San Antonio Construction News - Focus
reprinted from the April edition

Sterling & Associates, Inc.

Founded over 60 years ago in Houston, Albert Sterling & Associates, Inc. has had an active presence in San Antonio for 36 years. Vice President and Certified Plumbing Designer, Stephen R. Schneider, spearheads the local office of the specifying manufacturing rep firm. He said he works with owners, architects and engineers on projects throughout central and south Texas.

“As a rep,” he began, “I encourage the specification of quality commercial and industrial plumbing products as plans are under development. Working with people who run the gamut of the industry, my job changes daily, which is why I like it so much. I frequently go from the boardrooms to the jobsites, where I make sure the plumbing installations of my products and systems are done correctly.

While his focus turns to the design professionals who specify the number one quality products he represents, Stephen’s actual customers are the plumbing contractors and plumbing supply houses. One of the challenges he faces is in urging architects and engineers to hold true to the quality specifications and not allow jobs to be value-engineered.

“By that I mean, while it can be beneficial, value-engineering can sometimes shortchange the owner and end-user by allowing lesser-quality products into the construction project. I remind them why they specified quality product in the first place, and discourage the introduction of an inferior product substitutes into the equation. There are reasons why stainless steel toilets are specified for prisons and parks. When a less expensive porcelain unit is substituted, inevitably the owner will have to replace the fixture at increased expense. The true value to the owner is in spending a little more money up front, instead of more expense, later.”

San Antonio Construction News asked Stephen to discuss the nature of his firm’s technical advancement. He said while the paper chase hasn’t disappeared, recent computer upgrades, backup systems, and the ability to use online plan services keeps his firm on the cutting edge.
In the face of mounting rules and regulations that protect the public’s health and welfare, Stephen said part of what he sells to owners and design professionals is his ability to remain knowledgeable in the face of constant changes.

“It’s our responsibility to be aware of the many nuances in the laws at all times,” he added. “From changes or amendments to ADA standards, jail commission standards, or to local codes. Regulators are interpreting new regulations differently all the time.”

As Stephen looks forward, he views business trends in 2008 with optimism.

“The school bond issues that effect our industry greatly are on the drawing boards right now and I would anticipate a lot of new construction happening in 2008. I also expect school and jail construction to pickup again in 2008 and 2009. It takes about one year to transition from the drawing board to the bidding process, and I anticipate increasing activity.”