Longest Running Tile company
When it comes to the trades, saying you have a 3-generation business is a huge accomplishment. Josh Bunch, co-owner and operator of Acufloor, shared with us recently that his grandfather, Ben Choate, started Modern Tile Co., a Texas-based tiling business back in 1955. When his father graduated college in the mid-70’s, he found he could make more money with his father-in-law setting tile than in the business world. And when Josh graduated with a degree in marketing, he found that tiling was his calling as well. Modern Tile Co., is now the longest running tile company in the state of Texas.
Tiling Industry Trends: The Birth of Acufloor
Over the years tile has changed. Trends in the industry such as bigger tile sizes brought challenges that existing tools couldn’t address. As larger tile sizes became commonplace, Josh and his father, Clint, began developing tools to help them install larger tile more efficiently and precisely. Other tradespeople noticed and started asking about their methods and tools. In 2011, in response to the industry need, they conceptualized and began producing and selling a tile leveling system under the business name Acufloor.
Leveling Spacers, Spacers and Sponges
The Acufloor range of products has grown to include leveling spacers, spacers, installation pliers and sponges. The products are color-coded based on grout joint size. Some of the items are single-use only and are packaged in plastic bags for shipping; however, a number of their products are not single-use and can be transported from job site to job site. This is where DKM Manufacturing buckets come in.
Bright Color Buckets: Added Value
Josh and Clint considered multiple ways to provide added value to their customers and found shipping them in re-usable, long-lasting buckets that make it easy to store, transport and use their tools created a win-win. When empty or full, they can be stacked, they are durable and attractive. They searched online and found DKM to offer the best pricing and quality on the market.
A surprising benefit of the buckets has been that they are a hit at trade shows. Attendees will come up and say “I love the bright colors of your buckets,” then stay and learn more about the business.
Screen Printing on Buckets
Originally, the team purchased plain 3.5 gallon red buckets and applied stickered decals manually. As their business grew, they realized that was not sustainable. They saw the value in saving the labor and began imprinting the buckets through DKM. The imprint and branding lasts longer and enables them to focus on continuing to grow the business.
The first 3.5 gallon bucket designed was red because they wanted something to stand out. Orange was the Home Depot color, blue was Lowe’s so to differentiate themselves, they chose DKM’s attractive bright red bucket color. For the spinning leveling system, sold in 3.5 gallon green buckets with lids, they chose green. This bucket is for the Spinzilla product and sports a Godzilla-like mascot imprint on the bucket. The 5-gallon white branded bucket is for general, all-purpose use with no lid.
Developing The Best Tools
Always aware of the needs of the tiling business, Josh and Clint have continued to be on the forefront of developing the best tools for the business. This year, they are adding several lines of products: trowels, floats, tile blades and other cutting tools to become a full-fledged tile tool company by the end of 2025.
By The Pallet Buckets for Less
Acufloor orders approximately 1400 buckets every 8-12 weeks enabling them to benefit from the direct from manufacturer pricing offered by DKM Manufacturing. Josh says he has found the DKM team to always be responsive and helpful. He has never had any issues with the quality of buckets, customers love the bright colors and the delivery experience is seamless. As business continues to grow, he enjoys working with the team at DKM to identify the next bucket color to add to their collections.
About Acufloor
- Owners: Josh and Clint Bunch
- Years using DKM Manufacturing buckets: 8
- Volume: ~1400 every 8-12 weeks
- Colors and Sizes: 3.5 gallon red with lids, 3.5 gallon green with lids, 3.5 gallon black with lids, 5 gallon white no lid
- Imprint: Logo, product information and barcode, mascot
