NTCA Notes Industry Leaders in 3rd Annual Awards
JACKSON, Miss. – The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) recognized outstanding techniques and projects with its Third Annual Awards Ceremony during Coverings 2015 in Orlando last month.
Click photo for winners
Over 200 guests were on hand to see the NTCA n present its Best Practice Awards and Five Star Contractor Grand Prize awards for outstanding installations in both Commercial and Residential projects.
An independent panel of judges evaluated submissions, based on execution and installation, original usage and overall design/purpose. Special recognition was given to those projects exemplifying stunning tile and stone.
Joe Kerber of Kerber Tile, Marble & Stone of Shakopee, Minn. received a Best Practice award for his instrumental role in developing and having the Barrier Free Shower Method accepted by the Methods & Standards Committee at Coverings 2014. This method was approved for inclusion in the 2015 TCNA Handbook.
A member of the NTCA since 2003, Kerber served as a State Director and now as a Regional Director. He’s also voting member on the NTCA Technical Committee and Methods & Standard Committee.
Steve Slutzah of Westside Tile & Stone in Canoga Park, Calif., won the other Best Practice award, with his strong belief in the importance of NTCA Contractors being the driving force for increased membership in California. A member since 2007 as a distributor and soon thereafter as a State Director, Slutzah and his company have sponsored numerous NTCA Workshops and signed up more than 25 new members – even going as far as to pay for their first year’s membership.
NTCA’s Five Star Prize awards included both Commercial and Residential Tile Installations. The Five Star winners received $2,500 each in prize money, sponsored by Daltile Corp. Many submissions were received and judged on the size of project, complexity, technical soundness and design/presentation.
Welch Tile & Marble of Kent City, Mich., took the Five-Star Grand Prize for Commercial Tile Installation. The firm’s installation of 45,000 ft² of floor tile, 1,500 ft² of Ledge Stone and 6,500 ft² of wall tile at the Rankin Student Center of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., was a glowing example of the company’s technical expertise when confronted by a multitude of challenges.
A major task from the start, this renovation project’s obstacles included weather, time constraints, multiple product lines and the advancing age of the existing building.
Collins Tile and Stone of Aldie, Va., received the Five-Star Grand Prize for Residential Tile Installation. The firm’s project “Modern Tranquility,” started off with a complete demolition of the Master Bathroom including elimination of two picture windows, and included the construction of a steam shower. The project included a decorative mural inset comprised of handmade fused-glass mosaic.
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