November 2018 Newsletter|Issue #14
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Showcasing the products and services of the members of PCI Gulf South continues to bring me great joy as month by month new opportunities unfold. The beginning of fall always takes me “on tour” to the universities in the Gulf states who eagerly await learning all they can about the product we call precast concrete. This fall afforded me the chance to make a new connection with some fine people at Louisiana Tech. Thankfully, with continued and advancing marketing in our region, professionals and future professionals are finding PCI Gulf South and reaching out to learn about all we have to offer. We will continue to showcase how precast concrete is a solution, and in some cases, THE solution for the innovative and sustainable projects being designed in the region. The twelve PCI certified precast producers of PCI Gulf South march forward day in and day out providing value and service to their clients in the form of products built to perform for the long haul. Say YES to precast for your next project!
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Every fall, PCI membership gathers together to share thoughts/ideas about the industry. These annual gatherings are always a great time to meet up with old friends and make new connections. Sharing the common goal of advancing the precast industry provides many avenues of conversation. In addition to meetings and a luncheon, JVI once again hosted the widely acclaimed Concrete Chefs dinner with proceeds benefitting the tireless work of the PCI Foundation. The entire event was well attended, with many interested parties taking time out of their busy schedules to support the efforts of PCI.
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Congratulations Atlantic Metrocast!
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Congratulations to Atlantic Metrocast, New Orleans, LA for earning PCI recognition for zero days away and restricted time (DART), zero total case incidences and zero lost workdays during 2017. Way to practice a safe work environment!
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Tulane Visits Tindall Moss Point Plant
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On October 3rd, students from Tulane’s School of Architecture were greeted by a welcome banner and VP/General Manager, Mac Freeman P.E. and Aubrey Mitchell, Technical Sales as they toured Tindall’s plant in Moss Point, MS. About 20 students attended the tour which was conducted by Robert Warren, Safety Director. The students were introduced to the standard operations of a precast plant from design to QC to casting operations to panel finishing. Mr. Freeman spoke with the students about the importance of their education and what the industry has to offer the architectural community. PCI Gulf South producers recognize the value of sharing their craft with future industry professionals.
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Tulane University Presentation
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Tulane’s School of Architecture kicked off the Fall semester with a visit from PCI Gulf South and a presentation on the Principles of Precast/Prestressed Concrete Construction. Tulane was awarded a grant from the PCI Foundation in Spring 2018 . PCI Gulf South membership will work hand-in-hand with the students throughout the duration of the studio program as they work to develop what they hope will be an industry advancing project/ product. The studio is headed by Professor Charles Jones, RA.
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PCI Gulf South offers a variety of ways to reach the existing design community.
The Learn@Lunch program was developed to allow professionals the opportunity to learn about precast products and systems.
Get the design credits you need and a free lunch all without having to leave the office!
Call or email today to schedule your Learn@Lunch!
228-239-3409 | pcigulfsouth1@att.net
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Mississippi ASCE Annual Meeting
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The Mississippi section of the National ASCE held their annual meeting in Vicksburg, MS on October 5th-7th. Infrastructure seemed to be the topic "du jour" and took center stage throughout many presentations. PCI Gulf South gave a presentation on the use and technology of Precast/Prestressed Concrete Pavement with a spotlight on the recent project in Mobile, AL. One speaker to note was Mississippi State’s Isaac Howard who spoke about ways to improve pavement infrastructure in Mississippi. Also, there was an overview by Jacob Forrester of the 2018 ASCE Report Card for Mississippi which will be released later this year.
The keynote speaker, 2017 ASCE President Dr. Norma Jean Mattei, PH.D, P.E., gave an overview of the 2017 National ASCE Report card and the overall implications to the nation’s infrastructure and on-going lobbying efforts by organizations such as the ASCE. Dr. Mattei was selected as one of three civilian members of the Mississippi River Commission and has been appointed to the LA State Licensing Board for professional engineers. Of particular interest, Dr. Mattei received both her bachelor and doctorate degrees from Tulane University.
As always, it was encouraging to see a number of students participating in the event.
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Louisiana Tech Presentation
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I always know it’s going to be a good day when I open an email or pick up the phone to hear from a university professor who wants me to come and talk about precast concrete. On October 25th, PCI Gulf South was invited by Dr. Shawn Sun to speak to his graduate/ undergraduate prestressed concrete class at Louisiana Technical University in Ruston, LA. Dr. Sun graciously afforded me nearly two hours to speak with the class. The first 50 minutes was spent on the basics of precast-prestressed product types/usage, as well as some history of the prestressed industry. Also covered were some case histories and project profiles. The second half of the class was spent on module 1 of “ Principles of PrecastPrestressed Concrete Construction”. Pulling from my 12 1/2 years as a precast producer, I always find it interesting and entertaining to see reactions from the students when I share some of the aspects of construction and its relationship to the precast industry. Coined as the “practical” side of our industry, I generally focus on the typical progression of a precast project and common issues designers face as a project proceeds from estimating to project close out. As always, PCI Gulf South stands as a resource for young designers in their use of precast-prestressed products.
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If you are a
recently graduated student
and want to continue to receive emails from PCI Gulf South, please be sure to update your email address as
most school email addresses
expire after 6 months!
To update, simply forward your new email address to
pcigulfsouth1@att.net
and we will update it in our system.
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On September 26 - 28th, the Louisiana section of the AIA held its annual Convention in New Orleans, LA. On the seminar schedule were topics such as “ The New Urban Agenda” by Carl Elefante FAIA, AIA National President, “ Design Matters Panel” headed by Ila Berman from the UVA School of Architecture and a Keynote Speaker Richard Campanella with a presentation on “New Orleans at 300: The Forty–Year Backstory, 16821722”. On the evening of the 27th, AIA Louisiana held their 75th Anniversary party and LAF’s Silent Auction. As part of the convention, a vendor expo was held with many vendors representing the construction industry present. Topping off the festivities was a sketching tour with renowned artist and educator Jim Richards through the streets of New Orleans.
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USM School of Construction Industry Advisory Council
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On October 19, the School of Construction’s IAC held the fall meeting. USM President Dr. Bennett spoke to the group about the importance of being “ creative and innovative” with the program and how can we think “outside the box” to further develop an already great program. It was mentioned that USM’s IAC will be highlighted as part of the Industry Advisory Board of the American Council for Construction Education in Houston for its roll in getting the program on the right path in accreditation and how the School of Construction uses NCCER modules to certify performance competencies in the lab courses all around the country (USM offers an online program). The IAC currently has 60 pledges from various segments of the construction industry which partner with professors to strengthen the overall program. As part of the fall meeting, the group toured the newly renovated front offices of the School of Construction in the Chain Technology building.
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In the early 1940’s, building on Eugéne Freyssinet's work, Prof. Gustave Magnel performed extensive research programs on full scale prestressed concrete beams at Ghent University in Belgium. He was instrumental in the design of the first prestressed concrete bridge in the USA, the Walnut Lane Bridge in Philadelphia, and he wrote the first English language textbook on prestressed concrete.
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Louisiana Tech Presentation
October 25, 2018
Ruston, LA
PCI Gulf South Golf Classic
November 7, 2018
Gulport, MS
PCI Gulf South Winter Meeting
November 7-8, 2018
Biloxi, MS
DBIA Annual Convention
November 7th-9th, 2018
New Orleans, LA
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Transportation Committee/MDOT
November 14, 2018
Jackson, MS
PCI Executive Directors Workshop
December 5, 2018
Orlando, FL
Marketing Council Meeting
December 6-7, 2018
Orlando, FL
PCI Convention
February 28 - March 2, 2018
Louisville, KY
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