Glass Block Work

Read more here

Jim Visits Laticrete

Jim visited Laticrete yesterday .... He visited and checked on Elmo.

Then we fed him lunch and "picked his brain ....!"

Jim spent some time chatting with several of our Laticrete Product Managers - Jay, Jon & our new guy, "JD"

It is incredibly important for our Product Management team to listen to what the "tile guy in the field" thinks ... and wants .. and needs ...

Feedback & comment from tile installers is incredibly important to us ....

What comments do YOU have for us ...?

My email: hbrothberg@laticrete.com
My cell phone: (203) 988-1814
My office phone: (203) 393-4620

Vietnam Last Week - New Laticrete Office

Catching up on reviewing photos from my last few weeks of travels .... OK, so this one is over a week old ...

Vietnam is a fascinating county. The people are incredibly friendly towards Americans.

While Vietnam is a "Developing County" and the population is about 87,375,000 people they consume about the same amount, the square footage of ceramic tile as the USA does ...!

Most tile is installed in a "full mortar bed" - At this time, thinset is a new & rarely used technique in Vietnam

They seem to tile just about all floors...! And many walls.

They like tile ... they like the durability of tile.


Some Online News with articles about Laticrete’s opening ceremony in Viet Nam:

http://www.baomoi.com/Info/Tap-doan-Laticrete-den-Viet-Nam/76/4552866.epi From: www.baomoi.com

http://tintuc.xalo.vn/001081336551/tap_doan_laticrete_den_viet_nam.html From www.tintuc.xalo.vn

http://dothi.net/news/vat-lieu-xay-dung/vat-lieu/2010/07/3b9af37c/ From www.dothi.net (Real estate online magazine)

http://xaluan.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=195661 From www.xaluan.com

http://www.baocongthuong.com.vn/Details/doanh-nghiep-doanh-nhan/tap-doan-laticrete-den-viet-nam/32/0/35733.star From www.baocongthuong.com.vn (The news of Viet Nam Ministry of Industry & Commercial)

http://dddn.com.vn/20100714012713624cat82/tap-doan-laticrete-den-viet-nam.htm from www.dddn.com.vn (The information portal of Enterprises in Viet Nam – English name: Enterprise’s forum )

http://www.baoxaydung.com.vn/Main.aspx?MNU=1105&Style=1&ChiTiet=24759 From www.baoxaydung.com (The official online news of Viet Nam Construction Ministry )

Jobsite Visit

I visited a Panera Bread jobsite in Newton, MA yesterday afternoon / evening. A jobsite visit and dinner with the guys.

Tile guys are working from 2 in the afternoon until 2 in the morning. This avoids the carpenters, plumbers etc walking on fresh tilework.

Installation was in progress when I arrived.

6 x 6" Metro Quarry Tile.

Laticrete HydroBan, Laticrete 252 thinset, Laticrete 1500 series grout

Craig Marcus & Crew
Tile Installations Unlimited
Rochester, NY

Lunch Cook Out Today ...!

Today we welcomed two new people to Team Laticrete - "JD" & Don.

So we had a lunch Cook Out ... Burgers, Dogs, Chips ...

Overhead Tilework

Hanging chairrails on an arch - Laticrete 255 to the rescue!

Incredible tile & stone work by
Jim Garbe
Renaissance Ceramic & Stone, Inc.
Upstate NY
rentileman@earthlink.net

The River Of Life

London-based mosaic artist Gary Drostle’s latest masterpiece commissioned by the University of Iowa

Drostle’s spectacular, 12’ x 47’ intricate porcelain and glass mosaic art mural. Inspired by the connection Iowa City and the state university both share with the Iowa River as it knifes directly through the center of each on its way to joining the Mississippi, Drostle’s concept for this mosaic mural centered on the river as the vision of well-being or a path through life, rather than just a state of being at a single moment in time.

Installed over masonry in the traditional two-step process, the River of Life is manifested with ½” and ¼” unglazed Winkelman French porcelain mosaics interspersed with Bisazza mosaic glass highlights.


Read More here

Stain Testing

SpectraLOCK "stain testing" display. Laticrete showroom in Wuxi China

Various liquids are squirted onto SpectraLOCK samples with water pistols.

Effective display of stainless grout characteristics in a tile showroom ...!

A Good Looking Swimming Pool

A Good Looking Pool Project by Jimmy Reed and his Rock Solid Tile crew

I am of course extremely proud to be associated with Jimmy & his pool projects....!

Jimmy Reed
Rock Solid Tile
www.rocksolidtile.com

Do You Promote Your Business ...?

Do you feature us, Laticrete, in your promotional efforts ...?

Chad does:

When we install tile or stone on your project with Laticrete premium mortars & grouts your tile & stone work is covered by a lifetime warranty. We use the best possible installation techniques and materials available and prefer to use Laticrete tile & stone installation products.

Laticrete products are Green and are GREENGUARD certified. Laticrete products include MicroBan to reduce mold & mildew problems.

We recommend Laticrete HydroBan waterproof membranes for all tile & stone wet area installations to prevent leaks as well as mold & mildew problems.

We recommend & feature SpectraLOCK, the “Stainless Grout” that never needs sealing.

Take a look at the Signature Tile website: www.signaturetile.net

Laticrete 125 Sound & Crack Adhesive

$5 per bag rebate

In 2008, Laticrete launched the industry’s first thin-set that passed the ANSI specification for crack isolation and reduced sound transmission - and in March 2010 the new and improved Laticrete 125 Sound & Crack Adhesive was released.

Laticrete125 Sound & Crack Adhesive is now a single component product that you just add water to and mix, spread and install tile or stone.

Laticrete125 Sound & Crack Adhesive also offers the following combination of attributes that no other thin-set can match:

Two amazing innovations – one incredible adhesive

Anti-fracture and sound protection in one simple step

Install tile faster and reduce labor costs

Sound Reduction – ΔIIC of 15 per ASTM E2179

“EXTRA HEAVY” Rating per Robinson ASTM C627

Lightweight formula – Provides Exceptional Workability

Contains 30% Post Consumer Recycled Content

What’s the benefit to you?

Very simple – there isn’t a faster easier way to get anti-fracture and sound reduction! You can eliminate the labor cost and time associated with peel & stick mats, rubber sheets or liquid and fabric systems – Laticrete 125 Sound & Crack Adhesive allows you to just mix, spread and begin setting tile!

The performance is proven and the product is backed by an available 25 Year System Warranty*.

No other company or product offers such innovation & value!

Additional product info here.

SpectraLOCK Website Updated

Visit the new SpectraLOCK website at www.spectralock.com

Name Dropper ...?

Had a lovely dinner this evening with a group of Ceramic Tile people at the Whistling Straits Barn at a Laticrete event.

Tomorrow many of the group will play some golf at the Whistling Straits course.

I'm told that in a few weeks the PGA plays here....!

A JB Tile Forum Posting

"Just finished this little splash, figured I would do a product placement pic."

Scott

My Presentation Today

Dennis - Mitch - Khoi

My presentation was in Hanoi so naturally my presentation was in Vietnamese....! I presented to a group of Architects, Consultants, Developers and Contractors.

Part of my presentation focuses on changing from the old thick bed, Portland Cement Sand bedding method to the newer, light weight, thinner thin bed adhesive mortar method for installing ceramic tile and stone.

I focused on changing from Jobsite prepared PC / sand bedding mortars to factory manufactured, tightly quality controlled thin adhesive bonding mortars for installing tile and stone.

My presentation began with a few general comments .....

Chào mừng và lời chào

Thế giới đang thay đổi

Xây dựng công nghệ đang thay đổi

Vật liệu xây dựng và phương pháp đang thay đổi.

Sons & con gái của chúng tôi sẽ không sử dụng cùng một phương pháp xây dựng và vật liệu mà ông nội của họ được sử dụng trong quá khứ.

The world is changing

Construction technologies are changing

Construction materials and methods are changing.

Our Sons & Daughters will not use the same construction methods and materials that their grandfather used in the past.

Today building are taller, lighter in weight and are constructed faster than buildings in the past.

Today we discuss new construction materials and methods.

Today we discuss the thinbed method of installing tile. A method of using 3 to 9mm of adhesive mortar for bonding tile rather than the 25 to 50 mm of Portland Cement / Sand Mortars that our fathers used.

Hôm nay xây dựng được cao hơn, nhẹ hơn về trọng lượng và được xây dựng nhanh hơn so với các tòa nhà trong quá khứ.

Hôm nay chúng ta thảo luận về vật liệu xây dựng mới và phương pháp.

Hôm nay chúng ta thảo luận về phương pháp thinbed cài đặt ngói. Một phương pháp sử dụng 3 đến 9mm của vữa kết dính cho ngói liên kết hơn là 25-50 mm của Xi măng Portland / Sand cối rằng cha của chúng tôi sử dụng.

A Good Looking Pool

Jimmy Reed and his Rock Solid Tile team do great looking swimming pools

Jimmy Read

www.rocksolidtile.com

Laticrete Showroom Opens in Wuxi

Bill Qiu the GM of Laticrete China took part in the ribbon cutting today at the new Laticrete retail showroom in Wuxi, China

The grand opening ceremony began with speeches and was concluded with a formal ribbon cutting and traditional Chinese fireworks!

The Top Of Australia

July trip to Cape York, 2nd from right is Jason Wyllie from Wyllie Tiles in Tasmania one of Laticrete's longest and best clients.

Great trip by all, 4 motor bikes and 2 four wheel drives, 14 days of dirt, dust, river crossings and crocodiles.

Graeme Wall

Laticrete Pty Ltd ( Australia )

PH: 03 9933 6111

Fax: 03 9933 6199

Mob: 0418 943 097

www.laticrete.com.au

gwall@laticrete.com.au

Traveling This Week

Dinner with the Laticrete Beijing China Sales Team after a day of Sales Meetings & Training.

Can you find me in the photo ....?

Helper In A Bag, Part 2

Jim sez:

"This just needs to get posted every once in a while..... just because."

Tile Guy At Work

Need tilework done in East Texas ...?

Call this guy ....!

L. T. Chong
T & C Tile
Point, TX
(903) 951-8312
www.tandctile.net

A Few Words From A Tile Guy

Henry,

Love my Laticrete 252 !!!! 2 pallets of 3!

Craig Marcus
Tile Installations Unlimited
Rochester, NY 14622
(585)734-6644

Training ... And On Site Jobsite Visits

The Ho - Chunk Nations Casino just north of Madison, WI


I received an email from one of our Laticrete distributors:

"Gentleman,

I wanted to number one thank Eric, Todd, and Jeff ( with the rest of the presentation group ), for the outstanding seminars and on hands training we were invited to in Indianapolis May 19 - 21. The time spent was one of the most informative and well organized manufacturer events I have attended. I will certainly not hesitate to send our other sales people or contractors in the future.

I have included a few photos of a project we have just completed at the Ho - Chunk Nations Casino just north of Madison, WI. The project is the main entrance / atrium of the hotel and casino, about 22,000 sf. All the setting materials were Laticrete products, including Laticrete #125, SpectraLOCK, and Latisil.

The installation was a textbook example of how to make sure the installers were comfortable with several products they may not have been totally use to working with on a day to day basis. Before the project began we hosted a training seminar for approximately 60 installers showcasing the new Laticrete #125, SpectraLOCK IG, and 4-XLT.

This event included the crews working at Ho - Chunk. Todd Bartosz and Jeff Kimmerling made a presentation that was factual, concise, and still comfortable and hands on for the installers, ( not an easy task ). The training did not end there. Todd made sure that he attended the phases where the crews at Ho - Chunk began using Laticrete on site, including a trip that required him to be on site at 4:00 am on a Sunday.

We as a company , and especially me as an Outside Sales Manager, appreciate the quality of the Laticrete products and regional representation. These examples make it a pleasure to be partners with Laticrete on a daily basis.

Again, thank you for your efforts. Have a great weekend."

--
Rich Salter
Manager - Outside Sales
21st Century Tile
Butler, WI. 53007
rs21stctile@gmail.com
Cell (608) 333-4149
Customer Service (262) 790-8456
Fax (262) 790-8456
www.21stcenturytile.com

A Laticrete Guy & His Commitment To "Doing Good"

I am .... asking for your help! I am looking to "raise the bar" on fund raising and would love to have you ...... support my cause.

In approximately four weeks I will be riding across the state of Massachusetts in the 2010 Pan Massachusetts Challenge (PMC). This 190 mile bike ride, over 2 days, is a fundraising effort to support cancer research on behalf of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA.

This will be the longest journey on a bike I have taken, yet will not compare to the challenge many of our friends and families face fighting cancer.

I will be riding as part of "Team Dragonfly", in honor of our friend Jen Haan, who lost her fight to Sarcoma at the age of 39. Jen left behind a husband, four young children and was an amazing women. I will also be riding to support those fighting cancer today, especially a good friend, Tom, who is in the midst of the battle and Tommy Joffrion, who is 4 years old and suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a cancer that starts inside the bone marrow. He is
currently being treated at the Dana Farber and is awaiting a bone marrow and/or stem cell transplant. I am sure we each have our own stories to tell of friends suffering from this disease. Please let me know and I will attach their names to my jersey during the ride.

I am writing today in hopes that you will join me in this fight. The PMC gives 100% of the funds raised directly to cancer research and treatment. My goal is to raise $15,000 and I am asking for your help.

Our efforts and your support will help ease the burden of families that have to endure this hardship and will get us closer to reaching our goal. We train and ride with thousands of special people in mind and hope in our hearts.

You can donate by clicking on this direct link:
http://www.pmc.org/profile/PM0182

Or

Mailing a check made out to the "PMC" to my home address:

Peter McKeon
11 Alcott Street
Acton, MA 01720

I will ride, but I do need your help to reach the ultimate goal - a world without cancer! Thank you in advance for your support!

Peter McKeon
Laticrete Regional Sales Manager
pfmckeon@laticrete.com
Cell: +1.617.799.2986
Fax. +1.978.635.1738

Laticrete iPhone App Goes International

The Home page of the Laticrete Norway website - http://www.laticrete.no – features the new Laticrete iPhone App …!

Why A Tile Contractor Should Wear A SpectraLOCK T Shirt

Tee Shirts = Sales

Today we started a new marble bathroom. While talking with the customer and getting the latest changes settled, she got a shocked look on her face. Then she said:

"I had heard a lot about Spectralock, but had forgotten the name. I'm gonna guess you know about the grout and we can switch to it for this job"

200 more sf / 3 full units and a happier customer just for wearing the right tee shirt to work today.

Paul Luccia
CabotAndRowe.com

Laticrete 4-XLT At Work

12" x 12" Travertine being installed with Laticrete 4-XLT.

Laticrete 4-XLT is a multi-use, polymer fortified adhesive mortar offering tremendous utility including non-sag wall installations, medium bed build up of up to 3/4" (19 mm) and thin-set applications on floors.

Read more regarding Laticrete 4-XLT here and here.

Photo courtesy of:
L.T. Chong
T & C Tile
Point, TX

Hot Weather ... and Tilework

In many parts of North America hot weather is upon us!

This can create a range of tile & stone installation issues, problems & challenges.

For information on installing tile & stone in hot weather conditions click here to read Laticrete Tech Data Sheet 176 – “Hot Weather and Laticrete”. This document provides helpful tips on installing tile and stone in hot weather conditions with Laticrete ... and other brands of installation materials - grouts, thinsets, etc ...

Click here to access a library of Laticrete Technical Data Sheets.

Contact Laticrete Technical Services with specific questions or concerns that you may have when tiling in high heat conditions:

+1 203 393-0010 ext 235
+1 800 243-4788 ext 235

technicalservices@laticrete.com

What Do Laticrete Reps Do When On Vacation ?

"While we were on vacation my family asked if we could stop by the plant and see “Laticrete, where daddy works.” They got to meet everyone there and see the plant, training room, offices and docks. The Laticrete sign on the tower was a big hit but I think the helmets were the highlight. Kylee (9), Hailey (5) and Cody (3) at Laticrete Indianapolis in the attached photos. Just thought I’d share."

Brian T. Cotterman
Technical Sales Representative
Laticrete International
(800) 243-4788 ext. 585
(C) (203) 671-3851

btcotterman@laticrete.com

Fireball USA

What do Laticrete people do in their free time….?

Check out http://www.fireballtablesoccer.com/joomla15/news.html

It is kind of cool. It doesn’t really tell all the results, but I took second in all 3 events that I played in. Losing to one or two of the top 5 ranked players in the world.

Second in Open Singles
Second in Open Doubles
Second in Open Draw

When I was talking to Tony Spredeman ( #2 in the world ) and telling him about how much of a bummer it was to come in second in all 3 events he said, “yeah but you have a 'REAL JOB.'. Unlike us, where, this is our job”. Lol

Thanks,
JJK

Jeffrey J. Kimmerling
Contractor Sales Representative