E-Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 1, August 2006
Ramblings from the Director
Dear Subscriber,
I’m pleased to be sending our premier edition of the SIPschool Newsletter. The school has now been open a full six months and our classes have been well received by people from all over the SIPschool country. The feedback gathered at the end of all three courses has been 100% positive. We extend our appreciation to those that have attended classes as well as those who have supported and promoted the school. I have no doubt that there is a tremendous need for the types of programs we offer and it is our intention to continue to provide quality education to the SIP industry. - Al
Updates to the SIPSchool Website
We have recently completed a major step in tying our industry database to the site map. This map is intended to be a clearinghouse for all topics related to our industry. You will notice a link that allows any SIP related company to sign up for a spot on the map. Inclusion in the database and map is free, but viewing all the data is not. Only SIPA members and past attendees of the SIPschool have access to this wealth of information.
The next layer of data being gathered is an in-depth view of all SIP related companies. A questionnaire will be sent to all SIP providers to clarify what products and services they offer. If you receive a SIPschool questionnaire within the next few weeks we encourage you to consider this information essential to developing an educated consumer base.
Advertising on the SIPschool Website
Although we strive to educate and promote all things SIP, the school will always attempt to remain unbiased in our view and promotion of SIPs. For this reason we have decided not to allow any paid advertising on the SIPschool website. However, if any noteworthy industry news need be spread this newsletter will gladly pass it along. Send your SIP related news, announcements or points of view to annie@sipschool.org.
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SIPschool 301
Graduating Class
July 2006
Front row - Chris Barnhart, Charlie Byrd,
and Dante Nick
Back row - Aaron Warner, Dan Nelson,
Dan Maddux, Chris Dunaway, Gary Walker,
Terry Hickman, Mic Carmichael and
Michael Morley |
The following individuals have successfully completed all the requirements needed to achieve the status of "Certified SIP Installer" . A combination of the written examination and demonstrated proficiencies have been completed to the minimum acceptable level to receive this designation. The SIPschool certifies that these participants have met the school’s minimum requirements for this training session.
Chris and Gary have a combined 30+ years in the construction business. Currently they both work for Furnival Construction where they had their first introduction to SIPs. After attending the inaugural class of SIPschool 301, their future plans include tear off and replacement of a SIPs roof damaged by Hurricane Frances and involvement with a fabrication facility called SIP FAB in St. Elmo, AL.
Based in Northern Virginia, IntelliStructures was founded by Charles H. Byrd III in 2003. Since then the company has served 14 customers on more than 50 projects throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. IntelliStructures brings a high tech operation to the job site and endeavors to set the standard for efficient methods of installing SIPs and developing data driven field management techniques. The future for IntelliStructures holds the prospect of working with high volume residential and commercial clients.
| Mic Carmichael |
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Sipbuilder
111 New Mohawk Rd.
Nevada City CA 95959 |
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(530) 265-6027
mic@sipbuilder.com |
Sipbuilder has 20 years experience in consultation, design assistance, panel packages, engineering and installation. They work throughout the State of California and have delivered hundreds of homes and commercial projects. Future plans include a modular plant that produces homes for low to mid income families in Central California.
| Chris Dunaway |
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Quality Construction
Box 241 Reduction Road
Smithton PA 15479 |
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(724) 972-7353
dstawovy@verizon.net |
As a foreman for Quality Construction Chris has completed several panel jobs with Insulspan Panel One. He plans to continue panel installations.
Terry has 30+ years in the construction industry. After seeing a SIP home under construction he got excited about the possibilities SIPs have to offer. He is looking forward to his first SIP install as he builds his new home later this year. As a Masonry Contractor he plans on being able to offer future customers foundation, SIPs and finish brickwork all in one package.
Dan’s future plans include working as an independent consultant with Suretight as a field installation advisor.
Michael Morley is the president of SIPsmart Building Systems. Michael has been a general contractor for 25 years and working in the SIP industry for 12 years. He wrote the book on the SIP industry, ˆ Building with Structural Insulated Panelsˆ (Taunton Press 2000). The company provides design and engineering solutions nationwide. Our experienced panel designers and site advisors can make your SIP project a great experience. We work with many manufacturers to make sure we get the best panels for your job, wherever it is.
SIPsmart is pleased to announce the launch of our ARCx buildings. Six years of engineering and research have produced a unique building system that takes the best building material (SIPs) and combines this with geometry that can enclose conditioned space in a very cost effective way. Visit our website, www.SIpsmart.com. to see more
| Dan Nelson, Dante Nick and Aaron Warner |
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Panelwrights
808 French Road
Shenandoah Junction WV 25442 |
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(304) 876-0265
al@panelwrights.com |
Dan Nelson has been working with Panelwrights since its beginning in 1999. He is one of the original panel zealots with several hundred projects to his credit. Together with Dante and Aaron, they form the core of the Panelwrights Installation Team.
SIPschool Training Aid bound for Habitat for Humanity
The first Certified Installer class yielded more than just a group of educated SIP professionals. The SIPschool is one step closer to developing a partnership with the Eastern Panhandle chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The 1000 sq. ft. structure that was erected during the five day workshop is ultimately bound for a permanent spot where it will house a deserving family. The school’s training aid is capable of fulfilling the needs of two groups of installers before being retired to a site in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
SIPschool Promotion Increases Attendance and Aides Panel Providers
The school’s latest promotion is aimed directly at SIP providers. It is indisputable that a large number of SIP customers are owner/builders. It is also a fact that a significant number of these DIY’ers are ill-equiped to handle the task of GCing their own project. This industry trend is what prompted the development of the school’s most popular curriculum, the Owner/Builder Two Day Workshop. This course is proving to be a win-win for the panel provider and the end-user alike. The SIPschool would like all providers to consider the promotional incentive to send customers to the two day workshop. The provider gets an educated customer that is better prepared to coordinate a successful build. In addition, if the provider sends the customer, they can sign up their client through the SIPschool’s website and receive a 25% per person discount.
"We have had the opportunity to send both an owner/builder and a framer to SIPschool. Each of them came back simply glowing with praise for the school, the curriculum, the staff, and the hands-on training! It is an invaluable program for anyone interested in using, or simply learning more about SIPs. We highly recommend SIPschool for everyone!!!"
Dan Preston
VP Sales and Marketing, Suretight
www.suretight.com
New Course Added to Curriculum - Installation Basics 202
In response to the demand for a hands on basics class geared towards the person who is a panel newbie, the SIPschool has introduced another class to its curriculum. The two day Installation Basics 202 is designed to provide an introduction to installing SIPs. The course covers all tools and basic techniques of installing various types of panels. The course emphasizes areas where beginning installers tend to make errors such a joint sealing and efficient field fabrication.
Classroom instruction during the first day of the SIPs 301 Certified Installer Class is held in the Train Station at Shepherdstown, in Historic Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Days two through five are on site at our Training Facility in Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia. See our website www.sipschool.org for more information on class schedules, lodging and transportation.
SIPschool Headed to Phoenix
The plan to bring four classes to Phoenix, AZ are being finalized as this newsletter went to distribution. Sticks and Structures (www.sticksandstructures.com), a SIPA builder member, will be hosting this event September 11, 12, and 13, 2006. Look for a follow-up mailing within a week to learn all the details. The SIPschool website will be updated shortly to allow those interested in attending the classes to register on-line.
