Solid, Energy Efficient Solutions
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Recently, I read an article about British Columbia's forestry
companies' failed attempt to create a 2X4 construction market in China.
After having tried for at least 10 years to push their 2X4s into China
for home construction, these forestry companies have finally recognized
that the Chinese do not want wooden homes. In China, the predominant
methods of construction are concrete and brick.
What does that tell us?
It shows that once a market has changed to solid construction methods,
this change can not be undone. Even by these forestry giants that have
spent millions of marketing dollars, for years, to find alternate
markets for their products outside the US and Canada.
And how does that concern us?
Solid (concrete) construction of detached homes has now reached a market
share in the US and Canada of about 18% and has been continuously
growing from a 3% share in 1993. This growth is irreversible and will
continue, probably at an exponential rate.
My prediction is that solid (concrete) construction will have a 50%
market share in the US and Canada by 2030 and that ICF construction will
be the predominant, solid construction method by then.
At least to my knowledge, there is no other industrialized nation, or
even second- or third-world nation where lumber is the predominant
construction material. It is also supported by the fact that we all have
to recognize now that energy supply is not cheap and eternally endless
and that it is our duty to conserve and reduce.
Together, we offer the best solution to construct solid, energy
efficient and durable buildings.
Best regards,
Hubert Max Kustermann, CEO
Quad-Lock Accessories Made EASY
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My article this month is more of a reminder than a discussion
regarding markets, sales or customer service. The Quad-Lock team tries
its best to make the buying experience positive - that starts at order
entry and continues through the time the shipment hits your customer's
job site.
Did you know we continually do research on complementary products to
help with your ICF building project? The answer is YES - Quad-Lock has
more to offer than just panels, ties, track and corner brackets. Our
system-approved line of accessories are available directly from
Quad-Lock or our dealer network. These include:
- ICF bracing & scaffolding systems
- Damp-proofing & water-proofing systems including peel and stick
membranes
- Ledger brackets and various hangers
- Window fasteners
- Rebar chairs
- Insulbuck window and door system
- Low expansion foam
- Hot knives
- Electrical boxes specifically for ICF construction
- And more...
Most of these products can be used in conjunction with building an
ICF structure and we have tried to make it easy for ONE-STOP-SHOPPING.
Quad-Lock's goal is to help provide accessory products and materials to
make your project a success. Using the right accessories will help save
time, money and labor to ensure a successful outcome.
If you were unaware that Quad-Lock and our dealers carried all these
accessory products, I encourage you to
contact us
or your local dealer for further
information.
DJ Ketelhut, Sales Director, Eastern North America
Dealer Sales & Product Supply
As a Quad-Lock dealer, you can set yourself and your company apart
(and above) the competition by talking to your clients about a "total
project solution" that capitalizes on the outstanding energy performance
of Quad-Lock products, ALONG WITH other components they'll be purchasing
to complete the structure. Perhaps you can even sell those accessories
yourself and put a little extra cash in your pocket for your efforts.
So, what does that mean? If as part of your sales conversations, you
tell a client they can qualify for LEED points, or maybe that they can
save up to 70% of the structure's energy costs by using Quad-Lock
products, you're only telling part of the story. Quad-Lock products can
be a key component in an efficient and sustainable building design,
along with properly installed high efficiency doors and windows and an
energy efficient roof system. The result can be the lush LEED point
scores and scant energy bills you eagerly suggest in your sales
presentation.
So, rather than sell a single product to a client who is likely to
need a myriad of additional items, consider learning a bit about some of
those other products and systems that coordinate with and enhance
Quad-Lock's building systems. You'll be surprised to find that Quad-Lock
really does "sell itself" when presented as part of a total,
top-to-bottom building package.
To find out you can become the project hero and see some unique uses
of Quad-Lock accessories
read the full article.
The next edition of Beyond the Block will cover water-proofing
materials and radon mitigation systems. Any questions?
Contact John Hatfield.
John Hatfield - Regional Sales Manager, Rocky Mountain Region
Economic Stimulus Package
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President Obama's economic stimulus package includes roughly $62
billion in investments and tax cuts for renewable energy, infrastructure
and green technologies, for example:
- $6.3 billion for local government energy-efficiency grants
- $2.25 billion for energy-efficiency retrofits for low-income
housing
- $2.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partners Program to
retrofit community low-income housing
- $5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program for
efficiency in low-income households.
You can
download our Manufacturer's Certification Statement for the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (usually applicable to R-ETRO installations, not new construction). Additionally you can view
information about energy efficiency programs in the US and Canada
and find other
helpful resource links.
Proven Energy Efficiencies
 As
part of our on-going development of materials to assist in the sale of
Quad-Lock, we want to create a library of statistics about structures
built with Quad-Lock Insulating Concrete Forms. You can help us by
submitting your energy bills, along with the bills from a comparable
house in your neighborhood for us to add to our library. When you do
this Quad-Lock will pay your highest month's
energy bill for your troubles.
Contact us for more information.
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Pull-out data for fasteners