Issue 01 May 2025
STORYLINES by Sto–A New Way to Stay Connected.
While it doesn’t replace the in-person energy of past distributor meetings, it carries forward the same spirit of collaboration and our shared commitment to building with conscience.
Each quarterly issue delivers quick, visual updates—including product and system highlights, team and distributor spotlights, and standout projects from across the regions. You may even see how your performance stacks up in select markets.
It’s designed to keep you informed without taking too much of your time.
Got feedback? Reach out to your Sto representative—we’re always listening.
Thank you for being part of the Sto community.
Mark Orlando
Vice President, Sales
Featured Solutions
StoTherm® ci GPS
StoSeal® STPE Sealant
StoTherm® ci GPS
High R-Value Efficiency
Graphite-enhanced insulation delivers R-4.7 per inch for superior energy savings in a thinner wall profile.
Moisture & Air Protection
StoGuard® Air & Water-Resistive Barrier is fully integrated for long-term durability.
No Thermal Bridging
Fully adhered with Sto TurboStick®, eliminates fasteners and improves performance.
Design Versatility
Compatible with Sto’s wide range of aesthetic finishes, from brick and wood to custom textures.
StoSeal® STPE Sealant
Superior Flexibility
Accommodates joint movements up to +100%/-50%, ideal for dynamic building joints.
Primer-Free Adhesion
Bonds effectively to most substrates without needing primers, simplifying application.
Environmentally Friendly
Low-odor, isocyanate-free formulation with a VOC content of just 8 g/L.
Durable & Weather-Resistant
Resists moisture, UV exposure, weathering and dirt pick up, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Industry News
Sto Named EIMA Project of the Year—Two Years Running
Sto Corp. has once again been honored with Project of the Year at the EIFS Industry Members Association (EIMA) EIFS Excellence Awards, earning back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024. This year’s award went to The Atrium at Sumner in Brooklyn, NY—a striking, Passive House-designed senior housing project by Studio Daniel Libeskind, supplied by Sto Eastern. The facade’s dramatic angles and recessed windows were achieved using Sto’s EIFS, delivering both aesthetic impact and exceptional energy performance.
In 2023, the colorful and imaginative Kaleideum Museum in Winston-Salem, NC, took top honors, showcasing Sto’s exterior wall systems in a vibrant geometric design that reflects the spirit of discovery within. The project was supplied by Colonial Materials, highlighting once again the critical role our distributor network plays in bringing Sto innovations to life.
See all of the 2024 EIFS Excellence Award winners.
© Hufton + Crow
Top 10 U.S. Distributors
Top 5 U.S. Regional Distributors
Top 10 StoCast Market Leaders
1. Foundation Building Materials (FBM), Grand Rapids, MI
2. Foundation Building Materials (FBM), Hialeah Gardens, FL
3. Architextural, Brooklyn, NY
4. Full Circle, Guam
5. Colonial Materials/GMS, Fayetteville, NC
6. Foundation Building Materials (FBM), Orlando, FL
7. Foundation Building Materials (FBM), Las Vegas, NV
8. Capitol Materials/GMS, Panama City Beach, FL
9. Foundation Building Materials (FBM), Columbus, OH
10. Foundation Building Materials (FBM), Sarasota, FL
Luiz Guzman
FBM | Denver, Colorado
With five years of experience in tinting EIFS and stucco finishes, Luiz Guzman has earned a reputation for precision, consistency, and outstanding customer service. Based in Denver at FBM, Luiz plays a key role in inside sales, color production, and custom color matching. His passion for tinting began with a simple observation—the importance of fast, accurate color matches for customers—and it has grown into a career defined by dedication and skill.
A Day in the Life
Luiz’s days are a blend of technical precision and customer interaction. Whether he’s creating custom colors or handling inside sales, he’s always focused on providing fast, reliable service. “Finding a good starting point and then making very fine adjustments is key to ensuring accurate matches,” he explains.
Industry Shifts and Staying the Course
The Denver market has seen significant changes in distribution over the years, but Luiz has remained a steady presence. “I’ve stayed consistent with my customers, and our business has continued to grow,” he shares.
The Art of the Match
While every color request is unique, some—like certain reddish browns—pose a bigger challenge. Still, Luiz embraces the complexity. “There’s a huge range of requests, but when you get it right the first time and see repeat customers, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Making an Impact
Luiz knows that the right color can make or break a project. “Great color helps my customers finish jobs faster, which grows their business—and in turn, mine,” he says. His go-to products? Sto Coatings, thanks to their consistency from batch to batch and job to job.
Beyond the Tints
When he’s not behind the color wheel, Luiz is an avid soccer player, a devoted husband, and a proud father of two young boys. He also enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family. If he could create a custom color, he’d call it “Pale Blue – Sky Dreams.”
Advice for Future Tinters
Luiz offers this advice: “Stay loyal to yourself and make every customer feel like they’re your only one. Providing accurate matches and color to the customer will either make you or break you.”
Did You Know?
Did you know that the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) offers an EIFSmart Contractor Seal for contractors, project managers, estimators, and owners? By earning the seal, professionals demonstrate their commitment to quality and best practices in EIFS application.
Click here to learn more and get certified.
Also, Sto is developing a separate program around the AWCI EIFSmart Contractor Seal? This program will allow certified contractors to qualify for exclusive benefits—such as material credit savings, extended warranties, early access to new offerings, and specification support designed to help win more projects. It’s our way of recognizing contractors who are committed to doing things right.
For more information, contact Kevin McKean, Field Service Manager, at Kmckean@stocorp.com
Regional Project Showcase
NORTH
Ruxton Towers
Distributor Location: Capitol Building Supply Inc. (CBSI) | Rosedale, MD
Distributor Rep: Will Jenkins
Sto FSM: Kevin McKean
Sto CDM: Dan Canova
System/Product: StoTherm ci and StoCast Wood
This solid brick apartment building got a modern refresh with StoTherm ci and StoCast Wood, blending updated aesthetics with timeless character. The sleek finish revitalizes the exterior while honoring the building’s traditional charm—making it a standout in the region.
MIDWEST
The Boardwalk
Distributor Location: Foundation Building Materials (FBM) | Grand Rapids, MI
Distributor Rep: Shaun Lee
Sto FSM: Jer Walker
Sto CDM: Ray Redmond
System/Product: StoTherm ci and StoCast Brick
StoCast Brick was selected for this project after a successful team demo and training session, showcasing the product’s ease of application and design versatility. The result? A strong partnership that led to a follow-up project with the same contractor.
SOUTH
Conrad | Evermore Resort
Distributor Location: Foundation Building Materials (FBM) | Orlando, FL
Distributor Rep: Tony Salerno
Sto FSM: Anthony Badalamente
System/Product: StoTherm ci and StoLit Milano
To achieve a high-end look within budget, the team used StoTherm ci and StoLit Milano in a smooth finish—delivering the appearance of sleek metal while saving $1 million in material costs.
WEST
Central Station
Distributor Location: Foundation Building Materials (FBM) | Phoenix, AZ
Distributor Rep: CJ Lockwood
Sto FSM: David Anguis
Sto CDM: Judy Heiss
System/Product: StoTherm ci
Designed to integrate with a busy transit hub, this mixed-use development includes residential towers, retail, and creative office space. StoTherm ci helps bring modern performance to this high-traffic urban environment.
Faces of Sto
Kevin Schroeder
Sr. Technical Service Rep.
kschroeder@stocorp.com
678-928-3341
Kevin has spent nearly 27 years in the EIFS, stucco, air barrier, and facades industry, bringing his expertise to Sto Corp. for the past nine years. With a Bachelor of Science degree and two associate degrees, he has a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of building materials. Based at the Atlanta plant, Kevin plays a key role in technical operations and code development.
In his free time, Kevin and his wife love to travel, both domestically and abroad and capture moments through photography.
Proven in the Field
Linden Grove is a standout project that illustrates how Sto solutions solve real-world demands—bringing together performance, design, and constructability.
Linden Grove
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Distributor: Sto Eastern
Distributor Rep: Brian Zuidema
Description: 30,000+ SF of StoTherm ci with StoCast Brick
Construction Type: New Construction, Multi-Family
Completed: 2024
Project Overview
Located in Brooklyn, NY, the Linden Grove multi-family high-rise is a standout example of how design vision and performance can align. The building features more than 30,000 square feet of StoTherm ci integrated with StoCast Brick, creating a unified facade that offers energy efficiency, design flexibility, and a cohesive architectural aesthetic.
The Challenge
The project employed a modular construction approach, which introduced alignment issues between prefabricated modules. This posed a significant challenge in achieving a consistent, high-quality exterior finish across the building’s surface.
Sto’s Solution
Sto provided a single-source, field-applied EIFS system that allowed the contractor to make critical on-site adjustments—resolving alignment issues without compromising the facade’s appearance. The use of custom-colored StoCast Brick replicated the warmth and texture of traditional masonry, while StoSignature® Stone 10 added visual depth with a refined limestone-inspired finish. The result was a timeless yet contemporary look, supported by a comprehensive warranty and streamlined installation process.
On the Horizon
New Additions to the StoGuard Family
Exciting updates are on the way for the StoGuard family of air and water-resistive barrier solutions!
Soon, you’ll see expanded options designed to meet a wider range of project needs—from humid climates to fast-paced construction schedules. These new additions offer enhanced adhesion, improved durability, and easier system selection, all while delivering the trusted performance you expect from Sto.
For feedback and suggestions related to this newsletter, please reach out to your local Sto sales representative or email us at info@stocorp.com – we’re happy to hear from you!
