Welcome to a new year and a new way of conducting business. Instead of an article from the current President of FICAP, we have decided to switch things around and write an article from the perspective of our Executive Board. We hope you enjoy the change!

What do you think will be the biggest challenge for our industry this coming year? Do you track building permits in your area? If so, what do you see as the trends for 2014?

 Steve Bishop, President: The biggest challenge will be finding, retaining and training quality people.

Adam Freeman, Vice President:

Challenges for the upcoming year are people and truck issues - qualified drivers, laborers and updating equipment. Permitting was up in the 4th quarter of last year. Seems to have slightly shrunk in the first two quarters of 2014, but expect it to pick up in the 3rd and 4th quarter.

Wade Mullins, Secretary: Improved margins and replacement of trucks and equipment will be challenging. Permitting trend will be one of continued growth.

   Fred Jahna, Treasurer:

Healthcare up a significant amount with the same plan is a challenge for 2014. Permitting will be a slight bit better than 2013 and the trend is going up, but a slow up. Real Estate is moving.

 Preston Sparkman, Past President: As we start a slow process of economic recovery, much of the labor force has left the market. Our challenge will be in finding qualified truck drivers, dispatchers, yard help, block masons, concrete finishers. Yes, we track building permits and they are showing a continued improvement on the average for the last six months. I think this will continue through the summer.

Gary Clements, Director:

 Mark Smith, Director: Our biggest challenge this year as a ready-mix producer is to maintain the level of service our customers expect while keeping up with increasing demand. We have not purchased any new equipment in several years. Older equipment requires more maintenance and has more breakdowns. We are still down on employees, and there are very few qualified applicants knocking on the door. These problems will take some time to remedy. We do track building permits and are seeing an increase in residential construction. We expect this to continue to rise at a slow but steady pace. This is good news for independent producers as that is the main staple of our business.

Sherry Griswold, Director:

Qualified Employees will be hard to come by, equipment is old and will not be able to replace causing maintenance expenses to rise. Healthcare will also represent a challenge in 2014. Yes, we track permits. I feel housing will improve due to the "millennials" who have been renting or living with family due to low paying jobs and no money for down payments. They should be getting into a better financial position to buy homes.

Jeff Bishop, Director: Hiring qualified delivery professionals and our customers hiring labor are challenges. 2014 permits: market is in a recovery.