SP&A is DBE supplier of precast concrete insulated wall panels (which includes erection).
Precast Company: Slaw Precast in Lehighton, PA
Contractor: Panzitta Enterprises in Wilkes Barre, PA
This project is still in progress but the precast has recently been erected, as of October 2022. More pics to come once the structure is closed in.
Hey everybody, here is one of my recently completed projects in St. Clair, PA.
The Scope: Architectural/Insulated Precast Panels & Installation
Contractor: Miller Brothers Construction
Precast Manufacturer: Slaw Precast
SP&A: DBE Supplier of the precast panels (which included erection). As a DBE Supplier, I also do my own level of project management (coordination with drawings, submittals, site visits, and handle problems as they arise). If your DBE supplier isn’t offering that level of service, then you’re not getting your money’s worth.
If you have questions about this project, or what Sandra Palone & Associates can do for you, email me at: slp@sandrapalone.net
I’ve got to be honest with you, I didn’t know if my little company would make it through this “once in a century” pandemic. The other piece of honesty is that I would rarely let myself have that fear. I think it’s how I’m wired (don’t think too much about it, but keep moving forward somehow). So, I did that, along with millions of small companies out there in the world. It was hard to move forward though, I felt like I was going in circles…in my cave…looking out the front opening wondering when I could get out there again.
My business, where I am a supplier of specialty manufactured products, is highly dependent on having a client on one end and a manufacturer on the other. What holds us all together are contracts, and a desire to work together. So, if something happened to any link in the chain (me, being in the middle), could have meant financial jeopardy for all of us. Writing this now, the weight of that situation feels heavy. I’m not a big believer in “doom and gloom” when it comes to my work, however. There are always little places in the process to infuse optimism. Such as, posting pics of projects nearing completion (even if they were from before the “shut down”) and thanking my customers and manufacturers for work well done.
Like many companies out there, my project pipeline was constrained. I had some large projects that went “on hold”, but found some opportunities for smaller work that kept the lights on. Manufacturers really felt the squeeze since their labor force was precarious. One day, manufacturing is operating at full speed and the next, there was a breakout of “CoVid” in the plant and everything would be shut down. On jobsites, new safety parameters were engaged for the safety of everyone in and out of work sites.
I didn’t step on a jobsite for months, and that felt weird and wrong. I always show up when product is delivered for many reasons: to see if it’s correct, if the customer is satisfied and for risk aversion (it’s an opportunity to address any misunderstandings or problems in the project process), and lastly, I feel it’s the right thing to do. It shows my commitment to this project and my customer. So, not showing up on a few sites was it’s own risk, but one I felt I had to take because I work for myself. If I got sick, my part of the process could not be done. As soon as it was reasonably safe (with all safety protocols in mind), I got back out there.
Fast forward to getting a vaccination: As soon as the vaccine was in my arm, I began to feel the anxiety I have been denying surface and leave my body. I had been holding my breath for over a year, but now I could take that breath and settle into what happened over the last year. 2020 is gone and we are nearly half way through 2021 already. Some things I’ve learned: I feel this past year unveiled some good along with the bad. The world was upside down with how we were separated from one another and we were trying to not get sick. People were on opposite sides of issues. I kept my head down through some of it and then lifted it up for issues that were close to my heart. The Universe took care of me through this time. I didn’t need to reach for PPP, but was happy it was there if I did. I started supporting small businesses where I could and was also grateful I could order most anything I needed. I really missed people (friends, family and customers). I missed the relational aspect of what I do.
Coming out of the CoVid cave, I will work smarter, be more embodied in what I do and let others see me for who I am. What’s the point of putting your name on your company if you don’t let others truly see you? So, this year I aspire to stand more in the light so you can get to know me. I also work harder for people I care about, so I’m looking forward to getting to know YOU better. I feel blessed that I can look forward to seeing you someday very soon. I am mindful that I have this opportunity to live and work when others don’t. We will deal with the other problems that come from a time of shut down and restart. Once you come out of the cave, keep walking.
We continue to supply structural and architectural precast concrete. Concentrating on this product in order to give you the best service for your project.
Our email is slp@sandrapalone.net and our phone number is 412-965-0069.
Contact SP&A for:
Precast concrete lag wall panels for your next soldier beam pile wall.
Precast concrete stairs and landing systems.
Precast concrete platforms, ramps, pier caps and foundations on train stations.
Precast bridge beam components.
Architectural precast concrete panels or trim work.
Service Put Ahead of Everything Else.
I am grateful to a masonry contractor out of Hollidaysburg, PA for this work. Joe Smith of Smith Masonry gave me an opportunity to work on this project. Together with Nelson Precast out of Baltimore, SP&A supplied the cast stone for this project. The Owner selected an off white tone with an acid etch (stone-like) finish for the caps that gave a nice refresher to this courtyard.
A special shout out to Nelson Precast’s owner, Ari Lichtman and Joe Feldman (Senior Project Manager) for your responsiveness and your “can do” attitude. Nelson Precast is an APA certified producer of wet cast and dry vibrant tamp.
Of all the projects I worked on this year, I have to say that this one was my favorite. The main design and manufacture of the precast for this project took place in 2018. SEPTA, the Southeastern PA Transit Authority, was the buyer and the contractor. Erection of project scope is now nearly complete. SP&A provided over 100 pieces of precast (precast platform slabs with cast in yellow tactile pads, ramps, stairs, piers, infill panels and piers). SP&A also provided ULMA Megalite concrete form rental (from Desuta Concrete Forms) for the cast in place concrete. This train station sits in the middle of the Villanova University campus in Villanova, PA.
What made this such a great project? All team members came together and worked toward a common goal. I look forward to working with SEPTA on future projects.
2019 was a breakout year for my company SP&A. We have become a DBE/WBE/SBE supplier of speciality precast concrete and cast stone products. This retaining wall, called the Upper Nadine Road Wall, features Dura-Hold modular retaining wall blocks. Dura-Hold is bulletin 15 approved with Penn-DOT and also available as a CO-STARS product. I’ve been working with Rodger Costello (owner of Dura-Sales in Tarentum, PA) for some time now and we worked with the specialty contractor Eurovia Atlantic Coast LLC to make this wall a reality.
Pittsburgh is a very hilly place and we have many emergency slide projects every year. This is one of those projects. Eurovia is a highly experienced contractor and I found them wonderful to work for.
The Dura-Hold block is modular, dry cast and solid. Design was a single tie back wall with a multiple step concrete footer, based on site conditions.
Why do anything? Because to do nothing would be would be a waste of this life. But, do something that matters. Can you hear your Mother in your ear like I do (saying, “don’t just sit there, do something!”). She didn’t want me to be a lazy kid. I had lots of odd jobs when I was young (grass cutting, baby sitting, pin setting in a bowling alley, painting). Unlike some other kids my age in my neighborhood, I had some money that I earned in my pocket instead of getting an allowance. My Mother told me that I bought all my clothes from the time I was 13. I don’t remember this, but it now makes sense as to how I became self sufficient. My Mother taught me to take care of myself (financially and emotionally). She raised us by herself (no support from our Father). She knew she wouldn’t always be there, so she made sure we could be independent adults with a strong work ethic. It worked.
Looking back, I realize now that I may have taken this attitude a little too far in my early adulthood. I became a human-doing instead of a human-being. I didn’t know how to just “be”. That, I later found out was because I was uncomfortable with the free time and being by myself. Anxiety would creep up and I would get myself out and about (“don’t just sit there, do something!”). A few years later, my Mother read my beads by telling me “you don’t know how to be alone”. She was right and that made me nervous to think I didn’t know how to be alone. I was a serial monogamist by this point, hopping from relationship to relationship.
Eventually, I got to the point where I was so miserable and confused about how to “be” alone or with another person. That was the beginning of a new outlook for me. I needed to get to the end of this old way of doing things so that a new understanding could emerge. I finally realized that my value isn’t just about what I do but who I am. No more grasping to keep something or somebody “there”. I was learning to let go of what isn’t supposed to be and open to what is.
It’s been several years since that revelation and I have taken this philosophy into my business and spiritual life as well. Now, when I “do something”, it is because it matters and not just to fill the time or just to please another person. I intend to do it because it will be beneficial in some way or to someone.
Concrete solutions that go beyond the surface. Release Agents / Form Treatments / Cures & Seals
For over 65 years, Cresset® Chemical Company has been an innovative leader in developing, distributing, and servicing site cast and precast Release Agents, Curing Compounds, Sealers, and other products for the concrete construction industry. At the core of our competency are superior-looking surfaces − but we go beyond the surface to meet the complexity in today’s environmental landscape. Cresset is driven to continually evolve its New Chemistry “Green” array of products to responsibly and safely meet your production, environmental, and OSHA requirements.
Contact me and let me work out the right form release product for your application and the right price.
Sandra Palone and Associates 