Title: This Business of Precast Concrete

Author(s): W. Burr Bennett, Jr.

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 4

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 17-21

Keywords: concrete blocks; concrete products; economics; history; precast concrete; prest ressed concrete.

DOI:

Date: 1/1/1982

Abstract:
Presents the 10th Raymond E. Davis Lecture, given this year by Mr. Bennett at the 1981 ACI Fall Convention in Quebec. This lecture series honors the late Professor Davis, past president of ACI, who was long associated with the University of California at Berkeley. This lecture is the story of several generations of the precast concrete industry as they are affected by national events and by the economy in particular. Inflation over the last 15 years has caused the have become less of a national priority. The precast concrete industry, however, has enjoyed a relatively steady increase in productivity. Machinery and advanced automation processes have helped make precast concrete competitive in the marketplace. The author foresees a real growth in construction in the 1980s caused primarily by adults born in the 1950s and 60s baby boom, needing housing. He estimates that by the time the 4.3 million children born in 1960 and the 3.8 million born in 1965 reach age 30 in 1990 and 1995, respectively, about 2 million housing units will be needed. And that construction increase must begin in the 1980s. Nonresidential con-struction, especially schools, may also experience a boom. New concrete products introduced between now and the end of the century will encourage growth opportunities for the precast concrete industry.