I love nature shows, especially those that demonstrate
ferocity in the animal kingdom. Last night I caught a segment where an imposing
monitor lizard went looking for lunch in a badger’s den, only to end up becoming
lunch for the badger.
In business, I subscribe to the theory that you provide the
best products and services and let the market dictate who wins or loses. But
it’s also wise to know your competition in order to articulate your advantages
to the market.
Sometimes it even makes sense to buy, merge with or sell to
a competitor. Perhaps it’s now time for your company to consider one of these
options.
To gain insight into this topic, Clear Seas Research*
surveyed hundreds of participants in our Building Materials Panel. The panel,
comprised of subscribers to BNP Media’s construction-themed magazines, provided
intriguing insight into the competitive mindset of contractors, wholesalers,
designers and engineers during this challenging period.
When panel members were asked if any of their
competitors had gone out of business in 2008, 40% said no. The other 60%
indicated a mean average of
three competitors had bit
the dust. That’s a lot of roadkill.
Looking into 2009, only 27% of respondents believe that none
of their competitors will fold. Conversely, 73% said they expect a mean average
of
four competitors to go out of business next year.
If accurate, there’s even more carnage facing the construction trades.
When respondents listed reasons why they felt their
competitors failed this year or will fail in 2009, five words were repeated
frequently:
- Bad (bidding, branding, debt,
clients, installations, reputation, service)
- Lack of (advertising, business
skills, capital, cash flow, customer base)
- Low (demand, prices, sales,
margins)
- No (work, credit, management
training, new construction market)
- Poor (economy, marketing,
planning, workmanship)
Some respondents were blunt about their dead competitors:
Did not do customer follow up.
Didn’t brand themselves well.
Exorbitant spending when things were good.
Pricing too low, not sustainable.
Unable to collect from accounts.
Owed the bank too much money. What, if anything, should your company do in response to
these market conditions?
When asked how likely it is that their company would
consider
selling to or
merging
with another company, only 3% of respondents said it was “likely” their company
would pursue these options. Both survival and expansion were cited by
respondents as reasons for selling/merging:
Keep my employees and myself employed.
Merge skills and assets to survive economic crises.
Open up new geographic areas of business.
To consolidate resources.
Opportunity for
owner to cash out.
However, when asked how likely it is that their company
would consider
buying a competitor in 2009, 12% of
respondent said it was “likely/very likely” they would do so. Here are a few
reasons respondents gave for buying a competitor:
Gain customers at fire-sale prices.
Obtain equipment and real estate at a decent price.
Increase market share.
Better regional representation.
Diversify. Only an owner (or, in some cases, the owner’s bank!) can
determine if now is a good time to sell, merge or buy a competitor. It’s a
simple but daunting question. Is it time to eat, or be eaten?
*Clear Seas
Research provides custom research, reports, and analysis for the construction
field. For more information, contact Kelly Clinton at
clintonk@clearseasresearch
.
By: Kris
Posted: December 23, 2008 9:08 AM
Johnny and his side kick Tonto peddle the worst garbage material on the planet.
They have no intention of honoring their warranty, at best, on his say so . He has told me he would only give a credit for future purchases.
Johnny is not a man of his word and Tonto does not know what he is doing.
They are trying to pawn off their garbage and bail out,. at your expense
By: Tieger Plumbing
Posted: December 12, 2008 3:15 PM
With that said I did what Hellton etc said not to do and I found I am on the average am making $1,200 -$2,000 per man per 6 SIX hour day (just for labor) Material mark up is gravy
Without paying fees for a flat rape book or pricing program and as work seems to be slower for others I just increased my prices and picked up new accounts.
This economy is a gold mine for contractors not afraid to change $225 PER HR PER MAN and my prices are going higher as the market drops even more.
Any legitimate Master plumber who does not make $4,000 -$6,000 a week working alone should rethink of their career.
The morons who belong to a franchise are the losers in life as they have a need to kick money back to be called a "team player" SCREW the team I am here to feed my family and make money as I am having fun doing what I love to do.
Sylvan Tieger,LMP