Editor’s Note—December 2017

by Michael Hamline, Editor / Published December 2017

Time Marches On

The passage of time can’t be stopped. We are about to close the book on 2017 and open up a new one into 2018. It’s natural at the beginning of a new year to evaluate what you want to accomplish and perform differently in the New Year. As such, Diane Calabrese’s article “Gaining Perspective on the Industry’s Future” on page 6 interviews three industry veterans about their take on what the future holds.

Roy Chappell with Chappell Supply & Equipment owns a distributorship in Oklahoma City, OK, and he has a positive outlook on upcoming opportunities, especially as it relates to parts washers and wastewater treatment. “One of the biggest things I see is in the wastewater treatment part of the industry,” says Chappell. “It will probably double or triple in the next three to five years.” He also states confidently, “Companies will continue to grow. The industry is headed for tremendous expansion.” 

Bill Fischer with FNA Group is encouraged by the industriousness and innovation he sees going on in the industry. “The vast amount of industry experience among distributors coupled with a willingness to embrace newer technologies to make us all more efficient and effective is the new model for success. . .This bodes well for the future of our industry.”

Daryl Mirza with Averus in Gurnee, IL, does express some valid concerns about the industry. “I think the number of competitors in the industry is hurting the standards and the quality of work,” says Mirza. “It’s a price-driven business that portrays the notion that if you are cheaper, then you must be better. That notion is far from the truth.” However, he still sees a reason to be optimistic. “The industry is getting more interested in a national presence in order to help reduce the overhead of managing multiple vendors,” he says.

Terri Perrin continues her informative “Giving Back” series and profiles Erin Peterson in this issue on page 28. The saying, “A picture is worth 1,000 words,” is behind the pictorial reviews of the PWNA Annual Convention and the WJTA–IMCA annual conference and expo, but the reality is that if either one of these is where your business niche is, you need to make plans to attend in 2018.

With the arrival of the holidays, Cleaner Times wishes you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!

Michael Hamline
michael@adpub.com
(800) 525-7038