Victor Amend: I’ve been in the construction industry since I got my degree in Civil Engineering back in 1981. I worked as a project manager for a large construction company (3000+ employees) overseeing the development of multi family, commercial, and industrial structures. I went back into academics earning a PhD and then serving as a lecturer. After that, I started several businesses related to the construction industry, including the manufacture of hardwood floors. I believe it was 1995 at a European trade show that I first saw ICFs. I saw the opportunity and it didn’t take long for me to dive in. After several iterations, we came up with the Amvic Building System in 1998.

VA: In looking at the market in 1998, one of the most common complaints reported by contractors was the poor quality of ICFs. We believed that poor manufacturing contributed to this. It wasn’t a coincidence that the majority of ICF companies outsourced their manufacturing to EPS molders, whose core

businesses most of the time were in packaging. The molding of an ICF is inherently different and to provide the highest quality product on the market, we were willing to invest in a manufacturing facility with the latest equipment. It was safer to go with a molder financially, but we weren't willing to risk the quality of the product.

This year, we partnered with Diversified

Plastics to manufacture and ship our products

to meet the growing demand and to reduce freight costs. The decision was made because the ICF market in 2001 is very different from

1998. First, you have a couple of large machine makers that have produced state-of the-art equipment specifically for ICFs. Second, you have molders that recognize ICFs as a growing market and have invested accordingly. Third, before we signed the deal, we conducted careful due diligence to ensure that our quality standards would be replicated.

We did everything possible, from ddemonstrations to a number of visits to their facilities, to ensure this. We also considered the quality of people working there and determined that it was the right decision. It’s worked out well enough that we have two more similar deals closing, one on the west coast and the other in the southeastern states.

VA: The original concept of the Amvic Building System came from a number of sources. We looked at the existing products out on the

market, we talked to a number of contractors, and we did a lot of thinking on our own. In designing the block, one important element we wanted to incorporate was strength, since ICFs must endure the immense pressures from pouring concrete. This led us to insert a tie every six inches, which is one of our most popular features. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that our product is the strongest.

VA: We have two new ICF systems in the design stage. The first one will be introduced early next year and the second one will be towards the end of next year. These products will complement, not replace, the existing product line. That’s all I can say at this point.

VA: Of course I don’t like it, but that’s what competition is. We have filed a patent and we’re waiting for it to come through, which should happen very soon. Once we have the patent, we won’t hesitate to go after companies we feel are acting unscrupulously.

The quality, not the design of the product is Amvic’s focus and our competitive advantage. The design might be easy to copy, but the quality isn’t. Besides, as I’ve stated before, we’re working on some new products that should allow us to remain ahead of the competition.

VA: That’s what competition is. We provide the best quality product at the best price. It’s good for the market and everyone benefits, except for companies that complain and do nothing about it. I’ll be the first to admit that

the marketing efforts of older companies helped us in the beginning, but we are now present at all the major trade shows, advertise in trade publications, have upgraded our web presence, and work closely with our distributors on regional marketing programs. We’ve recruited and trained contractors that have not worked in the industry before and won over customers in the residential and commercial markets that had never previously considered ICFs.

VA: For 2000, we increased our volume thirty times from 1999. This year we’ll do three times what we did in 2000. Next year we’re projecting three times what we do this year.

We don’t focus on a specific geographic market, nor are we making a concerted effort into the commercial sector like a lot of other ICF companies. We are looking more at the international markets, and you’ll see us in Asia, Europe and Africa in the near future.