Georgia-Pacific Cuts the Ribbon on New $325 Million Gypsum Wallboard Plant in Texas

Silica Dust & Silicosis Safety

People News

Spackle by Dave Coverly

EIMA Enhances EIFS Awards Program

NCCER Publishes Second Edition of Drywall Curriculum

EEOC Releases Strategic Enforcement Plan Focused on Women and Workers of Color

Kevin O’Connor of This Old House is Keynote Speaker at SprayFoam 2024 Convention & Expo

EIMA Enhances EIFS Awards Program

The EIFS Industry Members Association announced enhancements to the EIFS Hero Awards program, an awards program that recognizes and promotes excellence in the EIFS industry.

Project eligibility requirements have been expanded to include projects in all of North America. This will have several positive implications for the competition, including:

1. Diverse Participation: By including projects from all of North America, the competition becomes more diverse. This allows for a broader representation of architectural styles, building types and regional influences in EIFS projects.
2. Increased Participation: Expanding eligibility beyond the United States opens the door for EIMA members from Canada and other countries within North America to participate. This will increase the number of submissions, making the competition more competitive and vibrant.

Two new categories are being introduced this year:

• Renovation/Retrofit.
• Prefabrication/Panelization.

By introducing new categories, the competition is adapting to industry trends and addressing specific challenges and opportunities within the EIFS sector. This expansion provides a platform for showcasing the expertise and capabilities of EIFS professionals in both renovation and innovative construction methods.

These enhancements are designed to make the awards more prestigious and reflective of the evolving EIFS industry.

Professionals in the EIFS industry are encouraged to showcase their outstanding projects. EIMA members interested can explore past award-winning projects on the EIFS Hero Awards webpage to get a sense of the quality and diversity of recognized EIFS projects.

Program details and an entry form can be found here.

For any questions or additional information about the EIFS Hero Awards program, please contact Laurie Joseph, EIMA’s Senior Director, at (703) 538-1615 or Ljoseph@eima.com.

NCCER Publishes Second Edition of Drywall Curriculum

The National Center for Construction Education and Research has published the second edition of its Drywall Level 1 curriculum, featuring the craft’s most current tools and best practices in a revised format.

The second edition’s updates include:

• New content and artwork for greater industry relevance, readability and learner engagement.
• A rebalanced focus between wood framing and cold-formed steel framing, ensuring valuable coverage of both residential and commercial drywall applications.

Drywall Level 1 is part of NCCER’s two-level drywall curriculum and covers introductory concepts, tools and skills for this important finishing craft. The curriculum’s second level, Drywall Level 2, which addresses more advanced drywall topics, is expected have an updated second edition in early 2024.

To learn more about Drywall Level 1, Second Edition, contact your Pearson executive director or visit the Drywall craft page on the NCCER website.

NCCER develops and distributes its curricula in partnership with the world’s leading learning company, Pearson, and ensures that it complies with the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship requirements for time-based training. Individuals who successfully complete these training programs through an NCCER Accredited Training Program will earn industry-recognized credentials. To learn more about NCCER curricula and purchasing options, click here.

EEOC Releases Strategic Enforcement Plan Focused on Women and Workers of Color

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released its Strategic Enforcement Plan for fiscal years 2024-2028. The SEP makes clear that the EEOC will be prioritizing its enforcement efforts on highlighting the continued underrepresentation of women and workers of color in construction, finance, manufacturing, technology and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields; preserving workers’ access to the legal system by addressing overly broad waivers, releases, non-disclosure agreements or non-disparagement agreements restricting workers’ ability to obtain remedies for civil rights violations; targeting discrimination, bias and hate directed against religious minorities (including antisemitism and Islamophobia), racial or ethnic groups and LGBTQI+ individuals; expanding the vulnerable and underserved worker priority to include additional categories of workers; updating the emerging and developing issues priority to include protecting workers affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including under the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and other equal employment opportunity laws, employment discrimination associated with the long-term effects of COVID-19 symptoms, and technology-related employment discrimination; and recognizing employers’ increasing use of technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to target job advertisements, recruit applicants and make or assist in hiring and other employment decisions.

The entire SEP can be reviewed here.

Kevin O’Connor of This Old House is Keynote Speaker at SprayFoam 2024 Convention & Expo

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance has announced that Emmy Award-winning host Kevin O’Connor of This Old House and Ask This Old House will keynote the upcoming SprayFoam 2024 Convention & Expo being held March 3-6 in Las Vegas. The keynote address is part of the event’s General Session, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5.

O’Connor is a nationally recognized home services industry expert. Not only has he been active with the This Old House shows since 2003, but he has also hosted shows for Roku, the DIY Network and The History Channel, as well as Clearstory, a top-ranked podcast. O’Connor is also the author of The Best of Homes from This Old House, a book chronicling 10 of the show’s finest home transformations, and is a member of the editorial board of This Old House Magazine.

“We are thrilled to feature Kevin O’Connor at the upcoming SprayFoam 2024 Convention & Expo,” said Rick Duncan, executive director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance. “Not only is Kevin a widely recognized construction and DIY pro, but he is an advocate of spray foam and its vast benefits in construction.”

During his keynote address, O’Connor will lead a discussion on the essence of recruiting, hiring and retention in the construction trades. With a focus on the spray foam industry, O’Connor will address the current state of the job market and what your company can do about it, including techniques of building a brand, embracing social media, expanding your talent pool and embracing flexibility. His deep experience working with thousands of contractors will inform his keynote and the strategies that work best. The keynote is open to all registered full and one-day conference attendees of the SprayFoam 2024 Convention & Expo and will be held at the Westgate Resort Ballroom AB in Las Vegas.

O’Connor is widely known for his support of spray polyurethane foam. This Old House was one of the first televised shows to feature the product and has utilized it regularly in the 20 years since. Recent show segments that showcase spray foam have highlighted the different performance attributes and R-values of open-cell and closed-cell spray foam, wall and ceiling cavity applications, flash and batt applications, foundation wall applications, vapor barrier and air sealing benefits, and the importance of applying the material in multiple lifts to account for heat. Notably, O’Connor has also had spray foam installed in both his past and present homes.

“It’s always a coup to the industry when our show secures a big household name that also understands the incredible performance attributes of spray foam,” Duncan added.

The SprayFoam 2024 Convention & Expo attracts industry leaders from across the U.S. and abroad to explore and learn about the latest developments in spray polyurethane foam and to participate in a multitude of education, certification, award, entertainment and networking activities.

This year’s agenda includes over 40 educational break-out sessions; a robust exhibits hall; SPFA Professional Certification Program courses, installer training, written exams and free field exams; the ABAA Certified Applicator Training (a co-located event); the annual Golf Tournament; member- and contractor-only events; and much more.

The 2024 convention will be held at Las Vegas’ Westgate Resort, the event’s official hotel. To book accommodations through the official hotel room block, visit https://www.sprayfoam.org/sf24hotels. Registration opened in October and are accessible at https://www.sprayfoam.org/sprayfoam24.

Huntsman Building Solutions is returning as the Platinum Sponsor of the 2024 event. Gold Sponsors include General Coatings Manufacturing Corp., Elastochem, Holcim, Honeywell, Thermoseal and Universal Polymers Corp. Premier media partners include Sprayfoam Professional and Sprayfoam magazines.

For event sponsorships, contact Kelly Marcavage at kmarcavage@sprayfoam.org. For exhibitor information, contact Lisa Smith at lsmith@sprayfoam.org.

Laminators Launches New CEU Course

Laminators Incorporated now offers a new AIA-approved course titled “Evolution of Insulated Glazing Panels.” The course offers one LU/HSW CEU credit through the American Institute of Architects.

The course will provide information on early curtain wall systems and how they evolved over time and came to incorporate insulated glazing infill panels.

During the course, the following learning objectives will be addressed:

1. Define a curtain wall and identify early curtain wall systems.
2. Examine the advantages of curtain wall systems.
3. Identify and discuss alternative infill panels over traditional insulated glass units.
4. Explain the benefits of aluminum insulated glazing infill panels.

To receive credit, you are required to attend a one-hour webinar presented by Laminators Inc. To schedule a presentation, call 800.523.2347 or visit LaminatorsInc.com and submit the contact form (select CEU Course under Product Interest).

Georgia-Pacific Cuts the Ribbon on New $325 Million Gypsum Wallboard Plant in Texas

Georgia-Pacific officially opened its new gypsum wallboard production facility in Sweetwater, Texas, in early October. Initially announced in September 2020, the $325 million facility is Georgia-Pacific’s second gypsum wallboard production facility in Nolan County and the first Georgia-Pacific has built since 2004.

The Sweetwater Complex is more than 700,000 square feet. One of the most innovative gypsum facilities in the country, the newest addition to the Georgia-Pacific gypsum system features state-of-the-art technology and is designed to help ensure safety, quality and efficiency.

“Georgia-Pacific is keenly focused on the future and committed to innovation and meeting the needs of our customers,” said David Neal, president of Georgia-Pacific Gypsum. “The two operations combined will supply customers and distribution partners with more than 1 billion square feet of gypsum products each year and create more than 100 new jobs. This investment strengthens Georgia-Pacific’s capacity to meet growing customer needs in Texas’ residential, commercial and industrial construction markets.”

The new facility is adjacent to Georgia-Pacific’s first gypsum wallboard facility in Sweetwater, purchased by Georgia-Pacific in 1996. The existing facility has been operating in Nolan County since the 1950s. Over the last year, Georgia-Pacific has also invested approximately $16 million in technical and safety upgrades at the plant, including an Energy Optimization System, auto-guided vehicles, an automated robotic riser system, auto-splicing equipment and upgraded packaging equipment. The company also upgraded its employee facilities.

Georgia-Pacific has invested more than $735 million into its Texas facilities since 2013. Georgia-Pacific has approximately 2,520 employees in Texas and operates 10 facilities that produce plywood, lumber, particleboard, gypsum and corrugated products.

“The Sweetwater community, Nolan County and the state of Texas place a focus on and invest in the manufacturing workforce,” Neal said. “We chose to make this investment in Nolan County because we believe a strong talent pipeline is key to the success of Georgia-Pacific and the surrounding communities.”

Georgia-Pacific is also committed to giving back in meaningful ways to the communities in which employees work and live. Georgia-Pacific recently invested $200,000 into the Sweetwater Independent School District’s Career & Technical Education program. Georgia-Pacific has also invested an additional $100,000 into other organizations in the area, including the all-inclusive park at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital and the Sweetwater Fire Department.

See the new facility here.

Georgia-Pacific offers a wide array of interior and exterior products designed to provide the highest level of performance in the most challenging commercial and residential applications. Since 1965, Georgia-Pacific has developed the highest quality gypsum building products in the industry. The company operates 12 gypsum wallboard facilities throughout the U.S. Click here to learn more about Georgia-Pacific’s Building Products business.

Silica Dust & Silicosis Safety

Silica is a mineral found in many common products and fine silica dust particles can penetrate the lungs, leading to a variety of health complications, such as COPD, lung cancer and more. Certain occupations, such as construction workers, masons and more, are the most at risk for exposure due to their use of products containing silica dust.

ConsumerNotice.org recently created a guide to silica dust to help educate others on the risks, where they can be found and more. The organization also created a guide on silicosis, a lung disease caused by silica dust exposure.