Oldcastle Precast-Amcor stands as “the leader in the Colorado market for precast and underground utility structures,” General Manager Brian Rhees says.

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Oldcastle Precast-Amcor was founded in 1978 by CRH plc, a building materials company based in Dublin, Ireland. Today, the company employs a staff of 123 employees and has served companies such as Qwest Communications, Xcel Energy, Denver Water and the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Although Oldcastle Precast-Amcor operates under the guidelines and expectations of its parent company, Oldcastle Precast, General Manager Brian Rhees asserts that the company is able to adjust to local market conditions and customers requests.

Amcor Excellence
Headquartered in Littleton, Colo., Oldcastle Precast-Amcor stands as “the leader in the Colorado market for precast and underground utility structures,” Rhees says. Its products include short-span bridges, manholes, utility vaults, railroad crossings, oil/water separators, grease interceptors and above-ground ConVault fuel tanks.

Oldcastle Precast-Amcor largely serves utility contractors, Rhees says. By providing strong service and quality, the company has nurtured a base of repeat clients who comprise a large percent of its work, he says.

The company manages this by getting “the job done when we say we’re going to do it,” Rhees says. “Our products are out on the job site when the contractor needs them.”

Standing Tall
The strength of Oldcastle Precast-Amcor’s facilities and engineering departments have allowed it to lead the way in Colorado, Rhees says. “We have more forming [capacity] than our competitors, backed by sound quality and safety programs,” he says.

For instance, at its 12-acre headquarters, the company has a 2,000-square-foot engineering office and a 72,000-square-foot production area with 10 cranes, three cement silos and five aggregate pits.
According to the company, the pits supply a mixer that is capable of mixing two yards of concrete in less than two minutes.

Oldcastle Precast-Amcor also operates a plant in Platteville, Colo., which it recently expanded by 23,000 square feet. The $4.5 million expansion, Rhees says, saw the addition of a new, state-of-the-art manhole facility. The new manhole plant was added on to the existing pipe plant for total production square footage of 46,000 square feet.    

“The equipment we put in there is the most efficient equipment in the country,” Rhees says, noting that Oldcastle Precast-Amcor added a dual-station Cleco machine that can produce 48- and 60-inch manholes.

“We also put in a state-of-the-art Wigart, two-yard mixer that feeds the Cleco machine,” he says. “It also produces wet cast and dry-cast concrete. We also have a wet cast production for doing pre-cast manhole bases, flared in sections, inverts and miscellaneous precast structures.”

The Platteville expansion will also allow it to serve customers in northern Colorado that it could not, from its Littleton facility, he adds.

Taking Care
Oldcastle Precast-Amcor distinguishes itself with a focus on safety, which it began seven years ago with the launch of a safety program designed to educate employees about plant hazards, Rhees says. Today, he says, Oldcastle Precast-Amcor will have “daily morning huddles” at its locations before work starts.

“We kick it off with a safety subject and discussion,” he describes, adding that the company will discuss accidents with its employees, as well as near misses.

The company’s work has paid off. “The Littleton operation has gone seven years now without a lost-time accident,” Rhees reports.

Staying Clear and Consistent
Founded in 1970, CRH says it has operations in 32 countries and employs approximately 80,000 workers. According to the company, it has focused on three core businesses: primary materials, value-added building products and specialist building materials distribution.

“CRH’s strategic vision is clear and consistent – [to] be an international leader in building materials, delivering superior performance and growth,” the company states. “The success of CRH is founded on the exceptional commitment and capability of its management and staff and culture of performance, which characterizes CRH throughout its widespread operations.”