Three County Materials locations were recently recognized for innovations they developed to improve team member safety during several concrete pipe manufacturing tasks.
County Materials’ concrete pipe production facilities in Astatula, Florida, Rib Falls, Wisconsin, and Green Bay, Wisconsin, received awards in three categories in the American Concrete Pipe Association’s (ACPA) Chairman’s Safety Awards for 2022.
Our team members in Astatula developed a tool called the Pallet Mover, which uses leverage to make it easier and safer to move concrete pipe pallets. Pallets can weigh between 180 and 300 pounds, and moving them by hand or with makeshift hooks can result in injury. This innovative tool won first place in the ACPA’s Company category and second place overall.
In Green Bay, our team members noticed an opportunity to automate the task of opening and closing the bi-fold hopper door covers for their aggregate bins. They installed electric winches to eliminate the possibility of injury from opening the heavy doors and walking on surfaces that are often snowy and icy. This solution won second place in the Equipment category.
Our Rib Falls team members designed a specialized ladder to provide a safer work platform for finishing the bottom of manholes. Their Cross Over Ladder design won second place in the Plant Specific category.
At County Materials, safety is our top priority. We constantly invest in upgrades to our facilities and equipment that improve safety, and we empower our team members to identify and understand potential hazards, take steps to mitigate risk, and develop practical solutions.
As a leading manufacturer, County Materials equips our team members with resources, education, and experiences to advance our company and industry. Concrete Pipe School is an opportunity for our team members to expand their knowledge, develop their skills, and network. Bringing together industry leaders and production staff, statewide transportation departments, consulting engineers, and subject matter experts allows our team to grow both personally and professionally.
County Materials is continually investing in our team members and prioritizing career growth. It takes a team of dedicated and skilled people to build our legacy as a performance leader.