Posted by Pam Corn on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 @ 03:07 PM
Innovation Leader in PVC Trim Cetegory maps their environmental strategy, helps to define important terms and dispel myths about vinyl building materials.While many companies have only recently implemented environmentally responsible strategies, VERSATEX has reclaimed, reused and recycled in every corner of its Pittsburgh, PA operation since its inception in 2003. The company’s mission is one of conscientious citizenship and constructive action in support of civic and environmental progress. VERSATEX’s management decided it was time to spell out its policies, stances and outlooks for the industry in their new website versatex.com/green.
“We have a powerful story about the conscientious manner in which we manufacture and distribute—even down to environmentally responsible methods we recommend to finish our products and recycle the left-over scraps,” says Rick Kapres, VP of Sales and Marketing. “It is a practice we have lived since day-one.”
“We are committed to converting the company and the products we manufacture from ‘brown’ to ‘green’,” says John Pace, president and technical spokesperson for VERSATEX Trimboards. “Our goal is to develop innovative and practical solutions to reduce the environmental impact of our plant and products, while maximizing our recycling and conservation efforts.”
Posted by Pam Corn on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 @ 02:59 PM
Three of the nation’s leading residential design firms, which use only the top products in each category, select VERSATEX Trim.Working jointly with Global Link Solutions, a leading building products sales and marketing firm, a consortium of three premier design firms—Donald Gardner Architects, Inc., Garrel Associates Inc., and Sater Design Collection—have committed to using VERSATEX PVC Trim as the exclusive trim product for all of their projects.
Each of these design firms creates and markets home plans to upscale customers across the United States and beyond, and proudly specify only the top building products in each category. These firms also take a strong stand on employing best practices for construction efficiencies, working to exacting budgets, and practicing environmental stewardship as well.
“VERSATEX has met all our criteria to be one of our exclusive partners,” said Sean Ryan, President of Global Link Solutions. “Our global requirements—performance, versatility, workability, sustainability and availability—are all integral parts of the VERSATEX offering.”
“For us to gain the recognition of such a prestigious group is very satisfying,” says Rick Kapres, VP of Sales and Marketing. “The high standards we set for ourselves from the beginning are resonating with a whole new group of designers and specifiers.”
Donald Gardner Architects, Inc.’s home office is in Greenville, SC. Visit them at www.garrellassociates.com. Sater Design Collection is headquartered in Bonita Springs, FL, and can be found on the Internet at www.saterdesign.com.
Posted by Pam Corn on Tue, Dec 01, 2009 @ 10:17 AM
Fastest, easiest way to conceal fasteners when installing PVC trim is virtually invisible.
VERSATEX Trimboards has worked with FastenMaster, a worldwide leader in fastening products, to develop the new Cortex Concealed Fastening System. The process uses a proprietary trim screw and a combination setting-tool/drive-bit that that counter-sinks the fastener into the VERSATEX PVC Trim. At the same time, the fastener creates a neatly cored hole above the fastener where a Cortex PVC plug is set and tamped into place, flush with the trim surface.
The system is fast and easy, eliminating caulking, sanding and painting to hide nail or fastener holes. The plugs are made from the same material as the trim and can even mimic either a smooth or wood grain surface. The plugs are fully paintable, and are warranted for the life of the trim. (See www.versatex.com or www.fastenmaster.com for warranty details.) The new generation fasteners provide a very strong connection, with higher withdrawal values than nails.
“This is the perfect answer for contractors who do not intend to paint our product,“ says John Pace, Versatex President. “It eliminates the need for further finishing, and the result is practically invisible.”
The FastenMaster Cortex Concealed Fastening System is packaged in 250 lineal foot and 750 lineal foot packages, and is available through independent LBM dealers. Each pack comes complete with ACQ approved screws, setting tools, and the Cortex plugs. Cortex for VERSATEX will be available in VERSATEX Smooth and VERSATEX Timber Ridge surface types. Contact VERSATEX or FastenMaster to learn about “Free Trial Offers.”
Posted by Pam Corn on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 @ 02:19 PM
At our most recent National Sales Meeting in October, Versatex held its
first ever Sales vs. Management Golf Match at Treesdale Country Club in
Mars, PA. The “Ryder Cup” style match featured a down to the wire
finish marked with controversy. On the final match of the day, Matt
Rossi’s par on the final hole provided the team of Matt Rossi &
Brian May, with a 1-up victory over Rick Kapres & John Pace giving
the Sales Team 4 ½ points which tied the Management Team, who also had
4 ½ points. Since the final match was determined ahead of time to be
the first tie-breaker, Sales won the coveted Versatex “V” hand trophy
as the first ever winner of the event.
Unfortunately, controversy engulfed the outcome, as in a previous match
Sales Rep., Al DeVasto, playing with Bill Naumann, Northeast Regional
Sales Manager, against Josh Pace, Product Engineer, and Jim Wolf, CEO,
called a disputed one stroke penalty on Jim Wolf as his ball appeared
to move while Jim was at address from 110 yards out. Wolf, ever the
gentleman and sportsman, accepted the
penalty, which later was deemed not a foul as the ball reset in its
original position. None-the-less, the penalty stroke was accepted and
became the difference in the match as DeVasto & Naumann won that
hole, and the match 1-up providing the needed point to get Sales the
victory.
While Sales currently holds the trophy, one can only wonder if it was a
smart move long-term for a sales representative to call such a penalty
on the company CEO? Especially in this market? Was the trophy that
important, Al? Management can’t wait for a rematch next year.
Posted by Pam Corn on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 @ 02:19 PM
Beginning in December, Versatex is pleased to offer our 2010 Alliance
and Stocking Dealer Programs. These programs are designed to meet the
needs of our distributor & dealer partners in this extremely
difficult marketplace. Both programs offer a range of discounts and
buying levels designed to meet the needs of all types of customers.
It is the goal of these programs to both reward our customer base and
provide tools to the dealer to insure their success. The tools found in
the Stocking Dealer Program include PK trainings, complete
merchandising packages, funds for contractor events and marketing, as
well as a web presence with a listing on
www.versatex.com
as a stocking dealer – a site that is garnering over 350,000 hits per
month. Dealers can earn valuable discounts on purchases over a four
month period, as well as year-end rebates.
Dealers
interested in participating in the programs should contact their local
Versatex distributor or Versatex regional sales manager. The program
will last from December through March of 2010 although the commitment
date for participation is December 21st, 2009.
Posted by Pam Corn on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 @ 02:18 PM
With special thanks to our distributor partner in Baltimore, Maryland,
Atlantic Forest Products, Versatex is now the stocked PVC trim at the
top independent lumber & building material dealer in the
Baltimore/Washington DC marketplace. TW Perry, #30 on the Pro-Sales Top
500 has made the decision to become a Versatex Elite Partner Dealer and
has begun stocking a complete line of Versatex products. TW Perry cited
a culture at Versatex that matched their own as their primary motive
for the change. A culture that includes an engaged and flexible
management team, willing to make market based decisions. TW Perry feels
Versatex also offers an opportunity to expand sales in the category
with the innovative, patent pending Stealth Trim System.
TW Perry will further expand the Versatex brand, as they are known
as an extremely progressive dealer who prides itself on stocking high
quality products and providing a top level of service and education to
the high-end remodeler and custom home builder in the markets they
service. TWP joins an Elite Partner Dealer group that represents some
of the leading LBMs in the country. We are honored to have all of these
terrific companies as Versatex stocking dealers.
Posted by Pam Corn on Thu, Sep 03, 2009 @ 08:49 AM
Are you an architect desiring to learn more about cellular PVC and earn AIA credits? Visit www.versatex.com and click on our continuing education link where you will be directed to our on-line class through AECDAILY, an approved administrator of AIA accredited courses. You can create a login in for AECDAILY and then start to take the Versatex Course. Once you are done with the course, you will be required to take a test. If you pass the test, it will be submitted to AIA Continuing Education and you will recieve your certificate of completion. If you do not pass, you will have to retake the course along with the test.
The Versatex course through AECDAILY is a nice way to reach out to architects that may not have time to do a full AIA presentation done by our Sales Associates. For those that are inclinded, we do still offer the "Lunch and Learn" program. If you are interested or know an architect that would like to learn more about PVC trim products, please contact us to set one up.
Posted by Pam Corn on Thu, Sep 03, 2009 @ 08:47 AM
With the services of public relations firm Becker Marketing Group, Versatex invests heavily in a public relations campaign designed to further enhance the Versatex brand. Recently these efforts were truly highlighted in the August 2009 issue of Building Products Digest, which published a two-page article written by our president, John Pace. In the article titled: "Market PVC trimboards for innovative applications", John discusses the ever expanding reach of PVC trim.
John’s article highlights many different uses of Versatex throughout the country and how builders are not limiting the use of PVC trim to just standard applications like rake boards and fascia. John goes into detail as to where PVC trim is headed and how the workability of Versatex lends itself to many applications that were previously reserved for wood, including interior mouldings. Click here to read John’s entire article.
The Building Product Digest article was just one of dozens of references Versatex has received this past year due to our PR campaign. Publications like Qualified Remodeler, Journal of Light Construction, Pro-Sales,Remodeling Magazine and many others within the industry have picked up stories or showcased new products from Versatex this past year.
Are you working on a Versatex project that you think may be interesting or news worthy? Contact Pam Corn at pcorn@versatex.com, and who knows, you may be featured in your favorite magazine.
Posted by Pam Corn on Thu, Sep 03, 2009 @ 08:44 AM
In July, Versatex welcomed Boise Distribution in Billings, MT to our ever increasing network of wholesale distributors. Billings becomes the seventh Boise location to distribute Versatex products. The Billings yard is an established branch with a highly professional veteran sales team lead by branch manager, Shawn Egan. For Shawn and his team, they are new to Versatex but not new to PVC trim, having just switched from a competing brand.
“Our people have been thrilled with the switch,” says Shawn. “We are getting the commitment to the category and the sales and marketing support from Versatex that we failed to get before. The result is a sales team that is excited and motivated to sell Versatex,” comments Shawn.
For Versatex Western Regional Sales Manager, Chris Hedlund, who brought them on board, Boise Billings represents a great opportunity for new markets for Versatex.
“Boise has a great reputation, terrific relationships and a super service position in the markets they cover. This allows Versatex’s value proposition to be on full display at the dealer level,” claims Chris. “This will take Versatex into new markets in the West, like Montana and Wyoming, where our products were previously unavailable, which will be terrific,” Chris elaborates.
Boise Billings has hit the ground running by opening up 10 new stocking dealers in their first month as a distributor of our products. Chris and other members from Versatex just finished a complete sales training for the branch and a dealer blitz that introduced Versatex to dozens of additonal dealers. Boise and Versatex are extremely excited about the potential that they see going forward. Versatex hopes to use the Billings location as a spring board to engage the rest of the western Boise locations and to continue to spread Versatex into new markets.