Hero. It's a word that's been on my mind as of late. We are seeing heros on TV right now as Japan
struggles to stand tall once again. I've been hearing and using the word a lot recently as I work with
Veterans from WWII for a documentary film. It's also a word that I've been playing with in relation to
SnoFighters.
I find myself struck with a truth about the snow and ice management industry that people don't often
notice. The truth is that without snow contractors, life as we know it could come to a halt. Thanks to
Project SnoFighter I am in a unique position to listen closely to how dedicated contractors view
themselves and their work. I see passion and excitement but then I also find a seemingly patriotic
notion of duty. Each of the contractors I have encountered view their work as a public service. The
safety of their region both physically and economically is in their hands.
With the word HERO in the forefront of my thoughts I feel as if I'm left to the philosopher’s task of
evaluating its meaning. In its most common form we leave the word HERO to soldiers, fire fighters,
police officers, and doctors who are out there “saving lives” everyday. Yes, they get paid for their job
but their risk and sacrifices are high. They are indeed heros.
It seems to me however, that SnoFighters are quietly and without notice clearing the way for safety and
in many ways saving lives preventatively. Imagine if a lot went unplowed at an office complex or a big
box store where an employee goes into labor. There will be broadcast news spots all day gushing about
how the EMT's did a great job delivering the WalMart baby. The EMT's will be heros for the day. The
odds of anybody noticing the snowy lot are slim but if one did, the contractor would be vilified.
Conversely, if the snow contractor had the lot black and wet, it seems to me that he would just go
unnoticed. I find this a shame since the snow contractor's diligence and care equally contributed to the
positive outcome of our fictitious situation.
So, with my new enlightenment regarding heros and heroism, I say thank you to all of the diligent,
thoughtful public servants that are to all too many people merely the plow guys. Your hard work and
care may go unnoticed by many but to me, you are all heros. It is my sincere hope that Pro-Tech's
Project SnoFighter film will show the world the greatness of your industry.
Joshua C. Pies is an award winning filmmaker and Executive Producer at C47 Film Associates. He is
Producer and Director for Pro-Tech Manufacturing's Project SnoFighter which will premier at SIMA
2011 in Chicago, IL.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Project Sno Fighter Update
Here's a recent press release that went out regarding our documentary. Our producer, Josh Pies, has recently been visiting the participants in their home towns and getting some great footage! Last weekend he was in Quebec visiting Paul Vanderzon and I believe he's looking to jet out to Fargo this week to visit Nick Staloch.
We're still on target to deliver the video at this year's SIMA Show. Stayed tuned for more updates.
We're still on target to deliver the video at this year's SIMA Show. Stayed tuned for more updates.
Pro-Tech Sponsors Sno Fighter Documentary
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Pro-Tech Manufacturing and Distribution is sponsoring a new documentary titled “Project Sno Fighter,” which will highlight the lives and jobs of snow removal contractors. Filming is scheduled to take place through March 2011, and the documentary will debut at the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA) Symposium held this year in Schaumburg, Ill.
“Project Sno Fighter” will feature five snow removal contactors located throughout the U.S. and Canada. “We want to show what happens behind the scenes, as well as the long, hard hours of battling a winter storm,” said Mike Holihan, director of marketing for Pro-Tech. “The film is intended to pay homage to all contractors, both large and small, who often go unnoticed and underappreciated.”
Participants selected for the documentary include Kyle Stevens of Stonewood and Waters Landscape Craftsmen in Rush, N.Y.; Mike Merrill of North Country Snow and Ice Management in Glens Falls, N.Y.; Collin Corso of Terra Lawns Landscaping in Newburyport, Mass.; Nicholas Staloch of Smithco Inc in Fargo, N.D.; and Paul Vanderzon of Amengagements Paysagers Vanderzon Inc in St. Bruno, Quebec. To participate in the film, the contractors underwent an application process and were carefully chosen based on their abilities to depict a diverse and accurate picture of the snow and ice management industry.
All attendees of the SIMA Symposium are invited to attend the documentary’s debut, which will take place at the welcoming reception on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011, from 8 to 10 p.m. Following the Symposium, the documentary will be available for viewing on Pro-Tech’s website at www.protechcorp.com.
Founded in 1991, Pro-Tech is the inventor of the original Sno Pusher and the industry leader in commercial-duty containment plows. Pro-Tech takes pride in its proven value, offering a combination of low price, high quality and ready availability to the market. For more information, contact Pro-Tech Manufacturing and Distribution, 711 West Avenue, Rochester, NY 14611, call 888-PUSH-SNO, e-mail sales@protechcorp.com, or visit www.protechcorp.com
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Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Value of Rubber Edges
- Below is an article we wrote for the Construction Equipment Guide highlighting the benefits of rubber edge Sno Pushers. There are a lot of options these days when it comes to selecting a containment plow, but the rubber edge pusher is still the majority pushers purchased and used in the US every year.
http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Rubber-Edged-Containment-Plows-Take-on-Wet-Heavy-Snow/15506/
- Right now there is snow in 49 out of the 50 states. The lone state without snow? Not Hawaii, but Florida.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/weather/01/12/snow.states.irpt/index.html?hpt=C1
Happy plowing,
Mike Holihan
Director of Marketing
http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Rubber-Edged-Containment-Plows-Take-on-Wet-Heavy-Snow/15506/
- Right now there is snow in 49 out of the 50 states. The lone state without snow? Not Hawaii, but Florida.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/weather/01/12/snow.states.irpt/index.html?hpt=C1
Happy plowing,
Mike Holihan
Director of Marketing
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Project Sno Fighter participants announced!
Pro-Tech is proud to announce the participants for our upcoming documentary. The title of the documentary is "Project Sno Fighter" The contractors will be documenting the rest of their winter season; filming everything from what they do before a storm, during a storm, after a storm, in company meetings, and even a peek at their personal lives. The documentary is slated to be released at this year's SIMA Symposium in June.
The participants are:
Mike Merrill
Glens Falls, NY
Collin Corso
Newburyport, MA
Paul Vanderzon
St. Bruno, QC, Canada
Nicholas Staloch
Fargo, ND
Kyle Stevens
Rush, NY
Stay posted to this blog as we update our video progress throughout the rest of the winter season!
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