This month we are pleased to feature Champion Precast as part 
of our Meet a Precaster blog series. Answers were provided by Jon Ohmes, production coordinator and NPCA Board member.
Don’t forget to check out all of our Meet a Precaster blog posts and if you’re an NPCA producer member and would like to be featured in a future Meet a Precaster post, please send an email to NPCA’s director of communication, Kirk Stelsel.
Q: Where are you located?
A: Troy, Mo., about an hour Northwest of St. Louis.
Q: How long have you been in business?
A: Champion Precast Incorporated has been in business since 1987.
Q: How long have you been a member of NPCA?
A: Since 1987.
Q: Why did you join NPCA and what are the best benefits?
A: We joined NPCA to expand our line of precast products and to learn the best ways to produce them. Our customers deserve the best and we wanted to be using the newest technology, forms and delivery equipment. NPCA is family orientated. We can call and/or visit any precaster and have an open conversation about the industry.
Q: What products do you produce?
A: Transportation and highway products, electrical and telecommunication utility structures, panel vaults and split base structures, sanitary and stormwater products, anti-
terrorism barriers, water meter boxes, grease traps, oil and grease interceptors and sand interceptors, transformer pads, light poles and custom products. We have a capacity of up to 50 tons.
Q: Have you introduced any new products lately?
A: Yes, large industrial capacity grease traps and oil and grease interceptors along with H-20 loading units and utility network vaults.
Q: What are the top attributes of precast concrete?
A: Only your imagination limits precast concrete products. It can be formed into just about any shape, size, texture or color. It is a treat to convert a general contractor from cast-in-place to precast. At the end of the project, they say “why didn’t we do this before now”? Normally, precast is more economical than pour-in-place to start with. Precast products can be delivered to the site, installed and put into service on the same day. Precast concrete products include green technology and are LEED compliant.
Q: What has your company done to fight off the recession?
A: Like every business that has survived, we have been running slim and trim. We cut all unnecessary overheads. We have concentrated on products that are winners and cut out those 
products that have yet to turn a profit. We have also expanded our product lines, focused on our inventory turnover ratio, and worked with suppliers to package materials to reduce costs.
Q: What have you seen in your area as far as recovery?
A: We are just beginning to see some growth in the Midwest. We are working even closer with customers in order to meet their needs. We have been leaning on Associations we are members of to help keep us a head of the game.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: Setting goals! Expand our utilization of social media, strengthen our online presence, and capitalize on the latest industry advancements.
The opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of the member, and not of NPCA or any of its employees.
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