PRODUCERS – March 2015

Following nearly a quarter century of measured growth, Owell Precast owners and management have chosen Olympus Precast as the new name of their Bluffdale, Utah, architectural and structural product operation. Located just outside Salt Lake City, the producer is a key Intermountain market source of Spancrete hollow core plank, plus precast fence, wall and sound wall products.

 

Inspired by the immovable Mount Olympus, the new brand reflects a bold commitment to quality, safety and integrity. “The change is an exciting and important milestone in the history of our company, and just part of [an] expanded corporate focus in response to market forces,” says co-owner Bill Ashton. “I see the Olympus Precast name as a powerful catalyst for continued progress and growth.”

“We are thrilled with the talents and experience of the team of professionals Olympus Precast has in place,” adds co-owner Brent Baker, and “prepared to exceed customer expectations as we help define the future.”

 

Durham, N.C.-based CalStar Products is shifting production from a Racine, Wis., pilot plant, opened in early 2010, to a new Columbus, Miss., operation—resulting in increased capacity and a larger geographic footprint for sustainable brick, masonry and decorative trim products. The Racine site will continue to maintain quality assurance and testing facilities, and remain the base of most front office staff.

CalStar will add curing capacity to the Columbus plant to pace demand for a new line of decorative trim cast stone products. The operation occupies 23 acres in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park, located in northern Mississippi near the Alabama border. CalStar masonry products incorporate up to 37 percent recycled content, eliminating the need for kiln firing typical of traditional clay brick, or the use of portland cement used to bind concrete masonry products. As a result, each product requires up to 81 percent less energy to make while emitting up to 84 percent less carbon dioxide than processes tied to clay or concrete alternatives.


Gage Brothers in Sioux Falls, S.D., has appointed Stephanie Pendrys as marketing manager. With extensive experience in digital marketing, she has been tapped to lead the marketing, public relations and branding initiatives for one of the upper Midwest region’s leading architectural and structural precast concrete producers.

“Stephanie’s vast knowledge of marketing, graphic design and effective use of social media platforms will serve as a crucial asset,” says Gage Brothers President Tom Kelley. “With an eye for new trends and strategic marketing tactics, we’re looking forward to her creative approach—a sure asset for as we look to expand our geographical footprint and promote our new caulking division.”

Prior to joining Gage Brothers, Pendrys spent four years as the sports information coordinator at the University of Sioux Falls, providing game day coverage of Cougar athletics while producing video, print or digital materials for the USF athletic department’s website and social media outlets.


Spancrete has added to its Chicago business development team Partha Ramakrishnan, whose background in precast engineering spans structural and high-end architectural product fabrication. “Partha brings a great deal of expertise and a fresh viewpoint to our team,” says Spancrete President Alan Antoniewicz. “We’re confident he’ll help us grow our business by increasing the number of Spancrete construction projects in the Chicagoland area.”