SpilyayTymoo
Warm Springs, Oregon
Aimust 6. 1993 Page 3
Something BIG brewing at Tectonite plant
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Multiplied 10,000 times, diatoms resemble pastries.
One could call the folks working at Warm Springs Composite Products
(WSCP) "movers and shakers". The 10 or so employees working on the
floor are constantly in motion, pouring the prepared mixtures into molds,
edging, sanding, moving and stacking finished products and, for some,
working on fine-tuning the formulas used to create Tectonite", the
"building material of the 2 1st century."
Excitement creeps into the voices of employees as they talk of their
work at the plant, located in the former plywood section of Warm Springs
Forest Products Industries. Possibilities are seemingly endless with the
new product, which is comprised primarily of diatomaccous earth, or D.E.
Two distinct products arc created with the mixture. Cast products, such
as refractory blocks, lids, vaults and niches can be made when the mixture
is poured into forms and allowed to dry. Pressed products, such as
flooring, shectrock, roofing material and rail material, can be made when
a very similar formula is poured into molds and then pressed, making a
very dense, but relatively light weight product. WSCP is, for now,
focusing primarily on cement substitutes, refractory products and fire
proof door materials. User ad vantages have been listed as "competitively
priced, durable, versatile, no shrinkage or expansion, non-hazardous,
water resistant, decay and rot proof, asbestos free, vermin proof, dimcn
sionally stable, consistent tolerances and variable set timcs...it can be
sawn, machined and drilled. It has exceptional screw and nail holding
capability. It can be glued, painted or stained and readily accepts water
proofing compounds. These product characteristics make Tectonite a
truly versatile product with applications limited only by the imagination."
The composite products plant was created through a joint venture when
the Tribe entered into an agreement with Structural Technologies, Inc.
Owners of STT, Terry Turner and Phil Rodda, came into the agreement
with the technology while the Tribe provided the facilities and financial
support The joint venture's function is to license the technology to
manufacture D.E.-based products. The first licensee is WSCP, which is
100 percent owned by the Tribe.
WSCP is negotiating to issue a license agreement with Christy
Concrete Products, a nationally recognized California-based company
that specializes in cement and concrete products. Three WSCPemployces
traveled recently to Fremont, California to observe and take part in daily
plant operations. While there, Frank Smith, Mclvin Tewee and Kahseuss
Jackson learned, among others things, product technology and process,
quality control and packaging.
Tewee and Jackson each stated that WSCP materials are "better and
easier to work with." Jackson said too, that "what we're doing is
completely new to the Tribe and the world." Other advantages include the
WSCP product reaches its full strength in four days, while the Christy
product takes 30 days. WSCP can remove their product from the molds
in just one hour, cement takes a full 24 hours. The WSCP product has
many advantages over similar concrete-based products it's lighter
weight, less expensive to produce and completely earth-friendly.
Smith added that the product is "good because it's environmentally
safe" and a perfect substitute for wood and concrete counterparts. By
using D.E.-based material instead of wood for building construction,
"we re working for the future" and reducing the pressure on the local
forest resource.
Tony Gilbert stated that with the reduction in logging on the reservation,
"this is a good change and something new for the Tribe." Campy Smith,
who has been with the project since inception early last year, says WSCP
is "providing the opportunity for the younger guys to learn different skills,
like fork lift operation and mixing batches. Potentially, this product can be
used in place of just about anything. I don't think we've even scratched the
surface." The plant is offering "more opportunities for people to work...our
small crew will grow as production increases." He foresees "two to three
different plants on the reservation with an undetermined number of
employees...This looks good for the future and potentially, this project
offers great employment and income to the Tribe."
Jackson summed it up best when he said, "We want the community to
know, that even though we're quiet, the potential for jobs is great. We're
just in the development stages now, but this could become something
really big."
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Tectonite plant at WSFPI is on the threshhold of 21st century
technology and is hoping to break into industry market.
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Marty Spino, Tony Gilbert and Chico Colazo work on utility box covers.
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FroiA SmA powrs swrry into form.
Louie Tewee hoists damp door core on to table.
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Kahseuss Jackson works primarily in research and development.
Chico Colazo operates sander.
Melvin Tewee shoves excess off edge of door core.