So how is YOUR business in this economy?

[Gimpster]

NASCAR employees are taking a hit
http://www.nascar.com/2008/news/opinion/11/17/one.menz.jmenzer.black.monday.economy/index.html

----- Gimp -----

 

[PCDOC]

Computer sales, service, networking. I'm already ahead of last year so no complaints here...........unless I'm too busy to go riding. Oh wait that will never happen.

 

[WFO or go home]

Not to step on your toes, but I've got a number of friends who work in both the Bismarck and Gwinner plants who really seem to have their unders in a bunch. Ever since they announced they were suspending production for 6 weeks everyone is trying to guess how badly the sales are in the tank and if there will be long term layoffs involved.

Fortunately I do not work for the Bobcat Corporation. Bobcat as a whole is down nearly 50% from what I hear, from a unit sales standpoint. They are shutting the unit manufacturing down for 6 weeks to allow some time for inventory levels to decline. Attachments will not be affected by the shutdown from what I understand.

I work for a VERY large Bobcat retail dealer. As I said, we are slower this year in Bobcat sales, but our forklift division is on fire.

We shall see what next year brings.

 

[Gimpster]

Fortunately I do not work for the Bobcat Corporation. Bobcat as a whole is down nearly 50% from what I hear, from a unit sales standpoint. They are shutting the unit manufacturing down for 6 weeks to allow some time for inventory levels to decline. Attachments will not be affected by the shutdown from what I understand.

I work for a VERY large Bobcat retail dealer. As I said, we are slower this year in Bobcat sales, but our forklift division is on fire.

We shall see what next year brings.

I hear of lay-offs within Bobcat MFG around here. Percentage of house forclosure numbers are rating high among banks from lay-offs

----- Gimpster -----

 

[HawkShot99]

I work in a ski shop. Last I heard from the owner we were up 16% for this "season" than we were at this point last year.

We do alot of big tent sales in the fall, selling leftover gear, and stuff we can buy cheap. I think sales are up because people are wanting good deals rather than 08'-09' gear.

 

[Deadsled]

Hardwood Sawmill and Veneer Mill in the U.P. of Michigan. We are getting hit directly by the housing, cabinet, and furniture industry. Layed off 40 employees 2 weeks ago. Business has been off 50% since August.

Hanging on......

 

[POLZIN]

I owm a small machine shop. Its been a really bad year for us! The economy has yet to compare to the problems lack of skilled labor has caused . I have stopped looking for people and got rid of the ones I had. I hear the same thing from my customers large and small quality labor seems to be the biggest issue at this point at least in my local area and industry

 

[Supplicate]

at least in my local area and industry

I spent a month or so in Farmington for work a while back, I can see why you are having such a hard time finding quality help.

 

[POLZIN]

I spent a month or so in Farmington for work a while back, I can see why you are having such a hard time finding quality help.

Yeah! If you want oilfeild machinists they are a dime a dozen! A CNC programmer /operator is a differnt story! Even the few I have had where sadly lacking in real skills and money did not seem to be enough of a motivator .

 

[GODEEP]

Im a dreaded Land Developer and own an Excavating business. Things couldnt be any better. I hope you can see my sarcasm.

 

[Dogmeat]

I'm based pretty heavily on the recreation end of things in my business and it is pretty slow right now. I'm just curious which other industries are getting hit hard and which ones are not being effected quite as much.

I don't really know what's going on ... both my former employer and my current emlpoyer I just started work with today are in the process of expanding expecting more work .... read, drilling more natural gas wells in the Uintah basin.

I don't know, right now everything is "fine" but then again the messiah hasn't taken office yet so technically he can't start saving the world for awhile

He's already talking about shutting drilling down in the rocky mountains again, so who knows ...

I just hope the branch of the oil and gas industry I'm working in right now will ultimatley prove to be a little bit more stable and secure than working for a company doing wellhead services was.

 

[hilinerider]

oil and gas here has been up in the air, small companys wanting to do something, majors wanting to shut everything down and bury their heads in the sand

will wait and see

 

[Sturgis Sledder]

My online store has been busier, but I think that is due to people wanting to find lower priced gifts for their kids. What's more fun than letting a kid color on a shirt and then getting to wear it proudly day after day? Check it out and use the snowest coupon for 10% off.

 

[Dogmeat]

oil and gas here has been up in the air, small companys wanting to do something, majors wanting to shut everything down and bury their heads in the sand

will wait and see

They don't wanna get caught with their pants down like they did in the late 70's is why.

I work for a smaller operator now (large independent really) and they're in the process of expanding. I hope they do, it'll mean job security for me

 

[Blu Du]

excavating for new homes is down easily 50%. septic upgrades and additions are up slightly. free time is greatly increased but definatly not appreciated. hope things turn around for the spring.

 

[Goldenwest]

Motel and vacation rental owners, and couldn't be happier. But we are in West Yellowstone MT, right next door to the park. Best year we have had in 7, weak dollar, strong foreign currency. And we get em from all over the world...................

 

[Wade]

The high tech industry sucks right now. We just laid off 1500, no raises, mandatory vacation shutdown for 3 weeks, and selling chips for less than they cost to make. What I worry about is all this bailouts. Were in an industry that's over producing, and some countries are going to give our competitors free money, to keep them open, when they should go out of business. Supply and demand isn't being allowed to work.

 

[Nate]

Oil & Gas + Guns


Busy aint the word . I wake up on the phone and I go to bed while on the phone or answering emails. Then I probably use 15min a night talking to Live2ride on MSN

 

[XC700116]

Railroader here. We're on our 22nd consecutive quarter of record revenues. Things are good for us but the Dems in congress have been chomping at the bit to re-regulate the nations railroads for a few years now since we're just making too much money and are one of those evil, greedy, corporations. Hopefully they'll be too busy degrading the rest of the economy and giving handouts to notice we are still here and still doing well while they have all the power.

 

[MtnDoo]

Telecommunications/Fiber Optic Networking here.

Prognosis: Ok. Growing, but slower growth than past few years.

The Good = even when it's bad, people still need to communicate.
The Bad = when it's bad, real estate developers don't start new projects.

The Ok - retrofits/upgrades from older systems produce new opportunities.

The Optimistic: This cloud will pass. Banks want to lend, people want to function and be productive in the US. It's our regulatory/political system that needs to be returned to it's roots. [note to self: Buy more ammo;-]

Let it snow!!

MD.