Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/332591
24 • JULY 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS signs, playground equipment, and electrically operated gate systems. The company also has a fence store with complete product lines that is available to the DIY market in the form of an indoor yard which houses wood and vinyl selections and an out- door yard which houses all types of chain link, wire, and steel fencing. Steve tells us that he has been in the fence business some 34 years, and that the company was established 102 years ago by Paul N.A. Tholl and has carried the name Tholl Fence ever since. (It seems appropriate to expand on that history a little, with some very in- teresting information from the Tholl Fence web site: The company was es- tablished in 1912. Paul N.A. Tholl ini- tially not only supplied fencing but all types of mercantile products. His first "vehicle" was a horse drawn wagon, which he used for deliveries as far north as Susanville and as far south as Bridgeport, Calif. Paul A. Tholl, the founder's son, established offices in California, Washington and Hawaii in the 1950s and 1960s. The company now operates out of its retail yard and administrative office, both located in Sparks, Nev.) We then asked about the labor sit- uation in the area. Steve told us that there wasn't really any turnover of personnel. He has "homegrown" em- ployees, as he says. However, he did note that expenses were escalating. Perhaps the biggest item was health in- surance, which apparently is expected to double in cost. We asked Steve if there had been any major changes or trends in the business that he has seen. He replied not really, other than his area had a ro- bust economy in the 1990s and it has eroded to a stagnant situation in 20+ years. There is a general malaise that leads to a situation where there is no money available to do anything, he said. We asked Steve about the compe- tition in the area, and were told that there is a lot of competition. Every job is highly competitive in his arena. The company does systematic takeoffs so they make sure they get their margins or they don't take the work. We then asked Steve about the economy in the area. He reiterated what he had said in earlier comments; that the economy is stagnant and that there is not a lot going on in either the residential or commercial side to indi- cate any growth for 2014. As for the foreclosure market, in- vestment groups are buying properties on short sale basis and flipping them. Steve pointed out that his state in general is not happy with what is going on in Washington, D.C. and that's a major issue for curtailing pro- grams. When asked about the outlook for the fence industry in 2014, Steve replied he doesn't know whether to be cautiously optimistic or cautiously pessimistic. As for their strategy for 2014, Steve told us that they will con- tinue to search for work that can be performed at a profit. Fencer's Field Report NAFCA slates Expo 2014 for December The North American Fence Con- tractors Association (NAFCA) has scheduled its NAFCA Expo 2014 for December 4–6, 2014 at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, Mo. The Expo will include educational seminars, a trade show, product demonstrations, the fun and action- packed 2014 NAFCAR Champi- onship, association membership meet- ing and banquet. Visit the NAFCA web site for the latest information on the Expo – 4nafca.com – or call 770-757-9094. Frank Duff joins International Gate Devices as national sales manager FOLSOM, Penn. – Ronald DiMedio and Kathleen Sellitto, owners of International Gate De- vices (IGD), have announced that Frank Duff has joined the company as national sales manager. Duff is an accomplished leader bringing 10-plus years of experience in sales and instal- lation. "We are ex- tremely happy to have Frank join our team," Sellitto said. "With experience in the industry and his superb com- munication and computer skills, he will be a valuable asset to our or- ganization." Duff started with International Gate Devices in October 2013. He may be reached at frank@slidegate.net or 800-557- GATE. IGD, a leader and innovator of the original aluminum bolt on track systems for cantilever slide gates, has been serving the fence industry for more than 30 years. For information on the product line, visit www.intlgate.com. Frank Duff Sales: Susana Madrid-Gallegos 623-478-5294 Barbed Wire • 4pt Class III 12 1 ⁄2 Ga • 4pt Class I 12 1 ⁄2 Ga • 2pt Class I 12 1 ⁄2 Ga • High Tensile Class III 15 1 ⁄2 Ga • Vinyl Coated A1 Fence Products Company Pvt. Ltd. India Competitive Pricing Meets ASTM Standards Stocked in USA Crimp Tension Wire • 7 Ga Crimp Tension Wire • 6 Ga Vinyl Coated Wire Smooth Tension Wire • 7 Gauge • 9 Gauge • 10 Gauge • 11 Gauge • 12 Gauge Barbless Wire • 12 1 ⁄2 Ga • 14 1 ⁄2 Ga Razor Wire • Available in 18 to 36 Dia Options Available: Hot Dip Galvanized Color Coated or Vinyl Coated Accessories • Rail End Caps • Gate Hinges • Eye Bolts • Short Winder • Latch Accessories • Tension Bands • Brace Bands • Caps • Eye Tops • Corner Arms susana@a1fenceproducts.com • www.a-1fenceproducts.com (Class III) (Class II/1.2 oz)