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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.
More and more women are joining the construction industry and bringing special skills and talents along with them. But with construction being one of the most male-dominated professions — of all the 10 million people employed in the industry, only 9% of construction workers are female. So, Walls & Ceilings’ Publisher Jill Bloom and Associate Editor Hannah Belloli, sat down with an expert on women in the construction industry to find out what women bring to the construction round table that you can’t get anywhere else.
With over 15 years in the construction industry, Ladi March-Goldwire, CEO and owner of BrinMar Construction & Development Group Ltd, is passionate about her business because it provides a means for women to be expressive and relevant in a space typically set aside for and dominated by men. She has learned how to be a strong asset to the construction industry, swinging hammers and advocating for women, all while wearing cute shoes and pretty clothes. Ladi also discusses how building with hemp is being realized by contractors as a cost-efficient, environmentally friendly way to build.
In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, W&C Group Publisher Jill Bloom speaks with Trent Cotney of Adams & Reese about his recent visit to the American College of Building Arts (ACBA). ACBA is the only U.S. college that combines professional training in traditional building trades with a liberal arts curriculum, offering students hands-on skills and creative problem-solving abilities. Cotney highlights the unique, high-quality craftsmanship being developed by students, many of whom will be sought after both in the U.S. and internationally.
The recovery effort following hurricanes Milton and Helene in Florida is slowly underway, and roofing contractors on their way in to help need to be prepared, said W&C Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney. Gas shortages, downed trees and power lines are commonplace during a state of emergency, and he cautioned regulatory enforcement won’t take a step back.
In particular, contractors need to be aware of:
Personal Protective Equipment – hard hats and eye protection, in particular.
The rise in spray foam manufacturers is driving prices down, but contractors are losing margins by competing on price instead of focusing on the product's value. Harris warns that some off-shore manufacturers are falsely marketing sealants as insulation without proper U.S. certification, risking the use of inferior products in the market.
After taking full ownership of Agent Wall Systems, Adam Taubman faced challenges during the pandemic but has since expanded the business into western Virginia. The company now specializes in load-bearing stud framing and prefabrication, influencing project designs. Taubman sees their recognition as a Top 50 Contractor as a tool to promote further growth.
In this special episode of If Walls Could Talk, Walls & Ceilings Associate Editor Michael Levitt speaks with Phampena Inc.’s Taide Pham, Hien “H” Pham and Trinidy Pham. The company is on the cover of W&C’s September issue and has grown into an industry leader since being founded in 2010.
In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Jill Bloom and Trent Cotney discuss the complexities of marijuana use in the construction industry. Cotney addresses the challenges employers face due to varying state laws on marijuana legalization, emphasizing the importance of safety and supervisor training to identify impairment. He also highlights the difficulties of maintaining a drug-free workplace, considering testing limitations and insurance requirements, which often necessitate policy re-evaluations for contractors.
