The Drywall Podcast - Where the Trade Meets the Craft

Marvin Maatita - The European Pioneer: Automatic Tools, Global Markets, and Finding Balance with Marvin

The Drywall Podcast: Episode 162
The European Pioneer: Automatic Tools, Global Markets, and Finding Balance with Marvin
  After months of scheduling and a little persistent "bugging," we finally sat down with a true titan of the trade. In Episode 162, we are joined by Marvin Maatita, a man whose name is synonymous with the evolution of drywall finishing in Europe. From his home in Holland, Marvin shares his journey as a pioneer who helped introduce automatic finishing tools to a continent steeped in traditional methods.
We trace his impressive career path working with industry giants like Columbia Taping Tools, Drywall Europe, CanAm, and most recently, TapeTech. Marvin has sat at the helm of large-scale operations, but today, he’s found a different kind of success—the kind that comes with working solo and prioritizing what matters most: life and his six-year-old daughter.
In this episode, we discuss:
The unique landscape of the European drywall market and how it differs from North America.
The "Consultant Era": Why major tool companies seek Marvin’s expertise to break into European territories.
The shift from managing big companies to finding peace.
A look at the various finishing styles across the pond.
Whether you're a tool junkie or just looking for some perspective on the work-life balance, this conversation with one of the most respected names in the game is one you can't miss on this, the 162nd, episode of The Drywall Podcast.  
Episodes in the month of February are brought to you by CanAm Tools.  Find out more by visiting www.canamtool.com
 

Wes McPeek - Legacy of the Trowel - Full podcast

Episode 161: The Legacy of the Trowel
 In the summer of '23, a training session in Surrey, BC, brought together some of the best minds in the industry. It was a collaboration with Columbia Tools, but the real magic happened in the quiet moments between the mudding. This episode introduces you to Wes—a man of few words but incredible depth—and honors the memory of his best friend, Kam.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The Journey of a Finisher: We trace Wes’s path through the various jobs and specialized skills that led him to his current mastery of the wall.
The Impact of Mentorship: How Kam’s friendship didn't just shape Wes's technique, but his entire outlook on the drywall community.
Carrying the Torch: A deep dive into how Wes is preserving a legacy through his work, ensuring that the standards set by those who came before us are never lowered.
A Personal Look: Beyond the technical, you’ll get a glimpse into the host's perspective, making this one of the most intimate episodes of The Drywall Podcast to date.
Sponsor Shoutout: This episode is proudly brought to you by CanAm Tool. For tools that work as hard as you do, visit www.canamtool.com.

Wes McPeek - Episode 161: The Legacy of the Trowel

Episode 161: The Legacy of the Trowel
 In the summer of '23, a training session in Surrey, BC, brought together some of the best minds in the industry. It was a collaboration with Columbia Tools, but the real magic happened in the quiet moments between the mudding. This episode introduces you to Wes—a man of few words but incredible depth—and honors the memory of his best friend, Kam.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
The Journey of a Finisher: We trace Wes’s path through the various jobs and specialized skills that led him to his current mastery of the wall.
The Impact of Mentorship: How Kam’s friendship didn't just shape Wes's technique, but his entire outlook on the drywall community.
Carrying the Torch: A deep dive into how Wes is preserving a legacy through his work, ensuring that the standards set by those who came before us are never lowered.
A Personal Look: Beyond the technical, you’ll get a glimpse into the host's perspective, making this one of the most intimate episodes of The Drywall Podcast to date.
Sponsor Shoutout: This episode is proudly brought to you by CanAm Tool. For tools that work as hard as you do, visit www.canamtool.com.

Stefano Zanchi - On Board Drywall

I'm excited to introduce Episode 160 of The Drywall Podcast. This week, we’re sitting down with a true powerhouse in the industry: Stefano Zanchi of On Board Drywall.
Stefano is the embodiment of the "never say die" spirit. He walked away from the trade once—literally leaving his boots and hardhat behind with a sign that read "Hasta La Vista"—to try his hand at banking. But the corporate grind couldn't contain his drive, and it ultimately pushed him to return and build the successful business he runs today. We dive deep into his journey, his "clean and concise" social media strategy, and how he turned a setback into a massive comeback.
This episode of TDP is brought to you by Advance Tools.  Find out more at www.advance-equiptment.com 

DeAnne Shallcross - Advance

It pays off to be the host of a Podcast.  Sometimes I get to sit down with the VP of a major drywall company like Advance Tools.  Today's episode I'm talking with DeAnne Shallcross about a family owned business spanning 4 generations and a century.  That's right 104 years of innovation and tool design in the drywall space.  DeAnne is as nice as they come and extremely well spoken.  She's a leader in the space of drywall and if you don't know her yet, you will after this episode, the 159th episode, of The Drywall Podcast Today's episode is brought to you by Advance Equipment.  Find out more by visiting www.advance-equiptment.com

Todd Way - The Newfie Taper

Huge shout out to Cathy for referring Todd to the podcast.  Once you start following Todd you can't help but to like him.  His content is bright and uplifting but what really caught my attention is the location he's been working at.  We discuss Geoa Haven above Nunavut territory and his home in beautiful Bonavista. Todd has a wonderful demeanor and brings an eire of innocence to the show on this, the 158th episode of The Drywall Podcast.  
Today's podcast is brought to you by Advance Equipment.  Family owned and US Made since 1922.  Check out www.advance-equiptment.com

JP Gagnon - CleanCo Premade Drywall Corners

It's been happening more and more that people are discovering The Drywall Podcast organically.  This was the case for JP.  His marketing person, Zach Ellison found TDP and thought JP would be a good fit.  Although JP has little experience in the world of drywall, he saw a flaw in the way outside corners were being done and felt he had a solution.  He's been working on the idea for the last 6 years and is ready to bring his innovation to the world.  Introducing The Smart Corner by CleanCo.  There's a lot about JP that piques my interest and we waste no time digging into the why behind the Smart Corner.  JP hales from Quebec but now calls Austin home.  He's a great guy and we have a fantastic conversation on this, the 157th, episode of The Drywall Podcast. 
This episode of TDP is brought to you by TapeTech.  Find out more by visiting www.tapetech.com

Mike Ventura - President AMES Tools

That one time when you get the interview you've been working toward since you started.  This is that interview.  I reached out to Mike on a whim not quite knowing if he'd return my email.  Man was I wrong.  He emailed me immediately and we set a date for the next day.  The rest is history, or his history rather.  Mike is a smart guy and that comes across as soon as we start talking.  We quickly settle into the flow of our conversation and the questions came smooth and unrehearsed.  In the end we cover most of his path of success to the pinnacle of the drywall industry. That is, the top position at a little company called AMES.  Mike has the temperament for the position but don't take my word for it.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view from the top as we dissect Mike Ventura on this, the 156th, episode of The Drywall Podcast.  
This episode of The Drywall Podcast is brought to you by TapeTech.  You can find out more about TapeTech by visiting www.tapetech.com

Justin Delk - USG

Shout out to Chad Hesser for keeping after me to interview Justin Delk.  I love speaking with professionals in the trade and Justin is about as professional as they come.  Justin is a technical field rep for USG or Mud expert and he's been in and around the drywall industry since he was 19.  He was an apprentice in the union but quickly rose the ranks within his company.  However, there was a time when a rep from USG stumbled onto one of his sites and he asked the question, "what  does that guy do?"  It wasn't long before he was driving to Chicago for an interview with the monster company USG.  The rest is history but I like dredging up the past on this, the 155th episode of The Drywall Podcast.
This episode of The Drywall Podcast was brought to you by Tape-Tech.  Find out more at www.tapetech.com

Guy Purcella - That Kilted Guy

Talk about a power house.  From 3-D printing to growing his YouTube page to over 360K followers Guy has accomplished an amazing amount of success over his life.  Huge shout out to Greg Strebe for the introduction.  From the start of the interview I felt like we'd known each other for a very long time.  We talk about the products Guy is inventing with his immense 3-D printer collection but we take a walk along the timeline of Guys career beginning at 8 years old and how he arrived at 360 thousand followers on YouTube.  I was extremely impressed with what Guy has accomplished and I'm sure you will be too on this, the 154th, episode of The Drywall Podcast.
This episode of The Drywall Podcast was brought to you by Muddskip drywall additive.  Find out more at www.muddskip.com