Last week I attended the annual NWFA convention in Long Beach, CA. Having been in the industry for 30 years, this certainly wasn't my first rodeo. Truth be told, I didn't go with the expectation of enjoying myself.
My primary reason for attending was out of the necessity of maintaining contacts. In spite of my initially bad attitude, this year's meeting turned out to be both fun and very productive for me personally. Maybe it's a part of getting older. With life passing by at a seemingly faster pace, the need to rush somehow dissipates. The major topic of discussion was the general decrease in business. Having ridden out a few down cycles in this industry, I was reminded of some lessons I have been taught along the way.
The best time to buy is when prices are low.
A number of great people within our industry have ended up without jobs through no fault of their own. There are good people available who would normally be gainfully employed. These highly qualified and accomplished professionals know the ins and outs of our industry. Their learning curve would be practically non-existent.
This presents a great opportunity for lumber and construction businesses. Prices always rebound and usually with a vengeance. I can't tell you when or how fast things will turn around, but it will get busy again. Really great people are not going to stay on the market forever. They could go to work for one of your competitors, start their own competing business, or move to another industry. Keep your eyes open, ears to the ground, and snap them up!
When you visit the doctor would you rather see the intern fresh out of med school or the practitioner with skill and experience?
For those of you currently out of work, there is always something that you can do to improve yourself while searching for your next gig. If you plan to stay in the wood flooring industry, do us all a big favor: go out and learn how to install, sand, and finish wood floors. This is the best way to become the go-to person at any company that sells or distributes wood flooring, adhesives, finishes, sandpaper, and sundries. Nothing earns respect more than a professional who can actually answer a question without faking it.
Keep yourself busy while you're sending out resumes. Find a good wood flooring contractor and volunteer to work for slave wages (or less). Get ready to have a genuine hard working experience, and you can probably cancel that fancy gym membership while you are really working for a living. For inspectors who find yourselves with a lot of time on your hands please read the previous paragraph. There is always something to learn or a new way to apply the information you have already mastered.
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Hey Howard,
Now you can add professional blogger to your cirriculim vitae! I couldn’t agree with you more on the need to utilize downtime and invest in yourself with regards to any of the training opportunities that are out there. Things will come full circle in time, so instead of just excessively wringing our hands, let’s put them to work. Hope all is well.
Hello Howard,
I first met you at the second class that NOFMA held in Memphis, TN and became self employed in hardwood floors in April of 81′. I have survived that recession and I will survive this one. To survive in business, besides working hard, you have to love what you do, have a passion for it, believe me I do. I have not advertised since 86′ and up until about a year ago was always 2-3 months out with work now I am happy to have work 2-3 weeks out. I am not discouraged as I know that it will turn around and I can see it already this Spring. Did not make it to the convention this year and last year but will be there next year in D.C. as I want to visit some friends on the WALL.
Hope to see you then Howard, be well.
Herb
Herb, Your comments about business sound pretty typical. I believe that a great many of the people on the East Coast will be traveling to DC next year. It is hard to justify two trips to the West for both Surfaces and NWFA especially when we are in such a major slow-down.
By the way, that 2nd NOFMA school was almost 30 years ago. That really went by quickly.
Hello Howard,
I think soon, as a positive attitude and positive actions increase, people will realize everything can be alright, and then, things will improve.
My business is down like everyones but, I am seeing people are wanting to get out, spend and hopefully, spend it on new wood floors.
Howard,
I am looking for a way to contact Rich Grady. I know he has retired to Florida, but I may want to visit him there. Do you have any contact information on him? I agree with your comments about getting behind a sanding machine or nailer is most valuable to put to rest any BS. I have recently taken and passed the LEED AP exam and feel this is the next frontier for flooring.
Charlie Kerfoot LEED AP
CMH Space Flooring Products, Inc.
Charlie, Thanks for posting. I lost track of Grady when he went to work at Hoboken after Stalker’s demise in ’89. Those were times remarkably similar to now.
I have not quite made up my mind about the LEED/green movement. It seems to me that it’s a classic case of giving the customer what they want versus what they really need. But the customers always vote with their feet and money, and we eventually figure it out or suffer the consequences of poor decision making
Howard,
I agree with your comments surrounding the economic slump; in that it will get better and some of us need to sharpen our skills, get back to the basics and thoes in a position to do so, take advantage of the high quality personnel that are not normally available.
Being not a wizzard at economy, it appears that we have finally hit bottom and are moving in a positive direction reluctantly but most assuridly.
Many of my friends have left our Industry due to this downtourn and entered another field to find that it is not any better. My advise is stick with it as it has worked for many years and will again.
Jim Garth