Advanced Concrete Enhancement (ACE): Melding Past Experience into Present Success

Juliet Farmer, ConcreteNetwork.Com Columnist

Blayde Penza has been in construction for over 30 years, working into upper management positions for various construction companies. He has worked on numerous large structural projects, providing concrete formwork equipment and training expertise for the Staples Center, Seven Oaks Dam, and Badger Bridge to name a few, as well as several of the Metro Rail Tunnels and Stations, and high rises throughout the western states and Hawaii.

Penza founded Advanced Concrete Enhancement, Inc. -- located in Sun Valley, California (just outside of Burbank) -- in 1997 doing mostly exterior work, concrete staining and overlays, never knowing what was in store for his company. Weve experienced over 50 percent growth every year for the last five years, he says. ACE operated out of Penzas home office, often spilling into the dining room, for the first 5 years. We now have a 5,000-square-foot shop and a 350-square-foot showroom, with onsite offices which weve been in for about two years now.

Though Penza has made great progress with his company, he admits he didnt get where he is today on his own. Todd Mazer, Vice President of Production (Flatwork Division) and co-owner, is not only a great friend but an invaluable partner as well. He contributes the same attitude, drive and devotion to the companyit has taken every bit of our combined efforts to get this far, says Penza.

Penza is quick to credit every member of his team, adding, Im lucky to have so many key people on the team, people who care about the company and share in its success.working for themselves as well as for me.

ACE serves all of the Southern California area, and their project mix is 50/50 commercial/residential and 50/50 pre-cast/flatwork. Penza says they work on everything from small homes and offices, to high-end residences and custom projects. The ACE product line includes concrete countertops, sinks, fireplaces and tables, as well as concrete polishing, staining, overlays and stenciling.

Penza says his favorite jobs are the ones in which he collaborates creatively with his clients. One such project involved a client who wanted a concrete countertop that would fit into their very southwestern-style home. Penza took the ball and ran with it, creating an imitation wood slab with what looks to be buckskin leather draped over it, complete with rustic tacks holding the shrunken and torn leather in place -- all done in concrete (except the tacks).

Creative collaboration happens when clients come into the shop, says Penza, adding, They are able to get a better understanding of what we are capable of.then they have the confidence and ability to make informed decisions. When they see actual projects and samples, they can better visualize the design possibilities of concrete. They often leave more excited than when they arrived.

The versatility of concrete appeals to Penza, especially the fact that he can free-form different shapes and styles. Its amazing to be able to work with basically the same material we use to create massive structures such as bridges and high-rise buildings, and hone it down to a fine piece of beautiful art, he says.

Penza says his team loves the design element of their work, especially being able to create something new and having it work out better than anticipated. Although some of the pieces we create are similar, each hand-developed piece is different, he says. The craftsmanship element will never go away.

The ACE product line now includes concrete countertops, sinks, fireplaces, furniture and tables, as well as concrete polishing, staining, overlays, microtoppings and stenciling etc. "The Possibilities Are Endless!"

Visit the Advanced Concrete Enhancement web site

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