Mid-States News

Dateline 3.26.08

The Speed of Mid-States Precast: 21 Weeks from Letter of Intent to Last Piece Installed

What do you get when you combine the speed of Precast and the dedication of Mid-States Concrete Industries? A building in about five months.

Project Profile Kerry - Gridley:

395 pcs - Hollowcore
144 pcs - Wall panels
30 pcs  - Columns
23 pcs -  Beams
592 pcs
2417 cu yards

“Having a customer that wanted us at the table early in the design process was the key to making this project go so smoothly,” stated Hagen Harker, President of Mid-States. The Kerry Project in Gridley Illinois is another example of what a partnership with Mid-States can provide.

Dateline 6.26.07

Mid-States Makes SEC's Vision a Reality

Smith Engineering Consultants Group’s new building in Yorkville Illinois went smoothly from sketch to living/working space thanks to the partnership between Prime Commercial, Mid-States and SEC, Inc. SEC will occupy 35,000 square feet of the overall 43,000 square feet building composed primarily of Mid- States Concrete pre-stressed Hollowcore plank and insulated, wall panels. “SEC’s vision is virtually identical to ours, they strive to add additional opportunities to make their clients and employees successful, and Mid-States is proud to have been able to assist them in that effort,” stated Hagen Harker, President of Mid-States Concrete. The new facility will allow SEC to expand from 80 professionals to an expected 140 after the structure is completed. The finishing touches are expected to be complete in the Fall of 2007.

Dateline 3.29.07

Mid-States Takes Lead With LEED

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ provides a benchmark for the design and operation of high performance green buildings. One such high performance project, the Judson College expansion, was the result of the collaboration between Bunidge Casell Associates (BCA), Shales McNutt, and Mid-States Concrete Industries.

With the help of a wide array of products and services provided by Mid-States, Judson College’s Harm Weber Academic Center is expected to achieve a Silver Rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Wall Panels, Beams, Columns, and of course Hollowcore were all combined with Mid-State’s unique project management program the Face-to-Face Solution™ to create this high efficiency structure. The Harm Weber Center is expected to be one of the “greenest” academic buildings in North America.

This 80,000 square foot classroom and library building will utilize passive ventilation for much of the year as well as passive heating and cooling in place of conventional mechanical equipment. A massive natural light well acts as a centerpiece to the main structure and eliminates the need to run florescent bulbs much of the time, increasing the comfort of building occupants. Mid-States also provided high quality, and always environmentally friendly, prestressed concrete products, to add to the building’s efficiency.

The risk associated with the unique and difficult design details were offset by the shared commitment of the Mid-States team, the architect, and the general contractor to making the project a success, from the design process all the way to the final construction phase. Usually one would expect numerous problems with projects of this magnitude; luckily, the Mid-States Concrete team and their Trademarked Face-To-Face Solution were able to eliminate these problems through careful, committed planning, design, and execution. The results are an example of what an academic building should be, the Judson College Harm Weber Academic Center.

Dateline 12.12.06

Mid-States Elects New President

Hagen’s surprise 40th Birthday party turned into a passing of the torch
December 12th, 2006. Charles Harker, the company’s newest CEO and Chairman of the Board made the announcement that his son Hagen would be the new President of Mid-States Concrete.

There were more than a few tears and a whole lot of smiles in the conference room packed with members of the Mid-States team/family as Charles related the tale of how his father had bestowed the title upon him in a similar fashion 24 years ago.

“I feel like someone about to become a parent for the first time but I am entering into this with not just one partner as a new parent would, but with 175 partners.” Hagen stated after thanking his mother, Prudence Harker and his father Charles for the support they had shown over his now 40 years.

It was clear to all well before the celebration that Hagen’s leadership style, personality, and focus on maintaining a family culture ensures that he will indeed have the full support of the team as he moves the company forward in his new position.

 

Dateline 10.5.06

Stateline United Way

Mid-States Concrete Industries was selected to be a pacesetter for the 2007 fundraising campaign. These pacesetters are key to setting a good example of giving for the entire local community. The employees of Mid-States stepped up to the challenge and donated in record numbers and with record amounts. Overall donation levels were up by over %25 to over $27,000 with a significant increase in the number of employees that elected to participate. The Stateline United Way makes a huge impact on the community via a plethora of non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of local needs. The team here at Mid-States enjoys helping to serve and improve the community in which we live and work.

 

Dateline 10.4.06

American Heart Association

Mid-States exceeded it's fundraising goal of $5,000 for the Beloit American Heart Association Heart Walk held in September 2006 by almost %50. This organization has made a huge difference in our local community by encouraging positive health practices and preventing heart disease through awareness and education. We are very proud of all the employees that participated and contributed to the walk this year.

Dateline 9.5.06

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Beloit firm celebrates 60 years of success
Engineering and project management innovation drives growth and industry leadership

SOUTH BELOIT, IL - September 5, 2006 - From a modest beginning in October of 1946, Mid-States Concrete Products Co. has grown to become a recognized leader in the manufacture and installation of precast concrete building systems.

Today, Mid-States Concrete employs approximately 175 people and provides products, as well as engineering and project management services, to general contractors and developers in the State of Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Eastern Iowa and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The company was started by Charles V. Harker (1918-1995) shortly after he returned from fighting in World War II. Prior to the war, he had worked for a firm that dabbled with a new technology for manufacturing precast concrete slabs. During the war, the company lost interest in the technology, gave up its franchise, and in doing so created the opportunity seized upon by Harker.

Today, Harker's son, Charles H. Harker and grandson, C. Hagen Harker, and their team of engineers and project managers, continue to pioneer the use of precast concrete products in the construction industry. "We manage anywhere from 65 to 75 projects each year," says Charles H. Harker. "And, we have learned that no matter how great our technology is, or how perfect our precast products suit a particular building application, one of the most important aspects of any project is how it is managed."

This realization has lead to the development of the industry's only Interactive Project Management process. "Our process is called The Face-to-Face Solution and provides a structure for detailed planning, the careful analysis of project variables, and identification of efficiencies that lead to more profitable projects for our clients," says C. Hagen Harker. "It also helps us reduce our product delivery time by as much as 30%."

Precast products have long been recognized as flexible and economical solutions for many structural applications such as condominiums, apartments, hotels/motels, office buildings, parking structures, and single family homes. The products themselves offer architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and end users with many advantages including fast installation, design flexibility, fire and wind disaster protection, superior sound, moisture and temperature insulation, along with environmentally friendly composition.

"We are committed to partnering with our clients to ensure they achieve their goals," says C. Hagen Harker. "We believe the service and support we provide is just as important - and in some cases more important - than our products. So that's why we are always looking for new ways to provide timely, economical, and stress-free building solutions."

For 2006, the company is promoting its approach to project management under the slogan, "Expand your freedom… Experience our commitment". "Our goal is to free up our clients so they can focus on their project goals and objectives," says Charles H. Harker. "We believe in providing hands-on communication and project management procedures that give our clients more time and energy."

In addition to growing its engineering and project management capabilities, Mid-States has developed a state-of-the-art, 140,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The range of products they can manufacture include precast floor and roof beams, wall panels, columns, balconies, and other custom products to suit almost any application.

To celebrate this major anniversary, and in conjunction with PCI's Precast Month (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute), the Mid-States team is proud to be hosting two plant tours to be held on September 26th and 28th. The public and press can visit the Mid-States Concrete web site (www.midstatesconcrete.com) to register or call direct to sign up for the tour and receive an information packet.

Dateline 9.1.06

Just to let everyone know, we will be turning in checks in the amount of $6125!!!
As we have already turned in checks in the amount of $1139, this brings our
grand total to $7264!!! GO MID-STATES!!!

Our original goal for the American Heart Association was $5000 and we have obviously exceeded that.
Congratulations and kudos to everyone in the organization for all the help,
donations and generosity at each and every event. Well done!

Helen Richards
Production Scheduler

 

Dateline 7.6.06

Mid-States Concrete Industries are proud to be hosting 2 plant tours in celebration PCI's September Precast Month. The first is to be held on September 26th and then on September 28th.

Click the dates to go to registration for this tour or call us to register direct and we will send you an information packet with all the detail about our plant tour.

Dateline 10.1.03

Read this article in which Mid-States Concrete was featured in Concrete Products Magazine.

Dateline 7.1.01

Read this article in which Mid-States Concrete was featured in Concrete Products Magazine.