A Bit of Good News...

Industry consultants, many of whom write for Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction and speak at National Pavement Expo, are in regular contact with contractors throughout the country, so they provide an additional perspective to what I hear from readers. Here's what a recent newsletter from Guy Gruenberg and Ron Roberts at The Contractors Business Coach, had to say about the state of the industry: "...the construction economy appears to be picking up slowly but surely. Not sure how. It may be that the weak contractors have finally thrown in the towel. We are hearing more optimistic and heart-warming stories of survival and growth - even some of extreme success. Keep up the good work everyone!" That reinforces what I'm hearing from contractors, manufacturers, and material suppliers alike: No flood of business, but steady sales, optimism and -- from contractors -- a heck of a lot of bidding going on.