BuildBlock featured on Designing Spaces
OKLAHOMA CITY – BuildBlock Building Systems, an Oklahoma City based manufacturer of insulating concrete forms, was featured recently on the nationally-syndicated show Designing Spaces.
The segment highlights benefits of BuildBlock insulating concrete form construction including resistance to tornados, hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes. Other highlighted benefits include safety, energy efficiency, value of the structure and increased comfort.
Projects currently under construction, as well as completed homes, were featured during the segment. Arizona resident Gary Fetters discussed his experience of living in a BuildBlock insulating concrete form home and the advantages he’s seen as a result.
BuildBlock insulating concrete forms are hollow foam blocks that are stacked into the shape of any structure. They are constructed of expanded polystyrene, much like a white Styrofoam cup. Steel rebar is placed in the forms and then they are filled with concrete which results in a structure or home that’s more durable than traditional construction method.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to introduce BuildBlock to consumers nationwide through Designing Spaces,” said Athena Davis, BuildBlock’s director of sales and marketing.
Designing Spaces is a half-hour informative series that inspires viewers to make every space count and instructs them on the smartest ways to make their homes more beautiful and functional.
Click here to see the Designing Spaces feature on BuildBlock Building Systems.
Construction underway on Ada Early Childhood Development Center.
As many Oklahoma students prepare to hear the bells ring this school year, construction is beginning on a landmark early childhood development center in Ada, Okla.
The center, constructed of BuildBlock Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs), will serve a dual purpose when completed in 2011. Not only will it serve as an educational facility for the Ada School District, it can also serve as a community safe room in the event of inclement weather. The insulating concrete forms being erected for the facility are comprised of two 2 ½ inch expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam panels connected by eight strong, high-density plastic webs. The forms are secured with rebar and filled with concrete, providing a monolithic concrete wall that is impenetrable by tornados and hurricanes. The structure is also extremely fire resistant. The ICFs also meet today’s building codes as well as those anticipated in the future.
“We don’t get an opportunity to build a new school every day,” Ada Superintendent Pat Harrison said. “The school will be in a noisy location and ICFs provide sound mitigation that will be beneficial for our students and our staff.”
Harrison also noted that traditional building methods were not cost-effective for this project. “We will save money on labor and time savings on installing the insulated concrete forms,” he noted. “However, we will receive more significant savings through the energy efficiency proved by the insulating concrete forms.” Harrison said he was excited to learn that the district could save up to 30 percent on their utility costs by constructing the facility with insulating concrete forms.
He noted that the district currently spends approximately $70,000 annually on utilities. “We are trying to be good stewards of the tax payers’ money,” Harrison said. “Money means a lot right now, even more so than a year ago.”
Architect Don Childers said he recommended the school be constructed from insulating concrete forms for a variety of reasons including cost and safety.
“I didn’t want to recommend something that would put me out on a limb,” Childers said. “There was a tight budget, but I felt like we could accomplish this and stay within budget.”
Ada’s New Early Childhood Center is one of the largest projects in the country utilizing insulating concrete forms, encompassing more than 100,000 square feet of the product.
BuildBlock Featured Distributor: ICF Specialist, Phoenix, Arizona
I have had the wonderful opportunity this past month of spending a couple of weeks with ICF Specialist based out of Phoenix, Arizona. Gary and Rod Fetters, Owners, are the epitome of “Action Creates Reaction." For the past 5 years Gary and Rod have vigorously taken action in several different facets. They have met with Architects and Engineers to have BuildBlock spec’d on commercial and residential projects. They have also met with numerous builders, General Contractors and large corporate entities promoting BuildBlock ICFs. This year alone they have participated in 5 different trade shows and have been featured on the local Phoenix News. Arizona is one of three states that have been hit the hardest from the housing disaster. This being said, ICF Specialist continues to grow and has become one of the largest and most respected ICF companies in the Southwest.
Here are the just some of the basic principles that Gary and Rod operate their business around. Although you may see them as simple it is the mere fact that “Action Creates Reaction “
Always operate with integrity and honesty. No matter what the sacrifice may be you must understand that the long term benefits always outweigh the short term results.
Operate with respect and kindness to EVERYONE you come in contact with. Studies show that a positive experience results in 2 people being told how happy they are. In the contrary a negative experience results in 7 people being told how unhappy they are.
Know your market. You must be familiar with the other ICF manufacturers, distributors and installers in your territory. You must understand their price points along with the services they provide. Without this valuable information how do you create value in your own organization?
Diversify! Don’t be afraid to spread your wings and make a continued effort to penetrate new markets. As any new endeavor there is a learning curve. With continued action and education, you will be successful. Integrate the entire service you can provide. Sell, install, design, engineer, projects. If you do not have the ability to perform these yourselves, build relationships with people who can. This is how you create value, this is how you validate your costs.
Trust in God, he will take you places you never thought were possible
Like I had said before these are the principles ICF Specialist have built their model around. You may have different principles and tactics and we would like to know what those are. Each month I will be featuring different distributors and their success stories. If you would like to contact Gary and Rod you may contact Gary at (623)640-9770 or Rod at (623)670-0821.
Thanks Gary and Rod for all you do and the support you give. We are truly thankful to have you apart of BuildBlock's Team!
BuildBlock offers new payment option
Need to send a payment, but short on time? Use the FREE and convenient ACH process that we offer. The ACH process requires you to provide your bank routing number and checking account number for us to save in our banks secure website. Then anytime you need to pay for an order, just note it on your MY BuildBlock Sales order or give us a call. We will then verify the last 4 digits of your account number and draft the funds from your account.
Please note we will never draft your account without your permission and verifying the account number to be drafted.
BuildBlock continues to make strides in National Account Program
The BuildBlock National Account Program is continuing to make strides in getting our presence felt on a nation level. We have a couple companies we are continuing to work out the details with to get the program up and running.
The National Account program was established to help both the BuildBlock Distributor and Dealer. This program is designed to illustrate a larger national presence for BuildBlock and make the general public more aware of our ICF products and what can be accomplished by building with BuildBlock.
Questions on Why, What, and How over the National Account Program.
Why – It is time for BuildBlock to be recognized as the brand of choice for the ICF market. BuildBlock needs to build brand recognition and get the public aware of all the benefits of building with BuildBlock ICFs.
What – BuildBlock is heading in a positive direction, and when worked effectively by everyone involved it will increase revenue for both the company and our Distributors/Dealers.
How – BuildBlock will effectively work this program by the know how/expertise of our Distributors and Dealers.
New Revenue Streams for our Distributors and Dealers include:
- Commissions off sales
- Installs for the customer
- Consulting fees
- Bracing/Tool rentals
- Accessory sales
Distributors and Dealers please be patient, as we are very close to getting this program off the ground. We will be coming out with our Lowe's National Account program in the upcoming weeks.
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Three
BuildBlock Projects
have been selected
as Finalists
in the ICF
Builder Awards
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