Reduce Manufacturing Downtime During Routine Floor Maintenance

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Industrial Distribution CenterFact, one of the biggest challenges the manufacturing industry faces with regards to industrial flooring is routine maintenance and repair. Depending on the type of production facility, companies typically need to recoat or replace flooring every 5-10 years. During this process, reducing downtime is crucial to avoid any loss of revenue. Shutting down a production floor is rarely an option. Therefore, manufacturers need to be strategic in their planning and execution of maintenance and replacement of commercial flooring at large facilities.

Heavy wear and tear is the hallmark of a shop floor. Under constant stress from foot-traffic, machinery, oils and chemicals used in production, and general abrasion from harsh cleansing and sanitization, a manufacturing plant flooring needs to be both safe and strong. A floor’s durability is tested regularly and under extreme scrutiny from OSHA, the EPA, and local state and federal regulatory agencies. New flooring technology has given way to longer-lasting, more impervious materials that can reduce manufacturing downtime and minimize the need to recoat sooner.

With multiple options including epoxy resin, urethane floors, MMA, and polished concrete available on the market, before making a decision, manufacturers should assess the general environment to determine the best solution for your business. By doing this, you will be narrowing down your options and creating a more customized, cost-effective solution that will keep your facility up and running and avoid costly violations.

icon-little-downtimeConsiderations When Replacing Manufacturing Facility Flooring:
1) Level of resistance needed to acid, alkali, oils, solvents and chemicals
2) Waterproofing, vapor mitigation and adequate drainage requirements
3) Durability to withstand stressors such as mobile equipment, heavy machinery, and tire tread
4) Thermal shock resistance and static reduction
5) Seamless and slip resistant surfaces that meets guidelines

BB_large_remarketing_300x250 As the Northeast’s leading commercial coatings and concrete company, Black Bear has partnered with numerous manufacturing plants and large facilities including SMC Molding & Manufacturing, GF Solutions, and Vitasoy USA. We engineer solutions for shop floors, storage and common areas, and office space for manufacturing facilities.

Contact Black Bear Coatings & Concrete at to formulate the right solution that will modernize your production facility and manufacturing plant.

An important part of the Black Bear process is getting to know each client’s unique requirements. We walk each specific space, and get to understand the environment as a whole to ensure the right solution is put into place. This guarantees a longer-lasting industrial floor system that offers greater stability and safety, and saves your company time and money in the long run.

With over 25 years of experience, our crews have the skills required to create a floor that meets each client’s unique maintenance and aesthetic needs.

Black Bear is a leading concrete and coatings flooring company that serves New England – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as New York (north of New York City). Rest assured that we have the staff, equipment, and expertise needed to make your floor project a success. We spend time upfront to assess each client’s needs, identify the best flooring solution, engage in the right preparation, and then install the floor using industry best practices. We’d love to help your company.

Contact us today for a free estimate.

Black Bear Solutions for Diners, Restaurants, & Fast Food Franchises

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Our crews have been busy working around the clock to complete projects for new, and existing clients in the Northeast and throughout the US. As the leading partner for commercial and industrial floors, Black Bear’s unique approach is the key to our success, and how we engineer the right solution and ensure flawless installations every time. The result – more durable, longer-lasting products. Take a look at some recent restaurant flooring images including epoxy and urethane coatings, decorative flake designs, and polished concrete.

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Industrial Flooring for Commercial Freezers

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When constructingcommercial freezer a commercial or industrial freezer, it’s always been important to think in terms of health and safety – and it’s even more important with the coronavirus still spreading around the country.  Your industrial freezer must be as safe and free from contamination as possible, both for your sake, as well as the sake of any customers or visitors.

One of the most important factors in creating a safe commercial freezer is the choice of flooring.  Too many operations choose traditional tile-and-grout floors for their freezer, but this will cause a lot of problems.  Resinous coatings are a much better option!

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Epoxy and Urethane Flooring for University Dining Halls & School Cafeterias

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cafeteria flooringAs the school year winds down, maintenance crews prepare a rigorous schedule of repairs, restorations, and new additions during the school downtime period. It’s the optimal time to take on flooring projects – with minimal foot traffic on campus.

At Black Bear, we partner with public and independent primary and secondary schools, as well as universities to provide new flooring solutions. Cafeterias and dining halls are a common space that requires more frequent repair and presents a specific set of challenges. We find that epoxy and urethane products work well in this environment.

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Hospital Operating Rooms Require Hygienic Flooring Systems

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When it comes to flooring in operating rooms, cleanliness is a top priority. Hospitals are very concerned about infections, so hygiene in every area of the facility and especially in the OR is essential.

There are many different flooring options available, but here are three important factors to consider:

  • Operating rooms are subject to stringent cleaning procedures. They are sterilized thoroughly after every procedure. As a result, the floor must be a material that can withstand the chemicals required for sanitization. It is also advisable to select a flooring product that will be stain resistant. This will simplify the cleaning process.
  • Operating rooms must have seamless floors. The first step to creating a hygienic floor is to select a product that will result in a smooth, seamless surface that resists chipping or gouging. Any indentations in a floor could harbor unwanted bacteria. It’s important to note that the newest operating room tables and robotic surgery equipment are heavier than in the past, which means floor indentation and gouging may be a greater concern than before.
  • Operating rooms must have floors that can be sanitized quickly. A trend in large hospitals is hybrid operating room suites which allow multiple procedures to be completed without moving the patient to a different surgical area. Hybrid ORs are 30% to 50% larger than traditional operating rooms and there is less downtime between surgeries. The flooring used in these suites must support fast, but thorough cleansing.

Black Bear Coatings & Concrete is a leading concrete and coatings flooring company that serves New England – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as New York (north of New York City). We have extensive experience working with healthcare organizations of all kinds and has installed numerous operating suite floors in hospitals and clinics. We understand the demands that face hospitals and work with clients to identify the flooring solutions that will best meet their unique requirements. Rest assured that we have the staff, equipment, and expertise needed to make your floor project a success, whether it’s hygienic flooring systems or any other flooring need.

We spend time upfront to assess each client’s needs, identify the best flooring solution, engage in the right preparation, and then install the floor using industry best practices. We’d love to help your company. Contact us today for a free estimate.

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Strong Growth Expected in the Concrete Floor Coatings Market

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As the construction industry rebounds worldwide, for the concrete floor coatings market  is also expected to boom in the next five years. A recent report by Transparency Market Research suggested that the worldwide market for concrete floor coatings could increase from $745.8 million in 2013 to $1.2 billion by the end of 2020 – that’s a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% for the period between 2014 and 2020.

Some interesting findings from the market report include the following:

  • Demand for concrete floor coatings is driven by more informed consumers.

Buyers today are more knowledgeable about the benefits of concrete coatings. Concrete coatings can reduce thermal shocks, the effects of abrasion on floors, as well as the negative impact of chemical spills.

  • The concrete floor coating market can be segmented into three categories:
  1. Polyaspartic floor coatings provide abrasion resistance, protection from UV light, and fast curing times.
  2. A second segment is epoxy floor coatings. This category accounts for the greatest sales. In 2013, epoxy based concrete floor coatings accounted for 55 percent of total demand.
  3. The third category is often referred to as “others” and it includes polyurethane and acrylic floor coatings.
  • Certain factors affect price and availability of concrete floor coatings.

Although the future appears promising for concrete floor coating sales, raw material availability and prices could affect production levels for concrete floor coatings. Looking ahead, Asia Pacific is anticipated to have the highest demand for epoxy floor coatings. This can be attributed to the products’ affordable prices and wide availability.

Black Bear Coatings and Concrete has over 25 years of experience throughout New England resurfacing concrete in a variety of commercial settings. We would love speak to you about your needs and the benefits and applications of concrete floor coatings. Give us a call!

To learn more about our passion for concrete – and more importantly, for making your project a complete success – please contact us today for a free estimate

 

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Hospital Flooring – 4 New Trends to Consider

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When it comes to flooring, hospitals present unique challenges to designers and facilities managers. Most hospitals operate 24/7 and safety for patients and employees is a top priority. There are many types of hospital floors and healthcare flooring requirements. As a result, there is a lot to consider when installing a flooring system in a hospital. Here are four trends in hospital flooring that are influencing the flooring decisions at hospitals.

Top 4 Hospital Flooring Trends

1. Safety is priority one in hospital flooring.

With regard to floors, there are two primary safety concerns – slip hazards and surfaces that minimize the risk of infection. When selecting flooring materials, hospitals often look for options that meet or exceed ADA standards for slip resistance. Concrete floor coatings are one alternative that meets hospital flooring standards for safety. For example, when urethane resins are bonded to concrete, it provides a soft surface that is ergonomic for employees, as well as infection resistant and durable.

2. Expedited installation is essential.

Given the round the clock nature of hospital operations, most hospitals don’t have the luxury of selecting flooring for healthcare facilities that take a long time to install. The goal is to minimize the level of disruption to patients and employees. But, there are many concrete flooring solutions that can be completed quickly, with outstanding results.

View Gallery of Black Bear’s Best Hospital Flooring Photos.

3. Environmental concerns are a reality.

Indoor air quality is an issue for hospitals, both during the installation of new floors, as well as in association with their ongoing maintenance. Many concrete floor coatings fit the bill on both fronts. Floors that do not require maintenance with chemicals means that the level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air and the hospital waste stream is minimized.

4. Aesthetics are increasingly important to patients.

Many hospitals have recognized that patients prefer healthcare facilities that are attractive and offer a hotel-like experience. As a result, aesthetics is an important criterion when hospitals are selecting flooring materials. Concrete flooring options like terrazzo, for example, are often a top choice for hospital lobbies and reception areas. These solutions come in a variety of colors and patterns and are highly durable – lasting for decades.

The Leaders in Hospital Flooring: Black Bear Coatings & Concrete

With over 25 years of experience, Black Bear Coatings & Concrete crews have the skills required to create a hospital floor that meets each client’s unique maintenance and aesthetic needs. Contact Black Bear to learn how we provide longer-lasting, more effective solutions for hospitals, medical centers, and other healthcare buildings.

Black Bear is a leading concrete and coatings flooring company that serves New England – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as New York (north of New York City). In addition, we have the staff, equipment, and expertise needed to make your floor project a success. We spend time upfront to assess each client’s needs, identify the best hospital flooring options, engage in the right preparation, and then install the floor using industry best practices. We’d love to help your company.

Contact us today for a free estimate.

Vapor Mitigation Systems to Tackle Moisture in Concrete

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Vapor Mitigation – Moisture in Concrete Flooring
vaporA growing problem in buildings with concrete floors is moisture getting into the concrete itself.  Left unchecked, this could become a major issue which can drastically reduce the lifespan of a concrete-based floor and warp decorative vinyl or tiling.

Concrete is naturally porous, which means it is easy for liquids to pass through, especially in vaporous form.  Moreover, common types of concrete are made from stones such as limestone, which naturally have a small amount of water in them.  Any moisture which is in, or under, the concrete layer can quickly pass upwards through the concrete and start undermining the upper layers.

This has become a bigger concern lately because of the rapid pace at which buildings are being constructed.  With tight timetables, it’s common for concrete drying times to be pushed down to their absolute minimum.  The upper surfaces are often applied when the concrete isn’t 100% dry, which just traps more moisture within the concrete itself. Within years, sometimes even just months, the upper layers can start to fail – which is not only unacceptable for commercial and industrial flooring, it can be downright dangerous, compromising the integrity of the system.

Vapor Mitigation Systems
Fortunately, with the right preparation and a knowledgeable concrete flooring contractor – water vapor and other forms of moisture don’t have to threaten your concrete floors.

Vapor mitigation systems (also called moisture mitigation) are sealants which are applied directly to the concrete surface and trap any remaining moisture within the slab itself.  In other cases, they are additives mixed directly into the concrete which reduce its porosity when dry.  Upper layers can then be applied securely, ensuring moisture won’t permeate and deteriorate the flooring solution.

Vapor mitigation systems are becoming commonplace to protect concrete substrate and commercial floors. Modern vapor mitigation is also compatible with green building practices. Modern systems are water-based, rather than relying on volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and other substances which are harmful to people and the planet.  Some mitigation methods can even qualify for LEED credits.

Black Bear will work directly with you or your general contractor to develop a longer-lasting product that saves money and withstands the environmental elements in the Northeast. Whether it’s new construction to enhance the look and feel of your property, or a restoration project that ensures the safety of your patrons, trust the professionals at Black Bear Coatings & Concrete to make sure you get the exact concrete foundation and restoration services that you want and need.

With over 25 years of experience, our crews have the skills required to create a production floor that meets each client’s unique maintenance and aesthetic needs. Call Black Bear to learn how we provide longer-lasting, more effective solutions for manufacturing and production buildings.

Black Bear is a leading concrete and coatings flooring company that serves New England – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as New York (north of New York City). Rest assured that we have the staff, equipment, and expertise needed to make your floor project a success. We spend time upfront to assess each client’s needs, identify the best flooring solution, engage in the right preparation, and then install the floor using industry best practices. We’d love to help your company.

Contact us today for a free estimate.

Quality Control in Large Facility Floor Installation and Repair

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Shaws SupermarketLarge facilities with more than 50,000 sq. ft. of space present a unique set of challenges when installing or repairing industrial floor systems. It’s not uncommon for these buildings – typically housing manufacturing plants, storage bays, distribution centers, and warehouses, or supermarkets and retail super-stores – to have tight timelines and specific requirements as to how the work should be completed.

At Black Bear, quality control and flawless project management play a major role in how clients’ jobs are facilitated on time, and on budget.

Why is Quality Control So Important?

Ensuring industrial floors meet and exceed safety codes are a concern. And, because these spaces are larger than average, repair is typically done in sections or phases. It also means that construction may be an ongoing process throughout the year. Therefore, textbook coordination of teams and maneuvers is required.

Black Bear Coatings & Concrete scopes out projects and on-site team management is addressed from the get-go. It’s important that we know exactly what the job will entail in order to have the right production crews scheduled, enough man-power to handle the work, and the appropriate equipment ready for each phase of a project to avoid costly delays.

For example, Black Bear was hired to remove VTC flooring in a Shaw’s Supermarket and replace it with a longer lasting product. In order to accomplish this, we needed to parse out the work and complete construction during off-business hours. While the store wasn’t open to the public, Shaw’s employees were working on site as we completed each phase. This particular situation involved rigid quality control to ensure that the tasks laid out each evening were completed by various Back Bear crews, each with their own set of responsibilities, and that the late-shift employees at Shaw’s were undisturbed by our construction.

BB_large_remarketing_300x250During the day, the store conducted business as usual throughout the process. It was vital to Black Bear’s success that the project scope was laid out ahead of time for swift results. Each night upon closing, Black Bear crews performed gondola moves using heavy equipment to relocate the supermarket aisles as specified in the detailed project plan. In the early morning hours, crews returned the aisles to their positions and removed job-site equipment before the supermarket opened for business.

Black Bear mapped out a timeline and detailed scope of work for each phase of production. It included nightly tasks, a roster of essential personnel, and what would need to be queued up and ready for the following phase. Rigorous quality control kept all Black Bear crews in synch, and prepared to complete their tasks – from removal of existing VCT to prepping the substrate and installing a new product. Through complete transparency between client and crews, this large facility project was completed on time and on budget.

Quality control isn’t just about compliance and adhering to regulatory inspections. It’s about comprehensive scheduling and coordination that is needed for timely results. Black Bear’s dedication to quality control is evident by the precision of our teams and flawless execution of work. This is what drives our success, and has made us a leader in the coatings and concrete industry for large facilities.

Black Bear will work directly with you or your general contractor to develop a longer-lasting product that saves money and withstands the environmental elements in the Northeast. Whether it’s new construction to enhance the look and feel of your property, or a restoration project that ensures the safety of your patrons, trust the professionals at Black Bear Coatings & Concrete to make sure you get the exact concrete foundation and restoration services that you want and need.

With over 25 years of experience, our crews have the skills required to create a production floor that meets each client’s unique maintenance and aesthetic needs. Call Black Bear to learn how we provide longer-lasting, more effective solutions for manufacturing and production buildings.

Black Bear is a leading concrete and coatings flooring company that serves New England – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as New York (north of New York City). Rest assured that we have the staff, equipment, and expertise needed to make your floor project a success. We spend time upfront to assess each client’s needs, identify the best flooring solution, engage in the right preparation, and then install the floor using industry best practices. We’d love to help your company.

Contact us today for a free estimate.

Why Antimicrobial Flooring Should be A Consideration

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why you should consider antimicrobial flooringThere are certain areas of business where antimicrobial flooring is clearly needed, such as biomedical research or food preparation. However, that raises the question: is there any situation where antimicrobial flooring wouldn’t be a worthwhile investment?

After all, most resinous floor coatings can receive a treatment of antimicrobial additives or products that will render the floor resistant to most unwanted life. If you’re already looking towards using floor coatings to enhance and complete your concrete floor, adding antimicrobial properties just makes sense.

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