Hale Ritchie Named Chairman of the Board for National Company
09 March 2004DALLAS – Wichita businessman Hale Ritchie was recently named chairman of the board for ECO-Block, LLC. The Dallas-based company is one of the world’s most innovative and experienced providers of insulating concrete form (ICF) technology. Ritchie currently serves as CEO of Ritchie Corporation. The appointment will be officially announced at the ECO-Block, LLC Distributors Conference, March 11-12 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Having been involved with ECO-Block almost since its inception in 1998, Ritchie was instrumental in developing ICF Solutions. This division of Ritchie Companies serves as the exclusive Midwest distributor for ECO-Block. ICF Solutions distributes products in Kansas, northern Oklahoma, eastern Missouri, southern Nebraska, southwestern Iowa and parts of South Dakota and Wyoming.
“ECO-Block produces a product I believe in,” commented Ritchie. “I’ve worked hard to incorporate it into building practices not only in the Midwest but throughout the United States and Australia. I look forward to taking my involvement with this dynamic company to the next level and leading the board in 2004.”
ECO-Block offers builders eco-friendly commercial and residential construction alternatives that can cut energy costs in half and increase safety against violent storms and tornados. Additionally, homebuilders in some states can receive tax cuts when they build energy-efficient homes utilizing products such as ECO-Block.
ECO-Block, the leader in insulating concrete form technology, incorporates a state-of-the-art concept, using expanded polystyrene (EPS) panels that are assembled into forms and then filled with concrete. Once the concrete cures, the panels remain in place as a permanent part of the building, providing built-in insulation.
Use of ECO-Block’s ICF technology creates super-insulated, monolithic concrete walls that save energy, keep noise out and improve air quality. Greater fire, wind and weather resistance also help make ECO-Block buildings more durable and secure than those using conventional construction methods. The use of ECO-Block ICF systems reduces reliance on wood products, helping protect our threatened forests.
ICF technology is rapidly integrating into mainstream commercial and residential construction. In 1998, 36,000 (1 percent) new homes benefited from ICFs. Industry projections for 2003 estimate that approximately 108,000 (3.2 percent) homes will take advantage of ICF technology.