Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/51736
50 • JANUARY 2012 • WORLD FENCE NEWS LOGICAL DECISIONS, INC * 9, 6, & 11 GAUGE PREFORMED STEEL * 1 5/8 ", 1 7/8", 2 3/8", 3", & 4" * CORRECTIONAL & MILITARY APPROVED * GALVANIZED, ALUMINIZED, VINYL COATED, & STAINLESS STEEL 800-676-5537 www.LDI.com 225-274-1115 Be Sure To Visit Us At FENCETECH'12 Booth No. 1528 Composite fencing The growth of a new generation fencing product BY EDMUND ROSE, MARKETING DIRECTOR, CFC DISTRIBUTORS NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR OF TREX SECLUSIONS FENCING Each year, new products are intro- duced. Timing, cost, demand, and practicality are the primary factors that affect the potential success of those products. While many fail, a few products establish a foothold because they are viable solutions for a market need. The best new products build on the success of previous ones and have distinct attributes to better fulfill the need they serve. In the fencing indus- try, wood traditionally addressed the need for privacy, containment or ex- clusion, but as con- sumers increasingly find their time con- sumed with priorities other than maintaining a fence, contractors have found success in offering alternatives. PVC fencing, manufactured orna- mental metal systems, and simulated rock walls are all game-changing products that at some point were "new-to-market." Vinyl products that imitate tradi- Edmund Rose Add Stylepoints to Your Vinyl Fence and Railing Lineup tional wood fencing profiles have es- tablished themselves as the leading low-maintenance alternatives overall, and have grown aggressively to claim significant market share. Composite fencing as a next-generation product In addition to vinyl, composite products also have risen in recent years as a new generation alternative to wood. Composites combine natural and man-made elements for a strong and durable material. As an aesthetically different prod- uct than traditional PVC-based mate- rials, they also give consumers an additional option when considering low-maintenance fencing. Composites have been adopted successfully in decking, siding, and flooring applica- tions, and have gained traction year- over-year. Companies like Fiberon, Tim- Waymark's all-new Stylepoint program allows you to supply customizable post cap tops to fit bases already available in the extrusion col- ors you carry. Let customers mix and match their selection using Waymark's Stylepoint stained glass, metal and solar tops. Stylepoint gives both you and your customer the flexibility and freedom to offer several combinations of attractive post caps for vinyl fence and deck railing posts. What's more, this unique program helps minimize the inventory commitment and cost typically associated with a full offering. To learn more about the Waymark Stylepoint program, call 877.652.6118 or visit us online at WaymarkProducts.com. BOOTH NO. 1508! The Stylepoint program allows you to inventory the caps your customers want. bertech, and Trex that have been suc- cessful previously with composite decking or other products began intro- ducing composite fencing solutions in the mid-2000s. Until recently, how- ever, adoption of composites in fenc- ing has lagged behind vinyl. Key limiting factors were product design and quality, high production costs, and difficulties in using tradi- tional distribution channels. Introduc- ing new products also meant significant investment in marketing to build product and brand awareness. In principle, the key characteris- tics of composites demonstrate that they are a practical product for fenc- ing. Composites are manufactured with a dense, thick-wall profile that makes them resistant to damage. For example, in tests where Trex® sions® Seclu- posts and pickets were sub- Post and picket caps | Secondary handrail | Railing components | Hardware | Lattice | Tools, fasteners and adhesives jected to strikes from objects such as gravel, golf balls, and baseballs, the material experienced no breakage. In a Miami-Dade County wind contin ued on pa g e 52