regarding the Yellow Pages, there was supposed to be a tracking number which was going to determine how many calls were coming in from each area, but he said he doesn't feel it has worked the way it was intended, and therefore he is reducing his Yellow Pages presence. We then spoke with Tom Wilmer of the Fencemen Fence Company in Vancouver, Washington. Tim told us that this past season was a good one. At the time we spoke, Tim told us that things were picking up at the year end, and they were three to four weeks out. The company is based in southwest Washington, and has been serving Clark County since 1979. The company business mix is 80% residential and 20% commercial. The company service area is basically a 60 mile radius. The company sells and installs wood fencing, chain link, colored vinyl chain link, vinyl picket and privacy fence, ornamental steel fencing, and custom gate work, and also operates a DIY materials business. Tim said that he has a unique niche in the area market, which is that he has been building wood fences on steel C-posts. He told us that the company guarantees the posts on these fences for up to 60 mph winds. Tim also told us that vinyl and ornamental metal were up and coming in the area. On the commercial side the company installs at containment areas, parking lots, and business expansions, usually installing 6+3 chain link. We then asked Tim what are some of the major changes or trends that he has seen in the fence business in the area. We were told that one major change is that people now have the ability to increase their knowledge levels, and many are getting as many quotes as they can get before they make a final decision. People want to know the exact amount that they are going to pay and just exactly what they are getting for their money. We then asked if the changes have been better or worse for the company. Tim told us that it was clearly better in a lot of ways. The recession has forced consumers to become better educated in their purchases, and to realize it is worth the extra money to buy better quality. The negative side is that you had better sharpen your pencil because people still want to pay the cheapest possible price for product and service. We then asked about the labor situation in the area. We were told that his key employees have been with the company a long time, but otherwise it is difficult to find good people who will be long-timers. Tim told us that it is not unusual