Utilities Structures Builds Stronger Concrete Pole Production with Mixer Systems
Utilities Structures Inc. has built a national reputation producing high strength precast concrete poles and products that stand up to demanding environments. Family-owned and operated for 38 years, the Florida-based manufacturer produces concrete poles engineered to provide decades of service while withstanding hurricanes, severe weather and heavy structural loads.
Commercial light poles are the core business, representing roughly 75 percent of production. In addition, Utilities Structures manufactures concrete utility poles, sports lighting, as well as light pole bases, transformer pads, meter posts and other precast products. Whether supporting parking lot lighting at major retail centers, illuminating athletic fields, or carrying power distribution lines, every product depends on one critical factor: high-strength, high performance concrete.
Utilities Structures routinely produces concrete that reaches approximately 5,000 PSI within 24 hours, creating an exceptionally strong, ACI- and PCI- certified structural product designed for long-term performance. Their facility in Fort Myers pours approximately 36 concrete poles every day ranging from 18 feet to 125 feet in height, and ships 50 to 60 poles daily to projects throughout the United States.
The structural integrity, longevity and durability of a concrete pole begins with the batching process, making precise and reliable concrete production essential to the company’s success.
Two years ago, the company invested in its own Mixer Systems, Inc. skid-mounted batch plant, allowing production to become independent from its sister company, Cement Industries, which had previously supplied all of its concrete. While the shared operation worked, Utilities Structures often had to wait for concrete deliveries in between the larger facility’s high-volume production schedule.
The Mixer Systems batch plant was designed around demanding mix requirements, and the Florida heat and humidity. Although the horizontal shaft mixer has a two-yard capacity, Utilities Structures intentionally produces approximately 1.25-yard batches because its structural mix contains significantly higher volumes of aggregate than conventional concrete. The result is a dense, durable concrete mix that produces smooth, attractive finished poles without sacrificing strength.
The E-150 automated batch control system streamlines daily operations. Operators can manage the entire batching process from an air-conditioned office at the top of the plant platform. New operators can complete training in a matter of a few days and quickly become proficient.
Maintenance and cleanup have also become more efficient thanks to the integrated automated washout system, which uses high-pressure wash heads to quickly clean the mixer between batches. In Florida’s intense heat, reducing cleanup time is critical because concrete can begin hardening rapidly. The automated washout allows crews to clean equipment efficiently in about 12 minutes and return to production with minimal downtime.
For Utilities Structures, producing industry-leading precast concrete poles and products starts with controlling the quality, consistency and performance of every batch of concrete. The investment in a dedicated Mixer Systems batch plant has given the company greater production flexibility, faster turnaround times and the ability to maintain the exacting standards required for high-strength structural products.
