By Carole Hawkins, Staff Writer
Jacksonville contractors were expecting a good turnout at the Construction Industry Trade Expo.
That is, if one were to measure turnout by the mass offerings of mini candy bars, brownie bites and sandwich tapas vendors had lying in wait.
More than 60 companies participated in NEFBA’s March event, which promoted everything from garage doors, cabinets and marble flooring to mortgages and emergency shelters.
Dan Green, a product specialist for Parksite, said sales for Tyvek house wrap, a water barrier used in construction, have taken off in recent months.
“2013 was the best year we’ve ever had in Florida,” he said. “Our sales increased 67 percent year over year.”
Green said many people who stopped by his booth are already Tyvek customers. The company participates each year to show a presence and to introduce new products.
A recovering market also has invigorated vendor Capitol Materials, a Savannah-based supplier of building materials such as drywall, insulation, steel framing and acoustical ceiling tiles.
The company came to the expo because it is expanding its geographic base.
“The recession put us in a standstill mode from 2007 to 2009,” said Dave Kreber, regional sales manager. “As market indicators improved in the last 18 months, we started looking at Jacksonville.”
Other first-time vendors came to the expo to help grow an existing local customer base.
Edwards Ornamental Iron, which builds custom staircase rails, balcony rails and walkway gates, plans to increase sales by becoming more active in NEFBA.
“If I can get four or five people out of this crowd who would like to build something, this event will be money well spent,” sales rep Jerry Brubaker said.
Dave Miller of House of Lamps and Shades saw the event as an opportunity to promote the company’s trendy light fixtures.
“It’s the first time I’ve gone after contractors,” said Miller, who already runs an 11,000-square-foot retail showroom. “I’m amazed. A lot of people showed up.”
One of the cxpo shoppers, Marc Jernigan, a Realtor for Watson Realty, said the event is a chance to learn about new products being used in homes.
“Also, Realtors sometimes get to choose a house’s after-products,” he said. “For example, we can recommend lighting products for buyers, if we know what the stores have.”
Jernigan said he enjoyed seeing the quartz and recycled glass used in designs by the House of Lamps.