Created by IDI Distributors, R-Value provides business tips, stories from the field and industry updates for those who need to know what’s happening in the world of insulation. Gain valuable insights from experts who understand what matters most to contractors and their customers. Whether you want to discover new insulation tools or improve your small business tactics, subscribe now to get an edge on the competition.
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Travis and Don are used to talking about insulating areas above ground, but on today's episode they talk with an expert about the fast growing segment of crawlspace encapsulation. Dane Malmberg, National Sales Rep for Viper CS Crawlspace Vapor Barrier joins the show. He's been in the business for over a decade and is here to explain the important differences and advantages of a high quality product like Viper CS as compared to the standard 6 mil poly used in most projects currently.
The industry has been around a long time, but Dane discusses the reason why Viper CS makes it possible for huge growth opportunities if companies add this to their existing services. Standard 6 mil poly is made from recycled materials and is prone to tears, punctures and degradation. Viper CS is made from one hundred percent virgin resin and is a reinforced, high performance barrier. These differences ensure better air quality, prevention of structural issues, longevity and even creating more usable space for clients in their homes or buildings.
- 7:25 - An untapped market
- 9:19 - You get what you pay for
- 10:20 - What sets Viper CS apart
- 18:47 - Where is the opportunity?
- 27:45 - It's about the details
- 30:00 - Is thicker really better?
Thursday Jun 18, 2020
Thursday Jun 18, 2020
Go into your local or national bank and ask them about financing a new spray foam rig and be prepared to get a blank stare. That's why each week the R-Value podcast brings in experts in the industry to give you the most specialized information around.
This week is no different. Travis, Don and Aaron welcome Josh Penman, National Business Development Manager for American Financial Partners (AFP). Josh works with new and existing businesses to meet their financial needs, and the most importantly, he knows the industry. AFP offers up to 100% financing on terms up to seven years.
Josh shares his experience and guidance on what type of equipment can be financed, the best time to finance, how to get the best rates, how quickly you can get approved, and what financing looks like right now as we look forward to the recovery post-Covid-19. Trade in blank stares for someone who cares.
3:14 - Why you should choose AFP
9:17 - Dealing with COVID-19
11:56 - How to prepare for the recovery? Should I finance?
14:00 - Appreciating the value of family time
17:22 - How to set yourself up for the best financing
18:55 - Don's not-so-dumb question
20:40 - How quickly can I be approved for financing
22:06 - Remember lead time for the rig
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
Thursday Jun 11, 2020
The people that are leading the way in spray foam innovation are leading the way in the market place right now.
On this episode, Travis and Don welcome Ben Brown, President and CEO of Natural Polymers. Ben has been working behind the scenes for 22 years to make the chemicals in your spray foam more efficient, better for the environment and better for your customers. Ben takes you in the laboratory and the research and development room to show you the past, present and future of spray foam technology.
Natural Polymers LLC is dedicated to the development of high-quality Urethane Systems with low VOC signatures and an environmentally friendly, raw material base. Their petroleum and natural-based products are third-party tested, meeting and often times exceeding industry standards.
3:26 - Working with the chemicals behind your favorite spray foam
6:57 - Dinosaurs of the early days of spray foam
11:49 - How Ben has made spray foam more efficient and safer through technologies like Natural-Therm Zero Plus
17:53 - When an R-Value isn't exactly as advertised
21:54 - Why Ben is leading his chemists out of the lab and into the field
25:46 - What's the future market for new spray foam technology?
29:27 - How Natural Polymers is scaling up and still focusing on quality products.
33:17 - What's the draw to Natural Polymers LLC?
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
Thursday Jun 04, 2020
As always, you are in for another episode packed with valuable information. Today, Travis and Don welcome Robert Naini, of Spray Foam Advisor. His company provides information for SPF business owners, salespeople, applicators, and distributors, with the goal to improve efficiency and generate more profit through their training and learning techniques.
Listen to this wide-ranging conversation about the shortage of skilled labor. The shortage can effect cost, efficiency and in the long-term, be a huge drag on the entire industry. The challenge is how to avoid this shortage and Robert discusses how recruiting, education, a focus on retention and investing in people can do just that. A key is to break out of the old mindset that the only "good jobs" are ones that require a college degree, and show younger people the value of having a job in industry.
11:10 - Where has the skilled labor gone?
16:35 - Where should you recruit?
20:35 - How to retain the best people
23:05 - Breaking tradition
27:05 - The true cost of labor shortage
29:41 - reinvesting in people
31:20 - Rethinking how we train
36:18 - Recognize how your employees work and what they want
Thursday May 28, 2020
Thursday May 28, 2020
There's no worse tragedy that can happen to your home or business than a fire. And there is one company out there that is dedicated to putting that fear to rest.
Travis Pankake and Don Clymer invited their good friends Gary Wolf, Brad Glazier, and Nick McCartney from IFTI/Paint to Protect, manufacturer of the industry leading DC315 intumescent coating, 15-minute thermal barrier and Ignition barrier fire protection of spray foam insulation.
This group of experts gives in depth information about all of their products, the right questions to ask when looking at fireproofing, new continuous insulation systems, what other providers may be trying to hide and above all, that with Paint to Protect, the proof is in the testing. No one in the business is as stringent with their testing and applicator training. You know that when you choose IFTI, you won't have to worry about meeting code, passing inspection or suffering loss from fire.
5:16 - Fascinated with fire
12:09 - The proof is in the testing
13:51 - All testing is not created equal
19:07 - Continuous insulation systems
22:12 - The right questions to ask about your coating
24:02 - Buyer beware
29:37 - Certified applicator training
33:22 - Preferred application methods
48:17 - Alternative to attic sprinkler system
Thursday May 21, 2020
Thursday May 21, 2020
Have you properly protected your equipment and your business with the right insurance coverage? Not having the right coverage on your spray foam rig could set your business back or even end it.
Join Travis, Don and Aaron as they discuss the myriad of options and benefits of insuring your spray foam rig and your business with Craig and Kirk Campbell of SPF Insurance Group.
SPF has been helping people get insurance in one form or another for over 103 years. Craig and Kirk's in-depth knowledge and experience in the industry, allows them to provide the exact coverage their clients need. There are so many types of policies that many people don't even know about, or why they should have them. Coverage for trailers vs. commercial auto, trailer contents, chemicals, over-spray, harmful odor, injury, the list goes on.
You don't have to be in the dark about insurance and you can protect your business from the worst case scenario.
8:02 - The transition to SPF insurance
9:51 - Proving the safety of your product
12:34 - The questions you need to ask your insurance provider today
13:51 - Inland Marine Coverage - why you need it
26:01 - General liability and over-spray
28:53 - What's that smell?
44:04 - Experience = best coverage for the price
51:45 - When lightning strikes
Thursday May 14, 2020
Thursday May 14, 2020
When a small business starts to grow, they soon realize how much comes along with that growth. The intricacies of hiring, benefits, workers comp, payroll and so much more can be overwhelming.
Join Travis Pankake and Don Clymer as they welcome Richard Hines, CEO of Buzz HR to help businesses of all sizes deal with these issues. Richard has a very broad and interesting background from running his own businesses to selling commodities and insurance. And this experience launched him into what drove him most - helping fix the challenges that so many face in running their day-to-day businesses.
Listen to this incredibly informative episode and see how Buzz HR analyzes a customer's business with a buyer's journey, in order to support only the services that are needed, and nothing that's not. See how this approach will help you stress less and find and retain the best employees for your company.
4:06 - Richard Hines' varied background
7:28 - Disaster relief brought new perspective
10:37 - How Buzz HR was born
18:34 - A whole new approach to HR
26:04 - Best in class partners to serve your needs
30:21 - That thing you forgot? Buzz HR remembered
34:14 - You don't know what you don't know
38:33 - The right company culture brings success
Thursday May 07, 2020
Thursday May 07, 2020
Your business’ economic realities are directly related to your personal economic realities. If you want to help your employees you have to educate them (and yourself) on all of the options available.
Travis Pankake and Don Clymer are joined once again, back by popular demand, by speaker, thinker, business expert David Avrin. David lays out how the traditional buy/sell model of business has been completely upended by Coronavirus and how his business and businesses he interacts with are adapting.
David Avrin is the author of the celebrated marketing books: It’s Not Who You Know It’s Who Knows You! and Visibility Marketing!, His latest Customer Experience book: Why Customers Leave (and How to Win Them Back) was named by Forbes as “One of the 7 Business Books Entrepreneurs Need to Read.”
2:20 - David Avrin is big in Vietnam now but facing a new normal
6:15 - The traditional buy/sell model isn't working right now, what is?
13:50 - The wrong way to communicate to your customers
21:57 - Balancing your personal economy equation
25:01 - 3 reasons to help and educate your employees on the financial help available
30:07 - It's going to get worse, so you better get better
38:49 - If you want people to be interested you have to be interesting
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
How much do you know about the building you are insulating?
Join Travis Pankake, Aaron Franzine and Ryan Stewart as they discuss the inside and out of the inside of homes with Jeremiah Bryant, COO of Thrice Energy Solutions. Jeremiah comes from 4 generations of drywall experts and he uses that expertise to consult with clients of all kinds on the best solutions to keep their homes energy efficient and safe. If you’ve ever wondered about HERS ratings and raters and how you can educate clients properly on energy efficiency, this is the episode for you. PLUS! Jeremiah explains why he buys through distribution, how it keeps his costs fixed and helps him serve his clients better.
Thrice Energy Solutions is Oklahoma’s premier insulation and builder services contractor. Providing superior solutions for spray foam, fiberglass, and cellulose insulation as well as seamless rain gutters, fireplaces, house wrap, HERS Ratings, blower door testing, and more.
2:20 - Jeremiah's expertise goes back to being a 4th generation drywall guy
6:15 - It is alarming how little companies who are doing insulation know about the building envelope
11:04 - The value of buying through distribution
13:50 - Re-educating the market about how all of the trades work together to build a better house
21:57 - Are you an insulator or an energy advisor?
25:01 - Is being a HERS rater a conflict of interest?
30:07 - Every home warrants an evaluation of what product is best
38:49 - Should I focus on new construction or existing homes?
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
Wednesday Apr 22, 2020
DESCRIPTION
Most Americans are waiting to go outside again, but what economic realities will be there to meet them when they do?
Join Travis Pankake, Don Clymer and Steve Kosel as they discuss the short term and long term effects of the economic pause caused by the COVID-19 shutdowns with acclaimed economist Brian Beaulieu of ITR Economics. When should we expect economic recovery and how long will growth last? What are the unintended consequences of the shutdown and are the measures taken by the U.S. government working?
Brian has served as CEO and Chief Economist of ITR Economics™ since 1987, where he researches the use of business cycle analysis and economic forecasting as tools for improving profitability. Prior to joining ITR Economics, Brian served as an economist for the US Department of Labor, where he worked on the health-care component of the Consumer Price Index. Brian has co-authored, with Alan Beaulieu, the books “Prosperity in the Age of Decline,” “Make Your Move,” and, for children, “But I Want It!”
TRANSCRIPT DETAILS:
2:45 - When you're dealing with the unprecedented you have to think differently
7:23 - The unintended consequences of the economic pause and stimulus solutions
11:44 - When will the economy climb out of the hole caused by COVID-19?
15:00 - "We've seen this before." Consumer behavior post-COVID
20:20 - Back to School could mean Back to Economic Normality
26:41 - Long range impacts of national debt accumulation