ForConstructionPros.com

I recently returned from the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) annual meeting. As you can imagine, attendance was down, with even manufacturers limiting the number of people they sent.

My goal in attending the meeting was to find out what dealers were doing to plan for the next 24 months, and how they intend to get contractors financed when they buy a piece of equipment. I also wanted to hear what the various financial sectors were saying about interest rates and the financing options they were offering to existing and new customers.

As a result of the meeting, I don't have much good news to report, but across the board, it is not as bad as I thought. What you do and where you work will determine how much downside risk you have to cope with.

Twelve, 18 or 24 - take your pick. These are the number of months both contractors and dealers suggest it will take before we see a turnaround. Hence, the "intermediate" planning title of this article. Again, where you are and what you do will determine if you fall within these guidelines or even beyond them.

Survey summarizes industry outlook

The annual Wells Fargo Construction Industry Forecast was completed in October and early November 2008, and released at the AED Convention on January 14, 2009. This well-done report is based on telephone interviews with over 900 executives of construction contracting and equipment distribution companies from around the country. It also contains regional data to help you with your planning. (The complete report can be found at www.forconstructionpros.com/pdf/wellsfargoforecast.pdf.)