Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/401422
30 • NOVEMBER 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS with your chapter. You will make life- time friends that you can call and pick their brain about challenges that will come up. They have been there. Keep a positive attitude, fi nd good people and let them do their job. Don't micro manage." You said a mouthful, my friend; defi nitely good advice and food for thought. Bobby thought that you should "Educate yourself and become a via- ble and profi table business. Business- es need to strive, not just survive, so you can earn wages." Tony added, "To be successful, one must have the passion for the in- dustry and focus on building positive relationships. You should educate yourself on industry trends and asso- ciations that offer benefi ts to support your company." And where do they see the indus- try going in the future? Scott thought that the direction was simply "More involvement with total backyard creations," while Da- vid said possibly, "The same way it has been trending, getting bigger and bigger." Randy responded, "I believe com- panies that just work out of the back of a pickup are going to have a hard time in the future. As more states re- quire more licensing and insurance and more government projects require CAGOI and CFPs it will be harder for those guys to survive." Randy, if it were up to me, the harder it is for the "carpetbaggers" the better, with the ultimate goal of get- ting everyone licensed, insured and on a level playing fi eld. Touché. Bobby suggested maybe "A lot more electronic, with real time solu- tions and pricing being offered on the spot." Tony said, "Our industry is still in an infant state and we need to con- tinue promoting that our industry is a profession like the electrical, plumb- ing and other construction related in- dustries. We must promote education and certifi cation to architects and specifi ers that will recognize our in- dustry certifi cations." Now we are getting somewhere, but here comes a tough question: "Af- ter refl ecting on the fence industry, your choices and after all is said and done, are you glad you chose this pro- fession and why?" Randy said undoubtedly, "Yes. But I didn't always think that. It has taken a lot of perseverance, patience and mostly the good friends I've made in the business. This is what I know and what I'm good at. You have to learn to embrace that and realize that the fence business has provided you a good living for your family." Tony told me, "I love every sec- ond of every minute of this industry – it has provided a great living for me and my family and it is who I am – I am a professional fence man!" Scott briefl y put it, "Yes, it has been challenging and rewarding," while David simply commented, "Are you kidding me? I wouldn't know you all now, would I?" OK guys, fi nally a loaded ques- tion for the AFA advocates and fence association groupies (or not)… "From your experience in the fence indus- try, have professional associations in general and the AFA in particular had any major impact on the overall industry and individual members, and if so, what has that impact been and how, if at all, has it changed and/ or evolved over the years?" Randy said, "In the past, it has been more of a social enjoyment for me. But with the new direction that the AFA has taken this year we have been able to use some of the new pro- grams it offers and save money. Also the education it offers has been very benefi cial. Our company is very proud to be a part of and promote the AFA." Bobby commented, "I think the AFA is helpful to centralize our indus- try; however, I think it would be more useful to the companies that make up its membership if the CFP was nation- ally required as well as set minimum limits of criteria required in order to bid certain projects. I think a national lobbyist could assist with making the CFP more recognized and required throughout our markets and let the AFA be the voice of the industry." David added, "Sure the AFA has played a big part in making the indus- try better. Look at the number of man- ufacturers that participate in it for the betterment of our membership." Scott had this to say: "As a whole, I do not think that the AFA has changed the fence industry. I think the AFA has changed with the industry. I think in order for the AFA to have an impact on the industry it has to be bigger, stronger, and more infl uen- tilal. It has to help infl uence political decisions and must strongly infl uence the public to be aware of the fact that there is a professional association out there and those membes are the most professional in the business. at be- ing said, I think that the current man- agement and the association leader- ship understands that and is putting things in place to work toward that end. Furthermore, I believe that there are many individuals who get nothing Fence industry leaders share their insight continued from page 28 continued on page 37 Be Sure To Visit Us At Booth No. 1009 Enhance your construction site with windscreens, logos and banners by Ball Fabrics, Inc. With over 25 years of manufac- turing experience, we build the best product in the industry and back it with quick lead times and excellent customer service. Pick from our full line of windscreens and privacy screens then add custom logos to advertise for your company, project or customer. 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