Patent-pending technology now minimizes a frequent contributor to construction
delay - inclement weather
HARTSVILLE, S.C., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sonoco (NYSE: SON),
the market and technology leader in the design and manufacture of concrete
column forms, today announced the launch throughout North America of its new
water-resistant Sonotube(R) concrete form with RainGuard(TM) technology.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060120/CLF019)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991006/SNCLOGO)
Sonoco's new Sonotube(R) brand forms incorporate a proprietary, high-
strength, water-resistant paper that allows contractors to set the concrete
forms in wet weather and pour concrete the next day. This gives contractors
added scheduling flexibility to complete construction projects on time.
The new product was developed after Sonoco conducted extensive market
research to understand the unmet needs and issues facing contractors who use
fiber concrete forms. Contractors most frequently mentioned rain or inclement
weather as the top issue that inhibits their ability to complete a job within
the committed timeframe. The forms are used for a wide variety of
applications, including light poles, outdoor signposts and columns for
residential and commercial buildings.
"The inability to predict the weather is a constant challenge for
contractors," said Greg Dixon, construction manager of Strand Construction,
Myrtle Beach, S.C. "Being able to set fiber concrete forms, even with
inclement weather in the forecast, then pour the next day, is a huge advantage
because of the significant cost savings fiber forms provide compared to other
types of column forms."
Sonoco has leveraged over a century of paper making experience to re-
engineer and manufacture its Sonotube(R) concrete column forms. The outcome is
a proprietary fiber form with improved strength, toughness and durability in
wet conditions that has resulted in superior strength-to-weight properties and
the virtual elimination of "blowouts" - the most frequent mode of failure of
wet fiber concrete forms.
"In the construction industry, time is money, and the uncertainty of
weather has always been problematic for contractors. Until now, a contractor's
column-pouring schedule has been at the mercy of the weather forecast," said
Myles Cohen, division vice president of sales and marketing for Sonoco's
Industrial Products division. "With the introduction of Sonotube(R) forms with
RainGuard(TM) technology, contractors now have an increased probability of
completing their jobs on time, because Sonotube(R) forms will stand strong in
wet weather."
The new RainGuard(TM) technology is being incorporated into all existing
types and sizes of Sonotube(R) brand forms, including Round, Square and Finish
Free(TM) Sonotube(R) forms. Additional information about RainGuard(TM)
technology and the names of distributors are available at +888/766-TUBE or
online at http://www.sonotube.info.
About Sonoco
Sonoco (NYSE: SON), founded in 1899, is a global manufacturer of
industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services, with more
than 300 operations in 35 countries serving customers in some 85 nations. For
more information about the Company, visit http://www.sonoco.com.
SOURCE Sonoco
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Related links:
http://www.sonotube.info
http://www.sonoco.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060120/CLF019
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991006/SNCLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Roger Schrum, Sonoco, +1-843-339-6018, or
roger.schrum@sonoco.com
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