Posted by Pam Corn on Fri, Aug 27, 2010 @ 10:29 AM
Following the launch of our Stealth Fascia and Stealth Soffit earlier in the year, we have now completed the Stealth Soffit System with production of the first ever vented soffit offered in cellular PVC. These 1/2” thick boards come with a code exceeding 10” of free airspace per lineal foot, instantly making it one of the top airflow systems in the market today. These boards, also sold in a solid, are available in full 12” and 16” actual widths at premium 18’ lengths, thus providing more coverage and fewer seams to improve aesthetics and speed of installation. Coupling these vented and solid soffit pieces with our Stealth Fascia and Stealth Frieze, both notched with a 9/16” pocket to accept these products, makes building a complete cellular PVC Soffit System easier than ever before.
The vented and solid soffit pieces are available for immediate shipment. Both are in small, easy to ship inventory units containing 48 pieces of 12” and 36 pieces of 16”. Additionally, several marketing materials have been created to support the launch of this exciting system: premium vented soffit pieces, a Stealth Soffit sell sheet & invoice stuffer, plus a counter literature holder. These are all now available through our Marketing Department. It is our goal to provide maximum exposure to these products through both on-line and print advertising in the coming months.
If you are a builder or know a builder who wants to be one of the first to try this exciting new vented soffit system, please contact us through Customer Service at 724-857-1111. We would love to talk to you, get photos of the installation and offer you a discount on your first job.
Posted by Pam Corn on Fri, Aug 27, 2010 @ 10:27 AM
In an effort to continue to bring new and innovative products to market, Versatex Sales Managers continually ask their customers what types of products are needed by them. The latest request; WM#218 Band Mould, a profile commonly made in wood but before now not offered in cellular PVC. This new moulding exclusively offered by Versatex, is used primarily for finishing around window trim. It comes in 16’ lengths and 25 pieces per carton.
Posted by Pam Corn on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 @ 10:23 AM
In June of 2008 Versatex.com was a solid source of information for our customers and was registering a modest 100,000 hits per month. Now, after significant upgrades and a new look we just registered a half a million hits and 10,000 visitors in May! "Hits" being each page view on Versatex.com. "Visitors" are specific individuals accessing the site. Whether these visitors are new or repeats they are moving past the home page and looking at what all Versatex has to offer. Since the face lift of Versatex.com the site averages hundreds of new qualified leads per month all asking about product information, technical questions and local dealers that can help them with purchasing Versatex material.
We look forward to Versatex.com growing into a great tool for technical information and product support.
Posted by Pam Corn on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 @ 10:22 AM
In an effort to continue to make our products available to builders throughout the country, Versatex has recently opened up quality two-step distribution in two new key markets: Charlotte and Indianapolis. These two large markets had previously been without local Versatex distribution and now each will be served by some of the nation’s top wholesale companies.
In Charlotte, Versatex has added our first Weyerhaeuser location. Jeff Waterhouse manages this branch, which does big numbers with Hardie Fiber Cement. Weyerhaeuser Charlotte will provide access with high quality service to all of NC and most SC, markets long coveted by Versatex.
In Indianapolis, Versatex joins forces with a familiar two-step partner; National Industrial Lumber. Indianapolis is their seventh lcation. NILCO has been a distributor partner of Versatex for five years and now with the addition of Indy, managed by Tom Mulligan, will sell Versatex in a five state area.
Versatex is extremely excited to welcome aboard these two fine wholesale distributors and we look forward to further expanding our reach into new markets.
Posted by Pam Corn on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 @ 10:21 AM
In our continuing quest to push the environmental friendliness of our company and our products, Versatex was thrilled to receive the NAHB Green Approved Products as recognized by the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard. Versatex products now appear on the National Green Building Standard websitewww.greenapprovedproducts.com/FindProducts.aspx.
To achieve this certification, Versatex was reviewed by the NAHB Research Center after receiving third-party evidence that our products met their requirements. This listing helps builders earn points by using Versatex on their homes. NAHB designed this green standard as a method by which builders can document claims of building a more environmentally friendly home. Versatex will now carry a certificate from NAHB as a “green approved” product and builders can reference the NAHB Research Center to identify the specific section(s) of the Standard where points are available.
Versatex now is the only PVC trim manufacturer that can claim both the NAHB Green Approved Products and National Code listing via CCRR-#0149.
Posted by Pam Corn on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 @ 10:19 AM
In an effort to gain quality feedback on our products and best installation practices, we recently developed the Versatex Contractor Council. This council, comprised of eight builders from various parts of the country all with extensive experience of PVC trim installation, had their first ever meeting last month at our facility in Aliquippa.
Council members, who took valuable time out of their schedule, spent two days reviewing Versatex products and discussing preferred installation methods. Council members were also shown prototypes of new product ideas and they gave their valuable insight into the best ways to make and install them. The council was very engaged and gave honest critique of everything relating to Versatex. The group also enjoyed a tour of our facility, as well as an evening out at PNC Park for a Pirates' game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Their feedback is a basis on which we will make many product and installation decisions going forward. The group will continue to meet on an annual basis and be the first to test new products for us in the field. It is our hope that the Versatex Contractor’s Council continues to expand over the years to as many as 14-16 builders who are well represented across the country. Versatex is looking for members in the Eastern PA/NJ and MD/Northern VA markets as, well as the Southeast and the Upper-Midwest. So if you or someone you know fits the bill, please contact Pam Corn in our Marketing Department. 
Versatex Contractor Council: from left to right, James Montgomery, John Seifert, Ray Snoznik, Clint Marallo, Joe Cracco, Paul Rzasa, Aaron Fielder and not present Josh Medugno.
Posted by Pam Corn on Tue, Mar 23, 2010 @ 11:03 AM
In an ever expanding effort to make installations easier and more aesthetically pleasing, we are expanding our Patent-Pending Stealth family of products to include Stealth Fascia and Stealth Frieze boards. These two new products are designed to create a “system” approach to PVC soffit applications.
The Stealth Fascia is notched with a 9/16” wide and 1/2” deep groove to accommodate the soffit. The Stealth Frieze features this same size notch for the soffit, as well as the 3/4” x 3/4” Stealth pocket to accept most all siding products, including fiber cement. Used together with either our traditional T&G beaded products or our extremely popular Stealth Beadboards, these two pieces create the first ever system approach to PVC trim soffits.
The Stealth Fascia is available in 1x8" and 1x10" in 18’ lengths. The Stealth Frieze is available in 5/4 x 4” and 5/4 x 6” in 18’ lengths. Like all our Stealth products, they can be ordered with a smooth or Timber Ridge finish.
Posted by Pam Corn on Tue, Mar 23, 2010 @ 11:02 AM
Versatex has proudly been granted national code compliance, #CCRR-0149 by Architectural Testing Inc, an independent accredited third party testing agency, becoming only the second manufacturer of PVC trim products to do so, and the first to have all products listed including mouldings, and our popular Stealth Trim System. This code certification encompasses all major national code bodies including BOCA National Codes, The Standard Codes, and the Uniform Codes. The CCRR - 0149 listing is equal to ICC among code bodies, but unlike ICC, will not accept any legacy standards and looks at only the most up-to-date code standards.
Even though there is not yet a requirement for PVC trims to be code listed, due to its non-structural nature, Versatex has taken these steps to advance our already strong reputation for quality setting even higher standards with on-site product testing. Under the requirements of this code, Versatex is subjected to random third party testing of all aspects of our products, including tolerance, density and formulation. These tests will ensure that Versatex continues to meet or exceed the standards the company has adopted and the quality you have demanded.
For a copy of this report please visit our website or contact customer service.
Posted by Pam Corn on Tue, Mar 23, 2010 @ 10:57 AM
Three of the nation’s top residential design firms have signed an agreement to begin specifying Versatex, exclusively, on their home plans that call for extensive trim work. Donald Gardner Architects, of Greenville, SC, the largest seller of residential construction plans in the country, along with Garrel Associates, of Suwanee, GA and Sater Design Collection, of Bonita Springs, FL, all have chosen Versatex as their trim of choice.
Each of these firms design and market home plans to upscale customers across the United States and beyond, and proudly specify only the top building products in each category. Versatex was the ideal choice as the prospective homeowners and custom builders that are purchasing these plans are seeking materials that provide low-maintenance without sacrificing high aesthetic value.
It is expected that Versatex will be specified on a total of 1,000 homes sold by these firms over the next 1-2 years. Once the plans are sold, the Versatex sales team will be given the contact information of the builder, or homeowner, in order to assist them in the installation and purchasing of Versatex. This should prove to be a powerful tool to increase the brand recognition of Versatex, among high-end home builders, and provide increased sales for our dealer partners.
Posted by Pam Corn on Tue, Mar 23, 2010 @ 10:51 AM
Tis the season for shows and, as always, Versatex is out in full force this year with a twist. At the recent International Building Show, attendance might have been down again but the action at the Versatex booth was like a backyard picnic, as Versatex Baggo became all the rage.
Our version of the popular tailgate bag toss featured a game made entirely from Versatex. “Contestants” tried their luck and those that were able to get the “bag in the hole,” walked away with a Versatex golf shirt, and were eligible to win an iPod touch.
We will take our Versatex Baggo to upcoming shows in Providence for JLC Live, and Baltimore for the Maryland Home Builder’s Show. At both locations we will again be giving shirts and iPod’s, so make sure you come by our booths and give it a shot!
Finally, if you would like the details on how to make your own Versatex Baggo set, please contact Shawn Petras, our Plant Superintendant, at 724-857-1111 and Shawn will be happy to show you how it’s done. Also, if you would like to customize the set with logos of your company, your favorite sports team, or even pictures of your kids - Pam Corn, our Marketing Coordinator, can help you do just that.