Local Manufacturers Adapt To Rising Costs

By Chad Petri Reporter

They’re the people that make the stuff you buy. Local manufacturers have to come up with creative solutions to help workers and the bottom line. Local Manufacturers Adapt To Rising Costs

Published: Tue, June 10, 2008 - 2:56 am Last Updated: Mon, July 28, 2008 - 9:42 pm

Chad Petri

Joe Strange browses his warehouse of metal at Fairhope's Drapery Makery and Canvas Workshop. Many pieces have jumped more than 50-percent in price. Joe says he's learned one thing.

“Save money, you better put some money in the bank,” says Strange.

While costs vary from job to job, he says they've been able to hold the increase to customers at about 10%.

“It's like every other business it gets passed on to the customer if the costs go up for material that affects the price of the product that we sell,” says Joe.

To help with rising fuel prices, workers here have switched to a four day work week. With 10 hour shifts, shop foreman Lea Allen says he feels like the work week never ends.

“I've got to get up a little earlier in the morning, stay later in the evening saves about 12 dollars a week in gas,” says Allen.

The owners are using the shop’s van a lot less. Joe stuffs his Harley Davidson motorcycle with small finished projects.

“Our automotive expense for the first quarter of ‘08 compared to the first quarter of ‘07 is up 58%, one and a half times,” says Joe.