After 50 years of growth and service to users and producers of structural concrete, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) is using the occasion of its golden anniversary to move forward in continuing renewal. “We're celebrating the past while focusing on the future,” says Fred W. Heldenfels IV, president of San Marcos, Texas-based Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc., and 2004 PCI chairman. “We're using the anniversary not only as a platform to celebrate our accomplishments, but to focus on the future of PCI and our industry as a whole.” Accordingly, Heldenfels encourages both staff and membership to act on his three initiatives as PCI turns 50: reinvent, rejuvenate, and reposition the precast/prestressed industry.

REINVENTING PCI

“I'm supporting not so much a restructuring, but a reinvention of our governance and regional marketing structure, alignment of our technical and research programs with our marketing and educational goals, as well as the processes by which we provide member services,” Heldenfels tells Concrete Products. “Our task force under Vice Chairman Charles McCarthy (Rocky Mountain Prestress) is re-examining our zone boundaries, our governance structure, how those relate to our affiliated organizations, and how we interact with the Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.”

PCI is divided into six zones, and some members feel there is not much logic to how those zones are divided, Heldenfels observes. “Zones don't necessarily correspond to our regional marketing organizations and their efforts,” he says. “We're taking a look at something that's been in place a long time to see if it can be realigned to better serve our members and markets.”

REJUVENATING INDUSTRY RESOURCES

As a new generation of owners and managers becomes involved with PCI, Heldenfels is determined to bring their perspective to the entire membership. “In terms of rejuvenating PCI, we have younger management on staff stepping up and taking on more responsibility,” Heldenfels reports. “We recognize the same changes taking place in our members' companies and in our volunteer structure, which includes the people who make our committees and technical and research programs work.”

To this end PCI is creating a Young Leaders Program. “It's a leadership training institute, if you will, for up-and-coming management talent,” Heldenfels tells Concrete Products. “Applicants will be nominated by our producer, professional and associate members, and an initial class of 25 will be selected. We're getting a great deal of positive response on this as we travel around the country.”

REPOSITIONING PRODUCERS AS SOLUTION PROVIDERS

Thirdly, PCI's new chairman is addressing the ever-evolving precast/prestressed markets by looking at how PCI must reposition itself as a provider of solutions, not just products. “Repositioning PCI in markets starts with a well-conceived strategic plan,” Heldenfels asserts. “We have to ensure that the design and construction industries with which we work see precast producers as solution providers, not just manufacturers of commodity components. Many of our members are capable of providing design-build services in addition to the manufacture of integrated precast structures where the entire building design calls for precast concrete components.”

The precast/prestressed industry is evolving toward a solution-based platform in which solutions can be customized to suit individual designers and project needs, Heldenfels says. “We are capable of meeting their challenges, rather than limiting designers to only those components that we have offered for years,” he adds.

REBRANDING PCI

“At the same time,” Heldenfels continues, “it's important that PCI make sure its image and identity as an institute reflects our industry's new position. I have challenged our Market Plans Committee with evaluating PCI's image, using our 50th anniversary as a launch pad for the rebranding. We want to make sure the message and image of our marketing materials — such as PCI Journal, Ascent Magazine, and our web site — reflect what PCI is today, not only an established 50-year-old technical organization, but one that is focusing on the next 50 years and design solutions for the future.”

Those publications will continue, he affirms, as well as PCI's advertising program targeted at specifiers who read magazines such as ENR and Architectural Digest. “We'll also further develop our digital marketing through our E-Trends newsletter,” Heldenfels says.

50TH ANNIVERSARY

PCI is observing its golden anniversary with a compilation of the 50 most significant precast/prestressed projects in the U.S. since 1950 (note U.S. Science Pavilion/Cover Story, page 32); a comprehensive timeline publication; a commemorative book; release of a 50th anniversary video on 50 years of precast/prestressed development and construction; a commemorative painting later this year; and, a compilation of industry leaders, dubbed Titans of the Precast Industry.

The top 50 projects, the 300 projects nominated, the timeline publication, and the anniversary brochure may be viewed or downloaded off PCI's web site at http://www.pci.org/50th. The Titans, still being compiled from field nominations, are expected to have made a positive, industry-altering contribution to the North American precast and prestressed concrete industry within the time period of 1949 to 2004. The Titans will be honored at PCI's October 2004 convention (see related sidebar).

Toward the end of this year, PCI members will engage in “50 Days of Precast” during which nearly 300 PCI plants will welcome visitors and students to their world. “From Labor Day through our convention — a 50-day span — we will encourage every PCI member in the country to open its doors to engineers and architects, elected and civic leaders, and students and the public,” Heldenfels tells Concrete Products. “They'll learn not only what we've done toward the building of America, but where we're headed.”

Corporate sponsors of PCI's 50th anniversary are Tindall Corp.; The Shockey Precast Group; Sidley Precast; Spancrete Manufacturers Association; JVI, Inc.; Master Builders, Inc.; Dayton/Richmond Concrete Accessories; Hamilton Form Co.; Elematic Inc.; Meadow Burke; Dow Styrofoam Building Materials; CEG; Ross Bryan Associates Inc. Engineers; and, BPDL Precast Concrete.

FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY

Despite a realigned marketing program, PCI will continue its very strong technical work and outreach. Evoking the European, South African and Australian technology scanning tours sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), PCI continues its annual overseas tours with TechnoQuest 2004. Plant owners from the precast/prestressed industry will visit Brussels and environs for seven days in mid-May, thereby experiencing new plant technologies and making professional contacts.

“These tours focus on learning more about European plant automation and other technological developments that can be gleaned from how precast/prestressed products are manufactured elsewhere,” Heldenfels says. “Past trips have focused on robotics, lasers and magnetics in production. This year's trip will help educate PCI members and staff on further automation developments.”

PRECAST PAVEMENTS

One new technology that is bearing fruit is precast pavement panels, either for full pavement construction or road repair. “It's still in the demonstration stage, but it's another product that will meet the demands of the traveling public, rapid construction, and long project life spans,” Heldenfels contends. “They are a logical solution for minimizing lane closures and completing projects more quickly,” he adds. To date, national interest has been reflected in a variety of precast-pavement test projects examining the practicality of precast pavements in Texas, Michigan and elsewhere.

SCC REVOLUTIONIZES INDUSTRY

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC), also called self-compacting concrete, is the innovative concrete mix design that is “revolutionizing” the precast concrete industry, according to PCI. As described by the institute, SCC contains advanced high-range water-reducing and viscosity-modifying admixtures as well as increased fines enabling the fresh concrete to flow easily into the form and around reinforcement without segregation, thereby providing a high rate of production, a smooth concrete surface and a finished product with improved durability.

“For PCI members, the advantage of SCC is improved productivity that comes from eliminating vibration and the time it takes to place concrete,” Heldenfels notes. “The advantage to the end user, of course, is a better finished product as well as cost efficiencies that accrue through the enhanced productivity of their producers.”

The association is staying on top of SCC: the PCI Self-Consolidating Concrete Fast Team recently published a document titled “Interim Guidelines for the Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete in Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Member Plants,” now available at http://www.pci.org.

“PCI will continue its research programs to demonstrate the reliability and efficiency of self-consolidating concrete,” Heldenfels affirms. “In mid-March, PCI encouraged its members to participate in a SCC workshop and demonstration at the University of Houston. The bridge market and public works in general represent a huge opportunity for the use of SCC, because most of these markets have yet to develop a specification allowing SCC.”

HELDENFELS ENTERPRISES, INC.
AT-A-GLANCE

Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc., is the culmination of five generations of innovation and the pursuit of quality in construction and building materials. In 1909, F.W. Heldenfels, Sr., and his brother, C.A. Heldenfels, founded Heldenfels Brothers, a lumber and materials business. After World War I, they began dredging oyster shells, making their first foray into road construction.

By 1936, F.W.'s three sons having joined the business helped expand into the construction of military bases, airports and ever-larger highways. Following WW II, until 1994, Heldenfels Brothers touched practically every major construction arena in Texas, including expressways, bridges, subdivisions, industrial plants, office buildings, parking garages and water treatment plants.

In 1995, Fred Heldenfels IV formed Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc. and bought the assets of the company's precast/prestressed concrete division. Employing approximately 160 workers, the company specializes in the fabrication and installation of precast/prestressed concrete structures for the highway, marine, industrial and commercial markets.

Recent projects include structural precast for Minute Maid Field (Houston Astros), Reliant Stadium (Houston Texans), SBC Center (San Antonio Spurs), the North End Zone expansion of Kyle Field (Texas Aggies), and the Mine Warfare Degaussing facility at Naval Station-Ingleside. Heldenfels' current project roster includes the Corpus Christi Bayfront Arena and Texas State University Parking Garage, along with numerous Texas Department of Transportation bridges.

Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
At-A-Glance

Over 1,400 professionals — engineers, architects, producers and associate members — belong to PCI. Their mission is to improve the quality, economy and innovation of the construction industry by establishing new levels of design and engineering in precast applications.

PCI members serve commercial, industrial, residential and public/institutional, transportation and specialized construction markets. Since its creation in 1954, PCI has been a dynamic force in the steady growth and the current position of an expanding industry. PCI committees include those concerned with precast, bridge design, glass fiber-reinforced concrete, seismic design, soundwalls, parking structures, marketing, storage tanks, quality assurance, research and development.

PCI Journal is an authoritative technical publication, while the quarterly Ascent magazine features new precast/prestressed projects and application ideas in a promotional vein.

PCI president is James G. Toscas, P.E. The association is located at 209 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 500, Chicago, Ill.60606; tel.: 312/786-0300; fax: 312/788-0353; web site: http://www.pci.org.

CHAIRMEN

2004

FRED HELDENFELS IV

President
Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc.
San Marcos, Texas

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

MICHAEL QUINLAN

Coreslab Structures (Tampa)
Tampa, Florida

CHAIRMAN-ELECT (2005)

CHARLES MCCARTHY

Rocky Mountain Prestress
Denver, Colorado

CONFERENCE SPANS “BRIDGES FOR LIFE”

“Bridges for Life” is the theme of PCI's National Bridge Conference to be held in October. The focus of the event will be concrete bridge design, fabrication and construction, with an emphasis on precast/prestressed methods and high performance mix specifications.

Echoing a new theme of the Federal Highway Administration — Highways for Life, promoting elevated performance standards, state-of-the-art technologies and tools, as well as new business practices — Bridges For Life will feature high-performance bridges and prefabrication for rapid construction.

“Precast/prestressed concrete is the most effective material for designing bridges to meet the new long-life criteria that FHWA and all state DOTs require,” says Fred Heldenfels IV. “We're proud of our relationship with FHWA and our cooperation with the agency on the Bridges for Life program. With high-performance concrete, we can achieve bridge life spans that in many cases are two to three times what we expected from bridges just a decade or two ago.”

The National Bridge Conference will be held Oct. 17-20 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. More than 60 paper presentations are anticipated. Additionally, winners of the PCI Bridge Design Awards will be announced, and a special session will be devoted to this year's spotlight state. The conference will be held in conjunction with the PCI Annual Convention and Exposition.

EDUCATION FOUNDATION REACHES OUT TO ACADEMIA

The new PCI Education Foundation, founded in 2003, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the precast/prestressed concrete industry by reaching out to students and academia for the purpose of attracting talented young professionals to the field. The foundation will focus on two major areas of investment — curriculum development and academic outreach.

It aims to foster an ongoing, working relationship between the industry and higher education through its College and University Partnership Program. That program will support inclusion of precast/prestressed concrete courses in engineering, construction and architectural curricula.

Awareness of precast/prestressed concrete and career opportunities among students will be promoted by the foundation's Academic Outreach Program. In addition, its Francis J. Jacques Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships to junior and senior college students in engineering and architectural curricula with studies in precast/prestressed concrete.

Other goals include the fast-track creation of a comprehensive precast/prestressed concrete textbook; development of an expanded professor network; timely formation of a foundation educator advisory committee; and continuation of a high-level, national “information exchange” with targeted schools and professors in the form of a two-day event.