Alchatek Blog

Frosted Flakes could be more relevant to your project management than you may think. 

In the USA Today on April 26^th, Paul Davidson writes, “If you see prices creeping higher for everything from cereal to socks in the next few months, you can probably blame this stark reality: There aren’t enough truck drivers delivering the goods to stores.”

The same article reports a driver shortage of almost 60,000 in 2018, with that number almost doubling by 2022.  The causes of this phenomenon are attributed to several factors.  Tighter regulation and electronic tracking of fleets regarding their road time and breaks, Baby Boomers comfortable with cross-country treks and weeks away from family retiring, and Millennials uninterested in this career path are some of the theories.  In addition to this, many fleets are considering automated driver technologies that further decrease the demand and resulting training programs, budgets, and overall relevance. 

Adding to the dilemma is that large mainstream retailers such as Amazon and Wal-Mart are able to absorb a portion of these costs for commoditized goods through economies of scale. What this means for other resellers is incremental increases in prices that could soon leave them uncompetitive at the register. 

In the building products industry, these effects could be much more pronounced.  Order and deliveries often involve specialty production and delivery considerations.  We certainly don’t represent the Frosted Flakes of the world.  In the world Alchemy-Spetec operates, we would be more analogous to an artisan baker producing specialty products to serve a specific need.  Shipping and handling does play a role in this price point. 

The importance of distribution could once again rise to the forefront in the coming years.  While there is an industry trend to stock less, and drop-ship more, the shipping industry could play a much larger role in the building products vertical. So, next time you are walking through the isles at your local market, pay close attention to the price of those Oreos, and consider what that very trend could mean on your job site.  Your children may have a very valid argument that it’s a good idea to stock up. 

For information on Alchemy-Spetec’s Stocking Distributor program, please contact your Regional Manager available at the contact map linked here.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

If you sample Spetec PUR HighFoamer now...you’ll be one step closer to the cutting edge of the chemical grouting industry.  Several suppliers offer water-reactive injection resins, and often the differences in cell structure and physical properties are not easily identified.  But this product is different.  Call 404-618-0438 to order a sample now and find out for yourself!

In addition, we all know that high quality tech support makes a huge difference in this industry. 

Alchemy-Spetec's support staff enjoys the challenge of difficult problems.  We often ask our prospective customers to let us assist with their most challenging applications first.  If you’ve had problems with any chemical grouting jobs in the past, or have been underwhelmed by another manufacturer’s tech support, please present these challenges to us right now.  We're standing by and ready!

Alchemy-Spetec has the most experienced team in the US market for chemical grouting leak seal applications.  Contact us today to see how our expert team and cutting edge products, like Spetec PUR HighFoamer, can make a difference for your bottom line!

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal solutions?

Spetec PUR HighFoamer is derived from a proven Belgian formulation.  Due to the manufacturing efforts of Alchemy-Spetec, Spetec PUR HighFoamer is now proudly made in the United States. 

Click here to find your Regional Sales Manager now!

Your regional manager will be able to point you in the direction of the nearest local stocking distributor.  Feel free to call Alchemy-Spetec at 404-618-0438 for free liquid samples if you want to see this product in action!  We also offer the best phone and on-site tech support in the industry. 

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal solutions?

Spetec PUR HighFoamer injection resin comes in a 5 gallon pail of base resin, and a separate 0.5 gallon can of Spetec GEN ACC Accelerator.  Use the Reaction Times Chart in the Technical Data section of the Spetec PUR HighFoamer datasheet to mix the accelerator for your desired reaction time. 

The threshold of mixing enough and mixing too much can be thin.  If you do not mix the accelerator enough, you will have inconsistencies of reactants, causing fluctuations in reaction time and performance in a single batch.  Mix too much, and you can introduce excessive ambient moisture creating a hyper-reactive batch that sets up in the pumps, hoses, and/or in unintended areas of the substrate. 

Reaction Times Chart

A good mix is a thorough paddle mixing of 1-2 minutes at low speeds to avoid splashing of resin during mixing.  It is always good practice to mix a couple of cup tests prior to filling pump hoppers to ensure consistency in mix and performance.  Clearly label cup tests with date, temperature, time of day, and reaction time for QC managers or compliance personnel.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal solutions?

If you’re in the chemical grouting industry, you have undoubtedly seen expanding polyurethane foams reacted in cups at tradeshows, trainings, and presentations.  When these water-activated polyurethanes come in contact with moisture, a polymerization reaction is initiated, which caused a large expansion of the cured polyurethane.  But not all foams are created equal. 

Spetec PUR HighFoamer polyurethane grout expands 40x the original liquid volume.  For high water flow scenarios, or large void filling, Spetec HighFoamer features industry-leading expansion rates which can be initiated in as little as 6 sec. with the addition of 10% accelerator.  This unique combination of reaction time and expansion can cut off even them most sever water infiltration issues seen on any construction site.  

The extreme high expansive nature of Spetec HighFoamer is a must see for all chemical grouting contractors performing the following work:

• Water cut-off of large flow and high-pressure water leaks.
• Stabilization and water cut-off of large cracks, voids and gravel layers.
• Pre and post injections in mines, tunnels, pipe jacking, drill & blast and TBM applications.
• Injections in combination with cement-based grout.
• Crack and gravel layer injections in concrete structures.
• Soil stabilization and anchors in porous geology.
• Water cut-off of sewer water leaks and sewer stabilization.
• Probe Grouting for below grade pipes.
• Filling of voids.

The HighFoamer injection resin is suitable for all single component injection equipment including electric airless pumps, drill-operated pumps, and larger pneumatic piston pumps.  

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec leak seal solutions?

At Alchemy-Spetec, we truly believe our differentiating value lies in the technical expertise of our people. Along those lines, we would like to introduce our Independent Manufacturer’s Representative based in Houston, TX, John Ziebell...

If you’re familiar with the Texas chemical grouting industry, or a member of ICRI, there is no doubt that you are well-aware of John’s technical acumen, presentation skills, and field experience. During my 12 years in the industry, I often heard engineering firms and contractors alike cite John’s technical direction as the reason they chose a particular chemical grout for their injection needs. John is a true industry icon in the US chemical grouting industry, and we are very fortunate to have him on the Alchemy-Spetec team. John’s 34 years of chemical grouting experience is an instant value-add to all of the contractors, distributors, and design professionals working with Alchemy-Spetec. 

John Ziebell, TPCCI, Bio:

John majored in Chemical Engineering at the University of Texas, from 1961 to 1965. He worked in the chemical process and protective coatings industries in Houston until 1981. In 1981 he founded a manufacturer’s representative agency, Texas Protective Coating Consultants, Inc., representing protective coating and waterproofing product manufacturers.  He sold TPCCI in 2001 and served as Vice President of Operations for Deneef Construction Chemicals, Inc until 2010. Upon retiring from Deneef, he re-acquired TPCCI. He currently has 34 years in the chemical grout industry, including manufacturing, formulation, quality control, field technical service, specification writing, consulting and third-party witness experience. He lives in Magnolia, TX with his wife Nealene.

Want to learn more about Alchemy-Spetec products?

Support. I’ve been in the chemical grouting industry for 12 years now. I have been in countless engineer presentations, distributor sales meetings, and contractor training programs during which the concept of support is thrown around rather loosely.

Alchemy-Spetec supports our industry. We have a team of Regional Managers, Independent Sales Representatives, and Field Technicians that cover the United States daily. Alchemy-Spetec team members are considered chemical grouting industry experts. There are no entry-level representatives on this team. The air fare and travel time expenditure within our company is relatively astounding.

When considering a company's commitment to support, the key issue is how much TIME a knowledgeable representative will spend with the customer to make sure they are successful. "Support" is not a cheaper price and a data sheet. Companies producing superior products, and with industry experts traveling daily, do not compete on price. Don’t get tricked by these tactics. Time is money in the construction world. When manufacturers step up and give their customers TIME, they are instantly adding value. True support cannot be quantified in a paper trail in the construction industry. Ask your suppliers HOW they support you post- sale. This is more important than any price.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Perhaps the most profound question we can all answer is our "Why". We all get up in the morning, get ready for work, and go about our day. But why do we work where we work? And, more importantly, why should our customers spend their hard-earned dollars with us? As Simon Sinak so simply states, “people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”

Any company can search for transactions. We all know the game those transactional companies play. They prospect, identify opportunity, send the me-too samples and info, and play their game on the price court. I call these accounts easy come, easy go accounts. But these aren’t brands with value cultures; these are businesses looking to make a quick buck. Sure, the P&L will always be the scoreboard of the business, but what is the revenue-generating culture, or the "Why" in your company?

In a recent relatively high-stakes situation that most managers would lose sleep over, we discussed ways to change our internal decision-making processes in one particular area. I won't get into specifics here, but in the end, we concluded that we would continue to do the exact same thing. Why? Because our existing process was ultimately better for the customer. And over any monetary consideration, that was the most important takeaway. This situation was a breath of fresh air to me personally. It revitalized my own personal "Why".

Everything is available on the internet. There are no secrets to the "What" and "How" a company operates anymore. The secret sauce is in the "Why". Of course, we’re happy to support the me-too needs of a busy contractor, but we genuinely hope that distributors and contractors have the time to see "Why" we do what we do in the chemical grouting world.

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Alchemy-Spetec is now accepting resumes to fill the position of West Regional Manager for our Geotech and Leak-Seal chemical grout product lines.

This position offers a very competitive compensation package including competitive base salary, bonus plan, benefits, 401(k), travel allowances, and expense account.

Candidates who will be considered for this role must have relevant industry experience with four year college degree and proven sales and/or management track record.

Territory will be the Western 13 states with considerable travel required.

We look forward to hearing from all interested candidates in the very near future.

Please contact Jim Spiegel at jspiegel@alchemy-spetec.com for more details on this exciting position. Join the fast-growing, technically-experienced team at Alchemy-Spetec.

Alchemy-Spetec is an equal opportunity employer.

Giving lunch and learn presentations at engineering firms can be a great way for contractors to develop relationships with engineers, get recommended for jobs, etc. But you have to do it right. Let's take a closer look...

You schedule your lunch and learn, get your lunch delivery receipt, wrestle with the inevitable obscure HDMI/VGA/laptop technical difficulty, and present to a team of design professionals on your product line. The presentation goes well, with a couple of the subject matter experts engaging with relevant project challenges and case study feedback. In all estimations, the presentation went well, you gather your sign-in sheet, business cards, and laptop, and head to your next meeting.

What was the takeaway for this lunch and learn with the team you just left? What value was added to their day? (Of course, a good lunch is always of value!) But, did they go back to their desk immediately immersed in the 15 emails they missed during the presentation, or did they walk away with a true impression of the value your company would bring to their job sites? We all like to think that our presentations are well-curated and sharp, delivering relevance and technical insight highlighting quantifiable job site benefits. But, the truth is they are sometimes not. If they were all great, we wouldn’t realize when we saw an exceptional one.

To the engineering community who may be reading this post: what were one or two of the unique aspects that stood out to you in the last exceptional lunch and learn you saw? And perhaps more importantly, what are some of the mundane items that most lunch and learns could leave on the cutting room floor? On the supplier side, I think we could all use this valuable feedback to improve our lunch and learn efforts (and those of our contractor customers). If you found this article through a link on a social media post, go back and post your replies there. If not, please call me at 404-618-0438 with your feedback, so we can further assist our contractor customers with their presentations.

To the contractors out there: would you like help finding engineers and preparing your lunch and learn presentation? Call us now at 404-618-0438 and ask for a technical consultant!

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?