Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
Altro provide high-quality solutions across a range of flooring products and wall cladding for a variety of sectors.
James Cosper doesn’t specify flooring, but that didn’t stop Altro Regional Representative Kelli Weiblen from replacing San Antonio East Central International School District’s (ECISD) kitchen flooring.
The school district’s kitchens suffered from old quarry tile and failing epoxy – making cleaning difficult and time consuming, and increasing the risks of slips and falls. To help, our Atlas 40 safety sheet vinyl flooring was specified due to its resilience, ease of cleaning and slip resistance.
“Ever since we installed this flooring in the schools, we have had reduced slip, trip and fall accidents,” said Nancy Britton, Child Nutrition for ECISD.
However, the job took much time to culminate, and it all began with a summer meeting in 2015.
In mid-June, after receiving Cosper’s contact information from a foodservice consultant’s website, Weiblen set up an appointment at his home office. Weiblen learned he didn’t specify flooring, but San Antonio-area architects and interior designers often ask him for alternatives to epoxy or quarry tile flooring. Perfect.
Sending him everything but the kitchen sink (though the flooring could be used under one), Cosper was soon the proud owner of Altro commercial kitchen binders and brochures detailing our expertise in the area, and several of our safety flooring samples.
Half a year went by until Weiblen heard anything back. Early January 2016, she received a phone call from Barry Sturrock of San Antonio-based Piwonka-Sturrock Architects regarding the ECISD project.
The two convened on January 19, and after looking through our products and installation procedures, Sturrock grew interested in the robust and hard-wearing Altro Atlas 40.
Four different schools in the San Antonio school district had failing epoxy floors or quarry tile, so the firm sought a strong and resilient alternative. Altro safety flooring’s ability to be installed right over existing floors was enticing.
Both Piwonka-Sturrock and the school district elected to move forward with Altro Atlas 40, color Quarry Red.
On June 2, the initial order was shipped and the installation process began at the first school - Salado Intermediate. Larry McLaughlin, Altro Technical Representative, joined Weiblen at the job site on June 20, meeting with the architect, general contractor and flooring contractor to review any questions to ensure a successful installation. McLaughlin stayed on site the rest of the week with the flooring contractor.
“I love my new floor! It’s very easy to clean. We just had food service and we haven’t even mopped yet!” said Brenda Lee, Kitchen Manager of Salado Intermediate. “Plus, we don’t even need those rubber mats because the floor is comfortable to stand on.”
The remaining Altro Atlas 40 was delivered on July 11, and the other three schools, Sinclair Elementary, Pecan Valley Elementary and East Central High School, were completed in time for the start of the school year on August 22.
“Floor is great – much better than the quarry tile that we had here before,” said Jannette Poledo, Kitchen Manager of Pecan Valley Elementary. “No matter how much you cleaned [the quarry tile], it still looked dirty.
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To prevent dirt, grime and even food from caking in corners, in some types of installations, especially kitchens, the flooring will be run up the wall a few inches. Called flash coving, Altro sheet flooring is flexible enough to suit such installation needs.
“We really like how the floor goes up the wall,” said Zulema Vasquez, Kitchen Manager of East Central High School. “[Flash coving] makes cleaning in corners and around the walls very easy.”
Our customer service doesn’t quit after successful material delivery, however. Altro Technical Services Manager Skip Johnson, McLaughlin and Weiblen conducted a cleaning webinar on August 19, and Weiblen held an in-person cleaning and maintenance seminar at two ECISD locations.
The end user and kitchen staff had nothing but positive comments for our technical support, customer service and, of course, the flooring.
