Ascent - Summer 2025
Insight
2025-07-04 15:58:03
ASCENT®
DESIGNING WITH PRECAST
SHAPING PRECAST CONCRETE’S FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION
RYAN PENLERICK
PROGRAM DIRECTOR, PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY CONCRETE INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT
The future of the precast concrete industry lies not only in technical innovation but in preparing a new generation of professionals who understand the business behind the product. The PCI Foundation’s long-standing commitment to education continues to strengthen the industry’s foundation, with one of its most compelling recent success stories emerging from the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program at Texas State University.
In Fall 2024, Texas State launched a new junior-level course titled Precast/Prestressed Management, a first-of-its-kind class that focuses not on design theory, but on the business and operational realities of the precast concrete industry. Now required for all CIM majors, the course fills a gap in construction and concrete education by shifting the lens from purely structural engineering to the strategic, logistical, and management challenges unique to the precast, prestressed concrete sector.
While engineering students across the country study prestressed concrete design, and while PCI continues to be a leader in developing technical design resources, there are remarkably few educational opportunities focused on plant management, operational efficiency, and commercial strategy in the industry. That’s where this course breaks new ground by offering students a holistic view of precast concrete from the perspective of the producer.
Curriculum Designed for Industry Readiness
With support from a generous curriculum development grant from the PCI Foundation, the course was thoughtfully developed by Texas State University faculty in collaboration with local industry leaders and PCI partners. The PCI Foundation’s investment made it possible to build a robust and engaging curriculum that responds directly to the industry’s evolving workforce needs.
The Precast/Prestressed Management course covers a wide array of management-oriented topics that are critical to day-to-day operations. These include:
• Plant operations and layout optimization
• Estimating, pricing strategy, and bid development
• Lifting, rigging, and hoisting safety practices
• Production scheduling and labor management
• Supply chain and inbound/outbound logistics
• Inventory management and material tracking
• Quality control procedures and product verification
• Sales and client relations in the precast concrete sector
By introducing these topics in an academic setting, students develop a comprehensive understanding of how precast concrete businesses operate, from raw material procurement to final product delivery. This prepares them to step confidently into roles in estimating, project management, operations, and beyond.
Learning by Doing: A Hands-On Experience
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of the course is its hands-on lab and field component. Students visit local precast and prestressed concrete plants to see production in real time, speak directly with plant managers, and observe how decisions made in the office impact work on the floor and vice versa.
Back on campus, the learning continues through lab-based casting of a precast concrete component. Students work in teams to design mixture proportions, interpret drawings and specifications, build and prepare formwork, pour and finish their element, and conduct quality checks. The course culminates in a capstone-style project in which each team completes a mock pricing exercise and develops a professional sales proposal for their component, bridging the gap between technical production and business development.
This full-circle learning experience mirrors real-world challenges and exposes students to the interdisciplinary nature of the precast concrete industry. It brings together concrete technology, construction management, logistics, and entrepreneurship in a way that few courses currently do.
As the precast concrete industry navigates new challenges ranging from workforce shortages to supply chain disruptions and sustainability mandates, educational efforts like this one will be essential. By investing in hands-on, business-focused, and operations-driven instruction, Texas State University’s CIM program and its partners in the industry are setting the stage for a stronger, more resilient future.
Ryan Penlerick, PhD, CPC, is a professor of practice and program director for the Concrete Industry Management program at Texas State University. Email ryan.penlerick@txstate.edu.
©Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute. View All Articles.
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