By Davies Hood, Induron Executive VP
That was the battle cry Bill Clinton used two decades ago to get the keys to the White House. It’s also a lot of what we’re hearing today, not only when we discuss politics, but, as we are all learning, also when we discuss just about everything else, from our careers to everyday household decisions. I know there are a lot more store brands on my cupboard shelves than there were 4 or 5 years ago. My vacation plans tend to be a little closer to home as well.
What does this have to do with Industrial Coatings or the industries we serve? In short, just about everything. As described by Maripat Murphy in the American Water Works Association’s October Journal entitled “State of the Industry Report 2011: Economic Stagnation Dampens Industry Outlook,” we learn that those of us in the water business have a collective view of the future as gloomy. As an eternal optimist, I was encouraged that we don’t expect the future to be stormy in the form of a dreaded “double-dip” recession. However, I know our company has made some hard decisions over the course of the last three years, and it appears like more “riding-it-out” is in store. In a similar fashion to Ms. Murphy, I choose to end this editorial on a high note, “If AWWA and its members work together to turn the industry’s challenges into opportunities, the industry should be able to weather the vagaries of these uncertain times and emerge stronger when the skies clear.”