Walls & Ceilings 'If Walls Could Talk'

In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, John Wyatt from Walls & Ceilings interviews Tom Harris of Tom Harris PUR Consulting about the upcoming Spray Foam Convention & Expo in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event features 45 educational breakout sessions for contractors, a beach party hosted by Spray Foam World Wide with over $500,000 in giveaways, an applicator competition, and a robust certi...

In a year-end conversation, Trent Cotney of Adams & Reese shared actionable legal tips for businesses to effectively close out 2024 and prepare for 2025. Key insights included year-end planning strategies, addressing insurance challenges in storm-related work, and prioritizing labor, contract provisions, and goal setting to establish a strong foundation for the upcoming year.

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 cam...

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 phe...

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. Sponsored by

Speaking from an actual jobsite, Health, Safety, & Compliance expert Tammy Clark emphasizes the importance of tailored safety approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, which can inadvertently create greater risks. She highlights the role of a "Competent Person" (CP) in identifying and mitigating hazards and criticizes general contractors for imposing blanket safety requirements, such...

Walls & Ceilings Editor John Wyatt interviews Jonathan Belanus, president of JB Insulation & Drywall in Oakland, N.J., recently featured in the magazine's November issue. Belanus, a third-generation insulation contractor, discusses his company’s work in residential and commercial insulation, drywall, and firestopping, with a focus on custom-built homes. He also shares his positive experien...

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. Cotn...

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 a...

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, c...

Thea Dudley chats with Jill Bloom about payment portals, fraud targets, best practices in debt collection and other methods to address fraud and tardy customers.

Nancy Brinkerhoff, CEO of Ironwood Commercial Builders, was honored with the Leadership Award by Walls & Ceilings, recognizing her active role in the wall and ceiling industry. She is celebrated for her integrity, emotional intelligence, and commitment to mentoring others, particularly women in construction. Brinkerhoff's leadership extends to her involvement in associations like AWCI and WACA...

With the school year starting again, is it time to go back to the basics? Anna Anderson of Art Unlimited thinks so and has some marketing tips that could improve your business approach.

Jill Bloom, Group Publisher for Walls & Ceilings, sat down with IIBEC CEO/EVP Brian Pallasch to chat about what to expect during this year’s IIBEC/OBEC BES show in Toronto. Listen in as Pallasch chats about all the educational opportunities available for attendees.

Contractors looking to get their name out are put in a difficult position by an election year and the glut of political ads flooding the market. In this episode of “Dear Anna,” Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, helps you determine the best way to navigate this marketing cycle.

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent 6-3 ruling on July 26 overturned the 1984 Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council decision, significantly limiting federal agencies' ability to interpret laws and rules. This change will impact various sectors, including environmental regulations, health care costs, and OSHA's enforcement of safety standards. In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Legal Insigh...

In this special episode of If Walls Could Talk, Walls & Ceilings Associate Editor Michael Levitt speaks with Lisa Banks of Cincinnati Interiors. The company is on the cover of W&C’s August issue and has been working with ceilings and acoustics for over 30 years.

In this episode of "If Walls Could Talk," John Wyatt interviews Mike Griffin, national sales director at Demand Products and board member of the Texas Lathing & Plastering Contractors Association, about the success of the association’s 72nd Annual Convention & Trade Show in Galveston. Griffin highlights the event’s well-attended educational seminars, trade show, and networking opportunitie...

In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, John Wyatt interviews Bruce Honore III, project manager for Precision Development, a specialty subcontractor featured in W&C’s July 2024 issue. Precision Development, founded in 1989, focuses on semi-custom and custom residential markets, offering a one-stop-shop for all masonry needs including new construction, remodels, and repair work. Honore III high...