"Working with High Concrete gives us peace of mind—not only will the outcome be consistent and reliable, but the working relationships will be excellent." For Tim Haahs, High Concrete’s approach matters as much as its abilities. Haahs is president of the award-winning Blue Bell, PA engineering and architecture firm Timothy Haahs & Associates, specialists in multi-level parking facilities.

"When someone at High Concrete makes a recommendation for altering a particular detail, it’s communicated directly, person-to-person, not over the fax or E-mail like other contractors," says Haahs. "It’s the paper vs. people issue and I believe it makes a significant difference."

Haahs has partnered with High Concrete for more than 20 years and has witnessed the company’s evolving quest for quality. "I’ve visited the plant and I’ve seen that quality is not just in the finished tee or column, but in the people and processes behind it." Haahs says the approach is one that’s not only appreciated by members of his team, but by clients like Merck Pharmaceuticals.

Collaboration breeds innovation. That’s been the driving force in the long-term partnership between High Concrete and the Philadelphia architecture and engineering firm Ewing Cole Cherry Brott.

Design principal Tom Applequist recalls the award-winning Federal Detention Center in downtown Philadelphia and the attempt to select a finish for the unique, multi-surfaced precast panels. "We had some difficulty agreeing on an aggregate and matrix to satisfy the Bureau of Prisons.

"When we arrived at the site, High Concrete had cast and delivered sample panels in each of the possible configurations. They were on a truck, so that we could move them from place to place and observe the effect in sun, shade and shadow. Then they hosed them down to simulate rain. It allowed us to make a decision on the spot. And it demonstrated to me High Concrete’s interest in working with architects to find new ways to make materials interesting."

"Beyond design, High Concrete worked closely with us to determine how to effectively deliver and stage the panels as they went up on the site, where there was virtually no extra space. That’s the kind of thing that adds value for us, and for the client."