We feel the biggest challenge in 2009 will be obtaining new business in a poor economy. In order to do this we must set ourselves apart in an oversaturated market. While there are many contractors in the tri-state area producing quality products, there is a large number of “contractors” providing an inferior finished product at a discounted price. An uneducated potential customer sees an EP Henry sign on every landscape truck in town, not knowing that the vast majority of these companies are not truly certified or experienced to deliver the same product that they see in the EP Henry catalog.

 

We need to effectively promote the level of quality and service our company can provide and to reinforce the level of professionalism we maintain; college educated employees, a fully staffed office, a physical location in the community, etc.

 

In addition to the dichotomy of the price vs. quality debate for a consumer, there is a growing sentiment from our higher end clientele that a concrete paver product is not “high end” enough for them. These clients are willing and able to pay for true masonry and natural stone work; therefore, they reject concrete pavers as a 2nd tier product. They may consider it good enough for the beach house, but not on their prestigious and classically designed home. We find that the pavers fit more in with the “McMansions” that have exploded over the past 15 years. Unfortunately, these are the same buyers who are now watching their own bottom line in light of the changes in the economic climate.