Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/32232
16 • JUNE 2011 • WORLD FENCE NEWS Fencer’s Field Report continued from page 14 but still get their margins, Ivan told us; but there are times when the company is prepared to make concessions on a selective and judicious basis. We spoke with Kathy Adams of Adams Fence LLC in Phoenix, Ari- zona, who told us that the company was started in 2006, primarily doing railings, and they install all types of fencing, including chain link, wrought iron, and block, as well as gates and gate operators. They serve the greater Phoenix area. However, she said the company has evolved and now the business mix is 90% commercial and 10% residen- tial. At the time we spoke, business was picking up after a slow start. We were told that the bidding process for commercial work was very competi- tive. Kathy told us that one job re- cently drew some 25 bidders, a historically high number. We were told that as a result of some federal stimulus money, there have been several projects started, some of which involved some road im- provements, border patrol installa- tions, etc. We then asked Kathy about whether rising material costs have af- fected the way they bid, and she told us: definitely. Basically, the company had brought in substantial materials early, to lock in price. When asked whether or not it had affected her company business in general, she replied “yes” and indicated that she had lost some business because of it. When we asked if there were any significant changes in her fence mar- ket, Kathy said that she is seeing a consolidation of fence contractors. We asked if she was seeing any increase or decrease of any specific type of fenc- ing in her market, and she told us that the DeAcero Designmaster fence has been gaining in popularity. It is a sturdy welded wire system that comes in black or green to blend in with any landscape. She said that it is widely used in parks, and cities are interested in it as well. Regarding the overall fence mar- ket outlook for 2011, we were told that it is getting better and that there is more bidding activity. We asked about the status of the Pre-Formed Faux Rock Pillars “If you can’t tell the difference, what difference does it make!”™ River Rock Pillar labor force as regards to the availabil- ity and quality of workers, and Kathy said that if you need manpower (legal), one puts the word out and people re- spond. Regarding the economy in the area, we were told that there continues to be a lot of foreclosures. On the commercial side, there are many areas that are overbuilt, she said, and there are not many renovations going on, either. In closing, we asked about the company strategy for 2011 and Kathy said that they planned to improve their web site, and get more involved with networking and the Arizona Small Business Association. And, finally for this issue, we spoke with Pat Ragan of Tru-Line Fencing, Inc. in Levittown, Penn- sylvania. At the time we spoke, Pat told us that he was continuing his good start, and was confident that it was going to continue in a positive trend. He told us that he had recently won a ball field repair job consisting of replacing the fabric with new mesh. The company business mix is 70% residential and 30% commercial and they carry a full product line, as well as manufacturing and installing their own custom wood fencing. The company also installs vinyl coated chain link fence, pool fencing, tennis courts, backstops for any sports application, security fences, barbed wire and barbed tape, temporary fence, interior tool cages, automatic gate op- erators, wood and steel guide rails, or- namental steel fences, steel railings, aluminum ornamental fences and ac- cessories. Pat told us that PVC is moving up as one of the biggest movers in their line. We then asked Pat if rising mate- rial costs affected the way the com- pany bids and he told us “yes.” On the commercial side, he said that it has made the bidding process very com- petitive. Stackable Ledgestone Pillar People don’t care about a lot of things currently, he said, except prices. On the residential side, Pat said New Flat Cap with Chiseled Edges price is affecting more jobs at a time when the number of jobs is about one- half of what they are when things are normal. We further asked Pat if there were Starting at $94.50 call for details arting at $94 50 Tri Custom Manufacturing www.tricm.com Phone 435-563-0261 Toll Free 1-866-833-9589 No mason required Same day installation Impact resistant / durable No sub-contractors UV fade resistant One person installation Can be shipped by UPS! any significant changes in his fence market, and he said that there is “ab- solutely nothing new.” There were a lot of repairs this past winter, he said, and that helped business, but otherwise, nothing. We asked if any type of fencing was in- creasing or decreasing in popularity, and Pat reiterated that vinyl is moving, continued on page 18 Increase Pro ts! Fraction of the Cost of Stone!