World Fence News

December 2011

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22 • DECEMBER 2011 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Recently, we spoke with Elaine Hazelton of Shalimar Fence in Shal- imar, Florida, who told us that she had a "decent year." We were told that the company's business mix is 70% residential and 30% commercial and that the company carries a full product line. However, this year, she said that wood sales increased and while chain link was just OK, there were price in- creases which had to be passed on in order to maintain margins. There have been times when chain link material quotes were good for only 7 days at a FENCER'S FIELD REPORT A monthly column of industry bits & pieces Compiled by contributing editor Jim Lucci and the staff of World Fence News time, Elaine said. On the commercial side, they have been doing work on condos, some school projects, and have served as subs to contractors on some government projects. We then asked whether or not ris- ing material costs affected the way they were bidding this year. As was stated earlier, with chain link quotes National Metal Industries Winged Slat® Locking Slats Bottom Top Lock Hedge 2 Neil Court, Oceanside, NY 11572 • (516) 594-0364 • Fax (516) 594-0377 being good for only 7 days at some points in the season, price increases had to be passed on in order to main- tain margins. We asked if there were any signif- icant changes in their fence market this season, and Elaine told us that a lot more wood was sold. Further, the price of wood was better than chain link and, as an extra added benefit, people got privacy to boot. We also asked about the overall fence outlook for the area this past sea- son, and she said that it was a positive one and that they were busy all year. Additionally, they did work for Aluminum Slats WWW.NMIFENCE.COM Over 100,000 lineal feet of privacy slats ready to ship! Privacy slats • Fence tools Fence hardware available Eglin Air Force Base. When we asked about the status of the labor market, we were told that getting quality help can be a problem, but their employees often will refer someone when the need arises. We asked about the economy in the area and Elaine told us that it was not very good; there was a lot of un- employment and foreclosures are high. On the residential side, there was building for people who are moving into the area. There are a lot of retirees Ornamental Gates Chainlink Gates Aluminum or Steel Frame – people who are retiring from the mil- itary and staying in the area. She said that the commercial side is very slow, as well. As an aside, Shalimar, Florida is in the Florida Panhandle near Fort Walton Beach, west of Destin, Florida. We also spoke with Tom Shan- non of Shannon Fence Company in Mentor, Ohio, who told us that Men- tor is a half hour east of Cleveland, and he mentioned that this past year was slow getting back to profitability. The company mix, we were told, was one-third residential and two- thirds commercial. He said that the company carries a full product line but tries to avoid PVC and ornamental. On the commercial side, at the time we spoke, the company was working on a project in Euclid, Ohio (a factory), putting in a tool room with 12' high black vinyl chain link with slide gates. Tom shared with us that this interior job came from another contractor in the complex (renovating space) where they had another job going on. Further, we were told that the landscaping company for the site had bid the fence work at cost in order to get the landscaping work (an ever in- creasing problem in many areas around the country). Tymetal Corp. Tymetal Corp. has been providing the highest quality cantilever gate systems to fence contractors for over 25 years. Tymetal Corp.'s customer service focus is on gate systems only, providing the most complete sales and technical assistance before, during and after the sale, with a gate product that sets the industry standard. Value Seven styles of gate construction for demanding applications and budgets – all Tymetal made in the USA gates install quickly, operate effortlessly and eliminate costly call backs. Tymetal gates comply with ASTM F2200-11a and UL 325 to give you the best gate system available today. Service Same day quotes and special design requests are welcomed. Tymetal Corp. has on staff engineering and design personnel that are made part of your team. Any custom systems for gate openings from 4' to 500' are matched to your budget and operating requirements. "I have specified and used Tymetal Gates and products for over 20 years. Tymetal's attention to detail and quality with products, literature, & shop drawings has always had a positive impact to our bottom line year after year. When our clients want and need a product that is reliable, strong, low maintenance and has good value, Metro Fence specifies a Tymetal Gate. Keep up the good work..." Jeff Zwergel Metro Fence Co. Inc. Pittsburgh, PA BOOTH NO. 1204 Fortress Gates Providing the BEST Gate Systems Cantilevers – 10'-120' Box Frame Rollers – 60'-500' Vertical Lift Gates – to 60' Overhead Slides - standard to 40' Vertical Pivot Gates – to 24' Swing Gates – to 24' Pedestrian Gates All in Ornamental or Chain Link Tymetal Corp. www.tymetal.com 800-328-GATE (4283)

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