BLASTRAC ANNOUNCES SPARC DATES
SPARC: Surface Preparation Academic Resource Center program is
geared to contractors, coatings specifiers and architects/engineers
Blastrac Global has experienced much success with its Surface Preparation Academic Resource Center classes for the past four years. Blastrac will offer these classes again in 2008 on May 20-22, July 15-17, September 16-18 and November 11-13.
SPARC is a surface preparation training program taught by factory experts skilled in Blastrac® equipment and Sawtec® hand tools. With a class size of 15 students each month, SPARC is beneficial for anyone in the surface preparation industry, from beginners to highly experienced technicians.
"The best thing about SPARC is that it teaches participants what to use when and how to use the products, as well as how to lower operating costs by being more efficient," said Jonn Rippman, Blastrac National Training Manager. "SPARC takes the mystery out of the surface preparation process."
Participants arrive at the Blastrac factory in Oklahoma City for the three-day class on Monday night and leave early evening on Thursday. All meals are included in the cost of the school. SPARC is taught by Jonn Rippman, Scott Coffey, Quality Assurance Manager, Matt Shorrock - Product Manager of Wheel Blast Equipment, Paul Robb- Product Manager of Grinding/Polishing, Jason Root - Product Manager of Diamond Tooling/Sawtec, Rob Swelgin - Product Manager of Scraping and Scarifying also instruct the course.
Rippman said, "participants often say that they learn so much through the class, especially how to use the correct product for certain applications, which is one of the goals of SPARC". The class is designed for anyone in the industrial flooring business, from decorative concrete technicians to tile and carpet installers.
Ed Gruetzner, who owns Epoxy Floors of Westchester in Thornwood, N.Y., started his business six months before attending SPARC. Gruetzner said the class answered many of the questions he had concerning shotblasting, and he has now extended his company’s services to include concrete polishing because he learned so much about the process during SPARC.
"I thought the class was phenomenal. I went into the class with so many questions, but I didn't even have to ask them because the instructors were so thorough," Gruetzner said. "I came away from SPARC with more information than I ever thought I'd gain."
SPARC is a comprehensive training program on popular surface preparation methods and equipment. The course is designed for contractors, coatings specifiers, facility owners, architects, engineers and others involved with application, specification or use of coatings. The three- day program includes discussion of common surface preparation methods such as shot blasting, diamond grinding, scraping, milling and scarification. Participants are taught when to use different surface preparation techniques, based on job site characteristics, specified coatings, desired results and costs. The instructor also includes discussion of industry standards and testing methods. Students’ training is focused primarily on intensive hands-on instruction, including training in the start-up, use and maintenance of equipment.
For information about the SPARC training program, call 800-256-3440, e-mail info@blastrac.com, or visit www.blastrac.com.
Blastrac provides walk-behind (electric) and ride-on (propane, gasoline) shot blast equipment and dust collection systems for surface preparation of concrete or steel. Blastrac also offers equipment for cleaning vertical steel surfaces such as ship decks, storage tanks and bridges. Equipment for floor scraping and removal of tile, carpet and other flooring materials, as well as equipment for other specialized applications is also available. For more information on the Blastrac brand, visit the web site at www.blastrac.com or send an e-mail to info@blastrac.com.
Blastrac is the global leader in portable surface preparation technologies and equipment. The company manufactures and develops environmentally safe shot blasting, grinding, polishing, scarifying, scraping, milling and cutting equipment. Blastrac equipment is designed for surface preparation of asphalt roads and runways, concrete, steel, brick, stone, and other substrates. For more information on the Blastrac and Sawtec brands visit the new Web site at www.blastrac.com.
