To recover or not to recover

A new survey of building materials industry executives reveals a tug-of-war between a comeback economy and a still faltering one.

To the good: A majority of executives polled by Sarasota-based Brooke Chase Associates, a nationwide executive search firm focused on the industry, gave positive responses to a series of revenue questions. For example, 58% of the respondents project an increase in revenues in the second half of 2010.

Moreover, 64% of the respondents say their company's revenues increased in the first six months of 2010 over the first six months of 2009.

Sure sounds like a recovery is brewing in a much-battered industry.

The pull in the opposite direction, however, comes from a litany of statements in the anonymous comments section after each question. A sampling of the quotes:

• Commercial construction is in a free fall, to almost a halt in many sectors of the United States. No recovery is in sight until 2013;

• [The year] will be a struggle, but can produce profits if you are aggressive;

• Housing is still suffering from short-sale homes and foreclosed homes. Banks are still not lending money on construction loans. Low appraisals are hurting the industry for new loans;

• Cash flow is the number one detriment to growth. No one can get financing. Everyone wants very special terms;

• Order intake has faltered over the past month, regrettably giving a first indication that the feared “double dip” may be arriving.

Guess it's a case of seeing the glass half full or half empty at this point.