It’s time to start fresh; a new year is upon us. There is a different feeling in the air. Opportunities abound as I, your association’s president, can attest after attending a number of AWCI-related events and gatherings since my term began in the summer.
My sense is that it seems the glass was a little fuller in many regions this past year. With the uptick in the economy, backlogs are healthier, members tell me. Granted, they also say margins have not returned to the levels needed to maintain a healthy industry.
On a positive note, I was fortunate to attend the Drywall and Interior Systems Contractors Association’s annual dinner and awards event in New Jersey. It is always an honor to speak on behalf of the AWCI. A well-attended event, the atmosphere was festive and upbeat. The projects recognized at the awards were well deserved and would be welcome additions to the national AWCI awards program.
A new year is beginning, and with the economic improvements continuing, so much seems to be riding on what Washington, D.C., is doing. Interest rates just went up again in a fiscal attempt to stave off inflation. We all are seeing pricing pressures in labor and materials. The balance of risk and reward should be done with a watchful eye on the big picture as we go through 2018 to assure that 2019 isn’t the year of the big correction.
In addition to being 2017–2018 president of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry, Sellers is president of OCP Contractors, which has offices in Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo, Ohio.
