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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.
W&C is joined again by Tom Harris, of Tom Harris PUR Consulting, for this latest installment of If Walls Could Talk. This podcast theme is on Off-Site Construction. Harris explains on how modular construction has really started to make waves in North America. In Europe, modular design and construction have been an accepted construction technique for over 50 years and it’s truly a market leader in many countries.
In North America, there’s a stigma attached to modular that the designs are “cookie-cutter boxes” staked on top each other with limited curb appeal. They may be good for temporary housing or relocatable trailers, but not for the mainstream. As a result, modular took its place in smaller, retirement communities, low cost housing and trailer parks. That’s all changed now, Harris says.
The concept of a pre-manufactured building assembly—a component of a design—has opened up modular thinking to off-site. Complex designs, with architectural features, are now pre-fabricated under controlled conditions and shipped to the job site for placement. These building components are complete wall assemblies, complete roof assemblies, and foundations with all the architectural features of site built, but without the impact of weather, trades and having to construct them piece-by-piece on site.
At the 20th annual Best of Success event, Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, emphasized the importance of brand consistency and strategy in building trust and delivering on promises. Highlighting innovative marketing approaches, Anderson shared insights on leadership, brand development, and connecting with customers to drive growth in the roofing industry.
The 2024 presidential election brought significant changes in media consumption and marketing strategies, with a notable shift toward leveraging podcasters and influencers alongside mainstream media. Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, discusses these trends and their implications for contractors, emphasizing the importance of reassessing marketing channels to avoid competition with political campaigns. As trust in traditional media reaches an all-time low, Anderson highlights the need to adapt marketing strategies to resonate with audiences increasingly influenced by alternative platforms.
Walls & Ceilings has named Curtis Partition as its Contractor of 2024, recognizing the New York-based company for its exceptional industry practices, quality craftsmanship, and employee-focused approach. President and CEO Ajay Narula reflected on the honor, sharing plans for the company’s future and insights into the industry’s direction.
In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Tom Harris, owner of Tom Harris PUR Consulting, discusses how the SPF industry may be impacted by new leadership. He highlights cautious optimism about a more focused leadership approach while addressing key industry concerns: labor, tariffs and taxes, and energy policy, emphasizing the need for continued federal support for energy conservation programs.
W&C Group Publisher Jill Bloom interviews Steve Slepcevic, CEO of Strategic Response Partners, about best practices for contractors to prepare for major storms. Slepcevic emphasizes the importance of having a comprehensive plan in place for individuals, families, and businesses, as well as maintaining proper communication tools like satellite phones. He also discusses the impact of weather phenomena like "bomb cyclones" on the West Coast and the need for proactive measures to manage water flow and prevent flooding.
Looking for new ways to save energy and meet decarbonization goals? Learn how phase change material in ceilings is helping building operators reduce energy cost and usage and contributes to improved indoor environmental quality.
W&C is joined again by Tom Harris, of Tom Harris PUR Consulting, for this latest installment of If Walls Could Talk. This podcast theme is on Off-Site Construction. Harris explains on how modular construction has really started to make waves in North America. In Europe, modular design and construction have been an accepted construction technique for over 50 years and it’s truly a market leader in many countries.
