Scheduled for March 3-6, prior to the 2015 Precast Show, attendees of this year’s sold-out Pipe School will have the opportunity to tour two local pipe plants, learn best practices in production, quality, sales and marketing, safety and engineering design, and hear from the most experienced and knowledgeable instructors in North America.
“Our Pipe Schools have long been among the most popular and valuable programs the ACPA provides, and each year we find ways to make the week even more rewarding for our attendees,” said Matt Childs, president of the American Concrete Pipe Association. “This year’s theme, ‘Concrete First,’ reinforces our industry’s role in producing the best products in the market, and is designed to unify us behind our common purpose of selling more concrete pipe and box culverts.”
Some highlights of the 2015 Pipe School include —
· The introduction of a new Production & Management Accreditation Program, consisting of six hours of concentrated, practical training in five specific disciplines: Reinforcement Manufacturing, Vibrated Dry Cast Production, Packerhead Production, Safety and Performance Management;
· A panel discussion examining DOTs’ expectations and criteria for choosing between competing pipe products;
· A Post Installation Inspection Demonstration offering up-close observations of both concrete and flexible pipe installations;
· A discussion of Accelerated Precast Construction and its impact on the future of our industry;
· Tours of Rinker and Hanson plants in Apopka and Winter Haven, respectively;
· Opportunities to examine best-in-class safety practices from finalists for the 2015 ACPA Chairman’s Safety Awards; and,
· Several informal opportunities to network with industry peers from across North America.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to become Qcast accredited by attending the Quality School track and passing the exam at the end of the course.
