JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #77 - December 2012 - 23

The recently updated site maintains the ability to identify the composites used in building applications but adds case studies to help users understand the broad application, the durability and other features of composite materials

building materials. The site, launched in November 2010, gives visitors a virtual tour through a residential and commercial building. During the tour, locations in the building structures where composite materials can be used are highlighted, as well as the benefits composites offer in each specific application. To help connect architects and builders with composite manufacturers, each application is linked to a list of suppliers for the products highlighted in the tour. While the site is

not intended to provide all the answers on the use of composites in a particular application, it helps raise awareness and connectivity for those who specify and source building products with composite fabricators.

rences to some of the largest buildingrelated tradeshows in the world. The company’s booth is branded under the name CompositeBuild.com and includes a display of composite building products. Visitors, who typically are accustomed to a product-specific sales pitch at these shows, become very engaged in discussion when they learn that the product offering is awareness and education. The booth staff varies by event, but often includes employees from Ashland, industry trade associations, regional composite fabricators, and others connected to the composites building materials industry. The booth staff is there to provide insight into the benefits that composites offer. While much of the discussion at these shows is aimed at general awareness, many visitors have been able to find answers to specific, pressing application needs. One example was a phone call from Matt, an architect at a large architectural firm. Matt had attended a regional conference where CompositeBuild.com had been featured. Two weeks after the conference, he phoned Ashland while returning from a visit with a large client. Matt was very excited and wanted an in-person meeting as soon as possible to learn more about composites. The client had asked about the use of composites. Matt was able to speak about some of the basic concepts but knew he needed to know much more before his next meeting with the client. He stated that before his exposure to CompositeBuild.com he would not have been able to have any meaningful conversation on the use of composite materials with his client, nor would he have known where to go to follow-up. Our industry should be asking: How many more Matts are out there?

Welcome, Matt
In an effort to further educate, Ashland also began exhibiting at conferences and tradeshows that cater to the design and building industry. These events have ranged from small regional confe-

Raising awareness and raising confidence
CompositeBuild.com and the tradeshow exhibits help address the awareness and education gaps around the use of composites in the design and buil-

No77 December 2012 /

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http://www.CompositeBuild.com http://www.CompositeBuild.com http://www.CompositeBuild.com

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #77 - December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #77 - December 2012