Editor’s note: The SMACNA-SMWIA effort to promote the sheet metal partnership to customers was listening—to customers in Dallas and Chicago, in two focus groups. Members of our industry sat in one room, listening to what customers had to say about topics and questions we provided to a professional facilitator. Dallas and Chicago were chosen because of their known proclivities about union construction—Dallas generally being a non-union stronghold, and Chicago generally providing an alternative to that point-of-view. Below, find Part One of a two-part feature based on the facilitator’s report. Part Two will appear in the next issue.
By Dan Sklaire
F
or the most part, participants voiced concerns over a variety of different issues, including today’s faltering economy. More to the point, it appeared that many of their concerns stemmed not from a lack of work, but a lack of funding. Most felt that it was becoming increasingly important to do work more cheaply and quickly than in the past. Dallas participants indicated the following: “There is plenty of work, and not enough cash.” “[Due to uncertainty], too many projects that we’ve bid on are sitting on the shelf.” “[Owners] are getting bids as a way to get budget numbers for the future. People are trying to save money. It all boils down to dollars and cents.”
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
AUGUST
2002
When questioned, participants pointed to short duration schedules, or “rushing,” as a primary concern. Chicagoans indicated the following: “[For the owner], time is money. The faster they can get into operation, the faster they can make money.” “Less qualified people are handling the money. They don’t want to pay interest.”
Qualified Workers In both groups, finding qualified workers was a key issue. One Dallas participant pointed to a gap that exists in the marketplace—older workers are being replaced by younger workers who are not being trained effectively. For example, www.sheetmetalpartners.org
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What We Heard From Customers