Just wrapped up exhibiting at the 2010 IWF show at the World Congress Center in Atlanta. (We shared booth space with the Idaho company that makes our JMP and several other tools.)
I have been coming to this show since 1984 (it occurs in even years only) and it has always been the biggest show we have attended. IWF caters to all aspects of the wood industry–everything from kiln fire solutions to the worlds’ first powerless tablesaw…HEY! That is from Bridge City!
This show could never be completely walked in two days, and there was always something to learn.
This years show however is a different story.
First, the square footage of exhibition space was down over 60% from 2008. YIKES!
Second, attendance was dismal. That said, the people I spent time with were fantastic. But the fact remains, it is painfully obvious the woodworking world has changed dramatically.
Certainly the issues surround the housing market are central to this decline but I have never seen anything like this. For example…
In 2008 there was a company (which shall remain unnamed) that did $78.8 million in annual revenues. This year they will not break 8 million.
I spoke with a small business that sold power equipment–in 2008 they did $8.2 million. The first six months of 2010 their sales were $420K.
A REALLY BIG company that I will not name, and I know you know their products, is down 92% from 2008. Ouch. And from what I can triangulate, a significant percentage of the attendees were at the show looking for….jobs.
But this is not a story seeking sympathy. Quite the contrary, I am unbelievably grateful for the support we have received from the Bridge City family, in particular, YOU ALL (couldn’t resist…) from the Drivel Starved Nation. Why?
Because, as of this writing, we are thrilled with our market position in this economy and you are the reason. So, thank you for your continued support during these unsettled times.
Now for the details…
Several members of the DSN stopped by and I just about dismembered fellow member Dmarkowi during a JMP demo. But I didn’t and that is a good thing.
Talked to several members of “Lumberjocks” who were proud to show me cell phone pics of their homemade Kerfmakers. (When you get a chance, help me understand this please…)
And lastly, Atlanta is, and always has been, a fun city with great restaurants and an upbeat vibe (my discovery this year was “il Localino”, a great Italian eatery on a sleepy street).
And as I fondly remember the incredible basil gnocchi from Saturday night, I am sadly uncertain if I will return in 2012 and this thought is really bugging me.
–John
It was really great seeing you at the show.
I agree with you. I was there Friday and the place was really empty. The only real excited people were the Bosch folks. They are really producing some great new products.
Looking forward to WIA.
John – this is clearly my fault. I have a long history of moving to a city with a professional athletic team (Boston, Portland, San Diego, etc.): as soon as I get there one or all of the teams makes it to the playoffs of their sport. And loses. I’m thinking of renting myself out to rival teams.
I started serious woodworking around 2005, but did most of it starting 2008. So, given my track record, you’d almost expect that woodworking would experience a massive downturn in the market. I’m really sorry about that. It speaks well of you that you’re not having as hard a time as some of your colleagues. I’ve done my best…
But seriously, it would be interesting to see where that market crash was. I’m thinking that it was in the “beginner” woodworker – the people who buy from the big-name franchise stores, rather than the high-end “boutique” tool stores. True, my sample is pretty restricted, but a lot of the people who I know are buying tools like crazy! Expensive ones…
Basil gnocchi. I’d eat that! Keep up the great work. We’re behind you.
– Peter
Peter-
I finally learned the secret to gnocchi from the chef at il Localino; needs to be firmer than I have been making it so it curls on itself when rolled with a fork–your basil sauce would rock on gnocchi! Also, don’t scrimp on the olive oil.
It is the big boys and the equipment people who are getting slammed. Housing starts are down, less need for moldings, doors, windows, plywood, cabinets, floors, and then this reduces the need for tooling, CNC machines, etc. The boutique companies are down too but the good news is that people really don ‘t want to give up their passions. There will always be an avocational interest in woodworking, it just is likely not to be categorized as a “growth industry”.
I know I am doing my best to keep the model helicopter business afloat. Happily too.
BCTW is doing just fine–thanks to folks like yourself.
AND, I completely agree with the observation/happenings at the Bosch booth–they are doing something right…like innovating!
WIA will be WAY BETTER!!!
–John
While your entire post could be addressed, I’ll confine my remarks to the housing market. Personally I’m glad the housing market is down. It should and need be down. In fact I think the whole American Dream needs to be addressed. Kill your desire for a single detached family unit, kill the dream of having a “yard”. No more should we take acreage that has been either untouched or farm land and bulldoze the streams under, put in retention ponds, give it a name like “Oak Ridge” or Hidden Brooke” and make up another ugly community.
Stop it.
It’s time we build up, not out.
If we as humans can’t control our population we can’t cover every square inch of the planet. We need to build within the land we’ve already taken over and build higher and higher.
We can’t keep spreading like a cow patty.
Ok..I’ve had my say…:)
But….I understand how hard it is for the workers within the housing industry to be down. I am speaking more from a change of philosophy than from a wishing ill upon another person.
I worked within that industry for nearly 12 years.
Well, I’m definitely looking forward to WIA. I’m just bummed I won’t be cooking dinner this time. I’ve developed a particularly awesome tomato-based pasta sauce this summer. And a smoked-trout ravioli to die for. But I do love a good gnocchi. Best I ever had were at Zefiro’s in Portland. Heavenly.
Glad the Bosch tool guys are doing well. We bought all Bosch appliances when we did our remodel, and I have to say, they suck. We’ve already replaced the dishwasher and it still doesn’t clean dishes. And the oven has serious behavior problems.
Good for you for keeping the RC helicopter business going. Can you hover yet? Upside down?
Jonesing for my CT-17. I’m saving all my woodworking projects for it. I forgot to ask: does it make coffee?
– Peter
Look, Ma, no fingers! Kidding aside, people shouldn’t drape their covetous hands on the side rails as the man is about to demonstrate the sliding mechanism.
The desperation/desolation was palpable. Some absences of large makers of small machines and hand tools were conspicuous.
As someone who hadn’t been to IWF or AWFS before, I was interested in seeing what was capable of being done in terms of machines and materials in extremis, and I got that (but less than if I was there in ’08).
Talking to John was a nice, unexpected bonus.
Paul;
I just finished reading an essay regarding the theme of your post–and I agree with one exception, smoking has to be banned–don’t get me started…
We are in an interesting time where what we “knew” was true is now false, what we thought was “right” is likely wrong, and these times, either from a personal or a business perspective are damn interesting regardless as to how scary and personally threatening they might be.
Can you imagine how much fun it must of been to be a Pythagorean…sit around all day and night drawing diagrams in the dirt, observing, all without TV, radio, Paris Hilton, CNN and ultimately change the future of mankind? As thought provoking as your comments are, they are most welcome here and appreciated, if not by the DSN, by ME! I would love to get the vocal few here together for an evening of discussion…
Thanks again for sharing.
–John
Tenlayers (Paul?) – I agree. It’s astounding when you go to Hong Kong, which has beautiful hiking trails throughout the mountains of the tiny country (or “special administrative region”), while the people are concentrated into extraordinarily dense zones of ultra high rises. If those people were spread out the way we live in North America, there wouldn’t be a square foot of land that wasn’t someone’s house. Or lawn. European cities are built up rather than out (for the most part). In many countries you find several generations living in the same building – which has distinct advantages for child-rearing.
But it’s not part of the American Dream, and I doubt that our sprawling subdivisions are going to abate any time soon.
As for smoking, we’ve had no-smoking in bars and restaurants for a decade or so here in CA now. My daughter has only smelled cigarette smoke a few times. Lucky girl. I’m with you, John!
I think the best part of being a Pythagorean – or any culture prior to, say, the industrial revolution – would have been the ability to see the stars at night. I really miss them.
– Peter
John,
What do you think the motivation was for the Lumberjocks to show you their housemade Kerfmakers? Were they snubbing you or wanting your approval for a job well done?
The Kerfmaker, by the way, is a slick little invention. I ordered one and am finding myself using it more and more…mainly on the WoodRat that I have but the usual other places as well.
Paul,
No, I don’t think it was an intended snub at all. I truly think they were excited. It is just something I don’t understand, just like everything else in the world today–almost.
I remember talking at length with Sam Maloof regarding the people who copied his rocker and he claimed it never bothered him, but it did. In his case, he actually teaches folks how he made his chairs and it shouldn’t have come as a shock that people were excited to execute their new found skills.
At IWF, I had a lengthy conversation with a gentleman who makes his version of Kerfmakers (and gives them away) about the Lumberjock thread regarding the Kerfmakers. All I wanted to know is how the chap that started a business making “Kerfmasters” became a “hero” to the Lumberjock community–this I still don’t get. Am I an overly sensitive inventor? Who isn’t? 🙂
That said, I don’t lose any sleep over it because when the patent clears, it will stop. But, I still don’t understand it…
It is a cool tool, and if it keeps the world from making crappy joints, regardless if we are remunerated for inventing the thing or not, I am all for the copies.
I am really pleased to hear you found a way to put it through its paces!
Best,
John
Always remember plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery…
Perhaps you could extrapolate the kerfmaker concept into a tailmaker and impress them all once again.