We provide a manufacturing service to over 200 customers spread over many industries. I have customers in oil/gas drilling, petrochem, aerospace, industrial supplies, gate hardware, marine supplies, automotive, and other industries.
Aerospace got hit hard beginning a year ago. Oil/gas is up because some of the hardware is going to the BP cleanup.
However, I can tell from the number of orders in-house how the economy is doing. The number of bids I make indicates where the economy is going. The number of desperate men coming by looking for work has increased too.
Thanks, sounds like you are diversified enough to tell the big picture. That is always helpful.
GOOD LUCK (and good managing your business).