Alchatek Blog

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

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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?

We're proud to announce that our Marketing Assistant Diamond Purvis was selected by Google to attend the Women Techmakers Summit in Atlanta tomorrow.  A description of the summit from Google follows... 

"Google strives to cultivate a wholly inclusive workplace around the globe. A key component of that vision is empowering women to pursue their dreams and build tools that change the world.

Having a diversity of perspectives and ideas leads to better decision-making, more relevant products, and makes the industry much more interesting. We believe that by creating the right environments, programs and policies, women in tech are better positioned to drive transformational change in the industry and beyond.

From Ada Lovelace to Grace Hopper (and thousands of Googlers), we're proud of the contributions women in technology make across our industry and across our company. Google supports and celebrates women in technology through numerous initiatives, including the Small Business Supplier Diversity and Accelerate with Google programs, the Google Cultural Institute, our Women Employee resource group, and more. International Women's Day is an important moment to recognize how women have influenced the tech industry and beyond.

Women Techmakers is Google's global program for women in technology. Kicked off in 2012 , Women Techmakers is now led by a global team of Googlers who are passionate about empowering women in technology through increased visibility, community, and resources."

Congratulations Diamond!

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According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the honey badger is the world's most fearless animal. With ultra-thick skin and top of the line fighting instincts, this creature is not to be messed with. It boldly goes where similar animals consistently fear to tread. 

Let's take a deep dive into why Alchemy-Spetec's smallest slab lifting system, The PolyBadger, is named after this incredible animal. As Alchemy-Spetec regional manager Andy Powell mentions in this previous blog post...

"The Alchemy-Spetec PolyBadger lifting system is tough and compact. This system is an affordable entry-level slab lifting option for new contractors, as well as an extremely portable addition to the experienced contractor’s arsenal. The PolyBadger is a lot less expensive than your standard 20-foot trailer rig. The setup is simple and requires minimal equipment. The entire system can easily fit in the back of a pickup truck!"

Like the Honey Badger, the PolyBadger lifting system is both Tough and Compact

The PolyBadger slab lifting system is durably built and designed to go where other lifting systems simply cannot venture. Here's a quick rundown...

• The PolyBadger is smaller in size than most of the competition, at 30" wide and 48" long. Now that's what you call portable!
• This is one of the few systems powered through a common 120-volt wall outlet (vs the usual 240-volt requirement). Compatibility with common wall outlets exponentially increases your location possibilities.
• Essential elements (heaters, electronics, auto calibrator) are self-contained and protected in the cabinet for extra portability.  
• The cabinet is constructed from powder coated carbon steel and the frame is constructed from carbon steel box tubing. 
• The entire system is very maneuverable, resting on two swivel and two fixed 6-inch pneumatic castor wheels.  The wheels are are filled with light weight polyurethane instead of air, so they don't go flat. 
• The hose is built to last with a Teflon core and a stainless-steel braid. The system can operate with up to 200 feet of hose.

One last very important point:

Honey badgers are also mentally tough. They've been known to build stools with rocks in order to get over walls even break through locks on food freezers! Nothing stops them! The PolyBadger system's auto calibrator provides similar qualities to keep it going through thick and thin. As Andy Powell mentions in this previous blog post...

"The genius of the PolyBadger is the auto calibrator. It keeps the flow of A-side and B-side slab lifting material on ratio, eliminating the possibility of crossover clogging in the gun or the whip hose. The two low-pressure transfer pumps and auto calibrator are literally the only moving parts in the whole system. That means less downtime, less maintenance, and more productivity on the job."

Want more information on the Alchemy-Spetec PolyBadger lifting system?

If you're not familiar with polyurethane soil stabilization, here's a basic overview excerpted from the brochure you can download at the bottom of this blog post:

Unstable soil can be defined as soil that will not stay in place on its own, and therefore requires extra support. It should be noted that unstable soil can threaten the stability, security, and safety of infrastructure and can damage, degrade, and even destroy a number of structures, such as buildings, bridges, and roads. There are a variety of factors that can cause unstable soil including erosion, poor compaction, freeze/thaw cycles and decomposition.

Soil can be stabilized with AP Soil 600, Spetec PUR H40, Spetec AG100 and Spetec AG200. Once the bearing capacity of the soil has been increased with this process, then the structure can be lifted if necessary.

For a detailed explanation of the process in a variety of settings, watch the animated video below...

Want more informaton on Alchemy-Spetec soil stabilization products?

We round out this year with a look back at some of the best blog articles from 2017.  Today's post is part two of a two-part series.  Enjoy!

It is much more convenient to buy from a distributor that can deliver product directly to your job site, as opposed to depending on a freight company to deliver it from the manufacturer.

Read more

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) gives the EPA latitude to impose criminal and civil penalties on industries not in compliance. In 2014 enforcement efforts policing clean water netted $163 million in penalties and fines, 155 combined years of incarceration for sentenced defendants, and $16 million in court-ordered project clean-ups.

Having products that may come into contact with drinking water certified to NSF 61-5 (approved for contact with drinking water), ensures compliance with the SDWA and guarantees peace of mind for stakeholders on construction projects where this could be an issue. 

Read more

One of our regional managers recently had the opportunity to train a crew on a very interesting job inside an underwater utility tunnel beneath a lock and dam in the St. Lawrence Seaway. This seaway connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. This tunnel is underneath a giant concrete deck, so the walls have taken a lot of pressure over time. 

The soil also shifts and settles underneath the tunnel as the years go by. Those factors, in addition to freeze/thaw cycles have caused cracks to appear in the walls. 

Read more

While similar in function, there is a difference between leak seal products and waterstop products. Waterstop products are designed to prevent water leaks from occurring, while leak seal products are designed to repair existing leaks.  

This article contains an overview of the following Alchemy-Spetec waterstop products:

• Spetec WT400
• Spetec ITS Kit
• Spetec SST500

Read more

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products mentioned above?

We round out this year with a look back at some of the best blog articles from 2017.  Today's post is part one of a two-part best of series.  Enjoy!

Let’s take a look at a few advantages of pursuing large industrial seawall projects over small residential projects.

These advantages include:

• Projects with Higher Budgets
• Owners with More Properties
• More Bang for Your Marketing Buck

Read more

This series of articles takes an in-depth look at crack injection and curtain wall grouting.  

Click here to read Part 1

Click here to read Part 2

Click here to read Part 3

Click here to read Part 4

In case you missed it, we're pleased to announce that we've made significant improvements to our MixMaster slab lifting gun. Our new model, the MixMaster Pro, is now available! A large part of the market is still using old sprayfoam insulation guns to do heavy concrete lifting work. Let's take a look at some of the benefits of using a gun that's custom designed for slab lifting...

Read more

Pursuing the dream of starting your own polyurethane slab lifting business is a big leap. But it's not nearly so intimidating when you're armed with the right information. In this post we cover:

• Available Slab Lifting Markets
• Marketing Your Slab Lifting Business
• Estimating Materials for a Job

Read more

Want more information on Alchemy-Spetec products mentioned above?

One thing we pride ourselves in here at Alchemy-Spetec is offering full, four wheel drive marketing support. We don't make money unless YOU do, so we're happy to help you get the word out about your concrete repair services. When talking to customers, I often hear the following question: "What's the best way to get leads for my business?" Obviously, there are many ways. One of the most effective, however, is creating content that your potential customers will find helpful. One of the best ways to do that is to start a blog. Very often I sense hesitation after I make that suggestion. Sounds like a lot of work, right? We can tell you from experience that it's worth it. Here are a few reasons why...

A blog is a great way to increase your leads. Especially if you update it frequently and use search friendly terms in your article titles. Search engines prefer websites that are consitently updated with useful content. The more articles you publish, the more you increase your chances of being found by someone searching those subjects you write about. You will also establish yourself as an authority on in your area, which makes the selling process that much easier. Make sure you request your reader’s contact info at the end of each blog post in exchange for a brochore or some other valuable download.

If you'd like tips on setting up a blog, establishing a posting schedule and getting ideas for content; give us a call at 404-618-0438.

Want more tips on marketing your contracting business?

Alchemy-Spetec will be at World of Concrete 2018 in Las Vegas. Be sure to visit us: Silver Lots - O40551. Click here for a discount on Exhibits-Only Admission.

While there's certainly lots to see and do at the concrete industry's premier trade convention, don't forget to check out some shows while you're there! To make it easy, we've done some research for you. Here's an overview of some of the best entertainment events in Vegas during World of Concrete.

Adam Sandler at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

January 27

Adam Sandler’s films have grossed more than $3 billion worldwide and include box office hits such as Grown Ups, Just Go With It, Bedtime Stories, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan and I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry. In 2014, Sandler signed a deal with Netflix to produce and star in four original movies to premiere on the streaming channel. The first three films, The Ridiculous 6, The Do-Over and Sandy Wexler, are the most-watched movies on Netflix to date.

Click here for tickets and more info...

An Intimate Evening with Santana

January 24, January 26 - 28

He's one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and now you can see Carlos Santana up close. Rock out to an evening of greatest hits live when Santana returns to the Las Vegas House of Blues.

Click here for tickets and more info...

The Eddie Griffin Experience

All Shook Up: A Tribute to the King

January 21 - 27

Elvis is definitely in the building — every night to be exact. If you love the King, you’ll love the only All-Elvis show on The Strip, featuring hits that made him the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. 

Click here for more info...

Blue Man Group

January 21 - 27

Blue Man Group will rock your world. Blow your mind. And unleash your spirit. Leave your expectations at the door and let three bald and blue men take you on a spectacular journey bursting with music, laughter and surprises. Electrify your night at the specially designed state-of-the-art Blue Man Theater at Luxor Hotel and Casino. 35 million people of all ages, languages and cultures know what Blue Man Group is really about. Now it’s your turn.

Click here for tickets and more info...

Learn more about Alchemy-Spetec products, so you're fully informed when you visit us at World of Concrete!