King's Corner: Testing Our Mettle
In May and June of this year Roofing
Contractor conducted a survey of contractor subscribers on the metal
roofing market, and we published the results in the September issue of the
magazine.
In May and June of this year Roofing Contractor conducted a survey of contractor subscribers on the metal roofing market, and we published the results in the September issue of the magazine. [Please link to the September cover story: www.roofingcontractor.com/CDA/Articles/Cover_Story/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000412786]
Compared to surveys conducted in the past (in 2005 and 2001), contractors were less optimistic about the metal market, but overall, in my opinion, they were surprisingly optimistic. In the 2008 study, 16 percent of respondents expected the metal market to decline in the next year, while 13 percent expected it to increase and 71 percent expected it to stay the same. Asked how they expected the market to fare over the next three years, 11 percent expected it to decrease, while 25 percent expected it to increase and 64 percent thought it would stay about the same.
Have things changed since mid-year? The economy continues to be the major story in the national media, and as the bailout vote failed in the House and the stock market took another pounding, the slumping economy is testing the mettle of metal along with the rest of the construction industry. As we prepare to head to Baltimore for the METALCON show, we’ll be wondering how roofing contractors see the year ahead. Drop me a line or stop by booth 1128 at METALCON and let us know how you are faring in your part of the country.
In May and June of this year Roofing Contractor conducted a survey of contractor subscribers on the metal roofing market, and we published the results in the September issue of the magazine. [Please link to the September cover story: www.roofingcontractor.com/CDA/Articles/Cover_Story/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000412786]
Compared to surveys conducted in the past (in 2005 and 2001), contractors were less optimistic about the metal market, but overall, in my opinion, they were surprisingly optimistic. In the 2008 study, 16 percent of respondents expected the metal market to decline in the next year, while 13 percent expected it to increase and 71 percent expected it to stay the same. Asked how they expected the market to fare over the next three years, 11 percent expected it to decrease, while 25 percent expected it to increase and 64 percent thought it would stay about the same.
Have things changed since mid-year? The economy continues to be the major story in the national media, and as the bailout vote failed in the House and the stock market took another pounding, the slumping economy is testing the mettle of metal along with the rest of the construction industry. As we prepare to head to Baltimore for the METALCON show, we’ll be wondering how roofing contractors see the year ahead. Drop me a line or stop by booth 1128 at METALCON and let us know how you are faring in your part of the country.