The construction industry is one of perpetual change. Companies across the spectrum of sectors are continuously growing, innovating, and developing. Meeting the needs of clients is a challenge that never sleeps and companies find themselves upskilling and rising to the many challenges on a near-constant basis. In this context, it is important to occasionally take stock, recognize your contribution to the market, and react accordingly. For twenty years, M CON Pipe & Products Inc. has delivered precast concrete drainage infrastructure across a variety of sectors in a peerless fashion. However, as the industry has developed, so too have the skills, products, and services that the company offers. With the company now bringing an all-encompassing service to its clients, Cristina Mion, General Manager, explains how a continuous process of rigorous self-evaluation led to an exciting decision. “Internal evaluation is an ongoing practice for us. Over the last 20 years, we’ve really grown — through our own operations and in the partnerships that we’ve established. A big part of our future plan is to continue offering unique customizable solutions addressing any construction challenges that are present for our customers on a variety of development sites.”
The result is OMNI PRECAST. A forward-facing company that is built on the foundation of 20 years’ experience and service to the precast industry across its many facets. The rebrand is the cornerstone of the company’s 20th anniversary celebrations, reflecting as Cristina says, “the company that we’ve grown into, and the future we’re committed to.” As she explains, OMNI —meaning ‘all’— is a brand that best covers the comprehensive body of work the company brings to its clients. “We are a precast solutions provider. We address evolving infrastructure challenges with sustainable precast products developed in collaboration with our network. With our incredibly skilled team of engineers and production personnel we’re able to provide completely custom offerings to any and all construction challenges.”
As part of this change, OMNI PRECAST makes clear that it is business as usual. The only difference is that clients can now enjoy a clear understanding of the pillars that drive the company. Quality, Innovation, Reliability, and Community are the foundation of OMNI PRECAST. These are not, however, aspirational targets. Rather, they are qualities that have carried this company for two decades to the summit of the precast industry. Cristina believes that these four pillars of the company operate in partnership with each other. However, quality is something that permeates every aspect of OMNI PRECAST, from relationship building to the finished product. “We are providing infrastructure for the developing communities all around us. People rely on our products to be safe, and to be sustainable, to stand the test of time. We take that responsibility very seriously.” One way that OMNI PRECAST ensures the highest levels of quality is by managing its production environment to an exacting standard. As Cristina explains, “It is an absolute priority for us in our manufacturing practices. We have really invested to make sure that every aspect of our operation caters to that quality. From our manufacturing facility, to our experienced team, , and the quality assurance practices that are in place, everything has to align with the fact that our customers expect a premium quality product.”
From Quality and Innovation to Reliability and Community, these pillars work in tandem. As Cristina points out, in order to succeed they must all be in place. This is no more evident than in the way OMNI PRECAST relates to its community. After 20 years in business, it is no surprise that the company has developed and nurtured strong partnerships in the industry. It prides itself on a comprehensive family of clients who return to OMNI PRECAST for its skill and professionalism but, as Cristina shares, community is not just about customers. From professional partnerships and associations, to the company’s own internal community, it is something that extends to all of OMNI PRECAST’s stakeholders. When we speak about community, I think that extends to several facets of the company. Obviously, one is our client relationships. We have an amazing group of customers that we work in collaboration with to make sure that they’re successful in their projects. We have also developed strong product partnerships with Stone Strong, Storm Trap, Devine & Associates, and Echelon Environmental, as well as industry partnerships, such as the CCPPA and other groups across the Ontario construction market. Beyond that, our internal community – the OMNI PRECAST team – is at the heart of what we do and the successes we’ve achieved. We are all working towards the same goal —creating sustainable, value-added infrastructure solutions. We want to be a contributing member of that and help build communities.”
While the name may be new, it is clear that the attributes that have sustained the company up to this point are still very much present. With a track record of providing continuously innovative solutions, OMNI PRECAST is a leader in the sector. For Cristina, “Innovation has always been a big part of who we are at our core, and it is present in all aspects of our operation, from the office through to the manufacturing facility. For instance, we were the first in North America to install the PRIMA and Smart Cast robot system from AFFINITAS, which really kind of changed the way that maintenance hole structures were produced. By doing that, we were able to address a number of challenges in the traditional manufacturing process.”
“OMNI Precast has experience and expertise across all facets of the precast sector.”
As a company that prides itself on developing and growing with the times, it is no surprise to learn that OMNI PRECAST is fully embracing digital technology to bring top-tier service to clients. “More recently, we have moved towards becoming a fully integrated, fully online manufacturing facility. We worked with a number of partners to have full visibility of our operation from the time that we get an estimate in, through to design, and order execution. This includes real-time transparency of our processes and every aspect of a product’s life cycle..” Innovation is not limited to the technology the company uses, however. As Cristina shares, every client has individual needs and an innovative approach to both product development and problem solving are a core tenet of the company. “On the product side, we are always looking at new, innovative products that address changing needs, and allow us to provide truly unique solutions for our customers.”
OMNI Precast has experience and expertise across all facets of the precast sector. Having built a reputation for quality and innovation, it is now looking to the future with a new brand that best represents the qualities that have brought two decades of success. For Cristina, it all comes down to one simple thing. What this company does really matters. While precast concrete can be hidden in the background of a project, it is the foundation upon which all other successes can be built. “We are the groundwork for growing communities. We understand the importance of the products that we supply and that they will stand the test of time. We look at the communities around us, and we understand that we were a foundational part of that. That really helps drive us forward.”
