Hanson Pressure Pipe Announces Enhanced Manufacturing Capabilities At Palatka, Fla., Plant

Upgrades enable increased production of larger-diameter, longer-laying lengths of B-303 Bar-Wrapped Concrete Cylinder Pipe for a variety of projects

Hanson Pressure Pipe has expanded the manufacturing capabilities at its Palatka, Fla., plant, enabling increased production of larger-diameter, longer-laying lengths of B-303 Bar-Wrapped Concrete Cylinder Pipe (B-303). The first B-303 installation project since the enhancement is taking place in Portsmouth, Va., utilizing 36” diameter, 32’ long pipes.

The plant was originally constructed in 1980 to supply 192” outfall pipe for Florida Power & Light’s nuclear power-generating plant. It was expanded from 1982 to 1987 to produce smaller-diameter pressure pipe and again in 2004 to add B-303 at 24” to 48” in diameter and 20’ lengths. Today, the Palatka plant is able to produce B-303 up to  60” diameters and 40’ lengths.

“The expansion in Florida has been seamless; it not only gives us another production line, but expands our market potential with a product we’ve been making for several years in other parts of the U.S.,” said Charlie McAuley, vice president operations for Hanson Pressure Pipe.

B-303, considered a flexible pressure pipe, is the stiffest and strongest of the commonly used flexible water pipes, offering the tensile strength of steel and the corrosion protection properties of concrete. It is a durable, semi-rigid pressure pipe designed to withstand internal pressure and external loads simultaneously. It will deflect slightly from external loads and obtain some supporting strength from the lateral pressure of the soil backfill.

The City of Norfolk, Va., is currently installing 4,100 feet of 36” diameter B-303 for The Cage Pipe Replacement Project, Phase One at 5000 West Norfolk Road in Portsmouth. Hanson’s bar-wrapped pipe is replacing vintage concrete pipe from the 1920s supporting a raw water main.

“The City of Norfolk recognized the value of concrete pressure pipe and included bar-wrapped concrete pipe for the Cage Pipe Replacement Project in the bid,” said Steve Smith, Hanson sales manager for the northeast.

“We had the choice of bar-wrapped concrete pipe and ductile iron pipe for the replacement project,” said Keith Hill, project manager for MEB General Contractors Inc. “We chose Hanson’s bar-wrapped concrete pipe – we are using 32-foot lengths and it’s easy to work with and simple to install.”

Hanson Pressure Pipe began manufacturing B-303 in 1947 and has supplied more than 30 million feet (5,700 miles) throughout the U.S. It is best used for water transmission, distribution and sewer force mains, reclaimed water, gravity sewer, treatment plant and industrial process lines as well as principal spillways for dams.

For more information, visit www.hansonpressurepipe.com.

About Hanson Pressure Pipe
Hanson Pressure Pipe, based in Grand Prairie, Texas, is the leading manufacturer and a principal supplier of highly engineered concrete and steel pressure pipe systems in the United States and Canada. The company has more than 80 million feet of pipe in service today. Strategically located in Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi, Ontario and Quebec, the Hanson Pressure Pipe facilities serve major North American population centers and employ more than 1,100 people.

About Hanson Building Products
Hanson Building Products North America is comprised of Hanson Pipe & Precast, Hanson Pressure Pipe, Hanson Structural Precast, Hanson Brick, Hanson Hardscapes and Hanson Roof Tile. Based in Irving, Texas, Hanson Building Products North America employs approximately 4,000 people and operates 150 facilities with products available throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.hansonbuildingproducts.com.

Hanson Building Products North America and its divisions are part of Lehigh Hanson, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of heavy building materials to the construction industry. Based in Irving, Texas, Lehigh Hanson is a member of the HeidelbergCement Group, one of the largest building materials manufacturers worldwide. For more information, visit www.lehighhanson.com.