How Coatings Contractors Should Market Their Business

Matt DiBara, owner of DiBara Masonry and founder of The Undercover Contractor, offers advice for how contractors can grow their business through effective marketing and communication strategies. 

Topics discussed on the podcast include tips and tricks on how a contract company can stand out from its competitors; the role of websites and new digital tools; strategies to build trust with clients and general contractors; common mistakes and pitfalls; and much more.

For more information, contact: DiBara Masoney, (323) 313-0165, www.dibaramasonry.com

Managing Corrosion in Electric Transmission, Distribution

Curt Hickcox, vice president of business development at New York-based Public Utilities Maintenance, Inc. (PUM), joins our "member profile" podcast series to discuss his career in the corrosion industry.

Topics include corrosion mitigation strategies of the past, present, and future for electric transmission and distribution clients; the importance of contractor certifications and a commitment to safety; and how associations like SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings, NACE International, and AMPP can play key roles in career development and company growth.

For more information, contact: PUM, (718) 740-4540, www.puminc.com

How Graco Sizes up Coatings Equipment Trends

Niles Hickman, global product marketing manager at Graco, joins our “member profile” podcast series to share some of his company’s keys to success. 

Topics discussed include feedback from contractors regarding their needs and challenges in the field; how new coating technologies are changing the marketplace in 2021; potential equipment solutions from Graco; and the role of industry associations such as SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings, NACE International, and the newly formed Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) in moving careers forward.

Member Profile of Coatings Industry Veteran Warren Brand

Warren Brand heads Chicago Corrosion Group, a leading vendor-neutral consultancy. In this podcast, he shares many of his personal keys to success, insights on the coatings industry, and perspective on the combination of NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings into the newly formed Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

In a successful career spanning more than four decades, Brand has owned an industrial tank lining and coating firm and has written dozens of blogs and technical articles in a variety of publications. Brand, who is a certified NACE Level 3 and The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC) protective coating specialist (PCS), has earned an MBA, as well. He has managed thousands of coating installation projects and developed specs for thousands of paint and coating applications.

For more information, contact Warren on LinkedIn or visit www.chicagocorrosiongroup.com.

Key Takeaways from the 2021 International Roofing Expo

Stephanie Chizik, Editor-in-Chief of CoatingsPro Magazine, joins our podcast from Las Vegas to share her experiences at the 2021 International Roofing Expo (IRE). 

Topics discussed on the Aug. 12 episode include how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the outlook for roof coatings and companies in the field; challenges and opportunities with workforce development; how the industry is evolving with new roofing technologies; and numerous other important takeaways from this year’s conference and exhibit hall. Tune in:

Overview of AMPP QP Contractor Accreditation Programs

In the debut episode of AMPPLIFY, Jim Kunkle and Dave Evans explore the new AMPP QP Accreditation Programs, featuring QP-1, QP-2, QP-3, QP-5, QP-6, QP-8, and QS-1. As part of the roundtable discussion, Kunkle and Evans analyze the potential benefits and implications for coatings contractors asset owners.

For more information, contact: AMPP, (281) 228-6200, ampp.org/accreditation

Member Profile of Coatings Equipment Leader Elcometer

Joe Walker, vice president and general manager of Elcometer Inc., joins our “member profile” series to share some of his company’s keys to success. Topics include Elcometer's journey as an equipment supplier to the coatings industry; strategies on how to train clients to best use their products; career highlights and expansion strategies; and much more. 

Walker, who is an immediate past chair of AMPP, also shares his thoughts on the merger of NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings — led by what he sees as benefits and priorities for the combined association and industry moving forward.

Keys to Success for Black Bear Coatings & Concrete

Black Bear president and co-founder Justin Tousignant joins us to analyze a wide range of industry hot topics and trends. Discussion points include priorities for his company and the coatings industry; the importance of industry associations; the need for more internal training programs among contractors; career highlights and goals; and strategies to recruit, develop, and retain workforce talent.

For more information, contact: Black Bear Coatings & Concrete, (978) 405-0017, www.blackbearconcrete.com

‘The Perfect Wall’ Inventor Calls to Up the Game

Roy Schauffele, executive advisor to the ABAA Board and president and founder of Division 7 Solutions, Inc., has been in the air barrier industry for decades. His experiences and education have helped to improve the liquid-applied industry over the years, and he calls for people in the industry to work harder to up their game. To speak with Schauffele for more information about what was discussed in this episode, contact him at (210) 859-3749.

Key Takeaways from 2021 World of Concrete

Stephanie Chizik, Editor-in-Chief of CoatingsPro Magazine, and Bree McCullough, Multimedia Specialist, join the podcast from Las Vegas to recap the 2021 World of Concrete (WOC) trade show.

Topics include the return to in-person industry gatherings after COVID-19; standout exhibits and demonstrations; market trends and feedback; and much more. (Complete Transcript)

How AMPP Global Operations Is Handling the Merger

Kamal Taher, Director of Global Operations at AMPP, joins our podcast to explain how his department is helping members and customers around the world adjust to the combination of NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings.

Topics include common questions and feedback from members in different world regions; priorities in blending NIICAP and SSPC QP contractor accreditation programs; strategies to overcome concerns and objections; subject areas and markets for growth within corrosion control; and much more. (Complete Transcript)

For more information, contact: AMPP, www.ampp.org 

Bridge Coatings Expert Shares His Outlook

Tony Serdenes, National Coatings Director at Gannett Fleming, has been in the bridge coatings industry since the ‘80s. As a provider of consulting services to Gannett’s inspectors and clients in the bridge and water/wastewater industries, he brings words of wisdom that can help with communication from all project stakeholders—from inspectors to contractors, of which he used to be one. (Complete Transcript)

For more information, contact: Tony Serdenes, (410) 371-7056, aserdenes@gfnet.com

Lessons Learned from a California Roofing Icon

Gary Harvey is general manager of Wedge Roofing, a California-based company that has earned recognition at the CoatingsPro Contractor Awards for five straight years. In this episode, he discusses many of the keys to success for Wedge over his 25 years with the company, headlined by their most recent award-winning project (Mariners Landing). 

Other topics include environmental trends and becoming a Green Roofing Contractor; unique coating considerations in the Bay Area near San Francisco; the importance of safety and training procedures for crews and personnel; tips and tricks for industry newcomers and other contractors; and much more. (Complete Transcript)

For more information, contact: Wedge Roofing, (888) 763-7663, www.wedgeroofing.com

Roofing Expert Building School and Community

Henry Staggs, roofing consultant with Preferred Roof Consultants of Arizona and Founder of the School of Roofing, wants to help the roofing community through safer practices, skilled labor, and more. He shares his ideas and how he’s working to make it happen through the School of Roofing — something his grandfather would be proud of!

For more information, contact: Henry Staggs, theschoolofroofing@gmail.com

CORROSION 2021 Recap, Upcoming Coatings Industry Events

Lesley Martinez, Manager of Conferences at the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), joins our podcast to recap the recently completed CORROSION 2021 Virtual Conference & Expo. 

Martinez shares highlights from the show and lessons learned from the virtual experience, along with a preview of the upcoming transition to in-person events. She also offers an early look at the Coatings+ 2021 show and the first AMPP Annual Conference + Expo in March 2022.
(Complete Transcript)

For more information, contact: AMPP, (800) 797-6223, www.ampp.org