(PRWEB) July 30, 2006 -- Nu-Vue Industry of Puerto Rico has acquired a new building in Mayagüez in an effort to meet its customers’ demands, according to General Manager Néstor Torrech. "We are looking to grab customers on that side of the island by presenting them with an outlet-type store," said Torrech. He also mentioned that another added benefit was lower operating costs as a result of shorter shipments.

We need to continue to provide quality products and service as well as streamlining our business operations. Nu-Vue, which has been supplying Puerto Rico with metal roofing and siding products for more than 50 years, will concentrate on manufacturing and selling light-gauge seam panels at its new location. The new location will stock items in predetermined lengths, which will be customized based on customer needs. "For example, we will stock 20-foot panels, and if a customer needs an 18-foot panel we will cut it for them," said Sales Manager Miguel Figueroa.

To stay ahead of the company’s four or five main competitors, Nu-Vue offers some extensive customer-centered services. "We, of course, offer technical assistance on all our products but we also give guidance to our customers through the use of computer-aided-design (CAD) drawings," said Torrech. Nu-Vue, according to Torrech, will also make suggestions for changes to the drawings if the expert staff sees room for improvement. "In this way, we are offering our customers the best possible service to go along with the highest-quality product," said Figueroa.

The company’s greatest challenges, according to Torrech ,come from foreign and domestic market conditions. "China’s growth and consumption of steel has taken a lot of the capacity away from smaller countries and has consequently raised all of the prices," said Torrech. He also mentioned the increase in fuel costs for the importation of steel has raised prices in the local market.

The other main challenge Nu-Vue is experiencing is the lack or cancellation of projects due to local economic uncertainties. "We have seen a slowdown in orders in just the past two weeks," said Torrech. "Most of our big customers are taking a wait-and-see approach with their projects. This has taken some people by surprise and they don’t know what to do about these problems," he said.

To ensure another successful 50 years, Figueroa said, "We need to continue to provide quality products and service as well as streamlining our business operations."