Owens Corning Launches Spray Foam

Spackle by Dave Coverly

People News

ACI Establishes Center of Excellence

Simpson Strong-Tie and Habitat for Humanity Expand Trades Program

Fi-Foil Acquires Kennedy Insulation

Cellulose Insulation Manufacturer Expands

ACI Establishes Center of Excellence

A Center of Excellence for Advancing Concrete Industry Productivity has been launched by the American Concrete Institute. As a catalyst for solving the barriers of constructability to advance concrete construction productivity, PRO will collaborate with designers, materials suppliers and contractors to identify and resolve issues that negatively impact productivity in concrete construction.

Located at ACI Headquarters in Farmington Hills, Mich., the center aims to optimize labor and time against materials by improving structural design and construction processes through a collaborative approach with designers, material suppliers, builders and industry stakeholders. Initial areas of focus for PRO include industry collaboration efforts, identification of productivity obstacles and solutions, constructable design resources, automation, technology validation, interaction with ACI committees and more. Managed by ACI, the center will draw from the Institute’s technical and administrative support services, with funding provided by sponsors.

“The concrete contractor’s input on design details, specifications and material criteria that embraces the construction process is long overdue,” said Phil Diekemper, Executive Director at PRO. “Improving construction productivity through concrete design is the key to unlocking project value. I’m very excited to participate as the industry collaborates with a single focus to improve concrete construction productivity.”

Initial staffing for the Center comprises an Executive Director supported by ACI technical experts.

PRO and its future sponsors aim to advance new technologies and processes that improve productivity beyond historic levels. To learn more about PRO and to get involved, visit concreteproductivity.org.

Simpson Strong-Tie and Habitat for Humanity Expand Trades Program

Simpson Strong-Tie announced the expansion of its Construction Trades Support program with Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. Formerly held once a year, program events will now take place twice yearly, with an expanded agenda that includes hands-on activities in the plumbing and electrical trades. The second leg of the program will expand on opportunities for participants who are highly motivated to pursue a trades career and includes a build day with Habitat.

The goal of the program is to promote interest in the building trades as a viable and rewarding career path for youth and for individuals who have recently been out of the workforce.

Last October, 25 students from Making Waves Academy in Richmond, Calif., attended the program workshop at Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley’s Oakland warehouse.

“Expanding the trades talent pool with motivated and enthusiastic individuals helps us serve our industry at large, and also enables Simpson Strong-Tie to demonstrate our commitment to construction trades education—one of our social impact priorities,” said Simpson Strong-Tie board member and former CEO Karen Colonias. “It is vital to the future of the building industry that we develop programs and opportunities to support these potential tradespeople on their professional journey.”

Fi-Foil Acquires Kennedy Insulation

Fi-Foil Co. announced it has acquired Kennedy Insulation Group, significantly expanding its reflective insulation product line.

Kennedy Insulation Group, based in Carthage, Mo., was established in 2008 by Rick and Chris Kennedy. The company’s exclusive VerSola brand is a multi-layer reflective bubble insulation product. Kennedy manufactures and distributes throughout the southwestern and southeastern United States.

Bill Lippy, CEO at Fi-Foil, stated: “We couldn’t have found a better fit for Fi-Foil than Kennedy. Rick has built a great business that is highly complementary to the existing Fi-Foil product line. We feel the combined capabilities of the two companies and their respective teams will enable us to serve our customers more effectively with an expanded U.S. manufactured product line and geographic sales coverage.”

Cellulose Insulation Manufacturer Expands

Applegate • Greenfiber has purchased the United Fibers cellulose and materials recovery facility based in Chandler, Ariz. This acquisition allows AGGF the opportunity to grow production capabilities and place even more emphasis on providing a best-in-class customer experience, while providing the most environmentally preferred and safe insulation to families across the Southwest.

“We feel very privileged to add the United Fibers operation to our portfolio, allowing us to better service our customers in the Southwest and continue to expand the presence of cellulose within the insulation industry,” AGGF President and CEO Tom VanAlstine commented regarding the purchase.

Owens Corning Launches Spray Foam

Owens Corning introduced its comprehensive insulation product line at the International Builders’ Show this January in Las Vegas.

The show served as a venue for the company to demonstrate its insulation product offering, with a special focus on the complementary spray foam products of recently acquired Natural Polymers LLC. Designed by industry-leading chemists, the spray foam product line supports increasingly stringent energy codes and homeowner demands for products that contribute to healthier indoor air quality, such as Ultra-Pure low VOC spray foam insulation with Odor Scavenger technology. The product is GreenGuard Gold Certified, with FlexTemp formulations designed to deliver consistent performance year-round with a smooth surface texture.

“The addition of Natural Polymers spray foam products to our comprehensive insulation solutions further advances our position that Owens Corning has the right product for the right application in virtually any building environment,” said Joe Wagner, director of marketing and product for North America Building Insulation, Owens Corning. “We’ve studied the spray foam industry for years and now have found a natural fit with Natural Polymers.”