Springsboro, Ohio-based Concrete Technology Inc. has stepped up its Midwest presence with a new architectural and structural prestressed plant in Paxton, Ill. Located along Interstate 57 less than two hours south of Chicago, the facility is adapted from office and plant space formerly occupied by an agricultural equipment manufacturer.

"There was a real opportunity to build on a site strategic to Chicago, Indianapolis and other Midwest markets," notes Plant Manager Jim Buehrle. The site has immediate and long term potential, he adds, noting that business in the Midwest has been very strong for prestressed producers and, thanks especially to demand from the Chicago area, there are few indicators suggesting that plant backlogs will ease significantly.

Concrete Technology's property lies along the west side of the interstate, while much of Paxton is east of the roadway, including land for prospective residential development. A town that harbors one of few traffic stoplights in Illinois' Ford County, Paxton also offered a plot with municipal services.

When Buehrle was scouting plant locations, he was assured that Paxton would have an ample pool of labor available - particularly individuals accustomed to heavy lifting, long hours and dirty work. The State of Illinois offered a matching grant equivalent to $55,000, earmarked for worker training. Concrete Technology has split training efforts between Paxton, Parkland Community College in nearby Champaign, Ill., and Ohio headquarters.

Present staff exceeds 50, including production crews and "honchos." The latter are working supervisors who oversee procurement, safety, batching, fabrication, finishing and delivery. Company management viewed the commissioning of a new plant as an opportunity to create a staff with less hierarchy than a traditional precast/prestressed operation. The designation of honchos has been key to that goal.

Production at Paxton began in August 1999, with a Chicago office structure representing the inaugural contract. Work since then has included a 1,063-piece job for Indianapolis' Marriott Convention Center Hotel. Although presently functioning as a Springsboro satellite, Paxton stands to be fully geared with administrative, sales and engineering staff as future contracts warrant.