ATTENTION WMA DISTRIBUTOR MEMBERS
Are You Looking To Retain or Attract Employees?
The deadline for submission is February 29, 2016.
See how your company matches up against other distribution companies by taking part in the WMA Compensation & Benefit Survey.
There is NO COST to participate in the survey and WMA distributor members who participate in the survey will be able to access the results at no cost. WMA members who do not participate in the survey may purchase the report for $750. Any non-members of WMA may purchase the report for $2000.
WMA encourages your participation! This report will be a vital tool for you to use in determining fair and adequate compensation & benefit packages for yourself and your employees.
Log in to the WMA Membership Portal to access the survey.
EXHIBITOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
WMA Exhibitor Contracts NOW AVAILABLE
Visit www.WorldMillworkAlliance.com to access the Exhibitor Contract for the 2016 WMA Annual Convention & Tradeshow. View the Floor Plan, Value Packages, Rules & Regulations and MORE.
Visit www.WorldMillworkAlliance.com, click the Events Menu & Select Exhibitor Information to get started.
HOUSING INDUSTRY NEWS
16 Distribution Industry Trends for 2016
Talk to manufacturers and distributors today and you hear about the challenges in the industrial space and slow to moderate growth for in the construction market, and it depends upon where you are. And the first half outlook is “challenging” with everyone hoping for a “second half upturn.”
Read more at PROSALES
New Home Sales Pause
Consumers signed contracts to purchase new homes at an annual rate of 494,000 in January. The monthly number is 9.2% below the December level but the December report was higher than expected. The two month average is 519,000, which is more in line with expectations and trend. Two regions increased and two declined with the West falling 32.1% to 110,000. Similar to the national level, the two month average in the West was 132,000 which compares to the past 6 months average of 127,500.
Read more at NAHB Eye On Housing
Tomorrow’s Millennial Magnets
Are improving wage trends and a growing local economy better bellwethers for land acq and first-time/entry level neighborhood development planners than mere job growth and cheap housing?
Read more at BUILDER
The Skilled Labor Shortage:
Where is the Next Generation of Craftsman?
The United States is facing an unprecedented skilled labor shortage that comes with serious implications: Older generations of craftsmen are aging out of the workforce, while younger generations are slow to enter in their place. The resulting labor gap is curtailing building projects, contributing to rising housing costs, and slowing local and national economic growth. Unaddressed, it’s a problem that only stands to worsen.
Read more at HomeAdvisor
Flat Trends for Custom Home Building
NAHB’s analysis of Census Data from the Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design survey indicates that the number of custom home building starts (homes built on an owner’s land, with either the owner or a builder acting as the general contractor) posted a slight increase on a year-over year basis as of the final quarter of 2015. There were 41,000 total custom starts for the final quarter of 2015, compared to 40,000 for the final quarter of 2014.
Read more at NAHB Eye On Housing
WMA WEBSITE TIP OF THE WEEK
It’s THAT time of year AGAIN!
2016 WMA Annual Convention & Tradeshow
Stay in the loop with the latest convention updates by checking the Events section of the WMA website regularly. As information is available and released, the Events section will reflect the most recent developments. The EARLY bird gets the worm!
We look forward to seeing each of our members at this year’s show!
Visit WMA to see what’s new.
For login information to the Membership Portal or assistance setting up your profile, contact Caterina Byrd at 727.372.3665 or email: cbyrd@worldmillworkalliance.com
