National Precast Concrete Association Australia
WHO IS NATIONAL PRECAST?
As the peak body for the precast concrete industry, National Precast is the precast manufacturing industry's recognised voice. Membership comprises members both large and small, in all product categories, and across all states. The Association provides members with a range of networking, educational, technical, advocacy and promotional services.
With a change in membership category structure and a solid package of services now on offer, National Precast's membership is continuing to grow. The Association’s work stands out for all the right reasons as it strives to promote, protect and empower the precast industry.
MEMBERS' PRODUCTS
- Walling
- Flooring
- Columns, beams, service cores, stairs
- Marine elements
- Retaining walls, noise walls
- Monuments and signage
- Bollards and kerbs
- Stormwater and drainage products (eg. pipes, culverts, tanks, pits)
- Civil products (eg. bridge beams, arches, piles, safety barriers)
- Street furniture and planter boxes
WHY USE PRECAST?
Precast concrete is a high-performance construction material that provides significant benefits in terms of lifespan, durability, quality, design, construction, strength and sustainability.
Prestige | Precast is recognised and awarded by numerous national and international architectural bodies for its timeless form and function. Because of its design versatility, almost any shape, colour and texture can be achieved. State and national awards such as those run by the Australian Institute of Architects regularly feature precast projects.
Precision | Highly controlled factory conditions and professionally constructed moulds allow for the manufacture of an incredibly high quality and accurate product, with sharp detailing and the potential for elaborate, highly-articulated finishes.
Form | Custom moulds can facilitate the production of elements for even the most architecturally ambitious projects. Expert manufacturing, specialist mould-makers and high-tech materials result in a product that can be utilised for everything from heavy duty structural elements through to lightweight slender componentry.
Finishes | Precast elements are available in a wide range of colours and finishes. Colours can be achieved using pigments or stains, from black to white and every colour in between, as well as translucent and metallic colours. Finishes include off-form, etched, blasted and polished, and photographic images can be etched into the surface. Form liners can also be used to achieve an array of textures and patterns.
Strength | Precast’s inherent properties allow it to hold its shape and size over time, unlike many alternative construction materials. These same properties, when combined with techniques such as pre-stressing and reinforcing, allow for the production of very long spans that require minimal support.
Durability | Precast elements often have a design life of 100 years, so it will stand the test of time.
Maintenance | The inherent qualities of precast mean that it is extremely low maintenance and does not require ongoing treatment to protect it from weather.
Integration | Blending seamlessly with existing structures, precast is mouldable to replicate patterns, shapes and other materials such as brick, timber or stone. Historic or contemporary, precast elements ensures that a project is sympathetic to its surroundings.
Bespoke | Manufactured in a seemingly infinite array of colours, patterns and textures, precast grants designers the freedom to produce highly-individualistic projects without compromising creative vision.
Safety | Precast reduces risk. Workers enjoy a safe factory working environment and construction sites become vastly safer because of the sizeable reduction in onsite activity, with less people, materials, equipment and waste.
Quality | National Precast Members ensure that their products meet and exceed expectations. Produced in factories with strictly-controlled processes for moulding, batching, casting and finishing, precast is a consistent and high-quality construction material.
Reliability | The combination of large factories boasting high-tech equipment, impressive quality control standards, manufacturing precision and highly skilled workmanship, along with reduced weather vulnerability ensures the production and delivery of consistent, high-quality products. Precast offers the designer reliable outcomes day after day for even the largest projects — something that cannot be achieved onsite.
Convenience | Because it is manufactured offsite, there is less disruption for a construction site’s neighbours, and problems associated with lack of site space, noise, wet weather and waste disposal are no longer an issue for the contractor.
Environmental | Precast elements use natural products and can incorporate recycled and waste materials.
WHY USE A NATIONAL PRECAST MEMBER?
Our Members are experienced industry leaders with proven track records in Australia’s construction sector, and the advantages of drawing upon their experience and expertise are considerable.
All National Precast Members have:
- A minimum of two years' manufacturing experience
- Purpose-built manufacturing facilities
- QA procedures
- WHS systems
- Technical and engineering competence
- Financial stability
- Environmental compliance
CONTACT & INFORMATION
National Precast Concrete Association Australia
P 08 8294 0833
E info@nationalprecast.com.au
W www.nationalprecast.com.au
