Home » Multimedia » Podcasts » Walls & Ceilings 'If Walls Could Talk' » Episode 94: Building Envelope Auditing and Contractor Business Development Options in an Uncertain Time
Walls & Ceilings 'If Walls Could Talk'
Welcome to “If Walls Could Talk” where Walls & Ceilings magazine is out to discover just that.
Listen as W&C talks with influencers in the industry who are making an impact. We are helping educate and entertain the wall and ceiling industry as only W&C can do. What brought these people to the industry? What’s in store for the contractor? And “If Walls Could Talk,” what stories would they tell? Find out all of this and more on each episode.
In our latest podcast, Thomas Harris of PUR Consulting, discusses auditing and training.
The Federal Government is upping their support of existing building retrofits for energy conservation through federal and state level tax credit and financial rebates for energy conservation activities. For example, the state of Kansas now offers support for existing building owners who decide to reduce their environmental impact of their building portfolio.
As a result of current economic uncertainty and the lingering impact of supply chain issues, the residential and commercial construction build rates have slowed. It’s an experience that in these times, contractors look for new growth opportunities, new applications, they develop new skills and techniques to position their companies for the next recovery.
Some of the things they look for includes staffing – “Do I need to add new employee’s or can I train my current staff,” “Do I have the capability and bandwidth to take on a new market,” “What are the training requirements – access to training and support.”
W&C Editor John Wyatt talks with Greg Oaks of Oaks Bros.
Nestled in the heart of Greenbrier, Ark., the subcontractor has built a formidable reputation in exterior plastering and related construction specialties.
Trim-Tex has acquired Plastic Components Inc., marking its first acquisition in 56 years and expanding its product offerings to include exterior-grade PVC profiles. This strategic move unites two family-owned companies with a shared commitment to quality, creating the industry’s most comprehensive source for interior and exterior PVC finishing solutions.
EIMA’s Executive Director Stephen Sears shares updates on the association’s evolving governance structure and collaborative efforts with industry partners, while also highlighting its selection for a $2.2 million EPA grant to support environmental product declarations for EIFS. Additionally, EIMA is gearing up for its 44th Annual Meeting in March 2025 near Orlando, Florida, offering industry education, networking, and its signature golf tournament.
In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, John Wyatt talks with Tom Harris about the record-breaking success of February’s Spray Foam Convention & Expo in Daytona Beach. Harris highlights impressive attendance, packed breakout sessions, and the strong industry interest in spray foam education, with presentation materials expected to be available online soon.
Group publisher Jill Bloom speaks with legal expert Trent Cotney about the impact of new tariffs and labor challenges on the construction industry. Cotney explains how rising tariffs on materials from Canada, Mexico, and China, combined with labor shortages and increasing costs, are creating significant challenges for contractors, urging them to focus on strong bidding, contract management, and price acceleration strategies.
John Wyatt interviews Michael Kwart, executive director of the ICAA, about the Top 25 Insulation Contractors list featured in the February issue. Kwart discusses the selection criteria, suggests expanding the list to 50, and highlights the upcoming ICAA show in Orlando, offering something for both contractors and their families.
