Article Number : 615 |
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| Date | 9/16/2005 2:05:51 PM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=615 |
| Abstract | Kansas City, Mo.—A “seal of approval” for trained, qualified tile contractors is on the horizon. On Oct... |
| Article | Kansas City, Mo.—A “seal of approval” for trained, qualified tile contractors is on the horizon. On Oct. 1, the Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA) will unveil its “Trowel of Excellence” certification program at its annual convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Designed to introduce a quality standard in the rapidly growing tile industry, the Trowel of Excellence will use a variety of criteria to assess and certify the best tile contractors. The resulting seal of approval will make it easier for clients and consumers to choose a qualified tile contractor. “TCAA is on the leading edge of improving quality, industry-wide,” said TCAA president, Vincent DeLazzero, CEO of Port Morris Tile and Marble Corp. in Bronx, N.Y. “Tile is an excellent material for its beauty, durability and life cycle costs,” he explained. “To realize its full potential, it must be installed by a qualified tile contractor. We want to give clients that assurance of quality with contractors who meet our stringent training criteria.” To help develop the program, TCAA turned to two organizations long known for their training expertise and high standards of quality: the International Masonry Institute (IMI) and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC). BAC is the oldest continuous construction union in North America. BAC tile setters are trained in mud work and thinset applications, and experienced in all types of work, from large format porcelain tile to intricate mosaic art installations. IMI is the labor/management alliance devoted to training and market development. Its training programs range from pre-apprentice and upgrade classes to tile-specific supervisor and foreman training, plus safety and health. To achieve Trowel of Excellence certification, a tile contractor must meet stringent criteria, including: • Maintenance of minimum continuing education requirements; • Fiscal soundness; • A demonstrated history of integrity; • A body of work subject to peer review, and • Membership in TCAA, IMI and BAC. “A hallmark of any effective certification program is the rigorous standards it holds contractors to,” said DeLazzero. “Earning Trowel of Excellence status will be difficult for a contractor to achieve and, equally importantly, to maintain. With Trowel of Excellence in place, there will be a measurable quality standard, and the entire industry will benefit.” For more information on TCAA or the Trowel of Excellence, call 800/655-8453. |