March 2012

 

ARA Scores Military Contract at West Point

Absolute Resource Associates (ARA) has been awarded an indoor air quality contract with the US Army. Under this agreement, ARA is providing the personnel and management necessary to test bulk samples, collect and/or test air samples for asbestos, lead based paint, and mold at various locations on the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. The base year of the contract is through November 30, 2012, and there are (4) one year options after the base year.


In order to be selected for this federal contract, Absolute Resource Associates had to meet prequalification  requirements for experience, quality, service, and capabilities. The work will include providing necessary asbestos monitoring of construction projects, and the analysis of lead, asbestos, and mold sampling in support of investigations. As our involvement within the federal market continues to expand, we are always looking to our clients to partner with on specific projects. We hope our endeavors will not only be a success story for our business, but yours as well.


ARA CEO Guy Sylvester Recognized for Excellence in Business by NHBR

Indoor Air Quality expert, published author, and CEO of Absolute Resource Associates Guy Sylvester was recognized in October 2011 at the New Hampshire Business Review (NHBR) Annual Business Excellence Awards Reception in Manchester, NH. The Business Excellence Awards Program recognizes the "imagination, industriousness, innovation, achievements, and community dedication" of the small business owners and operations in New Hampshire. Guy was chosen because of his savvy business sense, strong leadership and active involvement within his industry. Guy has over 20 years of experience in the Environmental Services field, managing large corporations all over the country before purchasing Absolute Resource Associates (formerly Resource Labs) in 2000 with his wife Susan. The Sylvesters have tripled the size of their business over the past 11 years, and Guy attributes much of the company's success to their dedicated staff, exceptional customer service and the team's unwavering commitment to the company's mission, vision and values. Everyone here at ARA would like to congratulate Guy once more on this achievement - we’re all so proud to work with you. Keep up the good work!


ARA Introduces XRF Capabilities

Absolute Resource Associates is proud to announce the acquisition of a Thermo Scientific Niton XLp 300 Series RF analyzer. Lead content in paints, soil, children’s toys and ceramics have all made lead a household name. These days property rentals and home sales can be dependant on whether or not there is lead paint present, especially if there will be children living in the dwelling.

 

An XRF analyzer is a remarkable tool that allows real-time time analysis of paints and other materials in a very non destructive manner. Rather than scraping off paint chips on every wall of the property for laboratory analysis, with the click of a button ARA can now determine if lead is present and at what level. The Niton XLp 300 Series XRF analyzer can not only identify and quantify lead content, but it can also tell you whether lead is present at the surface or if it’s buried below layers of other paint. The Thermo Scientific Niton XLp 300 Series XRF analyzer is a welcome addition to our tool box here at ARA. While its primary function will be assisting our indoor air quality division make lead paint determinations, the uses for this instrument are nearly endless. We look forward to offering XRF services to commercial and residential clients to determine the presence of lead and other metals in any material in question.


What Does DoD Accreditation Mean?

The Department of Defense (DoD) implemented the DoD ELAP (Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program) in October 2009. This was to ensure all laboratories seeking environmental opportunities with the US Navy, Army or Air Force would meet the same stringent qualifications to be awarded such work. ARA is a DoD accredited laboratory, and therefore is able to do work related to any branch of the United States Military. If you’re putting out a bid for the US Government, we’re the lab for you! Click here if you’d like to read more about DoD ELAP.


ARA is Moving!!!

Absolute Resource Associates is excited to announce that we are moving our business to a larger facility this spring. The volume of work that we do and the rate at which our company is growing prompted us to seriously start thinking about a new space last year. Currently our laboratory is about 3,000 sq ft- we will be moving to a space that is nearly three times that size!


In addition to getting some breathing room, we plan to add new instruments and capabilities so that we may offer an even broader range of in-house laboratory services to our customers. How far are we going you ask? Not far at all! Currently we are in Unit #10 at 124 Heritage Ave in Portsmouth, NH. We will be moving a couple doors down in the same building to Unit #16. In fact, it is so close that we can hear the construction activity going on while we work on your samples! If all goes well, we plan to move into the new space in May. Keep an eye out over the next couple of months for our Open House announcement- we hope you can join us to celebrate and tour our new home!


Meet the Team!

Alison Keith received her bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from the University of New England, but with an interest in environmental science and a passion for laboratory work she started working for Absolute Resource Associates in May, 2006 as an organics extraction technician. These days she is pioneering ARA's in-house asbestos and mold capabilities. She is enjoying the exciting world of mold identification in air and surface samples. Alison is also looking forward to bringing on more capabilities for in-house asbestos. In her free time Alison enjoys running (and is looking forward to her first half marathon in May), taking zumba classes and spending time with friends and family. She lives in Farmington, NH with her fiancé Derrick, and they're so excited to be getting married in the fall of this year!


Did you Know?

Absolute Resource Associates is available 24/7! An emergency spill? A critical bottle set you forgot to order? Cut into a material that could be asbestos? Just call us- day or night. We are here to help you meet your commitments to the environment and your clients. Call us at 877-320-7373. If the office is closed, just leave a message in  mailbox #22, and your message will be immediately forwarded to our on-call technician. (Emergencies only, please).


Trivia!!

What is our NEW unit number going to be at 124 Heritage Ave. once we move? The 3rd person to reply to the Resource Rambler with the correct answer will win an ARA water bottle and assorted goodies!!

 

The Resource Rambler is brought to you by your friends at

Absolute Resource Associates

124 Heritage Ave., Portsmouth, NH   03801

www.absoluteresourceassociates.com

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