by Mark Levin, CAE, CSP Executive Vice President, Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute 2022 Inductee, American Fence Association Hall of Fame
New Markets Equal New Opportunities for the Fence Industry At the summer meeting of the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute (CLFMI), the main presentations were from representatives of two of the biggest markets for fencing in North America. The first presentation came from a representative from ARTBA, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. Gus Madrigal, president of Alcorn Fence in Riverside, California, gave the attendees an update on the Build Back Better Infrastructure Bill that
as a growing market for diverse types of fencing/perimeter protection.) Representatives from the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA)
was passed by Congress last year. He also talked about new projects,
described in detail the anticipated growth of solar energy and the
new innovations, and new research that was being done in the highway
accompanying need for many larger scale solar farms in the next few
construction field, and how there are incentives for manufacturers and
years. They also talked about the fact that, like infrastructure projects,
contractors who work to develop even more efficient and effective
much of the spending for specific solar projects is left to the state and local
perimeter security systems.
jurisdictions. This can lead to the typical red-tape delays and expenses that
One of the things Madrigal pointed out was the fact that a lot of the
arise due to the randomness of rules and guidelines. For example, state law
money that goes into roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects is
in Ohio might require fencing around solar farms to be “wildlife friendly”,
rolled out over a several year period. The upside of this is that the funding is
while neighboring Indiana may have no such provision, because they do
already authorized, so the project is going to get completed. The downside
require a higher ratio of land and additional permits. These vagaries can
is that the fencing portions of the projects are typically the last ones to be
cause owners and developers to lose interest in projects.
constructed so it may be a long while until the fencing industry benefits from the project.
The outcome of discussing these two markets, and asking specific questions of the speakers, was the understanding of the need to stimulate
Another downside, according to Madrigal, is that “by the time the
the efforts of the major stakeholders in fence industry: the manufacturers
perimeter fencing is installed, the project could already be over budget
and the contractors. The manufacturers need to market the value of their
and/or behind schedule. This adds pressure to the job because we are the
respective products more effectively, and the contractors need to promote
first ones to be faced with helping the owner or general contractor make
their role as analytical problem-solvers.
sure they come in on time and under budget. It is difficult to make changes
The best way to take advantage of these two growth markets, and
at that point other than to do cutbacks so they can keep the project close
other markets, is to become immersed in the challenges that developers
to budget. It would help if fence planning was seen to be as important as
and agencies face in their unique environments. Understanding those
the other components of the project.”
challenges will enable fence industry professionals to be viewed as an
A second program at the CLFMI summer meeting focused on one of the
integral part of the success of the projects.
important growth markets for perimeter security over the next few years,
That is just what we want our image to be.
the solar energy industry. Although California and the sunbelt states still
For more information about Chain Link Fence Manufactures Institute
comprise the largest portion of the solar energy market, there are, in fact,
visit our website, www.chainlinkinfo.org.
major opportunities in this market across the United States and Canada. Despite the current gasoline crunch, both countries have committed to becoming less reliant on fossil fuels as they turn to more alternative, renewable fuels such as solar. (Note: during her annual report to the CLFMI members this past winter, CLFMI’s Chief Economist Dr. Lynn Reaser, repeatedly pointed to solar energy, wind energy, and other renewable fuels
FENCENEWS.COM | JULY 2022
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