Structural Engineer Seminar in Portland and Eugene, Oregon a Success
Foundation Supportworks Director of Engineering, Jeff Kortan, PE, presented two 5-hour engineering seminars in Portland, OR and Eugene, OR during the week of February 7th. TerraFirma Foundation Systems hosted the events where more than 50 engineers were in attendance. The 5-hour seminars gave local engineers in Oregon an opportunity to obtain 5 Professional Development Hours as well expand their knowledge about typical applications, design considerations, capacity calculations, and material selection for Foundation Supportworks helical foundation systems, helical soil nails, and push pier systems.
Over 25 Attend Management Training at Foundation Supportworks
More than twenty-five owners and managers from fourteen Foundation Supportworks dealer offices attended Management Training in Omaha, NE last week. Attendees discussed topics such as leading vs. managing, recruiting talented individuals, hiring tough, 
orienting new hires, retaining top talent, handling employees with attitude and/or performance problems, writing effective performance appraisals, rewarding and recognizing effectively and much more. Rather than traditional learning techniques such as lecture, participants also held many small group discussions, observed demonstrations and used a variety of hands-on activities to solidify the concepts and apply them to real-world examples. This highly interactive training event created opportunities for in-depth discussion on real-world employee problems and opportunities, role playing on how to address common employee situations, and group brainstorming on ideas and best practices that could be shared throughout the Foundation Supportworks dealer network.
Foundation Supportworks Submits Helical Foundation System for Evaluation by ICC-ES
In the fourth quarter of 2010, Foundation Supportworks submitted the Model HP288 helical foundation system for evaluation by the International Code Council Evaluation Services (ICC-ES). The ICC submittal included laboratory and field testing along with structural analysis performed in accordance with the ICC Acceptance Criteria for Helical Foundation Systems and Devices (AC358). The submittal will ultimately culminate in an ICC-ES Evaluation Report to show code compliance of the Model HP288 product with the International Building Code (IBC) and the California Building Code (CBC). The Evaluation Report will further allow design professionals as well as Foundation Supportworks installing contractors to easily specify the Model HP288 System for projects that require code compliance.
The testing required for the submittal under AC358 is quite comprehensive and included:
- Twelve shaft and helix torsion tests
- Twelve helix capacity tests
- Fifteen retrofit bracket capacity tests
- Eight full scale field load tests in compression
- Eight full scale field load tests in tension
- Structural calculations for shaft/couplings and new construction brackets
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.
Foundation Supportworks is Awarded U.S. Design Patent
We are pleased to announce that Foundation Supportworks (FSI) was issued U.S. design patent D620,343 S for the FSI Model 288 Foundation Pier Bracket.
“The design of this bracket is unique to the foundation repair industry and gives FSI installing contractors an innovative product that has been appropriately designed and tested. Our contractors can feel confident knowing that our pier systems will perform as promised,” said Jeff Kortan, P.E., Director of Engineering for FSI.
Foundation support systems are highly specialized and require a thorough understanding of load paths and interaction with interface materials. The Model 288 Foundation Pier Bracket, along with all FSI products, has been designed in accordance with traditional, accepted AISC methods and was then tested to confirm product capacity. The bracket has been further tested in accordance with testing criteria approved by the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES).
Foundation Supportworks is committed to continually offering new and unique products to our network of installing contractors, and this patented bracket is no exception. For more information about this product or other Foundation Supportworks products, contact the FSI engineering department at 800-281-8545.
Larry Janesky, Co-Founder and Vice President of Foundation Supportworks, was recognized recently for his book, “The Highest Calling“, an inspirational novel about business and life, struggle and success.
Small Business Trends awarded “The Highest Calling“ with the Readers Choice #1 Small Business Book of the year! To view the Small Business Trends book review of “The Highest Calling”, click here: The Highest Calling Book Review
Larry’s vision and leadership is part of what makes Foundation Supportworks a leader in the foundation stabilization industry. Foundation Supportworks offers a complete line of foundation stabilization products, but even more importantly, provides training and support to help small business owners grow their business and become more successful. To find out more about how to become a Foundation Supportworks dealer, click here: FSI Dealer Info
Foundation Supportworks Employees Give Back to the Community
Foundation Supportworks and Thrasher Basement Systems employees teamed up over the summer to give back to the community and help a family in need. In an effort organized by Rebuilding Together, more than 25 Foundation Supportworks and Thrasher employees came together to help Annie Clark by waterproofing her basement and stabilizing her bownig basement walls, utilizing the Foundation Supportworks Geo-Lock Wall Anchor System. A video testimonial can be viewed here:
Foundation Supportworks Presents to Over 85 Engineers in Charlotte, NC
Jeff Kortan, Director of Engineering for Foundation Supportworks, presented a 5-hour engineering seminar in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 9th. Foundation Supportworks of the Carolina’s, a division of DryPro Basement Systems, hosted the event where more than 85 engineers were in attendance.
The 5-hour seminar gave local engineers an opportunity to obtain 5 Professional Development Hours and expand their knowledge about typical applications, design considerations, capacity calculations, and material selection for Foundation Supportworks™, helical foundation systems, helical soil nails, and push pier systems.
Owners and Marketing Directors Attend FSI’s Residential Marketing Training
Residential Marketing Training was held at the Foundation Supportworks Corporate Headquarters in Omaha, NE this week.
Many owners and marketing directors attended the two-day training to learn about the marketing strategies to employ for varying sizes of business.
Topics covered included tracking lead sources, effective trade show displays, internet marketing, grass-roots efforts, multi-media marketing mix, and much more.
Participants also spent time determining their own, specific marketing budgets for 2011 and applying those budget numbers to marketing strategies that make sense for their size of business.
More than 25 Attend Management Training at Foundation Supportworks
Foundation Supportworks conducted a Management Training to more than 25 foundation contractors last week. Topics included leadership styles, the hiring process, new hire orientation, coaching difficult employees, motivating high potential employees, performance management, effective rewards, and more. This highly interactive event created opportunities for in-depth discussion on real-world employee problems and opportunities, role playing on how to address common employee situations, and group brainstorming on ideas and best practices that could be shared throughout the Foundation Supportworks dealer network.
Foundation Supportworks Publishes “Foundation Repair Science” Book
Seeing a need to educate homeowners on the causes, symptoms and solutions to foundation problems, Foundation Supportworks wrote and published a book called “Foundation Repair Science: What to Have Done With Your Structural Problem…and Why.” The book was co-authored by three of Foundation Supportworks’ founding members – David Thrasher, Director of Business Development; Amanda Harrington, Director of Training & Development; and Larry Janesky, co-owner and Vice President. The book was officially released in August 2010, selling more than 16,000 copies in its first month! The book is now available on Amazon.com for $14.95.
To purchase a copy of the book, click here: http://www.amazon.com/Foundation-Repair-Science-What/dp/0977645770/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1286206190&sr=8-1