Mid-States Concrete is proud to be both a PCI-Certified Plant and PCI-Certified Erector.
PCI offers a stringent quality assurance program, not just a marketplace credential. The PCI Certification program was developed and is updated by a team representing all industry stakeholders. Furthermore, the program is backed by PCI and its network of committees, research and development, education, codes and standards initiatives, and integrated programs and relations throughout the industry. As the creator of industry standards and design guides, PCI understands the motives behind its requirements, and this awareness is reflected in the PCI Certification program. PCI was founded by the pioneers and titans of the precast, prestressed concrete industry and that legacy lives on through its unique and accredited programs.
What are the benefits of specifying PCI Certification?
Prequalification:
Specifiying products from a PCI Certified plant ensures that precast producers have an ongoing quality system in place, the experience necessary to deliver a quality product and a history of quality assurance. PCI Certified plants are required to develop and maintain a detailed Quality System Manual (QSM) compiled according to industry standards, approved by PCI, and available for review by project owners. Avoid surprises during the construction process by requiring certification in project specifications.
Proven Experience/Expertise:
PCI Certified precast concrete plants bring to each job a host of skills and efficiencies that can aid the construction process, especially if the precaster is brought into the design process early. The precaster can provide input on dramatic architectural effects, efficient sizes and shapes, value-engineering options, state-of-the-art connection systems, and other aspects that produce aesthetically pleasing, functional, and cost-effective projects.
Checked Against Project Specifications:
PCI Certification is one of the industry’s only programs that randomly checks that precast concrete products are being produced in accordance with project specifications, not just a quality control manual.
High Standards:
PCI’s standards for quality precast concrete production and erection are difficult to achieve. Once attained and practiced consistently, these standards contribute to improved and continued customer satisfaction not only by ensuring that the manufacturing and installation processes are high quality, but by making the construction process faster and smoother for all parties involved.
The standards ensure that plants consistently maintain high-quality operations and output through daily internal-control processes and inspections of operations, materials, equipment, products, and processes.
Objectivity:
All PCI Producer Members are required to maintain PCI Certification for their plants. Producers are not required, however, to join PCI to participate in the PCI Certification Program, ensuring objectivity for the entire process. Owners, architects, engineers, and contractors all benefit when precast concrete components, products, and erection services are provided by PCI Certified companies.
Knowledgeable specifiers choose PCI Certified companies because they know the PCI Certification process confirms the ability to manufacture and install quality components according to national, published industry standards.
Lower Cost:
Doing the job right the first time saves material and labor costs while preventing schedule delays. PCI Certified plants are capable of producing uniform, consistent products that eliminate many potential problems.
Faster Erection:
Using quality products leads to more efficient field operations, which in turn prevents schedule delays. Quality-control systems ensure that components are properly identified and delivered in the appropriate number and order and then fit together quickly, often resulting in reduced on-site labor and scheduling costs.
No Added Cost:
There is no cost to the owner or specifier for using a PCI Certified plant. In fact, the efficiencies and processes inherent in a PCI Certified plant often cut waste and reduce costs associated with repairs, rejected products,. and delays.
Personnel Certification Benefits:
Owners, architects, engineers, and contractors all benefit by working with precast concrete plants and erectors that employ PCI Certified quality-control personnel and auditors. These professionals can effectively and efficiently develop and implement a quality-control program, and in many other ways help improve the quality component of the precaster. Their input can help companies cut costs even as they produce better and more efficient precast concrete components and building systems.
Demand for qualified personnel continues to grow. Plant Quality Personnel Certification is required by over one third of state departments of transportation. These agencies require PCI Certification not only for plant personnel but also for their own materials inspectors and quality-assurance personnel.
Achieving Plant Quality Personnel Certification status is a demanding task, but those who rise to the challenge improve their proficiency and provide better service to the precast concrete structures industry. PCI Certification is a reliable means for ensuring that the precaster working on your project meets the highest possible industry standards.
Source: PCI
Precast Chalk Talk: Episode 18
In this episode of Precast Chalk Talk, learn how our team on The Berms works hard to finish pieces and make sure everything looks great before sending it out to our Customers.
Precast as a Sound Barrier
By Stephanie Kohl
Marketing
I have a confession. I know my upstairs neighbor much better than he probably thinks I do. I have lived in many apartments in my life, but this is the first time I have ever lived on the first floor - meaning it is the first time I have ever had someone living above me. And let me tell you, I can hear EVERYTHING.
I can say with absolute certainty that there is no precast separating my apartment from the one upstairs. If there were, I certainly wouldn't know what time he got up each morning or that he vacuums his entire apartment every Saturday morning, or that (I'm assuming) he has an entire home gym in his living room and focuses on deadlifting every afternoon when he gets home from work. There is no precast between my apartment and the one next to mine either, and that guy snores.
Acoustics play a vital role in the design of a building, and the designer's selection of materials to build with. The building partition (floors, walls and ceilings) of each space offers a measurable level of privacy from outside noise and from physical impacts against the floors, walls, and ceilings themselves.
Due to its density and its ability to absorb sound, precast is an ideal choice for your latest construction project. Precast acts as a natural sound barrier, preventing neighbors from hearing into each other's units. As a building owner, assuring your residents they will not hear the footsteps of their upstairs neighbors or their neighbor's bass on Friday night are big selling points. I know I would agree to a higher rent if I did not have to hear my current neighbors.
When all is said and done, the common goal of architects, builders, and building owners is to acquire as much acoustical performance for the money as possible. Precast can help provide that value. Precast concrete provides high mass and insulation and Mid-States can transform this natural material into a variety of configurations, shapes, patterns, colors, and styles to meet almost any creative and functional vision.
Had my apartment been built using precast, I wouldn't be starting my apartment search all over again. However, my neighbors still got the raw end of the deal. After all, I have a preschooler.
What makes a good project partner?
What makes a good project partner?
According to organizations we have worked with, a good project partner encompasses a few things, like open communication (whether it is good or bad news), flexibility, reliability, quality, early involvement/upfront coordination/design assistance, problem solving skills, looking out for the best interest of the client, and, of course, fair price.
Mid-States Concrete Industries strives to be the best partner possible on all your projects. In addition to our Face-to-Face Solution – which includes project assessment and planning, project strategy, single source installation, and completion confirmation – we have also focused on the Customer experience we provide to each of our partners, and have set expectations for what we deliver at every point of contact with you, our Customers.
”Mid-States really helped us all the way through design to get the project within budget,” said Adam Cohen, Co-owner of Keller, Inc. Mid-States Concrete worked on their Ellaretee LLC project in Germantown, Wisc.
”Mid-States helped us secure a date for their factory,” Cohen added. “We had some financing troubles with land closings and things that didn’t pertain to Mid-States, but they took ownership with the project and helped us meet the dates for the project… It all came together and Mid-States walked with us.”
Adam Hahn, director of Construction Services for Watts Group, said he really likes to get Mid-States involved early for concept and design.
“The ease that I see is that I like to get the precast team involved during design so that I know the people who are making it and installing it are the ones who are helping design it,” Hahn said.
Tom Quinn, Director of Preconstruction of Russell Construction, agreed that bringing in Mid-States early to help with preliminary design and budget makes a big difference, as does having one point of contact within a subcontractor.
“I prefer to have one person because I know I can call one person and get what I need,” Quinn said. “It’s kind of nice to have one single source of responsibility.”
Customers like Cole Payne, project manager at Encore Commercial, value the honesty and upfront attitude Mid-States has provided. He said Mid-States helps him put together a good game plan and sticks to what is promised.
“They’re never false about their information,” Payne said of team members he has worked with (including Matt Keith, Manager of Design Services; Jeremy Olivotti, Vice President of Preconstruction; and Brian Blum, Senior Project Manager). “So, if it’s going to take them seven weeks to install, they try and better it, but it’s around that timeframe.”
Another thing important to Customers is the quality of the people they are working with. Steve Austin, VP & Project Manager for Krupp General Contractors, said there are a handful of “really good subcontractors” his team works with, and Mid-States Concrete is among that group.
“The number one thing for me is the quality of the people you have,” Austin said. “Jeremy [Olivotti] is a great guy and your field guys are very good, too. They communicate well and they are easy folks to work with. I get good comments from my field guys about your staff.”
Does Mid-States sound like the right partner for you? We’d love to contribute to your next successful project. Please contact us at sales@msprecast.com to learn more.
Precast Chalk Talk: Episode 17
Learn more about the new and innovative Graphic Concrete product in our latest Precast Chalk Talk.