U.S. Gypsum
Establishes New Standards for Gypsum Underlayment Contractor
Training
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| New LEVELROCK®
underlayment contractors view product mixing techniques during a recent
training session. |
The newest members
of the growing ranks of trained LEVELROCK® Brand Floor Underlayment contractors
graduated recently from United States Gypsum Company's "underlayment
university" - an intensive 2-1/2 days of classroom and hands-on training held
at the company's Research and Technology Center, in Libertyville, Ill.
LEVELROCK Brand Floor Underlayment, from U.S. Gypsum Company's
Industrial Products Division, is the fastest-growing gypsum underlayment
product on the market. It now accounts for more than 10 percent of the gypsum
underlayments installed in the U.S. - an impressive figure for a product that
was introduced only two years ago.
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| LEVELROCK contractors
review quality control testing procedures. |
Fifteen contractors from eight
companies participated in the most recent LEVELROCK Brand underlayment training program.
There are currently a total of 45 trained LEVELROCK contractor businesses nationwide.
"The LEVELROCK underlayment business is growing quickly
because we're able to offer developers, specifiers and building owners a higher
product strength range, superior flowability and better quality control than
competing product lines," said Ray Kaligian, director of marketing for U.S.
Gypsum Company's Industrial Products Division.
Contractor training is a
key component behind the product's success.
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| Ben Allen (right) of
ALCORP Marketing demonstrates proper screeding techniques. |
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| Classroom sessions cover
everything from the composition of gypsum to business management
practices. |
"It's critical that all
LEVELROCK Brand underlayment applicators learn the USG methods for
application," said Kaligian. "We've developed a unique set of standards and
application procedures that are designed to deliver the highest-quality results
on every type of job. That's why even experienced gypsum underlayment
contractors must undergo re-training before taking on any LEVELROCK projects."
"While we manufacture LEVELROCK underlayments to meet the highest
quality performance standards, we recognized that the contractor plays a key
role in how well the product will ultimately perform," added marketing manager
Dennis Socha. "That's why we place such a high emphasis on our applicator
training programs."
U.S. Gypsum's underlayment training sessions cover
everything from the chemical composition of gypsum to product mixing quality
procedures; from product application to business management practices.
"Anyone who is familiar with the gypsum underlayment business knows that there
are contractors out there who don't always follow the best technical procedures
during applications," said Ben Allen, president of ALCORP Marketing, Inc., a
Keller, Tex.-based business that provides technical consulting for LEVELROCK
Brand underlayment contractors.
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| Contractors learned about
new LEVELROCK Brand PROFLOW, which can be decorated and used as a finished
floor surface. |
"However, U.S. Gypsum
has made it a priority to change all that," Allen added. "I've been in the
gypsum underlayment business for years and I can categorically state that
LEVELROCK applicators are the best-trained contractors in the business - hands
down."
The LEVELROCK underlayment training program is open to qualified
contractors. "We work with a wide range of businesses, from experienced
flooring contractors to drywall contractors looking for new growth
opportunities," said Kaligian.
For more information about the training
program, contact U.S. Gypsum Company's Industrial Products Division at 125 S.
Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60606, or call 1-800-487-4431.
United States
Gypsum Company's Industrial Products Division is a leading producer and
marketer of a wide range of industrial products used in plastics, coatings,
tooling, construction, agricultural, pharmaceuticals, food processing,
statuary, ceramics, road repair and other applications.
United States
Gypsum Company is a subsidiary of USG Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with
subsidiaries that are market leaders in their key product groups: gypsum
wallboard, joint compound and related gypsum products; cement board; gypsum
fiber panels; ceiling tile and grid; and building products distribution.
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