Wayne Atkinson, Inc.

The conveyance of water from one place to another dates back to the days of the Roman Empire. And so does the use of concrete ducts to do so.

There are few manufactured products that have been around for 2000 years and yet have evolved through those years. RCP is one of those products. Over the years, concrete pipe has gone through many transformations. Today’s Reinforced Concrete Pipe (RCP) is produced through a process known as Dry Casting.

Automation has increased the capability of manufacturers to produce more pipe quantities efficiently and much more cost effectively. This allows for the production of pipe in mass quantities. If you are fortunate enough to deal with a manufacturer who builds inventory vs. building to the project, chances increase that your product will arrive timely, allowing you to stay on time with your installation schedule. This is particularly true if the facility is well managed and well run.

Reinforced Concrete Pipe is without a single doubt the most feasible product dollar for dollar for storm drainage conveyance. RCP retains its own structural integrity and is not reliant upon the surrounding soil envelope to gain structural integrity as with flexible pipe systems. Additionally, the cost of Laser Profiling is not required because RCP is a rigid pipe. It retains its ovality because the structural integrity is engineered and built into the pipe itself.

Here at Wayne Atkinson, Inc., Reinforced Concrete Pipe (RCP) is where we focus our energy. Everyday we move the ball forward in our industry through Sales, Training and Analysis. If we can assist you with your next project, please do not hesitate to contact us.

A week or so ago, I heard a report while listening to Fox Business on Sirius, the Endangered Manatee has finally removed from the Endangered Species List. That’s good news, but it was not removed altogether. Rather, the manatee was downgraded to “Threatened.” Still a huge improvement since 1972 when very few were known to exist.

What this translates to is that there is still work to be done for these gentle giants of the Florida coastal waters. With this in mind, we provide Manatee Grates for pipe going into areas where the manatee population travels.

These Manatee Grates are FDOT Approved. We can provide shop drawings within 24 hours and often the same day. Fabrication along with FDOT Certifications are available in a timely manner as well.

If you live in a Manatee populated area and are as concerned as we are about the species full recovery, please join us in letting local Public Works/Road & Bridge officials, as well as Civil Engineers know these products are available. Many are unaware still.

Help support the manatee population. It’s a worthy cause.

Sure. Everything has its place. There are many things in life we encounter daily. And they all have their place and purpose.

The same is true when it comes to the pipe world. I will be the first to admit that building a roof drain system out of Reinforced Concrete Pipe is not only difficult, it would also be labor intensive and a cost overrun for the developer. However, a roof drain system is a perfect fit for what we term in the industry as “Flexible Pipe.” Meaning, it has little structural integrity of its own and must rely on the soil compaction by the installer to create an envelope to give the pipe its strength. Since roof drain systems are low impact by mowers and such and usually remain in a green area, it makes perfect sense to use flexible products here.

Some would say that I am biased because I sell Reinforced Concrete Pipe (RCP is a rigid pipe). However, if they knew my history, they would also know that I have sold millions of dollars worth of Flexible Pipe over a lifetime career in the Water Works Industry. I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly of both products. Additionally, I have been educated by the American Concrete Pipe Association and am a recipient of their P3 Certification Program.

I have always supported the notion that both types of Storm Drain pipe have their place in the industry. Is one better than the other? That depends on the application and the installation. Let’s take the aforementioned, Castillo de San Marcos, mentioned on the landing page of this blog. Does anyone really believe that if this structural facility were built out of plastic, it would still be standing nearly 500 years later? Of course not! Similarly we install manholes and storm boxes, that are made of concrete and steel. Engineers refer to them as structures. Once RCP is properly installed it creates a complete underground structure system to convey water away from one place to another. That is because the rigid RCP has its own structural integrity built right in. It is not dependent upon the envelope for compressed strength. That test has already been performed at the plant prior to pipe shipping to the job site.

From our earliest beginnings, mankind learned the risk of building with unsuitable materials. Over time we learned that for buildings to last they must have a certain amount of structural integrity. Building a Storm Structure System is no different. It can be built to last for 50 to 100 years. Or it can be a temporary fix for a long term problem. I will leave that to the Engineers and Developers to determine which system makes the best economic impact per acre. One thing I can say for certain is this: I would never build a sky scraper out of plastic. Think about it and let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for joining me!

Infrastructure is intended to last more than 20 years. We build today for our grandchildren and beyond. ~ WA

Pictured here above is the Castillo de San Marcos, located in beautiful and historic, St. Augustine, Florida. For nearly 500 years this facility has stood the test of time. Literally multiple thousands have looked and marveled at its beauty, its engineering, and its military prowess. To stop and think that these Coquina stones were engineered, cut, transported and installed all by hand is something we cannot imagine today. The Bastion System facility is a credit to the Spanish engineers who designed and oversaw its completion. This particular Castillo was so effective, cannonballs lodged into the outer walls of the fort. At night, they were promptly removed and the next day sent back from whence they came. Talk about creating infrastructure that can last. Wow!

Similarly we should strive to build long term and not with short term goals in mind. With that in mind, we are excited to announce the launch of our Wayne Atkinson, Inc. blog. As a manufacturer representative, when we look at a company for the first time, we do not say, how can I make a few dollars short term. No, instead we say, how can this product make a difference and what about it’s lifetime viability. Can it last 50 years itself; or can it assist in making sure that one of our other products does just that. These are the things we look for if we are going to put our name behind it. We took the same thought process with this blog. Should we go with something new or with something with a proven track record of success. The later was the obvious choice. That is why we chose WordPress to host our blog.

What began in 1977 as a dream to carry on the family legacy of building infrastructure that last for years to come; started as Atkinson & Company, Inc. in 2001. In 2018, the company underwent a makeover with a new name and a focus on road building infrastructure materials. Over the course of the next few years much planning, organization, negotiating with manufacturers and the building of digital infrastructure took place. This did not happen by accident. Neither could it take place overnight. Proper time and leadership was manifested in the talents of acting CEO Belinda Atkinson. WAI even survived a CAT 5 Hurricane named Michael just as Belinda began the first launch that same September.

Since then, our company has come a long way. Effective March 1, 2020, Wayne Atkinson takes the helm as President/Owner. With a sure foundation, an experienced leadership team of industry experts and a focused business model, Wayne and Belinda are in a strong position to make a difference to the American Infrastructure here in the Southern US, that will last at least another 50 years or more.

As the journey begins, we invite you to join in and follow us. Hit the follow button at the bottom of the Home page. Wayne will write about topics of importance to the industry that he loves so much. We will also have guest writers joining in and sharing their voice on topics important to them. Most of all, your presence is needed. We look forward to serving you, your company, your business.