To concrete contractors all over the world, the name L. M. Scofield Co. represents the oldest, and one of the most trusted manufacturers in the business. The recognition comes from more than 85 years in the industry, creating high standards for products that form a virtually unlimited menu for coloring and texturing concrete. Here is an in-depth manufacturer profile of Scofield to learn more about this pioneer company.
Origin of L. M. Scofield Co.
The company can trace its roots back to 1915. During that year a young engineer, Lynn Mason Scofield, developed a new system for concrete. This proprietary system made concrete not only beautiful, but more durable as well. His early successes helped to change the way the building industry viewed using concrete.
Scofield went through an innovative phase during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Scofield’s premier line of Lithochrome® products became recognized among architects and designer. Including such well-known names as: Lithocrome® Color Hardener, Lithocrome® Chemstain™ and Lithocrome® Colorwax.
With an eye on the growth opportunities, the family moved the business. They moved from the first offices in Chicago to Los Angeles. During this era, trend-setting California architects favored grand Art Nouveau, Art Deco, early Modern and Spanish influenced styles. These styles proved ideal for Scofield products, particularly Lithocrome Chemstain®. The chemically reactive, penetrating stain was used to add variegated color to new or old concrete to produce an antiqued timeworn patina, stone-like features or one-of-a-kind faux finishes. Some of the most glamorous Hollywood homes, owned by luminaries including Charlie Chaplin, Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, were known to use innovative Scofield products.
Innovation Brings New Opportunities and Growth
As more and more designers and architects discovered the colorful, aesthetic appeal of architectural concrete improved with Scofield systems, they became aware of pragmatic construction advantages from adding both color and structural strength with Chromix® Admixtures. They also found that concrete was much more cost-effective than using granite, marble, or other materials and also offered the flexibility to meet very specific performance criteria required in structural work.
In the 1940s, the company contributed to the war effort by providing large volumes of material needed for military housing in San Francisco and Hawaii. Government contractors found that using Scofield architectural concrete systems allowed fast track construction. Additionally, they found it helped keep buildings on schedule and budget. Under the leadership of Lynn’s son, George Scofield, the company continued to grow during this challenging time. With his background in chemistry, the new company president accelerated product improvements and innovations. Following World War II, the building boom provided more venues for using decorative concrete. Everything from housing to parks to commercial properties found a use for decorative concrete. Interest in colorful, architectural concrete created with Scofield Systems gained wide popularity throughout the post-war years.
New Leadership Brings Continued Success to Industry Leader
A milestone for the company came in the 1960s when control passed from the Scofield family to Dave R. Arnold, a gifted engineer who brought with him twenty years of prior experience in design and construction management. Under his guidance the “engineered” systems evolved. Mr. Arnold expanded the color range and product offerings, developed comprehensive technical documentation, and contributed to the development of industry testing standards. With the aim of delivering reliable results and eliminating guesswork and problems that can arise when untested coatings or finishes are introduced, Scofield developed compatible systems with stringent quality controls.
Eventually, the 1960’s, ‘70s and ‘80s saw rapid adoption of colorful concrete and fueled company expansion in both domestic and international markets. Architects specified the top-of-the line products. Subsequently, contractors turned to Scofield for technical support and training in using colored concrete in new ways, like imprinting.
Today, at the Scofield Institute, located near Atlanta, Georgia, concrete contractors can gain both knowledge of sound construction practices and skills in decorative work like staining, imprinting, template sand-blasting and diverse coloring techniques for interior and exterior uses. The training center offers a selection of specialized hands-on workshops. For instance, the interior workshop teaches successful installation of the unique, self-leveling SCOFIELD™ Overlay™, the durable interior flooring system used for new construction or refurbishment. Developed for use in high traffic pedestrian areas, the product is in demand for well-known retail, restaurant, and entertainment establishments and attractions.
High Product Standards and Ability to Meet Unique Specs Keeps Scofield on Top
Phillip J. Arnold, the current President of L. M. Scofield Company and Chairman of L. M. Scofield Europe Ltd., carries forward the family traditions the company has been built upon. “We are proud to be a manufacturer in this industry,” says Phil Arnold. “As a manufacturer we are able to control quality and make concrete better, more durable and beautiful. So it looks great today and improves with age”. One way the company makes concrete better long term is Chromix® Admixtures. For example, the product makes concrete that is structurally superior by reducing the water requirement and improving workability. Efflorescence, laitance, and color bleeding are reduced and freeze/thaw resistance is improved. The finished concrete maintains its good looks since the coloring-conditioning admixtures produce a permanent, streak-free, and uniform appearance. And can additionally withstand extremes of weather and even heavy vehicular use — long term.
“Coming up with solutions that meet tough specifications is just part of the day-to-day business of L. M. Scofield Company,” says Phil Arnold. “We are continually improving and developing new products that increase opportunities for the industry by expanding design options and improving performance. The creative possibilities are so diverse that often these surfaces look like anything but concrete.”
Modern Uses in a Modern World
Anyone who has been to a Walt Disney property or other similar attractions will be familiar with the use of concrete to create remarkable, life-like environments that endure high volume use. For example, naturalistic environments have been created which the lead designer dubbed “designer dirt”in the Animal Kingdom and in Orlando’s new Animal Kingdom Hotel. With the dilemma of creating walkways suited to heavy foot traffic without spoiling the illusion of the Serengeti Desert re-creation, they turned to Scofield. With actual dirt samples from the desert, Scofield developed special colors for their client. To add to the authentic look of the walkways, contractors imprinted the concrete with animal paw prints and tire tracks from all-terrain vehicles.
Today famous attractions or the homes of rock stars and wealthy business moguls not the only ones who can use custom colors and innovative decorative techniques. Town centers, arenas, shopping centers, schools, medical facilities and even small-scale residential improvements have made use of Scofield Systems. Subsequently, opportunities for concrete contractors are expanding because of the environmental and cost benefits. Concrete can also be a remarkably creative medium in the hands of skilled contractors. “We are truly inspired by the contractors we work with and what they do with our systems. We are their biggest fans,” says Arnold. “As it has since 1915, Scofield provides reliable systems, technical know-how and the extensive color palette that designers and concrete contractors use to create beautiful works of art.”
About L. M. Scofiled
The L.M. Scofield Company offers worldwide availability from three manufacturing and distribution hubs: Los Angeles, California, serving the Western United States and Asia- Pacific; Atlanta, Georgia, serving the Eastern United States and Latin America; and the United Kingdom serving Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
