Shea Concrete's Wilmington Facility Named National Precast Concrete Association “Certified Plant”

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Wilmington Plant Receives NPCA Certification

The certification program is great for companies that are looking to separate themselves from the competition. What this does is provide the tangible paperwork and documented process.

(PRWEB) September 28, 2012

Shea Concrete Products, with locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, is pleased to announce that the National Precast Concrete Association awarded its Wilmington facility the prestigious “Certified Plant” designation. This designation recognizes Shea Concrete Products as a precast manufacturing plant that is operating at the highest standards of production and quality control.

The Wilmington plant had previously been certified by NPCA. However, because of the slow economy, the plant was closed for two years.

“Wilmington opened back up in June 2011 because the economy improved and because the Amesbury plant was at capacity,” said George Deranian, Shea Concrete’s Production Manager in Wilmington. “Because of this, we had to get certified again. There are state projects that require our plant to be certified if we want to bid on them, so this was a priority.”

The process for certification is a long and time-consuming one, but one that, done by an established company like Shea Concrete, can be rewarding.

“They inspect our plant from top to bottom, from pre-pour to post-pour, as well as making sure we have all our paperwork in order,” Deranian said. “This process can take a lot of time, but when you are organized, it helps. Getting certified shows we’re doing what we need to.”

Shea Concrete’s Amesbury Plant location has carried the NPCA certification since 2003. In 2010 the Amesbury Plant was awarded the “Top 25 Certified Plant” by NPCA. In 2011, the NPCA featured Shea Concrete Products in its bi-monthly publication “Precast Inc.” magazine (September-October 2011). That article is on the NPCA’s website at http://www.precast.org/2011/09/the-shea-way.

While the process for re-certification is complete, it does not mean the process is over. Plants need to maintain quality, because independent engineering firms conduct unannounced inspections.

According to the NPCA, there are many benefits for companies, such as Shea Concrete, to certify their plants:

• The Plant Certification Program assists management in achieving excellence in plants and operations. When an inspector enters a plant, he brings with him the experience of observing many other precast plants across the United States. A plant benefits from insights on how to improve processes, efficiency, and products.
• The Plant Certification Program assures a uniformly high degree of excellence in plant facilities, production, processes, and quality control operations.
• On projects where the NPCA Plant Certification Program is specified, one standard of quality is set for all precast concrete products, effectively leveling the playing field for all plants wishing to supply products to the project.
• The program creates additional opportunities for plants, and the precast industry as a whole, by showing their commitment to produce high-quality precast concrete products. The users and specifiers of these products also benefit because they can easily identify and select high-quality precast-concrete manufacturers.
• Provides recognition for plants that strive for and achieve a high degree of excellence. A certified plant stands out among plants wishing to supply products to a particular project.

“The certification program is great for companies that are looking to separate themselves from the competition. What this does is provide the tangible paperwork and documented process,” said Rich Krolewski, director of certification and regulatory services for the NPCA. “This also gives companies a guideline to follow; industry standards for them to meet or exceed. And finally, it allows for a seamless transition when there is a leadership or a management change.”

About the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA)
An international trade association, NPCA represents manufacturers of plant produced precast concrete products and companies that provide the equipment, supplies, and services to make these products.

Founded in 1965, NPCA connects leaders in the manufactured concrete industry through educational, leadership, and networking opportunities. The association currently represents more than 1,100 companies that are committed to expanding the use of quality precast concrete. NPCA also provides technical and production information through eight product committees, which consist of members who concentrate on specific product lines within the precast industry.
For more information, please visit http://www.precast.org.

About Shea Concrete
Family-owned and operated since 1949, Shea Concrete Products is one of New England’s largest suppliers of precast concrete products, serving both commercial and residential industries. As a National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA)-certified company, Shea Concrete’s manufacturing plants consistently operate at the highest standards of production and quality control. Shea Concrete produces environmentally safe concrete products, including sewage and drainage systems, barriers and curbs, utility structures, and Shea Concrete block retaining walls. Other precast concrete products include bulkhead, side entry, and standard steps. Serving all of New England,

Shea Concrete Products is headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., with additional locations in Rochester, Mass., Amesbury, Mass., and Nottingham, NH. For more information, please visit http://www.SheaConcrete.com.

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