For more than 50 years, Terry’s Precast Products Inc. in Holland Michigan, has been a family-run operation built on craftsmanship, reliability and a deep understanding of the masonry market. Founded in 1972 by Terry Bouwman, and now operated by his sons Chad and Ryan with a team of eight employees, the company specializes in dry cast architectural stone, wet cast underground utility vaults, retaining walls, and custom precast step treads.
Their work is often highly customized and designed to achieve the exact aesthetic the customer envisions.
“Our business is really built around what the mason needs,” said Chad Bouwman, owner at Terry’s Precast Products. “When they come to us with a print or even just a phone call, we figure out how to make it happen.”
Over the years, demand for Terry’s Precast Products has steadily increased but scaling up was difficult. Every time the company took on more custom dry cast and wet cast projects, they would run into the limitations of their original batching and mixing setup. Before 2019, the plant relied on a single Mixer Systems Inc. mixer that was fed manually using a hopper system the team had engineered themselves. Only Chad or Ryan could operate it consistently.
“It was old school,” Chad said. “We had to watch every batch closely. There were no meters or automation, just experience and a good eye.”
A Turning Point: The First Mixer Systems Upgrade
In 2019, Terry’s Precast Products invested in its first Mixer Systems skid mount batch plant for dry-cast production. The impact was immediate. The simplified, automated batching and mixing system delivered consistent batches, reduced labor demands, and made training new operators far easier.
“It was a game changer,” they said. “It gave us peace of mind. If we train someone to run the machine, we know we’ll get the same concrete every day.”
With the upgrade, the company increased dry cast output to around 3 yards per day in a steady, controlled and efficient manner. Chad and Ryan could step back from production to focus on other areas of the business.
Growth Leads to the Next Step
As business accelerated through 2020 and beyond, Terry’s Precast Products saw an opportunity to expand its wet cast production as well. To do that, Chad and Ryan needed a solution that could increase capacity without requiring them to redesign the existing floorplan or take on major construction costs.
Chad and Ryan met with Steve Nelson of Mixer Systems to discuss a second Mixer Systems batch plant investment.
“When Steve came out, he was able to design the new system to fit right inside the building we already had,” Chad said. “We didn’t have to rebuild our plant to make it work. It fit our workflow.”
The new automated wet cast batch plant arrived as a palletized, skid-mounted system easy to install and connect.
“All you do is hook up water, electric and air and you’re ready to go,” Chad said. “It’s simple.”
Mixer Systems technicians ensured the installation was complete, and then spent one week training employees. Moving forward, if they have any questions, Chad and his team can directly contact Mixer Systems for guidance.
With the new plant online, Terry’s Precast Products was able to increase its entire production to between 9 and 11 yards per day of wet and dry cast products. Splitting production into two dedicated lines, one for dry cast, one for wet cast reduced bottlenecks and stress while increasing quality and consistency.
The Results
- Higher daily production capacity
- Reduced labor intensity and easier operator training
- Safer material handling and workflow
- Reliable batch consistency for both dry and wet cast mixes
- Opportunity to bid larger and more complex jobs
“Before, we were limited by how labor-intensive the work was,” Chad said. “Now, we can expand as much as we feel comfortable. The new batch plant has opened the door for bigger projects.”
In addition to bigger projects, the second batch plant opened up capacity for Terry’s Precast Products to serve Western Michigan businesses and residences as a source for Novum Wall, a medium format retaining wall system.
Looking Ahead
With two dedicated production lines, a growing skilled team, and the right automation in place, Terry’s Precast Products is positioned for continued expansion without sacrificing the craftsmanship and reputation they’ve built over decades.
“We’re a small business with high standards,” they said. “This equipment gives us consistency, peace of mind, and the ability to grow at our pace. It’s been a great investment for our company.”