Bestcrete ups ante with new $36M plant

Imagine a regular-sized concrete block which is fifteen percent less the weight of an  ordinary block and costs almost ten percent less. It is the newest product being offered by Abel/Bestcrete concrete products, thanks to its new TT $36 million Besser Superpac manufacturing plant.

This new plant promises to transform the company into the “largest and most modern concrete block manufacturing facility in the English speaking Caribbean. The new machine has the production capacity of over 50,000 blocks per day.

Managing Director of Abel/Bestcrete, Glenn Castagne, said that the plant was commissioned with the aim of retiring some of the older machines which have been in use for over fifty years. The Superpac possesses the capacity to effectively match that of the other five plants which were in operation prior to its installation. Surprisingly enough, construction of the plant began only eight months ago. The oldest machine, he said in an interview, was purchased between 1955 and 1960 and could only manufacture about 5,000 to 6,000 blocks during a double shift of 16 hours. The new plant can produce approximately 60,000 blocks per day. The plant, he went on, further allows the company to achieve two main goals; firstly to meet the increase in demand as well as to manufacture a block that is cheaper and lighter, yet one which meets the strength requirements.

The masonry building blocks being produced in the new plant are the first metric-sized blocks in the region. Its sophisticated vibration technology allows for the manufacture of a block approximately 15 percent lighter in weight than previous blocks while at the same time surpassing ASTM strength requirements. “This means, for instance, that at the end of the day a mason will not be as tired because he is using a lighter block. Additionally, you can transport more with every truck load and still be within the weight requirements. You can also save on shipping cost if you are exporting to other countries.”

Castagne further disclosed that while the plant was only recently commissioned, concrete blocks had already been released unto the market, although in rather small quantities. Full production is expected to begin at the end of June. “Come July 1, we expect to have this plant operating at its full capacity for 16 hours per day. We eventually plan to run it for 20 hours per day, but we are still going through the learning curve,” he stated. The plant, which is fully automated with many of the processes being managed by sophisticated computer software, has additional attributes, he explained, in that it has been programmed to diagnose any problems with its ability to operate. This he said, is similar to an aircraft which is designed with computerised diagnostic equipment. He said if there is a problem the company can communicate with the manufacturer via Internet modem directly from the machine. The manufacturers will troubleshoot and find out what needs to be done.

CEO of the ANSA McAL Group, A Norman Sabga, expressed his belief that the new facility “provides us with the capacity and processing speed to adequately satisfy the medium-term national demand for building blocks on time, at competitive prices and of the highest quality.” “We are fully aware of the changes in the global macro-economic environment and to the liberalised global market. We understand the necessity for being globally competitive, if we are to survive and grow,” he said.