PASSAIC, NJ  The Gillespie Group completes a 100,000-square-foot flooring installation for the newly opened Henry Street Elementary School in Passaic, New Jersey. A leading provider of commercial flooring throughout the United States, The Gillespie Group has extensive experience working in school settings. One of their core sectors, The Gillespie Group has completed more than 100 school projects in the last year alone, both in new construction and repair work.

Dobco Group selected The Gillespie Group for the Henry Street project based on quality workmanship, knowledge of the school environment, expertise with materials, and the ability to meet deadlines on time and on budget.

For a project of this scope and size, Armstrong Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) was ideally suited for use throughout the space. The Gillespie Group is Armstrong Installation Certified, and a winner of the 2014 Armstrong Century Club Award for outstanding performance. As an Armstrong dealer and designated contractor with the Middlesex Regional Education Services Commission, The Gillespie Group works with all Armstrong flooring projects in the region.

"We have worked with Armstrong flooring since 1985, as long as we have been in business", said John Gillespie, Vice President of Operations at The Gillespie Group. "It's considered the gold standard of the tile world. We like the product; it really performs. We've never had any problem with it, and the quality is excellent. Our crew worked effectively with the other trades on the job and met the challenges of the time frame and the high standards."

The flooring phase was completed over a three-month period, with Armstrong VCT installed in the classrooms, hallways, lunchroom and media center. In consideration of the elementary school setting, colorful patterned tile was chosen for its bright and cheery characteristics, helping to create a welcoming environment for children to learn in.

The Gillespie Group holds all state certifications required for work in schools including a school development authority (SDA) certificate, and all of the work is in keeping with the SDA qualifications. The Gillespie Group's dedication to completing the project on time, on spec and on budget was of paramount importance, and they received high marks from the construction manager, SDA, architects, principal and superintendent. With the project completed in time for the school year to begin, a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the new school was held in September.

Based on the success of the Henry Street Elementary School project, The Gillespie Group is currently collaborating with Dobco on several other projects using Armstrong flooring, including two elementary schools in Jersey City.