Your business???

[riverrat12]

As many of you know I am a policeman. Business is great despite what you may hear or read the crime is up and is going up. Bad for everyone, but good job security for me (that was a joke). The news has just started saying a that thieves are taking copper pipe out of buildings and sometimes the wire. It has been a big problem for the past 2 years and they are just now getting it as the big story. I talk to a guy who put in 22 windows in an old rental house left at dark came back the next morning and they were all gone.

Have any of you guys in the construction or fire protection seen this in your area?

If things stay the same crime will continue to rise, I don't know what will be left to steal (another bad joke I really do take my job seriously). Ryan

Ryan, you might know my sister.... She's in the west end third shift. where are you stationed ...Chuck

[steve douglas]

well guys im not gonna lie my business is way down! from past years!
im in the fireplace and woodstove business and im not seein the building goin on that i have in the past! hard to sell fireplaces in august to induviduals as the contractors tho used to keep me busy in the summer months!

althow i have some fishin relate products that i manufacture that are doin well!

and i make a lil money fishin catfish tournys around the south!

[DJD]

Yeah the Residential market took a bigger hit than the Commercial market for sure. Making money on tournaments? You must be pretty good! hagd

[Cobra190]

I'm with a central Ky educational system. Of course we have somewhat job security and the only problem we run into is where of course we are on a budget. Our fuel contracts have a certain waiver in them where when the fuel prices go up, the contract price can raise by a percentage. If the fuel prices keep going up and the percentages go beyond what is allocated, the money has to be found in other budgeted areas. Of course that basically means that if fuel cost remain on the rise, eventually someone else has to pay, and then another tax increase will probably be added to cover future cost. And you all have heard how some counties are going to or looking to go to 4-day school weeks. Personally, I don't think that will fly in all counties.

[RoadToad]

I guess I'm pretty lucky in this regard. I work in IT for a health insurance company, and while our stock did take a hit this year, it hasn't seemed to slow us down any. We're building a new datacenter in southern Jefferson County, and have hired a few new people the past year.

[Bobby Headrick]

As some of you know I work in the Family support division for the state of Ky, are business is BOOMING, with all the layoffs and shutdowns, people that have never applied for Gov benifits are coming in, with the high cost of food and fuel a lot of working class are strugling. Another factory in our area is letting 400 go by Oct, so I have job security but have not had a decent raise in several years.1% does not get it, so myself I have been not able to fish or do things that I normally do as it has pinched me somewhat, due to my salary has not increased with the times as our leaders in the Ky senate and congress seem they are more deserving of a raise than the workers, they get a 5% every year and we get nothing and when we do they raise our ins costs, but not the legaslatiors. We actually have more clients than ever before and it is rising fast, and these are not your regular never worked never will good for nothings, these are the ones that have worked all their lives and now have no job and their uib is maxed out. But a least I have a job now, but now we have heard rumors that our jobs could be in jepordy as that are considering outsourcing to privite co's. Oh by the way the factory that is letting 400 go is moving to Mexico. They have been here for over 30 yrs.

[roadrunner]

I manufacture vinyl windows for residential market. We have been affected by the housing downturn. We are hanging in there and can not complain we have had a pretty good run up to this point. It will turn around and people will start buying homes as they are a good investment now. We rely more on remodeling than new construction. With increase in heating cost and drafty windows being the largest loser of heat we will see remodeling pick up before new construction. Sound like a commercial doesn’t it.

[DJD]

RR,
Ha ha it does sound that way but I'll be looking into it before the Winter myself! Not sure what type or specs of window to look at....any advice?

[stoner]

I think we all know what the real estate market is like, fortunately I've done better this year than the 2 previous years.
The water treatment business is still great, I guess you can't do with out that.
Stoner

[Col Forbin]

Special education is business as usuall. As long as you hardcore republicans keep breeding - I will always have a job!! LOL, I couldn't resist the opportunity for a jab.

Actually, Education has been hit pretty hard. Good programs are having to be cut because of lack of funds. I think schools systems are doing a good job, not only making due, but progressing towards state and federal goals with such a lack of available fundings. The biggest negatives I have observed so far this year is the larger class sizes for all teachers. A few years ago, they would have hired additional staffing to create smaller classes, however, this is no longer an option. I really enjoy teaching, as the majority of teachers do - and i don't see financial constraints changing most of our views.

[MrSplitshot]

Well, I'm in the automotive business. My company's core product is tires, which trucks right along for the most part, but the division I manage distributes pickup truck accessories and custom wheels. You all know how poor new truck sales are on account of these high fuel prices, so my side of things are pretty tough. We have definitely felt it. We have downsized a good many of our product lines that were 100% truck oriented, because they just aren't selling like they used to. My crew is smaller, pennies are getting pinched, and we're riding the storm out. Our towing products are doing well, because folks still need them for business (ie: towing horse trailers, construction trailers, etc.) Other than that, things like custom wheels and chrome are way off.

I'm not convinced that it'll come back in the near future either, if at all. I think Americans are fundamentally changing the way they look at the automobile...we're seeing a major shift back to the car for the fuel efficiency. At $4+ a gallon, enough is enough. The truck will always be there, but the days of the big truck or SUV daily drivers just to be "in style" may be gone. For example, trailer hitches for full size Chevy/Ford/Dodge trucks that we usually keep in stock at our warehouse in pallets of 50 we now keep 10 of so that we have room for the Honda Accord hitches, and Kia Sorento hitches, and Toyota Camry hitches...seriously...we sell them every day now. Things are changing.

[DJD]

Yep I imagine so. I wonder how the high performance bass boat sales are doing? They have to be hurting for business but I see the aluminum side doing better especially the 17" and smaller boats with a 4-stroke on the back.