Expanding block production: a Central American company picks up the block production pace with the installation of a new machine - casting trends - Grupo Forte S.A

Concrete Producer, The, August, 2003 by Rick Yelton

Plant upgrades that include production increases in palletizing equipment isn't limited to the United States. Grupo Forte S.A. of Guatemala City has completed installation of a new Masa Superbloc machine to produce innovative concrete block and paver products for the Central American market.

The Guatemalan producer opted for a new block making machine that utilizes a 1.400 x 660 mm pallet. The machine design allows high efficiency for both types of dimension products, hollow block production, and high density products Grupo Forte's sales staff plans to expand the market for pavers and curbstones in this growing market. In addition, the machinery is equipped with face mix to allow the introduction of high-quality European style pavers, combining surface textures and finishes with high strength for industrial use.

Their new plant design includes finger car, twin mixers, and automatic color dosing. They now have a plant that that allows production staff the flexibility for fast, efficient, and versatile production of many different products. Grupo Forte is offering a vast range of traditional and innovative products, from standard hollow core blocks in several sizes to U-blocks, retaining walls, split face blocks, split veneers, and multiple paver designs and sizes. One of its most unique products is curbstones made with face mix.

"We intend to bring a new perception of product quality and design for precast block and paver elements to our market, not only here in Guatemala, but to our entire region," says Sergio Prahl, general director of Grupo Forte. "The varied background of our ownership group as producers, highway contractors, land developers, and commercial and housing constructors permits us a unique perspective and experience capability as no other in this region."

In addition to the concrete precast production components, Grupo Forte also has installed another Masa mixing and dosing system to use with its new state-of-the-art dry mix plant for mortar, grouting, and other pre-mix products needed in the industry.

"The combined capabilities of our plant were unseen before in our industry," says Prahl. "Our ability to offer everything needed for the contractor to construct using precast concrete will create efficiencies and bring about great change to our marketplace."

For more information, contact CTI Inc. at 920-497-8725 or visit www.cti5050.com.