Past Foundation trustee Jim Wies passed away peacefully June 19th following a battle with cancer. Jim was 74 years old. He is survived by his loving wife Janet (Hoester) Wies. They were married 51 years. He leaves behind his two children Tim Wies (T.J. Wies Contracting) and his wife Barb; and Julie Hohman and her husband Dave; and his two grandsons Trevor and Cameron Wies. He will be dearly missed by his many friends especially dear friends, Bob Hickey, Sylvia Hickey-Taylor and Marcella and Don Canning. He is survived by his siblings Robert Bob (Euvonne) Wies; Harold Harry (Sandi) Wies; Joan (Frank) Schulte; and Alice Wies. He was preceded in death by his two brothers Raymond and Charlie. Jim was a very influential leader in the construction industry on both a local and national level. He was co-founder and president of Drywall Engineering Corporation, one of the first commercial drywall contractors in St. Louis and one of the largest in the Midwest during the 1960's. He later went on to co-found and served as President of Wies Drywall and Construction Corporation until his retirement in 1997. Jim felt an obligation to give back and serve the industry that supported his family and business. He served 3, four year terms as trustee of the St. Louis Painting and Decorating Foundation and served two terms as President of the St. Louis Association of Wall and Ceiling Contractors. Jim was an active member and served as a subcontractor representative of the AGC of St. Louis. Jim also served as President of the Midwest Regional Conference of the Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries International where he served on the Board of Directors. Jim served on the advisory board of Mark Twain State Bank, was involved in fundraising for the YMCA, and helped fund the construction of the new outdoor athletic complex at St. Dominic High School. He also helped spearhead construction of several charitable projects through his industry ties over the years. Jim served in the Army Reserves during a time of peace. He was active with his children in Boy Scouts and coached both little league baseball and softball. Jim was an avid golfer who also enjoyed gardening, fishing and travel, but especially hosting and entertaining friends and family both at their residence and their lake house. He was known to all as a strong yet quiet man who truly enjoyed seeing others happy and enjoying themselves.
06/21/2010 | Read More
Congratulations to John Bender Inc along with T.J. Wies Contracting Inc. on their recent awards presented at the annual convention of the Association of Wall and Ceiling Industry in Denver. John Bender received their award for safety in the work place for companies with 500,000 and 1 million hours in 2009. The folks at T.J. Wies where present their award AWCI's Excellence in Construction Quality Award 2010 for Cardinal Kids Cancer Center. Everyone at the foundation is honored to see the fine work of our members recognized on the national stage.
06/15/2010 | Read More
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
AFL-CIO invests $108M
In St. Louis projects
St. Louis Business Journal - by Lisa R. Brown
The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, based in Washington D.C., is investing $108 million in two downtown renovation projects
04/14/2010 | Read More
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thomas Industrial Coatings Inc.
At Thomas Industrial Coatings, there might be no better example of teamwork in practice than the annual bonuses. Every employee receives the same flat amount regardless of title or job.
“This way it is in the best interest of every employee — from entry level to the top — to work hard to make sure the company is successful,” said Ross Boyd, purchasing and logistics manager.
Senior Project Manager Dane McGraw noted management’s openness to employee feedback. He and co-worker Don McComack suggested to owner Don Thomas that the company could more effectively use Microsoft Outlook for tracking schedules.
“It’s a midsized company that has a family-owned feel,” McGraw said. “No matter what level you’re on, the owner cares what you think.”
The Pevely, Mo.-based company specializes in applying and removing concrete and industrial coatings on bridges, buildings and other structures. It has 22 full-time employees and employs about 230 workers during peak seasons.
Perks:
• The company has numerous employee get-togethers such as barbecues and holiday parties. Employees note that many friendships formed at work carry over outside the workplace.
04/14/2010 | Read More
Starting April 22, the Environmental Protection Agency is mandating all renovation contractors who work on pre-1978 homes be certified to properly handle lead-based paint to avoid environmental contamination.Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes before it was banned from residential use in 1978. Lead has been shown to affect children's brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems; it can also be harmful to adults.
04/05/2010 | Read More
The current economic climate has created a buyer's market for all construction services, including painting and drywall work. That's a good thing if you're trying to spruce up your commercial or residential interior exterior, whether it's for sale, rental, or just settling in for the duration.
08/05/2009 | Read More
Before you decided that you really want that soft yellow color for your entrance foyer be aware that your color choice has environmental impact.
10/28/2008 | Read More
If you’re like many folks you might have trouble visualizing designs and color schemes. Let’s say that you really love the colors in the blanket you brought back from Mexico or a photo you saw in a magazine. But you’re really not sure which colors should be main features or accents or what the “feel” of your finished project will be.
09/23/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Paint is a valuable ally that can help protect and rejuvenate your home’s exterior. The spring or early summer is an opportune time to look for signs of early paint failure. Some paint problems may be caused by using a low quality paint, not preparing the surface properly or painting when it’s too hot or cold.
No matter what the cause, now is the perfect time to check those painted outside areas, identify any potential problems, and make valuable corrections before your minor paint problem becomes a larger issue.
07/15/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Are you planning to spruce up your home’s exterior this spring? Or, are you considering placing your home on the market? No matter what the reason, a fresh coat of paint can immediately revive the overall appearance of your largest investment, your home.
When it comes to exterior painting, many people choose to repaint using the same colors that already exist on the house. But choosing a new color scheme can be exciting and provide a new and updated look. In addition, refreshing your home with a new paint job is one of the most cost effective projects that adds value and long-lasting charm.
Choosing a new color scheme might seem daunting at first but these suggestions will help you through the color selection process.
04/15/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Did you know that paint color can actually alter the dimensions of a room? Well, it can’t literally do that. But it can alter how the dimensions are perceived, which is the next best thing. By taking a cue from fashion, your living space can be viewed as larger or smaller, taller or shorter.
A light-colored paint will make a small room appear bigger, for instance. And darker shades will make a large room seem much more intimate. These types of paint-induced optical illusions can be used with excellent results in almost any space.
03/15/2008 | Read More
By Debbie Zimmer with permission of The Paint Quality Institute
Runways and driveways have long been the inspirational source for home furnishings and decorating color choices. However, consumers’ increasing color confidence and personal style makes any color fashionable for 2008. From glass-like blues, botanical greens, dramatic black and white and whisper soft pink, color directions will drive towards individual self-expression, glamorous living experiences or an increasing awareness of important environmental causes.
02/12/2008 | Read More
With permission of Master Painters Institute in Vancouver Canada
There are many books in circulation that try to explain how to paint to a wide range of people. There's a wealth of information on tools, materials and styles but very little is written about 'cutting-in'—the technique for painting into edges, corners, and surface borders.
Proper cutting-in is essential to properly painted trim, windows, frames, base boards, doorframes, or graphic lines. In fact, cutting-in is one way professionals evaluate a tradesperson—how neat and precise the cut-in work is carried out, the size and type of brush used, the production rate, etc. It's unlikely that a painter would be considered a good tradesperson if taping or shielding was required to produce a pleasing finished product.
02/04/2008 | Read More
By Joe Schuster with permission of PWC: Painting & Wallcovering Contractor
Surface preparation, as any painting contractor will tell you, is perhaps the most important part of any job: get it right, and the coating work is easier; get it wrong, and you may have wasted all the time and money it took to get the coating on the surface.
In most cases, how to clean and prepare a surface is a slam dunk decision.
“I’d say that in 90 percent of our jobs, we’re going to end up using a pretty standard method of surface cleaning and prep,” said Matt Terrell of Atlanta-based Goodman Decorating, which marks 80 years of business this year focusing on commercial and industrial work throughout the southeast and eastern seaboard and as far away as areas of the Caribbean. “For most jobs, it’s a matter of sanding and water.”
09/06/2007 | Read More
From quick access to a safety consultant and reimbursement for hazardous waste disposal to a chance to golf with your fellow contractors and an open line of communication with the union - PDF exists to serve St. Louis area union painting, wallcovering and drywall taping contractors.