INTERVIEW WITH PORTAMIX

The original Portamix Hippo mixer was developed in the late nineteen nineties as a result of demand from the market for a more efficient way to mix floor coating materials. Then, part of a family business selling specialized construction equipment, Portamix has grown and is now a separate company. Still a family owned and third-generation business, Portamix products are highly respected market leaders and distributed to every region globally – including a new distributor in Romania – Chemical Building Application SRL.

Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?

PORTAMIX: Portamix focuses on providing flooring contractors and material producers the most cost-effective and efficient mixing equipment for installing self – levelling floor coating materials. Portamix products can mix a very wide range of materials including epoxies and resin materials, cement-based materials, materials with aggregate, any pourable self-levelling material that is mixed and applied on flat surfaces.

The areas of application include:

  • Interior floor underlayments and decorative overlayments;
  • Car parking buildings and garage coatings;
  • Bridge and roading patch and joint repair;
  • Roof coatings;
  • Specialty coatings for industrial applications;
  • Hygienic, safety, corrosion protection etc.

E.E: What’s the news for 2020 about new products?

PORTAMIX: Portamix is always looking ahead to provide solutions to meet the changing demands of the industry. New materials, new work practises and regulations all affect the working requirements of the contractor. Portamix looks at ways to make life easier for the contractor. The new products we are working on will provide effective and competitive advantages for our customers.

E.E: What are the ranges of traded products?

PORTAMIX: We manufacture mixing and dispensing equipment for pourable or self-levelling materials. Our two main products are Mega Hippo and the Pelican.

The Mega Hippo is as high capacity mixer that mixes, transports and applies the material. It has many special features that make it unique in the market.

The Pelican can be used in two mays. Firstly, as a transport cart to carry a full load of material from the Mega Hippo, it increases productivity by carrying and applying the mixed material while the Mega Hippo is mixing the next load. The second way it can be used is as a smaller capacity mixer. By mounting a hand-held mixer on to the motor accessory, a simple hand-mixer can convert the Pelican transport cart into a mixer that will mix, transport and apply up to 35 litres of material. This means the contractor does not spend time holding the mixer, he is doing more productive work!

Our products have been used in many extraordinary situations. From applying exterior deck coatings at the famous outdoor Swiss opera venue, to mixing fast-setting concrete repair materials on military airfield repairs; from coating the Lava Lan whisky distillery floors in Taiwan, to applying decorative coating on the Yves St Laurent retail floors in Asia, we have done it. Portamix has even mixed margiretta drinks at a large community fund-rasing event in USA!

If its pourable and needs to be mixed, we have the equipment to mix it!

E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?

PORTAMIX: The largest segment of the market we are involved in the flooring industry. Development and growth in this market is strongly dependant on education. Product awareness and understanding correct procedures for preparation and installation is very important for success. This varies widely around the globe. Some areas of the world are very advanced in their knowledge and adoption of products and procedures, other areas are more traditional and have yet to experience the benefits of new methods and materials. Material manufacturers who educate their installers and contractors who adopt new ways for installation contribute to progress in the industry and improve their reputation in the market.

E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?

PORTAMIX: The floor coating market is a dynamic market. The development of new materials provides a growing range of floor coating options in all areas. Consumer awareness of new choices is a major driver of market trends.

Decorative floor coatings is one such area of significant development. Home and building owners, architects and interior designers all have a ever-increasing number of options to choose from for their flooring project.  Never before has there been such a wide variety of finishes available for hard-floor areas and I expect this will continue to be a driver for growth in this market.

In the industrial sector, safety, hygiene and durability as well as architectural appearance are requirements driving demand for high performance floor coatings. This also contributes to the sustainability of the coating industry.

E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?

PORTAMIX: The Portamix Hippo is the most innovative product we have introduced to the market. Released more than 20 years ago, and developed with a number of innovations since then, it is still the most effective and efficient mixer of its class in the industry. Awarded an American RER Innovation award in 2010, it has become the recommended and preferred mixer for material manufacturers and contractors globally.

The latest innovation is the Pelican conversion kit. As explained in point 4 above, this innovation provides contractors flexibility and options of use without wasting costs. As usual with Portamix products, the Pelican and Hippo can work separately or together as a complete system to provide contractors with the most cost-effective and productive solutions.

PORTAMIX: 2020 – what a year! Who would have expected 2020 to be like it has! On an unprecedented scale the Covid 19 pandemic has disrupted personal lives and whole economies. Our thoughts are with many who have suffered the loss of loved ones in this time.

As 2020 comes to an end, we look forward to a different but better 2021. We at Portamix continue to work to provide better ways for contractors to successfully do their projects. By providing the best solutions possible we can help contractors complete their work quicker, with less physical stress, become more profitable and better able to provide for their family needs in the future.

Thank you for your support, we wish you all the best for your future.