Hello from PICS - manufacturer and supplier of Wallcrete

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Andrewg

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Hi

Andrew Goord Managing Director of PICS Ltd here. I guess I should give a quick bit of background as to why I’m here and what I’m looking to achieve from a presence on The Plasterers Forum.

First things first - I started up PICS 20 years ago and we are the leading supplier of tools and materials to the pattern imprinted concrete industry in the UK. We also have an active Export arm.

But times change, fashions move on, margins get squeezed, recessions hit every few years etc. etc. and we have always looked to develop new products and systems so we were never left completely reliant on the imprinted concrete market. One of those new systems was our stone effect render system, which goes by the name of Wallcrete.

After years in development and testing we quietly launched Wallcrete about 3-4 years ago to the imprinted concrete installers but if truth be told, we probably haven’t made the big splash we could have done. It’s a great product, easy to use, very hard-wearing and sells at a good price to the homeowner. But believe it or not, most driveway installers are happy working on horizontal surfaces and don’t want to go vertical for some reason even though the competition is pretty minimal and the profits potentially greater. Oh well....!

Not rocket science this, but, thinking what our next move should be, a while back we identified that the skills and knowledge required to install Wallcrete are exactly those possessed by plasterers!

So I’ve been watching this forum for a while, seeing how Wallcrete has been received by you guys and it’s made interesting reading. The admirable Warrior (fine gent that he is!) has done a great job of dealing with questions, promoting the system and generally establishing a strong presence on the forum – thanks Paul!

Being blunt for a second, looking around the forum a couple of things are obvious – Plasterers are short of work at the moment and rates are being squeezed.... and PICS has a product that is perfect for plasterers to install. Now I’m not going to try to sell you the benefits of Wallcrete on here, an open Discussion Forum is definitely not the place to do that, but I will try to keep the members informed of what’s going on, when and where Training Courses are scheduled, and answer any questions that you might have.

Take a look at the website by clicking through from our Banner Ad in the left column, or feel free to give us a call on 01635 202224 if you want to jump in quick and have a chat. (If I'm not able to take your call personally then anyone else in the office will be very pleased to help you.)

Regards to all.

Andrew Goord

PS The first time you call in please be sure to mention that you’ve come via the Forum – we’ll be running some Special Offers for forum members only so it’s important we keep track of everyone!
 
Welcome, how come the links to almost everything about wallcrete on the website just lead to a blank screen with a picture on it? I want to do the training, I'm in Manchester. How much are the materials? How much are the tools? How much is the training? How long is the training?
 
welcome mate
im thinking of doing something else so if the training is a good price and local ill be defo be giving it some serious though!!
 
andrew for someone that hasnt ever done this before what course would you recommend? unless ive read it wrong (i prob have) there seems to be two i could go for
 
andrew for someone that hasnt ever done this before what course would you recommend? unless ive read it wrong (i prob have) there seems to be two i could go for

You've read it wrong , just one day long intro into the art of wallcrete at _£55 plus vat, hosted in Sheffield, Manchester and Newbury, as per the dates and details on the training thread
 
knew i would have!! 6 grolsches does that to ya :RpS_wink: well to me anyway

how good at rendering do you have to be 'my mate' fancies it but hes shite at rendering :RpS_lol:
 
Welcome Andrew. I was planning on coming to the same day as JJ and Lee (nisus) but we were behind on a job and had to get it done. Hoping to come to a training day soon though. Just need to save up some money incase Uncle Paul expects me to pay for his lunch!
 
There's plenty of food & drinks there for on the afternoon!

Well there was when we were there,
until JJ walked in the room first :-0
 
Welcome Andrew. I was planning on coming to the same day as JJ and Lee (nisus) but we were behind on a job and had to get it done. Hoping to come to a training day soon though. Just need to save up some money incase Uncle Paul expects me to pay for his lunch!
No dont, cost me £24.
 
Welcome Andrew!
I will be in touch over the next few weeks, but for a completely different reason - hopefully complimentary for what both you and I do.
I'm sure Clampy has, or will, explain before I get in touch... :RpS_wink:
Having seen the great effect for myself, I am very impressed, as are a lot of guys on here!
Good Luck
 
well its a better introduction than that of stone effect, but for me the response is still the same
 
Welcome Andrew!
I will be in touch over the next few weeks, but for a completely different reason - hopefully complimentary for what both you and I do.
I'm sure Clampy has, or will, explain before I get in touch... :RpS_wink: :razz:
Having seen the great effect for myself, I am very impressed, as are a lot of guys on here!
Good Luck
.

You'll get Clampy , Lordy, wait till my mate Linley or even Granty gets hold a ya and don't even get me started wi Bob
 
Sorry Mr Warrior - Sir..... LOL

Sounds like you getting a posse together there....... I'll put my scissors down, and just run! (Well.... waddle.... ha ha)
 
the stone effect rendering reminds me off that dredfull stone cladding of a few years ago. surely you will need planning permission before you start coating anything up ?
 
the stone effect rendering reminds me off that dredfull stone cladding of a few years ago. surely you will need planning permission before you start coating anything up ?

Have you ever sought planning for any rendering works,
and everyone is entitled to their opinion, if it's not for you fair enough, but I don't think you can compare it to stone cladding !! It's far more versatile and effective, have you seen the photos of the various brick and stone effects ?
Also when one of the largest board, plaster and render manufacturers in Europe wants to showcase a project using wallcrete on their Aquapanel exterior render carrier board , well we must of done something right.
 
Have you ever sought planning for any rendering works,
and everyone is entitled to their opinion, if it's not for you fair enough, but I don't think you can compare it to stone cladding !! It's far more versatile and effective, have you seen the photos of the various brick and stone effects ?
Also when one of the largest board, plaster and render manufacturers in Europe wants to showcase a project using wallcrete on their Aquapanel exterior render carrier board , well we must of done something right.
i have worked on the brick effect ,finish looked neat and blended in well with the areas where it was used. looked a ******* when it got damaged by a car, knocking the external angle off. i think the stone effect would be ok on zoo buildings etc. but not on domestic homes
 
Have you ever sought planning for any rendering works,

this stone effect is not the usuall rendering.
in parts of suffolk and essex you can only paint your rendering certain colours . i am sure the planners would go barmy if they saw this on a domestic property.
there is a case going on at the moment , in dedham essex. against a chap who has clad his home in the white cement board usa style he did not have planning permission
 
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