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L&M Construction Chemicals, Inc. was founded in 1961 by Lawrence E. "Larry" Schwietz in Omaha, Nebraska. Larry had the courage, tenacity, and, most importantly, the vision to see the company through its lean, early years. The company, originally based in the Schwietz home, grew rapidly. In 1962, the first public L&M office was opened in the lower level of a multi-story tire warehouse/construction supply house in Omaha. The rent: one barrel of DEBOND a month. Over forty-five years later, L&M fully utilizes a number of packaging plants and warehouses, along with an international distribution system. Yet, the company continues to live out Larry Schwietz's original vision. L&M began with a single product, DEBOND Form Coating. DEBOND is an innovative, high performance concrete form release agent designed to reduce the concrete forming costs of our contractor customers and produce beautiful, architectural quality vertical concrete surfaces. DEBOND's popularity established L&M's international distribution structure. Early products also included our DRESS & SEAL, the first non-yellowing acrylic cure, sealer and dustproofer sold commercially in the U.S. Both DEBOND and DRESS & SEAL continue to be major contributors to our overall sales. The 1975 development of CRYSTEX non-shrink grout was a major industry breakthrough in precision, structural grouts. It set a new user-friendly standard for long work-time, fluid consistency that to this day remains the benchmark for precision grouts and completely transformed our company, quickly changing it from a "form coating" company, to a full service, concrete chemical supplier. Grouting products continue to be a major part of the company's current business. Since its inception, L&M has realized the construction industry's need to improve the long term durability and appearance of concrete. In answer to those needs we have developed and offer a number of excellent concrete surface hardeners and densifiers. These include our popular SEAL HARD, QUARTZPLATE and EMERY aggregate hardeners and toppings, as well as salt resistant, water repellents, such as AQUAPEL. L&M continues to attempt to be at the cutting edge of concrete chemistry and market trends. Most recently, FGS/PERMASHINE brings a complete, patented polished concrete system that has transformed the acceptance of concrete as a desirable floor finish. Polished concrete delivers beauty, safety, maintenance savings, and environmental stewardship, and FGS is at the head of the pack, in giving maximum value and versatility to designers and owners alike. When taken as a whole, you will see that L&M has a solid track record of improving product formulations to protect the environment. Toward this end, over the years L&M has developed and introduced a number of environmentally sensitive, waterborne, low odor products to replace VOC containing, solvent-based cures, sealers, and water repellents in concrete construction. L&M's current manufacturing facility, an acreage tucked into the northern hills of Omaha, also includes an administrative center complete with a laboratory. Here, company chemists continually test, innovate, and develop materials to meet the demands of the marketplace. A large and growing onsite production facility provides product mixing, packaging and storage facilities. In addition, L&M has regionally directed packaging plants in Pennsylvania and Oregon. Additional storage and distribution facilities are also strategically placed in other parts of the United States and Latin America. Larry's eldest son, Greg Schwietz, became L&M's president in 1993. Greg brought twenty years of sales and marketing experience with L&M to his role. He has assembled a competent team of managers who collectively direct the daily operations and future planning needs of the company. Today, the family-owned firm combines a wide product mix with an international system of distribution to mark it as a leader in its field. The focus of L&M marketing is on education and training. Sales representatives are selected for their technical knowledge, professionalism and dedication to customer service. They regularly interact with the entire construction team: owners, design professionals, distributors and contractors. Quality, innovation, and integrity are more than words at L&M. They frame a philosophy which has propelled the firm into its position of leadership. This philosophy guides L&M as it moves forward towards continued growth in an industry that is helping to improve the way people live and work around the world.