Foundation Repair Contractors Attend 4-day Installation Training in Omaha, Nebraska
During the week of September 23rd, over 25 foundation repair contractors from across the United States attended Installation Training at Foundation Supportworks (FSI) corporate headquarters in Omaha, NE. During the 4-day training, the attendees spent every morning in the classroom learning the step-by-step installation process for all of FSI’s foundation stabilization products. The classroom time also allowed the participants to network with other dealers in the training, brainstorm ideas, and discuss ways to maximize efficiencies related to the installation part of their businesses. The majority of the installation training was spent on several different jobsites, where the attendees received hands-on training on the proper techniques used to install the FSI product line. The first two days of the field training focused on wall stabilization products, including the Geo-Lock® Wall Anchor System, PowerBraces™, and the CarbonArmor™ System. The last two days on the jobsites included training on push piers, helical piers, slab piers, SmartJacks™, and the PolyLEVEL™ System, which is used to stabilize and lift sinking concrete.
Foundation Supportworks Annual Convention is Attended by Over 1000 Foundation Contractors
Over 1,000 foundation repair contractors from throughout North America attended the Foundation Supportworks® (FSI) annual dealer convention during the week of August 19th. The Foundation Supportworks annual convention is an outstanding opportunity for FSI dealers to network with other foundation repair contractors from across the country, celebrate their achievements, receive ongoing training, and renew their energy and excitement about their business.
In addition to rolling out many new products, marketing tools, sales tools, and production tools, the 3-day event included more than 80 unique training sessions to provide continuing education opportunities and enhance the knowledge and abilities of each Foundation Supportworks dealer. Dealers were also treated to two outstanding speakers during the course of the event. Andrew Davis kicked off the convention with an entertaining speech about his book, “Brandscaping,” which discusses his common sense approach to leveraging partnerships. Aron Ralston was the keynote speaker at the awards dinner and reception. Aron survived a canyoneering accident in Utah in 2003 after being trapped under a bolder for over 5 days. Aron’s amazing story of survival reminded the audience of their own individual resolve to overcome “boulders” in their lives.
Foundation Repair Contractors Attend Polyurethane Grouting and Cellular Concrete Product Training in Omaha, NE
Over 35 Owners, Sales Managers, and Foremen from foundation repair companies throughout the United States and Canada attended PolyLEVEL and StableFILL training in Omaha, NE on May 20-21 at Foundation Supportworks (FSI) Headquarters. On the morning of Day 1 a number of topics were covered, including classroom training on the features and benefits of concrete lifting using PolyLEVEL polyurethane grouting, an overview of the installation process, an explanation of the various types of PolyLEVEL available (including Hydrophobic and Soil Stabilizer), a review of recent installations from residential and commercial projects completed by the FSI dealer network, and equipment details and options. After lunch, the attendees participated in a hands-on demonstration where they were able to inject the PolyLEVEL product beneath concrete slabs to see how the polyurethane reacts and raises the concrete. During the demonstrations, the participants were given a thorough explanation of the different equipment options and components available to them for the installations. The day concluded with a BBQ at Foundation Supportworks, where the attendees were able to network with other foundation repair contractors from around the country.
Day two of the training started with the Foremen receiving a demonstration on how to properly tear-down, clean, and rebuild the injection gun used in the installations. Following the demonstration, the group visited a local jobsite to see the polyurethane injection process performed on a large residential driveway. While the Foremen visited the jobsite, the Owners and Sales Managers spent time in the classroom previewing the new PolyLEVEL module within the exclusive FSI Foundation View Sales Software, as well as the FSI Vistabid Commercial Bidding Software. Concluding the morning session was a discussion on various strategies to effectively market the PolyLEVEL product.
After lunch, the attendees received training on 
StableFILL Cellular Concrete, a lightweight material made by replacing some or all of the stone aggregate used in standard concrete with uniform air cells (voids). Topics discussed included applications, mix designs, equipment needs, estimating, and technical details. Past installations were reviewed with the class, showing the many unique applications this lightweight, flowable fill can achieve. The training reinforced the fact that StableFill is self-leveling and can be mixed as both pervious and non-pervious, while also attaining multiple compressive strengths.
Foundation Stabilization Companies Participate in Accounting Training
Over 20 owners and accounting personnel from across the Foundation Supportworks dealer network attended Accounting Training in Omaha, NE on July 11th and 12th. The attendees discussed the importance of critically reading a financial statement in order to make effective business decisions while also determining the potential problem areas within a business. Other topics covered during the event included accounts payable, accounts receivable, managing inventory, and payroll. The training also included a presentation from a banking expert who discussed the importance of understanding what your local bank expects from your company. His discussions focused on revolving lines of credit, asset and lending values, as well as hot-button banking issues. The training concluded with a panel discussion where the attendees had the opportunity to “ask the experts” questions related to the accounting side of their business.
Foundation Repair Contractors Attend Training Event in Omaha, NE
On June 5th and 6th, more than 25 sales managers of foundation repair companies from across the United States and Canada attended Sales Managers Only Training in Omaha, NE. The event allowed these managers to discuss and brainstorm ideas with their colleagues on the most effective ways to motivate, train, and reward their sales teams. Several topics were covered during the training, including: establishing a positive sales culture, effective role playing, how to inspect what you expect from your sales team, hiring successfully, and facilitating effective sales meetings. Those in attendance enjoyed the opportunity to network with other individuals who face similar challenges in the day to day activities their jobs require of them.
Foundation Supportworks Earns ICC-ES Evaluation Report
Foundation Supportworks, Inc. (FSI) is pleased to announce the issuance of the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) Report (ESR) 3074, confirming compliance of our helical foundation system with the International Building Code (IBC). Evaluation of the FSI helical foundation system followed product design and testing in accordance with AC358, Acceptance Criteria for Helical Foundation Systems and Devices. AC358 is the only published standard for establishing system capacities for helical foundations.
“By applying for and now having an ICC-ES report issued on our helical product, Foundation Supportworks has again demonstrated our commitment to providing high-quality products that satisfy a standardized testing and certification process. The ICC-ES report assures customers, design professionals and code officials that these products can be trusted to perform as indicated,” says Don Deardorff, Senior Application Engineer for Foundation Supportworks.
ICC-ES evaluation reports offer independent, verified evidence of a product’s code compliance, as well as summarizing relevant installation requirements and testing references. ICC-ES is an independent subsidiary of ICC, created in 2003 when four national building product evaluation services were combined to provide consistent, professional evaluation of building components, products and processes.
Foundation Supportworks offers a complete line of foundation stabilization products for the remedial repair of existing structures as well as deep foundations for new construction projects. The Foundation Supportworks product line includes helical pile and helical anchor systems, push pier systems, lightweight cellular concrete and geopolymer stabilization products. Our international network of contractors consists of some of the most sophisticated foundation repair experts in the world.
Foundation Supportworks is committed to being the leading manufacturer of helical foundation systems and is proud to have completed this important phase in verifying code compliance of our products. For more information on Foundation Supportworks or the products we offer, please visit our website at www.fsicommercial.com.
EZ Post™ Helical Support System Introduced at International Builders Show
Foundation Supportworks® recently exhibited at the 2013 International Builders Show in Las Vegas, Nevada to showcase our new EZ Post System to over 45,000 attendees from all over the world. The system, which incorporates a galvanized lead section, and custom, adjustable post bracket available in a variety of sizes to suit any project, provides long-term stabilization to a wide variety of structures such as decks, sun rooms, pergolas, solar panels, storage buildings and more.
In addition to offering 
the utmost strength and stability, EZ Post offers many other benefits over traditional concrete footings which are prone to shifting and settling. Installations can be completed year-round, even in sub-zero temperatures, with no waiting time for concrete to cure. EZ Posts are also installed deeper than traditional concrete footings, making them less susceptible to changing moisture content in the soil. They are installed with portable equipment which means there is almost no disturbance to the lawn and landscaping and they can be installed in areas with tight access.
Design Professionals Nation-Wide Receive Training on Helical Foundation Systems
The engineering team at Foundation Supportworks (FSI) has been busy traveling the country to educate engineers, architects, general contractors and other design professionals about various geotechnical construction solutions available through FSI. Topics covered have included helical foundation systems, helical soil nails, push pier systems, cellular concrete, polyurethane injection systems, along with an introduction to HelixPro, a helical design software program available exclusively from FSI and free of charge to design professionals throughout North America. Foundation Supportworks has been named an approved provider for all educational seminars through RCEP, AIA and the Florida State Board of Engineers. Recent seminars have been hosted in the following cities
:
- 9/7 – Orlando, FL
- 9/14 – Fargo, ND
- 10/2 – Herndon, VA
- 10/3 – Richmond, VA
- 10/4 – Norfolk, VA
- 10/18 – Little Rock, AR
- 10/18 – Houston, TX
- 10/23 – Dallas, TX
- 10/30 – Montgomery, AL
- 11/1 – Omaha, NE
To see when FSI will be presenting at a city near you, go to the Events Calendar in the About Us section of our website, www.foundationsupportworks.com.
Foundation Repair Contractors Attend Management Training in Connecticut
More than 20 foundation repair contractors from along the East Coast braved the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy to attend Management Training in Seymour, Connecticut in mid-October. Managers from varying departments such as sales, call center, marketing and production attended the event, along with company owners. Participants spent time examining their own leadership style and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses inherent to those styles. Attendees also studied an extensive hiring process focused on bringing the best talent on board, evaluated their different types of employees and how to manage them best, and learned how to create simple but effective systems for orienting new hires. Finally, each department was examined in terms of operating efficiently and key performance metrics.
Polyurethane Grouting and Cellular Concrete Products Now Available From Foundation Supportworks
Foundation Supportworks (FSI) is excited to announce the addition of two new products, PolyLEVEL™ and StableFILL™, to our expanding line of geotechnical and foundation stabilization solutions. FSI introduced these products to our dealer network at a training seminar held in Omaha, Nebraska during the week of October 8th. Over 60 foundation repair contractors from throu
ghout North America attended the event, which covered various topics related to the new product lines as well as jobsite demonstrations on proper installation techniques.
The Foundation Supportworks PolyLEVEL™ System utilizes high-density polyurethane to stabilize and level concrete floors and foundations. With multiple forumulas available, PolyLEVEL™ is able to fit the needs of any job, large or small. PolyLEVEL™ is a two-part urethane polymer that expands into rigid, structural foam to fill voids, stabilize and lift concrete, and offer solutions to a wide range of geotechnical and structural applications.
StableFILL™ Cellular Concrete is a lightweight material made by replacing some or all of the stone aggregate used in standard concrete with uniform air cells (voids). These air cells are created by blending foaming agents into the concrete during the mixing process, and can be managed to produce an engineered geotechnical material. With the ability to be produced in both a pervious and non-pervious blend, StableFILL™ 
can be used in many geotechnical applications including load-reducing fill, backfill for tunnels and retaining walls, annular grouting for tunnels, fill for bridge approaches, and fill for sinkholes and abandoned underground tanks, pipelines and mines.