2011 Q2 Newsletter

AFTEC Coordinates Designs with Stone Strong^® Retaining Wall Systems

AFTEC is frequently asked whether the StoneTree^® Fence Wall System is effective as a retaining wall. The general answer is yes, however the StoneTree^® Wall System must be engineered properly to be used for retaining wall purposes. The most significant item is the height of the retaining wall. The design of the StoneTree^® Wall System has retaining height limitations, which prompted AFTEC to explore other designs of retaining products which would be conducive to placing StoneTree^®Fence Wall Systems above.

While AFTEC could have designed a retaining wall system to complement the StoneTree^® and SoundTec™ Wall Systems, they instead found an existing product, The Stone Strong^® Retaining Wall System, which is very conducive to accepting StoneTree^® and SoundTec™ Wall Systems, due to the cavity spacing of the retaining wall blocks meeting the width requirements of the fence wall column spacing. Sleeves or voids can be cast into the upper block cavities in the Stone Strong^® Blocks at 15ft./4.5m centers to receive the StoneTree^® rigid footing steel supports. StoneTree^® Combo-cast™ Sections, whereby the column and panel is cast as a single unit, are installed securely atop the Stone Strong^® Retaining Wall. By combining the design features of Stone Strong^® with the StoneTree^® Rigid Footing Support System, the appearance of two products complement each other from retaining wall to fence wall. Stone Strong^® Retaining Wall Systems builds cavity block retaining walls in excess of 30 ft (9m) of height.

ConExpo StoneTree® Stone Strong Wall

To ensure texture continuity, AFTEC has produced textured liners for the Stone Strong^® Block Forming Systems, complementing the same design as cast on the StoneTree^® Fence Wall being placed on top. To date, AFTEC’s Coral Stone/Split Face Block and Stacked Stone designs have been designed for use with the Stone Strong^® Forming System.

The combination of the two systems was setup up as a display at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Trade Show held in Las Vegas in March. AFTEC stacked two six foot coral stone/split face block walls on top of each other above the retaining wall block by using extended steel supports, to demonstrate the versatility of both the StoneTree^® and Stone Strong^® systems. The display received a lot of attention and positive feedback.

AFTEC continually strives to find new applications for its products and solutions for its manufacturers. The integration of StoneTree^® Fence Walls and Stone Strong^® Retaining Walls expands the market for both of these popular concrete products. Both companies see opportunities for their respective producer networks to join together and offer a novel approach to retaining and screen wall projects. New applications for the combination of these two products, which will further open their marketability, are currently being reviewed. For more information on the Stone Strong^® Retaining Wall Block System, please visit StoneStrong.com.

StoneTree Rus Gains Ground in Russia

AFTEC recently had the pleasure of spending a few days at the Con Expo Show in Las Vegas with Albert Timoshenko, owner of StoneTree Rus, AFTEC’s licensed manufacturer in the Russian Federation located in Vladivostok. Albert reported that StoneTree Rus has been consistently gaining ground in the marketplace and expanding their opportunities since they began manufacturing and installing StoneTree walls a year and a half ago.

StoneTree Rus presently produces AFTEC’s ashlar and stacked stone designs, and will soon be adding the new Coral Stone/Split Face Block design to their operation.

Monterrey Manufacturer Donates While Expanding Business...

MegaConcreto, the StoneTree® Manufacturer in Monterrey Mexico, donated a 250 meter long security wall to a school for underprivileged and homeless children in their area. This private school provides free education from kindergarten to high school, and is supported by donations and philanthropic actions. In addition, MegaConcreto have ramped up their marketing initiatives to bring more attention to the StoneTree® product by installing billboard advertising, in various Monterrey Locations. AFTEC commends their aggressive marketing approach.

MegaConcreto recently completed a 1.5 km long by 3.5 meter high boundary wall project with an anti-graffiti coating and electric security fence on top at the Mexico City Airport. They are presently installing approximately 600 meters of wall on various projects around the Monterrey Vicinity, and soon commencing a 3km perimeter wall project around a housing development in the area.

Mexico City Airport Project

Manufacturer Project Updates

StoneTree^® Licensed Manufacturers continue to see expansion of projects this year.

Tri-State Precast in Cincinnati, OH, joined AFTEC as a licensed StoneTree^® Manufacturer in 2010. They have recently been awarded the contract for two residential projects, each approximately 500 lineal feet, using the 6' ashlar design. Additionally, their budget numbers have been approved by HOA members in the Indianapolis area to install 1500 lineal feet of 8' StoneTree^®Fence Walls, and they are currently working on 1300 lineal feet of 6' fence wall for an apartment complex in their area.

Salt Lake City based ADC Corporation has signed a contract with Layton City for 3500 feet of wall, and is presently casting and installing 5500 feet of fence wall for Utah State Hospital. They are also working on 320 feet of wall for Independence Town Homes in Provo as well as a small project for the Central Utah Water Agency in Springville.

Bakersfield, CA manufacturer, Structurecast, continues installing fence walls for Southern California Edison. They are currently beginning production on a 500 x 8’ ashlar fence for the Southern California Edison Whirlwind Sub-Station. The Whirlwind project is part of Edison’s plan to bring the wind and solar power being generated in the Mojave desert into the Los Angeles Basin. It is expected that once the project is complete, Southern California Edison will provide as much as 20% of the power needs of the sprawling LA Basin. StructureCast is manufacturing and installing the fence walls in the environmentally sensitive area, complete with an 18” below grade intrusion barrier and a stainless steel razor wire feature on the interior side of the fence. The fence and footing system has been designed to meet seismic zone four specifications and a 130 mile per hour wind load. Construction is expected to be complete on the fence by the end of July. StructureCast is also completing a 140 panel ashlar fence for the front elevation of Southern California Edison’s Victor Sub-Station in Victorville.

AFTEC Exhibits at 2011 ConExpo-Con/Agg Show

In March, AFTEC exhibited at the ConExpo-Con/Agg Show which is held in Las Vegas, NV, every three years. The show was well attended, and AFTEC was pleased to have its licensed manufacturers from Mexico and Russia at the show. The new Coral Stone/Split Face Block design was displayed, and received an overwhelmingly positive response. This design was specifically developed to provide manufacturers with the ability to produce a variety of wall heights in the same forming system without having to change form liners, as well as being able to stack wall sections with a seamless integration. With the combination of the Stone Strong^®Retaining Block as a base and a 12ft. (3.6m) StoneTree^® wall above, the display towered above the ground and demonstrated to prospective customers the versatility of the two systems together.