We bequeath to you, the next generation, our knowledge but also our problems. While we still live, let us join hands, hearts and minds to work together for their solution so that your world will be better than ours and the world of your children even better.
Rosalyn Sussman Yalow
Actor, comedian, musician, and woodworker Nick Offerman has co-authored a new book for young woodworkers called Little Woodchucks: Offerman Woodshop’s Guide to Tools and Tomfoolery with fellow creator Lee Buchanan. Among the songs and schticks I caught at his Lensic performance in Santa Fe back in February, he waxed passionately about the importance and creativity of craftsmanship, or making things by hand. In fact, one chorus of his “Make it Yourself” song proclaims:
“You can make it yourself and feel the thrill
Making use of your knowledge, craft, and skill.
Plant a garden watch it grow,
Build a birdhouse for your beau.
You can hammer, sand, and saw;
My friend, you can do it all.
Don’t be afraid to make it yourself.”
Though he doesn’t name tile setting in his song, his reverence for craftsmanship is clear, as is his desire to share it with up-and-coming generations.
Here at NTCA, we think the craft of tile setting is pretty nifty too, and are supportive of the next generation of industry leaders, contractors, and tile setters taking the reins and forging new paths. So we are dedicating this issue to you!
For starters, we have our Members story, where six emerging NTCA members share their perspective on the evolution of our industry and what is needed to equip new tile professionals for future success. Alison Mullins of The Rep Method also talks about outreach to young leaders in her Business article, and Joe Lundgren pens a second Business story that illuminates the process of developing SKU discipline, launch strategy, and channel focus.
Companies grow and change, and NTCA’s Bart Bettiga tracked the evolution of one-stop supplier PROFLEX in his One-to-One interview with CEO Tim Abbott.
New generations bring new educational opportunities, and the NTCA Training Team has crafted a brand-new NTCA Workshop, detailed in our Technical section: Foundations of Wet Areas. This mind-blowingly comprehensive workshop combines classroom instruction with hands-on opportunities to put lessons into practice and learn the intricacies of building a shower that performs flawlessly for many years. The Training Team also answers questions about the need for precision when working with large tiles and slabs in our Ask the Experts section.
NTCA President Rod Owen recaps his Business Acumen series and discusses the future of our industry in line with this issue’s theme. As he writes, “The next generation isn’t just about new products or new technology. It’s about preparing people, strengthening businesses, and raising standards.”
Our Product Focus section homes in on several tools and pieces of equipment that facilitate the process of tile setting for ALL generations.
And our cover feature approaches the next generation from another angle: how a complete system solution from MAPEI helped NTCA member Westway Flooring install nearly 88,000 sq. ft. of quarry tile, porcelain, accent wall tile, and Crossville Laminam panels in the new Humble Independent Middle School #11 (aka Lake Houston Middle School) near Houston, Texas.
Up-and-coming leaders, we salute you, and we stand in awe of your creativity and community and dedication to your craft. Let’s build the future together!
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
