By Harold Bush
GSPCA President
It is an honor to accept the presidential
duties of GSPCA for 2006-2008. Having been an active member for more
than 30 years has given me a great appreciation for this organizations
effectiveness. Our 45-year history is rich with landmark
contributions to the industry.
I feel a debt of
gratitude to the founders back in 1961 and the wisdom they demonstrated
in forming our association. There was an obvious need in Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana to structure and promote the growth of a young
prestressed concrete industry. At that product development, standard
specifications and educational promotion was limited, varying from
company to company. This was not healthy and GSPCA became the vehicle to
collectively improve our region.
Since our beginnings we have remained a democratic group operated and
lead by the membership. The association has received national
recogination through the years for its collective efforts such as:
>The development of Bulb T
bridge girders and muli-state standardization of bridge girders.
>R & D of high performance
concrete design seminars introducing new technology.
>Interaction with several
major universities and schools of engineerong. Supporting various
grant programs.
>Activity encouraging
graduate students with design manuals, plant tours and PCI sponsorships.
GSPCA provides a platform for
public offiicials and DOT's to properly interact with industry and share
vital information.
GSPCA members currently
maintain PCI membership and plant certification to assure product
quality. This is not a requirement for membership, but highly
encouraged.
Our depth of commitment and
product confidence cannot be validated more than it has been recently.
On Aug 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the heart of our market area,
killing thousands of people and destroying homes and major
infrastructures valued in the billions of dollars. This initiated
unprecedented national and local recovery efforts.
GSPCA was one of the first
contacts from our DOT's concerned first about our people's safety, but
wanting to know how much could be expected from our producer members as
they planned their replacement structures. There was no doubt
about the material of choice being prestressed concrete. Our
membership responded with a positive "can do" attitude. Two of our major
producer members are located on the coast line and took a direct hit
from the Hurricane; Gulf Coast Pre-Stress, Inc. in Pass Christian, Miss.
and Tindall Corporation, in Biloxi, Miss. These companies are to
be commended for their recovery efforts. Within a matter of weeks
both were back on line abd are currently producing at record rates.
GSPCA can take pride in the
relationship and confidence our customers have in this group. Our
opportunity to service these needs are enormous for all our product
lines. We solicit all precasters and prestressers, along with
related associate suppliers, to join us as we collectively seek out ways
to meet our unprecedented market demands.
Shaping the future is not
just a "catchy" phrase, but a commitment for GSPCA. Review this
website for meetings and membership information. |
