Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/434930
22 • JANUARY 2015 • 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 Pat Turns of West Memphis Fence Company, in West Memphis, Arkansas. Pat told us the year was ending strong and that, at the time we spoke, he was still very busy. The company business mix is 90% commercial and 10% residential, and that most of the residential busi- ness is custom in nature. Further, we were told that the company service area is in a radius of between 100 and 150 miles. Pat then shared some brief infor- mation as regards to the history of the company. He and Bill Bius estab- lished West Memphis Fence and Con- struction, Inc. in 1967 under the name of Hurricane Fence. The name was changed in 1968 to better refl ect the scope of their work. West Memphis Fence and Con- struction changed its focus to com- mercial and industrial fencing with the arrival of the Anton Company in Memphis to build the Federal Express complex. Since then, the company has expanded their commercial and industrial presence through the years to include work at various prisons, baseball complexes, Tunica casinos, Memphis International Airport, and auto offl oad facilities. On the residential side, most of the work that is done is wood, we were told. We then asked Pat what the big- gest surprise was this past season. We were told it was the cost of energy – specifi cally vehicle fuel – and how the lower prices represented a decent cost savings, since the company has 15 crews and a corresponding number of vehicles. We then asked about the economy in the area. Pat told us that things were going good. Federal Express headquarters and distribution centers are located there and continue to contribute to the local economy. He also noted that Federal Express was expecting a 9% increase in shipping things this past holiday season. We will see. On the residential fencing side, we were told that there is an upswing Booth No. 428 Keep Up With The Adventures Of Pete, Jake & The Boss Each Month in World Fence News! AND INTRODUCING Luckey The Fence Dog! World Fence News Always Welcomes Your Ideas For Pete & Jake Cartoons! Booth 1231 for Reader demo DualBeam Barcode Automation, inc. ® • ,GHQWLÀHVYHKLFOHVWUDYHOLQJXSWRPSK • 1RUDGLRLQWHUIHUHQFH • :LOOQRWUHDGFRSLHVRI%DUFRGH'HFDOV • \HDU0DQXIDFWXUHU·V/WG:DUUDQW\LQFOXGHG • 7ROOIUHHWHFKQLFDOVXSSRUW • 2QHZHHNOHDGWLPHRQDOORUGHUV BA-440 DualBeam Barcode Reader & Black on Black Barcode Decal $XWRPDWLF9HKLFOH,GHQWLÀFDWLRQ with no radio interference. www.Barcode-Automation.com (800) 528-9167 • info@barcode-automation.com