Technology investment Powers Drive for Growth
A New Emphasis on Architectural
In producing the iconic Statue of Liberty Museum and the signature “shock wave” ribbon-like exterior façade of 1200 Intrepid in Philadelphia, High Concrete burnished its well-established credentials in bringing beautiful buildings to life with architectural precast. Now the company has cemented its future in the medium by completing an $8 million transformation of its Denver, Pa. manufacturing facilities.
Architectural precast concrete is used to form the walls and cladding that make up the façades of buildings. Architects choose the material for its ability to take on nearly any shape or form while presenting an upscale, custom image with aesthetics that only concrete can achieve. According to the company’s extensive market research, more and more architects are expected to design their buildings with it in the years ahead.
So High Concrete, long regarded as a leader in structural precast and parking garages, decided to shift emphasis and place a strategic focus on architectural precast in order to grow its business.
To make that happen, the company spent two years planning improvements to its PCI-certified facilities. Leaders and co-workers traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe to find and bring back best practices. Processes and procedures were scrutinized, with each step carefully evaluated for what worked well and what could be improved. Following all the homework, the company embarked on a three-phase project that transformed the 148-acre campus.
Three-Phase Approach
In the first phase, the company constructed a new structural batch plant for the smaller production building. A four-cubic-yard mixer delivers concrete into front discharge mixer trucks for placement in the forms within the building. The structure allows for a potential bullet delivery system to be installed in the building.
In the second phase, the batch plant in the large production building was rebuilt with planetary mixers which allow for a high degree of control of product quality, particularly when creating highly customized mix designs for architectural elements. The mixers dispense the concrete into buckets from inside the building for transferral to the forms by overhead crane.
For the third and final phase, High Concrete completed a facility switch between the former structural and architectural operations footprints. The move placed architectural and structural forms in the respective facilities, and consolidated mold shop and cage fabrication under one roof with architectural production, allowing more space to support growth.
Environmental and Other Benefits
Functional changes improved the plant’s environmental footprint. To reduce carbon emissions, the new configuration reduced the number of touches and movement of product, and overhead cranes replaced mixer trucks. The new processes use less water, a dedicated water treatment facility removes contaminants from washout water, and new stormwater management and retention protects local waterways. Co-workers benefit from a more stable and efficient work environment with all activities completely indoors.
Improved architectural precast product quality and capacity positions High Concrete to compete in new markets. The manufacturing revitalization supports a new product, ThinCast®, the thinnest precast rainscreen on the market.
The structural business continues stronger than ever. High Concrete completed the project during its largest contract to date, the Newark Liberty International Airport Consolidated Rental Car (ConRAC) Facility. The transformation could add as much as $50 million per year in new tax revenue to Lancaster County and could employ as many as 50 to 70 more co-workers when the new capacity is fully utilized.
We're Always Hiring
High offers various employment opportunities with the potential for fulfilling career growth. We are always looking for talented individuals with the following skills. Talk with someone from our Human Resources team to find out if there’s a role that seems like a good match for you.
- Accounting/Finance - put your math and analytics skills to good use
- Engineering - turn dreams into reality
- Hospitality Management - create amazing guest experiences
- IT - work with class-leading systems and teams
- Project Management - bring projects to life
- Sales - problem-solve for customer success
- Skilled Trades - make the things that make a difference
Next: Steel Set for Largest US Transit Project
We Care About the Environment
