David Martin of H.J. Martin was a guest on the Dec. 28 edition of ‘Street Signs’ on CNBC, the national cable business news channel.  Along with Madelyn Alfano, owner of Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Los Angeles, Martin formed the show’s “small business all-star panel” and appeared on the program to discuss the effect of the fiscal cliff on small business.

Asked by host Brian Sullivan if H.J. Martin was not yet feeling the effects of the impending fiscal cliff, David Martin explained that the company’s commercial business involves long lead times. “We’re usually about one year ahead,” Martin said, “so the uncertainty that’s right now probably will affect 2014.”  H.J. Martin does store remodels for national retailers.

Martin also indicated that H.J. Martin’s staffing had returned to pre-recession levels, before expressing concern about what may lie ahead. “Right now we are (at pre-recession employment numbers), but with the uncertainty with consumer spending, that may affect the levels,” said Martin.  “Because if (consumers) aren’t shopping at those big-box stores, their capital improvements will be cut and that will cut our project base for 2014.”

CNBC has indicated a desire to have Martin return to the network at a future date as an expert on issues facing business.

A link to David Martin’s appearance on ‘Street Signs’ may be found here: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?play=1&video=3000137765