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Articles by Gary Reichert
Share Your Love of Construction with Max Builds
Welcome to the December 2026 edition of Metal Roofing. This is the IRE edition of Metal Roofing. Shield Wall Media doesn’t have a booth, but we will be wandering around the floor. Please ask us about Max Builds. Max Builds is a series of children’s books designed to introduce kids to the construction trades. The official Shield Wall Media office dog decided to document his career in construction. These books are the result. The first book is Max Builds a Metal Roof.
Numbers Versus What They Really Mean
This CSI article will be a little different. We do reader surveys and compile data. If the 2025 CSI-Annual & Market Report is not included with this issue, you should have already received it with the April issue of Metal Roofing. Working on the assumption that you have had enough of numbers for today. The question with any numbers is always what do they really mean and what should we do about it? An area where a lot of numbers have been released recently is tariffs. I understand tariffs in theory.
2025 CSI – Annual & Market Report | Rural Builder
CSI – Annual & Market Report Welcome to the 2025 edition of the CSI-Annual & Market Report. This year the survey responses and sponsorships increased by approximately 40% and we went from 108 pages to 116. Thank you to all of the people helping us grow this report. One of the things about data is it has a shelf life and the fresher the better. We delayed the survey in the fall until after the election results.
2025 CSI Survey Results Are In
The survey for the 2025 CSI-Annual & Market Report is closed and we are combing through the results. The first statement is that we are making progress. This year, we have over 500 respondents, which is approximately a 40% increase over last year. More respondents equals better and more usable data, so PLEASE SHARE OUR SURVEYS! The data is all available free to subscribers, so help us help you be successful. 32% of respondents thought 2024 would be better than 2023.
The survey for the 2025 CSI-Annual & Market Report is closed and we are combing through the results. The first statement is that we are making progress. This year, we have over 500 respondents, which is approximately a 40% increase over last year. More respondents equals better and more usable data, so PLEASE SHARE OUR SURVEYS! The data is all available free to subscribers, so help us help you be successful. 32% of respondents thought 2024 would be better than 2023.
2025 CSI Survey Results Are In
The survey for the 2025 CSI-Annual & Market Report is closed and we are coming through the results. The first statement is that we are making progress. This year, we have over 500 respondents, which is approximately a 40% increase over last year. More respondents equals better and more usable data, so PLEASE SHARE OUR SURVEYS! The data is all available free to subscribers, so help us help you be successful. 32% of respondents thought 2024 would be better than 2023.
Construction Survey Insights — A Shield Wall Media Builder Trend: | Garage, Shed, & Carport Builder
More Builders Go from Big to Small Than from Small to Big One of the trends that crosses our magazine titles is small contractors trying to do what they need to be successful. That often includes multiple types of construction. The industry data shows some interesting trends. One is that it appears easier to migrate from larger buildings or general construction to smaller buildings and sheds than the other way.
Take the Annual CSI Survey: It's Time for More Data!
It is almost time for our Annual CSI Survey release. Our magazines go to the printer several weeks before they mail to you. As I write this column, the election is over and we will be sending the survey before you receive this in the mail. This URL provides access to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2025CSIsurvey Or you can access the results through any of our magazine websites. The intent of our survey is to gauge market sentiment for the coming year.
CSI: Help Us Help You
It is almost time for our Annual CSI Survey release. Our magazines go to the printer several weeks before they mail to you. As I write this column, the election is over and we will be sending the survey before you receive this in the mail. This URL provides access to the survey: Or you can access the results through any of our magazine websites. The intent of our survey is to gauge market sentiment for the coming year.
Help Us Help You...Take the Annual CSI Survey!
It is almost time for our Annual CSI Survey release. Our magazines go to the printer several weeks before they mail to you. As I write this column, I have no idea who the President will be. Presidential elections create uncertainty and unease, this one more than most. The intent of our survey is to gauge market sentiment for the coming year. As the choice of President will have a huge effect, we are holding off releasing the survey until after the election and the emotion returns to normal.
Construction Survey Insights (CSI): Good News
We are currently wrapping up the CSI- Annual & Market Report. We are running a little behind (new projects always do) but look for the report to land, free of charge, in your mailbox in late May or early June. One of the hallmarks of our magazines is we make sure to include good news. The future of metal roofing appears to fall into that category. 2024 is looking to be a good year. Single Family Residential and Multi Family Residential both predict gross sales going up.
The 2023 Construction Survey Says...
We have closed out our annual survey and are working on the CSI Annual that will mail in April. Our efforts to improve our data collection seem to be working. We roughly doubled the total number of respondents from 2022 to 2023. Our strong areas, like post-frame, remained constant, but we gained a significant number of responses in General Roofing, Metal Building and Wood Framed (Stick Built) construction. With the roll out of Metal Builder Magazine, the gain in “Metal Building” makes sense.
Post-Frame Builder Show Set for June 2024
Boom! Sparkle! Ooooooh. Ahhhhhh. That is about the closest I can come to writing fireworks. I acquired the construction publications from F+W Media approximately four years ago. Since then, we have successfully launched two trade shows and three trade publications. We published three consumer books. We roughly doubled in size in both sales and number of subscribers. Now, after four years, I would like to make an announcement worthy of fireworks.
Why Print Advertising Still Works in Construction
While I am not an expert on all advertising, I do have a reasonable handle on print and digital advertising for Business to Business. I will mostly limit myself to the B2B side, but most of the general information and concepts will apply to consumer advertising as well. There is one HUGE difference between most B2B and B2C. B2B is predominantly branding and education. Using our publications as an example, a $250,000 roll former or finding a new supplier is not usually an impulse buy.
Publisher's Log: Impacts of Supply Chain Issues
Dear Readers, it seems too many of my publisher’s letters start with the words, or the thought, “What an interesting world.” I am certain we all would like the opportunity to return to a business climate resembling normalcy. Well, we ain’t there yet. Because of supply chain disruptions, I know many manufacturers are working hard to find solutions to deliver their products. We are no exception.
Publisher's Note: The Spirit of an Entrepreneur
Dear readers: I went out to dinner last night and it was refreshing to see people out and about without masks and families enjoying valuable time together. Maybe, just maybe, we are putting this last year behind us. Of course, there will be ongoing challenges: material shortages, increasing prices, and the possibilities of inflation and rising interest rates, to name just a few. However, one positive that inspires me is some people always manage to create despite all challenges.
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