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How is the economy in your area?

Number of messages: 10

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batman
Pennsylvania, United States

Just trying to get some feedback about economic conditions across the country. I know the media is playing up the "recession" but I wanted some feedback from people that actually beat the streets and managers, etc.

My area: PA. It's been slowing a little. I can still get 40 hours no problem and have a backlog myself of about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks compared to about 2 to 3 week backlog just a couple months ago. My customers have been admitting that they are slowing, some more than others. I'm not really sure if it's the election year slowing things, the indecision of the Democratic Party to name a candidate, the fuel prices, commodity prices or just weather.

What has everyone else been noticing? Thanks in advance.

Posted 18 Apr 2008 8:12 AM

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roadtek
Massachusetts, United States

Pretty much the same in CT & MA. Although this is our typical " slow period " it is being felt much more this year. I still average 50 hours and so do some of our other techs. It's mostly work what you can bill. We do have our 40 hr techs as well, but thats their decision. I do see the same with some customers. They're cutting back what used to be " fix what ever is wrong " to " better quote it first ".
Talk about fuel batman, I hit an all time high at the pumps yesterday - $101.00 to fill my tank. That was for unleaded regular. Who knows whats going to happen this summer. How many of you out there put a fuel surcharge on your bills. Our owner swears he will never do it, thats what separates us from them he says. Nobel idea, but how long can you afford $3.59 a gallon and 10mpg vans.

Posted 18 Apr 2008 11:10 AM

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batman
Pennsylvania, United States

Just for the record, I don't like working only 40 hours per week. My normal week is between 50 and 60 hours but I can see the slow down so I don't want to work myself out of work, if you know what I mean.

As far as the fuel surcharge, eventually you HAVE to add a surcharge to cover the rising fuel costs. No way around it. I average about $150 to $180 per week in my van. It's crazy now and it will only get worse as the year progresses.

Something I didn't know: Summer gas costs more to refine than winter gas because there are stricter regulations on the refineries to "clean up" summer gas because more people drive during the summer. The refineries are now in change over mode, switching everything over to summer gas production from winter gas production. I thought the prices went up in the summer because we use more gas. (you know, supply and demand) Amazing what you can learn with a little research and without listening to the tripe the media spews at you.

Posted 18 Apr 2008 11:22 AM

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JonG
South Carolina, United States

I decided to get out of the forklift business working for a dealer in November here in SC. I saw the customers already switching in the repair ideals (fix it to quote), plants going into slow down or shutting, coupled with the decisions (at the customers) going from business sound to only the cheapest. Our work week was shrinking rapidly from wide open, work what you want (typically 50+ hrs a week) too trying to find 40. Couple this with the upper managements decision to keep adding techs, bill them out - even if they are not trained (so they get the gravy work), made me decide that it was time to change companies (though still in the repair world.

Posted 18 Apr 2008 9:13 PM

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roadtek
Massachusetts, United States

reply to JonG;
And to think we in the North East were under the impression that things were booming in the south. I've lost quite a few major customers who moved to the Carolina's. Although most talk was to North Carolina. Is there that much difference between the 2 states?

Posted 18 Apr 2008 9:23 PM

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proshadetree
Tennessee, United States

I get all the overtime I want,But I dont want much.I see 40 to 45 hr weekly.Not counting checking on stuff.Customers here are downsizeing but they still want trucks running.Make them run but thats to high,what you going to do?People are griping about gas prices but driving suvs and saying it get as good a mile as a honda yea right.Ive owned both cant fool me.I think after the election itll start to pick up like normal.We do have to do something about climbing fuel use.If we all drive 10 mile to the galon trucks fuel prices will rise.

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A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even if he knows that you are cracked.

Posted 18 Apr 2008 10:15 PM

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JonG
South Carolina, United States

The work has been clustered around hubs or in similar work areas (Hi tech corridors, distribution areas, automotive areas). The only new work is 'swiped' from other service companies. Very few new businesses opening/starting, with more shutting down and moving to Mexico.

Posted 21 Apr 2008 11:02 AM

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JDBurton
Virginia, United States

In our sector, sideloaders and specialized equipment, things have slowed only slightly in new equipment sales but rebuild work has gone up. I guess when you need the equipment it comes down to 125k for new or 80k to rebuild what you have. All in all we are holding steady across the US.

Posted 13 May 2008 3:43 AM

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forklifterinPA
Pennsylvania, United States

Batman, What part of PA are you from and have you seen a diffrence in the economy since your first post?

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-=Forklifter In PA=-

Posted 19 Jul 2008 1:15 PM

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batman
Pennsylvania, United States

I am from Central PA and have noticed since my first post that the economy seems to have leveled off to a steady pace. Not super busy like last year but steady. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that oil has seemed to finally find a peak and has started a slide backward into more reasonable territory. It's hard to budget for new equipment when you have no idea what fuel will cost tomorrow.

Posted 23 Jul 2008 9:59 AM

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