Gunite of Missouri	Bill Thomas of G&M Restoration Co. Inc. (left), and Willie Davis of Gunite of Missouri.
Gunite of Missouri, which does everything from swimming pools to fountains to refractory work, has a longer season, but its swimming pool season is nearly half done already. Gunite is a concrete mixture that is sprayed from a special gun over steel reinforcements in light construction. Their pool specialty is comprised of high-end residential pools with levels and fountains and waterfalls as well as commercial pools. A demanding summer schedule of 12-14 hour days is common. "It's pretty grueling," says Manager Willie Smith, "doing 70% of our business in the spring and summer and the days are long. But that's what it takes." This veteran "nozzleman" has been in the business over 25 years and says that nonetheless, he really enjoys the work - or he wouldn't be doing it.
more...