A Tale of Two Industries.

Between the years of 2000 and 2005, 75% of the top 20 performing B2B markets shrunk. Only five sectors showed any growth, and within that quintet only two showed growth that was not anemic. Only the top two markets--Stone Products, etc and Lighting and Lighting Fixtures--showed significant growth.

No Rocky Road

Since 1996, the stone industry has exploded. Why? According to Emerson Schwartzkopf, the editor of Stone Business, there are several reasons.

"Both the new home construction and remodeling markets have grown," he says. "There has been an expansion in both the availability of stone and the types of stone available. And, since 1996, the cost of stone has actually gone down, if adjusted for inflation."

Consequently, the industry and its B2B books flourished dramatically. New companies, products and processes have sprung up faster than they can be covered. Parallel to this was another intriguing opportunity: Schwartzkopf estimates the Marble Institute of America (the industry's trade organization) only has about 10% of the industry as members, so the books stepped up to fill that role by providing forums for networking, education, and the sharing of information. As a result, Stone Business, Stone World and other publications in this sector have shared in the success.

Illuminating Experiences

The story in the lighting and electrical contracting industry is not as bright. The economic downturn of …