Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/95301
WORLD FENCE NEWS • DECEMBER 2012 • 23 doing mostly structural and decorative work; mostly renovations. Bill passed on an observation: People want a budget number prior to a real set of plans; jobs are being bid three times and yet there are jobs that are starting before permits are being issued, to further make a mess of the building situation. We asked Bill what he thought the residential outlook was for 2013, and he told us that he felt it was tied into the election. The company does high end stuff as the bulk of their business and re- garding that, he is cautiously opti- mistic. He also said he hopes steel prices will be competitive. We then asked about the economy in the area, and he said that people are "doing things," and the outlook is, again, cautiously optimistic. For the most part, renovations are taking place rather than new construc- tion (he estimated 20% new construc- tion, 80% renovation work). He indicated that the foreclosure market is dead now. We further asked what the com- pany strategy was going to be for 2013 and we were told, simply, "one day at a time." At the time we spoke, there was no backlog on the books. Finally for this column, we spoke with Ken Throckmorton of DMA Solutions in Sharon Center, Ohio, who told us that this year was better than last year. Their service area is a 40 to 50 mile radius and the company business mix is 75% residential and 25% commercial/industrial. DMA Solutions is part of DMA Engineering Inc., which is a family- owned company with over 20 years experience in the design, sales and in- stallation of fencing, decking, railing, pergolas, ramps and other handi- capped accessibility structures. In addition, they do screenrail, driveway gates and gate operators, and ramps for residential as well as com- mercial application. For the most part, the company works with vinyl and alu- minum as main products. Ken further said that the company does a large amount of renovation work on condos and apartment complexes. We asked Ken what he thought the outlook for the residential market would be for 2013, and he said that he thought it would be stronger, espe- cially for bigger projects compared to smaller sized jobs. Jobs like apartment complexes and condo renovation would be stronger as well. Ken felt that the com- pany has weathered the storm and is hopeful that it can continue to do so. We also asked whether the company has instituted any cost-saving meas- ures during these recent times, and Ken responded that the company elim- inated a lot of inventory, buying what is needed when it is needed. He also told us that decent con- struction contractors would give ample lead time which would allow time to obtain product. We then asked if the company tries to sell additional items along with their fence jobs, and Ken told us that pergolas are up and coming in the res- idential market. We asked about the economy in continued on next page Viking Access Systems, the Most Innovative Access Control Products on the Market Today! Your Complete Source for 800-378-Gate (4283) • 423-332-5808 • www.gatekeepers.net Gatekeepers, Inc. is a full service distributor centrally located near Chattanooga, Tenn., with 1 to 2 days shipping to most of the Eastern United States. Orders ship within 24 hours. The Strong Silent Type... Quiet, Rugged, Ask Tymetal about CUSTOM GATES (Telescoping, Stacking Overhead Slides,...) for LIMITED SPACE openings. Dependable. Tymetal – There is NO EQUAL