 Opportunities
for Concrete Education Expand
World
Center for Concrete Technology
Alpena,
Michigan
Since the World Center for Concrete
Technology (WCCT) officially began operations on 4 August 2000, hundreds
of industry professionals have walked through the doors and participated
in the industry’s most complete training courses in the concrete
products industry.
 According to Eric Krebs, director of Besser research and training,
more students have attended the Blockmakers Workshops®
this calendar year than in any other year. The increase can be
attributed to two additional classes in December as well as the
comprehensive capabilities offered by the WCCT and the interactive
educational experience.
Students attending the Blockmakers Workshops have overwhelmingly
responded with positive feedback about the new facility. They appreciate
the smaller classroom that creates an environment conducive to intense
one-on-one attention. Students also appreciate the smaller class sizes
that provide more opportunity for questions and discussion relative to
each student’s facility.
The layout of the fully equipped production facility has ample room
for students to get close to the equipment for firsthand learning.
Moving to the large production lab at the WCCT resulted in a plant
layout that features a complete line of equipment. The training facility
includes: V3-12 Vibrapac®
concrete products machine, Multi-Spade Besser-Matic®
loader / unloader, LSC-40 rack transporter system, splitter / turnover,
large kiln area, pigment dispenser, bins, 60 cubic foot mixer, Easy
Blend Batching System, Cure Trol VII curing system, cuber, Allen-Bradley
SLC500®
and PanelView 1000 panels. The plant also offers variable curing
options.
Computers will soon be available for use during the Blockmakers
Workshops. This will allow students to check diagnostics and go online
with the different machines to work with plant integration software.
This year, three new courses have been added to the curriculum
schedule. The Executive Session debuts in April 2001 and both the
Specialty Products and Preventive Maintenance courses will be introduced
in June 2001.
The Executive Session
Blockmakers Workshop is a condensed version of the Concrete Masonry
Technology and Vibrapac Blockmakers Workshops tailored to upper
management. New products, programs and current issues are also discussed
in a round table format with industry executives and professionals. This
2-1/2 day session begins on Tuesday morning and concludes at noon on
Thursday.
3-5 April 2001
17-19 July 2001
27-29 November 2001
Specialty Products is an
in-depth study of the material requirements, machine adjustments and
production methods required for specialty concrete products. The
products covered include concrete pavers, retaining wall units, concrete
brick and other architectural products.
25-29 June 2001
Preventive Maintenance covers the
maintenance procedures of Besser concrete products machines and related
equipment such as the Multi-Spade Besser-Matic loader / unloader, cubers,
mixers and LSC-40 rack transporter systems. Practical applications are
exercised on all equipment.
18-22 June 2001
Additional information about how you can benefit from the WCCT is
available at www.wcct.net
or
by calling (989) 356-9021 extension 7404.
Meet the
Blockmakers Workshop®
Instructors
As the new WCCT opened for business, the roles of three Besser
Company personnel expanded. Eric Krebs was promoted to director of
Besser research and training, Jeffrey Oliver accepted the position as
training specialist and Pete Alexander was hired as a full time
training specialist. These employees are coordinating efforts to
provide specialized training through the Blockmakers Workshops®.
Eric Krebs began a career with Besser Company in August 1978 as a
management trainee at the research and training center on the campus
of Alpena Community College. In 1979 Eric moved to the state of
Virginia, assuming the role of Besser service representative. Two
years later, he transferred to Texas and was promoted to sales
representative. After another transfer, Eric was working in the
Cleveland, Ohio area. In 1988 Eric accepted a position as a training
specialist for the Blockmakers Workshops and has been teaching for the
past twelve years. Eric has extensive concrete production experience
gained from the customer relations and equipment installations he
encountered throughout the United States, Canada, England and
Australia.
In his new position, Eric is responsible for coordinating the
activities of Blockmakers Workshops by providing targeted education to
members of the concrete products industries. Eric looks forward to
working with the Besser strategic business units to further expand the
WCCT education curriculum.
Jeffrey Oliver earned an associate degree in science with a focus
on chemistry. In 1980 he was hired as a plant supervisor at
Featherlite Corporation in Lubbock, Texas. While working for
Featherlite, Jeff attended courses in electrical engineering
technology at Texas Technical University. Later he took management
courses at the University of Texas. After nine years with Featherlite,
Jeff moved to Alpena, Michigan to work for Ameri-Shred Industrial as
an office manager. In June of 1990 Jeff began his career at Besser as
a service specialist, installing Besser equipment around the world.
Pete Alexander began a career in the concrete products industry
after graduating with an associate degree in concrete technology from
Alpena Community College in 1988. After graduation he accepted a
position with Betco Block in Gainesville, Virginia and was later
promoted to operations manager.
Pete later had the opportunity to move closer to his Alpena
"home" and began working for Grand Blanc Cement Products in
Grand Blanc, Michigan. Within two years he was working toward a plant
superintendent position and in January 1996, Pete accepted the
position of technician in the concrete products laboratory at Alpena
Community College. In 2000, he joined Besser as a training specialist.
Pete is currently continuing his education by pursuing a bachelors
degree in management from Spring Arbor College in Alpena, Michigan.
The knowledge and experience that Eric, Jeff and Pete possess will
enhance the value of the Blockmakers Workshops and play a key role in
the growth of the World Center for Concrete Technology.
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