When do you expect to see sales growth at your company?
Survey Results for 02/04/2009:
When do you expect to see sales growth at your company?
More than a year |
| 30.14% | |||
9 to 12 months |
| 18.26% | |||
3 to 6 months |
| 14.61% | |||
6 to 9 months |
| 14.61% | |||
Sales are increasing now. |
| 13.70% | |||
In the next 3 months. |
| 8.68% |
I set out to balance the bad news last week with some good news and I heard from a couple of people with good stories to tell. It's clear some companies are taking proactive steps to improve their outlook now and for the future. We just heard from Simonton Windows that it is launching a new program promising shorter delivery times. Four Seasons, last week, told us they are working with struggling dealers—acquiring them and bringing their operations in-house.
In recent weeks, we’ve also reported on growth at Vista Windows, the reopening of the Kensington Windows plant under Serious Materials, Roto Hardware’s plans to celebrate 30 years in North America with stepped up efforts to serve the market, and DAC Products' recent investment in new equipment to expand its services to the industry.
Personally, I’m impressed with Pella’s efforts to keep as many employees working as possible despite the severe downturn in demand. Other window and door companies are doing all they can too to keep their workers on the job, and support those people who they’ve had to let go given the current conditions.
It's still hard to write these stories week after week, and but, as I noted, we do feel obligated to do it, and I suspect many of you do want to know what's happening out there. I heard from one reader, Paul Honnen of Screens Inc. in Arizona, who confirmed that. "I myself have just quit watching the TV doom and gloom news," he admits, "but when it comes to my industry I like to know what’s going on good or bad."
He notes that while his company, which manufactures the Accordia Screen System for large door openings, was holding up fairly well, it did see a big drop with the beginning of the new year. Honnen adds his own hopeful note too, however, reporting that his company has developed a new product--a new screen material that filters out airborne pollens, and it has had an immediate impact. "Just in the last two weeks, the response has been amazing for us. With over 53 million people in the U.S. suffering from allergies, I believe we have a winner here."
In looking for such good news last week, I have to admit I was a bit worried about the results of our poll question. At first blush, they look negative with respondents expecting it to take more than a year for sales to turn around at their companies accounting for more votes than any of our other options. But, a closer look proves to be a bit more promising. The overall majority say they are seeing growth now or foresee it coming before the end of this year.
I am hopeful they are right. And I hope we continue to see more new products like that offered by Honnen's company that spur demand even further.
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