May 22 2015
Smith-Midland Corporation -- In a deal contracted at $4M, Smith-Midland will manufacture and deliver all precast concrete aerial guide-way parapet panels and precast concrete manholes, and provide J-J Hooks™ concrete barriers for the Metro Silver Line phase II project. In total, 15,000 tons of concrete will be provided by Smith-Midland for the Metro Silver Line phase II project, through the end of 2016.
"We are delighted to be involved in such a progressive and innovative project," said Matthew Smith, Smith-Midland's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We have built our company on the promise of quality products and excellent service, and a partnership with Metro illustrates a cooperative trust and shared goal in accomplishing these things."
Just over six miles (33,000 linear feet) of Smith-Midland precast concrete aerial guide-way parapet panels will run along the sides of the elevated Metro Silver Line track, beginning in close proximity to Dulles Airport and continuing along Autopilot Drive. In addition, 10,000 linear feet of J-J Hooks precast concrete barriers are included in the deal.
The parapet will serve as a noise barrier and visual screen. The 265 precast concrete manholes will serve as electric, communication and traction power vaults ranging in size from 12' x 6' to 16' x 8', which will support Metro controls and power lines from the Airport Authority and Dominion Power.
The lean manufacturing business approach established by the Toyota Production System (TPS) model reduces waste in labor, inventory and parts, and is a value-add for customers. Smith-Midland has implemented this TPS approach and business model throughout its organization.
"Smith-Midland remains focused on lean manufacturing practices, which benefit our customers by providing the highest quality products and services at the lowest cost to the customer, in the shortest time, and in the safest manner," says Smith-Midland's president, Ashley Smith.
The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is a 23-mile extension of Washington's existing Metrorail System, and is being built in two phases by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). When both phases are complete, the line will provide a one-seat, no-transfer ride from Dulles to Washington, D.C., and include 11 new stations. Phase II will include six stations along 11.4 miles from the Wiehle-Reston East Station to Ashburn.
The primary construction company on this project is Capital Rail Constructors, and includes a joint venture between Clark Construction Group and Kiewit Infrastructure South.
"We will deliver this project in a just-in-time manner, which minimizes space and time-to-market, movement in the production yard, and storage costs, and enables us to be more responsive in meeting a customer's needs," said Chris Kemp, Smith-Midland's Director of Continuous Improvement. "In this way, feedback from a customer -- regarding order changes or changes in schedule -- can be immediately sent back to production, and allows us to be most efficient, producing what they need, when they need it. Just-in-time means we're matching up our production with a customer's delivery requirements."
Source: http://smithmidland.com/