Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Act”). President Obama signed the Act into law on February 17, 2009. The Act provides a series of direct spending and tax incentives for individuals and businesses to jump start the U.S. economy. This $787 billion Economic Stimulus Package includes provisions related to the construction industry.
Here is a good outline of what the Stimulus package can mean to contractors from a CPA firm. http://www.rubinbrown.com/content/view/1298/101/
How does this affect the fence industry? In this weeks FenceBids, we found three bids dealing with the Fence Industry (FenceBids - March 6, 2009). All the jobs were in South Carolina. So the money is beginning to flow.
The government has also launched a new site http://www.recovery.gov/ on this site you can see the breakdown by state where the money will be spent.
What are your thoughts on the stimulus bill? Will it help? Let us know what you're thinking
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
FenceTech 2009 - Impressions
Fencetech has come and gone for another year. I was curious to see what the people were seeing out there with the economy the way it is.
First things first -- the show. The show itself was certainly less crowded then in the past. However, talking to many vendors it seems many of the contractors left the family and crews at home and came by themselves. So most of the vendors, originally apprehensive, seemed pleased at the end. The vendors were talking to the decision makers, with fewer distractions .
There were certainly some down times, but all in all I was pleased with what I saw. There were obvious changes, a lot less and smaller hospitality suites, certainly new products were released, but it seemed to be fewer than normal. I will have more on the new products in the coming weeks.
Conversations -- The people I talked to were generally more upbeat then I would have expected. As one person said, "We're not quite recession proof, but we're close. When the economy is good we're keeping the dogs in; when the economy is bad we're keeping the crooks out." A lot of the contractors who have been doing commercial work all along, say they are seeing a lot more residential contractors competing for commercial work.
As I said there were exciting new products introduced that I will give you more infomation later.
But right now,
What did you think of the show? Let us know.
First things first -- the show. The show itself was certainly less crowded then in the past. However, talking to many vendors it seems many of the contractors left the family and crews at home and came by themselves. So most of the vendors, originally apprehensive, seemed pleased at the end. The vendors were talking to the decision makers, with fewer distractions .
There were certainly some down times, but all in all I was pleased with what I saw. There were obvious changes, a lot less and smaller hospitality suites, certainly new products were released, but it seemed to be fewer than normal. I will have more on the new products in the coming weeks.
Conversations -- The people I talked to were generally more upbeat then I would have expected. As one person said, "We're not quite recession proof, but we're close. When the economy is good we're keeping the dogs in; when the economy is bad we're keeping the crooks out." A lot of the contractors who have been doing commercial work all along, say they are seeing a lot more residential contractors competing for commercial work.
As I said there were exciting new products introduced that I will give you more infomation later.
But right now,
What did you think of the show? Let us know.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Blogging from FenceTech 2009
I'm heading down to New Orleans on Tuesday to FenceTech. No doubt a lot of the people reading this will be there too.
To say it's been an eventful year, both in the country and specifically the fence industry is an understatement. I'm looking forward to hearing the speakers, seeing the new products, talking with old friends, and generally find out what you're seeing out there.
I already know that a few familiar faces won't be there due to the economy.
Anyway, I'll be down there blogging away, I'll have my video camera, if you want your 15 minutes of fame.
So if you have a new product, or a story or an opinion that you would like to share, let me know. I'll be at booth #775.
- Gene
- Gene
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
FenceWeek Video
Barry Willingham of Ameristar Fence Products sits down with FenceWeek at last years FenceTech in Las Vegas. Barry discusses the need for raising the bar in the Fence Industry. Take a look at the video and let us know what you think by adding your comments.
Click Here
Thanks
Click Here
Thanks
Monday, April 7, 2008
Chain Link Article - FenceWeek 4/1/08
There was a story in last week in the San Jose Mercury News, CA, Casting critical eye at chain-link, Saratoga planners consider ban . It seemed a bit one sided to me so I contacted Mark Levin at the CLFMI to get the industries view. Here's what Mark said:
------------------
Gene-
I did want to respond on behalf of the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute (CLFMI) regarding the article that appeared in the Mercury News and was referenced in the April 1 edition of FenceWeek.
In the article, reporter Dennis Theriault (who initiated contact with CLFMI) quotes CLFMI Past President Ted Eysenbach as saying "Snobby may be too harsh,"....when Mr. Eysenbach was talking about people who don't like chain link around their homes. According to Mr. Eysenbach, it was actually Mr. Theriault who initially used the term "snobby" (i.e. "Do you think these people who don't like chain link are being snobby?"). Mr. Eysenbach used the term only in response to Mr. Theriault's question, and only to say that he felt that was an inaccurate way of describing those who opposed chain link in residential areas.
Secondly, Mr. Eysenbach does not recall ever saying anything about people locking their doors or being afraid to drive through or live in neighborhoods where chain link fencing is used. We understand that Mr. Theriault did not have space to record his entire conversation with Mr. Eysenbach but we do believe his summary of Mr. Eysenbach's statements were misquoted and /or misinterpreted.
CLFMI has always promoted the safe, efficient, and aesthetically appropriate use of chain link fence in all neighborhoods. A White Paper on this subject has been produced, and an executive summary is included below. The entire White Paper can be viewed at
http://associationsites.com/page.cfm?pageid=906&usr=clfma.
We appreciate Mr. Theriault contacting CLFMI and presenting an even-handed view of this issue. We just want to set the record straight on exactly what Mr. Eysenbach said and what CLFMI's official policy is regarding chain link fences in residential areas.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mark
Mark Levin, CAE, CSP
Executive Vice President
Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute
http://www.chainlinkinfo.org/
CLFMI White Paper
------------------
Gene-
I did want to respond on behalf of the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute (CLFMI) regarding the article that appeared in the Mercury News and was referenced in the April 1 edition of FenceWeek.
In the article, reporter Dennis Theriault (who initiated contact with CLFMI) quotes CLFMI Past President Ted Eysenbach as saying "Snobby may be too harsh,"....when Mr. Eysenbach was talking about people who don't like chain link around their homes. According to Mr. Eysenbach, it was actually Mr. Theriault who initially used the term "snobby" (i.e. "Do you think these people who don't like chain link are being snobby?"). Mr. Eysenbach used the term only in response to Mr. Theriault's question, and only to say that he felt that was an inaccurate way of describing those who opposed chain link in residential areas.
Secondly, Mr. Eysenbach does not recall ever saying anything about people locking their doors or being afraid to drive through or live in neighborhoods where chain link fencing is used. We understand that Mr. Theriault did not have space to record his entire conversation with Mr. Eysenbach but we do believe his summary of Mr. Eysenbach's statements were misquoted and /or misinterpreted.
CLFMI has always promoted the safe, efficient, and aesthetically appropriate use of chain link fence in all neighborhoods. A White Paper on this subject has been produced, and an executive summary is included below. The entire White Paper can be viewed at
http://associationsites.com/page.cfm?pageid=906&usr=clfma.
We appreciate Mr. Theriault contacting CLFMI and presenting an even-handed view of this issue. We just want to set the record straight on exactly what Mr. Eysenbach said and what CLFMI's official policy is regarding chain link fences in residential areas.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mark
Mark Levin, CAE, CSP
Executive Vice President
Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute
http://www.chainlinkinfo.org/
CLFMI White Paper
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
FenceTech - Day 1
Started out at the awards breakfast yesterday. It's amazing what's new with the AFA. The amount of training available and the general impression of professionalism they bring to the industry has a whole is very impressive.
I was sitting with David, Matt and Dick from Quality Fence from Terra Haute, IN. Just chatting with them about what they are seeing in Norhtern Indiana. They say there have been a lot of plant closing in the area but in general business has been good. They mostly do residential, "Dogs and kids are very good for my business" Says Dick. Dick is a grandfather and in some of his television spots, he features his family. He says "maintanace free" is the key. All of his customers would rather be playing with the kids or walking their dogs on weekends. That being said, he said they do sell a lot of wood.
I was sitting with David, Matt and Dick from Quality Fence from Terra Haute, IN. Just chatting with them about what they are seeing in Norhtern Indiana. They say there have been a lot of plant closing in the area but in general business has been good. They mostly do residential, "Dogs and kids are very good for my business" Says Dick. Dick is a grandfather and in some of his television spots, he features his family. He says "maintanace free" is the key. All of his customers would rather be playing with the kids or walking their dogs on weekends. That being said, he said they do sell a lot of wood.
More later.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
FenceTech 2008 - Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
We're blogging in Vegas. Got here today, we're going to post while were here. Come by and see us at booth #2180. Lots of new products, more on the later today. I'll be going to the "State of Industry" kick off speech this morning. Planning on doing some more videos, and other reports.
Check back.
Check back.
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