National Precast Concrete Association

The report indicates that precast plants in the United States and Canada reported sales volume of $18.5 billion for 2004, a 13 percent increase from 2003. By comparison, the construction industry as a whole grew 9 percent, according to the McGraw Hill 2005 Construction Outlook.

Big sectors of the precast industry remained steady, while some smaller sectors grew substantially, according to NPCA president Ty E. Gable. "The continued strength in the residential housing kept septic tank sales strong," Gable said in a NPCA news release. "In addition, we saw growth of 26 percent in wall panel components, which indicates that homeowners and commercial building developers are choosing precast panel systems in increasing numbers." Other sectors reporting strong growth included grease interceptors used in commercial buildings such as restaurants and schools (up 33 percent) and stormwater products (up 10 percent).

While growth occurred in all five geographic regions, the Southeast reported the largest increase (22 percent), with the Northeast following (18 percent). All regions anticipated continued growth in 2005.

Overall, the precast industry used an estimated 13.7 million tons of cement in 2004 and produced approximately 48.1 million cubic yards of concrete.

Visit www.precast.org for more about the NPCA or to purchase a copy of the report.