Donating to Tech College for Industry Advancement

The strength and success of the construction industry is directly related to how those in the industry support each other. We are big believers in this philosophy and do what we can to add to the industry.

Supporting students in various capacities is particularly important to us. We give a scholarship to students at the University of Oklahoma’s Gibbs School of Architecture in Norman. Check out stories about winners in our blogs.

We recently found students to support in the dairy state by donating products to the Construction Management Technology (CMT) program at Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) in Appleton, Wis. The two-year associate degree program teaches students all the skills needed to be an effective project manager. Training includes working with subcontractors, suppliers, and field staff to learn how to provide timely, cost-effective project completion. There are currently 54 students enrolled in the program at FVTC.

We donated six 20-gauge 3 5/8-inch Flex-C pieces and two 20-gauge 3 5/8-inch Flex-C Arch pieces so the students could learn about curved walls, soffits and ceilings. By using Flex-C Trac and Flex-C Arch, the students have the opportunity to discover how a metal framing track that can be curved by hand saves time and money—while improving safety—compared with traditional curved framing methods.

Flex-C Trac, made of galvanized steel, is available in 20, 18 and 16 gauges and a variety of widths. It can be curved to virtually any radius. Flex-C Trac can be used for curved walls, columns, arches, S curves, domes and barrel vaults. To create the right curve, you just need to draw the needed radius on a hard surface, such as concrete. Then the track is laid down and curved by hand into position. The Hammer-Lock tabs are hammered into place to secure the shape (self-tapping screws can go into the sides for added strength). Next the track needs to be fastened to the ceiling or floor.  Flex-C Arch is manufactured of 20-gauge galvanized steel. Commercial widths are 2 ½, 3 ⅝, 4, 6 and 8 inches. The length is 7 ½ feet, and the minimum radius is 9 inches. Flex-C Arch, the ideal product to create arches in doorways or windows, is extremely well-suited for making curved soffits and architectural clouds. It too locks into shape with Hammer-Lock tabs or by inserting screws, and it attaches to metal or wood studs.

Rich Cass, LEED AP, Department Chair for Construction Management Technology at FVTC, says:

“Donations to the program aid in reduced instructional supply expenses. Additionally, it assists in fortifying and identifying specific suppliers with products that we utilize in the class that translate into use in the field.

“Not all buildings are the same. Architectural features can include curved walls, soffits and bulkheads. The constructor must adapt to the requirements of the design and know that by design, not all elements are straight and square. Utilizing proper material and techniques for unique architectural features is an important element in our class. Efficiencies are learned by the use of correct methods, which will translate into enhanced financial and time management for building projects assigned to our graduates.”

People learn in many different ways, and most in construction need to visualize a product and try it out. We donated materials to FVTC because we want students to have the opportunity to play with our products and learn how to create arches, curved soffits and walls, and architectural clouds. We know that installing Flex-Ability Concepts tracks is easy, but students need to realize that too.

Creating curves historically comes with a bit of trepidation in the construction industry. FTVC does an exceptional job combining classroom and hands-on work to ease that hesitancy. We are delighted to support their mission and the success of future construction crews.

If you want to learn more about any of our products with a hands-on opportunity, reach out to one of our product representatives for a local demonstration or contact Micah Juengel at mjuengel@flexabilityconcepts.com to talk about the possibility of a product donation.