ARDEX Americas Announces New Corporate Management Structure

Aliquippa (PA), January 5, 2024 – ARDEX Americas is pleased to announce a new corporate management structure effective January 1, 2024.

Jesse David, currently co-president, ARDEX Americas will take on a broader scope as sole President and Chief Executive Officer. Jesse is responsible for the overall Americas business which includes North and South America. In addition to his operational responsibility, Jesse is Chairman of the Board of Directors of ARDEX’ joint venture partner, CERAMFIX in Brazil, as well as a member of the ARDEX Global Management Committee (GMC) representing the Americas. Jesse has worked for ARDEX Americas for over 32 years in areas of Sales, Business Development, Marketing, and M&A.

Ben Mack, currently U.S. General Manager, Sales & Marketing, has been appointed Vice President and General Manager, ARDEX Americas, responsible for U.S. Sales and Operations for the Americas, now comprised of six manufacturing locations servicing North and Central America. Ben has worked for ARDEX Americas for over 20 years primarily in the areas of Sales, Marketing, Technical Services and Product Development. In addition, Ben has led ARDEX Global Corporate Units in the areas of International Project Selling and Marketing.

Greg Hunsicker, currently Director of Product Development and Strategy, has been appointed Vice President, Business Operations and Marketing, ARDEX Americas. Already managing Product Development and OEM/Retail Sales, Greg will assume responsibility for Marketing, Research and Development, and Technical Services with a transition of Purchasing through 2024. Greg has worked for ARDEX Americas for over 17 years, directly involved in Business Analytics and Strategy, Business and Product Development, and OEM/Retail Sales.

Jesse David explains, “ARDEX Americas has been proud to share in celebration of the retirement of long-term management over the years and the smooth transition through those changes. ARDEX is fully committed to every transition bringing tangible enhancements to its versatility, innovation, and customer excellence. In that spirit, we are confident that the strength and commitment of our entire team will drive the future success of ARDEX Americas with a spirit of passion, innovation, and energy!”

Photographed left to right: Jesse David, President and CEO; Ben Mack, Vice President and General Manager; Greg Hunsicker, Vice President Business Operations and Marketing

About ARDEX, A Leading Solution and Service Provider of Innovative Building Systems:

Recognized by installation experts, ARDEX is a global leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of high-performance specialty building products for all aspects of substrate preparation, floor covering, tile and stone installation systems and architectural concrete systems for commercial and residential applications. A family-owned company, the ARDEX Group leads through local customer interaction striving for excellence in all that we do. For more information on ARDEX Americas, please visit www.ardexamericas.com or call 1-888-512-7339.

Michael Harris to Retire after 38 years of Service to ARDEX and his Customers

ARDEX Americas would like to wish Michael Harris a very happy retirement after 38 years of service to the company! Owner of Construction Marketing Reps Inc., based in Quincy, MA, Michael has dedicated his career to representing ARDEX products and services, specializing in floor repair, self-leveling underlayments, pumping, moisture remediation, polished concrete toppings, tile and stone installation systems, and exterior stone. Partnered with Barry Cullen for over 30 years, Michael Harris has set the standard for what it means to be an ARDEX sales professional, with an unwavering commitment to servicing the customer and supporting the New England market. Michael has had an irreplaceable impact on the entire ARDEX Americas organization, our business partners, and our colleagues. Already a member of the Northeastern University Sports Hall of Fame, Michael has had a Hall of Fame career with ARDEX!

Photographed Left to Right (with plaque): John Felker, Business Manager East Flooring Division, Michael Harris, (and seated): Barry Cullen and Michael Harris

About ARDEX, A Leading Solution and Service Provider of Innovative Building Systems:

ARDEX Employees Serve Local Veterans at the 17th Annual Veteran’s Breakfast

ARDEX employees had the honor to serve our community veterans Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the 17th annual Veterans Breakfast held at Community College of Beaver County!

We would like to recognize all our colleagues who have served:
Timothy Aheimer, Donald Ashline, Lewis Black, Timothy Blanchette, Danny Brown, Woodrow Campell, Aaron Christianson, James Cipriani, Alexander Corral, Fulvio de Santiago de Leon, Robert Doherty, James Hammett, Nicholas Hansard, Paul Hughes, Derek Lilleskare, Scott McDonald, Shawn McNear, Stephen Miller, Jose Morales, Craig Morris, Edgar Paz, Dennis Thompson, Thomas Utley, Darnell Watkins, and Garret Wegrzynowicz

Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service!

About ARDEX, A Leading Solution and Service Provider of Innovative Building Systems:

Mike Crouch to Retire after 40 years of Industry Success

ARDEX Americas would like to congratulate Mike Crouch on his retirement after almost 25 years of service to the company. Mike joined ARDEX Americas as part of the W.W. Henry Co. acquisition from Armstrong World Industries, where he served in corporate and international roles for over 16 years.

In his most recent role as ARDEX Americas President, responsible for the Latin American Division, Brazil, M&A, R&D and Innovation, Mike helped drive business development and regional acquisitions, while helping to define corporate strategy and global marketing. During his tenure, Mike was instrumental in the design and strategy build for our Tile and Stone Installation Systems business. In addition, Mike led the acquisition and development of Ceramfix, a joint venture partner in Brazil.

Since 2013, Mike has served as the ARDEX Americas representative on the Global Management Committee (GMC) for the global ARDEX Group. Mike has had a significant impact on the entire ARDEX Americas organization and his legacy on the flooring industry will be lasting. We are very proud to call Mike both a colleague and a friend. We wish Mike all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his journey!

Photographed Left to Right: Jesse David, President; Mike Crouch, President; Lori Angelo, Vice President and CFO

About ARDEX, A Leading Solution and Service Provider of Innovative Building Systems:

2023 Recipient of the Bruce Newbrough Memorial CIM Scholarship

FCICA and ARDEX Americas Announce 2023 Recipient of the Bruce Newbrough Memorial CIM Scholarship

Aliquippa, PA, October 6, 2023 – The FCICA, the Flooring Contractors Association, and ARDEX Americas, are pleased to announce the Bruce Newbrough Memorial Certified Installation Manager Program (CIM) Scholarship was awarded to Neslie Martinez of Northwest Commercial Flooring in Fairmont, GA

Neslie Martinez, 2023 Recipient Bruce Newbrough Memorial CIM Scholarship

Ms. Martinez is currently working as a Assistant Manager at her family’s business. Her goal is to be an installation manager; she shared her desire to be a CIM to become “more knowledgeable on how to start and finish a job more effectively.” Ms. Martinez expressed her gratitude for the scholarship, saying, “I am grateful to Ardex and FCICA for their generous sponsorship. Thank you to everyone involved in the selection process for giving me the opportunity to learn more.”

The Scholarship was established to provide educational opportunities to floor covering Installation Managers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to and excellence in proper substrate preparation and installation of floor covering. Named after Bruce Newbrough, former ARDEX Director of Technical Services and later working in Applications Development, tirelessly utilized every opportunity to further his vision and passion for industry education and training on proper substrate preparation, all for the purpose of achieving successful installations. It covers the cost of the full Certified Installation Manager (CIM) Program including application, content and assessment fees.

View the FCICA announcement here.

About the Certified Installation Manager (CIM) Program

The Certified Installation Manager (CIM) Program sets the industry standard for those involved in the management of commercial flooring projects. The Program provides video training modules led by experts who speak from years of floor covering experience. Paired with assessments to confirm the educational training gained, the modules enhance the qualified flooring professional’s core skill set, experience and knowledge base necessary to successfully manage commercial flooring projects. Individuals who reach this level of expertise will be easily distinguished by their achievement of the Certified Installation Manager (CIM) designation. For more information about the CIM Program, go to www.fcica.com/cim-program.

About FCICA

1982 and headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, is the resource for premier commercial flooring contractors. FCICA promotes the advancement and continuous development of Certified Installation Managers (CIM); provides technical education, business support and industry expert networking and delivers skills and knowledge to enhance the professionalism of commercial flooring contractors. FCICA is an international association whose contractor members serve the continental United States, plus Burma and Canada. For more information about FCICA visit our website www.fcica.com or call (630) 672-3702.

About ARDEX, A Leading Solution and Service Provider of Innovative Building Systems:

ARDEX K 34™ LIGHTWEIGHT

Lightweight technology, extremely low tension and ready for flooring in as little as 24 hours: New ARDEX K 34™ LIGHTWEIGHT, High Flow, Lightweight, Self-Leveling Underlayment combines the best of both worlds using the new ARDEX REVOCEM cement binder system!

Aliquippa (PA), August 31, 2023 – Longer working time, fast setting and virtually no tension: ARDEX has developed a new cement binder system that delivers the advantages of gypsum-based floor leveling materials with the performance properties of Portland cement- and Calcium Aluminate cement-based products. Thanks to ARDEX REVOCEM, an innovative new binder system, installers can prepare even the most challenging substrates to receive new flooring. Work on construction sites is enormously simplified.

The new ARDEX binder system is the latest technology in the innovative ARDEX portfolio and is based on cement that has been refined to a new level. “As a result, products that utilize the REVOCEM technology have longer working times but are still fast setting. Another exciting advantage of products that utilize the REVOCEM technology is that they will exhibit virtually no tension, similar to what is otherwise only possible with gypsum-based materials,” says Jody Proudfit, Category Manager.

ARDEX K 34™ LIGHTWEIGHT is the first product with REVOCEM Technology

The new ARDEX K34™ LIGHTWEIGHT is the first self-leveling underlayment to feature REVOCEM as well as a new lightweight technology that allows installers to pour deeper and faster than ever before. It ensures a particularly high level of application reliability and an enormous acceleration of the process. In addition to being 43% lighter than traditional self-leveling underlayments, ARDEX K 34™ LIGHTWEIGHT has an extended coverage range that can cover 34 sq. ft. at ¼” average depth.

ARDEX K 34™ LIGHTWEIGHT is suitable for the installation of all floor coverings. They can be installed over the ARDEX K 34™ LIGHTWEIGHT in as little as 24 hours.

ARDEX K 34™ LIGHTWEIGHT, the first with REVOCEM technology in the North American market, launches in late summer of 2023. “We are enthusiastic about this technology,” says ARDEX category manager Proudfit. “Because of the benefits that the REVOCEM Technology provides, it will definitely be used in other products, not just self-leveling underlayment’s. In North America, we expect other products to be ready for the market in 2024. With the addition of REVOCEM, ARDEX is already planning future products to further support the flooring community as the innovation leader in this segment.

For more information, visit: https://www.ardexamericas.com/product/ardex-k-34/

About ARDEX, A Leading Solution and Service Provider of Innovative Building Systems:

Floor Covering News Award of Excellence 2023

Aliquippa (PA), June 12, 2023 – This past month, Floor Covering News and Informa held a special ceremony for the 27^th annual Award of Excellence 2023 program, where they handed out 25 awards, honoring excellence throughout the flooring industry.

The Award of Excellence has become the industry benchmark of supplier excellence since they are voted on by their customers—the flooring retail community. ARDEX is proud to have received the award in the “Installation” category – for the third year in a row!

“We are humbled by winning this award for three consecutive years and thank both FCNews and our valued customers who voted for us,” said Ben Mack, ARDEX U.S. General Manager. “ARDEX would like to congratulate all winners for their commitment to excellence and serving the needs of the flooring industry.”

For more information, visit: Award of Excellence 2023 – Floor Covering News

Pictured is Mark Walsh, ARDEX Director of Sales, Tile and Stone Installation Systems, receiving the award for the “Installation” category.

About ARDEX, A Leading Solution and Service Provider of Innovative Building Systems:

ARDEX System Selector, Your New Digital Advisor

Introducing the ARDEX System Selector, Your New Digital Advisor

Aliquippa (PA), May 22, 2023 – This past month, ARDEX launched the ARDEX System Selector, an easy way to create a complete product system in no time! It’s the newest addition to ARDEX’ growing digital footprint and makes installation recommendations easier and faster than ever before!

The System Selector allows users to customize their build on screen alongside the recommended ARDEX products for each step. In just a few clicks, the tool delivers a customized build-up recommendation. The users simply select their installation scenario, the existing substrate and the desired surface – the tool then provides a complete product system for the individual room layout. But that’s not all: users can calculate product quantities based on the recommendation and download the entire system as a PDF.

A customer-centric approach

Daniel Grant, ARDEX Technical Field Representative, and project lead for the System Selector is proud of the customer-centric approach: “The System Selector is interactive and visual. Ease of use was particularly important to us during development, helping the user find the right solution for their project fast.”

“Digitalization is becoming more and more important in the construction industry and is an integral part of the installer’s day-to-day activities.” says Annika Oeing, Marketing Communications Manager at ARDEX Americas. “We put an emphasis on being where our customers are and making their job as easy as possible. We believe that the new System Selector tool is an important step to fulfilling that promise.”

A wide array of options for many installation scenarios

The System Selector offers more than 1,800 options for many residential and commercial projects and interior and exterior applications covering the full range of ARDEX products. And more products and systems will be added on a regular basis to continuously improve the System Selector.

Create a complete product system, calculate product quantities, view product information, and download the full project by visiting www.ardexsystemselector.us. Or take a look at this video showcasing the new tool and its capabilities.

Other digital services at ARDEX:

New Distributor Lookup: With an easy ZIP code search, the option to pick the desired radius and product categories, this new feature helps customers find ARDEX products easy and fast. Visit www.ardexamericas.com/distributor-lookup.
Find Your Rep: Find your ARDEX Sales Professional for local project support and reach out today. Visit www.ardexamericas.com/find-your-rep.
New DTA USA Website: The new, modern design, easy navigation and improved overview of the product line-up will help you find the right DTA tools for your next installation. Visit www.dtausagroup.com.

About ARDEX, A Leading Solution and Service Provider of Innovative Building Systems:

Cold Weather Reminder!

General Information
Ideal storage and installation temperatures are detailed in the technical data sheet for each product. Never install ARDEX or HENRY_® products at substrate or ambient temperatures below 50°F (10°C). Note that, the colder the substrate and ambient temperatures, the longer the drying and/or cure times will be. Ensure that products are dried and/or cured prior to proceeding with subsequent installations and/or opening to traffic. Facilitate drying by circulating the air above the surface; do not blow air directly on the surface.

Liquids (Moisture Control Products, Primers, Additives and Sealers)
These products should not be allowed to freeze. If you suspect that a liquid has been frozen, do not use, and dispose of the damaged materials properly. Alternatively, the ARDEX Research & Development Department can evaluate the material to determine if it has been compromised.

Powders
While these products are stable to freezing temperatures, it is advisable to store them at temperatures above 50°F (10°C). When very cold, the polymers in the products do not perform as stated, possibly resulting in a product failure. Additionally, the products may not have a workable consistency and will take longer to set.
Do not install if ambient temperatures will fall below 40°F (5°C) within 48 hours after installation. Do not try to compensate for cold installation temperatures by using warm mix water, as this will impair the workability of the products. At the conclusion of pump installations, be sure to drain all the water from the pump, including the flow tube. Failure to do so may result in freezing, which may damage sensitive components.

Adhesives
While most HENRY_® adhesives are freeze/thaw stable (see the technical data sheets at www.wwhenry.com), it is necessary to protect them from excessively low temperatures and multiple freeze/thaw cycles. For best results, ship in heated trucks, and store in heated facilities. Even a freeze/thaw stable adhesive may exhibit reduced performance if it has been exposed to temperatures below 10°F (-12°C).
Never apply heat directly to frozen products. If frozen, thaw at 72°F (22°C) for 12-24 hours. Stir, and inspect the adhesive visually. If no strings or lumps are present, and the adhesive is smooth and creamy, it likely can be used. In all cases, a HENRY_® adhesive should be acclimated to at least its minimum installation temperature for 48 hours before, during and for 48 hours after installation. For HENRY_® 263, the minimum installation temperature is 40°F (5°C). For all other HENRY_® adhesives, the minimum installation temperature
is 65°F (18°C).

If you have any questions on this information, please contact the ARDEX Technical Service Department at 1-888-512-7339.

Bryant Bushman Sr. to Retire after nearly 40 years of Industry Success

ARDEX Americas would like to wish Bryant Buschman Sr. a very happy retirement after nearly 40 years of service to the company! Over the years, Bryant has held many roles within the company, but his dedication to serving our customers has remained the same throughout. Bryant has had a significant impact on the entire ARDEX Americas organization, our Business Partners, and our Colleagues. Bryant’s legacy will be lasting! We are proud to have been part of your exceptional career, and wish you all the best as you embark on this new journey!

Photographed Left to Right: Bryant Buschman Sr., Regional Sales Manager, Jesse David, President