Hanson Pipe & Precast has dedicated what company officials note is the largest-capacity concrete pipe operation in the U.S., while marking the global
CP STAFF
Hanson Pipe & Precast has dedicated what company officials note is the largest-capacity concrete pipe operation in the U.S., while marking the global debut of a handful of production and curing technologies. A grand opening ceremony for the 100,000-sq.-ft. operation, located at the company’s 250-employee, Jersey Village complex on the northwest end of Houston, was staged March 22 in tandem with a Houston Museum of Natural Science benefit.
With the ability to produce, on average, one pipe per minute, the technology in this facility greatly increases our efficiency while maintaining an environmentally friendly and safe workplace, said Hanson Pipe South Central Region President Clifford Hahne, who in addition to counterparts from three other regions was joined at the event by Hanson Building Products North America President and CEO Richard Manning.
Anchored by a three-station, rotary turnable Hawkeye PipePro96 machine, Hahne adds, the technology package at Houston enables casting of up to 500 tons of product per production shift. The PipePro96 includes modules for molding varying diameters of pipe; hence, combinations of 24, 36, 48- and 72-in. diameter product totaling 96 inches can run simultaneously. The facility is also one of the first U.S. concrete pipe operations to use a fully automated curing system that controls heat and humidity independently.
One of Hanson’s largest markets in North America, Houston harbors strong demand for drainage products and structures, owing to flat topography, Gulf Coast proximity, 40-ft. elevation above sea level, and exposure to hurricanes. The Jersey Village complex is part of Hanson’s Grand Prairie, Texas-based South Central Region, encompassing 27 Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas facilities shipping reinforced concrete pipe, drainage structures, modular bridges and pressure pipe.