Mr. Thorsten Hertel, Product Manager, Precast, Tekla Corporation

Seamless Precast Fabrication-Tekla Approach

"Software transforms precast efficiency," says Mr. Thorsten Hertel, Product Manager, Precast, Teklay Corporation to Built Expressions in an interview on the sidelines of recently held International Seminar, REDECON 2014,organized by ACCE(I), Bangalore Chapter.

Demand for quality, crunching of deadlines and meeting competition has trigged precast industry to embrace advanced design technologies in order to meet the rising demands of the industry. We, from Tekla's perspective believe "usage of software in precast will lead to innovations in addition to meeting the deadline and quality requirements. Precast industry gyrates around the precision aspect of the precast product and hence, software is a must to achieve that meticulousness. One should have tools for accuracy and hence, usage of 3D modeling software is a mandatory in the current scenario. Our software product, 'Tekla Structures' offers relevant solutions to precast industry to optimize and enrich the existing processes of the industry."

'Tekla Structures' allows fabricators to produce and deliver all types of precast concrete elements at the right time to the right place efficiently optimizing all the logistics and resources. Tekla software boosts the entire precast workflow from bidding to delivery.  3D visualizations and presenting alternative solutions help precast fabricators win more successful businesses.

You can detail all kinds of structures, manage fabrication, plan erection and find potential problems early before fabrication. Tekla integrates design and detailing with manufacturing processes. To enhance communication, precast concrete, rebar and steel fabricators can communicate with contractors and coordinate their production with site operations with Tekla BIMsight. Everyone stays informed.

• Tekla Structures is much more than design and detailing software for the precast concrete industry. It is the most accurate and comprehensive parametric 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) tool on the market. Tekla Structures streamlines the entire workflow from sales, bidding, cost estimation and conceptual design to detailing, fabrication, erection, and follow-up.
• Tekla Structures easily combines precast concrete with other building materials, such as steel and reinforced concrete, to promote efficient project management and error-free collaboration throughout the entire building value chain.

The precast industry is rapidly shifting towards the use of technology especially 3D modeling tools. A precast fabricator can achieve the biggest benefit of increased productivity through more effective detailing and production processes. Such efficiency results in elements being produced on schedule and delivered as a perfect-fit solution.

Apparently, our software segment has grown constantly in India and is widely known for its steel manufacturing and capabilities. But then, we stepped into producing software especially for the precast and other relevant segments of construction industry. We understood the market requirement. When we entered, BIM was not born but we had already established as a software provider for the precast industry. The software also has been used successfully for building metro stations, tunnels, hotels, residential apartments.

We want to be the most sought after precast solutions provider and to be recognized as the provider of what we have been promising. We want to assist our customers to grow and build a better world. We focus on maintaining long term customer relationship. Ever since our Indian operations started in 2006, our customer base has reached over 400 including in oil & gas, pre engineered buildings and precast fabricators. 

The rate of technology adoption in Europe is higher compared to India. However, India is an emerging market and a growing country in all the sectors. We see a tremendous opportunity here. The availability on people skills is much higher in India that gives an edge here than in other countries. Top notch people at Intel and Microsoft are from India.