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Message From the President: Tilt-Up Technology Complements Craftsmanship

Over the past 80 years, the technology of Tilt-Up construction has changed dramatically. Some of the first Tilt-Up construction, performed by Robert Aiken in the 1920s, involved casting entire walls on a tilt table with screw-jacks, and then tilting the walls into place by turning the jacks. Nowadays, Tilt- Up crews erect walls one panel at a time using 300-ton plus mobile cranes. While technology has changed the tools of construction from 1920 to 2007, there is still one constant 80 years later – the role of skilled craftsmen who use the latest technology to construct our buildings.

In the pages that follow, you will read about the latest technological advancements in the Tilt-Up construction industry. These new products are all designed to allow us to build Tilt-Up buildings faster, more economically or with higher quality and performance. However, none of these products are going to build themselves. As technology continues to evolve, I hope that we never underestimate the role of the trades in the field, who are tasked with applying technology to create our finished buildings. It is through the efforts of the field crews with their attention to quality and safety that a Tilt-Up building goes from the drawing board to reality.

I hope that you enjoy the articles that follow, and agree with me that it is a very exciting time to be involved in the Tilt-Up construction industry. I want to personally thank our TCA supplier members for their continued innovations and efforts to advance the Tilt-Up industry. And, I hope that you will all acknowledge the talented men and women on your staffs that use these technologies to their fullest.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention the upcoming TCA Convention to be held October 3 – 6 in College Park, Md. The annual Convention is the TCA’s biggest event of the year, and we are planning to top last year’s attendance of 300. Besides the networking and educational opportunities, this Convention will be a perfect opportunity to visit with our supplier members and to see the latest Tilt- Up innovations in person. In fact, the Convention will culminate with a Tilt-Up Mega Demo and Happy Hour at the NRMCA Test Facility on the afternoon of October 5. I hope to see you all at the Convention in October.

 

David Tomasula, President

TCA Board of Directors

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TILT-UP TODAY, a publication of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, is THE source for Tilt-Up industry news, market intelligence, business strategies, technical solutions, product information, and other resources for professionals in the Tilt-Up industry. A subscription to TILT-UP TODAY is included in a TCA membership. Subscriptions for potential TCA members are also available. If you would like to receive a complimentary subscription to the publication, please contact the TCA.