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CONCRETE PRODUCTS & CAST STONE104 CPI %u2013 Concrete Plant International %u2013 5 | 2025 www.cpi-worldwide.comThe Consumers Concrete story began in 1933 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a sand and gravel operation. Gradually, the family business expanded throughout western, south-western and central Michigan to become the region's leading supplier of concrete products and ready-mix concrete. Now run by members of the fourth generation, Consumers Concrete designs, manufactures and markets several ranges of concrete products for construction, public works and landscaping. Production is spread over three manufacturing sites. Consumers also has 20 readymix concrete plants in the region. In 2024, the project to modernise the historic Kalamazoo site was launched and management selected Quadra to supply and install the entire new production line. As for Quadra, it was in 2017 that the French family business decided to export its know-how to the American market by opening a subsidiary, Quadra USA Inc. The presence of an experienced technical and sales team and an on-site spare parts service have greatly helped it to grow by offering a local, high-quality customer service. Seven years on, the technical solution designed for Consumers reflects Quadra's knowledge of the American market, its expectations and its specific characteristics.In addition to productivity and quality criteria, the specifications for the project to modernise the Kalamazoo site stipulated that the new plant had to be adapted to the company's family format, while at the same time being able to manufacture all concrete products, i.e. several ranges of blocks, pavers, slabs and retaining walls, with a very high level of automation and robotics.Other particularities of the request: the block machine had to be able to use the mould cavities used on the old machine, which meant designing a mould frame adapted to different product profiles.Also, the same mould had to be able to be used for different products, which could then be palletised in different formats. This requirement necessitated the development of highly complex production cycles enabling two different products to be palletised simultaneously. The equipment proposed and chosen to meet these multiple objectives was the obvious choice: firstly, a Q6 HP press - the first to be installed in the USA - whose technology, characteristics and performance met all the requirements, and secondly, six Kuka robots, all equipped with a pneumatic clamp designed and manufactured by Quadra.State-of-the-art and highly productive plantThe core component of the production unit is the Quadra 6 High Performance vibrating press. This Q6 HP press uses 1,400 x 520 x 14 mm steel pallets to manufacture high quality blocks, slabs, pavers, retaining walls and landscaping products at high production rates. This type of machine stands out for its advantageous technical features.The vibrating features developed by Quadra are patented and allow its block machines to stand out thanks to their uniform vibrating behaviour. The motorization of the system is Two family businesses join forces for a major project in the USAQuadra, 74130 Contamine-sur-Arve, FranceQuadra 6 High Performance vibrating press