LEARN ABOUT OUR QUARTZ OFFERINGS 

Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing

.

Играть в онлайн казино очень просто — сайт Vavada casino ждет новичков и профи и дарит за регистрацию до 90000 рублей! Заходи на Вавада зеркало и получи приветственный пакет в личном кабинете.

Solid Surface or Laminate Specification ~ It Is Not an Apples to Apples Comparison

Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing
Comments Off on Solid Surface or Laminate Specification ~ It Is Not an Apples to Apples Comparison
Many companies have opinions of whether solid surfaces or laminates should be used and in what environments would either be appropriate. Below are a few facts that may help in the decision of whether to specify solid surfaces or laminate for your project.
Laminate surfaces are comprised of layers of plastic bonded to kraft paper or particle board with a wood substrate. Temperatures above 150 degrees Fahrenheit will damage laminate by discoloring or cracking. Solid surfaces are homogeneous. This means that the material is the same throughout. The most common solid surfaces are made of Polymethyl Methacrylate and Aluminum Trihydroxide. Solid surfaces with this chemical makeup can withstand temperatures up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit without discoloration or cracking.
Laminate can delaminate while solid surface cannot. Solid surfaces can be repaired easily by sanding or even filling a damaged spot with color matching adhesive and sanding. When laminate has been repaired you will see where the repair was done, creating more seams that bacteria can find its way into. Solid surfaces are nearly non-porous making them easy to clean in environments where cleanliness is paramount such as healthcare and kitchens.
Laminate can be bent on a single radius but not on a compound radius. Solid surfaces can be bent on two radius and can be formed into most any shape. Bending solid surfaces requires an experienced millwork company and specialized equipment. Compound radius thermoforming solid surfaces is only done by a handful of millwork companies and requires an expert level of experience.
Laminate is more cost effective, right? Most of the time this assessment would be correct. However, there are some laminates that are much more expensive because of the color or finish. If you take into consideration the cost of repair, maintenance and lifecycle, in most cases solid surface yields a better TCO.
At ASST, we have be fabricating healthcare solid surfaces for 24 years. We have a solid surface fabrication facility in McSherrystown, PA and a quartz fabrication facility in Corry, PA. Whatever your needs, ASST can build it to the exact specifications, in a safe manner and to the finest quality standards you expect. Contact us online or call us at 717-630-1251 info@asst.com

Retaining Productive Employees ~ Creating an Environment That Makes Employees Happy

Construction, Health Care Architecture & Fabrication, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing, Teamwork
Comments Off on Retaining Productive Employees ~ Creating an Environment That Makes Employees Happy


In the jobs market today, finding and retaining good employees can be a challenge. The Society for Human Resource Management reported that on average it costs a company 6 to 9 months of an employee’s salary to replace an employee. So if an employee makes $75,000 per year it will cost the company $37,500-$56,250 in recruiting and training. We all know that your employees are the face of your company, they are the people that make your products, they are the people that manage your projects, and they are the glue that holds your ship together. There are many things your company can do such as competitive salaries, benefits, etc. Below are a few things you can do, that really don’t cost much, to retain your productive employees.

About ASST - Our people make all the difference.

Make sure that you show appreciation for good work with positive reinforcement. Sometimes a simple “nice job” or “thank you” can go a long way. Employees want to know that Going Beyond is recognized. If you have employees that manufacture a product, share with them the end result of their work. For example, if you manufacture millwork for hospitals, show employees completed pictures of the hospital. Let them know that because of their hard work, a place for healing has been created. If you build schools, let your employees know that because of their hard work our future leaders have a place to learn and grow.

ASST employees are the key factor to our success.

The US Chamber of Congress list “Allowing employees to speak their minds” as one of the most important methods of retaining employees. It is important for employees to feel that their opinions about the business are being heard by management. Make sure that employees have a method to share their opinions with management. Make sure that you address all suggestions no matter how silly they might sound. If your employee Bobbi suggests that everyone gets a new car you could respond by saying “Hey Bobbi, this isn’t the Oprah show… you get a car… you get a car… but we are providing lunch for everyone at the employee safety meeting on Friday”. If you have an employee that makes a suggestion, that helps with efficiency, and that suggestion is implemented, acknowledge the recommendation in front of that person’s peers.

Happiness is infectious and happy employees are more productive than disgruntle employees. Forbes recently cited a study by Camille Preston that happy employees are up to 20% more productive and with sales people that number increases to 37%. A simple smile when passing someone can have a profound effect in how that person feels. Start meetings with a piece of good news. This can set the tone for your meeting. Make happy part of your company culture.

Encourage a work life balance. If you are in a manufacturing or labor intensive industry give your employees flexible start/stop times. Let your employees know that you understand that they have a life outside of work and you want to promote a healthy balance.

At ASST, we know that productive employees need more than continued employment. Our employees are the face of our company and they really are the glue that holds our ship together. Our employees fabricate and install your best work!!

Public Demand For Hygienic Public Spaces

Health Care Architecture & Fabrication, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing
Comments Off on Public Demand For Hygienic Public Spaces

In February 2022 the Bradley Corp conducted a survey and 51% of Americans stated that an unclean lavatory shows poor management. COVID brought a heightened sensitivity to the cleanliness of public spaces and even more so in public restrooms. There is a sense of fear that some people have when entering a public space that may be contaminated. That fear is a direct reflection of how a person feels about the owner of the building.

Traditional plastic laminate vanity countertops and drop-in sink bowls provide an opportunity for moisture to destroy a particle board substrate. This creates an optimal environment for bacterial growth. We have all witnessed public countertops with laminate surfaces that have swelled from exposure to water.

To address these common problems, ASST developed a wall hung solid surface vanity system. The 30” wide modular units utilize a sturdy aluminum and polyethylene support structure with a removable solid surface front panel allowing for easy access to plumbing. The Modular Vanity system™ is available in 30” wide increments and includes a solid surface top, backsplashes, side panels and your choice of an integral mounted sink. The system is available in all solid surface sheet products. Without wood that can rot and grow mold, the system is perfectly designed to handle rigorous public restroom environments.

How Well Do You Know Your Millworker

Casework, Construction, Corporate Architecture & Fabrication, Health Care Architecture & Fabrication, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing
Comments Off on How Well Do You Know Your Millworker
Construction

Did roofers show up to install the casework for your large commercial project? If you have worked in large commercial construction, you have either suffered the consequences of bad installation or heard the stories of it happening. Did the PLAM on the wall cabinets not match the PLAM on the base cabinets? Often times this happens when materials are ordered with a large time span between procurement. Did your millworker not inform you that they were delayed because of a material shortage until the day of installation?

These are just some of the ways your large commercial construction project can come off the tracks. We are all acutely aware that we are at the tail end of a pandemic that has rocked commercial construction. We are dealing with supply shortages, employee shortages, and unheard-of escalations. Coupled with owners that may not understand how this affects schedule or cost and you have a recipe for disaster. How are your millworkers dealing with this? What happens to your project when your millworker is ill-equipped to maneuver in these difficult times of commercial construction? Will your project be delayed? Will occupancy dates get pushed? 

At ASST, we know that materials are in short supply. We know that there is a serious shortage in labor. We know that times are tough all around. What are we doing about it? We have always been willing to provide VE options when bidding a project. We can also offer material options when we know that a material may be difficult to procure. We are ordering further out than we ever had before and we are storing materials that we know are being delayed. We are using multiple shipping companies to ensure that if one cannot provide a mobilization for our project, we have a backup that can. These are just some of the ways we are handling the current issues in commercial construction. At ASST, one of our core values has always been innovation. We continuously generate new ideas and methods to ensure success.

Solid Surface

Would you and your team like to do a virtual shop tour of one of our facilities? It only takes about 25 minutes and we demonstrate how we successfully plan and complete large millwork projects on time and in budget. Email us at info@asst.com to setup a virtual shop tour.

If You Specify Division 6 and 12 Solid Surfaces READ THIS

Casework, Construction, Corporate Architecture & Fabrication, Health Care Architecture & Fabrication, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing
Comments Off on If You Specify Division 6 and 12 Solid Surfaces READ THIS

Solid surface is one of the most versatile millwork finishes. There are some guidelines when specifying solid surfaces to keep your design intent. Below are a few of those guidelines.

Seams
Solid colors and colors with small particulates will either show no seam at all (solid colors) or be difficult to see (small particulates). Solid surfaces colors that will show a seam are any color that has movement (swirls, large particulates, etc.). Keep in mind that most solid surfaces come in 30” X 144”. If your project has a surface area larger than this, there will be a seam. The last thing you want is your best work to have, what might be considered, a flaw that is painfully obvious. If you have any reservations about how a seam will look, contact your fabricator and ask them to send you large seamed samples. Any good fabricator will do this at no cost to your firm.

Iowa Children's Hospital

 

Color and Finish Level
Solid surfaces come in hundreds of colors from different manufacturers. While solid surface is a versatile surface with few limitations, there are some guidelines when specifying light and dark colors. When you are choosing color selection for a working surface (transaction ledges, tops, etc.) stay away from dark colors. Dark colors will show every little scratch and although they are easy to repair, it will have to be done often to keep the aesthetic you have designed. Light colors don’t show scratches easily and most often will only require basic cleaning. Dark solid surfaces are great for vertical applications such as die walls or wall cladding. When specifying a dark color, make sure that you specify the finish level. A matte finish on a black solid surface will actually look grey. With very dark colors you will want at least a semi-gloss finish. Keep in mind that the higher the finish the higher the cost as there is more labor involved.

Thermoforming
Thermoforming solid surfaces gives you the ability to remove the chains and take your design to a whole new level. Solid surfaces are no longer just the flat countertop in a well-appointed kitchen. Thermoformed solid surfaces can be used for anything from an eye-catching nurse’s station to the radius corners in an operating room and beyond. When specifying a thermoformed solid surface project, make sure that you specify the fabricator of choice. Don’t let your best work be doled out to the cheapest millworker.

At ASST, we have been fabricating healthcare solid surfaces for 23 years. We have a solid surface fabrication facility in McSherrystown, PA and a quartz fabrication facility in Corry, PA. Whatever your needs, ASST can build it to the exact specifications, in a safe manner and to the finest quality standards you expect. Contact us online or call us at 717-630-1251. WWW.ASST.COM

Project Templating ~ The Devil is in the Details

Construction, Corporate Architecture & Fabrication, Project Management, Quartz, Retail Architecture & Fabrication, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing
Comments Off on Project Templating ~ The Devil is in the Details

What is templating? Templating is defining of a shape in relation to the site conditions compared to the building plans. Why do we template? Templating a project is important to reduce field (re)work and provide a product that can be installed with minimum modifications. How do we template? There are different ways to template commercial construction scope. One way is to use an angle finder and a tape measure. Some companies might even create a template with cardboard from the measurements done by a person. While this tried and true method has been used for generations, there is room for human error. Another method is digital templating. There are many different digital templating tools on the market. Digital templating helps to mitigate human error but requires the tools to be calibrated. Uncalibrated tools can be just as disastrous as writing down a measurement incorrectly.  When do we template? Templating is done when all other trades before us have completed their work. If templating is done before other trades are completed, site conditions can change and templates could be rendered useless.

(Using a digital templating tool helps reduce the amount of human error)

What could go wrong? When templating is not done correctly, oftentimes it is not noticed until installation. Some materials can be easily repaired in the field such as solid surface. Other materials, such as quartz or granite, simply cannot be repaired in the field. In the case of a large project, by the time installation is happening the fabricator may have already produced a large portion of the scope of work. In this case, the product may have to be re fabricated. This could cause project delays and even occupancy delays.

What could go right? When templating is done properly, field modifications are eliminated or reduced. This means that countertops can be dropped in placed reducing time and ensuring project success.

 

(Digital templating can ensure project success)

At ASST, we use two different digital templating tools. We make sure that our tools are calibrated, we take digital pictures and we verify with manual measurements. We understand that the devil is in the details.

ASST is uniquely positioned to fulfill all aspects of your project. Whatever you need, ASST can build it to the exact specifications you require and the finest quality standards you expect. Contact us today at 717-630-1251/info@asst.com or visit our website at www.asst.com

Your Exceptional Work Deserves the Best

Construction, Corporate Architecture & Fabrication, Education Architecture & Fabrication, Retail Architecture & Fabrication, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing
Comments Off on Your Exceptional Work Deserves the Best

Who is taking your exceptional design and bringing it to life? Every Architect and Designer wants their project to be fabricated and installed with the same high standards that went into taking an idea and turning it into an extraordinary project. You have taken an idea, created a narrative, researched all the materials/processes and have produced your best work. Now your project is being turned over to the General Contractor.

 

 

It is the responsibility of the General Contractor to complete projects on time, in budget and safely. Part of keeping a project in budget is making sure that sub-contracting costs are kept at a minimum. This means that often times your exceptionally designed project is handed off to the cheapest bidder. Do you want your best work doled out to the cheapest sub-contractor?

 

 

At ASST, we offer design assistance to exceptional firms for solid surfaces at no cost. We offer technical assistance with solid surfaces and project samples. We are the industry leader thermoforming solid surfaces and have the capacity for large projects. Whatever your needs, ASST can build it to the exact specifications, in a safe manner and to the finest quality standards you expect. Contact us online or call us at 717-630-1251. WWW.ASST.COM

Recent Completed Division 6 & 12 Projects

Casework, Construction, Corporate Architecture & Fabrication, Education Architecture & Fabrication, Health Care Architecture & Fabrication, Project Management, Public Space Architecture & Fabrication, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing, Teamwork
Comments Off on Recent Completed Division 6 & 12 Projects

COVID-19 made 2020 an extremely difficult year for everyone and especially commercial construction. Because of the perseverance of our teams, ASST was able to make 2020 a successful year. Because of sites being closed down, material shortages, travel restrictions and more our backlog has been a moving target. Our project teams have been able to jockey our projects around like trailers at an Amazon distribution center. Thank you to our trade partners, distributors and our vendors for being a part of this success during a difficult time. This short video displays a few of our recent and unique projects.


At ASST, one of our Core Values is PERSEVERANCE: Willing to keep working until we succeed. ASST is uniquely positioned to fulfill all aspects of your casework, millwork, solid surface and quartz projects. Whatever you need, ASST can build it to the exact specifications, in a safe manner and to the finest quality standards you expect. We look forward to Going Beyond for your exciting project!

Contact us today at info@asst.com or visit our website at www.asst.com.

Providing Hope and Happiness for Children with Millwork and Solid Surfaces

Corporate Architecture & Fabrication, Health Care Architecture & Fabrication, Project Management, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing, Teamwork
Comments Off on Providing Hope and Happiness for Children with Millwork and Solid Surfaces

At ASST we are overjoyed to have participated in a project that is sure to bring smiles to children and their families during a time of illness. Our team worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition, on time and in budget. If you take the time to view this video you will see how our processes work and meet some of the team members that were willing to Go Beyond to provide a healing space for children.

At ASST, we have been providing Division 6 and Division 12 millwork, casework, solid surfaces and quartz for large healthcare projects for 22 years. We understand that to become a beacon of hope for an entire community, the healing space must be innovative and constructed with the highest standards. We have the experience to provide project scope on time, in budget and we do it safely. Whatever you need, ASST can build it to the exact specifications, in a safe manner and to the finest quality standards, you expect. We look forward to Going Beyond for your exciting project! Contact us today at info@asst.com or visit our website at www.asst.com.

Delivering a Happy Baby with Bacterial Resistant Solid Surfaces

Corporate Architecture & Fabrication, Education Architecture & Fabrication, Health Care Architecture & Fabrication, Solid Surface Fabrication & Manufacturing, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Delivering a Happy Baby with Bacterial Resistant Solid Surfaces
Cradle Baby Bowl

Solid Surface Cradle Baby Bathing Bowl®

Newborns are in a “primary curve” C-shaped fetal position upon birth and for the first few months of life, they do not yet have the muscles to support their head. Research has shown that keeping an infant’s spine straight is not a sound physiological position and in addition to stressing the baby’s spine, it can also negatively influence the development of the baby’s hip joints (Dr. Evelin Kirkilionis, University of Freiburg).

Straightening the baby’s spine immediately after birth is not healthy. Giving birth is stressful for the mother and healthcare providers have made advancements in reducing this stress for mothers. If you do a web search for reducing the stress of child birth you will find most results are geared toward reducing the stress for mothers.

At ASST, we know that reducing the stress of birth for the child is important to every parent and the desire for every parent is to have a happy, healthy baby. We worked with the labor and delivery team at St. Joseph Medical Center in Baltimore to develop our Cradle Baby Bathing Bowl®. Our Cradle Baby Bathing Bowl® is ergonomically designed to support the newborn and reduce the risk of Healthcare Acquired Infection. From Africa to Australia, our Cradle Baby Bathing Bowl® is part of new life around the world.