The precast concrete industry gathered at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland March 2-4 for The Precast Show 2017. The event, which is the largest precast-specific trade show in North America, drew 4,300 participants, making it the best-attended Precast Show of the post-recession era. The Precast Show features heavy equipment, technology and services that span all segments of the precast and prestressed concrete industry. It has been held annually under various names since 1979.
An aerial view of The Precast Show 2017 trade show floor in Cleveland, Ohio.
“We sensed some post-recession optimism last year, but this year it was unmistakable,” said Ty Gable, president of the National Precast Concrete Association. “There was a definite buzz on the trade show floor. The precast manufacturers were doing some serious shopping and looking for new products and the latest technology.
“We haven’t seen this much enthusiasm for about 10 years.”
In addition to the three-day trade show, the event featured education and training courses, tours to precast plants and an industry networking event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. NPCA also announced its inaugural class for The NPCA Leadership Academy, held a graduation ceremony for 28 Master Precasters and presented awards for plant certification, safety and sustainability.
2017 NPCA Leadership Academy Candidates
Jeremy Chilton, Sika Corp.
Jason Cross, Norwalk Concrete Industries
Andrew Gillespie, Gillespie Precast Products
Cyndi Glascock, Gainey’s Concrete Products
Richard Isaacson, iwi group LLC
Megan Kitchner, Atlantic TNG
Eric Lasko, Monarch Precast Concrete
Pattie McGinnis, Smith Midland Corp.
Mark Ronning, ALP Supply
Justin Weberg, Dalmaray Concrete Products
Drew Wieser, Wieser Concrete Products
Dean Wolosiansky, Lindsay Precast Inc.
2017 NPCA Leadership Academy
NPCA and the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute sponsor the annual trade show, and were joined by two participating groups: the Canadian/Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute and the Cast Stone Institute. PCI also held its annual Convention and National Bridge Conference in conjunction with The Precast Show.
The Precast Show 2018 will be held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Feb. 22-24. Visit theprecastshow.org for details.
Master Precaster Class of 2017
NPCA opened The Precast Show in Cleveland with a keynote luncheon that featured the annual graduation of Master Precasters and the presentation of awards for plant certification, safety and sustainability.
This year, 28 graduates were presented with the gold hardhats and certificates, marking completion of the Master Precaster curriculum. Currently, 103 precasters have reached the Master Precaster designation since the first graduate in 2012. Visit precast.org/masterprecaster to view the Master Precaster Class of 2017 and past graduates.
Plant Certification
NPCA recognized four plants that have been continuously certified for at least 20 years. This year’s honorees are:
25-Year Certification
Advance Concrete Products, Highland, Mich.
Faddis Concrete Products, Downingtown, Pa.
20-Year Certification
Oldcastle Precast Inc., Littleton Colo.
Permatile Concrete Products Inc., Bristol, Va.
Safety
The NPCA Safety, Health and Environmental Committee introduced a new award at The Precast Show 2017 to recognize plants that have had no recordable incidents or accidents for five consecutive years. Two plants qualified this year. In addition, 47 plants qualified for NPCA Safety Awards based on their OSHA 300 records. To view all safety awards winners, visit precast.org/safety-awards-winners
Safety Hall of Fame
Oldcastle Precast Inc., Concord, N.C.
Oldcastle Precast Inc., Newnan, Ga.
Sustainability
The annual NPCA Sustainability Awards, sponsored by Concrete Sealants Inc., also recognized the manufacturers and suppliers that have created sustainable products, participated in sustainable construction projects or instituted sustainable practices within their plants. This year, NPCA honored four companies with Sustainability Awards. To view more details, visit precast.org/sustainability-awards-winners.
Associate Product Category
BASF
Company Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Project: BASF LEED v4-Compliant Inventory Reports
Associate Plant Category
Command Alkon
Company Location: Birmingham, Ala.
Project: Command Alkon Energy Management Platform
Producer Project Category
Cape Fear Precast
Plant Location: Jacksonville, N.C.
Project Title: Wave Attenuators
Project Location: Bonner Bridge Ecosystem (near Hatteras Island, N.C.)
Producer Plant Category
Norwalk Concrete Industries
Plant Location: Norwalk, Ohio
Project Title: Renewable Energy Solar Photovoltaic System
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