Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.
Issue link: http://concrete.epubxp.com/i/849790
92 • July 2017 www.concreteproducts.com In 2016, Valmont Utility completed the installation of a new batching and mixing plant for concrete utility poles production in Bartow, Fla. The company is a leading fabricator of concrete and steel structures for the electric utility industry, and the central Florida operation is the largest source of static cast and spun prestressed concrete utility poles in the U.S. Valmont Utility spun prestressed concrete poles are designed and manufactured to provide unmatched quality, value and performance for power distribution customers. Concrete consistency is fundamental to casting poles that meet the producer's high standards and customer expectations. Haarup North America was among vendors asked to bid on a new batching and mixing plant, having previously supplied major components to Valmont Utility's Bellville, Texas, pole plant (2011). The Florida location brought some unique demands regarding Bartow layout and equipment finishes: A very high water table required plant installation fully above ground, while many components had to be hot-dipped galvanized to ensure longer service life. It was essen- tial for the facility to continue operating its existing batch plant for pole casting while the Haarup equipment was being installed and commissioned. Haarup NA was chosen as the batching and mixing equipment supplier in part because it provided a solution for the layout and installation requirements unique to the facility. Other factors included equipment quality and reliability, plus parts and service availability. It was also important for Haarup NA and the local general contractor to work well together, ensuring Valmont could focus on current pro- duction during plant assembly and installation. INNOVATIONS REPORT BATCH PLANTS Haarup helps Valmont Utility scale rising prestressed pole demand Full enclosure protects the main conveyor and aggregates bound for the four 100-ton overhead bins. Part of the Valmont Utility Bartow plant expansion is driven by vol- ume requirements tied to customers' needs for ever-larger spun pre- stressed concrete poles. In the 2016 upgrade, Haarup NA equipped the producer accordingly, delivering a batch plant with rapid aggre- gate transfer in a small footprint, along with a traveling bucket to speed mix delivery to a hopper feed pole forms.