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20 • JULY 2019 • WORLD FENCE NEWS . CONSTRUCTION SITE SCREENS & GRAPHICS ATHLETIC COURT AND FIELD WINDSCREENS & GRAPHICS SPORTS NETTING & PADDING MANUFACTURER OF WINDSCREENS, PRIVACY SCREENS, SPORTS NETTING AND PADDING 510 West Arizona Avenue | DeLand, Florida 32720 Toll Free: 866-360-1008 | Fax: 386-740-7206 Email: info@ballfabrics.com | www.ballfabrics.com 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 had the opportunity to speak with Dave Eisel of Peter J. Caruso & Sons in Pittsburgh, Penn. Dave told us that this season, in a word, has been booming. He said that the fence division of the company is a union shop and that the company does 100% commercial/industrial work within a 500 mile radius. We asked what the biggest prod- uct movers were within the commer- cial/industrial market. He told us that aluminum and iron ornamental, along with chain link, were the products of choice. In addition to various other commercial/industrial work, the com- pany also does a lot of retention pond enclosures. We then asked what the biggest challenge has been so far this year. We were told that they are having a difficult time getting good, qualified help. (Surprise, surprise!) They have too much work and can't knock it out fast enough because they primarily have to work with reduced sized in- stallation crews. We asked Dave what the biggest surprise has been so far this year. He shared with us that he is recovering from recently undergoing open heart surgery, and discussed how he has managed to keep up with the pace of work that they have been getting. We then turned our attention to how the economy was in the area, and were told that it is pretty good. On the residential side, there is building going on at all levels, par- ticularly townhouses. On the com- mercial side, we were told that the Edgar Thomson Steel Works (which is owned by U.S. Steel) is adding to their facility. In addition, Walmart is expand- ing, as is Sam's Club. We then turned our attention to infrastructure, and were told there is bridgework going on, as well as road repair. We asked about the strategy for the company in 2019, and were told that the company is looking at bigger sized jobs for bigger profit margins. We then caught up with Phil- lip Doyle of PHILLIPS Automat- ed Gate Service & Fence in Atoka, Tennessee. Phillip told us that the season has gone exceptionally well to date. The company business mix is 90% HOA (home association) and 10% residential, generated in a 100 mile radius. We asked what the biggest chal- lenge has been so far this year. Phillip told us that, clearly, it has been stay- ing ahead of the workload. We also asked what the biggest surprise has been so far this year, and were told that it's been that the market has been so strong. Times are good in his end of the world, and when that situation exists Phillip said people will spend. We asked about the economy in the area, and on balance, it is looking strong, we were told. The housing market, as we were told, is firing on all cylinders. Town- houses, condos, and apartments are under construction. Retirement homes and communities are going up in the suburbs. New homes (high-end) are also participating. However, owners of older and es- tablished housing seemingly are put- ting off upgrades until they absolutely have to. On the commercial side things are going well. Restaurants, movie theaters, organic gardens, and micro- breweries are some examples of what is going on. We then turned our attention to in- frastructure. In the Memphis area, we were told resurfacing of roadways is occurring along with the replacement of some bridges. Further, they have turned some areas into green belts and have constructed bicycle lanes as well. We then asked what the strate- gy for 2019 is. We were told that the company is striving to maintain the level of service it has achieved and also to continue to hone their skills, while keeping in touch with what the SECURE GATE SYSTEMS, INC. Toll Free 866-725-6995 • www.securegatesystems.com A • Pre-hung, ready to install • Heavy duty construction • Multiple finishes HIGH SECURITY INDUSTRIAL PANIC GATES P.V.C. PROFILES • SECTIONS • CAPS Lowest Prices Highest Quality Easy Credit Terms Save more and learn to fabricate! We will teach you how! UVX Universal Vinyl Extruders, Inc. 631-643-1786 www.uvxextruders.com NEW CONVENIENT PICK UP POINT IN MARYLAND SPREAD THE (WORLD FENCE) NEWS! Tell your friends, employees and business associates that they can view The Fencer's Almanac in a fully interactive format online. And there is no charge! The monthly issue is also posted online every month. Be sure to sign up for an e-mail alert when each issue is posted! Visit www.worldfencenews.com and register at the bottom of the page! You will still receive your regular printed copy in the mail, of course. continued on page 71