ChemCo Systemswww.chemcosystems.com / HQ: Redwood City, Calif. / Specialty: Epoxies for concrete repair and restoration / John Bors,vice president: “Our reputation is based on producing the highest-performance products in our specialized categories.”

ChemCo Systems goes beyondmerely providing epoxies for infra-structure applications. Instead, thecompany boasts the ability to provideunique solutions for these civil engi-neering challenges.“We focus on delivering solutionsfor concrete repair, protection and

restoration to North American andinternational customers,” VicePresident John Bors says. “Thereare other larger companies that pro-vide a broad range of construction-related chemicals. ChemCo’s nar-row focus is repairing concrete usedin structural applications. These

projects can be challenging as theyfrequently involve older, existingstructures sometimes lacking origi-nal drawings and in poorly main-tained condition.” ChemCo Systems works with con-crete repair specialists, general con-tractors, facility managers, buildingowners, manufacturers, utilities,departments of transportation, air-ports and universities. Frequently, the nature of the workis unique and is conducted underextremely short timelines. In somecases, detailed consultation isrequired between ChemCo and

ConcreteResultschemco systems provides clients with the right

solutions for structural repairs. by brian salgado

chemco provided crackinjection services on alarge bridge column ingalveston, texas.

manufacturing-today.com SPRING/SUMMER 2011

architects or structural engineers todevelop a repair specification. A rapidly growing trend in urbanareas is sometimes referred to asbrownfield redevelopment – insteadof tearing down old structures, oftenthey are repurposed. For example, anindustrial building may be convertedto an office or a warehouse to a net-work data center. This “green” trendto reuse existing structures has dra-matically increased the need forChemCo’s materials. This is becausewalls may be moved, floors may bearloads differing from original designor there is a need for upgraded re -quirements due to adopting a morestringent building code.The company services its clientsthrough its Kemko®-approved appli-cator program, a group of specialtyconcrete repair contractors that haveundergone training at ChemCo head-quarters in Redwood City, Calif.These Kemko applicators use a singlesource integrated and complete sys-tem of products and equipment allsupplied by ChemCo. On larger ortechnically challenging projects, theapplicators can contact others in thenetwork to borrow expertise andadditional labor.

“Instead of supplying one or twoof everything across all categoriesof products, we can offer six to 10choices of performance-leadingproducts in a select category suchas epoxies for crack injection,” Borssays. “Third-party engineers, archi-tects and owners are very apprecia-tive of our patience and technical

background in responding tounique repair challenges in all typesof structures.”

Vast ExperienceWhen Adhesive Engineering (AE) – apioneering company in the develop-ment of epoxies for use in the aero-space and civil engineering applica-tions – was sold and absorbed byanother company, ChemCo wasformed by six former top AE man-agers in 1993. AE is credited withdeveloping and commercializing theprocess of using two-componentstructural epoxies in conjunctionwith automatic metering application

equipment to repair concrete. In 1959, two AE managers – one ofwhom continues at ChemCo – trav-eled in a station wagon to the Sierrasin an attempt to repair damaged con-crete in a hydroelectric dam ownedby Pacific Gas and Electric. They usedliquid epoxies and some pumpingequipment and attempted to inject amixture into spalled and crackedareas of the dam. Even though theirinitial attempts failed to correct theproblem, they were invited back sev-eral months later and found success.“The concrete in the repaired areaof the dam was sampled by drillingtest cores,” Bors says. “Subsequent

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“fifty percent of ourstaff is an engineeror scientist – no customer who callsfor information willbe transferred morethan one time.”

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lab analyses proved that it could berestored to its original monolithicstrength with this innovative civilengineering restoration. “An extensive and costly demoli-tion and reconstruction of portions ofthe dam was avoided.”This history of innovation is thebasis of ChemCo’s reputation as anindustry leader, which has been inplace since its incorporation in 1993.“Creating new formulations andadjusting to unique specifications is aservice we offer routinely to our cus-tomers,” Bors explains. “Most con-tractors and engineers know that noother company in our industry canprovide this service. “With formulation, testing andengineering records in our file cabi-nets dating back to the early days ofAE, we have likely solved most chal-lenging applications previously andcan access these records quickly forreference,” he adds.

‘Happy to Help’ChemCo encourages its customersto challenge the company withunusual applications, extreme envi-ronments, difficult repairs and cus-tom formulations.Indeed, customers won’t get therunaround when they call ChemCofor help. With project case files datingback 60 years, it is unlikely that a customer can describe a situationChemCo hasn’t encountered over thecourse of its history.“We’re happy to help with writing a repair specification, consult on the merits of alternate technicalapproaches or even create a test andcustom product to fill a one-timeneed,” Bors adds. “Fifty percent ofour staff is an engineer or scientist –our practice is that no customer whocalls for technical information will betransferred more than one time.”Even when ChemCo cannot pro-vide an in-house solution for a client’sspecific problem, the company rou-

tinely refers clients elsewhere. “Our reputation is based on ourcompany culture which emphasizesour experience and integrity,” Borsexplains. “Our customers – many ofwhom have been with us for morethan one generation of their owner-ship – know we will send them to thebest alternate source if we don’t havethe right product.”The company says it has notreceived a single return of product forquality or performance reasons sincemoving into its current facility inRedwood City in 1998. All of its products are zero VOC,contain no solvents or toxins and canbe applied to LEED credits. In addi-

“engineers, archi-tects and ownersappreciate ourpatience and techni-cal background inresponding to uniquerepair challenges.”

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watertight restorationused chemco epoxy on a jobfor cecil h. green library atstanford university.

manufacturing-today.com SPRING/SUMMER 2011

Working with ‘Family’It is one thing to boast of relationshipswith clients that have resulted in repeatbusiness over the decades. However, inthe case of Watertight Restoration Inc. ofSan Francisco, ChemCo’s employees aremore like members of the family ownedbusiness than consultants.

“At this point, our relationship with theChemCo people is like family,” saysLeonard Korinek, president of WatertightRestoration.

ChemCo and Watertight Restorationhave joined forces on numerous projects,including the Cecil H. Green Library atStanford University. Between October1997 and January 1999, WatertightRestoration repaired epoxy injections of shotcrete that had been improperlydone, leaving voids inside.

Watertight Restoration drilled on a 2-foot pattern and tested with compressedair to confirm the existence of all air pock-ets within each core hole, then injectedthese voids with ChemCo epoxy. Korinekexplains that this project also requireddrilling from the inside into the exteriorstones, followed by adding epoxy anchorsfrom behind.

“That is why we lease ChemCo pumpsand use their epoxy to this day,” Korineksays. “They offer the most comprehensivechoices of epoxies and the best engi-neered equipment in the industry.”

Watertight Restoration’s history withChemCo dates back to the days ofAdhesive Engineering, Korinek admits.Korinek’s son Vern worked for AE, andmanagers John Toboni and Art Wood finished their careers with WatertightRestoration after leaving AE.

tion, ChemCo notes it is extremelyproud of its employee safety programand has not had a lost-time accidentsince its inception.

Customer Service is KeyAlong with expertise in its key mar-kets, ChemCo Systems separatesitself from the competition through acommitment to customer service.Approximately 85 percent of the com-pany’s products are shipped the sameday they are ordered. “We are a responsive companyfocused on all aspects of customerservice,” Bors says. “We understandthat many of our specialty contrac-tors and their customers are undertremendous time pressure to per-form a critical repair overnight, overthe weekend, during holiday shut-downs or between shifts, so our ship-ping department is adept at last-minute deliveries – whether by truck,ocean, air or courier.”ChemCo owns and operates itsown physical, chemical and environ-mental testing equipment and cansimulate most extreme product

applications without incurring thedelays of outsourcing. “Our ability toformulate new products, evaluate dif-ficult application conditions orresearch corrosive or underwaterenvironments is not delayed by exter-nal testing,” Bors stresses.The company also offers extensivetraining at no charge to specialty con-tractors that want to become Kemko-certified applicators. Applicators are required to trainwith the company and offer cus-tomers a complete single-source sys-tem so there is no finger pointingbetween multiple manufacturers inthe event of a problem.“We replace critical epoxy injec-tion pumps of our applicators everysix years to avoid aged, failing equip-ment in the field,” Bors explains.“Our contractor customers remainwith us for long periods of time –many are in their second generationof ownership.”Through its applicator network,ChemCo can sell its products directlyto the end-users. “This allows forthe improved efficiency of directshipping by eliminating the need forintermediary distributors and relat-ed costs including extra shipping,”Bors states.“If there is a critical need for tech-nical support, our customer knows he can get it right the first time bycalling us directly without having towork through channels,” Bors says.“We won’t compromise on makingproduct switches for convenience ormerely because of excess stock of thewrong item.” mt

ChemCo Systems

Remember theAlamodomeOne of ChemCo Solutions’ numerous sat-isfied clients is Freyssinet Inc., an interna-tional civil engineering company with U.S.headquarters in Sterling, Va. Freyssinetutilized ChemCo’s products when inspect-ing and repairing roof suspension cables inthe Alamodome in San Antonio.

Basilio Gaoat Jr., senior project manag-er with Freyssinet, says his company calledon ChemCo because of its quality techni-cal support and competitive price. Gaoatsays he first contacted ChemCo through a referral for another project involving acomplex bridge repair in Oregon in 2007.

The Alamodome project required injec-tion of corrosion-protection epoxy on theheads of the anchors of the roof suspen-sion cables. Freyssinet selected Kemko240 because it complied with the project’sunusual specifications – after ChemCo hadquickly made some formulation modifica-tions – its competitive price and ChemCo’sability to deliver material quickly with lastminute notice.

Gaoat says Freyssinet – which specializes in structural repairs as well as specialty engineering and construction –definitely appreciated ChemCo’s respon-siveness and will remain a loyal customeron future projects.

“if there is a criticalneed for technicalsupport, our cus-tomer knows he canget it right the firsttime by calling usdirectly.”

freyssinet used chemcoproducts to repair roofsuspension cables in thealamodome in san antonio.

Published by Business Media Publications Tel: 312.447.5800 Fax: 312.236.4266On behalf of ChemCo Systems © 2011 Business Media Publications. All rights reserved.