I see alot of finger pointing in the fall out from bbcp's filing.  I also see most people trying to find a single reason for the problems we are facing.  I hate to break it to you, but it is EVERYBODY'S fault. 

From the pump manufacturers who gave anyone a pump (some of these guys couldn't get credit to buy a 100k home, but they could get a 500k machine?), the "must have all the work at any price" mentality of the owners/managers, the operators holding pump companies hostage during the 90's (how many operators should have been fired but were retained because we needed that "iron running"?), "salesmen" thinking because they book a pump they are selling, to ALL THE PEOPLE in pumping industry (I know there were exceptions, so don't even climb on to that soapbox) forgetting we are in the SERVICE business.  Just like the current economy can not be blamed on any one factor, we also can not pin it on a single company, person or reason.  

In both branches I ran, we did not have the "newest or shiniest equipment", the lowest prices or buy tickets to football/baseball/hunting trips etc.  We provided service.  Our operators provided service.  Our dispatchers were honest, our pricing was fair (albeit lower than I wanted, but never below our competitions), our salesman were on jobs at three o'clock in the morning, not because of problems, but because that's service.  The end result was that our people worked regularly we had consistent,sustainable growth.  The branch I am currently with also strongly believes in this.  As a result, our operators are working regularly, and we are getting new customers. 

Service is, and always will be the "key" to success.  Never forget that you need the customer, he does not need you!

Interesting thoughts

I would not say its one companies fault, but I remember bragging being done about this industry goes as we go , now its down the toilet they want no blame in it, we are all to blame because we're all playing the same game , but if this industry goes as they go ,well look at us now, leaders lead by example and what a example was set, rent me for $1, first job free, all bullshit that got us in trouble we cannot continue to just turn money over, we need a total restructure, no way a boom pump 28-36 should leave the yard for under $1000 minimum,38-45 $1500,47 and up no less than $2500, hourly rates should almost double 32 $150 36 $170 38 $190 42 $220 45 $250 and so on, the days of 2.50 per yard should be over they should all be atleast $3 per yard and up, travel time has to be charged, overtime fees, permit fees,fuel surcharges, jobs should be awarded on service and safety not to the cheapest bidder , things have to change or they will just stay the same.

One thought that has really intrigued me, could it be our industries lack of educational requirements, could this have a big part in the trouble we are in, should we start requiring more,alot of our guys are high school dropouts or high school graduates at best, should we be looking for more, I know alot will say no, and I dony think we will ever see a harvard graduate on a pump , but face it as technologically advanced as this equipment is getting we all may need a college degree in a few years just to operate one.

If things keep going the way they are now Pudg, we will need a college degree to work at McDonalds.

stick,

that'll be the good job, I was just pondering on this, but I know a few college grads that are as dumb as the day is long, and a few dropouts that are lights out smart, it was just a question, I dont think thats our problem hell look at washington all the degrees in the world in one room and look at the crisis we're in.

Sooooo.... Ponder this: Chapter 11 goes to chapter 7. A major player is wiped out of the market. Guess what just happened to the supply/demand of everyone else's concrete pumps? You might actually get to charge what you deserve for your expensive machinery. Unless: All the medium sized companies thought they 'needed' to fill some sort of void in the market. Buy up as many pumps at an auction as they could and, ultimately, put the whole market right back where it was to start with....too many machines for the work load available. I hope no one confuses the concept that being able to provide good 'service' to the customer means showing up on time, completing the job safely and with high level of professionalism. --NOT that a contractor can call at 5am and is able to schedule a $1.2 million dollar concrete pump for a 10am pour---the same day!!. That is not service...that is why the industry is in trouble.

Raymond,

No one singularly is at fault, yet the advantage to be able to post your concern is applauded. I just hope everyone hears, learns, and takes advantage of the situation at hand.

Everytime another machine goes to auction, it just hurts everyone involved because it devalues the value of all machines, thereby taking that much more from all of us.

This situation has affected all, some just more than others!

Bad thing is,all those pumps are not going to get scrapped. They will be bought at a ridiculous low price and used against us. At that point is that new owner really a low baller? When he has just purchased a pump maybe for less than half of what we owe on our pump possibly. At that point he may truly be making a profit just because of much less investment. I also think that the overseas economy has cooled enough that you are not going to see all of those pumps shipped away as in the past. My point is that the bottom is yet to come before any big pricing increases come around.

People need to bid online that thr RB sales, that way you can see if the bidder is oversees, if so, LET THEM HAVE IT!!  Remove it from the market.  Especially anything older than a 2000 model.  I think that at least 40 more would have left north American soil if this tactic was followed at the Pumpco sales.

I think gene1 hit the nail on the head! It doesnt matter what your machine looks like, how clean it is, what color paint it has, how big it is, what brand it is,... etc.

It's well proven that long term the operators that give that extra effort on the job and away from it, are the ones responsible that get you the work, and keep you busy with a rate that is both reasonable to the company and the client.

Just like you wouldn't get an mechanic to work on your truck even at a cheaper rate, if he is not punctual, has a passion for his work, or willing to help you out when your in trouble. So really why should the attitude to pump hire be any different?