Feb 19 2008 7:42AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |
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Well, I am back from a week at the 2008 International Builders’ Show and, for some reason, I am more weary than usual after returning home and I think I know why. First of all, there wasn’t much to cheer about this year because of the condition of the home building market. This was reflected in the attendance, which NAHB forecasted being down some 15%, however, it was down much more than that. On the positive side, those who attended are the survivors, at least so far, and they were looking for new keys to survival.

The manufacturers that I talked with also were not as enthusiastic as they were in previous years, but they did tell me that the meetings they did have with builders were upbeat and promised business. In addition, there was a noticeable decrease in the educational program attendance as well. This obviously was a result of lower overall attendance. And one last observation, several of the major, national building material manufacturers did not exhibit this year in an effort to hold down costs.

I want to close on a positive note – those manufacturers, suppliers and builders who attended this year’s IBS came looking for change and for new solutions that will get them through this downturn. This resulted in new, fresh conversations on how we can all do things differently and better so that all can come out of this market in a position to capitalize on the upswing.