World Fence News

20 • JULY 2018 • 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 recently had an opportunity to speak with Mike Watson of North East Fence & Iron Works in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. At the time we spoke, Mike told us that the com- pany was pretty busy. The company business mix is 80% commercial and 20% residential, with no specific market radius. On the commercial side, besides commercial specialty needs, the biggest product mover is ornamental metal. We then asked what the biggest challenge has been so far this year. Mike told us that the volume of busi- ness – combined with a lack of quali- fied help – has really presented a chal- lenge. We then asked what the biggest surprise was so far this year, and Mike quickly responded how every- thing is going up in price. At the time we spoke, they had experienced a 6% hike in raw materials costs and were told to expect another soon. Mike then shared with us that the company is fully insured and bonded and has been serving the Philadelphia area for over 44 years. The company products and ser- vices include chain and cable barriers, chain link fence, custom gates, custom railings, custom wood fencing, slide and lift gates, parking lot barriers, pa- tio enclosures, picket fences, post and rail fences, temporary fencing, priva- cy slats, and barbed tape. Mike further told us that the com- pany also has a sand blasting and pow- der coating facility which services a variety of clients. We then asked about the economy in the area, and were told that it isn't bad. On the residential side, there doesn't appear to be much going on, but on the commercial side there is a lot of renovation occurring. As for infrastructure, Route 95 is undergoing expansion and upgrades. We then caught up with Ivan King of New Holland Chain Link in New Holland, Pennsylvania. Ivan told us that the season had already become very crazy, though good. It was particularly crazy since the weather was terrible in April. The company business mix was 90% commercial and 10% residential, generated within a 100 mile service area. We asked what the biggest mover was product-wise on the commercial side, and were told it is black color coated commercial chain link, es- pecially around trucking depots and warehouses. On the residential side, it is alumi- num ornamental and PVC. Additionally, the company offers barbed wire, barrier gates, baseball backstops and security fences for commercial applications. For industrial applications, they offer parking lot gates, iron fenc- ing and railings, specialty materials, guard rail, and high security fencing. In the agricultural sector, they of- fer barbed wire fencing and high ten- sile fencing. They also do dog kennels, horse corrals, and pasture enclosures. We asked what the biggest chal- lenge has been so far this year, and were told it was the weather, along with finding good help – a combina- tion that has been tough. We then asked what the biggest surprise was so far this year, and were told that it's the fact that they have caught up with all the quotes! We asked about the economy in the area, and Ivan told us that, in a word, it is "booming." Construction is active on the resi- dential side, i.e., townhouses and sin- gle family homes, which are going very strong. On the commercial side, drug stores, gas stations, and coffee shops are going up. As for infrastructure, road con- struction is on-going. A state spon- sored gas tax from a few years ago is being applied at this time towards bridge construction and highway im- provements. Finally, we asked what the strate- gy is for 2018, and Ivan said they are continuing to focus on quality of work and making sure they keep doing what they do best. Finally for this issue, we spoke with John Stiles of Robinson Fence in Waxahatchie, Texas. We were told that the company does 100% commercial/industrial work throughout Texas and six other states. Projects include schools, mu- nicipalities, airports, and railroads. Some 90% of this is chain link and ornamental. The railroad also specifies spe- cialty products and game fence. continued on page 76 Sell more… Build more… Make more… …With Postloc ® … Postloc is easy to use and allows for much faster installation. Nothing but good things can come from a quick install. • No heavy and messy bags • No water needed • Works with all post types • Works in most soil types • Use all year round • Crew flexibility with time savings • Proven superior for 30 years Sets in just 15 minutes! See how. Buy online at postloc.com The Original Post Foam

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