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The world's most trusted gate hardware has a solution for any gate Many more models are available. Ask your representative for details. MagnaLatch Top Pull MagnaLatch Vertical Pull MagnaLatch Side Pull Regular Range Heavy Duty Range TCHD1A TCHD2 TCHDRND1 TCA2 TCA1 TCA3 TCHD1 Mini-Multi & Multi-Adjust TCAMA1 Mini-Multi TCAMA2 Mini-Multi TCHDMA1 Multi-Adjust KFP KFS 210003 210005 210006 210007 310004 310008 410001 410003 MagnaLatch Side Pull Lockable LokkLatch LokkLatch Deluxe LokkLatch Pro S/L LokkLatch Magnetic T-Latch TCGS1 Wood Hardware 7731 Woodwind Drive, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 800-716-0888 Email: info@ddtechusa.com www.ddtechglobal.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 ful about spending, which, according to Ed, they have learned from the in- ternet. On the residential side, there is an upswing in new construction, which is reflected in new pool sales. The company is also doing repair work and sales are developing on the high ticket end. Ed also told us that foreclosures in the area are coming down. On the commercial side, there is a lot of prop- erty for sale or lease, but most is being occupied. We then asked about the com- pany's business strategy for 2014. We were told that marketing is being ramped up. The company is looking for a 15% growth rate, and will prob- ably bring on an extra crew. In addition, the company is look- ing to manufacture their own vinyl and they are also going to build up their newest facility in Marlborough, Conn. We had the opportunity to speak briefly with Walter Koniecki of Troy Ornamental Iron Fence in Troy, Michigan. Walter told us that this past season was a very good one. Almost all season, the company was up to eight weeks out at any given time. In fact, at the time we spoke he was 3-4 weeks out as well. We were told that the company business mix is 80% residential and 20% commercial. On the residential side, aluminum fence is the big mover. On the commercial side, they do mostly decks/patios and dumpster en- closures. Walter told us that Troy is a fam- ily run local business. They service both commercial and residential cus- tomers in southeastern Michigan, in- cluding the tri-county Detroit area which includes Washtenaw, Liv- ingston and Saint Clair Counties. The company has done this for over 20 years. Further, the company builds their own aluminum and iron products in Michigan at their facility. Other products include stair cases, spi- ral stair cases, enclosures, security cages, arbors, etc. The company spe- cializes in wrought iron fencing, wrought iron railings, aluminum fencing, aluminum railings, wood (cedar) fencing, gates and gate opera- tors, PVC vinyl fencing, chain link fencing and dumpster enclosures. We then asked about the economy in the area. We were told that there was a lot of residential and commer- cial work going on. On the residential side, there are single family homes and We had the opportunity to speak with Ed Mayo of Townsend Fence in Pembroke, Massachusetts. Ed told us that this past season was pretty good. Further, he said that pool sales are the big driving force to the overall process of the company's fence sales. The company business mix is 95% residential and 5% commercial. The overall service area is all of New Eng- land, particularly Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Primarily, the big mover is aluminum fence, but they do a de- cent volume in vinyl and stockade, as well as some chain link. The commercial side of the busi- ness, as Ed explained, is "totally ran- dom," and is dependent on what develops from the pool side of the business. In other words, if the com- pany has a private pool fence job for a customer, that customer might use the company for an industrial-commercial installation. We then asked Ed about what are the major trends or changes that they have seen in the fence business in their area. Ed told us that in his view, it's about price. The competition steers people away from doing business on a high end level by making pricing a big issue, and the trend is getting worse. In reality, it comes down to pur- chasing power. We then asked whether the changes were for better or for worse. We were told: worse. We then asked Ed if there were any changes in consumer tastes on the residential side. Ed responded that on the residential side there is a lot more aluminum ornamental fence being sold. It's become very popular. People are turning away from wood, which was popular in this area some years back. Vinyl is gaining ground as well. Ed told us that Townsend Fence has locations in Charlton, Mass., and an 8,000-square-foot building with pool displays on one side and fence displays on the other, located in Marl- borough, Conn. Townsend Fence does PVC fencing, wood fence, chain link fence, commercial fence, pool safety fence, security fence, farm fence, sports fence, pergolas, privacy screen- ing, arbors, specialty-niche fencing, lantern and garden fence, along with deck railing, electric fence, and mail- boxes. We then asked about the economy in the area. Ed told us that it was im- proving, but still "wishy-washy." However, we were told that there is new money coming in. People are a lot less "squirrelly," but are still care- continued on page 23