BUSINESS TIP ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Welch was able to joint-venture with an experienced crew. Over the years, Welch grew into a full-service company and in 2017, “sold more work than we could do,” Welch said. Kemna came to Welch’s aid on the Klondike Cheese plant project in Monroe, Wis., and terrazzo projects Travers City East Elementary and Mercy Hospital in Muskegon, Mich. “Roles go back and forth, based on workload,” Welch said. Working on projects like the Duke Cancer Center in Durham, N.C., Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, Seton Medical in Killeen, Texas, the Federal Building in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and the Faena Forum Event Center in Miami spawned a learning friendship, in which each company learned how each others’ team operates. “In Miami, the project scope expanded,” Welch explained. “Welch shipped a terrazzo grinder down. It helped him to not have to put out $30,000 for a grinder, and it helped us get the job. We pool our labor forces, equipment and people,” he added, shipping equipment to or from Texas and Michigan where needed. Kemna remarked, “We are both working on projects out of town, having the confidence to know Dan will send folks if we get behind. That gives us confidence to bid; we have another resource to call on for labor.” At times, the company has pulled Planislope™ RS is a rapid- setting, pre- b l e n d e d , polymer-mod- ified mortar that includes a blend of select aggre- gates. It is designed for quick and effec- tive pre-sloping under water- proofing membranes and thick-bed mortar installations. Planislope RS sets in 1 to 2 hours and provides a smooth, level finish. Ideal for use in showers, the product can be applied in other interior and exterior, wet and dry environ- ments. Planislope RS is well suit- ed for a variety of substrates, including concrete, masonry cement block, cement back- er units (CBUs), cement and porcelain tile, and adequately designed wood frame floor systems. www.mapei.com. 30 TileLetter | June 2019