Mahts

[bigvictu]

Anybody go this year? I dragged my feet and the one in A.C. is sold out.

[bcwsport]

I just returned from a day long session in columbia MD....1st time I've been to one and was impressed. The classes on running this type of business, techical class and sales class were awsome. Tony Bass is a stand up comedian. had the whole place laughing the entire session. The food was great and I got a nice ep Henry Jacket. Had fun, I recommend it at only $30 bucks.

[bigvictu]

Which class did you take, the one for owners or foreman? I might go to the one in king of Prussia, my buddy lives near there and i can see his newborn. Thanks for the info.

[bcwsport]

I took the owner's classes. I just went through a tech class w/ Cambridge Paving Stone. I was really good, good networking as well with a few suppliers from the area that I was unaware of.

[JZap]

Which class did you take, the one for owners or foreman? I might go to the one in king of Prussia, my buddy lives near there and i can see his newborn. Thanks for the info.

It is sold out, but you might be able to get tickets if you call your rep.

[Hokie84]

I also attended the Columbia, MD session. The two owner seminars were very good. Tony Bass's sales talk may have been the best seminar I have attended concerning the green industry since I entered this field four years ago. He shared some very useful information.

[JZap]

Well, I have to say... Vander Kooi impressed us as usual (both classes). As far as the event as a whole... we left feeling like we been beat up! 8am-4:30pm almost non-stop with 2 breaks.
The marketing presentation was horrible, the girl had a powerpoint presentation that was not bullet points, but rather full paragraphs with bold text within that even with 20/20 vision, I could barely read it from my table. But that was ok b/c she just read it anyway. She told us how they feel about "Contractor First!" yet we still rarely get a call from EP Henry unless it's in response to one of my posts on here (sure they'll call again soon!). EP Henry claims to always be the innovators in the industry which may have been true for some time, but when you've come out with no new products or colors...where does that leave you now?
They really were pushing the Imperial line as a great alternative in this economy. I'll agree that the double-sided walls will save you money, but the pavers? No, unless you're installing 1000+ sqft. the percentage of savings in comparsion to the cost of the install is miniscule. The walls even would save a few hundred dollars on an average job and possibly more on bigger jobs. I agree that this is a good alternative for sitting walls or garden walls.
They came out with a new "prototype" (supposedly available first week in March) case with a table cloth! Hooray, way to be innovative! Oh wait, it's already been done... and nicer. It just seems like the direction of this company is heading down the road of justifying to us why we've done business in the past...what about the future? They are struggling to keep up with the competition as far as marketing, contractor services, product innovation, and educational opportunities. You know, the things that have value to us and them!
The purpose of this review is not to bash EP Henry, they have always been good to us in the past and we will continue to use their products in the future, but simply give an idea on what the impression they gave us was. Obviously, they think we should all be buying more Imperial products, they promise to be more in touch with the contractors directly, and are more commited than ever to helping us be successful. So, I hope to see this turn around in the upcoming season as promised.

[cgland]

Great review John. Very impartial. I'm sure the guys here as well as EP will appreciate it.

[powell200]

As always, EPHenry hosted a great event. Well organized, good networking, pleasant and helpful staff, good food. I attended the LEED class and thought the content and the presetner were both great. He motivated me to do more research and sales in the way of storm-water harvesting and management. I'd like to take the PICP Certification, but can't find one close to Phila. The owner of my com pany took the Sales and Marketing class and found it far too basic - like a 5th grade etiquette class,...Always return phone calls, remember to shake hands and look your customer in the eye - be polite,...
I was a bit dissappointed with the lack of new product. The firepit is nice, but a tough sell when states are imposing so many burning restrictions. I have to say, I'd rather have just one good introduction than too many. Like 2 or 3 years ago when they introduced so many new products it was overwhelming.

[cgland]

Thats been a big beef of mine when it comes to EP. New products are few and far between and when they do introduce one its basically just a new blend of colors. This is one area where EP henry is really falling behind

[bigvictu]

How many more products do you want? I think the homeowners have more than enough choices as it is.

[cgland]

How about a landscape step or a 3" bullnose? or a more realistic flagstone product? Every other manufacturer has these except for EP. Oh, wait...they do have silkstone....gross!

[BOEPavers]

Did anybody who attended the 2010 MAHTS catch the announced change to the "Autumn Blend" color? They glossed over it in their presentations during lunch in our session. Autumn Blend is changing and what was called "Colonial Flash" will be the "new" Autumn Blend. This has an impact on anyone who may have bid Autumn Blend last fall and used last years samples or anyone who may have add-on work to existing Autumn Blend jobs. The "old" AB was reds/grays, the new is reds/tans. Anyone who has laid EP for a while may remember the Dakota Blend change a few years back. Major problems when distributors mixed inventories, etc. Can see the same happening with this - get a couple cubes of the old and a couple cubes of the new delivered to your jobsite as your distributor transitions.

[WoodwardsChris]

The Autumn Blend we will carry this year will be the Colonial Flash from last year. EP does have stock on the old Autumn Blend for now, but that will eventually go away. BOE is right in that contractors will need to be carefull in what they are ordering if they are matching up to an old project.

If you ask for Autumn Blend this year, you will be getting Colonial Flash.