OUTLOOK 2008. Executive Conference. Wash DC
October 25, 2007 by Chris | permalink
a day of discussions about the year ahead for the construction industry. the speakers were:
David Wyss, Chief Economist, Standard & Poor, who was awesome. he gave a very stark overview of the housing market and its impact in the US. he anticipates that the housing market will bottom out over the next year [maybe] and then not recover.
CHL made a new talk on future trends around STEEP.
Then, Howard Mager, Sr VP, McGraw Hil, opened a panel with a group of manufacturers.
Mark Johnson, Whirlpool. [http://www.whirlpool.com/home.jsp]
now using sketch-up to create a repository of product. one worry is that as we head into a tougher economy our products could be commoditized. his concern is that free-trade will be challenged by new president. this guy likes to throw numbers around without any real understanding of the context. he needs to get a passport and take a trip around the world.
Susan Kennedy, Sloan Valve Co [http://www.sloanvalve.com/]
they purchase renewable credits to cover their energy costs. biggest challenge will be cost of metals and global competition
Brad Haeberle, VP Siemens Buildig Technologies [https://www.buildingtechnologies.siemens.com/]
great opportunities for new wireless. biggest challenge is to get skilled labour. a good marketing person.
John Mothersole talked about materials pricing. he feels that there will be a 2% rise in overall price. he continued to give a bunch of numbers about the coming year. he believes that prieces will be fairly steady due to overall glob al demand icreasig. he also points ot that non-residential markets will look good.
