MAPEI Donates Materials For Maternity Ward in Haiti

MAPEI has donated tile and stone installation systems materials to build a maternity ward at St. Boniface Hospital in Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti. Joining forces with Build Health International, MAPEI materials will be used to build the  700-square-foot addition.

“When we were approached by Jim Ansara from Build Health International to participate in this healthcare project in Haiti, we were eager to work with them,” said Real Bourdage, MAPEI Americas’ director of strategic marketing. The company supplied surface preparation products for parts of the floors, as well as MAPEI’s Ultraflex LFT mortar for large-format tile.

The addition is planned to accommodate four outpatient exam/ultrasound rooms, six postpartum beds, six pathology observation beds, five labor and delivery birthing beds and eight NICU bassinets, along with the required patient and staff clinical support. In addition to the maternity and neonatal service, a 5,000-square-foot training center will be provided for community health and activity development.

Flowcrete Launches STAR program

Flowcrete America’s new Specialist Training in the Application of Resin (STAR) program was designed to ensure its contractor network continues to offer clients a high level of expertise and craftsmanship by demonstrating the latest installation techniques and providing resin flooring hints and tips from experienced trainers.

“There are numerous benefits to undertaking the program, starting with access to an in-house training seminar that combine expert led practical demonstrations with in-depth classroom-based learning,” according to a Flowcrete representative.

As part of the STAR program, Flowcrete will provide in-house training at the contractor’s premises, led by a qualified trainer. The program includes all the resin materials and educational resources required for training purposes at no extra cost.

Topics covered include: cementitious urethane, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and other specialty resin chemistries, typical floor installation construction details, floor installation project management and installation proficiency testing and certification.

IICRC Relocates Headquarters

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has relocated its headquarters to the Global Resource Center in Las Vegas.

“Moving the Institute management operations to our Global Resource Center has long been a part of our strategic vision,” said Tony Wheelwright, IICRC’s chairman. “While there are a number of benefits, a primary benefit is offering our key stakeholders better access to the Institute operations and improving the transparency of our operations. It’s an exciting time.”

As a part of the move, IICRC has also changed association management firms to Metacred. According to Wheelwright, Metacred was selected based on its expertise, capabilities and vision for the future of the Institute.

With these changes, IICRC hopes to improve overall operational efficiencies, including improvements to the exam development and review system, Wheelwright added. It will also review its current certifications and standards and benchmark them against relevant industries.

W.F. Taylor Releases ACOUS-TEC Promo Video

W.F. Taylor Co. has released a promotional video for its Acous-Tec Sound Reducing Liquid Underlayment Patch and Leveler. A company first, this promotional video shows the multifunctional attributes of the product, how to install the liquid underlayment and ways installers can save time, money and waste.

“This video really says it all; its visuals really help drive home the product’s ease and effectiveness,” said Jack Raidy, CEO and president of W.F. Taylor. “It is a demonstrative video for all levels of flooring installer experience, from do-it-yourselfers to professionals.”

Schönox, HPS North America SIGN Multi-Year Agreement

Schönox GmbH and HPS North America have formed a multi-year operating agreement that has the companies working closely to market, distribute and fully support their subfloor products in the North American marketplace. Continuing the partnership that began in 2011, this agreement further strengthens the companies’ North American presence.

“Our relationship and operations have quickly strengthened over the past four years with significant growth in the Schönox brand name and its sales,” said Hubert Steinberg, Schönox’s executive manager in the U.S. “That growth has accelerated a number of moves forward.”

INSTALL Expands Network

The International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL) has added Aquaflex, E.J. Welch Co., FastenMaster and Procedo to its ranks.

These new partner companies will participate in ongoing curriculum reviews by designating technical and/or educational representatives who will work with INSTALL instructors to revise and refine the INSTALL curriculum. According to the organization, this ensures that future floor covering professionals are trained according to the needs of today’s marketplace.

FCICA Updates FIT Resilient Program

The Flooring Contractors Association (FCICA) has completed updates to its Floorcovering Installation Training program (FIT) for Resilient Books. With this update, FIT has been reformatted and now contains a glossary of terms for students, instructors and reference manual users.

According to the association, the FIT curriculum was established to meet the demand for skilled floor covering installation personnel, and to create a minimum standard for installation training.

AC•Tech Recognized for Innovation

Go-Early Technology by AC•Tech was the recipient of the World of Concrete’s prestigious Experts Choice Award for Most Innovative Product. Presented to products selected by a group of industry professionals, the Experts Choice Award honors product design for all segments of the concrete and masonry industries.

Go-Early Technology is built on the AC•Tech 2170 Fast-Curing, Zero VOC, Vapor Reduction System, which has been recognized for high-performance and consistent results within both the construction and flooring sectors, according to the company.

“We spent over a year honing the process of applying the Go-Early epoxy resin in Division 3 so that it protects the slab while it’s curing,” said Mac Krauss, AC•Tech’s vice president of technical operations.

ACI Releases 2^nd EDITION OF CONCRETE Legal IssueS BOOK

The American Concrete Institute’s (ACI) Legal Issues in Concrete Construction, Second Editionis now available for concrete industry designers, suppliers and contractors. Expanded to over 260 pages, this new edition is reorganized around key topics—cracking, load tickets, responsibility for mix and more.

Author Jeffrey Coleman provides interpretations of court findings and contrasts the decisions with other results where possible. This second edition of Legal Issues in Concrete Construction contains over 150 cases—more than three times the number of cases as the first edition, and it assembles the cases into 23 chapters.

Laticrete Launches Online University

Laticrete’s new Laticrete University offers lessons developed specifically for distributors, dealers, installers and other professionals interested in industry and product information. Based on the company’s Profit Through Knowledge (PTK) technical seminars, this e-learning program presents training videos and tests online.

“Effective and proven training is necessary for any company or individual in our industry interested in learning about new products, modern technology and best practices,” said Art Mintie, director of technical services. “Through Laticrete University, we have made our PTK seminars available to anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve.”

Laticrete University segments include tutorial videos followed by a short test that measures the participant’s knowledge retention. Upon the successful completion of a segment, participants can print a certificate or have it emailed to them.

Scholarship Awarded By Vermont Natural Coatings

Hunter Russell, a junior at Green Mountain Technology and Career Center (GMTCC) and Craftsbury Academy, has completed Vermont Natural Coatings’ Sand & Finish seminar for professional flooring contractors.

“Hunter did an amazing job and seemed right at home among the professionals from Vermont and throughout the Northeastern U.S. and Canada that made up the class,” said Andrew Meyer, founder and president of Vermont Natural Coatings. “He was exposed to the very latest technology used in sanding and finishing floors and made connections that very well could result in a summer apprenticeship program.”

According to Meyer, the training facility was designed and installed under the supervision of Bob Goldstein, Vermont Natural Coatings’ professional floor sales and technical advisor. A National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) certified inspector, installer and sand and finisher, Goldstein led the training session.

Attendees earned NWFA credits for proper sanding techniques for various wood species, select finishing techniques that will yield top-quality results and the correct use, maintenance and repair of professional application equipment.

Pentair Expands Product Reach with Acquisition of Nuheat

Pentair has acquired Nuheat, thus combining customized products with Pentair’s Thermal Building Solutions’ range of Raychem heat tracing systems for pipe freeze, snow melting and deicing applications.

 “This acquisition enables us to offer an extended, high-performance and innovative product range to our North American customers as well as provide them with enhanced application expertise and design support,” said Brad Faulconer, vice president of Pentair Thermal Building Solutions.

With a 4,000 point distribution network across the U.S. and Canada, the incorporation of Nuheat into Pentair’s portfolio will enable Pentair’s Thermal Building Solutions to provide floor heating products to more customers in North America, according to Faulconer.

FCICA, nora, Ardex Partner for Memorial Scholarship

The Flooring Contractors Association (FCICA), in cooperation with Ardex Americas and nora systems, have developed the Bruce Newbrough Memorial Scholarship for the Certified Installation Manager (CIM) program.

The Bruce Newbrough Memorial Scholarship has been established to provide educational opportunities to floor covering installation managers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to and excellence in proper substrate preparation and installation of floor covering. The late Bruce Newbrough, as Ardex director of technical services and later applications development, utilized opportunities to further his vision and passion which was industry education and training on proper substrate preparation, all for the purpose of achieving successful installations.

“FCICA is honored, not only to have known and worked with Bruce Newbrough, but also to have this opportunity to work with both Ardex and nora toward our common goal of a standard of excellence for installation managers in the Certified Installation Manager program,” said Gerry Swift, FCICA chairman.

Seth Pevarnik, director of technical services for Ardex added, “Bruce loved this association as his passion was industry education and training, which is the foundation on which FCICA was built. Ardex wanted to pay tribute and remembrance to Bruce and his support of the flooring industry. Upon looking at the support that Bruce provided to the industry, it was obvious that there was not a better organization to do this through.”

Bostik’s GreenForce Makes Latin America Debut

Bostik’s GreenForce wood flooring adhesive was recently introduced to Latin America at a hospitality event staged at Mexico City’s Centro Banamex convention and event facility.

 “The Latin America marketplace is ripe to learn about and then consume Bostik flooring installation materials,” said Scott Banda, Bostik’s director of marketing. “There is a growing amount of construction projects in this part of the world, and we’ve pledged to help our business partners here become even more successful with them.”

According to Banda, GreenForce is a cost-effective wood flooring adhesive that delivers superior bonding, unlimited moisture vapor protection and ease of cleaning (before and after curing) through Bostik’s Axios technology.

New Hires and Promotions

Teiya Eubanks has been namedmarketing directorof the American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA). In this role, she will be responsible for revitalizing the association’s industry presence, strengthening membership benefits, growing the membership base, launching the new Council of Flooring Industry Advisors and increasing trade show participation.

Fishman Flooring Solutions has promoted Shane Richmond to regional manager for the Carolinas.  In his new role, he is responsible for day-to-day oversight of six territory business managers, seven branch locations and Fishman’s Carolinas staff. He was previously district manager for South Carolina, overseeing the company’s Charleston, Columbia and Greenville locations.

Lori Carriello and Lori Cloat have joined Laticrete’s Tile & Stone Installation and Care Systems business unit as distributor sales representatives, and Ranen Beaver has been promoted to senior technical service representative for the company’s Specialty Products business unit.

Carriello will represent Laticrete throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Cloat will represent the company throughout the greater Houston territory, and Beaver will expand his work in support of the L&M, HP Spartacote, Drytek and MVIS product brands. Laticrete has also promoted technical services team members Timothy Bergin, Dean Cunningham and Steven Rampino. The company also appointed Ryan Blair to the position of product manager.

Cassie Alverson has been promoted to Moldings Online.com’s director of sales and marketing, and Bill Treiber to technical sales and education manager.

Kevin Rantin and Tiffany Awischus have joined Parex USA’s marketing department. Rantin’s appointment as marketing director is part of a broader initiative by Parex USA to focus on growth in both the commercial and residential markets and increase awareness of all brands. Awischus will serve as product manager for Parex USA’s Merkrete.

Teri Douglas has joined Sound Seal’s Impacta division as distributor sales and marketing manager. Douglas brings with her over 30 years of sales and marketing experience and channel management. In this new role, she will work directly with the Impacta distribution network to provide support for new business and marketing opportunities.

Kelsey Quigg has been promoted to product manager of UFloor Systems’ Pallmann USA division. In this role, Quigg will work with partners in Germany to strengthen Pallmann’s product line in the U.S. Quigg will also retain his former technical manager duties.

Distributor News

Installers Warehouse is UFloor Systems’ newest distributor in Upstate New York. Installers Warehouse will now distribute UFloor’s Pallmann’s Hardwood Complete range of wood flooring products throughout Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse, N.Y.

Upcoming Events

Dry Kiln Operator’s Short Course – N.C. State University, Raleigh, N.C. May 19-22. (919) 515-5581 or phil_mitchell@ncsu.edu

For more industry events and training, visit www.fcimag.com and click the Calendar of Events link under the Resources tab.