The NPCA Foundation recently hosted its 9th Annual Student Competition at The Precast Show 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. Designed to engage university students in the precast concrete industry, the competition challenges participants to apply their knowledge of project management, logistics and construction operations to real-world scenarios using precast concrete as the solution. The goal is to help students better understand how precast concrete products move from concept and manufacturing to delivery and installation on construction projects.
Now in its ninth year, the competition continues to grow. This year, seven schools entered, and the top three teams were selected to present their projects at The Precast Show 2026. Those teams represented the University of Wisconsin-Stout, McNeese State University and Texas State University. All three teams were made up of students majoring in engineering, construction management and concrete industry management.
The teams were judged by a panel of NPCA members and staff. McNeese State earned first place, followed by the University of Wisconsin-Stout in second and Texas State in third. All three teams delivered strong presentations, making the final decision a difficult one for the judges.
Special thanks to Shea Concrete Products for providing the project challenge for this year’s competition. The Foundation also extends its appreciation to the judges: Jodi Bufalo of Woodard’s Concrete Products Inc., Matt McNicholas of S&M Precast Inc., Nate Brissette of Shea Concrete Products and Oak Metcalf of NPCA.