Best practices innovations on the production floor can create ripple effects across an entire organization. From improving efficiency to strengthening safety and communication, even small process improvements can have far-reaching benefits.
The NPCA Best Practices Awards, presented annually during The Precast Show Keynote Luncheon, recognize industry best practices and improvements that demonstrate better ways to do a job, protect the environment, increase efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen operations. Open to both NPCA Producer and Associate members, the program highlights practical innovations across areas such as sustainability, lean manufacturing, resiliency and production process improvements.
The 2026 Best Practices Awards were presented Feb. 4 at The Precast Show in Kansas City.
First Place: Pink Precast
Taking the top honor this year was Pink Precast for its Communication Visuals for Production Processes system.
Pink Precast implemented a visual management system designed to make work, status and responsibility immediately clear on the production floor. The system provides quick, intuitive communication at the point of production, helping teams stay aligned and reducing the chance for confusion.
What makes the system especially notable is its affordability, simplicity and ease of replication. Pink Precast uses a combination of color-coded work zones, tool bins, floor markings, job ticket sleeves and product status tags to organize workflows and communicate information instantly.
A centrally located information board serves as the single source of truth for production updates and safety notices. Meanwhile, an action log tracks task owners and due dates, ensuring accountability and follow-through.
The company also emphasizes consistent communication. Teams participate in five-minute daily check-ins to review safety priorities and discuss known issues. A monthly review meeting, which rotates shop-floor participants, encourages team involvement and drives continuous improvement.
Additional 6S improvements support the visual management approach. Point-of-use carts, cleaning tools and clearly labeled material separation and disposal bins help maintain an organized workspace while reinforcing safety and efficiency across the plant.
Second Place: Atlantic TNG
Second place was awarded to Atlantic TNG for its Certified Production Technician (CPT) program.
The program was developed to support employees who face language barriers or other personal challenges when pursuing NPCA’s Master Precaster certification. By creating an accessible pathway to professional development, Atlantic TNG is helping more employees build skills and advance within the precast industry.
Third Place: Garden State Precast
Garden State Precast earned third place for its Tag System, which tracks and checks multiple products as they move through different stages of production.