A Message from the President

When SIGMA’s Marketing Team asked me to draft a message for our blog, I initially thought that I’d offer the usual commentary on the economic outlook, health of the industry, company initiatives, etc. Yet, those on the receiving end of this are already attuned to realities of the market.

You guys know that the on again/off again global tariffs, the conflict in the middle east and subsequent rising energy prices create economic uncertainty. However, the US economy enjoyed another year of growth in 2025 with GDP expanding by over 2%. Consensus amongst major financial institutions is more of the same with forecasts in the 2.0% - 2.4% range. Specific to our industry, the housing market continues a softening trend. The cost of purchasing a home coupled with higher mortgage rates (at least relative to 5 years ago) make purchasing a house difficult for many buyers, particularly first-timers. Yet, demand for housing remains at near record highs with needs for homes nearing 5 million. That demand lies just beneath the surface of our industry waiting to both jump-start and sustain our business for, hopefully, years to come.

However, maybe more interestingly, you’ll note that this newsletter from SIGMA is the first without Larry Rybacki writing as President of the company. Larry hasn’t gone anywhere. As part of his transition toward retirement, he has stepped away from the position. He’s still with the company and we still speak frequently. He still asks about the market and our sales trends. He still challenges me to consider this or think about that. He still asks about my family as he has always done.

Now, after 35 years with the company, I am the President of the Waterworks Division. It’s a responsibility that I am honored to receive, and I assume with a commitment to continued success. Looking forward, my intention is to strengthen and empower our team. As a customer-facing, sales-focused company, our business is best served by offering our sales team, both in the office and in the field, the knowledge and authority to make informed decisions on behalf of the customer. My goal is to make continued strides in that direction.

As President, or whatever capacity that I may have, I welcome your thoughts and comments. My email and cell number are provided below.

Whether customer, vendor or member of the SIGMA family, I appreciate your support of SIGMA.

Greg can be reached at gfox@sigmaco.com or 256-496-3388.