The production of precast concrete pipe in the Calgary region began in early 1950s when Carl Neilson and Chris Peterson established Stoy Concrete. They purchased the site of the current Lafarge operation in southeast Calgary and built a precast shop in 1958.

Through the 1960s the company began producing 6, 8, and 10-inch diameter non reinforced concrete pipe, and 12 to 21-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe, along with a few manhole barrels.

In 1971, Stoy began construction of a modern pipe plant, and began production of a completely new product line in 1972. Supercrete purchased Stoy around 1974 when production was at capacity. Buildings were upgraded, new pipe production equipment installed, and new mixer facilities built next to the precast facility. The operation was expanded again in 1979 to produce 12 to 144-inch diameter pipe, and a boiler added to the facility for steam curing the pipe. Supercrete sold to Canada Cement Division of Canfarge in 1980, at the time of the recession.

Operations were downsized significantly through the recession until late 1986 when the decision was taken to revive the pipe plant and install new Hawkeye pipe production equipment and cage machine. By 1988, the plant was producing small and large diameter pipe and manholes. Throughout the 90s, the operation expanded further with new equipment and product lines. Today the operation is a key component of Lafarge’s concrete pipe operations in Canada.

Contact Ryan Finley, P.Eng. ryan.finley@lafarge-na.com