Hy-Vee grocery has established itself as one of the top 25 grocery retailers in the country. The organization has built 240 stores throughout eight midwestern states and employs over 85,000 people. A common thread to the grocery chain’s expansion? Fabcon Precast.
DIFFERENT BUSINESSES. A COMMON APPROACH
As the go-to provider of precast concrete panels for many grocery chains throughout the country, Hy-Vee looks to Fabcon for expertise in both the production of precast panels and the build-out of its stores.
“The biggest thing for grocery – and retail clients in general – is speed of construction,” said Fabcon’s Matt Smith. “They want to get the registers up and running as quickly as possible. The fastest way to do that is with precast.” While speed is always vital, the grocer has grown to appreciate our service throughout the entirety of a project. And much like itself, also the way we’ve proven to help them keep costs in check.
CLIMATE CONSIDERATIONS, INSIDE & OUT
“Like many of the grocers we work with,” said Fabcon’s Don Johnson, “Hy-Vee gravitates to our 12” VersaCore+Green™ sandwich panels and their impressive R-value of 28.2.”
Featuring edge-to-edge insulation, these panels meet energy efficiency requirements and are effective at maintaining a comfortable shopping environment, regardless of climate. This helps to enhance the customer experience, but it also saves plenty of money in heating and cooling throughout the life of a store.
Not all grocery stores are created equal. And Hy-Vee is no exception. So if the in-store experience was so much better than its competitors, why look like everyone else? Fabcon has worked closely with Hy-Vee’s architects and designers to produce a custom finish for their precast panels. This helps the chain’s stores stand out from the pack. And create a positive impression of the brand the moment a customer approaches the store.
Experienced crews and better engineering insure that Fabcon walls go up fast making room for other subcontractors to get to work quicker.
QUICK TO BUILD. QUICKER TO MARKET
“Because of the close working relationships, all parties at the table develop a kind of “short hand” when working with architects, general contractors and management from the grocery chains,” said Johnson. “’It’s just like the one we built in Cedar Rapids,’ for example, that only serves to speed up the process and eliminate pitfalls along the way.”
This means that from the plant to the install crews, many of our employees have direct experience with a Hy-Vee project. And it shows as subsequent builds go that much easier. With multiple production facilities, we’re able to produce the required panels to handle multiple projects at one time.
“On the larger end of things, there are always efficiencies when you repeat a design,” said Smith. “Even if the architect is designing buildings in several states, you’re not starting from scratch each time – both in terms of production and build-out.” This is how Hy-Vee moves so quickly from Ground Breaking to Grand Opening.
Then it’s off to the next store and another call to Fabcon Precast.
Related Stories
Concrete | Jun 7, 2016
Concrete Institute publishes document providing concrete curing guidance
New curing monitoring techniques included.
Building Materials | Jun 1, 2016
MIT study: Microscopic structure of natural materials can inspire better concrete
Bones and sea sponges are highly organized at the molecular level, while concrete consists of random composites.
High-rise Construction | Mar 28, 2016
SOM’s Salt Lake City skyscraper uses innovative structural system to suspend itself over a neighboring building
The hat truss-supported office tower was topped off in January, rising 25 stories above the Salt Lake City streets.
Concrete Technology | Jan 27, 2016
New concrete can make roads, sidewalks safer by melting ice and snow
The de-icing concrete uses an electrical current to generate heat to keep roads safer during winter storms.
3D Printing | Jan 25, 2016
Architecture students create new method for 3D printing concrete
The team's Fossilized project allows for structures that are more varied and volumetric than other forms so far achieved.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Digitally fabricated concrete formwork pushes the limits of what can be cost-effectively constructed in concrete
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger and CW Keller use 3D modeling and CNC machining to advance concrete construction.
Great Solutions | Jan 20, 2016
Sasaki Associates develops simple yet novel solution for precast concrete complication
Its double-angle cladding anchor maintains the air/water/vapor barrier integrity and continuous insulation while still allowing for the desired versatility of precast panels.
Great Solutions | Jan 19, 2016
Concrete innovation: voided biaxial slab slashes weight, saves concrete
System reduces slab dead load by 30% on medical clinic project
Concrete | Jan 15, 2016
Fallingwater to Sydney Opera House: Ranking the world’s best concrete buildings
Large and small, some of the most iconic structures of all time were made of the composite building material.
Vertical Transportation | Aug 5, 2015
ThyssenKrupp’s maglev elevator test tower almost ready
The 761-foot concrete tower will enable the manufacturer to test its maglev elevator prototypes. The new elevators will be moved by magnets, allowing for vertical and horizontal movement of multiple cars in one shaft.
