Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/351182
22 • AUGUST 2014 • 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 had the opportunity to speak with Bob Rayfi eld of A1 Fence Com- pany in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Bob told us that the season was very slow starting, picked up in the second quarter, and is now progressing okay. The company business mix at the time we spoke was 60% residential and 40% commercial. On the residential side, aluminum and wood are this season's two biggest movers. On the commercial side, projects include furnishing aluminum gates for a bus terminal in Florence, South Car- olina, fencing for a water plant project and assorted other industrial projects. For the most part Bob told us that the company services a 50-mile radius which includes Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lancaster, and Charlotte, North Car- olina. Further, we were told that the company products and services in- clude, but are not limited to, all types of wood, chain link, vinyl, picket pri- vacy fence, ornamental aluminum, farm fence, ball fi elds, gate operators, operator service and maintenance, supplies, repair work, temporary fence, tennis courts, and railings. Bob also told us that the company was established and incorporated in South Carolina in 1983. We then asked Bob about what are some of the major changes or trends that they have seen in the fence business in their area. Bob told us that he has seen peo- ple's tastes change from vinyl (be- cause of sticker shock on price) to alu- minum and wood. We then asked Bob if these chang- es have been for the better or worse, and he responded that they have been positive. Houses are being built, banks are modifying their lending habits, and tract housing is going up, which cre- ates more potential business for them. We then asked Bob about the economy in the area. We were told that it has picked up, especially on the residential side, and it's almost back to normal since 2008. The housing market is doing well. Further, it looks like the banks in the area are loosening up their lending habits and should help even more. Tract housing is getting strong. On the commercial side, there isn't much going on as of yet. We asked Bob about the compa- ny's strategy for 2014. He told us that he was working with a new sales force and developing them, along with up- grading the company web site. We spoke briefl y with Tom Boes of Tom Boes MetalWorks in Nova- do, California. Tom told us that this season has been "choppy" but okay, all things considered. The company was started in 1967 and has a business mix of 80% resi- dential and 20% commercial which is derived basically from a 25 mile ra- dius. Tom told us that the company is faced with a unique problem, in that it is trying to relocate its operation for a lot of reasons. The process has been formidable, to say the least, and it comes during the height of the season, which does make doing business more diffi cult. On the residential side, the com- pany does a lot of gate operators and railings (security) and on the commer- cial side they are working on buildings and manufacturing items for commer- cial applications. We asked Tom what major chang- es or trends they have seen in the fence business in his area. He told us that security and hand rails are the major change. He also pointed out that in the past there were a lot of other building materials going into the construction of buildings, and now there is a lot more structural steel. We asked Tom whether he thought these changes have been for better or worse. He replied you can "thank the engineers for spending people's mon- ey unnecessarily." That really is the biggest change. Everything is being overbuilt and it doesn't need to be, he commented. We then asked Tom how the econ- omy was in the area, and he told us that it was "pretty spotty" at best. For every three businesses that are slow, one is busy. On the residential side, high-end is doing pretty well, but that is about it. On the commercial side, it's very 800.624.9512 • Fax: 205.595.0599 www.LawlerFoundry.com Latches, Locks, Closers, Track Wheels, Springs, Hinges & More! 4908 Powell Ave So Birmingham, Alabama, 35222 LAWLER LAWLER FOUNDRY CORPORATION LAWLER SINCE 1933 ALL OF THESE ITEMS ARE ILLUSTRATED IN OUR CURRENT CATALOG 20 Providing an expanded hardware product line to ensure the best fit for each job. Providing next-day shipping from one location, keeping freight costs to a minimum. 20 G E N E R A L C A T A L O G G E N E R A L C A T A L O G 4908 Powell Ave So CATALOG 20 20 G E N E R A L C A T A L O G G E N E R A L G E N E R A L G E N E R A L G E N E R A L C A T A L O G C A T A L O G C A T A L O G C A T A L O G Lawler Quite simply the Highest Quality Castings & Forgings available at the Lowest Prices available.