Stronger the Second Time Around - About Our Historic Restoration Services

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The Spray-O-Bond Company was formed in 1926 by Rudolph Forrer, the grandfather of current owner Robert Forrer. During the past 84 years, 9900 jobs have been completed under the direction of Forrer family ownership including Rudy Forrer (1926-1960), Richard and Fritz Forrer (1960-1992) and Robert Forrer (1992-present). The list of historic structures that Spray-O-Bond has successfully completed is lengthy. Throughout its history, the company has remained focused on its specific discipline of exterior above grade masonry restoration. Recent projects have been focused on historic projects which require complete diagnosis and restoration of veneer systems due to the sustainability of a sound veneer structural support system. Historic fabrics of stone, brick and terra cotta comprised the majority of Spray-O-Bond’s work.

Spray-O-Bond’s staff includes Attila Barabas. Attila is General Superintendent and is a 17-year veteran of the Spray-O-Bond Company. He received masonry training in Eastern Europe and has over 37 years experience in the business.



ROBERT A. FORRER

President

Robert is third generation Forrer Family to run the Spray-O-Bond Company. With a background in pension fund real estate investment, he took over the day to day operations in 1992. Since then he has been very active on a national basis in the development of national standards for historic restoration of commercial, industrial and institutional landmarks. Robert was a member of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services High-rise Committee which helped develop the new ordinance for façade investigation in the City of Milwaukee. He is Past President of the SEALANT, WATERPROOF AND RESTORATION INSTITUTE and currently an active member of several organizations dedicated to the preservation of historic structures.


Education

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor of Arts degree-Economics 1982


Professional Affiliations

Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute (SWRI)

  • President 2002-2003
  • Secretary/Treasurer 2000-2002
  • Chair-Restoration Committee 1997-2001
  • Board of Directors 1996-2004
  • Past President Board Liaison 2009-2010
  • Chair- Sustainment Committee 2009-2010

Association for Preservation Technology International (APT)
Corporate member

National Trust for Historic Preservation
Member

Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation
Member

Scaffold Industry Association (SIA)
Member


Continuing Education

Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institution
Continuing education program (annual fall technical conference, 1992-present)

Building with Stone: Granite and Marble for Architectural Exteriors
MIT Conference
May 2004

New York City Brickwork Design Center
Masonry façade failure conference
September 2000
September 2003

Stone Technical Conference
Toronto, Canada
August 2001
October 2007

Historic Mortars Conference
APT Conference-Portland, Maine
September 2003

Association for Preservation Technology
Fall conference technical sessions-August 2001

Evaluation through Remediation for Early 20th Century Masonry Buildings
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc – Chicago, Ill
May 2001

Licensed Mason
City of Chicago

Fort Scott Community College
Fort Scott, Kansas
Involved with the implementation of the Restoration Training Program at the community college in order to provide vocational training to individuals who are interested in the restoration industry. Spray-O-Bond trained individuals at the pilot program in January 2000.

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