Alchatek Blog

Last week we were happy to host over 30 participants at our Fall 2019 Leak Seal & Geotech Training event.  We enjoyed meeting everyone, learning about their experiences in the field, and sharing info about our products and application procedures.  

Wednesday, October 9th consisted of a joint exploration of polyurethane Leak Seal products and applications.  Classroom discussions were supplemented with live crack injection and permeation/curtain wall demos. Participants were also given the chance to mix products with accelerator on their own and watch the products set up in real time. The day was rounded out with discussions on estimating the cost of material and a look a few case studies.  The night was capped off with pizza and beer at a local brewhouse here in Tucker, GA.  (Unfortunately, for local Braves fans, their historic playoff meltdown was unfolding on the bar's TV screens at the time.)

Thursday, October 10th was all about polyurethane Geotech products and applications. Classroom presentations on lifting, soil stabilization and void fill were supplemented with live lifting and equipment demos. Product mixing workshops and estimating discussions filled out the afternoon.  The day was wrapped up with a look at ground penetrating radar and a case study presentation on a job that required both Leak Seal and Geotech solutions.

We very much appreciate everyone who attended and look forward to the Spring 2020 Training event.

Want to be alerted when Spring 2020 training registration is available?

The Custom Animation Process

Attention Alchemy-Spetec customers!  While we still offer you the use of our Leak Seal, Soil Stabilization, Slab Lift and Deep Lift animations, we are now also offering custom animation services in order to assist you with your marketing efforts.  Work with us to create a new and original animation in a similar style to those linked above, but specifically created for YOUR company.  For the sake of clarity, here's a thorough explanation of the process...

Part 1 - Get a Price Quote

1. We will send you a questionnaire about the services you want to advertise.
2. Our animation team will review your answers to come up with a visual concept and estimated running time.
3. We'll then schedule a strategy call with you to work out the remaining details.
4. After the call, we'll create a price quote for you.
5. You would pay 50% down with 50% due prior to delivery of final video.

Part 2 - Approve Each Stage of the Production

Our Production Process is carefully designed and well defined to deliver a high-quality animation.  Once we complete a step to your satisfaction, you give us written approval to move to the next step. This will maximize quality and complete your video within the agreed budget.

Scripting: 

A professional writer produces a script for feedback, and revisions are made until you approve final version of the script.

Storyboard:

1. Our animation team will use the approved script and visual concept to produce a scene-by-scene black and white storyboard. We will review with you and make revisions until you are satisfied.
2. After storyboard approval, we will provide color illustrations for final approval.
3. We record your script with professional voiceover talent. You can make up to two minor revisions of the voiceover track.

It is critically important to understand and agree that all major revisions must be made before animation begins in order to avoid additional charges.

Animation:

1. Our team creates the animation using your approved storyboard and voiceover.
2. Only minimal changes are allowed at this stage (and only if absolutely necessary).
3. We deliver a preview and can provide up to 3 revisions of the following:
   • Adjust where animation action isn’t matched to the voiceover
   • Adjust animation effects and timing
   • Sound revisions to audio quality, volume, sound effects
4. Any revisions to the actual animation or voiceover at this point will incur additional costs. We will estimate these costs based on the amount of content that needs to be changed.

Project Timeline:

Developing and creating a professionally produced video takes time. Plan on eight to twelve weeks from our questionnaire phase to delivery. Of course, staying on schedule depends timely feedback from you. It’s critical that all decision makers agree and provide written authorization at every stage.

Please Note:

Animations will feature this “Powered by Alchemy-Spetec” logo.

How to Get Started

If you already have an account with Alchemy-Spetec or one of our distributors, the next step is to click the button below and sign up for a brief phone consultation. We’ll provide more info on pricing rates and answer any other questions you have. (If you have not already signed a Marketing Materials Agreement, please be prepared to discuss that as well.)

Want to schedule a brief phone consultation?

Alchemy-Spetec is offers a customized version of the popular Estimate Rocket invoicing, client management and CRM tool for contractors.  The custom version includes material estimating calculators for Alchemy-Spetec geotech polyurethanes.  These calculators make it easy to figure out the amount of material you'll need for any given job.  Sign up now via this Alchemy-Spetec link to get the customized version!  (Visiting the Estimate Rocket site in any manner aside from the links we provide will get you the generic, non-customized version.)

Paperless Workflow

Creating impressive proposals has never been easier with Estimate Rocket’s easy-to-use business templates. Leave a lasting impression with professional paperless estimates and invoices you can create and deliver to clients in seconds. 

Job & Client Management

Keep your clients most important information organized and at your fingertips 24/7. The system automatically saves and organizes current and previous jobs, contact information, notes, and more.

Powerful CRM Tools

Stay connected with customer relationship management tools that keep you more responsive than ever before. Automated reminders and appointment scheduling let you know when to take action. Automated Follow-Ups stay in touch with your customers automatically.

Team Collaboration

Bring your entire team with an easy to use web-portal where crews can view appointments, field estimators can build estimates, and accountants can send out invoices.

Financial Reports

View up to the minute reports and know exactly where every job stands. Advanced reporting gives greater depth with detailed job statistics. Easily export to QuickBooks or other accounting software that imports CSV files.

Access on Any Device

Whether you’re on site with a customer or back in the office, you always have complete access to all features. Estimate Rocket works on Mac, PC, iOS, Android, Blackberry and any other web-enabled device.

AS Material Estimation Calculators

As mentioned previously, the Alchemy-Spetec customized version of Estimate Rocket features AS geotech material estimation calculators built in!

• Sealing cracks in concrete structures through pressure injection.
• Sealing hairline cracks, expansion joints, wide cracks, pipe joints, pipe penetrations.
• Saturating dry oakum to create a flexible gasket for sealing pipe penetrations, joints and larger defects in concrete structures.

If you’re unfamiliar with the terms hydrophobic and hydrophilic, please read the blog post Hydrophobic vs Hydrophilic Polyurethanes.  In that post we clearly explain the differences between the two types of leak seal resins…

Hydrophobic Polyurethanes:

Hydrophobic polyurethanes naturally repel water (similar to the way oil would repel water and stay separate if you were trying to mix them in a glass).  These products push water out of the area in question as they expand.  Hydrophobics are used with catalysts which allow you to adjust the set time.  They also have zero shrinkage after curing.

Hydrophilic Polyurethanes:

Hydrophilic polyurethanes naturally mix with water before curing (similar to the way gin and tonic mix thoroughly in a glass).  This characteristic allows for a very strong chemical and mechanical bond, as water helps pull the material into the pores of the concrete.  These products do not require a catalyst.  You can pump them straight out of the pail.

Click this link, Injection Grouting – Hydrophilic & Hydrophobic, to view a PDF of the specification.  It thoroughly documents the installation process for these two types of products (in our case, the hydrophilic Spetec PUR GT500 and the hydrophobic Spetec PUR F400).  These are both flexible polyurethanes.  For a copy of the specification in Microsoft Word format, please call Alchemy-Spetec at 404-618-0438.

For more Alchemy-Spetec specifications, scroll to the bottom of the Alchemy-Spetec Downloads Page. 

Would you like to speak to an Alchemy-Spetec consultant regarding specifications?

Alchemy-Spetec is pleased to announce that our VP of Sales and Business Development, Jim Spiegel, recently completed Tier 1 of ICRI's Concrete Repair Technician Program.  As the industry leaders in technical support for contractors, distributors, and engineers, we pride ourselves in a company culture that encourages ongoing technical training for employees and executives. 

More on the ICRI Concrete Repair Technician Certification Program from ICRI website...

This online certification program was developed based on industry demand and...outlines repair inspector qualifications for the inspection of concrete repairs, and designates an individual who has been certified as an ICRI Concrete Surface Repair Technician, as a qualified inspector.

The Concrete Surface Repair Technician Certification Program is a competency-based program using current best practices for online training and evaluation. The Educational component is presented and tested online while the Performance component is tested both online through a knowledge exam and assessed by observable criteria (video submission or live recorded).

Tier 1 only applicants are those who may not be regularly engaged in concrete surface repair inspection and testing, yet have an active interest in learning more about the inspection and tests, be introduced to types of concrete deterioration, understand the requirements for a quality concrete surface repair, be aware of repair materials and methods, and be qualified to perform pre and post-placement inspections and testing.

Learn more about the ICRI Concrete Repair Technician Certification Program...

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

It's important every now and then to take a look at what's popular on the Alchemy-Spetec blog.  Topics that are important to other customers may be important to you.  Our 3 most popular blog posts in the last 30 days are:

• Hydrophobic vs Hydrophilic: Polyurethanes
• Stop Erosion Through Your Seawall with Polyurethane
• An In-Depth Look at Polyurethane Seawall Repair

The Hydrophobic vs Hydrophilic post always been popular.  It's critical to understand the difference between hydrophobic and hydrophilic resins if you want to choose the right product for the job at hand.  The other two top performers in the last 30 days are seawall repair articles.  That's no surprise as we are smack-dab in the middle of the summer season.  People are more likely to be spending time in the water around their property and noticing seawall issues.  If you're contractor, refresh your seawall repair knowledge by reading those articles!  If you're a property owner with a seawall issue, read those articles to educate yourself and then call us to help you find a contractor!

In addition to checking out those three currently popular posts, you can browse all our posts by topic:

• Seal Leaks (125)
• Lift Slabs (112)
• Stabilize Soil (71)
• Business Tips (66)
• Equipment & Accessories (45)
• Repair Seawalls (30)
• Waterstop (23)
• Deep Lift (18)
• Repair Cracks (14)
• NSF Certification (13)
• Floor Repair (9)
• Fill Voids (1)

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products?

Alchemy-Spetec is pleased to announce a customized version of the popular Estimate Rocket invoicing, client management and CRM tool for contractors.  The custom version includes material estimating calculators for Alchemy-Spetec geotech polyurethanes.  These calculators make it easy to figure out the amount of material you'll need for any given job.  Sign up now via this Alchemy-Spetec link to get the customized version!  (Visiting the Estimate Rocket site in any manner aside from the links we provide will get you the generic, non-customized version.)

Paperless Workflow

Creating impressive proposals has never been easier with Estimate Rocket’s easy-to-use business templates. Leave a lasting impression with professional paperless estimates and invoices you can create and deliver to clients in seconds. 

Job & Client Management

Keep your clients most important information organized and at your fingertips 24/7. The system automatically saves and organizes current and previous jobs, contact information, notes, and more.

Powerful CRM Tools

Stay connected with customer relationship management tools that keep you more responsive than ever before. Automated reminders and appointment scheduling let you know when to take action. Automated Follow-Ups stay in touch with your customers automatically.

Team Collaboration

Bring your entire team with an easy to use web-portal where crews can view appointments, field estimators can build estimates, and accountants can send out invoices.

Financial Reports

View up to the minute reports and know exactly where every job stands. Advanced reporting gives greater depth with detailed job statistics. Easily export to QuickBooks or other accounting software that imports CSV files.

Access on Any Device

Whether you’re on site with a customer or back in the office, you always have complete access to all features. Estimate Rocket works on Mac, PC, iOS, Android, Blackberry and any other web-enabled device.

AS Material Estimation Calculators

As mentioned previously, the Alchemy-Spetec customized version of Estimate Rocket features AS geotech material estimation calculators built in!

The Never-Ending Story

Over the last few years I have heard different versions of this story over and over again. It is usually shared at our weekly company-wide meeting. "So and so switched from the competition because they couldn't get the technical support they needed. A contractor I am working with had too many call-backs on his jobs because the foam from their previous supplier wasn't holding up after installation. My new customer said the equipment they bought from Company X is unreliable and frustrating to use." The list goes on.

Investment Brings Profit

The one thing all these new Alchemy-Spetec customers tend to have in common is that they started out trying to cut corners on material and equipment costs. They initially tried buying from the low price leaders in the industry, only to discover the hard way that you get what you pay for. Finally motivated to pay for quality, they are now enjoying maximum efficiency on the job with reliable equipment and durable high-strength polyurethane foam. Many new customers also express appreciation for the continued tech support and marketing assistance they recieve from Alchemy-Spetec. It's a big contrast from the "thanks for the check, we'll see ya' later" approach that many manufacturers have. The irony in all this is that the added value of top quality foam, equipment, tech support and marketing assistance more than makes up for the price difference. These new customers are turbo-charging their business with a new level of efficiency and productivity. It's actually fun to watch and gratifying to hear the feedback.

If you're one of those reformed bargain seekers checking out our site because you initially "got what you paid for", call us today at 404-618-0438 and let's discuss turbo-charging YOUR business!

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec slab lifting products?

On April 1st, Alchemy-Spetec had the honor of presenting Paul "Captain Grout" Layman with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished career in the construction chemical industry. The award was presented during a dinner at the Harraseekat Inn restaurant in Freeport, Maine (where Paul now resides). Jim Spiegel joined Paul and his wife and a few close friends for the ceremonial presentation of the award. With some of his closest lifetime friends in attendance, it was a fitting occasion to share reflective stories and laughs from those who know Paul best.

As most in the chemical grouting industry know, there are few as experienced, or memorable, as Captain Grout. Paul spent most of his career in the Pacific Northwest serving sales and field support needs throughout the US West Coast, and Western Canada. He provided innovative and successful chemical grouting solutions to hundreds of municipalities, government agencies, and contractors. Without a doubt, Paul’s most valuable quality to clients was offering his industry-leading hands-on expertise to provide contractors new service offerings. No two chemical grouting jobs are the same, but Captain Grout was able to navigate these challenges with relative ease.

“For 14 years, I have known Captain Grout as a competitor, and as a teammate, and from experience, it is much more enjoyable working with him than against him. His technical expertise and unique personality made him a true industry force. We wish him all the best in retirement, and hope to carry his torch in the industry for years to come.”

]Jim Spiegel
VP of Sales & Business Development
Alchemy-Spetec

Want more info on Alchemy-Spetec products?

As the Marketing Director at Alchemy-Spetec, one of the most common questions I get from contractors is how to get leads for jobs.  Since it’s in OUR interest for YOU to get as many leads as possible, we’ve put a lot of thought into that question.  In addition to the technical tips we share in the majority of our blog posts, we try to include business and marketing tips on occasion in order to help you find those leads.  This article is about a marketing method that we’ve found extremely helpful – blogging.  We know it works from our own experience and in this post, I’ll explain how you can promote your contracting business with a blog. 

Cast a Wide Net with Lots of Posts

The more pages you have on your website, the more chances there are for someone to find it when searching a specific phrase or term.  Search engines are scanning your page names, heading text and page text when someone searches a term to see if there are any matches.  So, it’s in your best interest to have as many pages full of relevant content as you can.  A blog is the perfect way to accomplish that goal. 

Say, for example, that you are a slab lifting contractor in San Pedro, California.  You can write up case studies of jobs you’ve performed in your area.  Make sure your blog titles include terms people will likely search for.  For example, a post about a warehouse floor job could be titled, “Warehouse Floor Slab Lift in San Pedro”.   You get the idea, right? 

Share Your Knowledge and Build Trust 

You can also use a blog as way to share your knowledge and experience with potential customers who are looking for answers.  Take some time to consider all that you’ve learned over the years and jot down ideas for blog posts that potential customers may find helpful.  In addition to case studies, you can write posts instructing people how to spot problems on their property, comparing your repair costs to the costs of replacing a structure, educating people about the materials you use, etc. 

You can get quite a few ideas by browsing the posts in our blog.  While our articles are aimed more at contractors than property owners, you’ll still find many useful subjects to get your brainstorming started.  The more useful knowledge you share, the more trust you can build with potential customers.  People are much more likely to buy a service from a known expert, than from a complete stranger. 

Offer More Value in Exchange for Contact Info 

Driving up web traffic is a good thing.  Establishing yourself as an authority by creating useful content is also very helpful.  If you just do those two things, you should get more people calling you and filling out the contact form on your website.  But if you REALLY want to jumpstart the leads, you need to offer something of value in exchange for your reader’s contact info.  At the end of every article, include a link to a relevant brochure – or something else of value – and ask for their contact info in exchange.   For an example, see the button at the bottom of this blog post and the form that it leads to. 

The Gift That Keeps on Giving 

The great thing about a blog post with a lead capture form at the end is that, once you set it up – it’s there forever.  We still get leads from blog posts we put up years ago.  If you consistently write articles, you can create a compounding effect with more and more leads coming in each month. 

Want more contractor marketing tips?