More Than Just a Floor: 5 Ways Hollowcore is Versatile

When people think of hollowcore, they often think of it underfoot — strong, smooth, and supporting floors in schools, stadiums, or apartment buildings.

But hollowcore does so much more. Thanks to its strength, long-span capabilities, and design flexibility, hollowcore is one of the most adaptable solutions we offer. Whether you're building stair systems, roofs, parking garages, or mezzanines, it helps accelerate construction, reduce costs, and deliver long-term performance.

Here are five ways hollowcore adds value far beyond traditional flooring:

  1. Mezzanines That Open Up Space
    Hollowcore supports wide, column-free mezzanine levels, perfect for warehouses, retail spaces, or industrial buildings where open layout is crucial.

  2. Durable Roof Structures
    Its load-bearing strength and resistance to wind, fire, and extreme weather make hollowcore an ideal choice for roof systems.

  3. Efficient Parking Solutions
    Whether underground or above grade, hollowcore simplifies construction for parking. It handles heavy traffic and supports faster project schedules.

  4. Industrial Platforms and Walkways
    From catwalks to elevated work areas, hollowcore installs quickly and supports heavy equipment or foot traffic, ideal for manufacturing and logistics spaces.

  5. Integrated Stair Systems
    Hollowcore works seamlessly in stair and landing designs, offering fire resistance, acoustic benefits, and compatibility with other precast components.

So… Why Choose Hollowcore?

  • Creates open layouts with fewer structural interruptions

  • Performs well in demanding weather and load conditions

  • Speeds up installation for faster project delivery

  • Contributes to safer, quieter, and more efficient buildings

Want to See How Hollowcore Can Work for You?
Explore our project pages to see how hollowcore fits into your next project, whether you’re building up, over, or in between. Let us help you find the right solution to get the job done faster, safer, and smarter.

Built on Trust: Why PCI Certification Sets Mid-States Apart

When it comes to precast concrete, quality isn’t optional. It’s essential. That’s why at Mid-States Concrete Industries, we don’t just talk about high standards. We prove it every day through our PCI Certification, the gold standard in precast manufacturing and installation.

PCI (Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute) certification is the most rigorous program in the industry. It evaluates every part of the precast process, from raw materials and design to production and field installation. Only companies that meet the highest benchmarks for quality, consistency, and safety can carry the PCI Certified stamp.

We’re proud to be one of them.

So… What Does PCI Certification Mean for You?

  1. Quality You Can Count On
    Every component we manufacture meets or exceeds PCI, ACI, and ASTM standards. But we don’t stop there. Our team is committed to continuous improvement, constantly refining our process to ensure every product we deliver is durable, precise, and ready to perform.

  2. Confidence from Start to Finish
    When you work with a PCI Certified Producer like Mid-States, you are choosing reliability. PCI ensures that certified producers are regularly audited by third-party inspectors, so you know exactly what you are getting.

  3. Seamless Installation, Fewer Delays
    PCI does not just certify the precast plant. It also certifies how the precast is installed. Our field crews follow strict guidelines to ensure safe, accurate placement of each precast piece, helping your project stay on schedule and within budget.

  4. Built for Safety. Proven with SHARP.
    At Mid-States, safety goes hand in hand with quality. We are honored to hold the SHARP designation (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) - first achieved in 2017 – which confirms our exemplary safety and health programs.

    Every production foreman and field team member has completed 30 hour OSHA training, and our commitment to a safe work environment is just one more way we protect our people and your project.

Why It Matters
PCI Certification is not just a badge. It is a promise that what we build together will stand the test of time. From schools and hospitals to stadiums and industrial facilities, Mid-States delivers trusted, tested, and top tier precast concrete solutions.

Want to learn more about the PCI certification process?
Click here to explore how PCI sets the standard

Ready to work with a certified team that brings quality, safety, and reliability to every project? Contact our sales team at sales@msprecast.com to get started on your next project.

Maximize Your Build: Five Ways Precast Delivers Onsite

At Mid-States Concrete Industries, we’ve spent more than 75 years defining what precast concrete can do. Whether you’re building multi-family housing, a commercial space, or underground parking, precast delivers smarter, faster, and more reliable solutions. From design flexibility to lasting durability, it’s a material made for performance.

Here are five reasons precast belongs in your plans:

  1. Speed of Construction:
    Time is money, and precast saves both.     Precast components are manufactured off-site and delivered when you’re ready. No weather delays, fewer crews, and faster erection. While other construction methods can take months, precast can have your building enclosed in days. With fast installation of hollowcore slabs and wall panels, your schedule stays ahead.

  2. Versatility and Design Flexibility:
    From structural function to architectural flair, precast does it all.     Precast works with nearly any building system and offers endless design options. From sleek exteriors to open interiors, you get flexibility without sacrificing performance. You can get both form and function, making precast concrete an ideal building choice.

  3. Built-In Durability:
    Tough, resilient, and made to last.     Precast holds strong against weather, fire, termites, and even earthquakes. With innovations like CarbonCast®, you get lighter, stronger, and more sustainable panels that stand the test of time. Less wear and tear means fewer headaches and fewer maintenance costs for years to come.

  4. All-Weather, All-Season Advantage:
    Winter build? No problem.     Since precast is manufactured indoors, weather won’t slow you down. Your timeline stays on track, no matter the season. That’s reliability you can count on.

  5. Long-Term Value and Smarter Collaboration:
    It’s not just about building fast, it’s about building right.     Precast brings lasting value through energy savings, reduced maintenance, and a streamlined construction process. With our Face-to-Face Solution™, you get clear communication, better coordination, and fewer surprises, so your project runs smoother from day one, to long after completion.

  6. Bonus Benefit: A Trusted Partner on Your Team
    At Mid-States Concrete, you’re never just another project. From the very beginning, we offer design support, planning expertise, and decades of experience to keep your job running smoothly. It’s how we’ve done it through three generations of family-leadership, and how we’ll do it for you.

    Ready to see what precast can do for your next project? Explore real-world examples, expert insights, and the full range of solutions with Mid-States Concrete Industries. Let’s build something great together. We’re making building easy!

    Connect with our sales representatives at sales@msprecast.com.

Free Online Continuing Education

As members of AltusGroup, Mid-States Concrete Industries is proud to share these continuing education opportunities, presented by AltusGroup. Earn continuing education credits where you want, when you want with these self-paced, online courses.

Insulated Precast Enclosures: Strategies for Controlling Performance, Quality, and Cost
This course explains and illustrates how high-performance, fully composite insulated precast sandwich wall panels can be designed and specified to manage aesthetics, quality, performance, and cost. It explores the pros, cons, and attributes of wythe connectors such as carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) grid trusses, options for achieving continuous insulation, manufacturing and testing procedures, and strategies for managing costs. It concludes by providing illustrative sample installations to demonstrate the broad range of building types and appearances that can be created with insulated precast enclosures.

Learn more >>

Achieve Net Zero Building Goals with Carbon Fiber Reinforced Precast Sandwich Walls
Concrete is an essential part of modern buildings. As net zero building become more common, it is crucial to find ways to reduce concrete's carbon footprint and explores strategies for reducing embodied carbon and operation carbon in precast sandwich wall panels and insulated architectural cladding.

Learn more >>

Successful, Sustainable Precast Enclosure Projects: Designs for Education, Healthcare, Offices, and More
High-performance, fully composite insulated wall panels deliver all the benefits of factory precasting with load-bearing and energy efficiency performance from the lightest, thinnest panels possible. This course describes the makeup and cost efficiencies of composite precast panels, their benefits when made with carbon fiber grid shear trusses, and considerations for selecting among the insulation options. The majority of the course focuses on case studies of successful precast enclosure projects in a wide variety of building types across a range of markets.

Learn more >>