Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/247747
Th u rsd a y, Fe b ru a ry 6 , 2 0 1 4 C o n stru c tio n Ma rke tp la c e DECKRITE: FUNCTIONAL, ELEGANT An interview with Jim President, DeckRite LLC Newman, CM: Jim, why don't you begin by giving us the old 'elevator pitch' for DeckRite. JN: Basically, DeckRite is a permanent vinyl covering designed for application on wood or concrete decks, patios, balconies or any exterior walkway. It is extremely durable and easy to maintain. The product is waterproof, so many of our applications are over living areas or on raised decks. Second story walkout balconies are a popular use for our product as well as multiple decks on a condominium/apartment complex. It is a great product for challenges faced by homeowners, builders and developers. It has great eye appeal and it's easy to install. The elevator can stop now. CM: Sounds like DeckRite can solve a variety of problems. JN: It can and has. CM: Any examples you'd like to share? JN: Well, we had a big homebuilder with a large development just underway. On several models of homes they offered it showed a walk-out second story balcony. Unfortunately, it also showed conventional asphalt roofing installed on the balcony. That meant when the homeowner walked out to use his wonderful balcony, he had no choice but to walk on the nasty asphalt roofing materials which he then tracked back into his beautiful new home. The DeckRite product offered the homebuilder a more functional and more ele- KREG: INNOVATIVE TOOLS FOR INNOVATIVE BUILDERS Innovation. It separates those who lead from those who follow. To be an innovative builder, you need teams and tools that are innovative, too. Kreg Tool Company has spent 25 years creating innovative tools that builders, woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers use to build stronger, faster and better. In addition to their well-known Kreg Jig® pocket-hole jigs, Kreg also makes products for cutting and measuring, clamping, joining, routing and organization. In 2014, Kreg celebrates its 25th anniversary with two new products that show the company's dedication to innovation. First is the Kreg Jig K5, the latest generation of a tool that builders, trim carpenters and woodworkers have relied on for years. The K5 makes it easy to build almost anything with solid wood and sheet goods from ½ inch- to 1-1/2 inches thick, and it has features like easyadjust workpiece clamping, built-in storage and highly effective dust collection that make the jig intuitive and extremely easy to use. The Kreg Jig K5 is great for building indoors or outdoors, can be used on a NATURAL LIGHT ENERGY SYSTEMS FOCUSES ON QUALITY, SERVICE AND PRICE An interview with Bob "Duke" Dutkiewicz, Vice President, Natural Light Energy Systems. CM: What is Natural Light Energy Systems and what's its main line of business? BD: Our company has been a manufacturer of tubular skylights and solar powered attic fans for more than a decade. Tubular skylights, by the way, are the most efficient type of skylight. They have the ability to capture even very low-angle sun rays and direct them through a highly reflective light pipe to illuminate everything from small rooms to large warehouse spaces without significant transfer of outside heat or cold. We also manufacture the more traditional square/rectangular skylights made from insulated glass and heavy-duty polycarbonate. And let's not forget our solar powered attic fans. Those, and our tubular skylights, have the best warranties in the industry. CM: What makes Natural Light unique? BD: Natural Light Energy Systems is unique in that we offer a broad array of standard and customized skylight sizes in both tubular and traditional-style models. We really believe that the combination of quality, service and price sets us apart. And finally, we're aligned with National Chimney – an industry leader in residential and commercial chimney products. CM: Skylights and chimney products – that seems like an odd combination. What's the synergy there? BD: You mean aside from all of our products either run through or are on top of a roof? Well, there are several things in common. First, all product lines are eco-friendly. Day-lighting through skylights reduces utility bills by reducing the need for artificial lighting and the increased air conditioning that's required to offset the heat from that extra electrical lighting. Second, our solar powered attic fans require no power from the grid. They help reduce A/C loads and run times, and they help preserve roofing tiles and underlayments. Third, a home gant option for his customers. I think our product actually helped close a couple deals for the builder. And, they still maintained a great profit margin. very familiar with what our customers look for in a supplier. CM: Great. Anything else? CM: Profit always gets attention. JN: There's nothing wrong with profit. We want our customers to do well promoting our products and they do. But equally as important, no one wants problems or callbacks. Our customers enjoy that aspect of DeckRite, as well as knowing that when the project is complete, the products are going to continue to perform as promised. Performance is also critical to the bottom line. We have been involved in the decking industry in North America since the mid-1970s and have become or benchtop portably, and accepts the Kreg Micro and HD Drill Guides for even greater versatility. Plus, the K5 is built to survive the rigors that any professional builder can put it through. Another innovation from Kreg is the new line of Automaxx™ clamps. Unlike most locking clamps that require fumbling with adjustments every time you want to clamp material of a different thickness, Automaxx clamps adjust automatically, whether you're clamping thick, thin or in-between. Just set the clamping pressure once and Automaxx hearth flue or an industrial chimney – if it's not heating efficiently or venting properly, that's an energy loss and potentially a health hazard. That's where our chimney products fit into the mix in an eco-friendly way. CM: What about new products? BD: Late last year we added the traditional insulated glass and heavy-duty polycarbonate skylights that I mentioned previously. This year we're introducing two new tubular skylight sizes – 12" and 16" models. That will extend our existing product line of 10", 13", 18" and 21" models. We're constantly looking at market needs and products to fill those needs. CM: What distinguishes you from your competitors? BD: I believe we offer high-quality products, made in America, which offer the best value. You can find cheaper products on the market, but they won't be made with our industrial grade extruded aluminum, condensation release domes, easyrelease hinges, etc. And you can certainly find higher priced products. But why would you pay more than you need to? CM: Who are customers/end users? your 23 targeted JN: DeckRite products are available in a variety of prints and colors that should appeal to a variety of consumers. If you are not familiar with DeckRite, or have additional questions, please stop by our booth #S2247. We enjoy talking about great DeckRite projects and products. CM: Nothing else? JN: DeckRite.com. For more information, visit www.deck rite.com, call 888-450-DECK or stop by booth #S2247. technology does the rest. Kreg offers many other innovative tools for builders, too, including industrial-duty router tables and workbenches, measuring tools and two tools that make cutting chores faster and more accurate: the RipCut™ circular saw guide and the Trak & Stop System that turns any miter saw into a precision cutting tool. Be sure to stop by the Kreg booth, #P18 under the big blue tents outside, to see how Kreg tools can make you a more innovative builder. For more information after the show, visit www.kregtool.com or call 800-447-8638. BD: Well, the end users are home owners and business owners who need low-cost efficient day-lighting solutions. Because we are essentially a manufacturer, we don't sell direct to consumers. Instead, we work with distributors and dealers – both domestically and abroad – to provide product for professional tradespeople, general contractors and architects. CM: To what do you attribute Natural Light Energy Systems' success? BD: That's easy! Great value for the price along with excellent customer service. That assures first-time buyers can easily become repeat buyers. And many of those repeat buyers have become loyal customers for life. Our products are a great value for the price. Our customer service is excellent. And we've made many first-time buyers into repeat customers. We have a very loyal customer base, for which we are very grateful. CM: How can our readers find out more? BD: Hey, visit our booth – C6151! Or check out our websites www .nltubular.com and www.solarattic fan.com. Of you can call 800-363-9865 or email bob@nltubular.com. Hope to see you at the show!