More than a dozen venues have been equipped with new state-of-the-art fan-pleasing upgrades. King StarBoard®, the original marine-grade high density polyethylene (HDPE), was used to create drink rails and tabletops with built-in cooling cup holders so the last sip will be colder and more refreshing than the first. The new drink rail and tabletop installs would be exposed to outdoor conditions including UV rays, heat, rain and humidity. Since these were being installed in high traffic areas, the project required high-impact strength, abrasion resistant and crack resistant materials to better withstand the natural wear and tear from fans.
“The customer originally specified King StarBoard ST because it was an outdoor application and they liked the surface and stock colors available,” said Curbell Plastics Territory Sales Manager Jeff Rogers. “When I reviewed their requirements, I suggested they look at standard King StarBoard with sheet sizes that offered a better yield and thicknesses that made sense for their needs.” King StarBoard® HDPE sheet is easy to fabricate with traditional woodworking tools. It won’t rust, delaminate, or rot, and is virtually maintenance free as it never needs painting or refinishing. The new drink rails and tabletops are beautiful, functional additions to the selected stadiums and ready for fans to enjoy! www.curbellplastics.com.
Their vision is now reality at the company’s newly remodeled 224,000-square-foot campus in Houston, TX, USA. The headquarters building contains 70 percent performance plastics sourced from within to exhibit the versatile uses of the materials. The performance plastics selected by A&C to use in the designs include clear and colored acrylic, aluminum composite material (ACM), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and other specialty plastic sheets.
The first thing anyone arriving at the new building sees is “A&C Plastics” in large letters as acrylic and block acrylic exterior signage. ACM, used for the building’s exterior and other signs, offers a clean, contemporary finish.
Once inside, the variety and versatility of plastics is equally highlighted. The front entrance welcomes guests with an Arcoplus 626 blue awning made of standing seam multiwall. Hanging 15′ 4″ inside the lobby, a twinkling chandelier made with clear DP9 and P95 acrylic reflects from the ceiling lights made of light-diffusing Lumen XT sheets, adding light and movement.
“We wanted to create an element of whimsy and beauty with the materials,” said A&C Plastics President Katie Clapp. “So often, our customers are looking primarily for function. But I think we’ve proven that with the right design, plastics can become art.”
A&C has used its sourced-from-within plastics for functionality as well as style. Anti-reflective coated bullet-resistant acrylic sheets cover the exterior windows and front desk to keep customers and employees safe. Throughout the building, all countertop surfaces are made of solid surface acrylic and all ADA-approved interior signs are made of P95 acrylic. The floating acrylic shelves on the walls and acrylic display artwork add to the contemporary, open layout of the space.
For all private office rooms and meeting rooms, erasable digital acrylic dry erase boards, typically used in hospitals, were implemented as well. Other applications inspired by hospitals are the touchless bathroom fixtures and a new air filtration system to filter potential airborne threats.
“In addition to highlighting for customers how to creatively use our products, I feel our ability to physically demonstrate to our teams who work here every day what is possible with our products is hugely important. We are very intentional about trying to make A&C a great place to work. Now our staff is prouder than ever to be part of our family,” said Clapp.
The importance that A&C places in showcasing its work culture stands out in the new space. The company’s core values and mission statement are presented on standoff displays hanging on the walls. The Champions Room displays acrylic cases of Faulk’s collection of autographed sports memorabilia, meant to inspire A&C workers to aim high for their own achievements.
Most recently, the A&C Hall of Fame retirement wall was installed to commemorate past retirees and those to come. These individuals’ portraits and their histories are second surface printed on clear acrylic. Further demonstrating the company’s belief that it is only as good as its people, an Edge FX acrylic sign in the Will Call lobby lights up as “Chuy’s Will Call,” named after one of A&C’s most valued retirees.
A&C Plastics stands by its products through its new headquarters. The larger space is a tribute to the industry, its customers and its own strong work ethic, all based on the marvels of performance plastics and the versatile role it serves in our everyday workspaces. Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tUYOVLr820 to take a video tour. www.acplastics.com.
One challenge was that some sections of the 7.5-mile-long pipe extension run near or along streets and roadways as well as residential zones and neighborhoods. To help minimize the impact in these areas, a piping material that was capable of being installed using underground horizontal directional drilling (HDD) was required.
To overcome installation constraints, engineers chose to use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sewer pipes. In addition to being flexible and durable enough to support HDD, HDPE pipes are more resistant to corrosion and have fewer mechanical joints, which help reduce long-term maintenance requirements. The piping system is expected to improve the infrastructure’s resilience to rising sea level and groundwater table.
The new force main was completed without issue and set a record for one of the longest and largest HDD pressurized sewer pipe installations in the world, at 3,100 ft at OD 54. The installation required fusing about 23 sections of pipe as it was being pulled underground. www.agruamerica.com.