The sky isn't falling in the steel industry......

Rita Brown

It's that daily dose of negativity that seems to have the steel industry by the ball bearings...pardon the play. Each day I hear, see and smell the stench of economic fear from peers. But guess what - the sky isn't falling. And even if it's cracking a bit - where did you put your hard hat? We're not in banking we're in steel.

There are people and companies out there that are thriving, and we at DD intend to be part of that group. What makes me think that a small hybrid domestic detailing group can make that happen in today's market? Because experience and perseverance count. Maybe not in the short run, but eventually it will come back into style again. And guess what? we'll be there, holding the door open for business (a little wider for our core fabricators who have stuck with us).


Challenges are huge opportunities for growth - cliche you say? Maybe. But it's still true. I've learned more from the 7 challenging projects we've encountered than from the over 127 superior projects we've detailed. The knowledge didn't come without pain, we've changed some staff, reworked internal processes and discontinued work with less than appropriate clients. But what we have ended up with is a distilled corporate structure that values quality, integrity and fairness.

Change is inevitable. The trick is being lithe enough to make that accommodation. Make it quick, clean and concise. Steel detailing is a rough business. Basically, you're the first one on the scene often cleaning up after others' mistakes, and if you allow retain funds, you become one of the last ones being compensated. So, re-work, re-think and remove ineffective business models with more desirable ones. Make this economic challenge the growth experience it should be.

The sky isn't falling in the steel industry - it's just the weather is a bit more interesting. I don't know about you, but a hard rain seems to cleanse the soul.