Garage door industry magazine for garage door dealers, garage door manufacturers, garage door distributors, garage door installers, loading docks, garage door operators and openers, gates, and tools for the door industry.
Issue link: https://idoi.epubxp.com/i/78039
MANAGEMENT by John Zoller & David Bowen, Zoller Consulting, Inc. GARAGE DOOR ACTIVITY INDEX " … Additions, alterations, conversions, expansions, reconstruction, renovations, rehabilitations, and major replacements" The title of this abbreviated review of industry conditions, in conjunction with an update of the Garage Door Activity Index, is taken from the Defi nitions of Construction section of the Construction Spending Survey, published monthly by the United States Census Bureau (USCB). It is noted here because we observe many people continuing to under- appreciate the dimensions of garage door retrofi t demand, which is central to the industry's health. The scope and complexity of what we lump together as "retrofi t activity" is more far-reaching and far more pivotal than is typically appreciated. Routine tracking of construction activity on a daily basis is essential to the various services provided by Zoller Consulting, Inc. (ZCI). We assemble, analyze and distribute data relating to many aspects of the construction industry, with specifi c emphasis on the demand for garage doors. We note this aspect of our business because it is important to review the major stimulants of garage door demand as the industry continues modest expansion in uncertain economic conditions. Some people dismiss demand analysis with the disparaging observation that "… doors are sold because buildings are built". Such over-simplicity is both inaccurate and misleading. Realistically, if an over- simplifi cation is desired, it should be "… doors are sold because they enhance a building's value". Indeed, as we have pointed-out in dozens of articles appearing in this publication, no building component offers a better return per dollar of cost than an updated, upgraded garage door. 2012 and the Next Few Years ZCI delivered its annual forecast and view of industry conditions during the May IDA Expo 2012 in Las Vegas. Continued on page 54 The IDA Garage Door Activity Index 175.0 150.0 Annual Residential VPIP peaks at $619.8 billion 125.0 Base Year = 2003 100.0 100.0 94.1 75.0 73.3 50.0 58.9 137.8 132.5 121.5 128.8 110.3 112.5 Non- Residential Construction VPIP peaks at $709.8 billion 109.3 106.2 2011 & early 2012 Revised as GDP revised downward 115.9 116.9 117.0 GDAI Third Quarter Early 2012 housing optimism evaporates, but retrofit markets remain strong 25.0 Designed, calculated and maintained for IDA by Zoller Consulting, Inc. Copyrighted material. May not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission of the International Door Association VOLUME 45 ISSUE 4 2012 53 Index Value