Langston Bates Making Impact in Intense Concrete Industry

Langston Bates, Langston Bates Alanta, Langston Bates Georgia

​Whether professionally or personally, Langston Bates has never had a problem keeping busy and making a difference. Working for some of the more prominent companies in the concrete industry, Bates is making his mark.

Langston Bates first became an Associate Representative of the National Precast Concrete Association's (NPCA) Precast Concrete Paving Slabs Committee in 2016. He has held a spot on that same committee for the last two terms, including their most recent.

"I want to stay as busy as possible, but also make a difference for many years to come,"

Langston Bates

NPCA has represented many manufacturers of plant-produced precast concrete products and also the suppliers of products and services for the industry since 1965. They are also dedicated to expanding the use of quality precast concrete and providing members with the programs and information required to operate a successful prefabricated plant.

"I've been able to serve in a leadership role with the committee, and have built many relationships in the concrete industry," Bates says. 

NPCA committees have been a steady foundation for the association's growth for many years. And while Bates serves on the Precast Concrete Paving Slabs Committee, there are others. But with the NPCA, the message is still the same.

These NPCA committees were created by the Board to address significant industry issues. They also address and respond to threats and discuss opportunities that impact specific product lines within the manufactured concrete products industry. All of NPCA's committees are made up of volunteers who are either producer members or associate members of academia or specifiers. 

"Working with NPCA, it's been humbling to contribute to the enhancement of the precast concrete industry," adds Langston Bates.

Bates adds that precast concrete products are everywhere. They make up the backbone of NPCA's infrastructure above and below ground. They also play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy, clean, and productive environment. Structures that people see every day include precast concrete products. They include bridges, foundations, highway barriers, manholes, piping, sound walls, retaining walls, and wall panels.

Becoming hands-on with NPCA's committee is not the only job Bates has been busy with. Bates is also Bekaert's corporate contact for the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI). PTI is a nonprofit group for the advancement of post-tensioned, prestressed concrete design and construction. They also represent a community of businesses and professionals dedicated to expanding quality post-tensioning applications. 

"While working at Bekaert, I've had the chance to become a key contact with many companies, but they are one I enjoy working with," Bates says about PTI.

PTI is focused on five principal goals and objectives. Those are Market Certification, Educate, Communicate Effectively, Organize for Growth, and Market Post-Tensioning. Like NPCA, PTI also offers committees dedicated to the industry and professionals within. Committee members volunteer their time and effort to PTI and specific committees. Voting members are selected because of their personal knowledge and experience related to the committee's mission.

"The one aspect about PIT that intrigues when becoming a contact with them is their PTI Convention," says Langston Bates. The annual PTI Convention is a chance for practicing professionals to expand their expertise of post-tensioning and to socialize with fellow practitioners. The convention also features two days of technical sessions with presentations on a wide array of post-tensioning design and construction topics. 

"The PTI Board of Directors and Bekaert have built a great, long-lasting professional relationship," Bates adds. "Their Board is responsible for the management and control of the Institute, and that makes the company top of the industry."

In the cut-throat industry of concrete and other construction, Langston Bates is content with the fact he has been a part of outstanding industry leaders and committees. "I want to stay as busy as possible, but also make a difference for many years to come," Bates concludes. 

Source: Web Presence, LLC