National Precast outlines three-year strategy

NATIONAL PRECAST OUTLINES

THREE-YEAR STRATEGY

NATIONAL PRECAST CONCRETE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA RECENTLY ELECTED A NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS. CEO SARAH BACHMANN TALKS ABOUT THE NEW BOARD, ALONG WITH THE ASSOCIATION’S MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND MEMBER SERVICES’ STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

Late in November 2021, the National Precast Concrete Association Australia elected a new board of directors at its Annual General Meeting.

Michael Waeger from Waeger Constructions was re-elected as President for a further two-year term. Craig Zinn remains on the board as Immediate Past President. Other re-elected board members included Adrian Cahill, Alberto Ferraro and Riccardo Musella. While Karen Thompson from Civilmart Rocla did not renominate, Jason Horswill has been appointed to the board. George Spiropolous from Euro has stepped down, and the company’s Queensland General Manager Jeff Stratford has stepped up. Also elected to the board were Jason Walsh from Delta Corporation, John Cole from Austral Precast and previous board member and President, Peter Healy from Hollow Core Concrete.

Under the helm of the new board, the association representing Australia’s precast concrete manufacturers has announced a new marketing, communications and member services’ strategy for the next three years.

National Precast Chief Executive Officer Sarah Bachmann says she is looking forward to working with the new board over the next year to start implementing the three-year strategy.

“Having spent the last three years establishing a solid framework that makes membership a sound value proposition, the new strategy emphasises membership growth and invigoration of the association’s communications’ program and member services. There’ll also be some internal restructuring and changes to the way working groups operate,” she tells Roads & Infrastructure.

Ms Bachmann says this new outlook will see National Precast continue to provide existing member services in addition to new resources, opportunities and events.

“Existing member services will be bolstered with a huge programme of online and face-to-face events that include networking and factory visits and an awards programme which will be launched at the first national event for the year in February in Brisbane. Then in November we will celebrate 30 years in business at a gala event in Melbourne. Our new Master Precaster brand will be promoted as a great way to ensure a good precast experience and expect to see a lot more of us in the socials,” she comments.

“Of course, we will continue to work with roads’ authorities for our civil members, represent the industry on standards’ committees and continue to develop new publications and online learning. Work has started on a fair industry contract and that is also high on the agenda. And members will continue to access standards, receive Cordell reports, have case studies written for them and access advice on legal issues, as well as on workplace health and safety and human resources.”

If you’re interested in becoming a National Precast member, contact: exec@nationalprecast.com.au.

WORK FROM THE MASTERS

Master Precaster is a new category of membership at National Precast and it’s a must-have when awarding precast contracts.

A requirement of wearing the Master Precaster member badge is that the precaster must have satisfactorily completed one of National Precast’s stringent audits and comply with the Master Precaster Code of Conduct.

It’s a step above what a Precaster member must pass, and covers off on eight areas, including: • Industry contribution; • Track record;

• Financial stability; • Technical skill;

• Factory capability; • Quality management; • Safety management; and • Environmental management.

HERE’S A SNAPSHOT OF SOME OF THE WORKS DELIVERED BY NATIONAL PRECAST’S MASTER PRECASTERS:

Project: Tatterson Park Culverts Location: Keysborough, VIC Master Precaster: Reinforced Concrete Pipes Australia Thirty large precast concrete culverts measuring 2400Lx1500Wx2400H prefabricated by National Precast Master Precaster Reinforced Concrete Pipes Australia have recently been installed throughout the Keysborough wetland development. The project, initiated by the Greater Dandenong Council, is set to maximise water passage and rejuvenate the natural site.

Project: Australian Maritime College, Artificial Reefs Location: Perth, WA Master Precaster: Hudson Civil Products Master Precaster Hudson Civil Products has recently manufactured a set of precast concrete artificial reef units to be used in model testing at the Australian Maritime College. These units will be used to assess the role of artificial reefs in protecting Australia’s coastlines and ensuring the prosperity of various natural habitats.

Project: West Tamar Traffic Solutions Location: West Tamar, TAS Master Precaster: Hudson Civil Products Tasmanian-based Master Precaster Hudson Civil Products has been engaged to supply a range of water management solutions in the state’s north, including precast concrete pipes, pits, headwalls, reinforced concrete box culverts, gratings and fittings.

Project: Bells Creek Arterial Road Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD Master Precaster: The Reinforced Earth Company Australia Following the 2017 completion of Bells Creek Arterial Road Stage One, National Precast’s Master Precaster, The Reinforced Earth Company Australia, has been re-engaged for the project’s second and third stages. The upcoming development will use precast concrete infrastructure elements to connect the Bells Creek interchange with Bruce Highway, in combination with a pedestrian and cycling causeway.

Project: Greg Sutherland Bridge, Mackay Ring Road Location: Mackay, QLD Master Precaster: Stresscrete National Precast Master Precaster Stresscrete prefabricated 108 precast concrete T-girders for the recently completed Greg Sutherland Bridge. The bridge, which integrates with the Mackay ring-road, marks a significant contribution to central Queensland’s infrastructure strategy. This long-lasting precast concrete solution will benefit Australians for many generations.