Opportunities Are Out There: Now is the Time to Take Them

from Fence News August 2022

Select Your FENCETECH/METALfab 2023 Exhibit Space

by Mark Levin, CAE, CSP

Executive Vice President, Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute 2022 Inductee, American Fence Association Hall of Fame

The CLFMI Summer Meeting was a great success. Since this was the first truly post-COVID meeting of the chain link fence industry, it was no surprise there was a great turnout. Everyone was ready to be together again after a couple of years of limited travel and Zoom meetings. The increased attendance added a lot of energy to the event, as people were renewing long-time friendship and business relationships.

We also had a very high percentage of first-time attendees. This is important to our industry because these new company representatives bring not only new perspectives and experience, but they also bring new questions. All organizations benefit from new participants asking simple questions such as, “Why does CLFMI do things this way?” and “Have you ever thought about doing this?” These types of questions make us really focus on constant improvement in our organization, which is a different kind of energy.

There was an overall sense of optimism, an ongoing discussion about opportunities that are out there – right now – for the chain link industry. There was enthusiasm about where the industry is, and where it is going. Sure, there was also talk about the challenges of higher energy costs, manpower shortages, and a looming recession. However, there was even more talk about the positive things happening in the industry.

Here are some examples of why CLFMI and its members feel good about the next few years:

• There are numerous chain link product innovations being developed by CLFMI members.

These innovations will enable chain link to become a problem-solving option on even more projects. This is especially true in high security markets, where threat levels continue to rise faster than budgets. New chain systems will provide versatility, upgrading capabilities, and adherence to the highest standards.

• Presentations by representatives from two major industries – transportation and energy –

assured CLFMI members that chain link is still the product of choice for many perimeter security projects, which is good news. Even better news is that integration with other security systems is becoming a bigger priority than ever before.

• The CLFMI board gave its support to three changes to the CLFMI bylaws which will enable and encourage even more industry firms to become CLFMI members. If adopted, these changes will make CLFMI membership more attractive to smaller, more regionally oriented manufacturers, distributors who sell chain link in substantial quantities, and producers of ancillary products used with chain link.

• Members were reminded by ARTBA (the American

Road and Transportation Builders Association) representatives that some of the biggest funding for infrastructure projects approved in last year’s legislation won’t be getting to state and local governments until 2023.

Since perimeter security and fencing are often some of the last elements to be completed on these projects, there should be plenty of opportunities for substantial chain link projects for the next couple of years.

• The Institute is in excellent financial shape, and over the past three years, has earmarked funds for a new website, intensifying its social media and public relations program, updating its widely used Wind Load Guide and

From left to right: Chuck Naegele, Ike Atlas, Clay Hamann, Mike Salitjeral, Tim Ogg, Eric Rud and Jodi Cook.

Solar Energy industry speakers Steffanie Dohn and Rick Umhoff outlined chain link opportunities in their market.

The Opening Reception offered chances to renew friendships and establish new relationships.

Branding expert Liz Goodgold guides discussion exercise participants Karen Marrs and Joe McCaslin. Chuck Naegele receives Lifetime Acievement Award from CLFMI President Barry Marrs.

CLFMI Golf Outing tees off prior to the Summmer Meeting program. other publications and expanding its benchmarking and economic forecasting services to members.

• CLFMI committees are all working effectively to support the goals of the

Institute for 2022. Membership continues to grow in an era when most associations are struggling. Three new members have joined in the first half of 2022.

All these things help to justify the optimism that ran through the Summer Meeting, an optimism which applies to both the industry and the Institute. It was rewarding to hear members say that CLFMI deserves credit for many of the good things that are happening in the chain link marketplace.

That’s what happens when opportunity meets an energetic organization with a great team of leaders and a focus on growing its industry. I can’t wait until our CLFMI Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. in November.

Please visit www.chainlinkinfo.org