Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/875930
20 • october 2017 • world fence news FENCER'S FIELD REPORT A monthly column of industry bits & pieces Compiled by contributing editor Jim Lucci and the staff of World Fence News We caught up with Jenna Pem- berton of Midwest Expanded Metal of Waconia, Minnesota. Jenna told us that the company was on pace for their best year ever. Midwest Expanded Metal, which was founded in 1994, is 100% in- volved with the manufacturing of chimney caps, safety grating, wire mesh, guards, filters, and greenhous- es, as well as a variety of energy saving applications such as light dif- fusers, screens, grills, and the afore- mentioned filters. Their market is 100% commercial, generated coast to coast. Further, Jenna told us that Mid- west Expanded Metal can expand var- ious types of materials, varying from super alloys, titanium, copper, stain- less steel, aluminum, galvanized, gal- van heated, and cold rolled steel. Additionally, she shared some ba- sic definitions to help understand the process. For example, the term "flat" refers to expanded metal that is cold rolled after expansion to provide a smooth flat and level sheet; the flat- tening process will reduce the original thickness by approximately 10%. The term "unflat" refers to standard ex- panded metal with raised diamonds. We asked what the company's biggest challenge was this year, and Jenna told us the difficulty in hiring new people was at the head of the list. We then asked what the biggest surprise was this year and were told the increase in business stands out. Regarding the local economy, Jenna told us things were going very well. On the residential side, most new building is single family homes. As for the commercial side, be- sides a new school that is going up, construction is occurring on a Burg- er King, a Culver's, an AT&T service center, and a Dollar Tree, to mention a few. As for infrastructure, they are re- doing Highway 5 past the high school. Finally, we asked what the com- pany strategy is for 2017, and were told that the company is ISO certified and "hitting the ground running." A priority is trying to stay on top of busi- ness day-to-day. We then had the opportunity to speak with Ken Mills of Mills Fence in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the time we spoke, Ken told us that things were going very well and they were on pace to having a record year. The compa- ny was eight weeks out at the time we spoke. The company business mix is 21% residential, 23% materials (whole- sale), and 56% commercial, generated basically within a 50 to 75 mile radius, although the company has gone out as far as 250 miles when necessary for select contractors. The company was founded in 1970 and generally serves Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Ken told us that on the residential side, ornamental aluminum and PVC are the big movers this season. On the commercial side, chain link is tops. In addition to the aforementioned types of fencing, the company does electric gate operators, railing, patio enclosures, specialty products, sports facilities, temporary fencing and wood fencing. Kent shared some information with us regarding the company's wholesale subsidiary. He told us that the wholesale sup- ply operation was also founded in 1970 and currently has two locations; one in Cincinnati, and the other in Northern Kentucky. The wholesale fence supply sub- sidiary carries products that include, but are not necessarily limited to, chain link, chain link gates, color vi- nyl fence, accessories, wood fence, hand rails, PVC fence, tools, and alu- minum. We asked Ken what the biggest challenge was so far this year. He said "getting a lead man who can put up a fence" was clearly it. We inquired about the economy in the area, and Ken said that it seems to be doing fine. He reports seeing help wanted signs everywhere. On the residential side, single family houses are going up, mostly in the upper in- come and middle class income areas. On the commercial side, new high tech businesses are coming in, as well as FedEx and Amazon, which are ex- panding. New strip malls and restau- rants are under construction as well. As for infrastructure, there is highway, bridge and overpass con- struction underway. Finally for this issue we spoke with Dave Bieler of Mill Creek Fence & Farm in Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania. Dave told us that this has been a very busy year, with a busi- ness mix of 75% residential and 25% commercial, generated within a 100 mile radius. We asked Dave what the biggest product movers were on the residen- tial side an he said it is aluminum or- namental. 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