Innovations are crucial in every industry for supporting business growth and success. Here Jake Sinna, vice president of international sales at surface preparation specialist National Flooring Equipment, explains why innovative technologies are important in surface preparation.
When electrical engineer, George De Mestral and his dog returned from a hunting trip in 1941, he noticed several spiny seeds stuck to his clothes and the dog’s fur. Close investigations of the seeds led to his invention of sticky strips, which were patented under the name Velcro in 1955. Although it took more than a decade, De Mestral’s innovative idea brought him huge success.
Innovation is also important in the surface preparation industry. There are three main reasons why it’s important to maintain an awareness of the updates in the field and spot the innovations that will benefit your business.
Competition
The construction industry is highly competitive — the number of construction firms in Great Britain increased to a record high in 2016, according to the Office for National Statistics. In addition, due to improvements in transport links, communication platforms and economic developments in other countries, competition is emerging from further afield.
The increase in competition is not a bad thing. It means that the industry standard is consistently being driven to improve. However, it does mean you must keep one eye on your competitors to ensure that you don’t fall behind.
There’s more to innovation in surface preparation than using the most advanced, intelligent and powerful machines. It’s also important to consider the customer’s continually evolving needs. Customer fashions, expectations and economic pressures are never static and businesses can gain a competitive edge by adapting their equipment and processes to suit the current customer demands.
In general, contractors can expect that by using the latest technology, the quality of their surface preparation work will be higher. Businesses can improve their reputation even further by demonstrating high productivity.
Productivity
For five decades before the recent economic downturn, the average output for each employee in the UK rose by approximately two per cent per year, according to the Office for National Statistics. This growth has now slowed to an average of 0.5 per cent per year, giving rise to an industry challenge commonly referred to as the productivity puzzle.
To increase their productivity, surface preparation contractors must make sure they are using the best machines for the job. For example, National Flooring Equipment’s scrapers run with a greater torque than those of its competitors — almost double in some cases — which translates to greater productivity. In particular, the company’s 5700 battery ride-on scraper and 6280 Commander hydraulic walk-behind scraper demonstrate very high torque and therefore productivity.
Many other industries, especially manufacturing, are looking to automated equipment to increase productivity. It’s possible that the surface preparation industry will follow suit in the future, which would allow National Flooring Equipment to further increase the productivity of its machines.
Facing challenges
There are some common challenges that surface preparation contractors face. For example, following the repair of a cracked concrete surface, contractors often find that the repair concrete de-bonds from the substrate. The reason for this is insufficient or ineffective surface preparation prior to making the repairs.
Another challenge is that some flooring materials are notoriously difficult to remove, requiring extremely powerful machines. Scrapers with a greater weight make stronger contact with the floor and are ideal for these applications.
Most of the practical difficulties that contractors face with surface preparation jobs can be overcome by using high quality, well maintained and modern machinery. National Flooring Equipment’s customers receive personalised face-to-face advice on how to overcome their individual challenges, as well as tips on getting the most out of their machinery. On top of the face-to-face service, the company’s YouTube channel provides video tutorials giving information about how to use its machines.
What does innovation look like?
Dual lift ride-on scrapers are one of the most recent innovative technologies in the surface preparation industry. The angle of the blade allows the machines to be much lighter and more productive than alternative scrapers, helping contractors to tackle the productivity puzzle. The 5700 battery powered ride-on scraper pairs dual-lift functionality with a high torque, giving extremely high productivity.
National Flooring Equipment does not rely on Velcro for its success but is constantly introducing more recent innovations to its product portfolio. The company is currently working with some of its customers in the US to develop the next generation of surface preparation technology that will reset the market. The specifics of the new technology remain a well-kept secret for now, but contractors should certainly watch this space.
