Jim Moore, John Spragge, and Jim Parks founded ECO-Block, LLC in 1998 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company introduced and patented a unique panelized ICF system that allowed greater design flexibility and reduced freight cost. The concept allows wall widths to vary from 4" to 24" by simply using different widths of connectors to join the two opposing side panels. Shipment of the panels, which are wrapped in UV-protective, color-coded plastic bags, is efficient and allows approximately 1200 forms to fit on a standard 53' commercial trailer.

By the end of 1999, ECO-Block had established multiple manufacturing locations covering all of North America. Moreover, by the end of the following year, more than one hundred distributors were active in selling ECO-Block products to contractors and other end users. Throughout the years, ECO-Block has continuously improved the design of its products by acting on suggestions of contractors using the products in the field. New products, such as a vinyl buck system, panel connectors, and a proprietary bracing and alignment system, have been introduced to speed up the installation process.

In 2002, ECO-Block led the ICF industry in focusing on the design community’s interest in sustainable building to become the first ICF Company to have a LEED accredited specialist on its staff. Along with this green building initiative, a national training program was launched with the goal of expanding the number of qualified ICF installers.

ECO-Block International was formed in 2003 in response to a rapidly growing global interest in using ICF technology to build homes and commercial buildings. A manufacturing and licensing agreement with an Australian company led to the full-scale manufacturing and distribution of ECO-Block ICFs in Australia.

Tragedy struck the company in 2002 and again in 2003 as illness claimed the lives of both John Spragge and Jim Moore. ECO-Block displayed considerable resiliency, however, and forged ahead with a renewed commitment to realize the vision of these two founders. The Board of Managers and principal owners of ECO-Block have provided the leadership necessary to position the company to continue its leadership role in the growth of the ICF industry in the years to come.

In 2003 ECO-Block determined that its market focus would be centered on commercial and residential development activities and less marketing and sales resources would be dedicated to one at a time residential activities. Educating members of the design community, particularly architects, became a primary objective of the sales and marketing staff.

During the period 2004 to date ECO-Block has also accepted numerous responsibilities at the industry level. Jim Dorr, VP of National Accounts, was elected to serve for a year and a half as Chairman of the Insulating Concrete Forms Association, the national trade organization for the ICF industry. Following Jim’s tour of service another ECO-Block executive, Jim Parks, Executive VP and Managing Director of ECO-Block International, was elected to the ICFA Board of Directors and continues to serve the Board as chair of the Codes and Research Committee. Sheldon Warman, Technical Director for ECO-Block has served on the Codes and Research Committee for the past five years.

One of the bright spots during the past three years has been the growth of International interest in ECO-Block. In addition to Australia, ECO-Block now has business alliances in Eastern and Western Europe as well as the Middle East. Interest in the international arena continues to grow rapidly each month.

ECO-Block is currently being manufactured at seven locations in the United States, two locations in eastern Canada and three locations internationally. Detailed technical information regarding code approvals, testing results, installation procedures and many other technical and non-technical topics can be found on the ECO-Block website. www.eco-block.com