Your turn to Add Life to Concrete - CONQOR Supply

AMANDA: All right. OK. Welcome everyone, and thanks for taking the time to join us today for the latest MARKHAM webinar. It’s your turn to add life to concrete! In this event we will be introducing our new CONQOR SUPPLY approach. I’m a mentor. I’ve been with Markham for two years now and I’m involved in ordering and logistics, which is the core of CONQOR SUPPLY. With us also today is Hayden, who’s been with Markham for nine years. You may have met him already on site, or one of these webinars. He’s our sales and marketing manager.

HAYDEN: Cheers, Amanda. Good to see everyone. Thanks for jumping on. Yes, as Amanda said, I’ve been with MARKHAM for nine years and came out of the construction industry, so looking forward to running through this. A lot of you know MARKHAM, and this is a new area we’re jumping into. So – appreciate it. Let’s do it!

AMANDA: Thanks, Hayden. All right, so today’s learning outcomes: Adding life to concrete – what does that even mean? Supply lines and reliability – talking about your day-to-day challenges. What is CONQOR SUPPLY? And we’ll also touch on project packages; we’d be glad for your comments around that aspect. So something we like to do to start off is by asking, can you tell us about your job role? Put your job title in the comments and this will help us frame the presentation as we go forward.

HAYDEN: Nice. Should be a chat function there, you can just quickly pop in your roles in brief. Project manager. Very good. Thanks! For all those still joining, Welcome! Brilliant, looks like we’ve mostly got a spread from construction, either working on projects or alongside projects, so well done. Good to know that, just so we can talk about the right things. Thanks! So as we go, feel free to use the Q&A function as well, because no doubt you have questions pass through your mind; just bang them in there and we’ll answer them at the end, we’ll have a brief Q&A. So won’t be too long. We’ll keep this rolling and its going to be a good one.

So let’s kick off with, What is “Adding Life to Concrete”? You may have heard some of us talk about this before. So MARKHAM’s been involved across New Zealand and Australia since 1996, and our sole purpose is to add life to concrete; extend service life of concrete, get the most out of concrete. And we do that by nanoparticle hydrogels, that work inside the concrete to protect it internally. So this image here that you can see in front of your screen: as we know, when you pour concrete or you’ve got new concrete, so much water, bleedwater comes back out of the concrete and leaves porosity in the concrete. Effectively provides a transport system for contaminants, moisture, salts, all these sort of things, sugar, whatever it is, that get into the concrete and they cause corrosion.

So MARKHAM’s been involved in protecting against that. And how we do it is, fill up those porosities, where those red areas are shown, with hydrogel and to get the better result to add life to concrete. So, in doing that we can seal, harden, densify, anti-dust, that type of environment. We can waterproof structures by admixture, spray-on, doing it like that, add durability, add surface hardening, add abrasion resistance, things like that. And remediation; so many people do repairs but forget to protect them. And so you have ongoing repair maintenance. And so that’s just a little bit about ‘adding life to concrete’. That’s what we need to do effectively. Anyone in the industry would be similar. If you can stop moisture migrating through concrete, you’re going a long way to get more out of your concrete.

So with that, more on your side now, what are some of the pain points out there with getting the right products to help you with concrete construction? And so much comes down to… we believe, and what we hear from what everyone’s been telling us is, consistency. Consistency around quality. Consistency around something that you can rely on every single time. So you know you’ve got your projects. You want the same result. What worked last time should work this time, and you want to budget on that and work on that. Efficiency; deadlines are so tight these days; everyone’s pushing to get things done; and to be efficient and effective is a real challenge out there, to make sure your programme’s met. And communication, that’s a tough one, sometimes it’s back and forth, back and forth. Emails, phone calls, RFIs. Engineers, architects, builders, everyone involved; and communication sometimes breaks down and we lose the point of what actually is needed for the project. And then just a simple process where you can get product, know what you’re getting and get it delivered to sites. Those are some of the main pain points we’re trying to overcome with this CONQOR SUPPLY.

So let’s have a quick look at what it is. Yes, just screening through the list. A lot of you do know MARKHAM and have worked on projects, which is great, and thanks for jumping on this one; where we have supplied and installed a range of what we do via our TECT systems or treatments for concrete; and that’s still very much available. And that’s been going for since 1996.

And this CONQOR SUPPLY has been built off that system, built off that technology, built off what we know, what works where. But now it’s giving you access to a range of products that you can apply, or get your sub-trades to apply, and have that same level of performance. So we’re really honing in on seamless ordering, making it easy. Obviously you know a lot of our contacts already, a lot of our team; and so using the same team to trust and partner with, and, you know, ask for advice. And then focusing in on minimal disruption, so we can, you know, get the right product for the right place, and get it to you. And direct to-the-point communication. But let’s just say at this point, we are risk averse as well; we won’t be just pushing out product just for the sake of pushing out product. We are probably saying. No, that doesn’t go there, just as much as, Yes, this is a good example, good solution for that project. So we’ll be direct and to-the-point communication with CONQOR SUPPLY. Still very much MARKHAM, but taken away from the supply and install route to supply, and with backing that you can rely on. So what does that look like for products, Amanda? Do you want to jump into that?

AMANDA: Yes, absolutely. So broadly speaking, the CONQOR SUPPLY range is divided into three main categories. First up, we’ve got the concrete curing, which as we know is a lot more important than many people realise. So this includes our curing blankets, and our spray-applied products. Next up we’ve got the waterproofing section, which is always a hot topic in the construction industry. So this includes our admix, our concrete gaskets and again our spray-applied products. And then lastly, the third category is our protection, finish and durability. So this includes our sealing, hardening, anti-dusting and related products.

HAYDEN: That’s good; and probably should just touch on there, a lot of these products do go across new and existing structures. So if you’re looking after, you know, a new build, or you’ve got remedial works, so … that’s a good way of getting what you need done.

AMANDA: So CONQOR SUPPLY – who will it be ideal for? So there’s key industry players including concrete placers; so they’ll get the reliable curing. Waterproofing contractors. This gives you the opportunity to take on MARKHAM’s holistic approach. Fit-out and finishing; so this includes your painters, even landscaper contractors for blockwork, and the likes. Remedial contractors; again, it’s a focus area MARKHAM has worked in so many years. And we’re also looking at resellers. So we’re keen to talk to stockists in the industry. So including any of your existing suppliers, if there’s anyone in particular where you’d like to see our CONQOR range here, let us know.

HAYDEN: Yes, it’s a good point. It’s a lot of… as we hear from the market, a lot have their, you know, stores or accounts that they want to buy through; and we’re more than happy to supply through those channels. You may also have someone that’s looking after curing for you, so to speak, but you want them to use a specific product. More than happy to work through those sort of things. So yes, good points.

As we go, team, everybody, feel free to do question and answers, so just will get to that in a minute.

So we are a little bit unique as far as we’re still very much a project-based business. So we’d still like to consult and discuss a project rather than just a product. So obviously a lot of you would know that from past experience with our supply and install; and we’re taking the same learnings from that same model. Same tools, very similar processes; and provide you with that access, so you can come to us as plans or concepts or, you know, discussions, photos, etc. And to discuss what’s needed, you know, what are we trying to achieve there? We’re trying to waterproof the structure. Are we trying to just anti dust and seal, densify? Our team will be able to do a take-off for you, do a proposal on how much product you need, and some recommendations around the process etc. Along with that, being able to supply dummy or template QA documentation that’s very similar to what we use ourselves, that you can use and document for that project and some of the key areas that you need to just note down as you go, just to make sure you’ve got that backing behind you to pass on to the client, so all that access to that sort of paperwork and technical advice and proposal is all there.

So, get the proposal done. Need X amount of product, this amount of square metres. We also can provide training on applications, things like that. And then, you know, purchase that as a project lot and take it into what you needing to do. So hopefully that makes sense. There may be questions around that. But before we jump to questions, let’s have a look at the process of ordering. Go for gold!

AMANDA: Yes, absolutely. So our CONQOR SUPPLY stock is currently kept in our Napier, New Zealand headquarters as well as our head office in New South Wales, Australia. We will look to expand this moving along. Definitely we’ll get some stock across to WA in the coming months. So we like to keep things as simple as possible when ordering. This can either be done through email or phone. We work on a minimum ordering quantity, which again is different for each product. So more details on this can be found on our product list information. So we have an incredible dispatch team in both New Zealand and Australia who process the orders within one working day of receiving it. Also keep an eye out for our CONQOR SUPPLY website, so that’s due to launch by end of year.

HAYDEN: Yes, that’s right. So order direct from site, direct from your phone or desk, and your account we set up; and just being able to repeat-order or whatever it is; or submit questions and look for advice etc. So that would be a good next step as well; hopefully make it easier. But real keen on feedback on that. What looks good? And what do you need, from a market point of view, as well? Just so we build it right, build it with your input. So as we say, it’s your turn to add life to concrete! We’ve been adding [life to] concrete a long time now and very passionate about it, getting the most out of it.

But also your turn for any questions! If there’s anything right now, we’ll take a few questions and just answer them live, and then we can… If you got anything there, just use that Q&A function. Yes, good point. We will.. what I’ll do is we’ll show…There’s just a question saying, do you have a list of products? Absolutely. What we’d best do, I’ll show you our email address at this slide and we’ll give you a … if you flick through a note, we’ll respond with a product list and some base pricing, tech sheets etc. Yes, good point.

Sorry the Q&A is just trying to refresh, but I think I saw the question right said, Is the product suitable for warehouse floors or burnished floors. We do have a range for that, yes, you may… There’s two ways we do it; one for just as curing. So it goes on a burnished slab, that’s for curing. And that’s like a penetrating sealer-hardener which is your final finish. And then we also have what we call CONQOR SEAL, which goes down on an existing floor to seal or anti-dust and harden. And then we also have one, I think there was a photo of it earlier, CONQOR PROTECT, and that seals and densifies, but also provides elements of moisture proofing or stopping moisture migration through the slab as well. So yes, absolutely, do a lot of that. A lot of that burnished floor market, yes. Good questions. Thanks. Brendan, if you’re still there – my Q&A is just going round around in circles, but are you able to read them out at your end?

BRENDAN: Robert’s question actually related to fibre-crete. Did you touch on that, Hayden?

HAYDEN: Fibre?

BRENDAN: Yes.

HAYDEN: Do you want to read out the question again, sorry?

BRENDAN: Is the product suitable in burnished factory floors using fibre-crete?

HAYDEN: OK. Yes, yes, we have done those projects. Yes, absolutely, similar to what I’ve just said earlier. But yes, we’ve got track record of that.

BRENDAN: And the question from. James, What is the cost compared to your old range?

HAYDEN: Yes, that’s interesting, because our ‘old range’, so to speak, used to always come as a supply and installation, and we sell it as a square metre…as installed, and with QA, warranty, etc. So being a product only, with documentation available, things like that, it does have the ability of pulling the price back a lot for the market for very similar acting products. So I’m happy to discuss that in detail on specific products etc, yes.

BRENDAN: Yes. Then Danny’s got a very similar question. What sort of dollars per square metre or per cubic metre to be added to concrete of your product for budget purposes?

HAYDEN: Yes, 100%. It might be easier …if you want to pull up that last slide with the email addresses on it, Brendan, and might be easier if you flick a note through, and just put a little bit of specifics on what you’re trying to achieve. There we go. Keep in touch there. Either orders@, or Amanda or myself’s email address. But yes, more than happy to answer those questions around pricing. They’re generally a little bit more specific because different products, different outcomes that are trying to be achieved. So like I said earlier, we’ll try and put the best one forward and the most cost effective, rather than just pushing a product.

BRENDAN: James says. What are the best surfaces to use these products on?

HAYDEN: It’s a good question. There’s a lot of, well… pretty much any surface; new, existing, even a structure where you know – we’ve done it where car parks weren’t cured or sealed or anything, and they were dusting, you know, where they scrub it clean and use these products and seal; that type of environment. Podium levels where you want to stop moisture migration through concrete; that type of environment. Data centre walls, where ability to seal, things like that. So pretty much any surface, but we do always need bare access to concrete. As in, we’re doing a job in Queensland at the moment and having to remove all the form oil and the curing compound before being able to penetrate.

BRENDAN: That may lead on to James’ next question here, Will they cause compatibility issues with other products?

HAYDEN: Good point. Well, we do have a range of different products, it’s a bit harder to answer in one; but our general colloidal silica based products don’t; no. There’s no issues with adhesives or whatever’s coming next. Paint, epoxies, flooring, that type of environment there. Yes. Thanks, good questions, thanks. Brilliant, thanks for that. Well, no doubt there will be more, but yes, feel free to fire through a note on that. Do you want me to wrap this up, Amanda, or have you got a couple of key takeaways?

AMANDA: Feel free to wrap it up – I think my nerves have just settled!

HAYDEN: I think we should give kudos to Amanda. That’s the first time she’s jumped on one of these, so well done! Key takeaways, just to just to remind ourselves what we talked about, we talked about the consistent quality of hydrogel treatments, being able to extend the service life of concrete. So, why that is, is stop moisture migration. Stop that getting into concrete. You’re adding life to concrete, service life. We talked about the CONQOR SUPPLY offering, hydrogel based treatments on supply-only now. So those of you that are very familiar with MARKHAM now have the ability to take product itself alongside what we do. We spoke about, they’re not all spray-applied products. We do have waterstops, gaskets, hydrophylic sealants, and curing blankets, thermal curing, those sort of things. So it’s not all just… and we’re aiming to be a sort of one-stop concrete… to help the concrete industry supply. CONQOR SUPPLY gives you that service, that efficiency, that effectiveness that you can rely on and that communication we spoke about. And just a reminder also, we still very much have our TECT systems; because we do understand, and the market tells us, that we still need a system with this full performance solution, say waterproofing. What we call our TOP-TECT, you know, podium levels over car parks, those sort of things that are really backed with performance warranties. We still very much have that service available, where they’re end-to-end, where we specify and install, and give you the full warranty. So that’s always there.

Trust that makes sense. Thank you very, very much for jumping on taking some time every day to learn about this new CONQOR SUPPLY, and go for gold! Add life to your own concrete! Thanks all. Cheers.

AMANDA: Thank you.