1. Manufacturing Problems.

The manufacturing of steel reinforcing cages is actually a pretty easy task although it can be
laborious in nature. We are not experiencing any trouble with placement. The addition of plastic or
steel spacers helps to keep them in correct alignment within the pipe form. Personnel to run the
cage roller and fasten the cages can be a weak link when members of the crew call in sick or take
a vacation. Personnel is cross-trained so that when moments like this occur then we can fill the
void with another person. 2-3 people are involved in the wire reinforcing cage process.

2. Costs
We are always looking at the cost of doing business and how we can reduce costs where
possible. New products or processes can be investigated but they must also fulfil the rigorous
specifications that we must follow. We would be very shy toward trying or implementing new
procedures without industry approval. We manufacture most all of our own equipment and it must
be compatible to include the new process. If it isn't then we would probably not pursue it terribly
hard.

3. Time to prepare a pipe

I have never timed the cage making process, but it goes pretty quickly and they are made a day
or two in advance of the actual concrete placement. The time to place the concrete is dependent
upon the size of pipe being cast, in other words, I can fill a 12 inch form much quicker than a 36
inch form of the same height. The real time that is spent on the pipe is after it is removed from the
form. The pipe is brushed to give it a uniform appearance and a lift hole is cut into it for handling
on the job site. Each joint is bagged for curing and allowed to remain in place overnight. The
following day the RCP is tipped out of the plant and loaded onto a rack for detailed inspection,
post pour inspections and either cosmetic or structural repairs that need to be made, prior to
placing into our yard inventory.
Note that there is a lot of hand-work involved and physically touching and rubbing on the pipe. A
huge concern that we have with metal fibers would be cuts and metal splinter to the hands of the
laborers who are doing the post pour work on the pipe. Fibers tend to stick out at the surface
similar to whiskers and I would anticipate a lot of hand injuries due to cuts.

4. Cost
The cost to produce RCP will vary from plant to plant. Where resources are nearby and plentiful,
it stands to reason that the manufacturing would be less costly. We have to go out of state to
acquire our aggregates, because none are local that are permitted by the state. We use labor and
have a low initial cost vs. some plants that are fully automated. We have our own trucking/delivery
where others may need outside haulers. Since we are also a form manufacturer, we are readily
more able to make our own parts if something needs to be replaced.

5. Properties
We perform monthly material properties on our aggregates, such as gradation, specific gravity,
sand equivalent tests, and absorptions. Concrete cylinders are made and tested for Pipe, Box
Culvert and the fitting operations. Pipe undergoes the Three-Edge Bearing Test for conformance
to ASTM C-76 specifications and shipping purposes.

6. Fibers in Precast?
We currently do not use any fiber additives to our concrete. Our equipment is not compatible to
do so.

7. Major Customers
We serve a wide customer base that includes DOT contractors, Municipal Contractors and the
private and public sectors also. Private developers, Private homeowners are able to procure
products from us just as major contractors are able. We also serve many supply stores in the
region.