A group of regional, primarily independent concrete block producers has banded together to form a national consortium, Concrete Products Group, LLC, to
A group of regional, primarily independent concrete block producers has banded together to form a national consortium, Concrete Products Group, LLC, to develop and licence production of a variety of proprietary masonry units.
Charter members of the Bridgeton, Mo.-based group and their territories are Kirchner Block & Brick/Midwest Products Group, central U.S.; Oberfield’s, Inc., located in the Ohio Valley area; Block USA, operating in the South Central region; Basalite Products, Inc. and Orco Block Co., Inc., covering the West Coast; Amcon in the upper Midwest; and, A. Jandris & Sons, Inc. on the East Coast. The group also anticipates the addition of key regional producers covering Florida, Atlanta and the Carolinas later in 2007.
Concrete Products Group President Mark Wilhelms, of Kirchner Block, announced the alliance at the members’ inaugural meeting in Kansas City. The partnership was organized to provide timely delivery options and consistent products for regional and national masonry customers, he notes, including retailers, construction companies and contractors with the need for accelerated delivery, exacting standards and quality products in a cost-effective structure. By joining together, independent manufacturers recognized that our customers (and the industry as a whole) would benefit immensely by providing a reliable, consistent source of supply with assured delivery for regional and national retailers, Wilhelms affirms.
National retailers are focused on opening new store locations, and all new store merchandising and advertising support is set into motion with the start of construction. Wilhelms adds, Because retailers and their contractors cannot accept delays, Concrete Products Group role is crucial to their new store’s opening success.
According to Wilhelms, the advantages of working with the nationwide Concrete Products Group network include assured delivery methods and on-demand product availability; consistency of product line from manufacturer and facilities across the country; specifications coordinated from the supply side; and, cost-effective pricing, which provides regionally based companies the opportunity to compete on the national level.
With production licensed through Concrete Products Group, initial alliance products include Spec-Brik concrete masonry veneer, which lends the brick-like look for community-friendly developments. The line provides architects, developers and contractors with a convenient masonry option in the construction of new property and developments, says Wilhelms. The product has debuted in an Ohio Kroger store and Missouri Marriott Courtyard, he adds.
Spec-Brik’s properties include a brick-like texture in a variety of colors; energy-efficient, economical manufacturing to job specifications; minimal maintenance requirements; nationwide production/availability to meet construction timelines; and, local production to ensure ready availability and quick delivery.
More information regarding the Spec-Brik product line (www.specbrik.com) can be obtained by contacting Concrete Products Group, tel.: 800/789-0872; or visiting www.concreteproductsgroup.com.