State of the Metal Construction Industry in 2013 and the Outlook for Guam & Metal Buildings

A Repeat of 2012.  Lack of focus on selling the value of steel buildings over price.  Lack of definitive direction in Washington.  Those are just some of the things being said by the leaders of the metal construction industry on the outlook for 2013.  

Metal Construction News is the original news magazine of the metal construction industry and has been the premier source for news, products and strategies since 1994.  The Monthly publication talked to the industry leaders about what the new year can expect to hold for the business. 

The article can be found: http://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/magazine-features/2013-state-of-the-metal-construction-industry.aspx

The discussion on metal construction in the residential market, change in public policy, the workforce and the evolution into a sustainable industry were thought provoking. 

For the islands of the Western Pacific, metal buildings have been a part of the landscape since 1945.  If you look closely, many of those original structures are still standing in varying degrees of deterioration.  For the most part, these steel icons have stood the test of time.  

Today, demand is on the rebound.  Smaller projects are featuring steel buildings.  Contractors are revisiting steel versus concrete as a solution to their project needs.  While the Butler brand has been front and center on Guam.  Ceco is now making a run on the marketplace.  The end result has been more competitive pricing and quality products entering the region. With many taking a second look at the Guam Buildup and associated structures needed, metal buildings could once again be the owners choice.  

Why is this encouraging?  

Construction materials made up 3% of imports into Guam in July 2012. Steel structures accounted for $432,997 or about a quarter of the construction material imports.  This is an encouraging sign and expect it to grow in the months to come.  2013 could be a great year for the metal buildings industry on Guam. And on the heels of a anticipated ramp up in 2014 and 2015, this could be even better for metal buildings here.

An English Solution to Bring Materials Closer to the Aerial Workplace

This is a pretty innovative solution by one of England's long time Genie professionals.  

I would say that this attachment would greatly improve productivity on the job site.  This solution answers so many questions GET, LLC has been asked about bringing more materials to the aerial workplace. 

Aerial and Handling Services Ltd have designed and produced a new materials handling attachment for Genie scissor lifts. The deckRail Xtra™ system is designed to safely hold a material load in place while the scissor lift is being moved or elevated. This new system has been carefully thought out and designed to complement specifically the Genie GS1932 scissor lift.

Aerial and Handling Services Ltd have seen an increase in the number of customers looking to increase their health and safety standards by having an additional materials handling attachment and, as there was nothing suitable on the market, decided to design and build their own.

The system comprises of cleverly designed floor stiffening saddles and new load bearing outer deckrails (replacing the original deckrails) onto which the jaw brackets can be attached at different locations. The design also means that the native deck extension facility of the scissor lift can still be utilized and that any trip hazards have been eliminated.

The whole system is available in complete kit form with all the fasteners and fitment details included and takes approximately 45 minutes to install.

All enquiries should be made to Aerial and Handling Services Ltd, info@aerialandhandlingservices.com, www.aerialandhandlingservices.com.

Guam-A Different Perspective

The trade winds have once again begun to pick up-signaling the start of the monsoon season.  Also picking up pace is talk about the Guam Buildup.  

Though throttled down because of the fiscal challenges facing the U.S. Government, Department of Defense officials have been busy recently trying to reassure local residents that the III Marine Expeditionary Force will in fact be coming to Guam in the coming years.  

This discussion isn't new.

With a Record of Decision expected in the summer of 2014, is the talk more of the military attempting to quell criticism from local officials for DOD's lack of initiative to move the Guam Buildup from a dead stop in 2011?  While we can credit the Guam Legislature with some of the wrangling that has more than turned off federal officials planning the move, DOD's silence has been deafening.  

Over speculating construction companies have since left the island, with the remaining corporations clinging to the hope of getting a piece of some federal spend in the coming months.  In fact, some of the off-island groups are pulling projects away from entrenched local contractors. 

Words are not helping this situation.  Action is needed.  A solution to the policy and financial gridlock needs to be shared with the community and acted upon as swiftly as possible.

Influence peddling related to this important issue to Micronesia has been haphazard over the last two years.  Opportunities have been lost.  Chalk it up to bad advice from those who claim to be in the "know".  What we do know is that we better start adapting to our "new normal" and find ways to pull the economy up from the ground.  

I find it curious that leaders are saying today that the Guam economy is stable.  Tourism is at an all time high.  Federal spend is at the lowest levels in years.

Also, the jobless rate in the Territory isn't faring well.  Housing starts are at its lowest in years.  Car sales are brisk.  Consumer confidence is low.  Government spending is upside down-no thanks to federal court actions.  Stability?  There are other terms to describe the Guam economy.  You be the judge of that.

I do believe that there is something positive to be taken from all of this.  We must adjust to living in a new Paradise Guam.  Families should take time to think about how to care for themselves.  Creative options must be sought to streamline our island's core businesses of government spending and tourism.  Many should not take this latest dip in our island's economy sitting down.  Rather, we must embrace it and look for ways to support our collective livelihoods. 

The way forward must be diversification.  We can create great prosperity in those industries that are relevant to supporting our regional growth today.  It will put more jobs in the hands of our people so outside investors can once again be excited about what the Guam Buildup will bring to our island and the Western Pacific.  

These are doable things.  

Leaders need to come together to implement lasting policy changes and modernize Guam's laws.  Investment into Guam must not just be about dollars and sense, but common sense planning for the future.  

The winds of change must be embraced by each and every resident.  

A new season is coming.  We must be prepared for what the Guam Buildup will bring-both good and bad. 

Hardwood – A "Primer" from our friends at Savoy

The team at Savoy Furniture are some of the best in the business.  Like GET, LLC, they too are a women owned business.  They too strive to provide the best service to all of their customers.  Savoy has committed 2013 to nurturing and improving their relationships with their teaming partners.  Jason Seyler and the Government Sales and Marketing Team work overtime to ensure there quality product makes it to the jobsite and the end result is a satisfied customer.  This tidbit of information on hardwood furniture is right from our friends five time zones and 7800 miles away in Montoursville, Pennsylvania with a simple explanation on their commitment to quality.

"...When it comes to furniture construction, it’s hard to be an expert on a topic with so many differing opinions.  Here at Savoy, we like to keep things simple.  Different materials are best for different applications.  Solid hardwood has its place – bed posts for example.  Its biggest problem… it splits.  Typically, this will occur along the wood’s natural growth rings and is difficult to prevent.

That is why we, at Savoy, have chosen to use a significantly stronger material for much of our furniture construction.  Plywood is simply a number of thin layers of wood that is bonded to create very strong, stable sheets.  The fact is, plywood holds up seven times better in humidity and is not susceptible to the cracking that hardwood is.  It also provides more consistent color and grain pattern. The end result is stronger, more durable products that provides the warmth of wood, without the problems of solid hardwood."

For more on how Savoy Furniture and GET, LLC can assist you with your furniture needs, please check out our website and drop us a line or give us a call.

AMERICAN MADE!!!-Independence LED Lighting

On October 5, 2012, GET, LLC dba GET Equipment  became an authorized distributor of Independence LED Lighting to provide LED Lighting Products for retrofits and or new construction projects and any and all products of Independence LED.  The Boyertown, Pennsylvania team is the best in the industry-and right now, one of the busiest.

The company has seen a tremendous lift in demand resulting in revenues tripling over each of the past two years. Independence LED Lighting's clients range from industrial Distribution Centers to Fortune 100 Companies and from independent businesses to National Chains.

Over the course of 2011 Lockheed Martin’s engineering team conducted the reviews and approved the Independence LED tube system over others for the coveted Con Edison Rebates in the NYC Metro Market.

The Independence LED “External Driver” system has set a new standard, and it also earned the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Compliance European (CE) Listings on the complete driver and tube retrofit kit system.

Their Deep Fin thermal management and Flex Density™ system provide cost-effective U.S. manufacturing with scale and reliability. For property owners and managers, the LED tubes cut the cost of electricity by 50% or more over fluorescent tubes.

For more information on the Independence LED Lighting solutions please feel free to contact us or check out the spec sheets on our website at www.get-guam.com

Good Advice from the C-Suite at the Virgin Group

In a blog post billionaire CEO Richard Branson was giving some advice on how to run a successful business. 

I had the privilege to meet Mr. Branson four years ago while attending the Western States Inaugural Ball in Washington DC for President Barack Obama.  He was very humble.  Many around him that night were in awe of him.  It was a neat experience and his words of advice hit right at your heart. Case in point with the GET, LLC blog:  

Something he said which  really stood out was that in our technology age people tend to close LESS business. He said that he still believes face to face communication and picking up the telephone are the best ways to get business deals done.

If you're struggling to close prospects or your team isn't duplicating the way you'd like, it's time
to pick up the phone and actually TALK with people. As a leader, you have to help others and show them what to do.

Also, try to make it a point to get to live meetings - this is where you can meet other people in the business.

Make a commitment to do these simple actions and be present in your business. 

Guam SAME hosting 2012 IBC Fundamental Provisions Workshop for Engineers, Architects and Builders

Something to put on your calendar.  Next month, the Guam Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) will be hosting a one-day workshop entitled "2012 IBC FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURAL PROVISIONS FOR ENGINEERS, ARCHITECHS AND BUILDERS".  The event is slated for February 20, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Guam. This workshop is designed to help the Guam Engineering, Architecture and Construction industry with the transition to the 2012 International Building Code (IBC) to be implemented on Guam within the next 12 months.

It took much work and lobbying by local contractors, but Guam recently moved from the 1994 edition of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) to the 2009 edition of the IBC as the basis of the Building Code of Guam. For the users of the Building Code of Guam, this involves a steep transition, because the following model code editions were skipped: the 1997 UBC, the 2000 IBC, the 2003 IBC, and the 2006 IBC.

The focus for the event will be on designs for the two natural hazards common to Guam-wind and earthquakes.   When you live in a place where you have four named storms a year and sit along "The Ring of Fire", it makes so much sense to understand more about the changes.  Additionally, the impacts on the IBC changes on steel and concrete structures (both cast-in-place and pre-cast) will be discussed in detail.

This course, along with efforts by the Guam Legislature to adopt the Guam Tropical Energy Code are great first steps in modernizing construction techniques and standards on Guam.  The GTEC should be passed in the first quarter of this year -GET, LLC will be able to assist with the LED Lighting upgrades and recommendations on sustainable insulation solutions for steel and concrete buildings.

While there are many who would say that such alterations will bring up the cost of construction on Guam, the changes are necessary for our island to be in compliance with the code and prepare ourselves for the buildup related to the move of the III Marine Expeditionary Force to Guam in the years to come-an effort that would require such requirements.  We can't expect changes such as these to come only because we are going to see large amounts of federal monies into an aging infrastructure, but because t is the right thing for us to do as a modern American community building facilities for the future of the next generation of Guamanians.