Polished Concrete Pioneers Launch New Training Institute to Share Knowledge, Data and Vision
For Immediate Release
Norris, TN, July 17, 2007- Concrete Polishing Technologies (CPT) founders, Brad, David and Daniel Padgett, the brothers who helped introduce the world to Dry-Polished Concrete in 1998, launch IPCI, the International Institute of Polished Concrete. Created specifically to educate architects, engineers and contractors about polished concrete, the Institute is an unparalleled resource for the new and growing industry. “The fast progression in concrete polishing technology necessitated the creation of this Institute,” says Sharon Harry, IPCI Creative Director, “It offers extensive training and industry resources, allowing members to stay on the cutting edge of this rapidly advancing field.”
“Among it’s many purposes, IPCI seeks to clearly define the difference between the two primary types of polishing: topical and mechanical, and to provide architects and polishers with resources about both,” explains Daniel Grady, Director of Marketing and Business Development for IPCI parent company Concrete Polishing Technologies. “The reason this institute is so important, is that this process is a technique driven craft, not a product application. Knowledge is key. IPCI trains & certifies service providers while simultaneously providing CSI specs & ASTM testing data to architects.”
By enrolling with IPCI for a complimentary membership, architects gain access to numerous resources, including polished concrete specifications that detail the entire polishing process, from slab flatwork and sheen level applications to decorative options. “We understand that architects are very busy people-- they need information in a concise format – so that is what we are providing,” Grady says. The IPCI member website allows architects to find qualified polishers, solicit bids for projects, receive details on bidder credentials, and view ASTM and other quality testing data. Other benefits include a free quarterly subscription to the IPCI Journal, a trade publication dedicated to industry trends, and the opportunity for AIA/CES training. “Getting project leaders in touch with qualified polishers is a must to further this industry,” says Sharon Harry, “A poorly polished floor is a blemish to the industry. Concrete polishing is still in its infancy, so to succeed, polishers must understand how to properly achieve their customer’s expectations.”
Flooring contractors that wish to become IPCI members must successfully complete Craftsman Certification. An intensive, technique-driven training held monthly at IPCI headquarters, Craftsman Certification Training educates polishers on the proper application techniques for either topical or mechanical polishing. Benefits for polishers include the same access to ASTM data and specifications available to architects, 200 marketing packets on polished concrete, access to bid sheets, and more. “IPCI offers quality training to help standardize the industry,” says Concrete Polishing Solutions (CPS) Sales Manager Mark Evans. “They help polishers hone their existing skills, as well as teach new techniques, to ensure a successful project every time.”
The International Polished Concrete Institute is Norris, Tennessee-based and affiliated with Concrete Polishing Technologies. The parent entity to Perfect Polish, one of the nation’s leading polished concrete service companies. “We learned the craft the hard way-through trial and error,” explains Brad Padgett, CEO of Concrete Polishing Technologies. “Through IPCI, Concrete Polishing Technologies shares knowledge gleaned from experience to help polishers anticipate obstacles and shorten their learning curve, allowing them to achieve profitability, and ensuring quality through certification.”
CPT launched the International Polished Concrete Institute at the 2007 World of Concrete in Las Vegas. The first official training seminar was held at its Tennessee offices on March 1, 2007 and was sponsored by sister company Concrete Polishing Solutions (CPS), a manufacturer and distributor of concrete polishing tools. Thirty-five organizations were represented, including Loftech Industries whose representative, Curtis Loftech, says, “[The training] was definitely valuable to me and will be most helpful in the future.” Another participant, Mark Weatherly of Diamond Shine, states: “[For] anyone starting in the polished concrete business, this certification and training is a must.”
The Institute convenes industry leaders in the form of a Board of Directors and an Advisory Council. By collaborating annually they will set the goals of the institute and discuss their implementation.
The Advisory Council is formed of architects who, “Bring together a panel of knowledgeable professionals to ensure the quality of our resources and help us anticipate industry needs,” according to Daniel Grady.
“I see polished concrete as one of the ‘real materials’, “says Matthew Lutz, IPCI Advisory Council member. “It’s not PVC trying to play itself off as wood. It’s not some cheap laminate pretending to be stone. Polished Concrete is simply one of those modern materials that is humble; it’s also more in situ than it claims to be in words or pictures.”
The Advisory Council includes:
- Holly Dumont, Daimler Chrysler AAME Building Group
- Matthew Lutz, Asst. Professor, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, VA Tech
- Dan Farmer, Vice-President, Michael Brady Inc., Knoxville, TN
- Scott Hatmaker, 3g Studios Architecture and Planning, Knoxville, TN
