Greg Mata
A journey of extreme dedication, hard work, and love for family featuring an inner talent for creativity and design.
Greg's journey in the concrete industry is a tale of passion and evolution, rooted in childhood experiences. Growing up in a family of cement contractors, he was immersed from age nine, in more of a "getting in his father’s way' type of work rather than helping, as Greg fondly describes it. While his Dad took the time to let him “help” with edging the formwork. Years later, he worked on major Cleveland projects. This hands-on experience continued through his school years, complementing his formal education in Electrical Engineering at Cleveland State University.
A pivotal moment came when Greg and his wife were expecting twins, spurring him to found Cutting Edge Construction. Starting with just a pickup truck and basic tools, Greg handled fieldwork while his wife managed the office. The company initially focused on concrete and masonry work but gradually shifted towards historical preservation and restoration, projects that demanded meticulous attention to detail.
Pivotal Changes
History making events in the concrete industry
The early 2000s marked a turning point in the industry with the introduction of decorative concrete. Greg's innate creativity found its perfect outlet, propelling Cutting Edge to branch off into Cutting Edge Decorative Concrete as specialists in the industry, and one of Ohio’s first companies offering decorative concrete services. After years of passion and innovation, this led to the company's evolution into Ideal Polymers, reflecting Greg's journey from a young apprentice to an industry innovator. As the business grew, Greg expanded into innovative repair products, epoxy solutions, and indoor artistry work with some of the first concrete countertops and illuminated concrete flooring. The last decade has seen a particular emphasis on epoxy floor coatings, with the company becoming known for its ability to advise on the most suitable products for specific client and contractor needs.
Industry Disrupting Tools
An unmatched victory, for an all-too-common industry hurdle
Throughout the beautiful journey from basic concrete builds, to massive decorative design pieces, Greg faced numerous challenges, particularly in the realm of business organization, record-keeping, and available personal time. The struggle for contractors to efficiently manage the behind-the-scenes aspects of an expanding business while maintaining a hands-on approach, all while trying to avoid the interference in personal life, led to one of Greg's most significant innovations yet - a comprehensive CRM system tailored for contractors. Greg was the mastermind behind the development and customization of each aspect of the software to ensure it was tailored to the specific challenges and needs a contractor has on a daily basis, and provide the quality and peace of mind that all contractors want. This tool is disrupting industry standards in the most positive way ever imagined, for contractors all over the globe.
A Passion Turned Into a Mission
Empowering Contractors, Redefining Success
Today, Ideal Polymers is Greg's focus. and as more than just a product supply company. It represents Greg's vision to transform the industry by sharing his hard-earned knowledge and innovative approaches. With over three decades of experience under his belt, Greg's passion now lies in empowering the next generation of contractors. His mission has evolved from merely providing concrete services to offering transformative tools and knowledge to fellow contractors. The CRM system he developed, born out of his own struggles, is now a powerful money-saving tool available for all concrete contractors, designed to save others, years of trial and error.
Greg's approach is encapsulated in the motto "by contractors, for contractors." He aims to provide easy, accessible tools and insights without the need for lengthy seminars or courses. From instructional videos to product recommendations based on real-world experience, Greg is committed to sharing everything he's learned over his 30-year career. Greg has established himself not just as a successful contractor, but as a mentor and innovator, contributing to the growth and development of the concrete flooring industry.
