Concrete Pipe Industry Convenes in Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN, January 12, 2013 --(PR.com)-- A record gathering of more than 350 pipe industry professionals from across North America is gathering this week in Indianapolis for the 2013 ACPA Pipe School. Organized by the American Concrete Pipe Association and held prior to the 2013 Precast Show, this year’s Pipe School features presentations from industry experts, a panel discussion with engineers from six state Departments of Transportation (DOT), tours of local pipe plants and multiple training tracks covering every career discipline in the industry.

The ACPA is using the three-day event to launch its “Campaign for Excellence,” which encourages every concrete pipe professional and company to strive for excellence in every aspect of their business. In-depth training tracks, with courses led by the foremost experts from within and outside the industry, focus on arming participants for excellence in the areas of production, quality, safety, sales and marketing, and engineering design.

“This year’s Pipe School is, without a doubt, our most robust to date,” said Matt Childs, president of the Irving, TX-based American Concrete Pipe Association. “We’ve gathered a who’s who of talent from across our industry to train, inform and challenge a record number of attendees to achieve excellence for their companies and themselves. What these men and women learn here will help them throughout their careers.”

Engineers and others seeking industry certification are attending the ACPA Quality School, which covers all the fundamentals of concrete pipe, from cementitious materials to mixing, batching, testing and finishing the product. By attending the entire track and passing an end-of-course exam, students become accredited personnel for their QCast plant.

Other highlights of the 2013 ACPA Pipe School include:

Tours of nearby Rinker and Independent plants, allowing participants to interact with production specialists in such areas as pipe-making equipment, cage manufacturing, header and pallet maintenance, safety, vibration techniques and more;

Presentation of the ACPA President’s Award, Chairman’s Safety Awards and other industry accolades;

A breakfast presentation by U.S. Representative Larry Bucshon (R-Ind), an influential member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, who will discuss the groundbreaking new highway bill enacted in mid-2012;

A panel discussion with state DOT engineers who will explain the key decision criteria they use when choosing storm drainage products, such as quality, durability, cost and installation;
and,

Dozens of informative educational sessions, interactive roundtables and invaluable opportunities to meet and network with peers from across the industry.

Concrete pipe professionals from nearly every U.S. state, Canada, Mexico and as far away as Guam have descended on Indianapolis for the annual Pipe School, which runs from January 9-12 at the downtown Westin.

“Indianapolis has been a very hospitable host for us, and we’re excited about taking advantage of many of the unique venues the city has to offer,” said Vince Bussio, ACPA Chairman of the Board and President of Orem, UT-based Geneva Pipe.

Participants will attend a networking reception at the NCAA Hall of Champions and explore the show floor at 2013 Precast Show being held January 11-13 at the Indiana Convention Center.

More information on the 2013 ACPA Pipe School is available at http://www.concrete-pipe.org/pages/pipe-school.html. For more information on the benefits of concrete pipe, visit the ACPA’s web site at www.concrete-pipe.org.

About the ACPA
The American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) is a nonprofit organization composed primarily of manufacturers of concrete pipe and related conveyance products located throughout the United States, Canada and in more than 40 foreign countries. ACPA membership also includes manufacturers of equipment and/or providers of products and services related to the concrete pipe industry. Established in 1907, ACPA (www.concrete-pipe.org) provides members with research, technical and marketing support to promote and advance the use of concrete pipe for drainage and pollution control applications.